Women have been urged to remain resilient, pursue excellence and strive for greater heights, regardless of the circumstances they encounter in life.
The call was made by career diplomat and cleric, Ambassador Ridwan Adebayo Mustapha, and academic and book reviewer, Prof Abdulhamid Suleiman, at the unveiling of two books authored by Hajiyah Halimah Salawu Obomi.
The books, Unstoppable – A True-Life Story of Resilience in Education and My Prophet’s Way of Life – Noble Character for Children to Emulate, were unveiled during the celebration of Obomi’s birthday and retirement from the civil service at the weekend in Abuja.
The event was attended by academics, professionals, religious leaders, family members and other guests.
Mustapha, who chaired the occasion and represented the Chief Imam of Al-Habibiyyah, Imam Faud Adeyemi, described Halimah’s life story as an example of what women can achieve when they refuse to surrender to difficult circumstances.
The retired diplomat said Halimah’s journey should serve as encouragement to women facing challenges in their personal, educational and professional lives.
He said her experience demonstrated that difficult circumstances should not prevent anyone from pursuing greater heights.
“What she has done is a challenge to all women not to give up on themselves, but strive for greater heights in whatever situation they find themselves,” Mustapha said.
He also urged families to expose children to books that promote discipline, integrity and good character, arguing that such values could help address some of the challenges confronting society.
Mustapha said the lessons contained in My Prophet’s Way of Life went beyond the author’s personal experiences, as the book examines the character of Prophet Muhammad and the values that can be applied in families, workplaces and communities.
He maintained that raising children with strong moral values could contribute to reducing corruption and other social ills.
Reviewing Unstoppable, Prof Abdulhamid Suleiman said the book offered a compelling account of Halimah’s struggles and progress, particularly her pursuit of education and eventual career in the Federal Government service.
Suleiman said the author’s journey from a humble background to a successful professional career demonstrated the importance of determination, education and perseverance.
According to him, Obomi’s story provides an important lesson for young people navigating the uncertainties and challenges of life.
He said the author’s decision to acknowledge the people who contributed to her development also demonstrated the importance of recognising the role others play in an individual’s success.
Suleiman noted that education was a major theme running through the book, describing it as a powerful tool for personal development and social advancement.
He urged young women to remain committed to learning and self-development, regardless of their background or the obstacles they encounter.
The academic said Halimah’s story showed that a humble beginning should not determine a person’s destination.
Halimah’s said she wrote Unstoppable to inspire young people by sharing the challenges she encountered and how she overcame them.
“There’s no condition that is permanent,” she said, urging readers to draw motivation from her experience.
