Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Federal Government has again been called upon to employ modern technologies to flush out the miscreants from the country.

Making the call in a communique issued by the ECWA Fate-Tanke District Church Council at the end of its 16th meeting in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, the Council equally urged government to employ more effective strategies to minimise the effect of the harsh economic condition on the people, adding that security and welfare are core responsibilities of government.

The Communique signed by its Chairman, Reverend Samuel Olayioye and Secretary, Reverend Joseph Agboluaje, decried the spate of kidnapping for ransom, banditry, and cattle rustling, among other dastardly acts that are rampant and on the increase across the country.

While lauding the efforts of government to checkmate these unscrupulous elements, the Council stressed the need for more decisive actions by the three tiers of government to bring the menace under check.

The meeting, attended by 40 members across board, including ECWA Trustee, Pastor Engr. James Yinka Asonibare, all the Council Executive Members, Ex-Officio members and the representatives of all the 11 Local Church Councils (LCCs), expressed grave concern on the harsh economic realities Nigerians are subjected to.

Noting that it is not yet Uhuru for the country on the economic and security fronts, the Council observed that the situation is getting worse by the day to the detriment of the people.

It enjoined Pastors “to start preparations for effective teaching in the coming year on the theme: “FOR THE VISION IS YET FOR AN APPOINTED TIME”, urging the District Church Council Executives to make adequate consultations to ensure uniformity in the inscription of the theme in all Local Churches worldwide.

The Council expressed satisfaction with the conduct of elections across all structures of ECWA at LC & LCC levels of F/TDCC, noting that the elections were conducted according to ECWA books thus making the DCC a pace setter and a shining example.

Members also acknowledged the good works on ECWA Strategic Long-Range Plan 2023-2030 crafted by the General Church Council, Jos, lauding the committee that worked on it and the cheering news that the inputs of the DCC have been forwarded to the GCC, while also embracing the timing of ECWA DCC conference scheduled for between November 16 and 19, 2023 at Shao, urging them to pray and attend.

The Council encouraged the LCs and LCCs to employ E-Collections, and diversify on investments that can yield high returns to the Church instead of sole dependence on tithes and offerings which are grossly insufficient to meet the needs of the Church nowadays.

The Council was skated about the impending emergence of Nupe Local Church from ECWA Fate/Tanke advising that the Church be inaugurated early to enable members worship God in their languages, adding that the
conduct of population census for the DCC is long overdue. It added that a committee would be set up to work out the nitty-gritty for its conduct in January 2024.

In his exhortation, Reverend Abraham Samuel who spoke on the Theme: “What is Your Food?”, charged members to, in spite of economic challenges bedeviling the Nation, make the will of God and the work of God paramount in all their activities, urging members not to abandon their commitment to the service of God.

On his part, ECWA Trustee, Pastor Asonibare congratulated members of the Executive of the Council just elected, sympathised with the Council on the second fall of the pavilion at Shao camp ground and prayed that God would take absolute control of the project.

He urged Pastors across the board, particularly those in the countryside’s to be faithful and committed to their call and imbibe the spirit of sacrifice and dedication to further move forward the work of God.

END