Christian Youths Calls for Purposeful Leadership, Laments State of Insecurity

By Jide Afolabi

The Youth Wing, Christian Council of Nigeria, YOWICCN, has called for purposeful leadership while berating government on the state of insecurity in the country.

The Council in a communique after the National Executive Council meeting held in Lokoja, Kogi state said that the security situation in the country has deteriorated with no hope in sight.

The communique signed by the National President, Ekpa Emmanuel Esq, Sis. Eke Ifuoma Eke, National Secretary and Elder Dr. Sunday Abbah,
Director, Youth Directorate, noted that Nigeria is faced with not only Boko Baram insurgency but also banditry, kidnappings, attacks by unknown gun men, Fulani militia groups on innocent farmers especially in the North West, South West, South East and North Central parts of the country.

The group stressed that the recent attacks in Southern part of Kaduna State as well as in Plateau State especially in Irigwe Chiefdom of Bassa LGA, some villages in Riyom LGA, Yelwa Zangam in Jos North LGA and Benue state allude to the fact that the attackers are bent on constantly wrecking havoc on innocent communities that are predominantly Christians. According to them, it is a clear attack on Christianity with the aim of complete annihilation of the people because of their faith.
More worrisome is the nature of the attacks where women and children, even pregnant women are not spared by the attackers.

Unfortunately, farm lands are usually destroyed completely, and food barns as well as residential houses are burnt down. Sooner than later, the attackers completely annex the land of their victims and take over. This has been the trend in most of the attacked communities.

Stating their position, the group said:

“YOWICCN calls on the Federal Government to do everything within its power to provide purposeful leadership especially in bringing an end to the many security challenges bedevilling Nigeria. We call on the President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgent public importance task the Security Chiefs to leave no stone unturned in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.

“YOWICCN is worried about the steps taken by the Federal Government to reintegrate repentant Boko Haram not just into the society but into the security system of our country. This we belief is not the right way to go. Government should however get them to be trained on skills and trades as was done to repentant militant in the South-South region which has brought about relative peace in the region.

“YOWICCN calls on all Religious Leaders to preach peaceful coexistence among adherents of all faiths. The religious leaders have a great role to play in encouraging peaceful coexistence. The Government must show capacity to arrest those who have shown to be irresponsible especially by their utterances and inciteful messages so as to serve as deterrent to those who may be nursing such ambitions. This must be seen to be done justly.

“YOWICCN calls on all the Security Agencies to be more vigilant and proactive in identifying any possible incursion and nib it in the bud. They have a duty to protect lives and properties and should be seen to be doing so without fear or favour.

“YOWICCN calls on all Christians to be prayerful and trust God for salvation in difficult times that we are in as this, and for the church to speak with one voice.

“YOWICCN calls on the Federal Government to ensure freedom of religion as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

“YOWICCN calls on the Federal Government to support state policing and local vigilante through funding.

“YOWICCN calls on Federal Government to merge words with action by publishing names of Boko haram sponsors which is currently trending on social media.”

The group called on IPOB to reconsider the sit-at-home order, as it is affecting the economy and businesses of South-East dwellers. We appeal to them to explore other means of channelling their grievances.

The youths frowned at the slow pace in the release of Leah Sharibu and other adoptees still in the hand of their captors.

YOWICCN called on Federal Government to deploy same strategy that was used in the successful arrest of some agitators to also arrest those behind banditry and insurgency in the North.

The group advised Edo State government to respect individual right by allowing them access to their respective place of worship while they use other means to create awareness on COVID-19 vaccination.

The Youth Wing of Christian Council of Nigeria (YOWICCN) is the umbrella body of the Youths under the Christian Council of Nigeria, CCN is the first ecumenical body which has been in existence since 1929 in Nigeria before the emergence of CAN.