OBJ Mothers’ Club: Shifting boundaries for development of family ties, cultural harmony

It is globally accepted that a mother is referred to as a female parent of a child. Mothers occupy very central position especially within family circles. In Africa, particularly in Yoruba land, the definition of a mother exceeds biological principals. Mothers are regarded to be women who inhabit or perform the role of bearing some relations to their children who may or may not be biological offsprings. They fulfill the social role of raising a child.

For a long while, the roles of women were confined to some extent of being a mother or wife, with women being expected to dedicate most of their energy to these roles while spending most of their time in taking care of the home front.

No wonder then that former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, established Mother’s Club an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL). This move came to light following a strong passion and desire to add value to other people’s lives, especially women and children.

In an interaction with Nigerian Tribune, president of the association, Mrs. Abidemi Bamidele-Adeyemi, contends that the body came into being with, among other things, the aim of serving as a formidable think tank on issues relating to the social, cultural and economic development of mothers and the family as a social unit.

Today in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, the association has risen to hold its own, especially in providing the willpower for mothers in contributing to the wellbeing of their families and the society as a whole. The club which was officially inaugurated on September 10, 2016, while still very young, has not stopped been a major player in the socio-cultural and economic frontier of the South West state.

The association has joined the league of social clubs in the city, sharing quite similar recognition with the ilk of the famous Abeokuta Sports Club, Abeokuta Club, Abeokuta Country Club and a host of others in carrying out charity concerns.

Mrs Adeyemi further hinted that the club is a voluntary organisation opened to mothers who are willing to help in philanthropic activities and promotion of family ties.

Speaking on the aims and objectives of the club, Adeyemi added that “the club was formed basically on a seven-point operational framework which includes promotion of the social and intellectual well-being of members, their children, and family members; child development; young mothers’ sorority; philanthropic activities and enhancement of cultural harmony and understanding.

“Other areas of concentration,” as canvassed by the club’s president, “include being a dynamic organisation positioned for influence and also a stakeholder in matters affecting the family as a social unit within Ogun State and environs. We equally seek to create a forum whereby members can freely socialise exclusively without harassment or molestation, thereby serving as formidable think-tank on issues relating to the social, cultural and economic development of mothers and the family as a social unit.”

Other aims and objectives of the club include giving moral and social assistance to mothers, individually or collectively; promoting the rights and privileges of mothers and their children and the family in general and organising workshops, conferences, picnics, seminars, parties and other social/skill acquisition activities on issues bothering on the ideal mother and other associated issues .

She added that the former president Olusegun Obasanjo is the grand patron of the club and that the objectives of the club were drawn by him.

Speaking further, Adeyemi stated that “Our Papa, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is the initiator. All the aims and objectives were penciled down by both of us. He wants a forum where women can be of benefit to themselves and the society with the promotion of family ties in building a better society.”

Adeyemi quickly added that membership was opened to only married women between the age bracket of 21-55, irrespective of religious affiliation.

She recalled that the club has repeatedly fostered strong family bonds. This was brought to the fore during a programme tagged, ‘couples night out’. The event was held last October. She stated that spouses of members including Chief Obasanjo were in attendance.

“We had couples’ night Out in October. Our Papa and his wife attended the programme. It was fun all the way. The programme was to foster family ties and gather support for our husbands,” she added.

She also mentioned that the club, during the Yuletide season, hosted 25 less-privileged children, basically from the Gideon Orphanage Home, Abeokuta, and doled out provisions to them.

Mrs. Adeyemi said during the get-together the club decided to celebrate the period with the children, so as to give them a sense of belonging. This was done in addition to the provision of trade and start-up tools earlier made available to a group of indigent people who needed some tools in order to be productive and self-reliant.

The secretary of the organisation, Mrs Cynthia Obabiyi-Obasanjo, said that the club had once hosted the less-privileged, giving out foodstuff and trade tools to lead productive lives.

She explained that Nigerians would be a better place to live “if we show love and affection to others. What we have demonstrated to the children is that somebody should be there to love and care for those who are deprived and neglected by acts of commission or omission.”

Adeyemi further said that the club would, before the end of the month, reach out in gifts and food items to underprivileged mothers.