By DAPO FALADE
The Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) has debunked media reports that Reverend (Dr) Israel Adelani Akanji has been anointed as the new president of the Convention.
It said Rev. (Dr) Samson Ayokunle remains the president of the Convention until Rev Akanji is presented, in April, to its Convention-in-Session for the final ratification as the new president.
The disclosure was contained in a release signed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Convention, Pastor Eben Durodola, adding that the process of anointing a new president for the Baptist Family has not been concluded.
As stated in the release, the Convention-In-Session is the highest decision-making body of the Nigerian Baptist Convention and it has accepted the recommendation and nomination of Rev Akanji as the next president of the Convention.
It further disclosed that the Search Committee for the President, charged with the responsibility of getting a new president for the Baptist Family, had earlier submitted its report to the Executive Committee of the Convention.
Consequently, it stated, if the Executive Committee’s recommendation is adopted and ratified by the Convention-In-Session in April, Rev (Dr) Akanji will assume office on 1 June, 2021.
“By the rules guiding the appointment of the President of our great Convention, a Search Committee for the President was set up on 3 December, 2019 by the Executive Committee of the Convention.
“It was inaugurated by the current President, Reverend (Dr) Samson Ayokunle, on 3 January, 2020 with the mandate to search for and recommend a new president for the Convention, through the Executive Committee.
“Their report was presented on 2 January, 2021 after a thorough exercise to the Executive Committee of the Convention which was unanimously accepted.
“The report recommended Rev. (Dr) Israel Adelani Akanji as the next President of the Convention. This recommendation will be presented to the Convention family in April during the Annual Convention in Session for approval and ratification.
“The Convention family is admonished that the process is still ongoing and have not been concluded yet. It should be noted also that nobody has anointed Rev Akanji nor any anointing service was conducted for him, as being reported in the social media.
“Our tradition as to the appointment of the President of the Convention remains sacrosanct and no deviation from the process has been recorded so far.
“The President of our great Convention, Rev. (Dr) Ayokunle and the Executive Committee of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, therefore, commended the diligence and commitment of the Search Committee members through prayers in arriving at their recommendation without any hitch or rancour.
“The peaceful process of the selection shows the unity and great love of God that exist among the Baptist Family.
“The Baptist Family is, therefore, urged to remain steadfast in prayers as we look forward to the Convention-In-Session this April when the exercise shall be concluded seamlessly, by the grace of God,” the release stated.
Leave a Reply