By Tribhuvanatha Dasa
A panoramic overview of Iskcon West Africa regional executive council. It will interest your knowing that Iskcon West Africa now has functioning leaders who are to pilot, oversee the affairs of each temples activities in West Africa, pertaining to improving the purpose stated within Iskcon articles of incorporation review Prabhupada’s thinking 1953, India.
During the Ratha yatra festival in Ghana, this year, June 2014. Election was conducted by the GBC representative, under the notion of solidifying Srila Prabhupada’s mission in West Africa. Among the participants where the GBC West Africa oversee HH. Kavicandra Swami Maharaj. HH. Bhakti dhira damodara swami (who was re-agent by HG, Srivas Dasa Prabhu), HG. Malati Mathaji Devi Dasi, Prabhu, Temple presidents, senior and new dynamic devotees were all present. (Pictures of the said meeting are available) as it show its authenticity, transparency and accountability. A vote was casted on to the nominated devotees who were choosing among the devotees present. Eventually, four (4) principal devotees were selected to work and corporate with the GBC members representing the West Africa zone. The four (4) elected devotees who are to represent the Regional Executive Council for West Africa were: HG Yuga dasa prabhu, Ghana as chairman, Kavikanapura dasa prabhu Nigeria 1st vice chairman, HG. Jnana caksus dasa prabhu 2nd Vice Chairman and HG. Rameshwar Dasa Prabhu 3rd Vice Chairman.
The aim of the Regional executive leaders elected was to follow the previous executives in accordance with the seven purposes of Srila Prabhupada’s thought i.e. “to systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of value in the life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world; to encourage the Sankirtana movement, congregational chanting of the holy name of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Maha Prabhu and to bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life” etc.
To show commitment to the course of their Election, the Regional executive council headed by HG. Yuga Dasa Prabhu, recently had a meeting with his country and Africa/sub-region on skype, on how to return and re-organised a functioning national council in the West Africa: starting from Nigeria.
On the 14th and 15th November 2014, meeting was scheduled in Nigeria, Benin State Iskcon temple after consent and input has been sight form the GBC representatives members. All temple president, all senior devotees, trustees and outstanding members in Iskcon Nigeria attend the meeting.
A brief briefing of the meeting agenda was given to members on 14th November 2014 being the arrival day at 7pm by His Grace Yuga Das & His Vice Kavikanapura for digestion.
Agenda
1. Dissolution and re organisation of a functioning Iskcon National Council in Nigeria.
2. Strategy to adopt to improve upon the preaching and distribution of Prabhupada books in Nigeria.
3. Unity and improvements of devotees welfare. On the 15th November 2014 after the long deliberation and contributions the existing council headed by GH Ganga Prabhu was dissolved. Out of the 29 leaders present 21 were selected as eligible voters.
4 People contested for the post of chairmanship but three of them step down for Chanakya Prabhu who was elected un-opposed with 20 delegates sharing their solidarity behind him. 3 People were nominated for the position of Vice Chairman but 2 step down for Badrasena Prabhu who 18 delegates declared their solidarity for him. 3 people were nominated for the position of secretary and one (1) step down.
Vote was carried on the other two and Salika Prabhu had 13 votes and Prabhu Uptala had 4.
3 people were nominated for the post of treasurer or financial secretary and Acarya Prabhu was elected by all the 21 delegate declare their support for him.
This elected new leaders of the local executive council in Nigeria vow to work cooperatively as a team and will see to the preaching activities of all the existing temples and reawaken of other temples to the call of Srila Prabhupadas vision and mission to ensure and encourage book distributions, Harinam Sankirtana in Nigeria. The new council executive performances will be measured by how they function as a team and achieve the terms of reference. The meeting was closed amassed many thanks and praises to Guru & Krsna for given them the best of meeting in the history of Nigeria Iskcon The Executive Council leaders were also thanked for bold and good steps they took to re-vive Iskcon Nigeria.
The Chairman Yuga Das and his Vice Kavikanapura left for Warri to temple and to proceed to Port Harcourt temples and to Enugu temple. All to acquaint themselves of the situation prevailing there. In all the temples they held meeting with the leaders and advised them to protect Iskcon properties and abide by Gurus instructions.
Hare Krisna
Tribhuvanatha Dasa