Fashola urges women to submit to husbands as experts share

By Vera Wisdom-Bassey

The former First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Fashola, has urged women to remain submissive to their husbands if they want to build peaceful and happy homes.

Fashola made the call at The Wife’s Couple Forum 2025 held at Golden Gates, Ikoyi, Lagos, with the theme “Rekindling Love in Marriages.”

“Be submissive to your husbands at all times,” she told the gathering. “Never disrespect one another by calling rude names. While women are to submit, men must love their wives as Christ loved the church.”

She further appealed to women never to interfere when their husbands are disciplining their children, stressing that such family order fosters a good and stable society.

Also speaking at the event, the wife of the former Deputy Governor of Lagos, Hon. Justice Jumoke Pedro, reminded couples that marriage is ordained by God and not a mere contract. She expressed concern that many young couples now approach marriage without its true spiritual foundation.

“Marriage is a union that should reflect the love of Christ,” she said. “So many couples are drifting away, but true love prevails. Rekindle your love where it has gone cold. Spend quality time with each other, forgive, and respect one another both in public and private. Love covers a multitude of sins.”

Similarly, the former coordinator of The Wife, Pastor Ada Emeka Matthew, raised alarm over the rising rate of divorce. She urged couples to strike divorce off their list of options and instead focus on self-improvement and reconciliation.

“Divorce is not the solution to marital issues,” she stressed. “Stay together, change yourself, and make the marriage work. Don’t divorce no matter the challenges you face.”

The current Chief Coordinator, Dr. Grace Dimanozie, described women as the epicenter of the family and the key to transforming society. “The wife connects to the husband, and the children connect to the wife,” she said. “If every woman plays her role well, society will be transformed. A healthy marriage is a healthy life.”

She also admonished parents to raise godly children. “You can’t say you’re successful without raising a successor—the next generation,” she added.

One of the trainees, Dr. Chinwe Okafore, identified major causes of marital failure, including lack of mutual respect, sexual dissatisfaction, financial conflicts, and strained in-law relationships. She advised women to treat their husbands’ siblings as their own and avoid unnecessary arguments.

“Simply do what your husband says, and there will be peace,” she noted, citing her 45 years of marriage as an example. “When these issues are handled well, marriages can become heaven on earth.”

The event attracted several dignitaries and featured diverse speakers who shared insights on strengthening marriages.

The Wife is a faith-based non-governmental organization founded by Dr. Nkem Okoro and her husband. It is dedicated to training, empowering, and equipping women to build excellent homes as a foundation for societal transformation.