In a profound statement, a visionary woman leader, Lady Ngozi Anthonia Obah, Noble President, Ladies of St. Mulumba (LSM) Nigeria, has expressed her unwavering faith in God’s equipping power. Her words, “God equips those He calls, mine will not be negatively different,” resonate deeply, offering insight into her leadership philosophy and personal values. Trusting in God’s sovereignty and provision, Lady Obah has been at the helms of affairs of the nation’s LSM for over 2 years and three months. Read excerpts of the interview, the Editor, NETA NWOSU, had with the Nigeria’s matriarch of the Ladies of St. Mulumba on her leadership mid-term journey.
What inspired you to take on the leadership role as Noble President, Ladies of St. Mulumba Nigeria, and what has been your most significant accomplishment so far?
My husband joined the Order of Knights of St. Mulumba some 35years ago, by virtue of his membership I become a member of the Ladies of St. Mulumba, since then I have been serving and growing with the organisation. I have served Ladies of St. Mulumba at Sub-Council level, and served as a Metropolitan President. At the annual National Convention in 2022, I was elected to this position. Since then, I have the pleasure of serving, though it has not been easy but I remain grateful to God.
How has LSM Nigeria grown or evolved over the past two years of your administration, and what new initiatives have you launched?
Since my election as Noble President, Ladies of St. Mulumba has grown in number, she has grown in discipline, she has grown in charity and fraternity, has advanced in all her traditional activities, at the Sub Council, Metropolitan and National levels. Gradually, we are making the strides.
How has your vision for LSM Nigeria evolved over the past two years, and what new initiatives have you implemented?
When I was aspiring for the office, my main motivation was to make Ladies of St. Mulumba more relevant to the average member. In addition, I was interested in streamlining all the administrative procedures to make them more responsive to the needs of the members with greater sense of accountability and transparency. I am happy we have made substantial progress in achieving this vision.
What inspired you to launch ‘Touchlives One-On-One’ initiative? What specific needs were you trying to address? Please share some success stories or testimonials from women who have benefited from the initiative?
Everybody knows that the economic situation in the country has been deteriorating over the past few years which has brought hardship on a lot of Nigerians, including our own brothers and sisters within the Order. Touchlives One-On-One is a charity project I initiated in response to the economic hardships which some of our members are also experiencing. It involves provision of start-up or additional capital for those running micro-businesses, assistance with payments of school fees and bursary for indigent students, etc. I am particularly interested in using this programme in empowering widows and orphans of some of our departed members. By the grace of God, the feedback we are getting on the programme is very positive.
What challenges have you faced in implementing the initiative, and how have you overcome them? What are your plans for scaling the initiative in the future?
The major challenge has been inadequate resources to carry out this programme, we rely on the generosity of our husbands who comprise the Knights of St. Mulumba as well as concerned members of the general public whom we approach for donations. The need for assistance always outstrips the donations. Getting everyone to see and walk in line with me is a big challenge. Ensuring every member is transparent and accountable is another challenge, but we are getting better. I cannot personally talk about every one of them, but I know we have empowered over a hundred (100), and a number of them came to the National Convention to testify.
While some sent photographs to really show how they are going about it. With God’s help, we hope to do more in the year 2025. My plan is to empower four hundred persons by the end of my tenure, and I am believing God and with the progress we have seen, it will be a dream come true. For other matters, gradually believing they will eventually work out. You see God equips those He calls, and mine will not be different negatively.
How has LSM Nigeria impacted its members and the society during your tenure?
LSM has continued to impact on her members in the areas of spirituality, charity and discipline. She has continued to run the traditional affairs, and believing God for a better tomorrow.
What are the key takeaways and outcomes from this year’s Convention?
The major impacts or takeaways include the spiritual in fillings from the Holy Masses, prayers etc. The mind-blowing conference discussions on topical issues, especially the Gen Zs, the challenging lecture on women rising up to take responsibility, and the 100 persons from the Metropolitan Councils empowered for good. The annual meeting harvests would also continue to guide sisters in their day to day lives as Ladies of St. Mulumba in their locations.
How has your leadership style and approach evolved since taking over offices, and what lessons have you learned along the way?
I would not say that my leadership style has evolved in the last two years that I have been in office. What I can say is that I have had the opportunity to demonstrate my conviction that leadership is more effective when it is based on good example, inclusiveness, transparency, and promotion of the common good. With the above, the co-operation and support of the followership is guaranteed.
What are your thoughts on the current state of women’s empowerment and gender equality, and how is LSM contributing to this exercise?
Women are facing challenges and are poised to take up the challenge of building a better society, there is need to empower every woman for her to be independent, self-reliant and envisioned. LSM is contributing by reminding her membership on the need for them to rise and take adequate responsibility.
What are your plans for the new KSM/LSM year? How do you see LSM Nigeria growing and evolving?
The KSM/LSM current year has already started in September. The plans I have for LSM Nigeria in the already ongoing year is to continue to advance the vision and mission of our founding mothers for LSM Nigeria, to continue to add blocks to the already built foundation, to continue to foster the tenets of real Sisterhood and service in the Lord’s Vineyard. I will also advance the charity vision, we already empowered 156 indigent ones. Remember that our target is 400 and we are on the move, God helping us to achieve our target. LSM, Nigeria is growing in all its ramifications with the strong Metro Councils pulling the others.
How do you foster collaboration and teamwork within the body, what strategies have been most effective?
Our service in LSM is not a one man show, because the tasks of the Noble Executive Officers are already defined. Each task in LSM is handled by an existing committee headed by members of the Noble Executives, and other coopted members, and they collaborate to carry out assignments for the success of the Order. The use of the committee makes it a team work. We make sure we bring in competent and service-oriented sisters who are ready to put in their 3 Ts – Talent, Treasure and Time selflessly to achieve greater heights and results.
And so far no regrets. Just as you were in charge of the publicity during the last Convention and you brought in everything about journalism and publicity into our last Convention. The same applies to all the existing committees in LSM Nigeria. I have not been disappointed, that is to show that our strategies are well harnessed. Kudos to all who are collaborating with me to make it work.
Do you have any regrets taking this office as Noble President of LSM Nigeria?
Not at all, it is work in the vineyard solely for the Master’s honour, because in the book of Timothy, the word of God stipulates that leadership at all levels is of God, and that is why God enjoins all to pray for their leaders. That I am leading LSM today is God’s design, and I should discharge my duties cheerfully without grumbling. I willingly accepted to serve.
What legacy do you hope to leave behind as President of the body?
I want to leave foot prints and achievements that will speak forever for me. I am particularly interested in working in the way to please God who chose me and made me the Noble President of LSM Nigeria, and it is my desire to satisfy all those who saw something remarkable in me to vote me into this position. I believe as I work diligently as expected, the legacy will naturally stand out in its place to illumine the way for those that will come after me.
How do you balance your leadership role with other responsibilities and commitments?
I must confess to you that it has not been easy, but I remain grateful to God who has been my strength. The fundamental factor behind balancing my activities is in time management, collaborative work and proper division of labour and duties. In matters too sudden and far to meet up with, I delegate my Vice who has been very wonderful and supportive. I manage my time well and I allow each officer to take up her responsibility.
Your administration has just clocked two years in office. How do you feel at your mid-term in office?
What do you expect me to say, well mine is a heart filled with gratitude to God, who is the factor behind my success. I sincerely thank Him for His presence with me, and mercies upon my life. I appreciate the team work of the Noble Executive Officers of LSM Nigeria, and I am also indebted to all whose goodwill I have enjoyed and still enjoy. I always recall the word of God in Lamentations that God’s faithful love never cease, His mercies never come to an end, rather, they are renewed every morning. I want to conclude with the words of Nehemiah that “the joy of the Lord is my strength” and in Him I have my whole being.
