A coalition of Christian clerics and leaders of thought, under the auspices of “Custodians of the National Conscience”, has asked the federal government to be more committed in stemming terrorism and banditry occasioned by invasion, killing and kidnappings ravaging the country.
In a statement on Thursday in Abuja, the group said a satanic hijack of the country must not be allowed.
The group, in the statement titled, “Nigeria: Why sit we here and do nothing till we die? (2 Kings 7:3)” and signed by President, Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Prof. Datiri Dachollom,
President, Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Dr. Stephen Panya Baba and
Rev. Joel S. Billi, President, Ekklisiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria-
EYN (the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), among others, declared that it cannot sit by and watch citizens slaughtered while “elected representatives and government engage in petty squabbles and prevaricate over open grazing, cow logic and other unintelligent irrelevances.”
The statement said Fulani militias, Boko Haram insurgents and ISWAP terror bandits from outside Nigeria have compromised the territorial integrity of the country.
“We, therefore, appeal to all men and women of good conscience to join hands with us and other well meaning Nigerians across all age grades, cultures, religions, and other divides to tackle our systemic problems until this raging foe is defeated”, the group said.
They urged Nigerians to endorse “our policy of nonviolent communication, nonviolent actions and join hands with us to rescue our nation from her current descent into the abyss and help pull Nigeria back from the precipice.”
The statement stressed that, “Together, we must stand against a bestial enemy that revels in savagery, kidnap, torture, pedophilia, rape of underage girls, debasement of women folk and murder of infants while hiding under the cloak of religion to execute the devilish acts.
“This gross devaluation of human worth in Nigeria cannot be allowed to continue”, the statement stated further.
The full text of the statement is published below
NIGERIA: WHY SIT WE HERE AND DO NOTHING TILL WE Die DIE? (2 KINGS 7:3)
Custodians of the National Conscience is a broad coalition of ministers of faith, leaders of thought, consensus builders and national opinion moulders plus wellmeaning citizens from across all divides.
We believe that the national interest is best served with tender and conscientized hearts, a task that we have undertaken.
This word must be heard in every nook and cranny of the Nigerian territory – and, our simple message is that these are not the days for fear, cowardice, or apathy.
We know that the trickles of blood have swelled into a torrent of crimson as widows are wailing, orphans are multiplying across the land while ablebodied men, both young and old are hunted down like beasts by the sentinels of terrorism.
For this reason, dark clouds have gathered on the horizon but we believe that the sun will yet shine for our nation when the dusts have settled.
We are aware that the government has announced that it is doing what it can, but it appears their best is just not good enough to stem the tidal waves of terrorism and convulsive insecurity.
Morning after morning our sons and daughters in the armed forces arise to face an illdefined enemy that has friends in high places.
Night after night the people rest their weary heads not knowing what the morrow will bring.
As God appointed custodians of the future of our nation, we have taken a stand and declare that Nigeria will neither be cowed nor be consumed by the forces of evil.
We may cry, mourn, and sorrow over this needless waste of lives; but we refuse to bow and we shall not stand by with our arms folded either.
Together, we must stand against a bestial enemy that revels in savagery, kidnap, torture, pedophilia, rape of underage girls, debasement of women folk and murder of infants while hiding under the cloak of religion to execute the devilish acts.
This gross devaluation of human worth in Nigeria cannot be allowed to continue.
Should we refuse to stand against this evil, the labors of our heroes past would have been in vain.
We must not forget the price they paid to secure the freedoms we have enjoyed.
On 1st of October 1960, a special independence Bible was launched. This was printed with an Amethyst text and carrying a picture of Ajayi Crowther who was kidnapped from his home in 1821 by the seed of the same scourge ravaging Nigeria today.
That special Bible was planted as an Ebenezer to remind all generations of the great role we played.
In this hour of Nigerian history, we are again left with no option than to stand together in defense of our nation; its freedoms plus the safety and unity of its people.
In decades past, we spoke up against the monster of military misrule, corruption, and the failure of successive governments to provide basic necessities for the citizens of this country.
Blinded by ambition and selfish interest, our political class has failed in this regard and proven itself incapable of resolving the obvious systemic fault lines and foundational flaws that have turned the nation’s communities into killing fields for terrorists.
Fulani militias, Boko Haram insurgents and ISWAP terrorbandits from outside Nigeria have compromised our territorial integrity.
Barbaric and ancient Fulani foibles have been resurrected and oxygenated to further paralyze national progress.
The resulting devaluation of human worth has sponsored a corruption model reminiscent of human slavery.
When these existential threats are added to the unaddressed challenges of endemic corruption, religious bigotry and acrimonious tribal rivalries it is no wonder the youths of Nigeria are struggling to see the value of our national passport and identification.
We must not stand by to permit a satanic hijack of our nation’s noble narrative.
Ajayi Crowther left his mark, and we must not forget heroes like Olaudah Equiano, who was born around 1745.
Kidnapped in Iseke as a young boy and renamed Gustavus Vassa in slavery, this exemplary Igbo youth strove to purchase his freedom, and his autobiography, published in1789, became a lobby tool for abolitionists.
This picture would not be complete without the testimony of Mallam Ibrahim of Kano who in 1913 was beheaded in the main market on the Emir’s orders because he preached religious tolerance and encouraged his followers in Kano, Zaria and Bauchi emirates to respect the value of human worth.
Let us keep it in mind that the redemptive destiny of Africa is tied to the success, stability, and progress of Nigeria.
The enemy has fanned the flames of hatred and is exploiting our differences hoping to weaken our resolve.
By divine wisdom, we must not play into their hands because none of us will survive their satanic onslaught unless we are united.
Visionary leadership, national unity and good governance will make all the difference!
We, therefore, appeal to all men and women of good conscience to join hands with us and other well meaning Nigerians across all age grades, cultures, religions, and other divides to tackle our systemic problems until this raging foe is defeated.
Before Nigeria was conceived we survived the evils of human slavery, we also survived the shackles of colonial rule and the prisons of military dictatorship.
We cannot and will NOT sit by and watch our citizens slaughtered while our elected representatives and government engage in petty squabbles and prevaricate (intransitive) over open grazing, cow logic and other unintelligent irrelevances.
Finally, we are no strangers to the ultimate sacrificial price for peace paid by the Prince of Peace Himself, and we will start by urging and encouraging the incumbent government to move away from vacillations to confirm an official position that values human worth above cattle.
As you read and approve this position, please be prepared to endorse our policy of nonviolent communication, nonviolent actions and join hands with us to rescue our nation from her current descent into the abyss and help pull Nigeria back from the precipice.
Signed:
Prof. Dapo Asaju, Anglican Church of Nigeria
Apostle Anselm Madubuko Apostolic Leader Revival Assembly Ministries intl
Pastor Taiwo Odukoya Senior Pastor The Fountain of Life Church
Rev. David K. Aboderin General Overseer · Faith Family Bible Church
Pastor Wale Adefarasin Senior Pastor Guiding Light Assembly
Apostle Alex Bangbola Zion The City of the Lord Ministries
Bishop Charles Ighele General Superintendent, Holy Spirit Mission
Dr. Tony Rapu Senior Pastor The House of Freedom
Dr. Sola Kolade, Vinebranch Church Pastor Tola HarrisonAbiola, Glory Tower Lagos
Rev. Fr. George Ehusani, Lux Terra Foundation, Abuja. Pastor Tunde Stephen, CPJ Nigeria
Charles Ighele, G.S. Holy Spirit Mission, Lagos HQ
Rev. Dr. Stephen. O. Agbana Compassion of Jesus Ministries International
Arch Bishop Daniel John Praise President & Founder, Dominion Ministries/Churches, Abuja
Rev. Yinusa Nmadu
The Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria, Jos
Rt. Rev Stephen Dami Mamza Catholic Bishop of Yola & CAN Chairman Adamawa
Rev. Prof Samuel Ango Provost Theological of Northern Nigeria TCNN
Apostle (Dr.) Emmanuel Nuhu Kure, Vision Bearer, Throneroom Trust Ministries
Rev. Joseph Hayab
CAN Chairman Kaduna State
Prof Sunday Bobai Agang Provost, Jos ECWA Theological Seminary
Rev. Blessed U Amalambu Secretary, PFN Abia State/ the State Coordinator of NAVC.
Pastor Nath Ayodele,
Every Nation House Abuja
Abraham A. Adeyemo
Lifeline Tabernacle Ministries.
Rev. Dr. Caleb Ahima TEKAN President & CAN Vice Chairman
Rev. Femi Williams
Light to the Nation Ministries
Rev Prof Datiri Dachollom President Church of Christ in Nations COCIN
Rev Dr. Stephen Panya Baba ECWA President Evangelical Church Winning All The Revd
Dr. Gideon ParaMallam President/CEO The ParaMallam Peace Foundation
Rev. Joel S. Billi,
EYN President
Rev. Samuel Alaha
Presiding Pastor, Faithway Gospel Ministries
Rev. Prof Yusuf Turaki, President Yusuf Turaki Foundation
Rev. Ladi Thompson
Senior Pastor, Living Waters Unlimited Church
Abraham Sam. Aiyedogbon Apostolic Leader Realm of Glory Intl Church
