Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku has called on Christian Leaders in Nasarawa State to rise up against the emerging trend of insecurity that has taken over the state.
Maku stated this at the commissioning of the Zion Baptist Church, Lafia and the launch of a book on the history of the Church.
Lamenting the recent incident where security operatives where killed by the Ombatse cult in Eggon community of the state, the Minister charged the Church to take the lead in the campaign for moral reawakening to stem the tide of violence.
“The Church must stand up; all those who are called by the name of Christ must stand up in Nasarawa State. The things that I have witnessed in this state looks like a horror film. They don’t look like the things you will witness ordinarily in the daily life we live.
“But there is just one reason for them and that reason is that when we begin to depart from God; when we consciously abandon our faith; when we turn back from the glory and light of God, what follows is always ugly”, he said.
Maku stressed on the essence of promoting the campaign for human solidarity, unity and the sanctity of human lives and prayed never again should the state witness such an orgy of violence.
“In Nasarawa State in recent times as in some parts of this country, it has been stealing; it has been killing; it has been destruction. It’s a very big challenge for us and that challenge means that all of us who are leaders, must stand up and be counted, we must get up to fight for peace and human solidarity for our unity as a state, we must say never again will we want to see the things we have seen”, he remarked.
In his remarks, the Guest Speaker, Reverend Reuben Chuga said the Church is a place of righteousness and total submission to God. While making reference to the scriptures, Reverend Chuga said, God commanded King Solomon to build a befitting place for the people to worship Him in righteousness, sacrifice and commitment.
Founder of the Zion Baptist Church in Nasarawa State, Retired Reverend Andraus Auta was full of joy and gave glory to God for completing the Church auditorium, which he started. “I came to Lafia with five people, no Church, no member, no land ,but God promotes His work from year to year to this today”, he said.
In a related development, the Information Minister, during his stay in the state, appealed to them not to allow themselves to be used to cause the breach of peace.
He made the call in state capital, Lafia, while addressing a large crowd that greeted him and his entourage.
Maku who spoke in Hausa, told them that violence would disrupt the economy and development of the state, a situation that will hinder their progress.
He said 10,000 jobs would be created for the youth annually in the state through the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P) and urged them to remain peaceful, as the jobs would be distributed to youth in all parts of the state devoid of political or ethnic considerations.
He thanked them for the solidarity and love shown to him, adding that political campaigns for 2015 general elections have not started yet, hence the need for them to wait for the appropriate time for electioneering.
The statement confirmed reports that some persons had already kicked off campaign for the Minister’s rumored gubernatorial ambition in 2015.
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