Invest in Clean Power Technologies to check Climate Change- LCN urges
Nigerian government has been urged to invest more in clean power technologies to check the devastating effects of climate change in the country.
The call is contained in a resolution of the 42nd Regular Lutheran Council, which ended Sunday at the Lutheran Church of Nigeria National Headquarters, Obot Idim Ibesikpo in Akwa Ibom State.
The resolution, signed by the National President and Archbishop of the Church, Most Reverend Christian Ekong and read by the National Secretary, Reverend Godwin Eshiet, urged Nigerians to encourage limited hunting to avoid endangering the extinction of some animal species but plant more trees in their localities.
The Council enjoined families and members of the Church to think more of God, when bequeathing their wealth at death, by including the Church Synod, Diocese, District and Congregation in their wills.
It charged intending couples and existing ones to reflect the union of Christ and the Church in order to face the reality that marriage is not a bed of roses.
The Council upheld the earlier resolutions of the Council that traditional marriage should always precede church wedding or marriage blessing, while burial be conducted within the Church stipulated period and the means of bereaved families.
It welcomed the Founder and members of former Well of Salvation Ministries, Anantigha in Calabar, Cross River State, who have offered to join the Lutheran Church of Nigeria, just as it approved that the Church should write a letter of appreciation to a non-Lutheran member, Mr. Felix Uche Obeakpu of Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State who sponsored the roofing of the Church in Obeakpu, Ndoki District of Rivers Diocese.
Meanwhile, during the Council, Most Reverend Dr. Christian Ekong was re-elected as President and Archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria for another five years.
Archbishop Ekong was re-elected alongside Right Reverend Raphael Odey Aju from Ogoja, Cross River State, as Vice President and Bishop of the Church.
The Council also endorsed four Bishop designates for consecration on January 9, 2022.
The Bishops are Reverend Thomas Gbarato from Rivers Diocese, Reverend Godwin Bassey Udosen, Uyo Diocese, Reverend Daniel Ndarake Eshiet, Ukpom Diocese and Reverend William Essien, from Ikot Ekpene Diocese.
It re-elected two members-at-large to serve on the Board of Directors from 2022 to 2026.
They are Elder Effiong Essien, the Head of Civil Service of Akwa Ibom State and Deaconess Eme Atakpo, a retired Director of Marketing, Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation. Mr. Mfonobong Udo from Nung Udoe Diocese was equally elected to serve on the board.
The Regular Council of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria also approved that graduates of the church be presented to the Synodical Convention holding 8th of January, next year.
Among those approved are five ministers who had completed their programme at Concordia Theological Seminary, USA; and three ministers who had completed Master’s of Arts in Christian Outreach Programme in Concordia University, USA.
Others are 18 deaconesses, who have concluded the Deaconess Theological Training programme, while the Lutheran Church of Nigeria is to assist Evangelist Samuel Monday Utin, a Doctor of Optometry who emerged best graduating student, in carrying out his housemanship in Akwa Ibom State and sponsor his pastoral training.
The Council reaffirmed its determination to ensure the completion of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria University project and approved the Diocesan, District and Congregational elections from 12th December, 2021 to 2nd January, 2022, while a leadership conference will be held in March, next year.
It resolved that every officer of the Church, who completes his tenure should do proper handing over to his successor, with the handing over notes, showing inventory of items, written and submitted as well.
The three-day event was rounded off with a thanksgiving service where Archbishop Ekong admonished Christians to look up to Christ as the hope of their lives and the entire world.
