ICRA2018

The 2018 International Conference of RCCG Administrators (ICRA) with the theme “No Bounds” began on Sunday, 8th to Wednesday 11th April. The well-organized International Conference was attended by 766 Administrative Officers and Computer Secretaries in Regions, Provinces and Departments of the Mission within and out of Nigeria. This was a 2.7% increase in attendance of the previous year’s conference. Heads of Departments and Special Units at all levels in Nigeria, West Coasts and Central Africa were also in attendance.

In his welcome address, the Assistant General Overseer (Admin/Personnel), Pastor J.F Odesola stated that “No Bounds” is the ability to thrive in all situations as well as advancing in adversity. That is, being limitless beyond boundaries. He also charged participants with some leadership nuggets necessary for breaking bounds.

The National Overseer, Pastor Joseph Obayemi in his keynote address related the theme to what can be achieved and to professional excellence. He encouraged participants to be versatile and well-rounded by embracing other fields of endeavours.

The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Her Excellency Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Gogo Banigo applauded the efforts of the leadership of the Mission and Organizers of the Conference for creating a platform for HR practitioners in RCCG to gather to discuss issues related to Administration. In her address, she reiterated that Jesus Christ came to destroy the works of the devil and to set mankind free from sins that have held man bound. Therefore, Administrative Officers and Computer Secretaries have entered into seasons of boundless exploits, victory, peace, joy, harvest of souls, strengths and righteousness. Hence, there is need to embrace the grace of God to enjoy no bounds.

There was an awareness campaign on prostrate, cervical and breast cancer by Dr. Femi Olaleye, the Medical Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation. He said these types of cancer are preventable yet they have claimed many lives in Africa due to ignorance. He thus advised that early detection and treatment will reduce mortality rate. At the end of the day, 139 participants (74 female and 65 male) were screened for cancer.

In the first plenary session titled “Time and Work Load Management Skills”, the Assistant Regional Pastor of Region 20, Pastor Kayode Pitan emphasized the need to balance workflow by cutting out non-essential activities in order to be efficient, effective and to achieve set objectives. He also gave some tips on how to maintain a balance even when extremely busy and how to make work schedules more effective.

Dr. Innocent Kasarachi, the CEO of Standing Tall Foundation, charged participants to see boundaries as stepping stones, drive to greatness and change agents. He identified three (3) types of bounds; internal and external boundaries, which are man-made; and God-given boundaries, set by God to bring glory to Himself. He stressed that no matter the type of boundary, there is always a way. Therefore, Administrators should maintain a balanced life; avoid self-pity, fear, pretense, regrets and resignation to fate.

Mr. ‘Leye Adewusi, the Team Lead of the Project Management Office of the First Shared Services Project at First Bank Nigeria Ltd, in his paper titled “Strategic Mindset For Peak Performance” stated that perceptions differ from reality. Human beings do not act (or behave) according to what is real, they act (or behave) according to their perceptions of reality. With peak performance and strategic foresight, certain objectives can be accomplished and informed decisions about the future can be inferred from today’s events. Therefore, the road map to becoming a superior performer is to maintain productive habits and commitment to peak performance.

In the presentation on Business Etiquette, Mrs. Titi Adeojo, Head of Protocol Department of RCCG, gave guidelines on how to exhibit good manners and sensitivity to the needs and feelings of others. She also gave some etiquette guidelines for situations that are typically found in most business settings.

Pastor Sola Adewole, a strategic HR Manager with Price WaterHouse Coopers, in his presentation on “Employability and Capacity Building for Administrators” said the world of work is rapidly changing due to technological breakthroughs, demographic shifts, globalization and shifts in global economic power, mobilization and rapid urbanization, resource scarcity and climate change. He added that to build capacity and to adapt to the changing world of work, Administrators must therefore embrace technology, pay attention to details, be adaptable and act now.

Pastor Joseph Adeyokunnu, the Treasurer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, charged Administrators to be diligent, develop positive mindset and be committed to a life of constant learning and self-development. He posited that participants can do all things according to Philippians 4 verse 13; therefore they have no excuse not to succeed in life.

Pastor Ezekiel Odeyemi, a member of RCCG Governing Council pointed out that growth is a function of life and whatever is alive will consistently grow. He stressed that positive attitudes and habits are vital traits that determine growth. Negative traits and emotions are poisonous and should be “ejected” from the system. With reference to Igor Ansoff’s (1957) quadrant, he opined that true market penetration, development product and product diversification could be deployed by the Mission to achieve strategic growth. In other words, increase the numbers in all Parishes through doubling for the sustainability of the Gospel.

In the paper presentation on “Workforce Motivation”, the Pastor-In-Charge of Province 16, Pastor Ephraim Osunde said that Motivation is a function of internal and external forces that can alter behavior towards any direction. In order words, motivation is not static. He explained some theoretical frameworks and the two-types (intrinsic and extrinsic) of motivation. He concluded that although organizations are expected to create an environment in the workplace that motivate, employees have a responsibility to shape their own career and work progress irrespective of what the organization has in place.

There was an awareness campaign on cervical, prostrate and breast cancer by Dr. Femi Olaleye, the Medical Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation. He said these types of cancers are preventable yet they have claimed many lives in Africa due to ignorance. He thus advised that early detection and treatment will reduce mortality rate. At the end of the day, 139 participants (74 female and 65 male) were screened for cancer.

Participants also enjoyed the euphoria of God’s glory at the power-packed night of praise and prayers anchored by Pastor Peter Olawale, Special Assistant to the General Overseer on Prayer.

During the four-day programme, provision was made for food, accommodation and transportation to and from chalets to Youth Centre, venue of the conference. Other featured activities were an interactive session with a group of panelists, general medical examination/consultations, sports and games Competitions in ludo, table tennis, chess, scrabble and Ayo Olopon as well as presentation by representatives of Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and glo, a privately owned telecommunications company in Nigeria. Administrative Officers’ football team played friendly matches with the staff of Redeemers University and match ended 0-2 in favour ofRUN. The Conference rounded off with a gala and presentation of gold, silver and bronzemedals to winners in all categories of the Sports and games competitions.