by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has asserted during a Church Service that, “The Church must be voice for truth, justice, compassion, reconciliation, responsible citizenship, while the Pulpits must produce citizens, who understand that: leadership is service; public resources are sacred; human life is valuable; all people deserve dignity, regardless of tribe, ethnicity, politics and religion.”
The governor was speaking during an Interdenominational Church Service to mark the 66th Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary at Nasarawa Baptist Church, Dutse Uku, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday.
He was represented by Deputy Governor Hon. Mrs Josephine Piyo, when he disclosed that “Faith must influence public life; Christianity must reflect in integrity; prayers must be accompanied by responsible action.”
According to him, Plateau can only be built when citizens learn to live together, work together, protect one another, and appealed to Church for continued prayers and partnership.
While calling on Nigerians to intensify sober reflection, genuine repentance and fervent prayers for God to overcome the economic, security, and social challenges engulfing the nation, the governor recalled Nigeria’s founding fathers who, 66 years ago, took responsibility to build a nation from diverse ethnicities, cultures, languages and faiths.
“Nation-building needs not only wisdom and policy, but divine guidance, moral courage, people committed to righteousness. Nigeria’s journey witnessed moments of triumph and profound difficulty – economic challenges, insecurity, political disagreements, social tensions that tested faith in Nigerian project.
“Yet, Nigeria has endured, remains one nation, bound by shared destiny, blessed with enormous human and natural resources.”
According to the governor, the shared destiny is enumerated as “creativity of youths, resilience of farmers, ingenuity of entrepreneurs, dedication of professionals, sacrifices of security personnel, wisdom of traditional institutions, faith of religious communities.”
While acknowledging the role of Church in moulding and shaping responsible citizenship, Josephine Piyo added that “Plateau can only be built when citizens learn to live together, work together, protect one another” as she appeald to Church for continued prayers and partnership.
Also in his sermon, President Plateau Baptist Conference, who doubles as Vice Chairman CAN Plateau State, Rev. Dr. Kyenvel Saleh, taking his reading from the Book of Psalms 125: v.1-5, with theme: ‘The Security of the Godly Nation,’ cautioned Christians to desist from casting blames and aspersions on leaders, in the face of persistent insecurity.
According to him, the security of Nigeria is in the hands of God. “For too long we were facing challenges because we put so much trust on men, instead of seeking the face of God. People are becoming impatient.
“We must understand the realities confronting us as a nation. We must go back to the basis, taking into account that Nigeria attends 66th years of nationhood,” he stated.