CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION) DIOCESE OF MINNA
MOTHERS’ UNION AND WOMEN’S GUILD
THE COMMUNIQUE RELEASED AT THE 2023 ANNUAL DIOCESAN WOMEN CONFERENCE, HELD AT THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. PETER, MINNA
BETWEEN FRIDAY, 28TH JULY, 2023 TO SUNDAY, 30TH JULY, 2023.
PREAMBLE: – The 2023 Annual Diocesan Women Conference under the theme “WHO SHALL SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST? ROMANS 8:35FF.
The Conference commenced at about 10:00 am with a Holy Eucharist celebrated by Ven. Daniel S. Yisa, the Vicar of the Cathedral of St. Peter, Minna assisted by Ven. Dr. Solomon O. Olayimika; other Priests present includes, Ven. Daniel S. Tsado, Ven. Kingsley A. Obi, Ven. Nathaniel T. Ayegh, Rev. Engr. Dr. Eugene O. Agbachi, Ord. Jones W. Tusayi and Ord. Emmanuel A. Zhiri.
The sermon was delivered by the Guest Speaker Mrs. Rebecca Ibrahim, Mama Kontagora which centered on the theme of the conference. She mentioned some things that can separate people from the love of Christ such as sin, materialism, wealth, jealousy and envy, etc. But as children of God we must have faith in God even in the face of challenges, hunger, or any problem because the Bible says when there is a casting down, there is a lifting up for us. As Christian Mothers we must exercise our faith.
Life, she says is a contest and a struggle, but we are more than conquerors. God has given us victory and will continue to give us victory on every side no matter the difficulties or troubles. God has committed Himself to us in love. “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. Exod. 14:14. Take your problems to the Lord and leave it there.
It is a personal determination you have to make never to give up, our victory is in the Lord. To be more than a conqueror you must watch your focus (focus on God). Act in victory and not as a victim, make up your mind based on the Scriptures. Allow the Holy Spirit to renew your mind and whatever the challenges, allow the word of God to penetrate. God will not allow your challenges or problems to swallow or consume you.
In conclusion, she said our gain as believers for suffering for Christ’s sake is that there is no condemnation for us in Christ Jesus. Rom. 8:1. Secondly we are complete in Christ Col. 2:10.
NIGER STATE
The Conference congratulates the good people of Niger State for the peaceful conduct of the 2023 elections in the State and equally congratulates the incumbent Governor and calls upon him that campaigns and elections are over and it is time to settle down for governance. The Conference advises that he is the governor of all and not a sectional, ethnic or religious governor and so as he takes steps to constitute his cabinet, he should be fair to all and carry every sector and people along; especially also the Women folk.
The Conference further calls on Mr. Governor to work on the talk of bringing about the urban and rural transformation in the State as he promised. This, however, will not be possible unless there is peace in the State. The Conference, therefore, urges him to ensure peace and tranquility in the rural areas disturbed and displaced by bandits in the State.
NIGERIA
The Country is at a very difficult time, with the removal of fuel subsidy and an increase in PMS pump price twice within a very short time. The Conference called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to listen to the sighing, hardships, and pains of Nigerians and keep faith with his campaign promise of “Renewed Hope” as many have reached the point of despair.
The government should as a matter of urgency put in place things that will alleviate the sufferings of the people, such as mass transportation and living wage for workers.
Furthermore, the Conference viewed with dismay the show of shame before the public glare of the entire world fisticuff by our uniformed personnel that is staff of DSS and correctional center. Those responsible for this embarrassing act should be brought to book. The blatant disobedience of court orders with impunity in the Country is very saddening and therefore the leadership of the Country and indeed all Nigerians should frown at this condemnable practice and request that court orders should be obeyed.
Similarly, the Nigerian Judicial system should redeem its image and deliver credible judgments; especially the election petition tribunal members should be bold and courageous enough to deliver right judgment. Justice they say should not only be served but should be seen to be served.
The Conference congratulates the new service Chiefs and prays for God’s help for them. The Conference expects them to live up to expectations by tackling the insecurity confronting the Country. The issue of insecurity has lingered for so long in this country and so now is the time to bring it to an end, it is not beyond the capability and capacity of the Nigerian Military and security outfits.
RESOLUTIONS RELEASED AT THE 2023 ANNUAL DIOCESAN WOMEN CONFERENCE, HELD AT THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. PETER, MINNA
BETWEEN FRIDAY, 28TH JULY, 2023 TO SUNDAY, 30TH JULY, 2023.
- DIOCESAN WOMEN SKILL ACQUISITION CENTRE
The sewing and industrial machines at the centre are Mary Sumner grants to the Diocese and since the very first set of trainees graduated, it has not been possible to get someone to manage the centre or get trainees.
The machines have been out of use for a long time, in fact since 17 years now they have not been in use, so the Conference is to decide what to do with them because every and all avenues have been explored to put the machines to use to no avail and their continuous disuse will lead to deprecation.
The issue of whether to dispose the machines and scarp the center was reduced to a vote and only thirty (30) Women raised their hands out of over two hundred to have the machines disposed of, that number stands. However, a few raised their hands that the machines should not be disposed and they were constituted into a working committee to come up with a workable template for the management of the machines and the center latest 2nd week of September 2023.
They are: –
- Charity Gana (Bosso District) – Chairperson
- Comfort Gara (Bosso District) – Member
- Ezeike Ebere (Suleja District) – Member
- Chizoba Ewulu (Field-Base District) – Member
- Amoge Ukwueze (Minna District) – Member
- Rebecca Jiya (Bosso District) – Member
- Evangeline Okafor (Gauraka) – Secretary
- GLORY LAND HOSTEL, GIDAN-KWANO
The decision of the Diocesan Exco was ratified by the Conference that every year a percentage of whatever is generated from the hostel as proceeds will be set aside and invested in evangelism.
Meanwhile, parents who have children in the hostel must direct them to take good care of the property diligently as theirs and avoid vandalization and destruction of the structure and fittings.
- No Woman in the Diocese should stay idle; rather those who are not working should engage themselves in gainful and profitable ventures, no woman should sit around and claim to be a full-time housewife.
- The Conference is worried about the spate of separation and divorce among Christian couples in recent times and Christian parents as a matter of importance and obligation especially the mothers in the Diocese to make deliberate efforts to teach their children both male and female about marriage and what it takes to build a harmonious lasting Christian home devoid of separation and divorce and not to leave it to the Priest alone because the world is teaching them contrary things.
