By Joseph Edegbo —
The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) has expressed dismay with what it calls the continued disarray of the Nigeria nation in terms of insecurity, corruption and the near total collapse of the economy thereby leaving Nigerians helplessly begging for survival
It also condemned in strong terms, the recent attack on the Abuja-Kaduna bound train, the killing and the abduction of unascertained number of passengers by terrorists as well as the invasion of the Kaduna International Airport.
The constant killings and abductions of citizens in Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara, Plateau, Niger and other states across the nation too numerous to mention, also drew the attention of the Council .
In a communique issued at the end of its 69th General Church Council Meeting held in Jos, North Central Nigeria, where it x-rayed the state of the nation, among other issues, ECWA questions the conspicuous silence and reluctance of the Federal Government to act decisively.
The communique decried the failure of the government to carry out its constitutional responsibility of securing the lives and properties of the citizens despite the huge amount being spent on security.
The Council therefore called on all tiers of government to do all they must, to secure the release of all abducted victims and bring to a halt the activities of these terrorists in the nation.
It encouraged its members and Nigerian citizens as a whole, to exercise their fundamental right to self-defense as provided for by Section 33(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) in the face of attacks by these terrorists.
On the forceful occupation of native lands, the Council once again drew the attention of Government to what it calls “the systematic genocide being executed against Christians and other autonomous communities throughout Nigeria
This, the Communique frowned, is orchestrated through continuous raid on Christian farming communities with lethal weapons, often in the dead of the night, wherein thousands of their people have been murdered in cold blood and their lands forcefully occupied by the marauding Fulani jihadist assailants.
The Council therefore calls on the Federal Government to among others, wake up to its responsibilities to the citizens and ensure the return of these IDPs to their ancestral land.
assist such returning farming populace with the necessary farming inputs so that they could reactivate their farmlands as well as provide all other basic amenities, make all captured terrorists face the full wrath of the law to serve as deterrence to those intending to join these terrorist groups.
The Communique which was signed by the ECWA President and General Secretary, Rev Dr. Stephen Baba Panya and Rev. Dr. Yunusa Sabo Nmadu expressed great worry on the conspicuous silence by the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and its reluctance to descend heavily on the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.
HERE UNDER IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE COMMUNIQUE -:
THE COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 69TH GENERAL CHURCH COUNCIL (GCC) MEETING OF THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH WINNING ALL (ECWA) HELD APRIL 4TH – 8TH, 2022, AT THE ECWA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE HALL, JOS, NIGERIA.
The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) held her 69th General Church Council (GCC) meeting with emphasis on the Church’s 2022 theme: “Look He is coming with the clouds” (Revelation1:7). This theme is aimed at reminding ECWA members and believers across the world that the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is near and all Christians need to be more vigilant now more than ever before. It also encourages them not to be faint hearted but be prepared for His final coming.
The meeting had in attendance members of the ECWA Executive, ECWA Board of Trustees, Chairmen, Secretaries, and Delegates of all the 91 District Church Councils (DCCs) including USA. Also in attendance were Directors of Departments, Chief Executive Officers of ECWA Strategic Business Units and Heads of Tertiary Institutions. Leaders from the ECWA Chad Republic were in attendance as observers.
The Council deliberated on Church related matters, the state of the nation and the global community as a whole and at the end, it resolved thus:
1. Call for Revival:- The Council reiterated the need for wholistic revival among Christians as this would help them stand firm in their faith and practice in the face of the current onslaughts against the body of Christ all over the world and particularly Nigeria. The Council called all her members to be awake and embrace the revival fire ignited by the Holy Spirit as well as spread the fire.
2. State of the Nation: The Council expressed dismay with the continued disarray of the Nigeria nation in terms of insecurity, corruption and the near total collapse of the economy thereby leaving Nigerians helplessly begging for survival
Insecurity: – The Council condemned in strong terms the recent attack on the Abuja-Kaduna bound train, the killing and the abduction of unascertained number of passengers by terrorists as well as the invasion of the Kaduna International Airport, the constant killings and abductions of citizens in Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara, Plateau, Niger and other states across the nation too numerous to mention.
The Council decried the failure of the government to carry out its constitutional responsibility of securing the lives and properties of the citizens despite the huge amount being spent on security.
It therefore called on all tiers of government to do all it must to secure the release of all abducted victims and bring to a halt the activities of these terrorists in our nation.
Appreciation and Condolences: The Council appreciates the effort of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, by risking their lives in the course of fighting against the terrorists and insurgents. The Council condoles with the families of the security personnel and other Nigerians who lost their lives due to the insecurity in the nation.
Meanwhile, the Council encouraged its members and Nigerian citizens as a whole to exercise their fundamental right to self-defense as provided for by Section 33(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) in the face of attacks by these terrorists.
Unabated Heinous Activities of Radical Islamic Terrorist Groups:- The Council equally condemned the continuous activities of radical Islamic terrorist groups including Fulani Jihadist militia, Boko Haram, ISWAP, and bandits terrorizing the north, middle-belt and other parts of the country. The Council expressed great worry on the conspicuous silence by the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and its reluctance to descend heavily on the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.
Forceful Occupation of Native Lands:- The Council once more draws the attention of Government to the systematic genocide being executed against Christians and other autonomous communities throughout Nigeria.
This is orchestrated through continuous raid on Christian farming communities with lethal weapons, often in the dead of the night, wherein thousands of our people have been murdered in cold blood and their lands forcefully occupied by the marauding Fulani jihadist assailants. The Council hereby calls on the Federal Government to:
Wake up to its responsibilities to the citizens and ensure the return of these IDPs to their ancestral land.
Assist such returning farming populace with the necessary farming inputs so that they could reactivate their farmlands as well as provide all other basic amenities.
Make all captured terrorists face the full wrath of the law to serve as deterrence to those intending to join these terrorist groups.
3. Call for Release of the Captives: The Council continues to express fears over the lingering case of Leah Sharibu who is still in captivity for the singular reason of not renouncing her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Other abductees in this category include: Grace Lukas, Alice Loksha Ngadah, Lilian Gyang, the remaining Chibok School Girls and several others. Council therefore re-echoes its call on the Federal Government to secure the release of the abductees and admonished Christians not to relent in praying to God for His divine intervention.
4. Participation in Politics: The Council reiterates its earlier call on ECWA members and indeed all Christians to shun political apathy and to actively join political parties of their choice in order to help sanitize the polity. It frowned on the aloofness of Christians to participating in political activities and vying for political positions so as to influence desired positive changes in the Nigerian polity. Council further encouraged Christians and all Nigerians to come out en-mass and participate in the ongoing voter registration and actively get involved in voting and making sure their votes count during the forthcoming general elections.
5. Persistent Strike by ASUU, ASUP and Other Labour Unions: The Council notes the key role education plays in positively shaping the life of individuals and a nation. It observed that the Nigerian nation has for many years, been bogged with myriad of problems, including the constant strike actions embarked upon by many labour unions such as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), and other Unions. Council appeals to the government and the striking Unions to put the interest of the nation first and resolve the industrial crisis as soon as possible. This would forestall idle students from being easily recruited by terrorists, kidnappers, bandits, cultists, and criminals.
6. Food Security Issues: The Council noted with great concern the biting hunger among Nigerians due to the shortage of food supply as a result of insecurity of all kinds that have paralyzed the activities of rural farmers. The Council urged the Church to apply the wisdom of Joseph of old in Egypt to reduce the impact of food security issues. Also, the Federal Government should as a matter of urgency act decisively to avert the threat.
7. The Deplorable Condition of Infrastructure: The Council noted the deplorable condition of infrastructures like roads, hospitals, schools etc. Some of the roads have become death traps and countless citizens have lost their lives. The Council calls on the Federal and State Governments to immediately take action by fixing these facilities for social and physical benefits of the Country.
8. Increasing Rate of Unemployment: The Council laments that many young people have no jobs neither are they engaged in legitimate businesses. In addition, many public servants retire early and thereafter remain unproductive. These idle persons, especially the young ones, are easily available to be recruited for crime and other anti-social activities. There is therefore the need to promote entrepreneurship as a means of equipping many capable minds and hands with positive skills and so contribute collectively to nation building. ECWA reiterates the urgent need for job creation by the Government, the Church, NGOs and the business community. Council equally urged the business community to invest not just for profit but also to offer some services to make positive impact on the society, especially the poor and vulnerable groups.
9. Financial Report: The Audited Financial Statement of the Church for the year ended December 31st, 2021 as presented indicated that the financial books of accounts were properly kept and maintained in accordance with international accounting standards.
10. Election of Trustees: Engr. Peter Nathaniel Tsado and Prof. Umar Kiro Kalgo were elected as Trustees representing the ECWA Trustee Zones of Patigi and North West respectively.
11. Creation of DCCs: The Council unanimously approved the creation of Uke District Church Council (DCC) out of the present New Karu DCC while conditional approval was granted for the creation of Gombe West DCC out of the present Gombe DCC.
LONG LIVE ECWA
LONG LIVE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
Signed
Rev.(Dr) Stephen Baba Panya Rev.(Dr) Yunusa Sabo Nmadu Jnr. fips, mnim, MyrP
ECWA President ECWA General Secretary
