I have been privileged to witness the extraordinary strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit of the women in my life. In a world quick to label weakness where it does not exist, I can confidently say that if anyone ever dares to call a woman weak, they simply have not met the ones who have shaped my existence.
In every chapter of my life, women have been the quiet warriors, standing tall against life’s relentless challenges. Their power is not measured by brute force but by the gentle persistence that transforms adversity into triumph.
My maternal grandmother, Eye Esther Duduyemi, epitomized strength from a very young age. I first encountered her fortitude during my early school days in Primary 3 at our family home in Okekere, Ikere-Ekiti, where her energy seemed boundless even before the break of dawn.
Each morning, long before the world stirred, we would embark on our journey to Kogun, crossing the three streams that marked the path to Odo Oko Ouro. Sometimes our feet carried us further still to Oko Ijan, as if the very earth acknowledged her indomitable spirit.
On the farm, her labor was ceaseless. I vividly recall the nights spent huddled in the small ahere (hut) on the farm—a time punctuated by the sudden, heart-stopping moment when a big snake slithered inside, a reminder that nature itself bowed to her calm resolve.
During my second stay with her, while attending Annunciation School in Ikere-Ekiti (yes, I proudly declare myself an Anco Boy—Arise and Rejoice, for God is on your side!), her strength took on a tender hue. Not only was she a powerhouse of physical energy, but she also embodied care, discipline, and unwavering industriousness.
Grandma built her own house and ensured that every day was a lesson in responsibility. I was tasked with daily chores—sweeping each morning—only to be rewarded after school with pakala and cooked maize, along with hearty servings of otiili and obe isapa (wild spinach soup). Her legacy of perseverance lives on, even as she has passed from this world.
Years later, as I reflect on those memories, my heart swells with gratitude for the lessons in resilience she imparted. Her spirit, though silent now, continues to guide me in the face of every challenge.
My mother, affectionately known as BF, is a living testament to the art of multitasking. If you label her a nurse, cook, lawyer, and teacher, you would not be far off—she wears every hat with a grace that defies description.
In our household, she was our unwavering alarm clock, rousing us at 5 a.m. without fail. At the crack of dawn, we would groggily shuffle into the day, our sleepy eyes barely open, as she ensured we were ready to face the world.
I remember our childhood escapades vividly—those days when a bush dog’s chase, the sting of werepe (a poisonous plant resembling a bean pod) under a vast cocoyam leaf, and our adventurous street exploits were the hallmarks of our early years. Each incident, though fraught with mischief, demostrates the relentless energy and protective care that only a mother like BF could offer.
Even now, as I marvel at the endless reserves of her strength—working from morning till night without pause—I am reminded that true power lies not in the absence of fatigue but in the relentless drive to persevere. Ooran e i l’era! Her resilience is a beacon for anyone in search of strength.
And then there is my wife, Asake—a woman whose very presence shatters the notion of weakness. If you still believe women are frail, you have clearly not met her. She stands as a modern-day heroine, managing the complexities of home life with poise and vigor.
Her energy echoes the indomitable spirit of the women of igbaani, those stalwarts of the past who carried their burdens with dignity. Balancing the myriad responsibilities of raising children, managing a household, and even dealing with a husband as obstinate as Toba Fatunla (yes, I jest!), she embodies superhuman strength with a gentle smile.
Together, these women—my grandmother, my mother, and my wife—paint a vivid portrait of what it truly means to be strong. Their lives are woven with threads of sacrifice, hard work, and unconditional love, defying any label of weakness that might be carelessly applied.
So, to those who still wonder how a woman can ever be called weak, I say look no further than the superwomen in my life. Their strength is not just in their ability to endure, but in their power to transform every challenge into an opportunity.
No wonder the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has surrounded himself with solution providers. I have often wondered if I was the only one noticing how seamlessly his administration has been ushering in unprecedented development across the state.
A closer look reveals a deliberate and progressive approach—his government has fully embraced the principles of micro-feminism in appointments and elective positions across the three arms of government. Politics, governance, administration, and leadership in Ekiti State are no longer the exclusive domain of the usual “Boys’ Club.” Women are not just present; they are shaping policies, driving change, and redefining the future of the state.
I have no doubt that certain weak-hearted men might scoff at this perspective, perhaps quick to label me a “women wrapper,” as if advocating for fairness and inclusivity were a crime. If that is the case, then I proudly declare—I have been wrapped by my wrappers! Please abuse me, I resemble my father, in whom I learnt so much wisdom, fairness, truth, advocacy, hadworking, sacrifice and selflessness.
The only painful thing to me is that the society naturally forget and rarely celebrate such incredible men of valour who did so much sacrificing for their mothers, wives, sisters and children. Even when they do so much, the efforts are rarely noticed, and still get blamed for not doing enough.
Thank you so much my father for doing your best to bring the best out of me. I will celebrate you here and after. What a great Man.
But let’s be clear: this article is not about fueling debates on Gynocentrism versus Androcentrism. Ekiti State is a place where the rights of all citizens—men and women alike—are respected, upheld, and protected. It is a state where merit, competence, and dedication are the true determinants of leadership, not gender.
Lest I forget, if you truly want to witness this transformation firsthand, I encourage you to visit the Ekiti State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. There, you will see the tangible impact of policies that are empowering women, strengthening families, and building a more equitable society for all.
On this International Women’s Day, I join in celebrating them, for they are the heartbeat of our families, communities, and nation.
Happy International Women’s Day!