MEDIA STATEMENT

Minister of Information Mr. Labaran Maku has called on Christian Leaders in Nasarawa State to rise up against the emerging trend of insecurity that bedevilled the state in recent times. He made the call at the commissioning of the Zion Baptist Church, Lafia and the launch of a book on the history of the Church.

The Minister, who was on his first visit to Nasarawa State since the security situation in the state escalated and led to the death of scores of security personnel, lamented over the ugly development and charged the Church to take the lead in the campaign for moral reawakening to stem the tide of violence.

“The Church must stand up; all those who are called by the name of Christ must stand up in Nasarawa State.  The things that I have witnessed in this state look like from a horror film.  They don’t look like the things you will witness ordinarily in the daily life we live.

“But there is just one reason for them and that reason is that when we begin to depart from God; when we begin consciously to leave our faith; when we turn back from the glory and light of God, what follows is always ugly”, he said.

Mr. Maku stressed the essence of promoting the campaign for human solidarity, unity and the sanctity of human life and prayed never again should the state witness such an orgy of violence.

“In Nasarawa State in recent times as in some parts of this country, it has been stealing; it has been killing; it has been destruction.  It’s a very big challenge for us and that challenge means that all of us who are leaders, must stand up and be counted, we must get up to fight for peace and human solidarity for our unity as a state, we must say never again will we want to see the things we have seen”, he remarked.

He enjoined the political class to always seek to acquire power through godly ways and serve the people with utmost fear of God, and that anything short of that would lead to severe consequences.

In his remarks, the Guest Speaker, Reverend Rueben Chuga said the Church is a place of righteousness and total submission to God.

While making reference to the scriptures, Reverend Chuga said God commanded King Solomon to build a befitting place for the people to worship Him in righteousness, sacrifice and commitment.

Founder of the Zion Baptist Church in Nasarawa State, Retired Reverend Andraus Auta was full of joy and gave glory to God for completing the Church auditorium, which he started.

“I came to Lafia with five people, no Church, no member, no land but by God grace, God promotes His work from year to year to this today”, he said.

In another development, Information Minister Mr. Labaran Maku has appealed to the youth of Nasarawa State not to allow themselves to be used to cause the breach of the peace.

He made the call in Lafia when the youths besieged his entourage during his visit to the Nasarawa State Capital.

Mr. Maku who addressed the youths in Hausa, told them that violence would disrupt the economy and development of the state thereby retarding their progress.

He said 10,000 jobs would be created for the youth annually in the state through the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P) and urged them to remain peaceful, as the jobs would be distributed to youths in all parts of the state devoid of political or ethnic considerations.

He thanked them for the solidarity and said political campaigns for 2015 general elections have not started yet, hence the need for them to wait for the appropriate time for electioneering.

SIGNED

JOSEPH MUTAH
Press Secretary to the Honourable Minister of Information