The curtain has been drawn on the ?Declare the Good News!? 2024 convention series of Jehovah?s Witnesses, with the one held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, setting a record in the number of people baptised.

The three-day event which started on December 20 saw a huge number of 943 new ministers of the good news getting baptised the next day as Jehovah?s Witnesses. In terms of attendance, the convention, which saw 32,750 delegates turn up on the final day, was second only to the one held earlier (December 6-8) at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Igwuruta-Ali in neighbouring Rivers State, which saw a peak attendance of 44,201, with 910 baptised. The Abuja convention held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium from November 15 to 17 was third in attendance (25,208) and in the number of baptised new ministers of the good news (580).

The ?Declare the Good News!? convention series began across Nigeria from August 9-11. The convention was held in more than 48 different locations, focusing on hope-inspiring good news amidst challenges faced by humans today. It consisted of presentations that included Bible-based talks, audio dramas, interviews, and short videos.

One of the talks highlighted that there is a lot of bad news today. However, delegates were admonished to find solace in Jesus Christ whose birth and coming into the world is good news.

Among the special features of the convention was the release of a new song entitled ?Good News!? which delegates joyously sang to climax the spiritual festival.

Delegates, including non-Witnesses, returned home with positive memories. In Uyo, Sir Monday Ebong Uko, the Honourable Commissioner, Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, who approved the use of the stadium for the convention, commended the arrangement and the behavior of the delegates when he visited on the final day of the programme. He was quoted as saying that he felt like he was ?in a country outside of Nigeria?. Similar positive testimonies from non-Witnesses were recorded at all the 48 convention locations.

News Express learnt that the 2025 convention would start earlier than it usually did in Nigeria. Details are expected to be released later on jw.org, the official website of Jehovah?s Witnesses.

?PHOTO: Delegates singing at the ?Declare the Good News!? 2024 Convention of Jehovah?s Witnesses held at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, from Friday to Sunday . . . December 20-22, 2024

Update news