By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Rev. Dr. Dora Lemnyuy has called on women, as well as sons and daughters of Nso, to turn their positions into purpose. She made the statement during an ecumenical service on October 10 in Bafoussam, marking the maiden edition of the Nso All Women Conference.
Organized by the Women’s Forum of the Nso Cultural and Development Association (NSODA), the conference was held under the theme “New Dawn: ‘Ke’ Ye Fiyii’, Women Leading Change: Unity, Development, Impact.” It brought together government officials, traditional leaders, and community elites among others.
The event was chaired by Yaa Dr. Asheri Kilo, Secretary of State to the Ministry of Basic Education, alongside West Region Governor Augustine Awa Fonka. Traditional dignitaries included the Paramount Fon of Nso, HRM Sehm Mbinglo I, and the Fon of Oku among others .
Drawing from the biblical story of Queen Esther (Esther 4:13–16), Rev. Dr. Lemnyuy urged women to evaluate how they use their influence to support their communities.
“A position can become a platform for personal benefit, or it can become an instrument for community transformation,” she said. “If God has given you influence, perhaps He has given you influence for such a time as this.”
She stressed that the voice of a woman is needed not only in the home but also in the community, education, leadership, peacebuilding, reconciliation, and in shaping the values of children. On leadership, she said it is not about what one receives but what one leaves behind, noting that all are custodians of something that must outlive them.
Rev. Dr. Lemnyuy reminded elders that offices, palaces, political positions, businesses, and churches will change hands, and children will become the leaders. She cited Matthew 5:9, which says blessed are the peacemakers, and noted that the Holy Qur’an also calls humanity to recognize its diversity and encourage cooperation in goodness.
She called on the community to build peace if they want a peaceful Nso, practice unity if they want a united Nso, and create opportunities if they want a prosperous Nso. She urged support for NSODA’s project, the construction of the Nso Girl-Child Empowerment Center.
“We cannot demand from the next generation what we refuse to demonstrate in our own generation,” she said. “We cannot build a better future by destroying one another. We must learn to listen. We must learn to forgive. We must learn to reconcile.”
She asked each person to carry one question home: What will I do with the position God has given me? She called for one commitment: “We will not only ask for the Nso we want. We will become the people who build the Nso we want.”
“For such a time as this, we have been given our positions. For such a time as this, we must use them well,” she concluded, calling for one Nso, one people, one future.