Anglican Communion Hosts First Breakfast Fellowship in Lagos
The Anglican Communion, representing the business and professional women of the Lagos West Diocese, held its inaugural Breakfast Fellowship in Lagos on Saturday. This event, themed “Pruning for Progress: The Art of Strategic Elimination,” gathered women professionals and executives to explore avenues for personal growth, career advancement, and overall well-being.
Notable Attendees and Experts Participate
Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, the wife of the Ogun State Governor, attended the event, which also featured prominent experts from various fields. Among the guests were Mrs. Abosede Amusan, a specialist in quality and food safety, former banker and entrepreneur Mrs. Chinwendam Emele, and financial expert Folake Sanu, who serves as a non-executive director at Expertise.
Leadership and Commitment to Women’s Empowerment
The event was chaired by Dr. Lydia Odedeji, who also leads the Women and Children Organization of the Lagos West Diocese. The Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. James Olusola Odedeji, made a brief appearance to greet attendees and offered prayers for the fellowship’s success and lasting impact.
Strategic Planning Behind the Fellowship
Held at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral in Ikeja, Lagos, the event adopted a vibrant “shades of pink” dress code and attracted hundreds of women from across the diocese. Oluwafunmilayo Olotu, a former port administrator at the Nigerian Ports Authority and one of the moderators, noted that the fellowship was the culmination of over a year of strategic planning and collaboration aimed at fostering growth, networking, and learning opportunities for women.
Insights on Personal and Financial Assessment
After a welcome address from Diocesan Coordinator Mr. Funmi Wale Adegbite, the program commenced with an exhortation from Mrs. Amusan. She emphasized the significance of assessing personal and professional realities as a preliminary step toward meaningful progress. Participants were encouraged to critically evaluate their finances, relationships, and habits to identify areas for potential improvement.
Pruning Financial Inefficiencies
Folake Sanu discussed the importance of financial discipline, describing ‘pruning’ as a necessary process of letting go of unproductive habits while embracing more beneficial ones. She highlighted that understanding one’s financial position is crucial for growth, advising participants to take stock of their assets and liabilities to determine their net worth. Sanu underscored the necessity of prioritizing savings and minimizing unnecessary spending to prevent financial leakage.
Health and Well-Being as Investments
Dr. Lydia Odedeji further accentuated the value of prioritizing physical health as a significant investment. She encouraged attendees to adopt mindful eating practices and reinforced the idea that health should be a top concern alongside spirituality. Addressing the physiological changes associated with aging, she offered practical advice on how to maintain well-being through a balanced diet, regular exercise, and mental stimulation. The call to treat food as medicine contained a powerful message about lifestyle choices.
Community Support and Engagement
The event received accolades from Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, who praised the organizers and speakers for their insightful contributions. This gathering was made possible through partnerships with various organizations, including PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Elizade, Page, Oxbridge, and several others, all committed to fostering women’s empowerment and professional growth within the community.
