As Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Continues to Grow in West Africa, Four New Area Seventies are Sustained

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In 2022, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints saw a substantial increase in the number of members and congregations in the Africa West Area.  This followed a pattern of growth which has increased the membership in the West African countries to over 450,000 members and 1617 congregations.  To help accommodate this growth and to support Church leadership throughout the area, the Church has called and ordained four new Area Seventies.

“The Africa West Area continues to see remarkable growth as the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is shared by members and missionaries with their friends and neighbors,” said Elder S. Gifford Nielsen, General Authority Seventy and President of the Africa West Area of the Church. “Leadership is so important, and the Area is blessed to have four new Area Seventies to join the 12 others to help lead and carry out this sacred work.”

Area Seventies are leaders called by the First Presidency of the Church to be special witnesses, regulating all the affairs, and preaching and administering the gospel in their assigned areas. They act under the keys and direction of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Area Seventies are called and set apart to serve in specific geographical areas but may also be assigned to serve in other areas as needed. They are not called to full-time service and typically serve for five years. Their duties include meeting and counseling with local Church leaders to help them fulfill their responsibilities.  

The New Area Seventies in the Africa West Area are:

Victor O. Bassey, 54, Calabar, Nigeria; formerly served as president of the Nigeria Port Harcourt Mission; former bishop, bishopric counselor, branch president and stake president; wife: Nicoline; two children.  Elder Bassey will serve in the Aba, Nigeria area.

Kenneth Pambu, 44, Freetown, Sierra Leone; manager, Self-Reliance Services; formerly served as stake president of the Freetown Sierra Leone Stake; former bishopric counselor, high councilor and stake presidency counselor; wife: Susan; five children.  Elder Pambu will serve leaders and members in Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Kofi G. Sosu, 53, Kumasi, Ghana; assistant chief technical officer, Town and Country Planning; formerly served as president of the Kumasi Ghana Suame Stake; former bishop, district president, stake presidency counselor and stake president; wife: Linda; seven children. Elder Sosu will serve in the Kumasi, Ghana area.

Chimaroke G. Udeichi, 53, Enugu, Nigeria; founder/CEO, MyVitalz Telehealth; formerly served as elders quorum president of the New Haven Ward; former bishopric counselor, district president, high councilor and stake president; wife: Stella Ebele; four children. Elder Udeichi will serve in the Ibadan, Nigeria area.

All the new Area Seventies were assigned to their areas on August 1, 2023.