On Tuesday, March 5, 2019, Sister Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society general president, and Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women general president, continued their visit to West Africa with a visit to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation of the Government of Lagos State, Nigeria. They were received by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Abiola Liadi.
‘’We welcome you to Nigeria and especially to Lagos State,’’ said Mrs. Liadi.
She continued, ‘’Our main focus in this ministry is the empowerment of women. We do this through various programs at the 17 skills acquisition centers that we supervise. We train women in skills such as bag making, carpentry, dress making, shoe making, bead making and so many others all at no cost to the participants. At the end of each course, each graduating trainee is given a starter pack of tools and equipment for her trade.’’
Responding, Sister Bingham stated, ‘’We are impressed with the work you do for women. When women work together, we can accomplish great things. There are so many areas in which we can collaborate. We look forward to working with you.’’
Sister Cordon thanked the ministry for hosting the Church’s delegation. ‘’There is great power in our young women,’’ she stated as she pointed out the various programs of the Church for young women.
Later in the day, at the leadership meeting for Relief Society leaders in the six stakes in Lagos, Sister Bingham taught the sisters through role play and examples how to lead the sisters by preparing spiritually, working with priesthood leaders, serving in councils. She also taught how to effectively carry out their ministering assignments.
In a separate meeting, Sister Cordon addressed about 150 young women of the Lagos Nigeria Ojudu Stake. 'Heavenly Father loves us equally, irrespective of whether we are from the United States, India, China or Nigeria. He blesses us with His spirit as we hearken to and act upon His commandments’’ she stressed.
Sister Christiana Umahi, a mother who came to the devotional with two of her young women, spoke of the faith, love, confidence and understanding mothers should repose in their daughters. Sister Cordon introduced the 2019 Young Women theme, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." She explained that the great test of this earthly life is obedience."
Quoting President Russell M Nelson, Sister Cordon challenged the young women in Nigeria to 'Stand out, Be a beacon, Set the standard and serve as the Savior served, give as He gave. Elder Adeyinka Ojediran, an Area Seventy who presided at the event, admonished the young women to be steadfast in doing good and to encourage their peers in other faiths to do same.
Lagos is the commercial nerve center of Nigeria with a population of over 20 million. There are currently six stakes of the Church in Lagos. President Nelson announced a temple for Lagos during the October 2018 general conference.