From: Segun Babatunde in Bauchi
Christian Clergymen have admonished to always use the pulpit to preach peace and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians irrespective of ethno-religious differences having in mind that Nigeria as an entity supercedes any other interest.
They were also charged to see their call by God into the gospel ministry as a call to duty and not a position that is above anyone because God created all human beings as equal having equal rights.
The charge was given by the Conference President of North-East Baptist Conference, Rev Musa Likita while speaking at the ordination of new Pastors into full gospel ministry in the Church held at First Baptist Church, Bauchi over the weekend.
Musa Likita who recently assumed duties as the Conference President stressed that what the country needs now is truth, honest leadership and obedient followership which he opined are lacking presently.
The North-East Baptist Conference President said that, “this is the time the Church, the body of Christ should come together, raise voices of intercession to God for divine intervention in the affairs of Nigeria. Enough of bloodbath, bloodletting, kidnappings and banditry”.
He added that peace can only return to the country when Nigerians resolved to see themselves as one Indivisible people united by culture and traditions, brought together by divine providence.
Musa Likita further charged the newly ordained Pastors to exhibit the good virtues of Jesus Christ which is servant leadership saying that, “you should be humble, don’t see yourself above any member of the Church, your allegiance is first to God and humans”.
He then assured that he is ready to work with other members of the Conference because according to him, “our mission here in the North-East is to build a stronger Conference that can stand shoulders high with others in the country. The security challenges in the subregion will not deter us from moving forward, in fact, it will give us the strength to push forward “.
On the insecurity pervading the country, the Clergyman declared that,”the solution is with God, we need to return to Him, ask for forgiveness of our sins and repent. God is interested in the Nigerian project that is the reason we are still together as a country”.
Musa Likita also charged security agencies in the country to rise up to the challenge by going after the bandits and insurgents who he said are not ghosts but human beings living among decent, innocent people and can be traced.
