***Prioritises Healthcare, Education, Women’s Inclusion Others
The Labour Party (LP) candidate for the House of Representatives, Owerri Federal Constituency, Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has called for stronger family values, quality healthcare, education and accountable leadership as the foundation for sustainable national development.
Anyanwu-Akeredolu, a former First Lady of Ondo State, made the call on Friday while delivering the keynote address at the inaugural August Meeting of the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), Immaculate Conception Parish, Amakohia-Uratta, Owerri, Imo State.
Speaking on the theme, “Strengthening Our Foundation for a Greater Tomorrow,” she described women as the bedrock of every thriving society, saying strong families, responsible citizens and selfless leadership are indispensable to building prosperous communities and a better Nigeria.
Quoting Matthew 7:24–25, she urged women to remain steadfast in faith and continue to nurture homes founded on integrity, hard work and the fear of God.
“The future cannot be stronger than the foundation we lay today,” she said, identifying faith in God, strong families, good health, education and skills development, as well as compassion and service, as the five pillars required to build a greater tomorrow.
Drawing from her experience as a 29-year breast cancer survivor, the founder of the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), BEMORE Empowered Girls Foundation and the Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu Foundation (BAAF) stressed the importance of preventive healthcare, healthy nutrition and regular medical examinations.
She also highlighted her newly published e-book, Breast Cancer: Strengthening Your Survival Through What You Eat – The Nigerian Food & Lifestyle Guide for Healing, Recovery & Strength, describing it as a practical guide to healthier living and disease prevention.
Anyanwu-Akeredolu said education remains the greatest equaliser, noting that through the BEMORE Empowered Girls Foundation, many young girls have acquired STEM, digital and entrepreneurial skills that have transformed their lives.
The LP standard-bearer used the occasion to reaffirm her commitment to offering effective representation to the people of Owerri Federal Constituency if elected in the 2027 general election.
She said her aspiration was driven by a passion for service and not the quest for political office.
“I am not seeking office because I desire another title. I am offering myself because I believe our people deserve experienced, credible, compassionate and effective representation,” she said.
According to her, representation should go beyond occupying a seat in the National Assembly and must translate into improved healthcare, educational opportunities, youth empowerment, support for women and the vulnerable, and sustainable development.
She unveiled key areas of her legislative agenda, including improved primary healthcare and preventive health programmes, expansion of the Accelerated Birth Registration Plus (ABR+) initiative through BAAF in partnership with UNHCR, scholarships, STEM education, youth empowerment, women’s economic empowerment, environmental sustainability and responsive representation.
The LP candidate also introduced Widows Alert Nigeria, an initiative of the Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu Foundation aimed at identifying, registering and empowering widows through a comprehensive digital database.
She recalled that a similar programme initiated during her tenure as First Lady of Ondo State registered over 25,000 widows across the state’s 18 local government areas, making it easier for government and development partners to provide targeted interventions.
Anyanwu-Akeredolu encouraged widows in Owerri Federal Constituency to register with the initiative and urged members of the Catholic Women Organisation to help identify and mobilise widows within their communities.
She also charged women to participate actively in the democratic process by obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and voting for candidates with competence, integrity and character.
Commending the Catholic Women Organisation for embarking on the construction of its secretariat, she described the project as a worthy investment in the Church and community and announced a personal financial donation towards its completion.
She urged women to return to their various communities as ambassadors of peace, unity and development, stressing that lasting societal transformation begins in the home through the values parents instil in their children.
