…Inaugurates 7-man committee at LAWNA international convention 2024
The Apostolic Church Nigeria, TACN a foremost Pentecostal denomination has pegged Ministers’ retirement age at 75.
Pastor Senior Gideon Ukpako Uyeh, first Vice Chairman Lagos And Western/Northern Areas, LAWNA Territory, disclosed this at the 48th Annual LAWNA International Convention holding at Olorunda – Ketu on August 4, 2024, saying the new developments is in line with good innovations adopted by other Fields/ Territories spearheaded by LAWNA Territory.
Pastor Uyeh hinted that the new retirement age policy will be enforced on Clergy men refusing to comply with the new law and also informed that the Church has appointed 7-man committee who will ensure implementation of this policy and were prayed for in the National Temple.
The Church with Gospel orientation and Evangelism fire operates under full leading of Holy Spirit and gives room for Prophesy as a Ministry and sound doctrinal teachings by Teachers and administration by the Apostles.
It has a National body, with a National President; the incumbent being Pastor Samson Igwe. The National body which is divided into the Lagos And Western/Northern Areas (LAWNA) Territory has Lagos, Ijesha Land, Kaduna, Kaba, Ibadan, Abeokuta and few other locations leading within the Territory.
The territory consist of present day South-Western States with two South Southern States of Edo/Delta and all nineteen (19) Northern – West, Central and East divide of Nigeria.
TACN National on his part, is subdivided into four South Southern States in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa which further classified into Calabar (Cross River) Field; Igbo Field, Maritime Field; Akwa Igbo Field; and, Andoani Sub Field.
However, it was revealed that a seasoned Cleric, now late Pastor Gabriel Oladele Olutola who has been a Bible College Teacher, an Area Council Secretary cum District Apostle; an Area Superintendent and also ex- LAWNA Administrative Secretary changed the tides in the church.
“It happened that Pastor Olutola left the Admin Secretary’s office to go and become Area Superintendent, then at Mushin and Benin Area; in 2009, he became Acting Territorial Chairman for LAWNA.
“Upon confirmation after a year, the National President passed on and by Divine order, Pa Olutola once stepped in, to become National President and Territorial Chairman for the Church. In his time, some unification steps for the Church in Nigeria saw the Church adopting a single Annual Motto.
“Then, in 2017, Pastor Olutola came up with an idea of retirement for the National President and LAWNA Territory Chairman; other Fields/Territory later adopted this novel idea.
“Upon retirement of Pa Olutola who was then tagged Emeritus President during period of retirement before his passage in 2024 at 91; two personalty in person of Pastor Igwe and Pastor Emmanuel Segun Awojide (retired) respectively became National President and National Vice President/Territorial Chairman, LAWNA in TACN.
“That dispensation saw the LAWNA Territory appointing a Vice Chairman for the first time rather than Admin Secretary that has always been next; other six Fields/Territories also adopted Vice Chairman status for ease of administration.
“The reformations also saw the Church moving office of National President to Convention Grounds in Olorunda – Ketu, Lagos from Calabar, Cross River State, where late Pastor E.E. Okon operated from.
It was however agreed that these leaders would embark on retirement so other younger elements can take up executive posts in the Church with Pastor Senior Gideon Ukpako Uyeh becoming the very first Vice Chairman for LAWNA Territory.
As of last year, 2023, Pastor Awojide went on retirement and Pastor Uyeh stepped in as 6th LAWNA Territorial Chairman/5th National Vice President for TACN. In a similar development, Pastor David Oluwasegun Ajibade emerged as second Vice Territorial Chairman for LAWNA.
So, with turn of events in these new developments where other Fields/ Territories are adopting good innovations spearheaded by LAWNA Territory, issue of retirement age for all Clergy men crept up and was robustly debated.
