By all standards, ‘ICHABOD: Daughters Who Did Not Inherit Their Mother’s Silence’ is more than a book. It is a movement, a clarion call, and a reflection of a quiet revolution stirring in the hearts of women across Africa and beyond.
At the heart of it stands Ogochukwu Eloike, author, communicator, and champion of behavioral change. In a candid interview with LEADERSHIP Weekend, Eloike opens up about her motivations, her battles with societal expectations, and her unwavering commitment to help women rediscover their power.
Her journey towards creating ICHABOD, a concept and initiative that invites women to step into dominion, began with personal pain. “There comes a point in every woman’s life. where, after going through a certain level of pain, you’re forced to pause and reflect. You either regress or you grow,” Eloike reflected.
That pause gave birth to ICHABOD, a vision inspired by the biblical loss of glory but reimagined as a rallying cry. It’s Eloike’s way of challenging the passivity imposed on women and encouraging them to produce, lead, and shape society actively.
“We have allowed ourselves to be passive, as though we merely accompanied men into this world. ICHABOD is a call to reclaim our power,” she said. And that reclamation starts with women choosing themselves, especially after marriage, a phase where society often expects silence and sacrifice. “Too often, we hear, ‘I built him and he left,’ . But why were you building him instead of building yourself?” she noted.
This theme of self-prioritization runs throughout her book. Eloike is unapologetic in urging women to pursue opportunities without guilt. “When it comes to your right of choice and destiny, present peace as an option, but prepare for war,” she added.
Eloike is not simply theorizing from a pulpit of privilege. Her insights are rooted in deep personal growth and the lived experiences of generations of women. Her voice, steeped in both faith and feminism, calls for authenticity in a world that often demands conformity. “We’re telling the stories society expects. If we continue to suppress our authentic selves, how can we hope to build genuine connections?” she asked.
The result of this suppression, she argues, is societal dysfunction. Families, relationships, and communities falter when women are not allowed to evolve. “If a woman doesn’t know herself before marriage, she will likely discover herself later and that transformation could shake the foundations of the relationship,” Eloike warned. But she is clear: this evolution is not a threat, but a gift. “Women are constantly evolving. It is in our nature. Men should marry women who know themselves—or support their journey to self-discovery,” she advised.
Eloike’s approach is bold but measured. She does not dismiss marriage or motherhood, but she challenges the narrow definitions that reduce women to either. She recalls the damaging phrases mothers often repeat: “Speak gently, men don’t like loud women”—and the way girls are raised to anticipate male approval. “But women are more,” she asserted “Women are.”
Her deeply spiritual interpretation of scripture further emboldens her message. From the dominion granted to both genders in Genesis, to the symbolism of the serpent and the seed in the Garden of Eden, Eloike sees the Bible not as a tool of oppression, but one of liberation—if read with spiritual clarity. “God didn’t consult a man to bring Jesus into the world. That speaks volumes,” she reminded.
To Eloike, silence is no longer acceptable. And she is doing more than writing as she is speaking, mentoring, and building platforms to amplify other women’s voices. ICHABOD, now her published debut, is just the beginning. “I give out copies to students and speak at conferences. I want young women to know: this book is for them,” she stated.
She also addresses a sensitive yet common critique—that women don’t support each other enough. “It’s not malice. It’s fear. A generational fear of being left behind,” she clarified. But her advice is simple: support her anyway, adding that, “The most loyal ally you’ll ever have is a woman who believes in you.”
As for societal norms that chain women to outdated expectations, Eloike believes they are not immovable. “Traditions were created—and they can be uncreated. Let’s applaud the women brave enough to choose differently,” she said.
ADVICE
Her advice to young women choosing partners? Be intentional. “Like Jacob working years for Raechel in the Bible, purpose matters. You can change your story at any moment. And it starts with you,” she added.
Eloike is currently working on a follow-up project, still rooted in advocacy but exploring new dimensions. For her, writing is both catharsis and a call to action. “Writing was the easy part. Publishing was the real challenge,” she revealed. And she has no illusions about the cost of speaking up. “Some say speaking up causes chaos—more divorces, more rebellion. But silence isn’t virtue. Assertiveness isn’t violence—it’s authenticity,” she said firmly.
In the end, Eloike is building more than books. She’s shaping a new narrative—one in which women choose themselves, use their voices, and leave their names on their legacies. As she says, “When you conquer battles, your daughters won’t have to fight them. That’s legacy.”
EDUCATION/CAREER
Ogochukwu Eloike currently serves as the Corporate Communications Manager for Food and Other Businesses at FMN Group. She also works as a Consultant in Advocacy and Strategic Communications at the African Heritage Institution (AfriHeritage), where she is responsible for crafting project narratives and messaging, managing government and media relations, and overseeing strategic and employee communications.
She holds an M.Sc. in Mass Communication/Media Studies from the University of Lagos (2018–2019), and a degree in Social Work and Community Development from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
