Healthy women are pillars of family, national development — Onuoha

By Everest Ezihe, Ihitte Uboma

Dr. Mrs. Peace Onuoha, an educational expert, has identified women across the world as pillars of family and national development.

Onuoha stated this in her keynote address at the well-attended 2026 August meeting organised by the Association of Women in Colleges of Education (WICE), Benjamin Uwajumogu State College of Education, Ihitte Uboma Chapter, South-East Zone, Nigeria.

The meeting, held at the institution’s conference hall, had as its theme: “Healthy Women, Healthy Home: Ensuring Women’s Well-Being.”

She described the gathering as an important assembly of women educators, scholars, leaders, mothers, mentors and nation-builders, stressing that the well-being of women was not merely a personal matter but also a family, educational, economic and national development issue.

According to her, “When women are healthy, homes become stronger. When homes are stronger, communities become stronger, and when communities become stronger, nations become stronger and better.”

The educational icon reiterated that Nigeria does not merely need educated women, but healthy, confident, informed, economically empowered and emotionally resilient women.

“We need women who can teach without breaking, lead without losing themselves, nurture families without sacrificing their identity and pursue excellence without sacrificing their health,” she said.

Onuoha further canvassed the need to build homes where care is shared, institutions where women are respected and supported, classrooms where girls are empowered, and communities where women are safe.

She reminded every woman and girl that they are important, adding that their health, voices, dreams and well-being matter greatly in all their endeavours.

The keynote speaker urged women in Nigeria to make five simple commitments: take their health seriously; protect their mental and emotional well-being; build healthy relationships by rejecting violence and every form of abuse; support and uplift other women; and become ambassadors for women’s well-being in their homes, workplaces and communities.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Chairperson of WICE, Benjamin Uwajumogu State College of Education, Ihitte Uboma Chapter, South-East Zone, Nigeria, Lady Chidinma Onuoha, expressed gratitude to the guests for honouring their invitation despite their busy schedules.

She noted that their presence demonstrated their shared commitment to the well-being, dignity, growth and happiness of women.

“We are gathered not merely to celebrate women, but also to remind ourselves of the important role a healthy and fulfilled woman plays in building a healthy home, a strong family, and a better society,” she said.

Lady Chidinma described the theme as both timely and significant, observing that women often carry multiple responsibilities as mothers, wives, daughters, caregivers, professionals, entrepreneurs, leaders and community builders.

“In the midst of caring for everyone else, women sometimes forget to care for themselves,” she noted.

She stressed the need for women to make their well-being a priority, particularly their physical health, emotional well-being, mental strength, spiritual life, relationships and personal development.

According to her, when a woman is healthy, confident, supported and fulfilled, she is better positioned to contribute positively to her family and community.

“A healthy home is not simply a home without sickness. It is a home where there is love, peace, mutual respect, effective communication, emotional support, security, and shared responsibility,” she said.

She, however, noted that women should not be expected to carry the responsibility of creating healthy homes alone, stressing that families, communities, institutions and society must support women and create conditions in which they can thrive.

The Chairperson further enjoined the women to remember that self-care was not neglect of others, but preparation to serve others better.

“Let us make time for medical check-ups, healthy living, rest, meaningful relationships, personal growth, and the things that give us purpose and joy,” she urged.

Responding, the Acting Provost of Benjamin Uwajumogu State College of Education, Dr. Mrs. Chinyere Nwachukwu, in her extempore opening remarks, commended the organisers for choosing the theme and assured them of her administration’s usual hospitality and camaraderie.

Nwachukwu encouraged the participants to engage in healthy and robust deliberations, describing the theme as apt, particularly given the importance of women to organisational, family and national development.

She passionately advocated greater attention to women’s education, noting that it was never too late for any woman to acquire education.

The Acting Provost also applauded the Imo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma, for its unflinching support and cooperation towards qualitative education in the state.

Nwachukwu recalled what she described as the tremendous achievements of Uzodimma’s Shared Prosperity Administration in the development and transformation of the college, stating that the institution is currently ranked highly among Colleges of Education in Nigeria.

While advising women to take issues concerning their health seriously, especially in view of their significant contributions as mothers, societal role models, institutional builders and nation-builders, she stressed the need for them to remain healthy so that their “labours of love will not be in vain.”

“If your cup is empty as a woman, you cannot pour into others. This is simply a natural law,” she said.

The education administrator further appealed to women to remain passionate about caring for their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being, stressing that “life has no duplicate.”

She also advised the participants to encourage one another to adopt healthy lifestyles and seek support whenever necessary.

A major highlight of the meeting was a health talk on “Menopause and Breast Cancer,” during which participants were educated on important issues relating to women’s health.

The participants were informed that menopause is a normal stage of life, while vaginal dryness and painful sex are common conditions that can be treated.

They were also encouraged to understand how their breasts normally look and feel and to report any new changes promptly.

The health session further clarified that a breast lump does not automatically mean cancer, but any new lump should be medically assessed.

The session emphasized that healthy living can reduce several breast cancer risks, while early detection, proper assessment and appropriate treatment can save lives.