Abuja: The Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Pastor Paul Enenche, has called on Northern Christians to be united so as to overcome challenges in Northern Nigeria. Enenche made the call during the Northern Christians Stakeholders’ Solemn Assembly programme with the theme: The Blood of the Martyrs: ‘Seed of the Church’, held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the gathering of Christian leaders from Northern Nigeria was convened to address the existential threats facing Northern communities in the country, whether Christians or Muslims. The Pastor preached from the Book of Genesis, Chapter 11, Verse six, emphasizing that division was the enemy’s greatest success, and that unity was the key to overcoming challenges.
Enenche outlined four essential elements for achieving unity: unity of spirit, unity of speech, unity of action, and unity of prayer. He urged the gathering to stand together, speak with one voice, and take collective action to address the security crisis in the region. ‘Anytime people can be divided, they can be destroyed. It is either we hang together or we hang separately. When the spirit of the people are united, they become irresistible and indestructible. I see a new Nigeria, a new northern Nigeria, where people can go freely, day or night, without fear of being killed,’ he said.
In his remarks, the former Governor of Plateau, Sen. Jonathan Jang, said awareness should always be raised and demand accountability from those who perpetrate crimes to ensure they were not forgotten. Jang, who was represented by Sen. Simon Mwadkwon, urged the media, human rights organisations, and governments to come together to amplify victims’ voices. He highlighted the importance of supporting organisations that provide refuge, medical care, and basic services to the communities, not only by governments but also by individuals and faith-based organisations worldwide.
Jang also called for stronger international responses to the crimes, whether through the United Nations, the International Criminal Court, or other diplomatic channels. He emphasized the need to promote freedom of religion or belief for all people across Nigeria and ensure that displaced communities receive necessary humanitarian aid.
On his part, the Chairman, Plateau Council of Chiefs and Emirs, Gyang Buba, urged federal and state governments to ensure that all displaced persons were safely returned to their ancestral lands. He advocated for the rebuilding of destroyed communities to enable people to return and pursue their legitimate lives. Buba stressed that nations desiring to assist in rebuilding peaceful societies should be rightly engaged and their offers accepted, stating that terrorism is now without boundaries and must be tackled globally.
‘As traditional rulers, we are very willing and desiring of full engagement and cooperation with government at all levels and beyond religious sentiments,’ he said. Earlier, the Convener, Mark Lipdo, Programme Coordinator, Stephanos Foundation, thanked partners in the United States, United Kingdom, and Netherlands, who supported the programme.