The African Church ends 3rd biennial conference

As the curtain falls on the third Biennial Conference (116th General Conference) of The African Church today; a plea has gone to all Nigerians to pray fervently to ensure that the country does not crash.

Held between November 19 and 22, 2020 at the Anago Diocese, Ogun State, with the theme: “In The Service Of God,” it was unique in the sense that it was the first conference to be presided over by new Primate, His Eminence, Julius Olayinka Osayande Abbe, who was enthroned on March 22, 2020, as the 12th primate.

In a press conference to herald the conference, the primate regretted that the country is experiencing the most difficult time and almost on the edge of a precipice.

While noting that nothing seems to be working in the country, he described Nigeria as a paradox. “It is a country of five talents that is being governed by ‘one talent’ leaders. It is time for us to go back to the drawing board and amend our ways to address the issues before things get out of hand.

The recent EndSARS protest is a wake up call to government to awake from slumber and embark on their daily chores. This is the summary of the action by our youth. These youths deserve our appreciation for serving as a catalyst to good governance. It is unfortunate that the ugly incident that was recorded at Lekki Toll Plaza took place.

“The import of the whole issue is that all those in position of governance should realize that the people are watching. Life of affluence is not the preserve of just a few. Let the dividends of governance spread across to the people.”

While appealing to government to address all the demands of the striking University lecturers, to improve the ivory towers, he lamented that the country is being rampaged by so many ills-kidnappings, arson, rape, ritual Killings, among others plaguing the society. “Those in the judiciary should ensure the full weight of the law is visited on perpetrators. The sacredness of the life of every citizen should be upheld.”

While tagging the next 10 years he is expected to held sway as the primate of the church, which he tagged: ‘The Decade of Breaking Forth,’ Abbe said the task ahead is very daunting and requires a lot to achieve success.

He said: “We are called to break forth in God’s service in the next 10 years! What exactly does it mean to break forth? To break forth means: to blossom with an increase; to spread out; to expand in areas of one’s life; to spread abroad; to overflow like the bursting out of water and to show strength and wellness.

“This is a clarion call to each and everyone of us both Clergy and Laity that it is time to set out for real work in God’s Vineyard. We shall leave no stone unturned until God’s purpose for our Church is fulfilled.”