The President of the Women and Girls Association of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos West, Dr. (Mrs.) Lydia Odedeji, has urged women to pay more attention to their inward beauty, which is about exemplifying the life of Christ.
She made the call while delivering her presidential address at the 27th annual conference of the association, which took place at the Caroline Adebiyi Conference Centre, Ipaja, Lagos, on Friday, August 28. The conference is being hosted by the Ikeja and Oshodi archdeaconries of the diocese.
The conference, themed Dressed for Honour, began on August 27 and is expected to end on August 30. It attracted hundreds of women from across Lagos and sister dioceses of the Anglican Church.
L-r: Life Patron of the Women Organisation, Diocese of Lagos West, Otunba Atoyebi Oyeleke, Dean of the Cathedral, The Ven Arire Kolawole, Bishop of the Diocese, Rt Revd Dr James Olusola Odedeji, his wife and President of the Women Organisation, Dr Mrs Lydia Odedeji at the 27th Annual Conference of the Women Organisation in the diocese held today 29/8/2026 at lpaja Lagos
God introduced dress
Dr. (Mrs.) Odedeji did an exhaustive exegesis on the theme, making copious references to the Bible.
She said while it is important to look good and appear well, the most important part of dressing is the non-physical part, which centres on character, dignity, and one’s relationship with fellow human beings.
Giving a historical context to the theme, she said that God was the first to introduce clothing after the fall of man. “God is the one who first clothed man when He used the skin of a ram to clothe Adam and Eve. God is interested in covering our nakedness. It is the devil who exposes us.”
Referencing certain characters in the Bible like Joseph and Mordecai, she said, “Your clothes show the kind of person you are. We hear of Joseph’s coat of many colours, and then we see Mordecai putting on sackcloth, which indicated a mourning situation.”
She, however, emphasised that the most important aspects of clothing are the things that cannot be touched but can be felt. “Your clothes, from a spiritual standpoint, are not what you wear; it is what you do and what you are. It is what is communicated by your appearance,” she said.
How to be dressed in honour
The women’s president took time to explain how women can be dressed in honour, using the analogy of the process of making clothes. “From Proverbs 31: 25 that we read, we see that honour is not accidental; it is cultivated. True virtue is about wisdom and inner strength.”
She said King Lemuel, who was credited with the scripture, was setting standards for womanhood and giving instructions on how to be a woman of worth. “A woman who belongs to the kingdom of God fears the Lord. She is trustworthy and strong spiritually. She manages her home and leaves a legacy of honour.”
She told the women that people should be able to identify them as representatives of God’s kingdom by their appearance, adding that the garment that truly defines a woman is integrity, faithfulness, and hard work. “What a woman thinks, believes, and practices become what she wears. Some people are beautiful outside but lack inner strength.”
While disputing claims that physical appearance does not matter as long as one’s heart is pure, she said, “The truth is that our physical appearance is a manifestation of inward character. It is earned through a pattern of living.”
On how to live up to one’s billing as a child of God, she said, “Every dress begins as a raw material. It has to be processed before it becomes a cloth that can be worn. It takes time to produce. It does not appear by chance. So also, becoming the woman God wants you to be takes a process of investing in our character. Unfortunately, we invest heavily in our looks while inner beauty is often neglected.”
Bad character like flat tyre
She added, “A bad character is like a flat tyre. No matter how good a vehicle is, if the tyre is flat, it can’t go anywhere. It takes good character to sustain living. Gifts without character bring disgrace. Our honour lies not in what we wear, but in what we do.”
According to her, how a woman uses her time and creatively engages in meaningful activities goes a long way in shaping who she becomes. Unlike outward beauty, Mrs. Odedeji stated, “inner beauty does not fade. It speaks before you speak. It produces influence.”
Going further on the theme, she said, “Every woman must ask: what are your clothes saying without your permission? Doctors are known for their attire. A mechanic and a lawyer are known by their attires. So your appearance conveys a message to people without you saying anything.”
She pleaded with the women to radiate the glory of God, stating that though God looks at the heart, He does not ignore our appearance. “The heart is hidden to human beings, but your physical appearance is not hidden. We conclude things about people as soon as we see them. The heart is primary, but appearance is very important. People dress well for job interviews, yet we approach the presence of God anyhow.”
Be positive influence
Women, she said, are expected to be a positive influence in society. “The Bible warns us against causing others to stumble. Indecent dressing in church distracts worshippers. There are times I am ashamed when I go to wedding ceremonies and see how our women dress,” she said.
While noting that modesty does not mean ugliness, she said the Bible consistently teaches that “our body is sacred. Whatever we do should be done to the glory of God. Clothe yourself with compassion, humility, patience, and kindness. Dress your mind with wisdom. Dress it with gracious speech. Dress your life with holiness. Our dressing should draw people to God, not repel them.”
She noted that God has endowed women with grace and ability. “Ladies who insist they want to marry rich men fail to understand that God already made them rich by being women. We have capacity. We have grace. Don’t limit yourself. I never thought of marrying a rich man. I have always wanted to be a blessing wherever I am. That is the understanding that we should have. This will go a long way in helping us navigate life.”
She urged the women to go to God in prayer and ask Him for help. “Report yourself to God. He is able to make you better. If you need more discipline, patience, and wisdom, ask God; He will give you. Growth begins where honesty meets humility. Be honest with yourself.”
Earlier in her delivery, she thanked all the women who laboured to make the event a success. She also thanked the Lagos State Government for its commitment to the social welfare of the people of the state, while requesting that it should pay more attention to curbing petty crimes in the state, which are increasingly disturbing.
Bishop.Odedeji
In his message, The Bishop of the diocese, the Rt. Rev. Olusola Odedeji, described the women as instruments in the hands of God who have been called for special assignments.
“Salt influences; light shines where there is darkness. God has placed women in homes, schools, and businesses not to occupy space, but to make a difference. Your presence in your home will either make or mar the family. Never underestimate what God can do through you.” The Bishop said.
He added, “a woman who is dressed for honour cannot be harassed by Satan anyhow. When you are dressed for honour, your enemy will be at peace with you and you are shielded from danger.”
He urged the women to live a life of integrity and holiness. “You don’t have four children with only one belonging to your husband. That should not be in a Christian home. I have heard children cursing their mothers in the grave because of the bad examples they laid. We are not called to blend with the world, but to distinguish ourselves.”
Several people at the event, including the wives of Bishops from across the Anglican dioceses in the South West, delivered speeches during the programme.
The Life Patron of the association., Otunba Atoyebi Oyeleke and Mother of the Day Dr. Ezienne Ify Ukachukwu also delivered goodwill.messages. The Dean of the Archbishop Vining Memorial.Cathedral Church, The Ven Arire Kolawole and all administrative Archdeacons in the diocese graced the three-day event.
