Again,Yakubu Gowon Urge Churches To Be United To Resolve National Crisis.
Former Head of State and Founder of Nigeria Pray, General Yakubu Gowon, has said that conflicts in Nigeria can be resolved if the church would agree on the same course towards a common goal.
He spoke at the weekend at the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Northern Region Delegates
Meeting, which took place at the headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nation (COCIN), Jos.
Gowon, represented by a former deputy governor of Taraba State, Dr. Samuel Gani, however, agreed that differences of opinion could not be totally ruled out.
“There are still worshippers from different nations, tribes, peoples and languages. This diversity reflects God’s glory, even further, in that different people are united in common act of worship,” he said.
According to him, Gowon as an elder and Christian leader, he is worried that division in the body of Christ is assuming an alarming proportion, asserting that if care is not taken, “this may destroy the body of Christ. The Church must unite to contend for our faith, in the face of persecution and discrimination. This is a task that must be done.”
CAN Chairman in the 19 northern states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Rev. Yakubu Pam, said the events of the recent past are challenging their faith.
He pointed out that it was imperative to take a second look at their condition and present a common front in tackling their problems and other matters of concern. He noted that his stand has always been in favour of dialogue among Christian brothers.
With the biting economic hardship, Pam encouraged Christians to go into rural agricultural farming, as it will provide food and jobs for the unemployed.
He condemned the continuous violent attacks on Christian rural farmers and the increasing cases of girl-child abductions and forced marriages, which he said are currently taking place in the north and other parts of the country. He called on state and federal governments to address the social and security challenges that have caused tension and anxiety in the country.
Guest speaker, Prof. Yusufu Turaki said unity has eluded Christians in the North because national policy system and elections have so factionalised their communities to the extent that they do not have a common goal for self-preservation and security among others.
Turaki reasoned that Christian communities are the worst hit by Boko Haram jihadists and the marauding Fulani herdsmen. He expressed regrets that northern Christians do not have a clue on how to respond to the invasions, killings and foreign occupation of their communities and lands.
