All roads lead to Ota, Ogun State, as Jehovah’s Witnesses today kick off their 2012 District Convention series which has as theme, “Safeguard Your Heart!”

Scheduled to last three days (Friday to Sunday), this week’s convention is the first in a series of eleven conventions billed to be held each weekend at the Ota Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses from September 28 to December 7, 2012. An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 delegates of Jehovah’s Witnesses, families and friends are expected in attendance each of the weekends to enjoy the programme to be presented in English, Yoruba and American Sign Language. Throughout Nigeria there will be 250 conventions in 32 cities.

A statement by the Convention News Department disclosed that the theme “Safeguard Your Heart!” is based on the Bible book of Proverbs 4:23. The statement described the convention as a three-day “heart examination,” saying: “Strengthening one’s spirituality will be the focus. The programme will feature lively discourses, dramatic Bible readings and presentations, and even a live play. Programme parts will also encourage self-scrutiny and reflection. Attendees will see how protecting the figurative heart can help them to make wise decisions, improve family life, strengthen their personal relationship with God, and find true happiness.”

The statement invited everyone who can find the time to come and enjoy the convention, which begins at 9:20 a.m. all three days. It disclosed that “admission is free as conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses are supported entirely by voluntary donations.”

*Photo shows baptism in progress at a convention of Jehovah's Witnesses.