SAN inaugurates Sabbath Men’s Fellowship, calls for Unity, Perseverance

By Uzo Ugwunze

The Sabbath Association of Nigeria (SAN) has inaugurated its Sabbath Men Fellowship (SMF) committee to spearhead cum organize the affairs of men who are Sabbatarians of Nigeria origin both at home and in the Diaspora into a desirable, formidable arm.

The association also called for unity and perseverance of Sabbatarians and Sabbath churches in Nigeria irrespective of their individual uniqueness so long as they worship the Almighty and observe his laws which include keeping of the Sabbath day.

The inauguration took place during the SAN 2022 Annual National Conference which held at Nri Unity Hall, Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State.

Speaking during the inauguration cum establishment of Sabbath Men Fellowship, the SAN National Coordinating President, Bishop Dr Raphael Nwankwo said that Cohen Chukwunwem Amakeze would be the Interim Chairman of SMF for the period of three years before election.

“The Sabbath Men Fellowship is to network all Influencial Sabbath men in Nigeria and in Diaspora, Sabbath businessmen,professionals,theocrats, technocrats; to mobilize them for participation and support for SAN mission.

“The Sabbath Men Fellowship led by Cohen Chukwunwem Amakeze, assisted by Cohen Mayor Okonkwo, Rabbi Ogugua Gabriel, Nabi OnyebuYah Onyeagorom and others will ensure the establishment of SAN Trust fund for SAN charity work, mission and projects,” Bishop Nwankwo said.

In his acceptance speech, Chukwunwem Amakeze encouraged men to wake and rise up to the occasion as true heads, leaders of family and community urging Men to take up their leadership positions and drive the nation and society to a better direction.

” There is anger in the society. We need to persevere and hold on, looking unto God in all that we do with the right character. We should not because of the prevalent socioeconomic difficulties go over board to indulge in crimes that will hurt our society.

“Sabbath is one. There are certain things that holds sabbatarians together. Our songs, our worship, our belief in Sabbath and the laws of the Almighty. Our differences in dressing should not touch the most important things that will help us express love.

“Let us hold on to things that unify and keep going ahead moulding our character towards a better society,” said Cohen Amakeze.

Also, Nabi OnyebuYah Onyeagorom said: ” Backwards never, forward ever, Psalm 133 says how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. If the Almighty sees the need for us to be united, lets leave our differences, together we can pursue and achieve.

“We have a lot of resourceful men from all walks of life living in Nigeria, USA, Europe and Canada. They are just waiting for SAN to take the lead for them to cue. We shall use the SMF platform to get them involved in SAN mission,” Nabi Onyeagprom said.

Earlier, the Keynote speaker, Rabbi Ogugua Gabriel discussing his paper themed ‘Perseverance and Glory’ tasked sabbatarians to persevere despite challenges of life and ministry saying that with the help of God, prayers, building of character, oneness of purpose one would recieve the crown of glory.

The SAN South East Coordinator, Rev. John-ukwu Obi, National Financial Secretary, Nonso Onyeagba, Chairperson SAN Women Congress, Prophetess Mrs Salome Ezekwe, National Chairperson of all officers women SAN, Pastor Ngozi Nwekeibekwe after praying God to guide SMF with wisdom and HolySpirit all stressed on the need for Sabbath churches to persevere towards embracing unity of purpose through SAN.

However, SAN Anambra State Chairman, Rev Mark Okonkwo warned the various Sabbath churches who do not want to join SAN to rethink saying that time shall come when Government may clamp down on Sabbath churches who are neither registered with SAN nor registered/licenced by government.

“Let us leave our differences and claims of being more spiritual, more educated or more enlightened than others but come together in unity, harness our potentials and pursue our interests and recognition from Government just like other Christian blocs in Christian Association of Nigeria.

Highlights of the occasion include deliberating on the SAN 2023 proposed activities and cutting of the conference cake.