From Gbade Akanbi, India
Dear sirs,
No doubt Nigeria is bleeding, the blind can ‘see’ it and the deaf can ‘hear’ it. But how did we get to this point as a country? How did we reach the point where we are today when human life is being treated like that of ordinary plants and animals? Where the government of the day is so insensitive despite having a pastor as the vice president?
We are like the children of Israel who were groaning and suffering from the hands of the armies of Jabin and Sisera, yet the Baraks appear to be shying away from taking responsibility.
This is a very specific call to the church fathers in Nigeria such as Pastors Adeboye, Meduoye, WF Kumuyi, Bishop David Oyedepo, Uncle Gbile Akanni, Barrister Emeka Nwakpa, Pastors Ayo Oritsejafor, Nuhu Kure, Tunde Bakare, Austin Ukachi, Engr Steve Olumuyiwa, Revds Uma Ukpai, Mike Oye, Dr. Daniel Olukoya, Dr Samson Ayokunle, Rev William Okoye, Bishops Makinde, Akinola, Okoh, Bro Sam Kputu, Rev Reuben Ezemadu and several other church fathers too numerous to mention to rise up as one man, setting aside all personal and denominational differences to seriously address the ills plaguing our dear country Nigeria.
There is no doubt that you have been praying and speaking in your various platforms about the challenges facing Nigeria especially the senseless killing of Nigerians by the Fulani herdsmen, however, there are just two more things that you are being called upon to do at this point in time knowing that God has graciously placed you at the leadership of the church in Nigeria today.
The first thing is a call for you to mobilise the entire church in Nigeria for a nationwide prayer gathering in every state capital, including Abuja to pray together as a nation. There is no denying the fact that you all have disciples in every state of Nigeria and this shouldn’t be a task too big to handle.
The second call is for you to go as a team of Christian leaders in Nigeria to meet Mr. President and all his ministers and security chiefs to express the frustration that the millions of Nigeria are going through and give an ultimatum to them for these problems to be decisively addressed.
You are the Baraks of Nigeria at this point in history and you should not neglect your responsibility which transcends the four walls of the church. You have been called not only to preach on the pulpits but also to address the societal injustices.
Nigerians are eagerly waiting for you to step in because our political leaders have failed us woefully. Please do not allow yourselves to be intimidated by the government to believe that your ministry is limited to the church buildings. Those who fought for the abolition of slave trade were church fathers in their time and they succeeded because they chose to take their ministries under God beyond the four walls of the church. We are waiting and heaven is waiting for you to act. God bless you all abundantly.
●●Akanbi is Nigerian post-graduate student resident in India.