Abuja: Clerics at the 138th Annual International Conference of the United Evangelical Church (UEC) praised President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges, noting that peace is gradually returning to the nation.
The commendation came on the sidelines of the conference, held in Abuja under the theme “Exceeding Great Joy.”
The annual gathering serves as a major platform for fellowship, strategic decisions, and institutional growth for the church.
Rev. Chris Effiong, the Church’s Administrator and host pastor, lauded President Tinubu’s “strategic approach” to security.
“First of all, I’d like to commend President Bola Tinubu because for the past few weeks, we’ve known peace. Over time, it’s been bad news. So, we commend him because we are seeing his effort, and that is commendable,” he said.
He also prayed that God would guide the President and “surround him with people that will not mislead him in terms of security.”
Speaking on the theme, Effiong said “Exceeding Great Joy” represented the church’s prophetic expectation for 2026, adding that the nation and its leaders must “entrust every affair of the country into the hands of the Lord.”
Mr. Paul Wright, Chief Executive Officer of Mission Africa (UK), said he was encouraged by the Federal Government’s recent commitments to strengthen security.
“I was encouraged to hear the report two weeks ago that President Tinubu will dedicate resources to establishing more police, more military, and encouraging citizens to stand up to bandits,” he said.
He urged the President to “uphold that promise,” noting that sustained efforts would allow Nigerians to enjoy lasting peace.
The conference also marked a leadership transition as Rev. Dr. Daniel Anjorin emerged as the new Chairman of the Conference.
Outgoing Chairman, Rev. Samuel Ebukiba, prayed that Anjorin’s tenure would “bring an impetus for greater growth” and expand the church’s mission frontiers.
Ebukiba, reflecting on his stewardship, thanked God for achievements recorded, including maintaining church unity, introducing a church anthem and hymn, and expanding operations beyond Nigeria.
In his remarks, Anjorin said the conference was a season of celebration and evangelism.
He pledged to “lift the banner of Jesus higher,” strengthen missions and evangelism, and focus on winning souls, which he described as
“The core mandate of the great commission.”
Mr Joe Abraham, SAN, Chairman of the UEC Worldwide Board of Trustees, expressed concern over lingering security challenges, insisting that Nigeria needed divine intervention.
“The only thing that I think can work is that the Lord God Most High will shower His grace upon this nation and usher in peace and tranquility so that everybody will know it is God that has spoken,” he said.
Rev. Chimaobi Achor, General Secretary of the Church, described the theme as a prophetic declaration, saying that God has ordained a season of “exceeding great joy” for members, marked by blessings and overflowing joy.
