Women Can Rise Above Limitations and Become Society Agents of Change – Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu
The First Lady of Lagos State and the wife of the state governor, Her Excellency Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has called on women to rise above limitations and become agents of change in society.
Mrs Sanwo-Olu was the special guest of honour at the 15th Christian Woman Conference themed, “A Woman of Distinction” held at the Chapel of Christ the Light (CCTL), Alausa, Ikeja and jointly organised by the Lagos State Government Chapel of Christ the Light (Interdenominational) Women’s wing and the Lagos State Public Service Christian Fellowship (Women’s Wing) where she enjoined participants to recite a short Distinction Affirmation, an interesting and prophetic declaration made the call while addressing the conference.
She advised that the “Distinction Affirmation” should be pasted as a signboard wherever they go and whatever they are doing, even on the mirror when putting on makeup every morning. “If I were you, I would confess it and read it three times a day, and the more you confess it, the more blessed, distinct, powerful, empowered, and visionary you become. Keep confessing it and as you get anointed doing that, it will bless your homes, families, communities, and the country”, Mrs Sanwo-Olu said.
The First Lady expressed her gratitude to the leadership and the conference planning committee for the invitation to a conference that continues to shape, uplift, and strengthen Christian women to be industrious, dignified, God-fearing, compassionate, wise and impactful across Lagos State and beyond. “I’m particularly delighted that this conference has become a yearly platform where women are equipped spiritually, mentally, and socially to face the challenges of the times and embrace the divine assignment”. She enthusiastically commended the guest speaker, Rev Dr Folashade Toyin-Kehinde, for her lecture delivery on the conference theme. She praised the planning committee for digging her out from where she had been hiding. “She has said so much, I was taking notes and thought I was back in primary school. I have to ask, where did this lady come from and who is she?”. Initially, I was looking at the gele (head scarf) she was wearing, which caught my attention before the stuff started coming out. What a nice way to attract our attention, that is beauty and brain together”, she stated.
Addressing the conference, Mrs Sanwo-Olu described the theme, taken from Proverbs 31:10-31, as timely and relevant in today’s society. Stressing that, the Proverbs 31 woman is not a distant ideal; she is you and me when we allow the Holy Spirit to mould our character, refine our hearts, and guide our actions.
She said further, “In my role as the First Lady of Lagos State, I have had the privilege to interact with countless women and girls whose stories remind me of the right to support, mentorship, and empowerment. Women can rise above limitations and genuinely become agents of change in our society, and that is why I remain committed to initiatives that promote women’s health, education, skills development, and protection from violence and discrimination. A strong advocate against sexual and gender-based violence, also against drug abuse”.
As Deborahs, anytime we have the opportunity and wherever we are, we must keep talking and preaching, either in a party or when talking to a friend, reminding them there are vices out there. “The clock is ticking, we’re moving closer to where we’re going to go, and we are only here on assignment. Nobody knows when they’re leaving, and you don’t have to waste the moment. Anytime you have the opportunity to improve someone’s life and save a soul, please don’t waste it, use it judiciously”, she stated.
She challenged women to see themselves as influencers, “you are influencers and the Deborah we are looking for, not until you go on an Instagram page or look at someone’s Instagram page. Stop looking for influencers, whereas you are the influencer in your home, community, and the nation”.
Women should deeply reflect on Proverbs 31, not just a Bible passage, but a lifestyle to live daily as women of value, virtue, and vision. “To continue evangelising, let us beautify, frame, and put it on our T-shirts, notice board, and on the cups and mugs we want to share as souvenirs at parties. When the cup is thrown away, someone will pick it up and read it. Even the Bible, sometimes people cried, Who stole my Bible or Someone stole my Bible. Fact is, no one steals your Bible, the Bible has gone to evangelise, someone is going to read it”, she said.
Dr Sanwo-Olu urged every woman to be a woman of distinction and be A1 compliant. “You must be A1 parallel in being prayerful, taking care of your spouses, food management, personal hygiene, looking good at all times, your attitude and character, being a model to children, having the fear of God, your business, and adding value to others”.
She prayed that the 15th annual conference would ignite fresh fire in every participant’s heart, restore hope, and inspire every woman to work boldly in their calling with the favour of God.
During her lecture, filled with insightful and practical life-transforming tips, the keynote speaker, Dr Shade Toyin-Kehinde, emphasised that you don’t have to pray long or for hours if you have the knowledge of the word and a relationship with God. The Holy Spirit will guide and teach you how and what to pray about. “As Christian women, we are called, not just to distinguish ourselves with our titles, positions, and career growth, or appearances, but to be women of distinction in our ways, characters, and deeds”, she stated.
Earlier, in her remarks, the Convener and host, Pastor (Mrs) Folashade Ajayi, while welcoming guests and participants to the conference, described CWC 2025 as a holy gathering and tasked participants to prepare for a journey of transformation, liberation, and healing. She later thanked everyone who contributed immensely to the CWC 2025 success. “It has been God all the way who made it a successful outing to the glory of His name, and by His grace, women should expect something more excellent, dynamic, spectacular, and beautiful in the 2026 edition”, she said.
On her part, the CWC 2025 Planning Committee Chairperson, Mrs. Sunkanmi Oyegbola (the PS, Public Service Office) said, the mission for this year’s conference is to raise a good and healthy generation of women who will be distinct in building their homes, nurturing the next generation, and feeding their families in all they do. “Women are not just women of beauty, there’s grace. A woman of distinction is a woman of beauty, valour, grace, and one who knows her God in and out”.
The conference has been impactful, showcasing the endowment in every woman that we must rise to support ourselves as sisters supporting sisters, so everyone can come into their God-ordained purpose.
She advised women to know their God first if they want to be a woman of distinction, because our society must be godly, and we must be godly, elegant, and entrepreneurial to reach our goal.
Highlights of the four-day conference included free eyeglasses to 150 recipients, a cooking competition with a cash gift of N120,000 to the first winner, Mrs Grace Moliki, N85,000 for the runner-up, Princess Bolajoko Ibrahim, while the 3rd and 4th positions, Mrs Florence Olaogun and Mrs Emmanuel Taiwo, respectively, got N50,000 each. While the emerging winners from the pageant competition and Bible quiz received cash gifts as follows: the overall winner, Mrs Bose Akinlade, received N150,000, the runner-up, Mrs Victoria Udo, received N100,000, the 3rd and 4th positions received N75,000 and N50,000, respectively.
Nine widows, including a young widow, were empowered with the cash gift of N250,000 and N500,000 each.
Speakers and facilitators during the conference are Rev Dr Folashade Toyin-Kehinde, Apostle Josephine Femi-Asiwaju, Rev (Mrs) Glory Verrals, Rev Mrs) Deola Ojo, Apostle (Dr) Elizabeth Ozioma Eze, Pastor (Mrs) Bunmi Onilude, Pastor (Mrs) Mojiola Adeyemi, Dr (Mrs) Funmilayo Doherty, Mrs Temitope Akinyemi.
Other guests and dignitaries who graced the conference includes, the wife of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Her Excellency, Chief (Mrs) Oluremi Hamzat (rep by Mrs Bukola Folarin), Rev (Dr) Oluremi & Mrs Tolulope Hunsu (President, LSPSCF), Rev (Dr) Dele Ajayi (Presiding Chaplain), Rev (Dr) Olurotimi & Mrs Taiwo L. Taiwo (Chaplain), Pastor Kehinde Akinloye, Mrs. Jibike Onigbanjo, (PS, WAPA), Mrs Grace Oladimeji, Mrs Bosede George, (PS, LGSC), Mrs Modupe Kupevi, (wife of Bishop of Lagos Diocese, Marina, rep by Mrs Yetunde Ajade), also Mrs Pitan Modupe, Mrs Chioma Amaechi, Mrs Tolulope Ibikunle, Mr P Omokharo (the Baba Ijo of CCTL), Mr Henry Olofingorite, Mr Joe Igbokwe, and others.
