ASABA/Nigeria: The Executive Assistance to the Delta State Governor on Religious Matters, Bishop Greatman Nmalagu has stressed the needs for Christian’s particularly Christian leaders to unite and to speak with one voice so they can attracts the needed attentions from all strata of the society.
Bishop Nmalagu who gave the advised on Thursday, during the commissioning of the Christian Committee Platform, CCP, Delta State Advisory Council members at the Divine Way Baptist Church, Asaba, said the commissioning of the Advisory body was a very important assignment because it marked the beginning of the unity of Christian leaders in the state.
Quoting from the book of Joel Chapter 2 verse 17, the Bishop who is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of CCP, reminded Christian leaders of their important roles in the society hence the need for them to come together in peace and unite to enable them to be in their rightful place.
“We are coming together for good purpose and to bring peace to Delta State. The traditional rulers and the chiefs in our communities meet regularly and whatever they say, the people respect it seriously but the Christian leaders hardly meet in unity. Christian leaders should be united be heard by those in authorities.” He added.
He said the CCP is a subsidiary of Clergy Forum for Peace and Development in Niger Delta to provide the individual Christian the opportunity to actively participate in political activities.
While pointing out the needs for Christians to unite as a body under Christ authority, said they can earn great respect like the royal fathers who meets on regular basis and draw government attentions on critical needs of their communities.
He urged the Christian leaders to support the reelection of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa since according to him, the state has fared better under his administration, judging from the numerous infrastructures he has put in place within three years.
Rev. Cyril Okwuye, the President of CCP, said the platform had embarked on various forms of political awareness education targeted at eradicating every form of political illiteracy deeply rooted within the Christian community especially the devil’s distractive definition that states that politics is dirty, which inform the safe distance approach attitudes that most Christians adopt.
He said the 70 members of CCP Advisory Council were drawn from the 25 LGAs and are made up of persons of great honour and unbroken Christian Integrity, are charged with the responsibilities of acting as the conscience of the body.
The Speaker, Justin Okoroji, who spoke on the topic ‘Active Participation of Christians in Nigeria Politics’ draw his messages from the book of Psalm 83 and Galatian 34, explained that it is ignorant for any Christians to think that politics is a dirty game, adding that for any Christians to think otherwise, that person does not fit to be on this planet earth.
“Christians should try to know things happening around them. Christian’s unity is coming late but it better than never. We must speak in one voice as a Christians because Christianity is a religion based on the ideas of Jesus Christ. If we believe that God created this world hence the needs for Christians to take charge of the affairs of society by actively involving in politics.”
He stated that God has always been interested in politics and governance and that is why he created man, saying that now is the time for Christians to change their mindsets so as to move with the pace of happening in the world.
He regretted that Nigeria used to be a Christian nation but they lost that ground because of what he called ‘canalnism’, maintaining that they have deviated from the true Christian life and embraced material things that are why they are in the habits of fighting themselves.
He called on Christians to belong to political parties, fund it activities and contest elections so that their voices can be heard even as he advised Christians in public offices to shun corruption and be ambassadors of good government.
In a remarks, the Secretary to the Delta State Government, Barr. Festus Agas represented by Chief David Omoru, the Special Assistance to the Governor on Peace Development, challenged the Christians to be actively involve in politics.
“Christianity has cone to a stage where the adherents should be involved in governance. As we approach 2019 general elections, i appeal that Christmas in the state should support the reelection of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to enable him to continue the even development of Delta State.”
The highlight of the programme was intercession prayers for Delta State and the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the nation and the body of Christ as well as certificate presentation to the Advisory Council members.
