Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

The Archdiocese of Ibadan Catholic Women Organization (AICWO) at its meeting held at St. Michael Catholic Church, Yemetu, Ibadan on 19th July 2026 elected new executive to lead the organization from 2026 – 2030. The outgoing President, Lady Clara Oke also during the AICWO Annual Seminar held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oke – Ado, Ibadan on 16th August 2026, handed over to the newly elected President, Amb. (Mrs) Edith Isidahomen, even though the inauguration proper for the new AICWO Executive has been fixed for the 20th September 2026 at Christ the King Catholic Church, Odo – Ona. The Catholic Weekly Independent had a brief chat with the newly elected AICWO President.

Excerpts:

CWI: Congratulations on your election as the new President of AICWO. How do you feel, emerging as the President of AICWO?

Amb. Edith: I feel deeply humbled and grateful to God for this call to serve. It is both an honor and a huge responsibility. I do not see this position as a title, but as a ministry. My heart is full of gratitude to God, to His Grace, Archbishop Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin; our Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Joseph Akinbinu, and to all the CWO women of Ibadan Archdiocese who entrusted me with this mandate. With God’s help, the support of my team, and the intercession of Mary Our Mother, I am ready to serve and not to be served. 

CWI: Would you say there is unity or oneness among the members of AICWO, irrespective of race, language and culture?

Amb. Edith: Yes. AICWO Ibadan Archdiocese is one family. We may speak different languages and come from different cultures, but we are united by one faith, one baptism, and one Mother Mary and my administration will work harder to deepen that unity and ensure no woman is left behind in the Archdiocese.

CWI: How would you rate your predecessor, Lady Clara Oke and her team?

Amb. Edith: I rate them very highly. Lady Clara Oke and her team laid a strong foundation with dedication and sacrifice. They served with passion and has left legacies we will build upon. On behalf of AICWO, I say thank you to the outgoing President and her team. May God reward you and your team abundantly, Amen.

CWI: What do you intend to do differently as the incoming President of AICWO?

Amb. Edith: I plan on focusing on six key areas: Women Empowerment, Cooperative Society, Completion of the Retreat Center, Digitalization, Unity and Inclusion, and Global Partnerships. We will be different is our approach: More inclusion, more skills acquisition, more financial empowerment, and making CWO relevant both spiritually and economically in this digital age. Leadership under me will be servant-focused, transparent, and accountable.

CWI: Looking at your activities within the Archdiocese and your role as a National Figure as the President of CAEAN, how do you intend to combine all these with the new assignment as AICWO President?

Amb. Edith: By God’s grace and with a good team, I believe that true leadership is built on delegation and collaboration. My experience in CAEAN and other platforms has taught me the value of organization and networking. God helping me, I plan to use my position in CAEAN and other organizations to attract partnerships, training, and resources that will uplift and empower our AICWO.

CWI: AICMO just held its first Convention and I am glad you were at the Convention too. How is AICWO going to work hand-in-hand with AICMO, IBCYON and PMS/HCA to move the Archdiocese of Ibadan forward?

Amb. Edith: We are one family under one Archbishop. AICWO pledges full collaboration with AICMO, IBCYON, PMS/HCA and all other organizations in the Archdiocese. We will partner on faith formation, family life programs, evangelization, and social outreach. When the Men, Youth, Women, and Missionary groups work together, the Church and society will be stronger.

CWI: Please, what is your advice to members of AICWO?

 

Amb. Edith: My dear Sisters in Christ, let us return to the heart of our calling: prayer, unity, and service. As mothers and women of faith, our homes are our first altars. May we, like our Blessed Mother Mary, be women of prayer who nurture our families with love, wisdom, and the presence of God. I encourage us to clothe ourselves with humility and the spirit of oneness. Let us learn a skill, lift one another up, and reject every spirit of division. In doing this, we reflect Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve.

As we wear our CWO uniform with pride, may we also wear Christ in our actions. Let our faith be seen in how we love, how we forgive, and how we serve both in the Church and in the society.

May the Lord bless the work of our hands, and through the intercession of Mary, Our Mother, may AICWO continue to grow in grace. Through Mary, Our Mother… We Will Succeed!

CWI: Thank you for giving us time from your tight schedule. On behalf of the Archdiocese of Ibadan Directorate of Social Communications; of which you are also a member, we wish you a successful tenure in this your new assignment.

Amb. Edith: Thanks too for all you do, even as I also solicit for more assistance from you in the area of publicity for our activities. God bless you.