Against Odds, Jehovah's Witnesses Hold Convention in Uli

 

NOT deterred by the buzz of insecurity around the Ihiala local government area (LGA) of Anambra State and environ, members of the Jehovah's Witnesses congregation gathered in Uli, this week for their convention.

The multi-lingual convention which usually held in Uli, Ihiala LGA until the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic forced a break, returned last weekend after a three-year pause. Now on-going the convention which attracts members of the faith from across Nigeria is holding under theme,  'Exercise Patience!'

Prior to 2019, summers in Uli, Anambra State were marked by Jehovah’s Witnesses filling hotels

and restaurants as they attended their annual conventions at the Uli Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s 

Witnesses in the Anambra State but in 2020, the pandemic interrupted that tradition.

As organisers of the event explained, the yearly reunion in Uli paused "when the Witnesses cancelled their in-person events throughout the world 

and held their convention programs as virtual events in more than 500 languages."

Back in Uli, from from Friday, September 6 with main kick-off marked on Sunday,

September 8, the Witnesses arrived with a resolve to that everything about the big forum of the faith is back in Uli.

“As much as we loved the convenience and quality of our virtual conventions, nothing can replace 

being together in a large group setting,” said Obinna Igwe, spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. 

“While our online conventions reached millions around the world and kept our communities safe, 

we long to get back to our joyful fellowship at these large gatherings.”

Some 6,000 conventions will be held worldwide as part of the 2023 'Exercise Patience!'

Convention series."

He further disclosed that in Nigeria alone, more than 320 conventions are holding in 39 host cities.

Last Friday through Sunday, six convention sessions explored the quality of patience, highlighting its 

modern-day relevance through Scriptural examples. A live baptism was performed on

Saturday morning while a pre-recorded two-part drama was shown during Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions.

Explaining why the Witnesses dedicate the days for discourse on the need for patience amid current global challenges, Igwe reasoned, "Patience is a beautiful quality that all Christians desire to display in their daily lives. 

“Despite our good intentions, however, maintaining patience in the face of life’s many challenges 

can be a daily struggle. Spending three days exploring aspects of this quality...(is) very timely for 

all of us.”

Igwe who is a

Regional Spokesman of Jehovah’s Witnesses said the faith have been holding public conventions in stadia, convention 

centers, and theatres around the world for more than 100 years. After resuming smaller in-person 

meetings and public ministry during 2022, the summer of 2023 marks the first time they will 

gather at much larger regional events around the world since the lifting of pandemic restrictions.