Lagos – Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo on Wednesday said family unity, bonding and virtues would go a long way in ensuring an enviable national integrity and development.
Oshiomhole said this in Lagos as he declared closed the three-day National Women Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) with theme “Strong Family, Strong Nation’’.
He described the family as the smallest social unit but most critical to societal development.
“Celebrating unity of family and doing everything to preserve it is the beginning of our quest to building a united indivisible Nigeria,’’ he said.
The governor said it was important to devote time to reflect on issues of family unity in the quest for national unity as it had been affected by specific modern life styles.
However, Oshiomhole noted that families nowadays rarely had time to bond, urging parents to impact the right family values in their children as they cope with challenges at their workplaces.
“There is no better way to build a nation than to bond its people together,’’ Oshiomhole said.
He commended Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode on his efforts at conquering traffic in the state, saying the drastic reduction in time spent in traffic transforms to more time to be spent with families to form proper bonding as the smallest society unit.
Oshiomhole also commended Ambode’s wife, Bolanle, for sustaining the initiative, adding that it affords women to interact, socialise and bond together.
Mrs Ambode said that the conference opened women’s minds to new ideas, information and statistics, among others.
She urged all participants to make use of all they learnt at the conference for their personal benefits.
In a communique issued at the end of the conference, participants advised parents to bring back the cultural values eroded by civilisation and assist children prevent harmful effects of technology.
Highlights of the event included presentation of awards to distinguished people who had excelled in their various careers.
The awardees include the APC Women leader in the South-West, Mrs Kemi Nelson, and business mogul, Chief Adebutu Kensington.
