The Church of the Lord ably led by His Holiness, Most Rev Dr Rufus Okikiola Olubiyi Ositelu held the General conference of the Arch Province of Nigeria at the International Headquarters in Ogere Remo on the 7th and the 8th of May 2022.
At the conference with the theme “Divine Protection”, which was chaired by the Primate, His Holiness, Most Rev Dr R.O Ositelu and well attended by delegates representing all the Ecclesiastical Provinces that make up the Arch Province of Nigeria, the church expressed very deep concerns about the worsening security situation in the country, urging the Federal Government to urgently nip the situation in the bud and endeavor to bring perpetrators to book.
In a communique issued at the end of the conference, the church adviced that, with the 2023 elections fast approaching, Nigerian politicians and stakeholders should let patriotism and selfless service be their watchword.
The Church further urged all Nigerians to get their permanent voters cards so as not to be disenfranchised at the 2023 elections, while also advising the Nigerian youths not to allow themselves to be exploited by politicians to perpetrate violence.
Also at the Conference, the Church noted that restructuring is the major panacea for the numerous challenges confronting the nation.
The full text of the Communique as released by the Director of Publicity of the Church.
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 2022 ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF THE LORD ARCH PROVINCE OF NIGERIA HELD FROM 7TH – 8TH MAY 2022 AT OGERE REMO OGUN STATE NIGERIA
INTRODUCTION: The annual General Conference of the Arch Province of Nigeria was held at International and Spiritual Headquarters, Ogere Remo, Ogun State from 7th – 8th March, 2022. The Conference was declared open by His Holiness, The Most Rev. Dr. Rufus Okikiola Ositelu –The Patriarch of the Aladura Communion Worldwide (ACW) and the Primate of THE CHURCH OF THE LORD (TCL) Worldwide who was also the Chairman of the Conference.
The Conference with the theme ‘Divine Protection’ has in attendance delegates representing all the Ecclesiastical Provinces that make up the Arch Province.
After fruitful deliberations, Conference came up with the following:
1) Conference expresses serious concern over the pathetic and worsening security situation in the country and called for the review of the security architecture of the nation. It stressed the need for government at all levels to combat insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and wanton destruction of lives and properties and all forms of violence. The recent Kaduna-Abuja train tragedy is highly condemnable and all perpetrators should be brought to book.
2) As the 2023 general elections are fast approaching, the Conference urged all politicians and stakeholders to let patriotism and selfless service be their watchword throughout the electioneering campaign during and after the election. They should avoid heating up the polity unnecessarily by exhibiting the fear of God in all that they do.
3) Conference urged all Nigerians to get their permanent voter’s card (PVC) and make sure that they vote for the Candidate of their choice without fear or intimidation.
4) Conference admonishes Youths not to allow themselves to be exploited by politicians to perpetrate violence.
5) Conference encouraged eligible women to run for elective positions i.e. to vote and be voted for, so that women can meaningfully contribute their quota to national development politically, socially and economically.
6) Conference appeal to Government through the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do all that is needful to ensure that the forthcoming elections are free, fair, and credible and reflect the will of the people.
7) RESTRUCTURING: Conference noted that restructuring is the major panacea for the numerous challenges confronting the nation. It will ensure good governance, equity, prosperity, peace and security.
8) Conference noted with dissatisfaction that corruption the hydra headed monster has continued to eat deep into the political and socio-economic fabric of our society with impunity and called on the Federal, States and Local Governments to come up with more stringent measures and policies in the fight against corruption. All hands should be on deck.
9) Conference noted with serious concern the prohibitive cost of living due to inflation and called for an urgent reversal of the situation with positive and people friendly policies and measures.
Conference lent its voice to the clarion call by World Council of Churches (WCC) and the United Nations (UN) to break the bias and eliminate all forms of violence against Women and Children.
10) Education Sector: Conference observed with utmost displeasure the continued blame trading between the Federal Government and the various Industrial Unions in the Universities -Academic Staff Unions of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASUU) as a result of the ongoing strike actions that has led to the grounding of the University system in the country.
11) It therefore calls on both parties to take urgent steps towards immediate resolution of their disputes and bring an end to the lingering unhealthy nationwide strike with all its attendance negative consequences on our education system.
12) Government at all levels were also admonished to invest more into the improvement of our education sector in line with international best practices.
13) Conference called on all citizens of Nigeria irrespective of tribes, religion, ethnicity or political affiliations to live together in peace, love and unity as there can be no meaningful development in an atmosphere devoid of peace.
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, the Conference urged all religious leaders and indeed all Nigerians to continue to intercede for Nigeria for God to mercifully heal our land so that the nation can enjoy lasting peace, security and sustainable development.
Issued this 8th Day of MAY 2022 AT THE END OF THE 2022 GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE ARCH PROVINCE OF NIGERIA HELD AT OGERE REMO, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA
Signed:
Director of Publicity
