Women Strategise to Promote National Unity, Peace Ahead of 2027 General Elections 

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt 

As Nigeria gears towards the 2027 general elections, a group of Christian women has used multi ethno-cultural aesthetics to underscore the need for continued unity, peace, harmony and progress in the country.

Converging under the aegis of the Women Ministry of Gateway International Church, Port Harcourt, for their annual cultural day fiesta, the women presented various displays, songs, dances, skits, dishes, among others, that represent Nigeria’s ethno-cultural diversities.

The women who hail from different states, displayed the aesthetics and choreographies of the Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Ijaw, Esan, Itsekiri, Funani, Nupe, Tiv, Ibibio, Ogoni, among others, to the admiration of guests.

The Lead Pastor of Gateway International Church, Pastor George Izunwa, commended the women for their performances, saying the celebration demonstrated that Christian worship could accommodate wholesome expressions of culture and joy.

Izunwa said he would consider making similar activities a regular feature of the church’s programmes, stressing that Christians should be able to enjoy life while serving God.

“I am indeed pleased with the display of cultures and dances by the women. I will look for a way to make this a regular part of our church programmes so that everyone can participate and enjoy it,” he said.

In his remark, Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, who was special guest of honour for the event, Mr. James A. James, commended the women for the initiative.

“I will stand for you with full support. I say thank you to those who have put this together today. I’m indeed very honoured to be here today,” he said. 

Earlier in her speech, president of the Gateway Women Ministry, Dr. Meg Lawal, said the cultural festival was meant to celebrate beauty in diversity, noting that humans’ cultural differences were divinely designed.

“God made us differently on purpose. Different tribes, different tongues, different talents

Today, we celebrate identity in Jesus Christ. Our culture, our dressing, our food, our dance — they tell the story of who we are. But today we submit that culture to Christ,” she said.

Lawal said the festival was meant to foster unity and appreciate divine provision. 

She emphasised, “We are celebrating identity, unity, and God’s provision. Brothers and sisters, remember: Culture is the vessel, Christ is the content. Let our competition be in love, not rivalry. We are here to admire, learn, and to unite, not divide. Through our cuisines, we taste beauty in diversity. Every tribe, every flavour, all to the glory of God!”

Also, Directorate Head, Community Impact, and immediate past President of the Women Ministry, Dr. Onyeije Chinecherem, said the festival was a platform to promote unity, love and peace among the Christian women, an attitude she said should highlight Nigeria’s political system, especially the 2027 elections approaching.

“Nigerians should know that if we don’t stand together as one, we’re not going to succeed as a nation. I want everybody to see each other as one. Next year, no matter who wins, let us see ourselves as one,” she advised.

Wife of the Opobo/Nkoro LGA, Mrs. Lydia Ajirima, stressed that the cultural festival was an opportunity for the women to mingle every year.

“The culture we’re displaying here today is not to say that these persons are from those particular cultures but each group took a raffle draw and took a particular tribe to display. It’s also an avenue for us to know and make friends with those in other groups,” she said.

On her part, national executive publicity secretary of the church, Mrs. Ann Godwin, said the festival was a proclamation of the message of unity, peace and harmony through a celebration of Nigeria’s cultural diversity.

“You can see that we have come here to display different cultures and different tribes. That is to tell you that in any organisation, the message of unity should be preached. The message of peace should be preached, and we have come here today to practically display it,” she explained.