MESSAGE BY REV. (DR.) LUKE SHEHU, CHAIRMAN AREWA CHRISTIANS AND INDIGENOUS PASTORS ASSOCIATION (ACIPA) ON THE OCCASION OF ACIPA DAY OF PRAYERS, AWARDS
MESSAGE BY REV. (DR.) LUKE SHEHU, CHAIRMAN AREWA CHRISTIANS AND INDIGENOUS PASTORS ASSOCIATION (ACIPA) ON THE OCCASION OF ACIPA DAY OF PRAYERS, AWARDS, INVESTITURE AND BOOK DEDICATION/LAUNCHING AT THE ECWA HEADQUARTERS CHURCH JOS. SUNDAY, 29th JANUARY 2023.
PROTOCOL.
Today, 29th day of January 2023 marks the turning point for a new Nigeria as we meet to pray for Nigeria and allign with the forces of heaven in enthronement of new government and recognition of our allies in this journey.
Distinguished guests of honour, special guests, our honorable and deserving special merit award recepients, gentlemen of the press, the journey have just began in this hallowed, revered and holy alter of ECWA Headquarters Church Jos.
We must acknowledge with special gratitude to God almighty the role of the former ECWA President, Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Gado in the formative stage of ACIPA, HRM the late Hama Bachama Honest Irmiya Stephen, the present Hama Bachama, HRM Dr. Daniel Shaga Ismaila, the late Aku Uka, HRM Masa Ibi Angyu, the late Mai Tangle HRH, Buba Mai Sheru and a host of others for their support and encouragement.
The fatherly role and inspirational leadership of the ECWA President, Rev. Dr. Stephen Panya Baba and the COCIN President, Rev. Dr. Amos Mohzho of the two largest evangelical churches in Africa is of note and commendation as we strive to build a greater Nigerian.
We also commend Rev. Dr. Joel Billi the EYN President and congratulates him on ascension of leadership of TEKAN. Likewise, we are grateful our distinguished guests of honour, our father, mentor and patron, an elder statesman H.E Dr. Danjuma Gani the chairman of National Christian Elders Forum for his exemplary incorruptible life discipline.
Archbishop Markus Ibrahim Amfani, Rev. Dr. Toma Ragjniya, Rev. Justin La-Nibetle, Rev. Dr. Yakubu Hassan our Trustees have been amazingly wonderful in their support, doggedness and prayer. God bless them.
First, we are gathered here as a people under one God, the supreme, the almighty, the giver of life and in whom every one and everything belongs and submit.
I do not see a people divided by religion as Christians or Muslims, from north or south or by their ethnicity. I see all as the descendants of Abraham in whom the covenant of God almighty was fulfilled.
Over ten years ago in the middle east was the vision of ACIPA birthed and initiated seven years ago.
The inspired vision for ACIPA commenced with the clear understanding that the north is cenrafugal to the destiny of Nigeria as ordained by destiny and with Jos-Plateau being vital. For this reason among others did the forces of evil against our destiny allign and resulted to the Jos 2001 crises. Today we know better and the rest is history but we shall restore back our lost glory.
When yesterday I held the hands of my brother, sheik Mohammad Nura Khalid, I felt the blood of a brother with equal passion and inspiration to make Nigeria great by charting a new path of unity, cooperation and trust as the voice of the orphans, widows, the poor, the victims of political exploitation, the victims of religious bigotry, the victims of nepotism, the victims of those who claim to be nationalists but in truth are tribal war lords and the victims of religious clerics but who in truth are pawns and paupers of political elites. ACIPA chose not to be any of such or the hunting dogs of corrupt and desperate politicians whose only claim to power is their “right of turn” or “chop I chop”.
ACIPA’s team have carefully chosen you our distinguished award recepients because you deserve to be so honoured and must importantly because you are the catalyst for the new Nigeria rebirth to a greater destiny. Together we shall work to restore Nigeria from the precipice and the downward spiral of the last seven and half years.
Our committee, like the generality of northern Nigerians at large can testify to the incredible efforts and leadership of Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara as an astute legislature, promoter of democracy, the rule of law and grassroot developer.
His Excellency Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa of Delta State have stood out as a true bridge buider across the south to the north and lover of Arewa (North). This is evident on every front. Among others, two instances stand out: Governor Ifeanyi Okowa build a state of the art modern cattle market for in Delta State for those bringing cattle from the north. Not to mention his aids and support to I.D.P’s in the north, Governor Okowa’s unprecedented support to northern Muslim and Christian of recent is worthy of mention.
Although there are many other christian clerics, one among others worthy of mention is Rev. John Audu for his outstanding work in C.O.C.I.N and beyond as an administrator, counsellor, teacher, and a promoter of peace comes to bare.
In recognition of the role of some of our security officer’s professionalism, selfless sacrifice and gallantry, we have identified Colonel M.D Abdullsalam of the Operation Safe Haven and S.P Ayuba Akawu Iliya of the Plateau state Police Command for our special merit award of excellent.
Though we have twenty distinguished special merit award recepients, please permit me to mention the strategic role of our northern allies, the Fulani Christians Association in the promotion of peace, unity and development of Northern Nigeria and by extention Nigeria. Their efforts have gone beyond the shores of Nigeria. It is for this reason among others that ACIPA have recognised and awarded the Chairman of the Fulani Christians association of Nigeria (FULCAN), Rev. Buba Aliyu and other three founding leaders. (Two are Posthumous recepients).
On behalf of the leadership of ACIPA, we congratulate our newly appointed women, youth, zonal and other leaders as coordinators as they join this train on a mission to make Nigeria great from the Northern frontiers. Congratulations.
ACIPA remains resolved and can not be the hunting dog or the pawn of any single powerful politician or group of politicians in our resolve to work with the likes of Sheik Mohammad Nura Khalid.
God did not make mistake by allowing Nigeria to be into existence from our different ethnic groups, tribes and regions despite what skeptics describe as the amalgamation of Britain for the colonial interest. Therefore ACIPA shall resist any and all forms of dissent and discord as much as we shall resist any fanatical religious cleric’s teachings, promoting hatred between Christians and Muslims.
In this regard, we strongly call on the government and security operatives to bring to justice in accordance to the law those clerics who’s antics promote hatred, bigotry, intolerance and unrest.
We are not unaware of the silence of this administration when it chose to look at the other side when clerics romancing bandis have their way but Sheikh Mohammad Nura Khalid was singled out for speaking against the ills of government.
It is imperative to set the record straight with regards the recklessness and financial impunity of this administration without recourse to the plight of Nigerians and the future generations.
While the economic failure of the federal government have since reached an alarming rate. States like Plateau that have mortgaged their people’s future as a result of massive indebtedness with no investment or any infrastructural development.
During the tenure of Governor Dariye,the debt burden of Plateau state was 75 billion Naira. When Governor Jonah Jang left office the debt was 105 billion with proven infrastructural development. However, under this administration of Governor Simon Lalong, the indebtedness of the state shot to 220 billion Naira with meaningless development. This is unacceptable anywhere in Nigerian state. The truth is that such leaders at state and federal level will be held accountable to the masses of Nigeria under the next administration we are entroning today.
On the political spectrum, after wide consultations, I herby on a clear and unmistakable term state categorically that, I do not see the A.P.C as a political party forming government in 2023. This is not unconnected to the fact that in the first instance her emergence was a permissible will rather the will of God. This was confirmed at a pro A.P.C meeting I was privileged to attend in one of the Northern states in 2015 with key northerners.
With discernment and after wide consultations, I hereby, on a clear and unmistakable term state categorically that, I do not see A.P.C as a political party forming government in 2023.
ACIPA ,in the nineteen northern states including the F.C.T Abuja are aware of our position as we network with our allies across southern Nigeria and especially the Nigerian National Christian Coalition (NNCC) under the leadership of Apostle Titilope Oluwadare.
We in the north, can not waste our vote where there is no light especially considering the gross failure of the government on all front. The failed and unkept promises of decimating terrorist, revamping the economy and creating employment opportunities. Rather, the north have been turn to the poverty capital of Nigeria with daily harvest of death among the Christians and Muslims.
Today, I have seen the light of a glorious Nigeria. It has began with the confusion in the camp of the titans and the unrepentant who held our nation and the people captive both spiritually and physically.
The shaking has began with the justice of God and can not be stopped or manipulated nor matter how delayed.
I saw a President that will spring up surprises and he will be the Darius (Isaiah 45:1-6) over Nigeria. Many will come to judgement among the rich and the affluent. It shall be judgement from above and from man. The deslolate lands shall blossom and many shall begin to rejoice.
God bless you all. God bless Nigeria.
COMMENTS