The Apostolic Church Nigeria (TACN) Lagos and Western, Midwestern/Northern Areas (LAWMNA) Territory, last week, celebrated its 49th yearly convention with members and non-members from different parts of world in attendance to grace the event.
With theme: “I Know Thy Works,” the gathering held at the church’s International Convention Ground, Olorunda, Ketu, Lagos, while press conferences took place on Thursday and Friday.
The conference on Thursday addressed by its LAWMNA Territorial Chairman, Pastor Gabriel Okpako Uyeh, disclosed TACN’s new retirement policy, adding that LAWMNA had started the gradual implementation of the retirement age of its members.
He said: “We shall be completing the implementation next year with the last set of ministers above 75 years of age going on voluntary retirement. I must emphasise that I am deeply committed, and would go on retirement too, my responsibility is to oversee the implementation and that would be completed next year.”
Same day witnessed the introduction of Board of Trustees (BOT) and Governing Council members of the church’s Glorious Vision University, Ogwa, Edo State.
In his acceptance speech, as the third Board of Trustees (BOT), Chairman, Pastor Moses Olusoji Oyewole said the institution is not only a citadel of learning, but also a seed of destiny, sown by divine instruction and watered by obedience.
Oyewole, who served on the board as Secretary/Liaison Officer and Coordinator from inception noted thatone of the board’s critical responsibilities is to craft policies that would improve and strengthen the university and as well drive its mission and vision in line with apostolic mandate.
On Friday, August 1, the churchhonoured its outgoing National President-Emeritus, Pastor Sampson E. Igwe, and incoming National President Pastor Lawrence OlusesanOladele.
Igwe, who served the church for eight year, called on leaders at all levels in the nation to reflect on the essence of leadership, knowing that leadership is about service to the people.
He said: “God brings people to public and sacred offices so that they may advance the course of justice, equity, and fairness to the oppressed.”
Pastor Igwealso urged politicians jostling for 2027 elections to know that there is hunger, insecurity, high inflationary rates, unpaid salaries of workers, kidnapping, banditry, vandalism and in some quarters failure to fulfill electoral promises among others.
Oladele, in his acceptance speech, said his team would pursue vigorously the ancient landmarks of the church, especially on growth, development and expansion of the church in Nigeria and overseas by consolidating on the achievements, values and ideals of the founding fathers and his predecessors. The new officers, includingOladele, were inducted into office. Oladele was inducted asthe 4th national president of the group.