Thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses and interested members of the public will from today, Friday, August 31, gather at the Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses located along Idiroko Road, Ota, Ogun State, for the Witnesses’ 2018 Regional Convention, which has a theme, “Be Courageous!”

The convention, focusing on how to face contemporary challenges with courage, holds every weekend until Sunday, December 23.

A statement signed by Isaac Umunna, Media Coordinator for the 2018 Ota Convention Series, said there would be 17 conventions in all at the Ota Assembly Hall – nine in English Language, five in Yoruba, two in Pidgin and one in American Sign Language. He explained that there would be conventions in 34 different locations across Nigeria, to be held almost every weekend from Friday, August 3, to Sunday, December 23.

The three-day programme consists of 54 presentations that will include talks, audio dramas, interviews, and short videos. Highlights, according to the statement, include the baptism, on Saturday morning, of new members who have completed a Bible Study programme, and a Public Discourse on Sunday morning, on the theme, “The Resurrection Hope Imparts Courage —How?” Additionally, a feature film entitled The Story of Jonah—A Lesson in Courage and Mercy will be shown on the final day of the convention programme.

“The programme commences at 8:20 a.m. each day of the convention, closing at 3:50 p.m., except on Sunday, when it closes at 2:45 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend as everyone needs unfailing biblical advice on how to cope with mounting challenges with God-given courage. There is no admission fee and no collection will be taken,” Umunna said.

Apart from Nigeria, the conventions are being held at venues in about 180 different lands. The date and location for each convention can be found on the Witnesses’ official website, https://www.jw.org.