The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) and all the member Churches of the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) in Nigeria have said they will be hosting the AACC Assembly, the 12th General Assembly, and the 60th Anniversary Celebrations of its existence in Nigeria.
The AACC Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Dr. Israel Akanji, and AACC General Secretary, Rev Dr. Fidon Mwombeki who made this known in a press briefing yesterday, said that it is the first time in history, that Nigeria will be privileged to host Assembly.
He said that the monumental event is slated to take place in Abuja from November 17 to 23, 2023 with the theme: The Love of Christ Compels us”.
“This 12th assembly is not only a celebration but also a testament to the growth and cohesion of the Christian community in Africa since the idea of the AACC was conceived 64 years ago in Ibadan, Nigeria. There is no question that the All Africa Conference of Churches remains the broadest and most inclusive ecumenical organization on African soil.
“The assembly will be a great space to strengthen the ongoing efforts in addressing the complex issues facing the African continent and the entire inhabited universe, as well as to seek out new biblical and theological perspectives to help us complete the task at hand.
“The assembly’s business session will also review the organization’s mission and primary areas of focus until the next assembly in 4 years in another African Country.
“We acknowledge the complex issues facing our continent in the areas of conflict and peace-building, economic development and poverty alleviation, human rights and social justice, and religious freedom and interreligious co-existence. We are deeply concerned about the sporadic occurrences of coup d’etats and military takeovers, and regret that this is still an option in our continent,” he said.
Akanbi further said that while they do not condone in any way the high rate of corruption that manifests in many political circles on the continent, thereby condemning military coups and rejecting them as an option that is befitting for the African continent at this stage of its development.
“We believe that dialogue – both political and interreligious – is always the best option towards justice. We also wish to counsel our African countries not to mortgage the future of the continent by the humongous amount of loans being received at the moment which has enormous negative consequences for the coming generations.
“AACC and its member organizations and churches in Nigeria believe that faith and dialogue are powerful tools for change. As such, we are committed to playing a pivotal role in the continental efforts towards eradication of militancy and all forms of violence.
“Instead, peacebuilding, religious tolerance, economic development, and poverty alleviation are to be vigorously pursued. We shall also champion human rights and justice for all, the economy, and ecological conditions of the earth which includes respect for the purity of our lands, forests, rivers, seas, and oceans.
“This upcoming Assembly will welcome 600 delegates from about 43 Countries and it hopes to house cutting-edge theological insights from Christian leaders across Africa on these pressing issues,” he said.
