Author and educationist Dr Faith Chiejina has called on husbands to provide greater support for their wives' aspirations and careers, emphasizing that such encouragement is vital for building stronger families and more stable marriages. She made this appeal during the unveiling of her new book, Rachel, in Abuja.
Book Inspired by Personal History
Chiejina explained that Rachel was inspired by the life and experiences of her late paternal grandmother. The book narrates a story of struggle, faith, hard work, and eventual fulfillment, highlighting virtues such as patience, resilience, and mutual support within family life.
Key Message: Partnership in Marriage
According to Chiejina, one of the central themes of the book is that many women are often discouraged from pursuing their goals after marriage, which can limit both personal fulfillment and family progress. She argued that successful marriages thrive on partnership and shared responsibility, rather than placing the entire burden of family sustenance on the husband.
“The story of Rachel shows that every husband should support his wife to succeed. When a woman achieves her goals, she contributes to the family, supports the children, and helps reduce pressure on the husband,” she said.
Historical Role of Women
Chiejina noted that women have historically played significant roles in the success of their families through hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. She urged husbands to create an enabling environment for their wives to realize their full potential. She further encouraged couples to view marriage as a team effort, where both partners support each other's dreams for the overall benefit of the family.
Importance of Patience and Perseverance
The author also emphasized the need for patience and perseverance, noting that people often face difficult periods in life but must remain steadfast in pursuing their purpose. “In life, there will always be struggles, pains, and challenges, but people must learn to endure and remain patient. If you persevere, you will eventually achieve your purpose,” she stated.
Book Review Highlights
Reviewing the book, Angel Fortune described Rachel as a compelling story of faith, resilience, and self-discovery, centered on a woman who refused to be defined by societal expectations despite personal challenges. Fortune noted that one of the book's strongest messages is the importance of spousal support, as the protagonist remained industrious while awaiting her breakthrough due to her husband's encouragement. She also encouraged young people to cultivate the reading habit, describing books as valuable tools for learning, personal development, and gaining insight from others' experiences.
Husband's Perspective
Presenting the book, Sir Chika Dada Chiejina, the author's husband, described Rachel as a thought-provoking work that explores key societal issues, particularly marriage, faith, patience, and perseverance. He said the book tells the story of a woman who endured years of childlessness and personal loss yet remained steadfast in her faith and commitment to her marriage despite mounting pressures. According to him, the narrative reflects challenges many families face and highlights the importance of resilience and trust in God during difficult times. He noted that the story raises important questions about the stability of modern marriages and the willingness of couples to remain committed during hardship. “The book demonstrates that patience and faith can help people navigate even the most difficult circumstances. It reminds readers that while challenges may persist for years, solutions often come in God's own time,” he said.
Inspiration for Aspiring Writers
Chief Executive Officer of AS Management Agency, Rhoda Kusimo Iloba, described the book as an accessible, beautiful narrative of survival that offers vital emotional strength and grace to modern women navigating marital humiliation. Iloba added that Chiejina's emergence as a first-time creative writer at age 63 serves as an inspiration to the literary community, demonstrating that profound storytelling has no age barrier.
