After almost three years of virtual fellowship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jehovah’s Witnesses are resuming larger gatherings. Although the organisation resumed meetings at its Kingdom Halls in April, its larger assembly facilities have remained under lock.
Spokesman in Nigeria, Olusegun Eroyemi, said arrangements have been put in place to ensure safety protocols are observed in all 23 assembly halls nationwide.
“Jehovah’s Witnesses are extremely happy with the opportunity to, once again, meet at their larger facilities,” Eroyemi said. Also, Afolabi Odeyemi, a regional spokesman, disclosed that Ota in Ogun State and Ilesa in Osun State, among others, are set to host the first set of ‘Exercise Patience!’ conventions in Nigeria.
He said: “Prior to 2019, dry seasons in these cities were marked by Jehovah’s Witnesses filling hotels and restaurants as they attended their yearly conventions at assembly halls across Nigeria. In 2020, the pandemic interrupted that tradition, when the Witnesses cancelled their in-person events throughout the world and held convention programmes as virtual events in more than 500 languages.
“Beginning first week in August, 2023, the Witnesses will bring that tradition back to Ota. As much as we loved the convenience and quality of our virtual conventions, nothing can replace being together in a large group. While our online conventions reached millions around the world and kept our communities safe, we long to get back to our joyful fellowship at these large gatherings.” He noted that some 6,000 conventions would be held worldwide as part of the 2023 convention series.
In Nigeria alone, he said more than 320 conventions would be held in 39 host cities. Six convention sessions will explore the quality of patience, highlighting its modern-day relevance through scriptural examples.
“A live baptism will be performed, following Saturday morning session and a pre-recorded drama will be featured in two parts during Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions,” Odeyemi said, adding that the event is open to the public and no collection would be taken.
