The President of the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), Onitsha Region, Uju Ikpeama, has urged mothers to refrain from delegating child upbringing to domestic helpers. She gave the advice during the 2026 Mother's Day celebration held on Sunday in Onitsha, where Catholic mothers in the Archdiocese joined counterparts worldwide in marking the occasion. Ikpeama attributed declining parenting standards to misplaced priorities, noting that some mothers focus on less meaningful pursuits while outsourcing the moral and social development of their children. She called on young mothers to adopt the discipline, virtues and values exemplified by older generations in raising responsible children. Indecent dressing among children was also highlighted as a growing concern, with Ikpeama stressing the need for mothers to take active responsibility.
Earlier in the event, the Archdiocesan CWO Director, Dr Ngozi Nwanosike, spoke on the theme 'True Love in Action,' describing mothers as pillars of faith and instruments of God's love. She emphasized the role of prayer, resilience and unwavering family support in demonstrating divine love. "Mothers play a critical role in shaping lives, sustaining families through prayer and inspiring future generations through strength and character," Nwanosike said. Archdiocesan Chaplain, Rev. Fr Collins Okoye, described motherhood as a sacred calling rooted in sacrifice and faith, urging mothers to uphold Christian values and foster unity. The celebration, originally due on the traditional Mothering Sunday after March 25, was rescheduled this year due to Holy Week and Easter activities, following a directive for uniform nationwide observance, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Uju Ikpeama warns against outsourcing parenting while acknowledging many mothers now rely on domestic help due to work and social pressures not addressed in her advice. The call to emulate older generations' values exists without recognition of changed economic realities facing today's mothers in Onitsha. Mothers being described as pillars of faith and moral anchors places heavy expectation on them without parallel calls for structural or spousal support. The rescheduling of Mother's Day for church uniformity underscores how institutional timelines continue to shape women's recognition, even in personal roles.
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