It was a gathering of colour, faith, and conviction at the serene grounds of Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, as hundreds of women dressed in the blue-and-white uniform of the Catholic Women Organisation of Nigeria, Lagos Archdiocese (CWONLA), converged for their 2025 Annual General Assembly. The four-day meeting, held from August 28 to 31, brought together Catholic women leaders from across the Archdiocese for prayer, reflection, and a renewed sense of mission.
At the heart of the assembly was a thought-provoking keynote address delivered by the Catholic Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins. With the theme, “A Hopeful Woman Walks and Works by Faith” (Hebrews 11:1&6), Archbishop Martins called on Catholic women to stand firm as pillars of faith in times of trial. “The times in which we live are not without trials—economic hardship, moral confusion, insecurity, and a rising tide of discouragement,” he observed.
“In such moments, the world needs women whose hope is rooted in God and whose faith turns hope into action.” Quoting from the Scriptures, the Archbishop drew on the courage of biblical heroines such as Deborah, Ruth, and Esther, describing them as models for Christian women today.
“By faith, Deborah listened to God and led her people to victory; by hope, Ruth left all she had, trusting in God; by faith, Esther risked her life for her people,” he said. “Now more than ever, we need Catholic women who can see the light of hope even in the darkest situations of life.” He likened faith and hope to the two poles of a magnet—inseparable virtues that draw believers closer to God’s promises.
“Hope prays for the rain,” he said with emphasis, “faith tills the soil in preparation.” The Archbishop’s words set the tone for the gathering, where spirituality intertwined with the practical realities of leadership, service, and community building.
Call for responsible leadership
In his address, CWONLA Chaplain, Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Ikuomola, turned the women’s focus to the future of their organisation. He reminded them that the assembly was not only a spiritual retreat but also a moment for accountability and vision. “This year’s assembly is particularly important as it precedes the elections of new executives next year,” he noted. Commending the outgoing committees for their dedication, Fr. Ikuomola urged members to choose leaders who embody sincerity and selfless service. “Let sincerity and the good of the organisation guide your choices,” he cautioned, “so that CWONLA will continue to excel in its mission.”
“A spiritual milestone”
For Rev. Sr. Agnes Adepoju, OLA, the Sister Adviser to CWONLA, the gathering represented more than an annual tradition. She described it as “a spiritual milestone, a moment of reflection, renewal, and recommitment to the divine calling that each of you carries.” Her address challenged members to live out the assembly’s theme as a daily way of life. “To walk by faith is to rise each morning with hope, even when the world offers uncertainty,” she said. “To work by faith is to serve with love, lead with humility, and build with vision. You are not just participants in the Church—you are its heartbeat.” Sr. Adepoju also took time to congratulate CWONLA members recently elevated to provincial roles, including the president, Lady Catherine Alabi, who now leads the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province (CWONLEP). “Let your hope be contagious, your faith be active, and your walk be bold,” she urged.
Stewardship and achievements
In her presidential address, Lady Catherine Y. Alabi struck a balance between gratitude and vision. She catalogued the achievements of her executive team, pointing to the induction of new members, sustained patronage of the CWONLA uniform, and the successful hosting of the provincial assembly earlier in the year. “While work has not progressed as much as we would have liked on the CWONLA project in Epe, there has been significant growth in funds,” she said, expressing confidence that the next executive committee would take the project further.
She also highlighted CWONLA’s participation in the African Regional Conference of the World Union of Catholic Women Organisations (WUCWO) in Kampala, Uganda, noting that members had represented Nigeria with distinction. Looking ahead, Lady Alabi urged members to approach next year’s elections prayerfully and wisely. “Choose officers who will serve our organisation selflessly with their time, treasure, and talent,” she pleaded. “Only then can CWONLA continue to move from strength to strength.”
A gathering of faith and fellowship
Beyond speeches, the General Assembly was marked by communal prayers, Eucharistic celebrations, and moments of reflection with the Blessed Virgin Mary as the women’s constant inspiration. The atmosphere blended solemn devotion with lively fellowship, as delegates exchanged ideas, sang hymns, and recommitted themselves to CWONLA’s mission of service. As the curtains fell on the four-day event, the resounding message was clear: hope and faith are inseparable companions on the journey of Christian witness.
For Archbishop Martins and other speakers, CWONLA women are called not only to profess these virtues but to live them daily—in their homes, parishes, and society at large. Through their renewed commitment, the women of Lagos Archdiocese signalled that their walk of faith would not end with the Assembly, but continue to inspire hope in a world yearning for light.
