The Christian Association of Nigeria, on Friday, warned that except by God’s intervention, the nation would become Sodom and Gomorrah.
The organisation regretted that despite pleas by the Federal Government to the international community, they neglected Nigeria and beamed attention on the COVID-19 pandemic.
The President of CAN, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, said these in his New Year Message titled, ‘Pray for God’s mercy over Nigeria – CAN’.
He said, “It gladdens my heart to say a resounding Happy New Year 2022 to all Nigerians irrespective of their religious, tribal and political persuasions. Glory be to our God who helped us to escape all dangers and threats of 2021, occasioned by the criminal activities of bandits, terrorists, kidnappers and other unscrupulous elements amidst us.
“2021 was one year too many as a result of the ways and manners these criminals have been operating with impunity as if this is not the country we have been all these years. It is as if they have taken over the country. They invade communities, markets, churches and schools. They kill, maim, destroy and kidnap without much resistance or hindrance.
“At this juncture, I call on all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious affiliations, to rise up and cry for the mercy of God that can preserve us and bring an end to all these pains. It appears as if our governments have got to their wit’s end over the menace of insecurity. Their major focus now is on the 2023 general election. Can 2023 election happen if the nation is overrun by criminals?”
Intensify efforts to safeguard Nigerians, Archbishop Martins tells Buhari
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Revd Dr. Alfred Martins, also called on the President to intensify his efforts in safeguarding the lives and properties of Nigerians in the New Year.
In his New Year message signed by the Director of Social Communications, Lagos, Arch Diocese, Rev. Fr. Anthony Martins, said, “I call on President Muhammadu Buhari not to leave any stone unturned in his efforts at safeguarding the lives and properties of Nigerians in the new year and where necessary, to inject fresh personnel with first-rate minds in the top hierarchy of our security agencies.”
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. (Dr.) Ignatius Kaigama, also stated that the increasing wave of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and ethnic separatist agitations in the country was tilting the nation towards a disastrous end.
Ortom praises Nigerians for resilience in the face of insecurity
Meanwhile, the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has praised Nigerians for their resilience in the face of daunting security and economic challenges in the year 2021.
In his New Year message made available to journalists in Makurdi by his media aide, Nathaniel Ikyur, the governor said that Nigerians had demonstrated indomitable spirit for surviving against the biting security and economic situation in the country, occasioned by the raging COVID-19 pandemic.
He said, “The year 2021 was no doubt challenging but I’m happy our people rose to the occasion. The lesson of the past year will serve as a useful instrument that will guide us to fruition in the year ahead.”
Nigeria worth dying for, says Pat Utomi
Also, a political economist and former presidential candidate, Prof. Pat Utomi, urged Nigerians in the coming year to reclaim their country from ‘corrupt and shameless politicians’, stating that Nigeria was worth dying for.
Utomi made this known on Friday in his New Year message, titled, ‘Arise and reclaim Nigeria before they kill it- a New Year message’.
He said, “I believe that Nigeria is worth dying for and that 2022 is the time for citizens to throw down the gauntlet and reclaim their country from corrupt and shameless politicians.”
Credit: PUNCH