UPDATE ON IMPLEMENTATION OF RETIREMENT PLAN ACCORDING TO THE RETIREMENT AGE POLICY AS APPROVED BY THE LAWMNA AUTHORITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION OF THE CHURCH
BACKGROUND
The National Constitution of The Apostolic Church Nigeria was approved by the National Council on the 17th day of January 2017. Four (4) years was reserved for transition into full implementation of the provisions of the constitution including provisions on retirement.
However, for seven (7) years after the approval of the Constitution, the provisions on retirement were not implemented by any of the Territories in Nigeria.
On Tuesday, the 16th day of July 2024, the National Council considered the proposal to amend Section 48 (1) so that the retirement age will increase from 75 to 80 years. However, upon consideration, the National Council decided not to extend the retirement age from 75 to 80 years as proposed. All Territories were therefore directed to commence the implementation of the provision on retirement.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RETIREMENT IN LAWMNA TERRITORY.
For the purpose of implementation of the retirement policy as directed by the National Council, the LAWMNA Executive Council decided and set up a Committee on the Implementation of the Retirement Policy as it affects LAWMNA Territory.
The Committee met and presented a proposal to the LAWMNA Executive Council in which they drew the attention of the Council to the fact that LAWMNA Territory has the highest number of Minsters serving on full time basis and urged the Council that because of the high number of Ministers to be affected, the retirement policy and the need to pay full retirement benefits to every affected Minister as they retire. It was proposed that the retirement due for each year should be done in monthly phases or batches to ensure it will not negatively affect other financial responsibilities of the Church. The Committee also proposed to the Council then that the present Principal Officers who are already due for retirement would be among the last batch to go latest on or before July 2026 by the grace of God, because they are the chief moderators and implementers of the whole Retirement Policy.
The Committee recommended then that all ministers who fall between the ages of 75 years to 79 years whose figure was put at 67 as at the time the report was presented, would go on retirement latest on or before July 31st, 2026, by the grace of God. As already mentioned, this last batch would include the Principal Officers who are already due for retirement.
The proposal was approved by both the Executive Council and the General Executive Council and implementation commenced accordingly.
IMPLEMENTATION
In our last report, to the LAWMNA General Council Meeting held on Tuesday 18th-21st February 2025, we presented the current update as regards the implementation of the retirement arrangement as approved.
In the report, we stated that the number of those who already retired voluntarily and have been fully paid their retirement benefit as of 31st December 2024 were 58. While 27 other Ministers were also going on retirement as at that date. And that 182 Ministers were already due for retirement and that letters would be written to them as soon as possible on the need for them to retire as mandated by the National Constitution of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, which we are all aware of.
Between January 1st July 31st, 2025, 89 Ministers had retired voluntarily, while 16 other ministers also retired on health grounds, respectively. It should be noted that the Ministers who were due for retirement and were served their retirement letters from the Retirement Committee were 49 in number. This put the total figures of the retired Ministers at 212 as at July 2025. And by the grace of God, they have all been settled accordingly.
ANALYSIS
For the sake of simplicity and understanding, the analysis was further stated as follows:
Those who are 79-80 years of age shall go latest by November 2025
Those who are 78 years of age shall go latest by December 2025
Those who are 77 years of age shall go latest by February 2026
Those who are 76 years of age shall go latest by April 2026
Those who are 75 years of age, and the Principal Officers shall go latest by July 2026
SUMMARY:
A. Ministers who retired voluntarily as of December 2024 = 58
B. Ministers who retired between January 1 and July 31, 2025, = 89
C. Ministers who retired due to ill-health challenges = 16
D. Ministers who were served letters by the Retirement Committee between January 1ª and July 31 2025
E. Ministers due for retirement btw August 1st 2025 to July 31st 2026 = 67
TOTAL 279
POLICY ON RETIREMENT FOR NON-MINISTERIAL STAFF Maximum age is 70 years. Minimum of 15 years in service before entitled to monthly pension. Pension payable on attainment of age 55 years.
We thank God for helping LAWMNA Territory in the implementation without affecting other financial responsibilities such as payment of monthly salary and other projects. We thank God that all retired Ministers are being paid their retirement benefits upon retirement and there has been no complaint from any retired minister. We pray that God will continue to sustain the Church for His glory in Jesus name. Amen
Thank you.
PASTOR A. B. GEOFFERY
For: COMMITTEE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RETIREMENT POLICY AS IT AFFECTS LAWMNA TERRITORY,
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