The Chairman of the Northern Christian Association (NCA), Rev. Joseph John Hayab, on Thursday officially inaugurated the Kaduna State Indigenous Ministers Association (KASIMA), describing the body as a platform to unite indigenous Christian ministers and mobilise them to promote peace, good governance and development across Kaduna State.
The inauguration, held in Kaduna, brought together Christian leaders from across the 23 local government areas of the state and marked the formal launch of an association that had operated informally for more than five years.
Speaking during the inauguration, Hayab, who is the pioneer chairman of KASIMA, said the association was established to bring together indigenous Christian ministers to speak with one voice on issues affecting Kaduna State while supporting initiatives that advance peace and responsible leadership.
He explained that the formal inauguration would enable the association to engage more effectively with government, communities and other stakeholders in promoting the state’s development.
“We cannot work separately; we have to come together. The leadership inaugurated today will reach every local community so that every indigenous pastor in Kaduna State can identify with the state, stand with the state, support the state and also correct any wrong he sees.
“Our role is not to be praise singers but to help ensure that the right things are done across Kaduna State. If the right thing is done in Ikara, Sanga, Kachia, Kauru and every other part of the state, Kaduna will become a peaceful and better home for all of us,” he said.
Hayab urged indigenous Christians to take greater ownership of Kaduna State by supporting initiatives that promote peace, security and accountable leadership.
“Until and unless we wake up and take Kaduna State as our own, we will continue to grumble and fight while nothing changes. We are challenging Christians who are indigenous to Kaduna State to see this as their state. That is how we can effectively fight the insecurity we are battling with. When we speak with one voice, support our leaders and correct them where necessary, Kaduna State will become what all of us desire,” he added.
The NCA chairman also charged the newly inaugurated leadership of KASIMA to lead with patience, humility and understanding, noting that effective leadership requires cooperation between leaders and followers.
“Leadership among people is one of the most complicated things. The day you become a leader, your relationship changes. They need patience and understanding, but the people also have a role to play by supporting their leaders. We cannot expect leaders to perform magic without our support. Leadership succeeds when followers also play their part,” he said.
Hayab also used the occasion to appeal to politicians in Kaduna State to avoid divisive politics as preparations gather momentum for the 2027 general elections.
According to him, Kaduna has begun witnessing efforts aimed at restoring unity and inclusiveness, urging political actors to sustain the progress by focusing on issues that improve the lives of the people rather than exploiting religious or ethnic differences.
“As Kaduna State people, we must commend our governor and some of the political actors at this time. They are beginning to restore the unity that we have always yearned to see in Kaduna State, where every section of the state is considered part of the state building, part of the state leadership and part of the state’s togetherness.
“We shouldn’t pretend that we have not seen it. We have seen it, we are happy about it and we encourage it,” he said.
He urged politicians across party lines to ensure that the 2027 electioneering period strengthens rather than weakens the state’s social cohesion.
“Let this political era be a peaceful era, an era of unity. Let politicians come and tell us what they can deliver for Kaduna State. Since leadership belongs to everybody, let us support those we believe can deliver.
“Governor Uba Sani has shown leadership, and I am happy that other political actors in other parties are also doing the same. Please allow this period of politics not to divide us but to unite us. Let it make us feel that we are all Kaduna State people who want the very best for our state.
“Whoever God gives leadership among you should go and serve, deliver the goods and make Kaduna State what all of us desire,” Hayab said.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter, Rev. Joel Simon Madaki, described KASIMA as a platform that would strengthen Christian unity and contribute to peace building across Kaduna State.
He assured the association of CAN’s continued partnership in promoting the welfare of Christians and fostering peaceful coexistence.
“The relationship between CAN and KASIMA is one of partnership. Together we will promote peace, unity and continue speaking for the welfare of our people in Kaduna State,” Madaki said, urging the new leadership to remain united.
Earlier, the newly inaugurated President of KASIMA, Archbishop Dr. Joseph Yari Jatau, said the association would focus on uniting indigenous pastors while supporting government efforts aimed at sustaining peace and development in Kaduna State.
He said KASIMA would work closely with both indigenous and non-indigenous ministers in the state to promote harmony and peaceful coexistence.
“Our responsibility is to unite indigenous pastors, support the government through prayers and every legitimate means available, and ensure Kaduna remains peaceful. The Bible instructs us to pray for the peace of the land because when the land has peace, the people also enjoy peace. That will remain our guiding principle,” Jatau said.
He disclosed that representatives from all the 23 local government areas participated in the inauguration and announced that local government chapters of the association would soon be inaugurated to deepen grassroots engagement and expand the association’s activities across Kaduna State.
