The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) has the decried the state of Nigeria Nation which is raging from from had economic policies of the government,insecurity and other vices that that are telling negatively on the living of the citizens of the country.
As the Council expressed dissatisfaction over the non-release of the remaining 90 Chibok school girls who by Monday 15th April, 2024 had spent 10 years in captivity, Leah Sharibu and others without obvious efforts by the government to rescue the innocent children. We call on all tiers of Nigerian government and international bodies to kindly ensure the release of these children without further delay
This is contained in a Communique issued by the Church at her 71st General Church Council (GCC) meeting held at the ECWA Headquarters International Conference Hall Jos, Plateau State,and signed by it President Rev. Dr.Stephen Baba Panya and General Secretary Rev.Ayuba Ashesha respectively.
This Year 2024 Councils meeting with the Theme “For The Vision Is Yet For An Appointed Time’’ was taken from the book of Habakkuk chapter 2 verse 3. The theme is aimed at reminding members, church leaders and believers across the world that, although we may have different dreams and aspirations in life, there is an appointed time predetermined for their manifestation which is God’s time.
Habakkuk lived in a very difficult time just like our troubled world today. Thus, the theme encourages believers that though we are doing our very best, we need to have absolute faith in God knowing fully well that the timing of our accomplishments is not always within our control but completely within God’s time.
The General Church Council Meeting was attended by members of the ECWA Executive, ECWA Board of Trustees, Chairmen, Secretaries and Delegates from the 94 District Church Councils including the United States of America (USA).
Also in attendance were Heads of Departments and Institutions, Chief Executive officers of ECWA Strategic Business Units and ECWA leaders from the Republic of Chad among others.
Condolences:
The Council noted with heavy heart, the home calling of God’s generals who were heroes of the gospel such as Baba Rev. Mamman Barkeji, a pioneer pastor in Sokoto, who died on 7th April, 2024 at the age 98, Rev. Maurice Kamegue, the head of ECWA Chad and the former ECWA Assistant General Secretary, Rev. Ndukwe Ukonu among others,prayed that the good Lord will comfort the Church in Jesus name.
Similarly, at the expiration of the tenure of some ECWA Executive, elections were conducted for the offices of the ECWA President, Assistant General Secretary, Treasurer and the Trustee (Zone 5).
Rev. Dr. Job Ayuba Bagat, was elected ECWA President and Rev. Dr. Sunday Congo elected the ECWA Assistant General Secretary to serve for a first tenure of three years; while Elder Danjuma Haruna and Rev. Prof. Musa A. B. Gaiya were returned as Treasurer and Trustee zone 5 to serve for another three and ten years respectively.Creation of more Departments and DCCs:
The Council approved the creation of ECWA Strategic Plan Department. Council also resolved to set up committees for the creation of Chad, Togo and Cameroun DCCs and the upgrading of the ECWA Guest Houses to a Department and ECWA Leadership Training Institute into a full-fledged Institute.
During the five-day council meeting, the council deliberated on church related issues, matters arising, crucial national and international issues and far reaching resolutions were reached thus;Church Revival: The Council reiterated the need for a holistic revival among believers and particularly ECWA sons and daughters across the globe as this will help believers to stand firm in the faith and its practice in the face of the current onslaughts against the body of Christ globally and particularly in Nigeria.
State of the Nation:
The council expressed dismay and frowned at the high levels of insecurity in Nigeria through banditry, kidnappings for ransom, incessant killings of innocent citizens by unknown gun men, destruction of lives and properties with impunity by terrorists, particularly Islamic extremists, across the nation. This has resulted to continued disarray of Nigerian nation and the near total collapse of the economy thereby leaving Nigerians in helpless hardship.
The Council however appreciates the effort of the Nigerian Military and other security agencies for risking their lives in the course of fighting against terrorism, insurgency and other forms of insecurity. The Council consoles with the families of the security personnel and other Nigerians who lost their loved ones in the course of defending the nation.
Equally important, the Council expressed dissatisfaction over the non-release of the remaining 90 Chibok school girls who by Monday 15th April, 2024 had spent 10 years in captivity, Leah Sharibu and others without obvious efforts by the government to rescue the innocent children. We call on all tiers of Nigerian government and international bodies to kindly ensure the release of these children without further delay.
The Council also expressed dismay over the unprovoked barbaric attacks by unknown gun men on innocent citizens in some part of the country particularly the unfortunate 2023 Christmas eve attack in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi as well as other attacks in Mangu, Wase and Riyom in Plateau State and others where many lives were lost and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.
The Council decried the failure of the government to carry out its constitutional responsibility of securing lives and properties of the citizens despite the huge amount being spent on security. While the Council acknowledged the support of the government to the affected communities, we call on the government to ensure the perpetrators are brought to book and measures are put in place to prevent future occurrences.
The Council expressed satisfaction over the magnanimous support of relief materials provided to the affected communities by ECWA Executive on behalf of ECWA and further call on other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as well-meaning Nigerians to support such communities.
Food Security: The Council noted with immense concern the biting hunger among citizens as a result of shortage of food supply due to persistent insecurity of all kinds that paralyzed the activities of rural farmers. The Council urged the Federal and State Governments to urgently act decisively to put in measures that will checkmate the insecurity and ensure rural farmers resume their farming activities. Harsh Economic Situation:
The Council observed the harsh economic policies by the Federal Government which makes life difficult to Nigerian citizens without corresponding dynamic arrangements to cushion the effect of such polices. The subsidy removal on petroleum products and an increase in electricity tariff has affected the cost of goods and services in the country. Therefore, the government should put in place appropriate mechanisms to reduce the hardship of the citizens. Monetary Policy:
The Council observed with satisfaction, the recent proactive measures put in by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to checkmate naira devaluation which has yielded a significant stability of the naira against the dollar.
This effort should be sustained to help curb inflation and reduce the cost of goods and services since Nigeria is an import dependent economy.Deplorable Condition of Infrastructure: The Council noted the deplorable condition of infrastructures: roads, hospitals, schools etc.
Some of the roads across the nation have become death traps and countless citizens have lost their lives. The Council calls on both Federal and State Governments to as a matter of urgency take immediate action to fix these facilities for social and physical benefits of the nation. Religious Tolerance:
The Council called for more commitment in ensuring religious tolerance among people of different faiths across the globe. This will go a long way in reducing religious intolerance amongst people world over.
Global Warming:
The Council decried the increasing depletion of ozone layer resulting in the increase of temperature that led to the loss of about one hundred people in Mali. The Council observed that with this attendant increase in global warming, the changes has serious impact in agriculture and food security, depleting resources in every part of the country and by extension the world over and posing a serious food security challenges in the face of the rapidly growing population.
The Council therefore called on all citizens and all authorities to do everything possible to safeguard the environment. Similarly, Council enjoined members worldwide to diversify their vocations to ensure sustainability of family needs and not to rely on one source of income.International
On the war between Israel and other middle East countries, Russia and Ukraine, Council enjoined all parties and the United Nations (UN) to tread with caution in other to avert escalation of the crises to a global war. The Council enjoined believers across the globe to remain steadfast and prayerful in view of the happenings which are clear signs of the end time as described by our Lord Jesus in the scripture.Preaching the Gospel:
The Council enjoined believers to intensify the preaching of the gospel in view of the imminent return of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ as there are yet millions of unreached people across the globe. The mandate of Mathew 28:18-20 is not to be taken with levity as our Lord does not want anyone to