More than 2,000 people from the 22 countries of the West and Central Africa Division (WCA) gathered at Babcock University in Ogun, Nigeria in colorful attire and with flags to welcome Erton Köhler, president of the General Conference (GC), on July 3, 2026. This marked Köhler's first visit to the country as president of GC.

In addition to Babcock University officials, Köhler also met Bassey Udoh, president of WCA; Oyeleke Owolabi, president of Central African Union Mission; and other WCA leaders, Union and Conference presidents, and delegates from the Bible Conference and Leadership Summit being held in Babcock.

The visit was designed to encourage delegates of the Bible Conference and promote OneVoice27, a global mission initiative aimed at reaching the world with the message of the Gospel.

Describing Babcock University as a beacon and an influential Adventist university, Köhler said, “We always count on you to train the next generation of leaders who will be engaged in mission work, not only in Africa, but throughout the world.”

He praised the university’s culture of excellence and its deliberate commitment to serving as God’s voice in an academic environment where many are searching for hope and meaning. He encouraged the university community to embrace the global OneVoice27 initiative, calling on members to unite in sharing the eternal Gospel worldwide.

In response, Olutunde Ojewole, professor at Babcock University, stated, "This moment is not only historic and divine, but it will go down in the annals of the University as one that celebrated our unwavering dedication to advancing the mission of the Gospel."

He stressed that the proclamation of the Adventist message remains a foundational pillar of the university's vision and administration, with a community estimated at 20,000 people.

The original article was published on the West-Central Africa Division news site.