Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN, has called on Christian women to anchor their lives in Christ and use their God-given gifts in service to the Church, their families and society, reminding them that genuine strength is found not in human ability but in God’s sustaining grace.
Ubani made the call while delivering the keynote address, “The Source of Our Strength,” at the Annual Women’s Conference of the Anglican Diocese of Egbu held at St. John’s Anglican Church, Naze, Owerri.
Preaching from Philippians 4:13 — “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” — the former Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association cautioned against interpreting the popular scripture as a celebration of human self-reliance. Rather, he said, the Apostle Paul’s words were a testimony to God’s sufficiency in every season of life.
According to him, Christian strength is measured not by the absence of hardship but by the capacity to remain steadfast in faith despite adversity.
Addressing the women, many of whom balance demanding responsibilities as wives, mothers, professionals, entrepreneurs, church workers and community leaders, Ubani said they should resist the pressure to rely solely on their own abilities.
“Christ does not always remove the burden; He strengthens the bearer,” he said.
He explained that while God sometimes changes difficult circumstances, He often chooses instead to equip believers with the grace, courage and endurance needed to overcome them.
Ubani challenged the women to ensure that their strength finds expression in purposeful service rather than personal accomplishment alone.
“The Church needs women whose strength is shaped by wisdom, character and faith,” he said. “Women who will nurture godly families, mentor younger generations, care for the vulnerable and contribute meaningfully to the growth of both the Church and society.”
He also encouraged them to remain spiritually grounded through prayer, regular study of the Scriptures, worship, fellowship and faithful service, describing these disciplines as the enduring source of Christian resilience.
The conference also featured a special celebration in honour of the preparatory retirement of the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Egbu, Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Enyinnaya Okorafor, and his wife, Mrs. Ngozi Chioma Okorafor, popularly known as Mama Egbu, in recognition of their years of dedicated service to the Diocese.
The event was coordinated by Her Worship, Mrs. Maureen Onyewotu, a retired Chief Magistrate of the Imo State Judiciary and Chancellor of the Diocese, alongside Lady Ngozi Naze and other members of the planning committee.
Beyond the conference itself, the occasion became a reunion of old friends. Mrs. Onyewotu and Dr. Ubani, who studied together at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, between 1985 and 1989, reunited with fellow classmates, including Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Ngozi Olehi, and Chief Kelvin Mbawuike.
The gathering attracted hundreds of women from across the Diocese, as well as judges, serving and retired magistrates, lawyers and other members of the legal community, reflecting both the spiritual significance of the conference and the wide respect enjoyed by its keynote speaker and organisers.
Bringing his address to a close, Ubani reminded the congregation that a Christian woman’s identity should never be defined by social status, material possessions, professional achievements or public recognition, but by her relationship with Christ.
“The testimony of the Christian woman is not, ‘Look how strong I am,'” he said. “‘It is, Look what God has enabled me to become.'”
His remarks drew warm applause as the congregation responded with a resounding “Amen.”
