The Nigerian Baptist Convention says individual’s closeness to God remained the greatest factor in addressing various challenges.

President of the convention, Rev. Israel Akanji, stated this at a Sunday Service held at the Baptist International Convention Centre in Lufuwape, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Baptist’s 112th Annual Convention kicked off on Saturday to end on May 1.

NAN reports that the theme of the convention is: “Entering into Newness through Fasting and Prayer”.

Akanji who took his sermon from the book of Luke 8 vs 1 to 8 , noted that prayers remained an act of faith and called on Nigerians to focus on God who solves problems rather than the problems.

He said it was important to believe in possibilities and have the conviction that only God answers prayers.

The Baptist President cited example of a widow who was not afraid, annoyed or ashamed of her challenges but kept moving until she overcame the challenges with her closeness to God.

“We should run away from factors that will make us sin against God, we should love one another. We should not allow our adversaries to make us a failure.

“We should focus on God who solves problems. Keep making attempt on your goal, don’t give up , then believe in possibilities,” he said.

Akanji emphasised that the Baptist as a movement, was entering into newness through fasting and prayer as a vehicle to be able to experience newness in their lives and the country.

Rev Joseph Hayab, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna State, revealed that armed bandits killed 23 Pastors and shut down 200 churches across the state in four years.

Hayab disclosed this during a meeting with the Commissioner of Police, Musa Garba and pastors from different Church denominations in the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

He said;

“A Pastor who was kidnapped on 8th August, 2023, told the CAN leadership that there are over 215 Christians abducted by the bandits in Birnin Gwani forest.

They are still there and the Pastor told us that the bandits asked him to lead prayers for the 215 Christians while he was in their den.

“We are calling on the CP to look into this issue among many others holistically to build the confidence of the people once again.”

Former Secretary General of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA). Rev. Dr. Yunusa Nmadu Jnr and other pastors who spoke at the meeting, urged the Commissioner to also consider bringing to book Pastors and Imams who engaged in hate sermons and speeches.

They also asked the police commissioner to look into cases of those selling hard drugs, adding that most of the criminal acts were committed under the influence of hard drugs.

Speaking at the meeting, the police chief in the state said criminality should be addressed as a criminal without profiling him or her as a Christian, Muslim or by their tribes or ethnicity.

Garba said;

“Security is the responsibility of all and not only that of the government.While the government takes the lead in the protection of lives and property, individuals are also expected to play their parts particularly in the area of providing information.

“The meeting was basically to strengthen relationship between the police and religious leaders and listen to their challenges and together foster possible solutions. The police force under my leadership in the state will do its very best in the discharge of our duties, We should all be our brothers keeper.

“Always reach out to security personnel around your communities with prompt information once you identify suspicious persons.”

Godwin Okeh, Abakaliki

Ebonyi state government led by governor David Umahi and the Catholic Church, Diocese of Abakaliki on Monday defers over arrest, continued incarceration of a Priest, Fr. Timothy Ngwuta in the correction center Abakaliki.

The Catholic Church, Diocese of Abakaliki in a statement signed by Fr.

Matthew Uzoma Opoke Chancellor, Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, said all efforts to secure the release Fr. Timothy Ngwuta on Bail have been hampered by the Executive Order preventing any Court in the State from entertaining matters relating to Effium crisis.

The statement reads in part: “The Church in the name of God, appeals to all the people of Effium and Ezza Effium involved in this inter-communal war, to lay down their arms and embrace the path of peace.

Nothing justifies the senseless killing and maiming of innocent lives. Peace can never be achieved under the barrel of guns.

“Since the matter is before the courts, we will not be making any more statement on the case. We urge all to withhold judgement and let the case run its course.
“We implore all people of good will to join us in praying God to touch those responsible for the incarceration of Fr. Timothy to listen to the voice of right conscience. We commend the whole process into the hands of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Priests and the Star of Evangelization. Pray for peace in our State and in the Country” the church stated.

In a swift reaction, Ebonyi state government through the Atterny general and commissioner for justice, Mr. Cletus Ofoke cautioned the Catholic Church to desist from saying that the priest is incarcerated in prison as a result of executive order.

Ofoke who spoke to journalists in Abakaliki said: “There is nothing like Executive Order on the Effium crisis, there is nothing to that effect. Of course, government can never issue order stopping court from doing its legitimate duty. It is aimed at tarnishing somebody’s image and maligning the government. There is nothing like that.

“Once a matter is in court, nobody talks about it other than for the legal process to take its course. This is what Ebonyi State government has done and the government has no hand in Priest case. The case of the Priest is purely a legal issue from police to court. 
“So, nothing concerns Ebonyi State government and it is not only the Priest that is being incarcerated over the matter there in Effium. People are aware that so many people have been charged to court; some of them are in prison, some of them are being tried by court. So, the Priest is also a human being” he stated.