By Iliya Kure, LOS ANGELES
Despite ongoing security and other challenges affecting Nigerians, especially in the Middle Belt region, a Christian singing group, Kaduna Metropolitan Choir, has chosen to preach love, peace, and unity through songs.
Supervisory Leader of the choir, Samuel Yatai, on Saturday, during the event in Kaduna, northern Nigeria, said the programme was organised to encourage people to love one another through singing.
Yatai said that the concert, with the theme, “Obstacles Removed in the Body of Christ”, reflects the prevailing insecurity, hunger, poverty, and other circumstances affecting the people of Kaduna state and Nigeria.
He said that the concert, which is the second edition, brought different choir groups from different churches to sing about peace, love, and unity, as a way out of the current undesirable predicament.
He identified the choir groups as Barnawa Catholic Deanary Choir, ECWA Kaduna Zone DCC Choir, COCIN RCC Choir, ANCA Choir, 1DIV. Garrison Choir and Kaduna Baptist Conference Choir.
Others, he added were Kaduna North Metropolitan Choir, Kaduna Central Metropolitan Choir, Kaduna South Metropolitan Choir and Choir ECWA Gospel Barnawa Choir.
“This is because we are convinced that despite our prevailing conditions, we should still come together and sing to the glory of God, spread His words of love for peace and unity to prevail.
“Some of our relatives have been kidnapped, killed, injured, or displaced and we are currently traumatized.
“By the time we come together and sing together, God will heal our troubled hearts and give us reasons to smile again and extend a hand of love to one another,” he said.
He urged residents of the state with Permanent Voter Cards to come out en masse and vote during the forthcoming General Election.
“I also want to call on us to be careful of the happenings around us and the country in general during and after the elections.
“Let us continue to pray for peace in Kaduna State and the nation as a whole,” he said.
He described it a “privilege” for people from different backgrounds and orientations to congregate and share God’s love through music.
He said that choristers within the three Kaduna metropolitan areas, namely Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan constitute the membership of the metropolitan choir.
“The choir has shaped us into becoming one indivisible group that enshrined fellowshipping and doing things together as a family, promoting peace and unity amongst us despite our denominational differences,” he said.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, who was a special guest at the occasion commended the group for promoting love, tolerance, and peace through songs.
Balarabe, who was represented by Mrs Stella Amako, Special Adviser to Gov. Nasir El-Rufai on Community Relations, commended the Metropolitan Choir for the demonstration of love and peace and harmonious relationship.
She said: “There is no better thing to do at this critical time considering the security and other challenges affecting us than to preach love and peace.
“This is commendable, and it will go a long way in entrenching the needed peace and harmonious relationship among the different people living in Kaduna state.
“The state government will continue to support all endeavours geared toward promoting peace, love and tolerance among residents for development to thrive.”
Earlier, the pastor of the church, Rev. Ezekiel Bulus, described the metropolitan choir as a “platform” for the creation of peace and unity through singing.
According to him, singing is a stronger tool in creating joy, peace and uniting not only the church, but all the people of the state.
Rev. Joseph Hayab, State Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said that the association would continue to encourage Christian groups to preach love and tolerance needed to build a united Nigeria.
Hayab noted the current security challenges, stressing that spreading the word of love, understanding and peace through songs, would melt a troubled heart and promote unity.
He also encouraged residents of the state to participate fully in the 2023 General Election to elect good leaders that would unite the country and drive progress and development of the people.
