- Inside the 47th Annual National Convention of the Ladies of St. Mulumba Nigeria in Akure
The resounding chat “In Jesus Triumphant, We Live!” echoed through the packed Sacred Heart Cathedral, Akure, as hundreds of elegantly robed Catholic women in white and green uniform converged under one banner — faith, unity, and service. It was the 47th Annual National Convention of the Ladies of St. Mulumba (LSM) Nigeria — a celebration of enduring commitment to charity, spiritual renewal, and social transformation. This year’s convention, themed “Mulumba Ladies and Nigeria’s Economic Development,” brought together a cross-section of Catholic leaders, clergy, dignitaries, and delegates from across Nigeria.
It was a convergence of intellect, spirituality, and social consciousness, driven by three inspiring voices: Most Rev. (Dr.) Jude Ayodeji Arogundade, Bishop of Ondo Diocese; Sir (Dr.) Charles Mbelede, Worthy Supreme Knight of the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM) Nigeria and Deputy International President of the International Alliance of Catholic Knights (IACK); and Lady Ngozi Anthonia Obah, Noble President of LSM Nigeria, ably represented by Lady Maria Uzomah, Noble Vice President. Together with Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Paschal-Paul Okeke, Worthy Supreme Chaplain, these voices wove a compelling narrative of faith in action, moral renewal, and national responsibility.
“The Catholic Church has so much to offer” – Bishop Arogundade urges Ladies to inform, form, and transform society
The Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Most Rev. (Dr.) Jude Ayodeji Arogundade, charged the Ladies of St. Mulumba to stand firm in their faith and embody the Church’s mission of service, describing them as “agents of information, formation, and transformation.” “The Catholic Church has so much to offer,” he declared. “Stand your ground in every situation to impact the Church’s beautiful values that are key to human and societal development.” The Bishop reminded the Ladies that their apostolate extends beyond charity to building minds and shaping moral values. He urged them to influence society with Gospel values of honesty, compassion, and justice. Reflecting on the theme, Bishop Arogundade warned that economic recovery cannot thrive without moral integrity. “Our nation’s progress,” he said, “depends on virtue, faith, and responsible leadership.” He acknowledged the hardships Nigerians face but encouraged the women to persevere, saying, “The Church’s mission is not only spiritual but deeply human. By living the Gospel, you help to build a just, peaceful, and compassionate society.”
“Women hold the future of the nation” — Sir Mbelede’s visionary charge
Sir (Dr.) Charles Mbelede gave the historical and developmental perspective. The Supreme Knight’s speech blended gratitude, challenge, and reflection — a testimony to decades of Catholic lay leadership at its best. He began by recalling the deep roots of the LSM, linking their gathering in Akure to the founding of the association in Ibadan in 1978, under the guidance of the late Archbishop Felix Alaba Job, who renamed the “Wives of the Knights of St. Mulumba” to the more dignified “Ladies of St. Mulumba.” “It is akin to a homecoming,” Mbelede said, “and a return to the roots of LSM. Within 48 years of existence, this noble association has grown into an enviable Catholic sodality, positively touching the lives of many, especially the most vulnerable members of the society.” He celebrated the LSM as a “partner in progress” to the Knights of St. Mulumba, acknowledging the women’s immense contributions to the Church, education, healthcare, and social welfare. “Working together,” he said, “we have jointly built a fraternal order that commands admiration globally.” Turning to the convention’s theme, Mbelede described it as “apt and timely” in a period when Nigeria faces unprecedented economic difficulties.
He commended the choice of guest speakers — Rev. Fr. (Prof.) Anthony Akinwale, Vice Chancellor of Augustine University, and Rev. Sr. Felicia Adeola — noting their theological and social expertise. “Women,” he said, “are central to economic development, contributing through entrepreneurship, agriculture, and informal sectors. They are also engaged in numerous unpaid care and artisanal tasks, often unaccounted for in the Gross Domestic Product.” The Supreme Knight’s words cut deep into Nigeria’s social realities. He emphasised that while women bear the brunt of inflation and hardship, they also remain the heartbeat of resilience in every home.
“The LSM,” he declared, “Must continue to empower women not just financially, but spiritually and intellectually — because no nation rises higher than its women.” With a sense of gratitude, Sir Mbelede thanked the Ladies for their support during his tenure and for their encouragement during his recent election as Deputy International President of IACK Worldwide in South Africa — a position that places Nigeria on the global Catholic map. He concluded with gratitude and prayer: “May the Almighty God bless you all with His traveling mercies as you return to your destinations. It is now my pleasure to declare the 47th Annual Convention of the Ladies of St. Mulumba open.”
“Touch Lives Oneon-One” — Lady Obah’s legacy of hope and charity
Represented by Lady Maria Uzomah, Noble Vice President, Lady Ngozi Anthonia Obah, the Noble President of LSM Nigeria, delivered a detailed and heartfelt address that illuminated the depth of the association’s spiritual and social commitment. With a voice of thanksgiving, she began: “It is with great joy and special gratitude to God that I welcome you to our 47th Annual National Convention. I thank God for the gift of life and for the journey mercies granted to all of us to this convention.” She expressed gratitude to Bishop Arogundade, the Supreme Knight, and all dignitaries present, especially acknowledging the hospitality of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Deji of Akure Kingdom, who welcomed the delegation to his palace. Lady Obah used the moment to celebrate the unity of purpose between the Knights and Ladies, emphasising that Knighthood is a call to evangelise — one shared family, one mission, one faith. “Among our goals,” she explained, “Are to foster evangelisation, render material and spiritual support to the needy, empower women and youths, and support the clergy, seminarians, and the Church’s apostolate.”
Jubilee Year of Hope: Living the Pope’s call
Lady Obah linked the association’s ongoing projects to Pope Francis’ declaration of the Jubilee Year of Hope (2024–2026), urging members to embody hope through action. “We are called to be actively involved in the renewal movement of the Church,” she said. “Through pilgrimages, devotions, Eucharistic adoration, and works of mercy, we can give hope to others — hope for eternity through our spiritual and charitable activities.” The Knights and Ladies of St. Mulumba, she noted, participated in the national celebration of the Jubilee of Hope at the International Sanctuary of Jesus the Saviour and Mary Mother in Elele, Rivers State. “We have queued into the Pope’s vision,” she affirmed, “by intensifying our efforts to promote hope through our Touch Lives One-on-One (TLO) charity project.”
Touching Lives One-onOne: Charity as mission
One of the high points of Lady Obah’s address was the presentation of the LSM Four-Year Charity Project, aptly titled “Touch Lives One-on-One (TLO)” — a national empowerment initiative targeting 400 beneficiaries by the end of her tenure. “Our aim,” she said, “is to improve the lives of indigent sisters and others by empowering them to trade or engage in gainful work. We have empowered 251 persons across the country with N50 million from November 2023 to June 2025. We plan to empower 50 more with N10 million at this convention.” She called on philanthropists, NGOs, and public-spirited individuals to support the project, reaffirming that the LSM’s mission is to “Give hope to the hopeless who believe they are at the margins of the world.” Testimonies and pictures of beneficiaries were narrated and displayed at the convention — evidence of lives restored through the quiet generosity of faith-filled women.
Faith and service in action: The many faces of LSM impact
Lady Obah’s address offered a panoramic view of the association’s nationwide activities. From spiritual retreats to educational seminars, and from orphanage visits to massive empowerment drives, the LSM continues to blend faith and service with remarkable results. She highlighted:
• Spiritual Activities: retreats, rosary centre visits, Bible distribution, and support for diocesan pastoral works.
• Charity Outreach: scholarships, healthcare visits, housing for widows, and assistance to victims of violence and displacement.
• Education Seminars: tackling social issues like Gender-Based Violence and moral decay in society. • Empowerment Milestones: Over 100 beneficiaries received N200,000 each during the 2025 National Day, funded by donations and awards.
• Recognition: Members like Lady Felicia Appih and Chief Sir Amb. Efe Appih were honoured for constructing a N1.15 billion Church edifice, while others built homes, sponsored priests, and supported education.
Her narrative was not without sorrow. She mourned the loss of many sisters and brothers of the Order, including wives of prominent Knights and officers, offering prayers for their eternal rest. She also expressed personal gratitude for the solidarity extended to her during the death of her husband, Chief (Sir) Paul Nnaemeka Obah, in June 2025. “Your love and support cannot be quantified,” she said tearfully.
Leadership, legacy and gratitude
As the convention progressed, Lady Obah’s gratitude poured forth in abundance. She thanked the Ibadan Metropolitan Council for hosting, the Convention Committee led by Lady Ann Unogu, and the various subcommittees that gave their “3Ts — Time, Talent, and Treasure — to LSM Nigeria.” “I pray for grace, robust health, and divine enablement to perform my roles excellently and move LSM to greater heights to the glory of God,” she concluded. “May Our Lady, Queen of Nigeria, intercede for our Order, our families, and our nation.” She concluded her speech with the resounding declaration that echoes in the heart of every Knight and Lady: “Long live KSM/LSM Nigeria! Long live the Catholic Church! Long live our beloved country, Nigeria! In Jesus Triumphant — We live! Pax Christi — Deo Gratias!”
Be stewards, not masters — Fr. Okeke enjoins Ladies of St. Mulumba
In his addressed titled, “Be a Steward and Not the Master,” the Worthy Supreme Chaplain, Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Paschal-Paul Okeke, urged the Ladies to embrace renewed humility, accountability, and faith-driven service to God and humanity. “God loves you and calls you to partner with Him in renewing the earth,” he said. “Discipleship is not a path of comfort but of trust, sacrifice, and endurance.” He described knighthood as “a vocation within a vocation” — a sacred call to humility and service, not a platform for status. “Knighthood is not a title for vanity,” he said, “but a call to moral courage, integrity, and service.” Invoking the Parable of the Talents, Fr. Okeke urged accountability and transparency in managing the Order’s affairs. “We are stewards, not masters,” he stressed.
“A good steward must be faithful, trustworthy, and transparent. Our actions must match our words.” With heaven as the ultimate goal, he charged the women to remain steadfast in their mission and faithful to their vows. The Supreme Chaplain concluded with an appeal for unity: “Work together in love, respect each office, and follow the constitution of the Order. Heaven remains our ultimate destination.” Faith, family, and the future Across every address, one message resounded — faith remains the foundation of true progress. From Bishop Arogundade’s moral charge to Sir Mbelede’s call for development, Lady Obah’s model of compassionate leadership, and Fr. Okeke’s counsel urging the women to be stewards rather than masters, the convention proved a resounding success.
The 47th Annual National Convention was more than a gathering; it was a reaffirmation of vocation — a reminder that in a nation yearning for moral direction and social stability, the Church must continue to form citizens who live the Gospel in both public and private life. For the Ladies of St. Mulumba, the task is clear: to keep informing, forming, and transforming society — one life, one family, one act of love at a time.
