Gov. Diri urge Christians on unity, pledges to support new state EXCOs

by Peregba Jerry

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has advised Christians in the country to see the body of Christ as indivisible entity, irrespective of the denominations they belong to.

Senator Diri gave the advice during the inauguration of the seventh executive council of the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at St Patrick Catholic Church, Ovom in Yenagoa.

Represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, he urged the Christian community not to see Christianity as a game of competition but a veritable medium to serve God and humanity.

Governor Diri stressed that the unity of Christians in the country was needed at the present time more than ever in view of the high rate of insecurity and other problems bedeviling the nation.

He however thanked the Church for its support and prayers for the government, assuring that his administration would continue to contribute towards sustaining the existing cooperation between the Church and the state.

Senator Diri also emphasized his commitment to strengthening the security architecture in the state to drive the current administration’s prosperity agenda, which is anchored on agriculture, entrepreneurship and infrastructural development.

The Governor congratulated the new CAN executive and enjoined them to make conscious efforts at unifying Christians in the state as well as imbibe the spirit of politeness, perseverance and prayer to succeed in their leadership role.

His words: “Christianity is not a game of competition, but unfortunately, over the years, Christianity has been elevated to a game of competition. So, what happens is that everyone is trying to undo the others.

“The unity of the Christian body is needed now more than ever before. We need to be united and active in our faith to tackle insecurity and other challenges confronting our country.

“Christian disunity in our state must be interred today. It was unity that enabled the twelve disciples to spread the gospel. It was not the number; it was unity. I believe once we are united, we will be able to subdue any foe. We should not see ourselves as Protestants, Catholics, or Pentecostals.

“We are taking the issue of security very seriously. We believe that security is a collective effort. We are working with our communities, and all of us need to be determined, conscious and committed in that direction..

“We have a civic duty to report criminals in our neighborhood to the security agencies, so that our communities are not only safe, but are always secured for government to push her prosperity agenda.”

In his charge, the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev (Dr) Sampson Ayokunle, represented by the CAN South-South Chairman, Archbishop Israel Ege, urged the new Exco to be diligent and committed to realizing the objectives of the organization.

Speaking as chairman of the occasion, Dr. Peter Singabele, underscored the need for all Christians in Nigeria to speak in one voice, noting that CAN as an umbrella body of Christians has the mandate to express their views on any issues affecting them, including governance.

In his inaugural sermon woven around John Chapter 17 Verse 22  and titled, “That They May Be One”, Rev. Father Anthony Mario Ozele of Warri Catholic Diocese, decried the situation where Christians fold their hands for their enemies to overrun them in the country.

Rev. Fr. Ozele, who also stressed the need for unity in the body of Christ, called on well-to-do clergymen and Christians in politics to use their privileged positions to support and defend Christianity.

He said, “Nigeria is presently known to be insecure in every aspect; be it political, social, economic and educational. The media is filled with stories of how Christians in southern Kaduna, Niger State, Borno State and elsewhere live under the terror of armed herdsmen, bandits and Jihadist groups that kill, maim and rape every day. 

“In the midst of all these upheavals, our political leaders have gone to sleep. This is the time for all Christians to come together, irrespective of the blocs they belong. The times we are in, in Nigeria demands a united Church to speak in one voice.”

The new State CAN executive has Reverend Father Joseph Opelema who takes over from Archbishop Jacob Akpiri as Chairman; Reverend Charles Aliga as Vice Chairman, while Apostle Michael Makpah is to serve as Secretary, among other officers.