The 37th Council of Lay Presidents, Methodist Church Nigeria was held from Thursday, 2nd to Monday, 6th June, 2022 at Wesley University, Ondo. The Council was presided by the Chairman,Sir (Ide) lfeanyi Nwokedi Okechukwu, KJW who is also the incumbent Conference Lay President.
Members of Council from the federating Dioceses in the Conference Area were there to discuss about God's work and how to further improve on the progress the Church has made during the period under review and how to mitigate any challenges facing the Body of Christ. The theme of the Council was PREPARE FOR THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST (Rev.22:12) which is also the theme of Conference for the year 2022.
The opening Eucharistic service was held on Friday, 3rd June, 2022 presided over by the Archbishop of Ilesa, Most Rev. Amos A. Akindeko while the Archbishop of lgbobini Archdiocese, Most Rev. Dr. Olugbenga Fafeyiwa delivered the homily. The Rt. Rev. Prof. Sunday Obeka, Acting Vice Chancellor of Wesley University and Bishop of the Diocese of Owo, Rt. Rev. Isaac Bola Osunjuyigbe took part in the service.
The Council also rose with a Communique as hereby presented.
A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA 37TH
LAY PRESIDENTS COUNCIL HELD AT WESLEY UNIVERSITY ONDO FROM THURSDAY 2ND
OF JUNE TO SUNDAY 5TH JUNE 2022.
The 2022 annual council of the 37th Lay Presidents
held at Wesley University Ondo City began with the Eucharistic service officiated
by Most Rev Dr. Olugbenga Fafeyiwa, the Archbishop of Igbobini. With the
council theme: Prepare for the second coming of Jesus Christ (Rev 22:12).
The council brainstormed on salient issues affecting the
growth, and development of the church as well as reflecting on sensitive
matters bothering the existence of Nigeria as a sovereign Nation.
At the end of the deliberations the council made the
following observations and resolutions:
1.
The
council in line with the theme: “Prepare for the second coming of Jesus Christ”
(Rev 22: 12) admonished all Christians and Methodists, in particular, to
discern the signs of the end times and therefore prepare for the second coming
of Jesus Christ which is imminent as the date and time is unknown. The council
called on all Christians to get themselves prepared for the second coming of
Jesus Christ.
2.
The council calls on the Government at all
levels and relevant bodies to look at the issues of corruption, violence,
kidnapping, banditry, ritual killing, religious extremism, and other vices in
the nation with the aim to bring an end to these vices, to creating enabling
economic climates by providing soft loans, good road networks, electricity, and
railway system to awake interest on individuals, private sectors and foreign
investors to venture into commercialized Agriculture and Industries to create
jobs for the overblowing Youths in the labour market. This will change the
prevalent rate of unemployment, banditry, and restlessness in our society.
3.
The
council calls on the Government at all levels to do everything within its
capacity to take Nigeria out of the present economic predicaments as it is
biting very hard on the common man.
4.
In
view of the fast-approaching general election in the country, the council calls
on the Federal Government and relevant bodies to ensure the forthcoming 2023
general elections are handled with caution and free of violence, and that the
Federal Government should effectively use the forthcoming general election as a
means to pull Nigerians together above personal, sectional, religious and
partisan interest for the continuous existence of the country.
5.
The
council called on the Federal Government to consider the plight of students of
public universities who are presently at home due to the ongoing ASUU strike by
the lecturers. The council appealed to the relevant bodies to settle the
aforesaid differences amicably and ensure the students and lecturers are back
to school.
6.
The
council strongly condemns all acts of terrorism in our nation and expresses
complete condemnation of the kidnapping of our Prelate and others.
Sir (Ide) Ifeanyi Okechukwu, KJW Dame Prof Regina E.
Ogali, KJW
Chairman of Council/Conference Lay President Secretary
of council
July 05, 2022 - BY Admin