The Apostolic Church Nigeria, TACN a foremost Pentecostal denomination has announced Ministers’ retirement age to be 75 years.

The Church with Gospel orientation and Evangelism fire operates under the full leadership of the Holy Spirit and gives room for Prophesy as a Ministry and sound doctrinal teachings by Teachers and administration by the Apostles.

One unique outlook of TACN is the National body, with a National President; the incumbent being Pastor Sampson Igwe.

Similarly, the National body is further divided into the Lagos And Western/Northern Areas (LAWNA) Territory having Lagos, Ijesha Land, Kaduna, Kaba, Ibadan, Abeokuta and a few other locations leading within the Territory.

As the name implies, the LAWNA Territory consisted of the present-day South Western States with two South Southern States of Edo/Delta and all nineteen (19) Northern-West, Central and East divides of Nigeria.

Similarly, TACN National consisted of the remaining four South Southern States in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa which are further classified into Calabar (Cross River) Field; Igbo Field, Maritime Field; Akwa Igbo Field; and, Andoani Sub Field.

These operated with the LAWNA Territory whereby the Presidency of the Church rotates (National President, National Vice President) and other principal officers.

However, the Church operates full-time ministerial work for all categories of Pastors; these Clergy men work till death or incapacitation  (whichever one) in the past.

Similarly, the offices of the National President, the Vice and LAWNA Territorial Chairman; and other Fields/Territorial Chairmen too, with some other top officers are always in office till the time of death.

But, one 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 then LAWNA Administrative Secretary changed the tides.

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/Territories later adopted this novel idea.

Upon the retirement of Pa Olutola who was then tagged Emeritus President during the 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 which has always been next; the other six Fields/Territories also adopted Vice Chairman status for ease of administration.

The reformations also saw the Church moving the office of National President to Convention Grounds in Olorunda-Ketu, Lagos from Calabar, Cross River State, where the late Pastor E.E. Okon operated.

It was however agreed that these leaders would embark on retirement so other younger elements could take up executive posts in the Church.

Pastor Senior Gideon Ukpako Uyeh thereafter, became the very first Vice Chairman for LAWNA Territory.

As of last year, 2023, Pastor Awojide went on retirement and Pastor Uyeh stepped in as the 6th LAWNA Territorial Chairman/5th National Vice President for TACN.

In a similar development, Pastor David Oluwasegun Ajibade emerged as the second Vice Territorial Chairman for LAWNA.

So, with the turn of events in these new developments where other Fields/ Territories are adopting good innovations spearheaded by LAWNA Territory, the issue of retirement age for all Clergymen crept up and was robustly debated.

However, it was the second day and Sunday service of the 48th Annual LAWNA International Convention held at Olorunda-Ketu on August 4, 2024:

Pastor Uyeh publicly dropped hints about the agreed retirement age to effectively be 75 years of age.

He also hinted likelihood of forcing whichever Clergy men that won’t want to go based on the new policy.

Pastor Uyeh also announced that he too, would soon go on retirement.

The high point of this development was the appointment of 7 – a male Steering Committee that was prayed for, right inside the National Temple –

PST. A.B Geoffrey – Chairman; PST. S.A Akolo; and, PST. E.O Abe.

Others are:

PST. E.E Okon;

PST. I.E Omohoro; PST. D.A Oyeleke with an Overseer.

– FUNMI OWOYEX

IKOTUN 

LAGOS

The Old Students Association of Igbo-Owu Secondary School 1999 set (IGBOSSAA) Mushin, Lagos on Sunday celebrated the 25th anniversary of the graduation from the school.

The celebration involving prominent personalities from various professions was held at Standard Hall Hotel in Mushin, Lagos state.

Part of the lineup of activities done during the previous week was the presentation of the public address system to the school, An Award presentation was given to the pupils of the school, as free medical outreach like blood sugar level, and BP Checks among others was organised for the old school students of the school, the teachers and disable at the programme.

In his welcome address, the alumni president, Mr Hakeem Kazeem, commended members and their former teachers for creating time to attend the event.

Kazeem said the programme’s major objective was to promote the school’s development and encourage students graduating from the school to embrace the developmental programme and its milestone achievement.

He said the programme would feature the exchanging of ideas among old students on projects and programmes, showcasing products and networking among members that can be executed to enhance the development of their former school members.

” I want to thank God for his grace upon our lives to witness this special day to gather and celebrate the 25th anniversary of our graduation from Igbo-Owu secondary school.

“The major objective of this programme is for us to brainstorm and interact on how to promote the development of our school for upcoming graduating students to emulate and build on.

” We appreciate all our past and former principals and teachers who came from far and near to honour our invitation.

“‘ Ladies and gentlemen, you are officially welcome and I wish us all happy celebrations,” he said.

In his remarks, one of the former principals of the school, Mr Folorunso Etti thanked the association for inviting him and other former teachers to the event.

Etti appreciated God for giving him and the old students good health and grace to be alive to see each other after many years.

He advised the old students to embrace leadership positions in society to bring positive development to the country.

“I want to advise every one of you to embrace a leadership position in society and promote the development of our country.

“What we impacted unto you is the idea of what you are doing today, so replicate the same to change the narration and history of Nigeria,” he advised.

Some of the highlights of the activities of the association during the week include a football novelty match between the old students and the students, an award presentation to the best students and free medical treatment for school teachers.

Igbo-Owu secondary school, Mushin, Lagos was founded in 1983 and has produced prominent Nigerians who were successful in their chosen careers.