Pastor Siju Iluyomade of the City of David (COD), Victoria Island, Lagos, has said the role of women in societal cannot be over-emphasised.
She spoke at this year’s Handmaidens Women in Leadership Series (WILS) Conference held in Lagos.
Pastor Iluyomade noted that in line with the vision of WILS in enlightening women and empowering them sufficiently to enable them to have the desired impact on the society, women are uniquely positioned because they are the ones who pass on the meaning of life to her children through the internal wisdom that she conveys to her family.
Continuing, she said the woman is a source of education, culture, and knowledge, all of which she passes on to her children, and thus to subsequent generations.
In the circumstances, she urged that women should be put on a pedestal by extolling her place in the family and in the society in general. The new reality will require us to establish new frameworks that support a fundamental role of women that has been eroded over the years.
She urged women to strive hard in order to realise their potential irrespective of the faith they profess.
Pastor Iluyomade said: “Being a Christian does not mean women should not be successful in life. They should know that the power to succeed is in their hands, because God has given them everything; all they need to do is to tap into it and become successful.
The theme of the conference was “Leading Women, Breaking Barriers”.
Pastor Iluyomade, who is the hostess anchored her talk on “spring into action”, said to the participants, “enough of begging. Get up and get to work”.
Quoting from the poem of William Ross Wallace she said: “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world”, she said the woman that is leading is a mother, a wife, a working woman, an entrepreneur, a woman who is in service to her nation, a woman who is in service to her people and community, adding that a mother does not necessarily need to be unemployed
She said: “A leading woman goes with a certain attitude, which is, whatsoever I lay my hands upon must prosper. A leading woman must be determined to break barriers.”
Pastor Siju, the wife of Pastor Idowu Iluyomade urged the women to tell their husbands “I would have mine, and I would take yours too”.
She maintained that “a leading woman goes with a certain attitude. Whatsoever you lay your hands upon, must prosper. A leading woman must be determined to break barriers. Being a Christian does not mean you should not be successful. You should know that the power to succeed is in your hands because the Almighty God has given you everything, and all we need to do is to tap into it and stop being lazy.”
The Bible is clear about the special position of the woman when it said “I’m fearfully and wonderfully made. I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. I have to account for the talents that God has given me.
“In Ephesians 3:20 says ‘now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us’”.
She then asked rhetorically, how can we stimulate our ambitions? Proffering solution, she said: “Women should stop hating fellow women, stop envy, stop jealousy, stop tearing down, and stop plotting evil against other women. Women should begin to love one another as God Almighty commanded, so as to fulfil the purpose and break barriers fully”.
Pastor Siju added: “Because I practice what I preach, I am an example of a leading woman breaking barriers because as they say, charity begins at home and a leader must lead by example.
“As a Pastor in full time Ministry, a wife of a Pastor, a mother, a lawyer of many years in practice, an entrepreneur who is in partnership with my husband, I am working hard for my daily bread. The fact remained that we could be paid for Pastoral work and duties but we chose not to be paid to do God’s work because the Church is not meant to be overburdened. We did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it. I leave you with the words of Apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 3:6 – 11 that instructs on the need not to be idle.”
Pastor Siju urged the women to spring into action and get to work by breaking all barriers.
At the one-day event eminent female achievers also spoke on various topics.
Keynote speaker was Mrs Funke Adekoya (SAN) who contested the Presidency of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Mrs Adekoya told the women that women who break down barriers are the ones who ignore the limits:
“Preparation is important, expertise is crucial. Prepare for your plan- what resources do you need? Develop your soft skills. If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together. Change your request if you have been turned down in one way. You need to establish a network of encouragers. I know that my shared knowledge will support your ability to navigate your own lives,” she said.
Africa’s first female Admiral, Rear Admiral Itunu Hotonu who was the second keynote speaker told the women to do whatever they can by being intentional about it.
“Get yourself tutored in your weak areas. There are no free dinners; you must work for success that will be abiding. Ecclesiastical 9:10 says, whatever your hands find to do, do it well’. Women cannot afford to be enemies of other women. Excel in the workplace, house of God and everywhere you find yourself. Dress the way you wish to be addressed,” she said.
Kate Hensaw; Foluso Gbadamosi; Ola Orekunrin Brown; Yvonne Ike Fasinro; Adenike Oyetunde; Captain Adebanke Olayiwole; and Adefunke Adeyemi were some of the panelists.
