Susan Akporiaye, National President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), has advised men to take women as individuals divinely designed to complement their efforts and not as competitors.
Akporiaye, also the Chief Executive Officer, Topaz Travels and Tours, gave the advice during an interactive platform organised by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), on Wednesday in Abuja.
The theme of the programme is, “#puttingnigeriafirst#”, with sub theme, “Role of Women in National Unity”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ‘#puttingnigeriafirst#’ campaign is an initiative of the NCAC to correct societal ills through timely reorientation for Nigerians to enable national development and unity take full manifestation.
She said Nigerian men must come to the understanding that women have been designed as helpers and builders who are meant to complement their partners’ efforts.
She noted that until men begin to relate with their partners and colleagues as the case may be, with such consciousness, national peace and unity would continue to be threatened.
According to her, humanity will be incomplete without taking cognisance of the role of women in nation building.
“Women according to the holy books are created as helpers and builders, when our men begin to see us as partners in progress and not competitors, the society will be a better place.
“I seize this opportunity to tell our men to desist from perceiving women as competitors. The nature of the relationship between a man and a woman should be complementary.
“Couples would achieve maximally in marriages and in the corporate world when the right understanding is put to work,” she said.
Akporiaye encouraged Nigerian women to remain dutiful in their roles as mothers to raise responsible children.
She also advised students present at the programme to be deliberate in being obedient to their parents.
Also speaking, Rev. Godwin Agaga of the Assemblies of God Church, Kubwa, Abuja, who spoke on religion and ethics in relation to nation building, urged Nigerians to uphold religious and cultural values.
Agaga advised the youth to desist from being used as instruments to incite violence and evil behaviour, as well as not to engage in examination malpractices and truancy.
“Nigeria is the biggest agenda for us all now, it is bigger than any individual, let us nurture our nation to grow.
“Religion and ethics have serious roles to play in the unification of Nigerians, religion should teach to love others, sacrifice and be patriotic citizens,” he said.
Gbenga Aruleba, Nigerian broadcast journalist, said putting Nigeria first required that the media thrive to be socially relevant. He urged journalists to intensify their efforts in being the mouthpiece and agenda setters for the masses.