By correspondent in Minna.
The Niger state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),Most. Rev. Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, has advised Christians to remember those in captivity and those who have nothing to eat as they celebrate Christmas and the New Year.
The religious leader also called on christians travelling to different parts of the country for the yuletide to be security conscious, avoid traps by kidnappers, ritualists, armed robbers and other traps by agents of darkness along major highways.
Bishop Yohana,who gave the advice in his 2023 Christmas message to Nigerlites, however noted that the security situation seemed have abated.
All the same he pleaded: “Please if you must travel, plan very well and find out the situation of things in the direction you are going and be careful with the kind of vehicle you take for your journeys”.
“Let us also remember our brothers and sisters held in captivity by armed bandits and other criminal elements who seem to be in control of some parts of the country”.
Yohanna,who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese also advised Christians to pray for the poor, widows, orphans, abandoned, victims of drug addiction, the bereaved, the sick, those on transit across parts of the country and the aged people.
He reminded the Christians on the need to demonstrate same love of Christ to all, irrespective of religious inclination.
The cleric stressed,”Jesus demonstrated love by living out and teaching the people of Israel, Christians generally in particular, on how God, our heavenly Father, loves us, forgives us, provides for us, and rewards us, all the miracles by Jesus Christ were signs of this divine love.”
Each Christmas, according to him, “reminds us that sharing love with others is our Christian privilege and duty and every time we do that, Jesus is reborn in our lives.”
He implored all CAN bloc leaders, local government coordinators, leaders of churches and indeed, all Christians to strive towards overcoming the temptations and promote personal interest over and above the common good.
The Bishop also called on them to guard against actions and behaviors that could be detrimental to the goals of CAN and as well jeopardize the message of the gospel.
The CAN chairman encouraged Nigerians to always pray for those in leadership position at the local, states and the national level for divine guidance to lead with the fear of God.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
