RismadarVoice Reporters, May 16, 2026
Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, has called for the restoration of African family values as a foundation for societal healing and national development.
Lady Obareki made the call on Friday during the 10th African Family Life Delegates Conference organised by the Institute of Family Engineering and Development to mark the 2026 International Day of Families.
The conference, themed “Bridges Not Borders: Restoring African Families, Healing the World,” was held at Flairmore Event Centre in Uyo, with Lady Obareki serving as Special Guest of Honour.
In her address, she described the theme as timely, noting that economic hardship, migration, digital disconnection and changing societal values have continued to weaken family bonds and social relationships.
According to her, Africa’s traditional strength has always been rooted in family ties, shared responsibility and inter-generational values.
“For too long, we have allowed economic hardship, migration, digital disconnection and shifting values to build walls between spouses, parents, children and extended families who once formed the safety nets of our communities,” she said.
Lady Obareki stressed that unstable homes often contribute to broader societal challenges, including gender-based violence, mental health concerns and moral decline.
She described the family as the first institution where children learn values, discipline and responsibility.
On the impact of modernisation and technology, the First Lady’s Coordinator said that while globalisation has improved connectivity, it has also altered traditional family structures.
She advocated intentional parenting, emotional availability, healthy communication, gender equity and proper conflict resolution within families.
Lady Obareki further called for stronger support systems in homes and communities where open dialogue and emotional support are encouraged.
Highlighting the efforts of the Akwa Ibom State Government under Governor Umo Eno, she said the ARISE Agenda prioritises food security, healthcare, education and youth empowerment as part of efforts to strengthen family stability.
She also outlined interventions by the Golden Initiative For All, GIFA, including support for widows, vulnerable families, persons with disabilities and victims of gender-based violence through healthcare, empowerment and welfare programmes.
“We are not trying to recreate the African family of fifty years ago. We are restoring values such as respect, responsibility, resilience and unconditional belonging within a modern framework,” she stated.
Lady Obareki urged participants at the conference to move beyond discussions and implement practical family values capable of promoting peace and social cohesion.
Also speaking at the event, the Convener of the conference, Mr Praise Fowowe, described the family as the most important institution in society and called for deliberate efforts to rebuild family values across Africa.
Another speaker, Lead Pastor of God’s House of Refuge, Dr Dara Atang, stressed the importance of parents being emotionally and physically available for their children, noting that family remains the primary channel for transmitting moral and cultural values from one generation to another.
