Christian women urged to uphold dignity, integrity

Christian women have been urged to cultivate strength, dignity and godly character while serving as positive influences in their families, churches and communities.

The President of the Women and Girls’ Organisation (WGO), Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, Dr Lydia Odedeji, made the call while delivering her presidential address at the organisation’s 27th Annual Women’s Conference.

The three-day conference, themed “Dressed for Honour” and based on Proverbs 31:25, attracted more than 1,000 delegates from across the diocese.

Odedeji said true honour was not determined by physical appearance but by the spiritual and moral qualities reflected in a woman’s life.

She identified humility, kindness, compassion, patience, wisdom and faith as virtues Christian women should embrace, urging them to use their influence to promote peace and strengthen their homes and communities.

According to her, women have an important role to play in shaping future generations through their conduct, values and personal examples.

She urged women facing challenges to draw strength from their relationship with God through prayer and the study of the Bible, while warning them against allowing societal expectations to determine their self-worth.

Odedeji also encouraged women to replace bitterness, pride, fear and discouragement with forgiveness, humility, faith and hope.

She called on women to embrace their responsibilities as mothers, wives, mentors, leaders and role models, stressing that their lives should reflect Christian values.

The WGO president also spoke on contemporary national issues, commending the Lagos State Government for initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of children and young people through rehabilitation and correctional facilities.

On state policing, she called for adequate constitutional safeguards to prevent abuse if the system is introduced.

Odedeji further urged Nigerians, particularly women, to participate actively and peacefully in forthcoming elections, while rejecting vote-buying, electoral violence, hate speech and misinformation.

Earlier, the Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West and Patron of the WGO, Rt. Rev. Dr James Odedeji, urged Christians to resist worldliness and remain committed to their faith.

The conference, jointly hosted by the Oshodi and Ikeja Archdeaconries, featured health talks, Bible study sessions, discussions on contemporary issues and stage presentations.