By correspondent in Minna.
L-R: Pastor Peterock Sadiq & Governor Mohammed Umar Bago.
The Governor of Niger state, Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago has said that plans to attain a new Niger state is very much on course even as he re-echoed the administration’s commitments towards upholding the circularity and heterogenity of the state by treating every Nigerlite equal irrespective of his/her religion, tribe or social status.
Governor Bago commended Pastor Peterock Sadiq, the Senior Pastor, House on the Rock Church, Minna for initiating programmes geared towards promoting social rejuvenation and cultural reorientation.especially amongst Christian youths in Niger state.
The Governor made the commendation at the 5th edition of,’SHOUT’,an annual faith-based concert that promotes musical talents and creativity, which took place at the Idris Legbo Kutigi international conference centre, Minna.
Bago, who led his campaign team to the Fourth edition of the Christian concert during his electioneering campaign,last year, said his attending the all night event which lasted through Friday night to Saturday morning is, ‘for thanksgiving’, haven won the election and now Executive Governor of Niger state.
He said, “I was here at about this time last year, during our electioneering campaigns to solicit for your support. Today, we are here for thanksgiving to Almighty God for granting us victory”.
Bago, who led the state delegation to the all-night event, was accompanied by his Deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, Commissioners, Special Advisers and other political interests said he decided to be part of the ‘SHOUT 5’ because of his firm belief that he became Governor through the collective mandate of all Nigerlites and not from that of any particular religion or tribe.
He commended the organizers of the annual concert, House on the Rock church, Minna for the initiative which has not only sharpened the characters of particularly Christian youths in the state but also made them better citizens and role models for future generations.
The former state Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. (Dr.) Matthias Echioda had earlier traced the origin of ‘SHOUTs’ to the days of Joshua in the Bible and how the walls of Jericho fell through divine instruction after the Israelites shouted.
He said apart from providing an opportunity for spiritual rejuvenation, the programme had been able to discover talents that are doing well in musical and creative activities and provided jobs for many youths in the state.
The 2023 SHOUT, has in attendance Christians with clerics drawn from within and outside the country while the newly discovered youthful talents entertained guests with different genre of music renditions.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.