Northern CAN task government to sustain gains against insecurity as Baptist Conference ordains 37 Pastors
By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna
http://www.newsportng.com.ng Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Reverend John Joseph Hayab, has charged government and security agencies not to relent in the fight against banditry and kidnapping, warning that Nigeria cannot afford to slide back after recent gains.
Speaking at the ordination of 37 pastors by the Kaduna Baptist Conference in Kaduna at the weekend, Hayab noted that Kaduna State has recorded relative improvement in security in the last two years, with no reported case of clerics being kidnapped.
He however insisted that isolated cases in Kauru and Kudan local government areas show that the fight is not over.
“Our prayer is that insecurity has changed its face in Kaduna State,” Hayab said. “We believe that none of these newly ordained pastors will be kidnapped, but government must not go to sleep until the last bandit is arrested.
“Security of lives and property is the government’s primary duty, and we commend the governor and security agencies but urge them to do more until violence, kidnapping and killings are completely eradicated.”
Turning to the new ministers, Hayab stressed that Nigeria’s moral and political renewal depends on courageous preaching and urged them to rebuke sin like Prophet Nathan of old.
“Go and preach liberation for souls, justice among men, righteousness in the nation. If our pastors preach truth and rebuke sin like Nathan rebuked David, then society will raise responsible leaders who will not misbehave in public office,” he charged.
Chairman of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Reverend Yusuf Gwadah, described the ordination as “a unique success,” while Reverend Ishaya Adamu Jangado, president of the Baptist Conference explained that ordination confers full ministerial authority but its greatest mandate is to preach salvation that transforms society.
In thesame vein, the Acting President of the Baptist Theological Seminary Kaduna, Reverend Dr. Manasseh Haruna Panpe, urged the new pastors to remember that they are “ambassadors of Christ” and must serve patiently and faithfully in a nation yearning for moral rebirth.
One of the newly ordained, Reverend Job Olatunbosun Yusuf of Calvary Baptist Church, Samaru-Zaria, echoed the call for integrity, saying: “We are called to lead society, not follow it into corruption. Even if government is not doing the right thing, ministers of the gospel must speak the truth.”
The ceremony, attended by hundreds of worshippers and church leaders, symbolically laid hands on the 37 candidates, releasing them into full-time ministry with a call to defend truth, justice and national renewal.
