By Correspondent in Minna.
Worried by the spate of insecurity and other sundry issues, christians in Niger state recently went on their kneels with prayer for God’s intervention in the multi-sectoral challenges confronting the state and the country in general.
They did that during a three-day prayer retreat organised by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Minna.
Our Correspondent reports that some christians were seen crying and others praying to God for help, saying that many citizens had become refugees in their own communities, living at the mercy of armed bandits who had taken over their homes.
The Niger state PFN Chairman, Rev. Aloysius Nwankwo, told journalists after the programme, tagged “Solemn Assembly, A Prayer Retreat”, which took place at the regional headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Minna, that the security situation in the country “is getting worse as travelling to parts of the state and cross the country is becoming more dangerous.”
Aloysius, who read from various portions of the Bible to back up his claims that God still answers prayers, encouraged Christians in the state, particularly in the 8 Local Government Areas badly affected by armed bandits,not to loose hope but remain steadfast in prayers.
The special prayer session, according to the state PFN chairman, is to call on God to save his children from the hands of Boko-Haram members, bandits,rapists and kidnappers as well to ensure that only those he has chosen emerge leaders in the 2023 general elections.
Also speaking, state CAN Chairman, Rev. (Dr) Matthias Echioda, called on Christians to be ready to come out enmasse to vote in the next year general elections, adding that efforts were being made to ensure that they were no longer treated as second class citizens or relegated to the background on account of their belief.
Echioda, who however advised faithful to get their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs),said Christians would no longer play second fiddle after next year general elections but take their rightful place as adherents of one of the two major religions recognised by the Nigerian Constitution.
“Yes, we will no longer be relegated to the background but you have to get your PVCs as starting point. It should not stop at that, let us all be ready to go out and vote for people who will recognise us as equal stakeholders and not as a second class citizen”.
He lamented the level of deprivation and denial Christians had suffered under the present administration in Niger state in particular, adding that efforts were being made to enlighten christians in rural areas of the state about their rights and how to use them when the need arises.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
