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 “Nigerwives is a multi-national, multi-racial, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural family with members from all five continents ranging in age from 21 to 88 years old. (No wonder we can never all agree!)
Some of us have newborn babies--others are busy grand-mothering. Some Nigerwives are newcomers--others have lived in Nigeria more than 50 years. And not all Nigerwives are still married. We are widows, divorcees, and estranged spouses, too. The common bond of being a foreign wife of a Nigerian and living here in Nigeria relates us all.
We hail from diverse educational and economic backgrounds. We represent a myriad of occupations. Many Nigerwives, inspired by their new surroundings, unleash their untapped talents and launch a new career.
As an organisation of hundreds of women throughout the federation, respected for our contributions to the community, Nigerwives has earned an influential voice. However, our prime objective is to interact with each other, and to support one another.
When called upon we function as your extended family members here in Nigeria. We share your joys and your sorrows. We are your family attending the naming ceremonies, the graduations, the weddings, the traditional ceremonies, and the funerals. No matter what
age you are, or where you come from, or whatever colour you may be, you are welcome
in Nigerwives.”
Nigerwives began in 1979 with a group of foreign wives married to Nigerians, in Lagos. Eventually branches started up in other parts of the country and then Nigerwives-Nigeria was born. It became a legal entity with a constitution and its formal registration in 1987.
There are now branches in many parts of Nigeria, as can be seen from the map.
Its broad aims are:
1. To work for the smooth integration of foreign wives of Nigerian citizens, resident in Nigeria, into Nigerian society.
2. To offer a forum for exchange of views and experiences and give moral and practical support in time of need.
[In particular Nigerwives become family for other Nigerwives at the many occasions when custom expects the husband’s family and the wife’s family to be present for ceremonies.]
1. Full membership is open to foreign wives (including widows and separated wives) of Nigerians who are resident in Nigeria.
2. Associate membership is open to:
(i) former members of Nigerwives who are no longer resident in Nigeria;
(ii) groups of foreign women married to Nigerians and living abroad.
[More detailed information on Aims and Membership is contained in the constitution and details can be obtained though info@nigerwivesnigeria.com]
It should be noted that Nigerwives has now become a general term for any foreign wife married to a Nigerian. In particular it has become officially used by the Dept. of Immigration.
Current National Executive Committee ( newly elected in March,2004):
National President: Christa Udeogu (Germany) Enugu Branch
National Vice-President: Gloria Inyang (India) Akwa Ibom Branch
National Secretary: Tatiana Agbayi (Russia) Enugu Branch
National Assistant Secretary: Roseline Afolabi (Haiti) Lagos Branch
National Treasurer: Monika Essien (Germany) Akwa Ibom Branch
National Assistant Treasurer: Aranka Akunyili (Bulgaria) Enugu Branch
Gloriastene Agboola, Benita Agbowu, Jean E. Obi MBE, Joyce Obotette, Audrey Okoro"
Nigerwives meet once a year where delegates assemble in a chosen location within Nigeria on a rotational basis. The next Annual General Meeting is in Lagos from the 19th to the 21st March, 2004.
The operation of branches and their activities vary greatly from branch to branch but general guidelines are given to branches. Community projects and outreach are a major factor of branches. The Nigerwives Braille Book Production Centre is a national community service project of Nigerwives-Nigeria. Details of this can be found elsewhere on the web-site.
Wider and more detailed information on the activities and concerns of Nigerwives can be obtained by accessing the various parts of the web-site and by writing to info@nigerwivesnigeria.com.
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