The eighth day of the third month of every year has been earmarked globally to celebrate women and this year was not an exception at Mind Builders School, Alausa, where the pupils treated their mothers to a special programme.
There was a drama presentation on the importance of mothers in the family by the basic pupils; while the high school choir put up an exhilarating performance of Prince Nico Ubanga’s 1976 classic, Sweet Mother which sent the mothers to the dance floor led by the school’s Education Director Mrs Bola Falore. Two other Yoruba songs titled: Iya mi o o o wa pe l’aye and Iya niwura iye bi ye touched their hearts, despite the fact that not everybody understood the lyrics.
The pupils also wrote loving messages wrapped in gift items which they gave to their mothers. “This is unbelievable”, the mother of Timilehin Adeleke, a JSS1 pupil said after she received her gift.
Mrs. Yinusa Badmos, mother of a primary six pupil said of the progamme: “It is a day with a difference and I really enjoyed it.”
In an interview, Mrs Falore said the mothers deserved being celebrated by their children.
She said: “Despite the high level of social discrimination the gender are often subject to in the society all the mothers in the house today are happy because their children are appreciating them as indispensable women and virtuous mothers.
“Mothers thronged to the school for the get-together and to see what the kids have for them as the world marked this year’s IWD being a global day to acknowledge the economic, political and social achievements of women in the society.”
Mrs Falore added that the United Nation’s theme: “The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum” for this year’s IWD has relevance for Nigerian women.
“Over time and distance, the equal rights of women have progressed. We celebrate the achievements of women while remaining vigilant and tenacious for further sustainable change. There is global momentum for championing women’s equality and it must be fully embraced in Nigeria,” she said.
Moyosore Oluwa Ayoade, a nine-year-old Primary Four pupil, described mothers as ‘Heroes’ during a stage drama at the event, and his mother Mrs. Ayoade Mariam has this to say on the effort of the school to celebrate mothers:
“It is one of the best days in my life. I loved the gesture. The school has really given the children the platform to express their love for their mothers. They praised their mothers, they shared gifts with them; so it is a nice gesture which simply means they are saying thank to their mothers,” she said
Mrs Ayoade, who is also the Vice Chairman of the school’s Parents/Teachers Association, also shared the techniques that help her balance her career and her home, something that is a challenge for many mothers in the society.
She said: “Good time management is the key; which is what most mothers’ lack. The 40 minutes I use to drive my children to sschool is an opportunity for me to interact with them. Sleeping and praying time at home is another opportunity. Prudent use of my weekends avail me tangible opportunity to relate not only with the children but with every member of my family because it is important.”