Funke Adetuberu, a marriage counsellor and relationship therapist, has called on women to break their silence and speak out against abuse, stressing that no form of abuse is acceptable.
Adetuberu spoke in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, at the annual relationship talk group conference with the theme “WOMEN: The Cynosure of Vulnerability.”
She said vulnerability should be seen as a strength that fosters trust and deeper connections, urging women to stop tolerating recurring abuse and instead seek help.
She cautioned against normalising abusive behaviour, noting that excuses such as “he has anger issues” or “he’s trying to manage the situation” only perpetuate harm.
“We are the story. We are the beauty, the pain, the courage, and the fire. Vulnerability is not our weakness; it is our weapon,” the marriage counsellor said.
“Don’t devalue yourself — it is not a sign of weakness, rather a sign of strength. Life is too short to be a casualty of war. Oppression leads to depression; therefore, be careful with your health.”
Adetuberu encouraged women to learn from mistakes and see rejection as an opportunity for growth rather than defeat.
Victoria Ademola-Idowu advised women to avoid toxic relationships, warning that prolonged exposure could trigger depression.
The convener of the group, Ebunoluwa Lawson, said the conference seeks to change the narrative for Nigerian women by promoting vulnerability as a positive trait.
“Our vulnerability as women is not a limitation, but a beacon of emotional strength and deep connection to our world,” Lawson said.
Lawson added that the group provides a safe space for open conversations on key relationship issues such as communication, trust, intimacy, and conflict resolution.
She urged women to be authentic and supportive of one another in building a community where everyone can thrive.
The event also featured the decoration of Ademola Babalola, Oyo state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), as patron of the group.
