Dr. Faith Chiejina, author of the novel Rachel, has urged husbands to support their wives in achieving their aspirations, stating that women who are empowered to fulfill their potential often become pillars of strength for their families. The author identified lack of support from husbands as a major challenge in many homes today.
Book launch in Abuja
Chiejina made the call in Abuja during the launch of her book, Rachel, a novel inspired by the life of her late paternal grandmother, whom she described as a woman of faith, resilience, hard work, and perseverance. According to her, some men marry women who are already pursuing careers but later insist they abandon their ambitions for the marriage to succeed.
The event attracted family members, academics, literary enthusiasts, and other guests, who described Rachel as a compelling story that promotes faith, perseverance, family unity, and mutual support in marriage.
Advice to young families
She said: “The story of Rachel teaches that husbands should support their wives in achieving their goals. When a woman succeeds, she helps lift burdens from her husband and contributes to the well-being of the entire family. My advice to young families is simple: allow each other to grow. Husbands should encourage their wives to pursue their potential rather than discourage them. The person you are asking to stop working today may eventually become one of the greatest sources of strength and support for the family.”
The author explained that Rachel was inspired by her grandmother, who endured years of hardship but remained steadfast in faith until she achieved success. The central message of the book is patience during life’s difficult seasons. She added: “Life will always have struggles, pain and adversity. However, the most important thing is learning how to endure the waiting period. Many people are not patient enough to wait through difficult seasons, but if you remain patient, you will eventually achieve your purpose.”
Personal stories shared
Dr. James Abuhinsi shared a personal story that echoed the book’s themes, recounting how his parents were married for 13 years without a child and faced intense societal pressure before eventually becoming parents. He said the experience taught him the value of faith, endurance, and perseverance. Abuhinsi also encouraged people to document their experiences for future generations, noting that valuable life lessons are often lost when not written down or recorded.
The university lecturer further described marriage as a partnership built on shared responsibility and mutual support. He said: “I commend Lady Faith Chiejina for taking the time to put pen to paper. I encourage everyone to document their experiences because when they are not written down or recorded, they are eventually lost. Every man has a duty to encourage his wife. Men should support their wives in reaching the highest level of their aspirations and never feel threatened if they earn more or achieve more.”
Husband's perspective
The author’s husband and co-presenter of the book, Sir Chika Dada Chiejina, described Rachel as a powerful exploration of patience, perseverance, and faith in the face of adversity. He said the story follows a woman who endured more than a decade of childlessness and suffered the devastating loss of a child shortly after birth before eventually finding fulfillment. He said: “The book asks important questions about patience and commitment in marriage. Ultimately, it demonstrates that when people remain patient, God shows up in His own time.”
Book reviewer's remarks
Book reviewer and bookseller, Angel Fortune Ogbeta, described Rachel as a story of faith and resilience, noting that the protagonist refused to be defined by societal expectations. Ogbeta said: “What stood out most to me was Rachel’s determination to define herself according to God’s purpose rather than public opinion. She remained industrious despite her struggles and was strengthened by the support of her husband. The book reminds us that patience and faith remain essential, whether one is waiting for marriage, children or a breakthrough in life.” She also urged Nigerians to embrace reading, describing books as valuable tools for learning, personal development, and recreation.
Call to women
The Chief Executive Officer of AS Management Agency and public relations partner for the project, Ms. Rhoda Kusimo Iloba, described the novel as a tribute to the strength, resilience, and faith of women. She encouraged women facing challenges in marriage and family life to draw inspiration from the lessons contained in the book. Iloba also praised the author for publishing her first book at the age of 63, saying the achievement demonstrates that age is not a barrier to creativity, storytelling, or personal accomplishment.
