Nigerian Women Needs Recognition and Acknowledgement – Rev. (Dr.) Delight Olise

Rev. Dr (Mrs.) Delight Uzezi Olise is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, a Master’s Degree holder from the University of Ibadan (U.I), an MBA product of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and PhD Award in Educational Administration from Anointed University, Johannesburg, South Africa.

An astute educationist, she taught at the Queen’s College, Lagos, and lectured at the Faculty of Education, UNILAG, for several years before joining the public service of the Federal Ministry of Education. There, she served meritoriously for 27 years in various capacities, with several awards to her credit, before her retirement in 2018 as a Deputy Director.

The Cambridge Certified educationist and widely travelled missionary is a sought-after international conference speaker, mentor, trainer, ordained minister of the gospel, writer, and author of bestselling educational and Christian books. 

She is a member of several Christian and professional associations, the President of Daughters of Zion Int’l Fellowship (DOZIF), and the Proprietor of Covenant Child Academy, which has Campuses in Surulere and Lekki, Lagos.

Dr. (Mrs.) Olise is happily married to Apostle Divine Olise and they are blessed with miracle children: Joshua Joys and Joyful. 

During the 2024 International Conference of DOZIF themed, “Women of Significance”, held in Lagos. She spoke with Gracious Akintayo on women’s development. Excerpt:

What gave birth to the vision of DOZIF? 

The background of the Daughters of Zion International Fellowship was borne out of my long wait for the manifestation of the fruit of the womb. After being married for 15 years and having no child, I vowed to God that if the reproach could be removed from my life, I would take my Christian responsibility beyond what it was at that time as a pastor’s wife, running the ministry.

When God answered the prayers, immediately after the dedication of my first child in 2016, I called one of the active executive members of the women ‘s wing of PFN in the Ikotun chapter of Alimosho Province to share the vow and pledge I made to God. I told her, I am a busy person, even as a pastor’s wife and I requested her to recommend someone among the women in full-time ministry to work with me as executive assistant. At my age, you can see the age of my children. But, I thank God for them.

Briefly tell us how DOZIF activities have been and to what extent. 

We started holding quarterly meetings in 2016. From the quarterly meetings, it went to bi-monthly meetings, later to monthly meetings and eventually birthed the international conference in 2018. At the international conference, we invited speakers from outside the country alongside other Nigerian speakers to speak. We have hosted some speakers from America, Italy, Spain, South Africa and other countries, who gracefully honour our invitation and participate in our conferences as guest speakers. 

At this year (2024) conference, we hosted Pastor Carol Ukagwu (Italy), Hon. Irene Kaumu (Uganda) Apostle Busola Jegede (Nigeria), Pastor Comfort Ocansey, Pastor Rebecca Ukuranga (Rwanda), Rev. Dr. Miracle Igho (Nigeria) and Rev. Dr. Folake Oladepo (Nigeria) with others around the world who ministered live from their country. Since 2018 we started the international conference and this is how God has taken over.

Every year, God gives us international ministers who share our vision and identify with our goals. Several women who also have challenges in the fruit of the womb, marriage, ministry and other life endeavours have rediscovered themselves and found purpose and peace through Daughters of Zion International Fellowship to fulfil God’s plan for their lives.

It is joyful that despite my busy schedule, God can still grace me to do what I am doing. It takes God’s grace to weather the rigorous schedules of major events and still look ahead to another event. 

As a member of the Association of Private Educators in Nigeria (APEN), I participated as a guest speaker and panellist at the two-day international conference of private school owners in Nigeria and attended another two-day international conference that just ended, all within a week. The ability to carry on with these major events as a wife, mother, educator, and pastor can only be God.

What other activities are associated with the Daughters of Zion International Fellowship?

DOZIF, a non-profit organisation is associated with goal-oriented spiritual and human activities aimed at developing, empowering, educating and exposing women to growth as home managers, mentors and society builders. The basic areas of our calling are to equip women and minister to the less privileged. Annually, we visit Nigeria Correctional inmates, this year, we’ve visited Ikoyi correctional inmates and the reformed home where young girls are catered for. Every June is our benevolence, in August, we go on mission work outside Nigeria. 

This year, 2024 we visited three countries on missions and guest ministers at this year’s conference are from those countries earlier visited and they were glad to be part of DOZIF. Apart from going outside Nigeria on a mission, we organise two major retreats every year in March and August, where we pray to spiritually equip and empower ourselves before embarking on international missions.

What do you think of Nigerian women? 

Nigerian women need recognition and acknowledgement. In the beginning, God made them male and female, He didn’t put gender equality, restriction, condemnation or criticism. But, especially in Nigeria, female genders are not given the room to prove their potential. Nigerians have restricted women so much that they believe only men carry anointing. But there are great anointed women who are doing exploits and if given the chance, women can rule Nigeria successfully and far better than we are currently experiencing.

There are women who, if acknowledged and given the opportunity, can lead the body of Christ in Nigeria better. Men should recognise God called the male and female and give them responsibilities. This does not downplay, limit or take away the headship, leadership and respect of men. The Bible says, women are helped meet and women need recognition as the help meet at every development.

Men should endeavour to give women the opportunity to prove their abilities in the body of Christ, governance, corporate organisations, and politics. 

The first person to preach the gospel of God and say that I, Jesus Christ, had risen, was a woman, Mary Magdalene. Men were there, but a woman was sent to preach the gospel of He has risen, not just to announce, but to go and tell. That I, the Lord, have risen and the same gospel is what we are still preaching till tomorrow and when He will return.

In this regard, what is your advice to Nigerian women? 

Nigerian women should continue doing what they know how to do best. They should continue to improve, develop and grow themselves. As ordained by God, they should wholly respect and honour the place of men’s authority as the head and leader.

In some homes, ministries and other places, the men don’t want the women to be heard. They don’t want their wives to express their ability or be ordained into the ministry. They prefer to be the only superstar carrying the mantle and the title with the accolades.

While the woman takes care of the children and the home affairs, we appeal to our men not to limit the women to only taking care of children and the home affairs, they should allow us to prove our worth to the world.

If given the chance, women also carry potential and talents. It doesn’t mean they will abuse or disrespect the office and authority of men or their husbands. If a woman is seen to be productive and steadily maintaining her marriage, such a woman should be recognised and acknowledged.

What is your advice to women going through situations you have passed through?

They should keep cool, wait and focus on God. Though it may take some time, it will surely come to pass. Going through that situation in life is harrowing and sorrowful, especially waiting on the Lord for the fruit of the womb, many years after marriage and still not coming. I fasted, prayed and cried many nights. But, when you have an understanding man like my husband as a partner who stood by me, encouraged, protected and supported me, then you have pain relief (smiles).

Sometimes when you are in that situation, it may not be God, anything or anyone. It may be you, who have not been still enough to know what God is saying in that situation or requesting from you what to do.

I was busy travelling from one country to another, doing missions and my husband was asked if he could permit me to participate in the PFN Women’s meeting. He told them that my wife was too busy and would not be able to carry out any responsibilities in PFN.

When I returned from my trip, my husband told me the chairman of PFN called for my participation in the province women’s activities and told him I was too busy. I became distraught that night, I asked myself, could it be true am too busy not to work for the Lord? We prayed over it, that if the call is of God, let it be and He should make a way.

After that prayer, we called the province chairman. He said the office had been taken and I told him when there was an opportunity he should let me know. Within two months, he called to inform me there was an opportunity and I accepted to be the deputy women leader at the Alimosho Women meeting of PFN.

Six months after accepting that role, the chairman and the wife, who is the women leader had a reason to relocate from Lagos and they needed to hand over, they handed over the office of the women coordinator of Alimosho to me and miraculously, within a short time of taking over the leadership, God answered my prayers.

We became sensitive that’s what He has been waiting for and my answer would have also come earlier from God. This is where I learnt, “For you to answer His call, is that He will answer your cry and wipe away your tears”.

When it happened, my husband and I started telling everyone, no more prayer requests, but prayers of thanksgiving to God for the coming of our son. 

Fifteen years after marriage, the burden was removed, the shame rolled away, the reproach wiped off with the sorrow becoming joy and prayer points turned to praises. Two and a half years later, God blessed us again with twins two girls, the first was a boy. We are now proud parents of three wonderful children.

The testimony is that we see the finger of God at work. Within two and a half years, the 15 years of silent crying and weeping, private sorrow and sadness, with ceaseless prayer points and requests are answered, turned into joy and gladness, to become praise and thanksgiving. 

I thank God for His faithfulness in the vow made to Him, “If You give us a child, we will go beyond our limits to serve You”. 

To the glory of His name, all we are doing now is paying our vow and we are glad God is also backing us by blessing the works of our hands. He will continue to back us till eternity.

What was the role of medical doctors during these waiting periods?

Medical doctors and surgeons around the world tried their best. They will not go into extinction and will not fail in their endeavours. But by the time the Divine doctor was delighted to take over, He resurged everything, perfected them and finished them all to the glory and testimony of His name. Most of the time when I went to see the doctors, even when I travelled, they usually assured me all would be okay. 

How old is your marriage? 

Our marriage will be 25 years in February 2025.