Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
An appeal has been made to the Taraba State Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas to reopen the closed United Methodist Church in Nigeria UMCN Churches in the state.
This is contained in a Communique issued at the end of the Joint Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church held from 17th-23rd March 2025 at UMC Negatavah Charge in Jalingo local government area of Taraba State.
The Communique states this development has unleashed untold emotional and physical hardships to the members of the Church.
It adds that the Government intervention will help to address the lingering crisis confronting the Church.
On the issue of LGBTQ, the Conference voted to establish a West Africa Central Conference addendum to the Book of Discipline that includes West Africa Central Conference will follow the laws of its country and maintain the traditional definition of Marriage.
It further says the West Africa Central Conference and its Member Episcopal areas and annual conferences shall adhere to the National, State, and local laws concerning LGBTQ.
The Communique explains that the West Africa Central Conference has affirmed that the teachings in the United Methodist Social Principles that Marriage is between a man and a woman are upheld for the UMC in West Africa.
The Communique also calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, expedite policy action to curtail mass unemployment among the teeming youths, hunger, and poverty.
Other areas the communique highlights are the Boko Haram insurgency, the alarming rate of insecurity, and other social vices to ameliorate the suffering of the citizens. It further condemns in totality any form of gruesome murder and human annihilation and upholds human dignity.
Meanwhile, as part of its resolution at the end of the Joint Annual Conference of the church at Negatavah Charge in Jalingo, the conference voted in support and ratification of the worldwide regionalization plan of the UMC.
The Conference also resolved that former Health Board Members who exited the Global Methodist Church, GMC, be replaced with new members and, subsequently, new staff is recruited to man the UMCN health facilities.
It adds that to revitalize the Clean Water project, the Conference resolved that there shall be special Sunday service offerings across the Episcopal area in support of CWP and to procure a drilling rig.
The Conference also reiterates the need to reinstate the former director of Clean Water Supply.
At the conference, it was also resolved that all conferences are to open a separate bank account for Evangelism units and building of Training Centres for new converts.
It further resolved that prayer warriors be constituted in all charges across the Episcopal area.
As part of its resolutions, the conference says there is a need to enhance church growth and expansion, pointing out that CRI Gulung B, Dubeli, Kagal, and Bargadang be upgraded and inaugurated into a charge level.
To boost grassroots evangelism, it was resolved that the District of Senegal and Cameroon engaged in virtual and non-virtual material be sourced and put to use in the local congregations for Evangelism.
According to the conference, considering the need to strengthen the local and international partnership, it resolved that partnership Sunday be observed in all charges across Nigeria Episcopal Area.
Following the tussle over ownership of UMCN school properties that are in the custody of breakaway GMC, the conference resolved that a court injunction be obtained, the Provost and principals be appointed, and staff recruited for immediate take-off of the school.
It also resolved that inventories of all moveable and non-moveable church properties collated at all levels be sent to the Episcopal office for documentation.
To enhance Youth involvement in all activities of the church, the conference resolved that in terms of delegation, youth constitute 40% and elders 60% at all levels.
It further resolved that training and workshops be organized for the proper functioning of delegates.
It also resolved that apportionment be raised to N1,500 while maintaining the CONEFA status among others.