BENIN CITY, Nigeria — Edo State First Lady Betsy Obaseki has addressed a viral video in which Senator Adams Oshiomhole, the immediate past governor of Edo State, made controversial remarks about her childlessness, urging women to embrace a broader understanding of fruitfulness beyond childbearing.
During a Zoom meeting held on Saturday, September 7, 2024, attended by over 200 Edo women in the diaspora, Obaseki, accompanied by Ifeyinwa Ighodalo, the wife of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, responded to the comments and shared a message of empowerment for women facing similar challenges.
“I dare to call you fruitful,” Obaseki told the women during the meeting. “You and I are potential and proud mothers of children that will come in God’s time. Enjoy the life God has given you.”
The First Lady’s comments came in the wake of a video in which Oshiomhole, the former Governor of Edo State, appeared to mock her for being childless, a statement that quickly gained traction online.
Mrs Obaseki’s response, however, was one of encouragement, as she sought to redefine the notion of fruitfulness and remind women of their value, irrespective of motherhood.
Obaseki acknowledged the deep pain many women experience due to miscarriages, stillbirths, or the inability to have children, and shared her own personal struggles.
“My words of comfort to you, like myself, who have conceived and experienced miscarriages, painful stillbirths, and evacuations of babies who died in our wombs, is that everyone was created by God for a purpose,” she said. “You are not barren.”
She encouraged women to focus on the broader picture of their purpose in life, saying, “Take your mind off your challenge, and before you know it, children will start coming.”
The First Lady also emphasized that fruitfulness should not be confined to childbearing, arguing that women can make significant contributions to society in other ways.
“Being fruitful is not limited to childbearing but also about impacting lives and creating positive change in society,” she said. “There is no point in feeling bad. Women can fulfill God’s purpose in many ways beyond motherhood.”
Obaseki’s remarks have sparked widespread conversation on social media, with many applauding her for addressing an often-sensitive topic with grace and resilience.
Women’s advocacy groups have also supported her stance, with some noting that her comments serve as a powerful reminder of the societal pressures women face regarding motherhood.
