General Commitee,the highest decision making Body of Assemblies Of God Nigeria has commenced its 2017 Meeting at Evangel House,National Headquaters of Assemblies Of God Nigeria in Independence Layout Enugu.
The General Committee,the second to highest Decision making Organ of Assemblies Of God Nigeria after”The General Council in Session” was the Body that Suspended Rev Paul Emeka from Assemblies Of God Nigeria on the 6th of March 2014 for violating Several Sections of the Constitution and Bye-Laws of Assemblies Of God Nigeria.
PUO REPORTS Recalled that after Paul Emeka’s Suspension in 2014,he instigated attacks on the Leadership and members of the Church in Court and in the Street,leading the Church to await the outcome of the legal suits.
And on the 24th Day of February 2017,the Supreme Court in a Unanimous Decision Upheld the Decision of the General Commitee taking on the 6th of March 2014.
Chairman of the General Commitee and General Superintendent of Assemblies Of God Nigeria Rev Dr Chidi Okoroafor is presiding over the Meeting with attendance by Rev Pst Ejikeme Ejim,Assistant General Superintendent,Rev Dr Vincent Alaje,General Treasurer and Rev Dr Godwin Amaowoh,General Secretary.
Executive Commitee Members,District Superintendents,Body of Ambassadors,Legal Team and some Laity are in attendance in the ongoing General Commitee Meeting.
Below is the Copy of the GS WELCOME ADDRESS
AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY THE GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD, NIGERIA, REV. CHIDI OKOROAFOR, PhD DURING THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON JUNE 8TH & 9TH, 2017 ON THE STATE OF THE COUNCIL
PROTOCOL,
On behalf of the General Council Officers, Executive Committee and Registered Trustees of the Assemblies of God Nigeria, l welcome you to the General Committee of the Assemblies of God Nigeria. To the glory of God l am enthused that this very meeting is holding in the headquarters of the Assemblies of God Nigeria. This is really as a result of the prayers of all of you and the combined efforts of our tireless Officers, united Executive Committee and hardworking, energetic legal team and general contributions and advice of the general leadership.
We thank the God of our founding fathers. It is praise-worthy that God has kept our faithful and concerned retired fathers, led by the grandfather of the Assemblies of God Nigeria, Rev. Dr. Charles Ogbonnaya Osueke alive to see this day. They are veritable inspiration to us.
It will be recalled that by this time last year, the General Committee was held at Evangel Camp, Okpoto while we prayerfully awaited the outcome of the Supreme Court. To the glory of God on the 24th February 2017, the Supreme Court gave their verdict in a unanimous judgement of the five Justices of the Supreme Court. They held that the finding of the Appeal Court (that the suit) is incompetent is upheld and that the appeal by Rev Dr Paul Emeka “LACKS MERIT AND HEREBY DISMISSED” the application for the enforcement of Dr Emeka’s fundamental rights in suit E/202M/2014 was struck out for being incompetent. OUR LEGAL TEAM IS ON GROUND TO GIVE US MORE DETAILS.
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Only God knows the details of what would have happened to our cherished Church if the judgement of the Supreme Court had gone otherwise. We need to permanently thank God and appreciate men and women who assiduously and sacrificially laboured for this. It is important to remember that the Appeal Court had upheld the DECISION OF THE 6th MARCH, 2014 GENERAL COMMITTEE WHICH SUSPENDED AND DISMISSED OUR FORMER GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT, REV. DR PAUL EMEKA. Now the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Appeal Court.
The leadership sent out a message to the entire General Council asking for people to maintain calmness and not to take laws into their hands immediately we heard that the judgement was in favour of the General Council. This was followed by a meeting of the Legal team and Officers, and finally the Executive Committee. Adequate briefings and agreements were made on necessary steps to be made administratively, legally and spiritually.
The Executive Committee also addressed the Press at Okpoto.
The Executive Committee issued what she called “generous olive branch” to give a window of return to those who fought against the Church. This lasted for the first thirty days and was also renewed for another sixty days. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE KNOWING THE NATURE OF THIS ISSUE FORMED COMMITTEES AT EVERY ASSEMBLIES OF GOD GEO ADMNISTRATIVE ZONES TO SCREEN THE RETURNEES AND BRING THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. Her intention was to package whatever she finally discovers, and recommends to the General Committee for ENDORSEMENT.
Much water has gone under the bridge since then. Let me succinctly report that we have benefited greatly from the Supreme Court judgement in what l may call the dividends of the Supreme Court judgement in our favour. They include some Churches and Pastors returning, the recovery and return to the National Secretariat, the re-validation of our Certificate of Incorporation which was under contest. They had requested that we return the Certificate at the instance of Rev. Dr. Paul Emeka who insisted that he was challenging his removal at the Supreme Court. We equally sued the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) challenging their request to return the Certificate.
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However the Supreme Court judgement enabled us to reach an understanding with the CAC. They wrote us withdrawing their earlier letter for the cancellation of the issued certificate, validating our current Certificate which removed Rev. Dr. Paul Emeka. In the same vein we have also withdrawn our suit against the CAC.
Furthermore the security of the National headquarters and around the General Officers have been beefed up with the help of the Nigerian Police Force plus our own domestic gallant Royal Rangers of the Assemblies of God Nigeria. Arrangements are on top gears regarding the recoveries of other property and Churches. Let me emphasize that it’s a lot easier when churches, especially members, decide to return to the Church. Let me appeal to our leaders and members to reach out to those within your reach.
We have also met with the Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi ON THE POSITION OF THINGS IN THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA. THERE ARE OTHER PROMINENT NIGERIAN POLITICIANS AND LEADERS WHO ALSO HELD USEFUL DISCUSSIONS WITH us and offered their opinion.
The legal team will adequately brief us on the current position of legal issues concerning our matters including dismissed, withdrawn and won cases. We are very optimistic that we are on the last lap of the beginning of the END of this matter. The God of our founding fathers, God of great wonders will continue to show himself great and defend his Church.
The Lord has also helped us to keep the Church focused with several spiritually enriching programs ranging from Deacons summit, Ministers’ conference, Easter retreat, Peniel and others. The Decade of Rapid Multiplication is on course we have had the wonderful success in Abak ,Ore and our next place is Kebbi missions.
Moreso, we had “Great Awakening” as our theme for 2015, “Total Restoration” for 2016. This year is “Divine Sanitation” 2017. The Executive Committee has just approved the 2018 theme as “REVIVAL OF HIS GLORY” (Haggai 2:5-9). We urge all leaders, Pastors, Churches and members to que into this theme in their plans.
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As early as today we are ready with approved plan of work for 2018. Among other great programs include NATIONAL STRATEGIC CHURCH GROWTH SUMMIT FOR ALL PASTORS, DEACONS AND CHURCH WORKERS. The Executive Committee has decided to organize it in six centers for maximum impact. We are yearning for strategic growth of AG Nigeria in 2018.
Let me use this opportunity to appreciate the General Committee for our useful deliberations of last year. This Committee graciously decided to approve 2%, and 1% reduction from local churches and Districts respectively towards Evangel University funding. Honestly, this has helped in the redemption of our cherished university from chronic salary arrears and collapse. We can now relax that the school is running. As a result, l pray to this house on behalf of the Officers, Executive Committee and Trustees to sustain this progress by permanently adopting this approval for the sustainability of Evangel University. We have not visible alternative to this source of funding.
We are aware of the expectations of our Council on the ministers’ remuneration. A committee was constituted and we hope to get a report of how far they have gone in this meeting. The Evangel Television is back. We appreciate the sacrificial sacrifices of units for the restoration of this our electronic Church. Our desire is that we shall continue to be on air.
The Lord will bless this year’s General Committee for the betterment of this Church.
May I appreciate you for mass participation in the special National Thanksgiving service here in the Secretariat. I am very optimistic that the OWNER OF THE CHURCH WILL KEEP ON HOLDING HIS CHURCH TO HIS OWN GLORY.
God bless you.
Rev. Chidi okoroafor, PhD
General Superintendent.
