By OLAYINKA LATONA

Mrs. Ezinne Abimbola Makinde is the National President of Methodist Women’s Fellowship, MWF. The Oyo State-born teacher and mother is also the wife of the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Makinde. Recently, the Methodist Women’s Fellowship celebrated its 80th anniversary in Nigeria with the launch of a book titled ‘Women as Teachers and Character Moulders’.

It also gave awards to 270 of its members.  In this interview, Mrs. Makinde  strongly expressed her  belief that women as agents of change, must rise up to the challenge of inculcating good morals in their children, as no child with proper home training will choose the path of dishonor. Hear her:

Methodist church women’s fellowship
For the past 80 years MWF has been involved in numerous transformational projects in and outside the church. We provide sound education for the less privileged, hospitality service, care for the aged,the vulnerable, home for the homeless irrespective of  their religion, prison ministry and other investments. Often, especially on Sundays, we provide food and clothing materials for miscreants because we largely believe that it is when these people are hungry that they think of getting into crime.

Celebrating womanhood
It is a good thing  to celebrate womanhood because women are greatly involved in numerous transformations at the home front, in the society and the nation at large. They are the carriers of life and they are working tirelessly in reshaping the society. We are celebrating our women today because they have been working tirelessly in seeing to the development of the church, individuals and are also at the vanguard of promoting the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some of the awardees are late and we present it to their children or families.  There were 270 awardees and I am happy that it was a success.

The book, Women as Teachers and Character Moulders
The book does not only focus on the history of the church alone but how our Christian mothers can still continue to imbibe the culture of building, moulding leaders of tomorrow and shaping the society. The book also maps out how our women can live exemplary lives and be role models. It also teaches couples to be mutually supportive.

Women’s role in curbing terrorism
The country has been facing lots of insecurity challenges for some time now.   Innocent people of all ages continue to lose their lives. Our women, as  mothers and carriers of life, can help change the situation with fasting and ardent prayers for restoration of peace and harmony in our nation. I believe that God did not create anybody that He cannot control; it is disheartening and painful when you see lives being wasted. Not only that, the perpetrators were born of women! Therefore, Nigerian women should not relent in instilling good morals in their children. We should also practice what we preach because these children are watching.

Women should fear God, be prayerful; not leave their home front in the care of house maids or relations. We should live exemplary lives that will curb divorce in the society, and try to keep homes that are peaceful, so that this will reflect in the nation. Women as agents of change must rise up to the challenges of child upbringing as no child with proper training will choose the path of dishonor.  They should love one another, not discriminate because of differences in religion, language, background or personality.  Let us forget our differences and live as one family. I believe Nigerian women will achieve more in the area of leadership especially in politics if we can learn to love, support and encourage one another.

Our leaders
Leaders in various capacities in the country should have the fear of God and do their work effectively by serving the masses with all honesty because the masses are facing lots of challenges. Mr. President should please find a lasting solution to the menace of insecurity, which has led to the killing of thousands of innocent people and the destruction of properties amongst others.

Government
Technical schools which are becoming shadow of themselves should be revived and funded properly. Advanced countries pay keen attention to technical schools because they develop the nations’ economy.  Likewise, individuals and non-governmental organizations should support government in providing sound education for Nigerian children.
Teachers ought to be well paid because they are the ones in charge of instilling knowledge and building future leaders.