By Tony Adibe
The Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Enugu, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ike, has called on Nigerians to extend their prayers to gallant soldiers spending Christmas on the battlefields to secure the territorial boundaries of the country.
Bishop Ike also pleaded with Nigerians to extend their prayers and generosity to displaced persons in various Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps across Nigeria. He cautioned Nigerians, particularly the youths, to be mindful of their travels and movements during this Yuletide and New Year.
“Take it easy. Pause. Be cautious in your travels, movements, and celebrations this season,” he advised Nigerians, especially youths. Bishop Ike made the appeals in his Christmas message, themed: “Allow the Prince of Peace to Reign”, which he delivered during a press conference held in Enugu on Wednesday.
Ike, however, observed that many Nigerians are not only spiritually poor but also physically hungry. He further said that Nigerians who escaped death by hunger, however, have remained captives in the dens of kidnappers, while their families are heartbroken and gradually losing hope in the nation.
Bishop Ike said: “Now that the international community is paying closer attention to Nigeria, our leaders must realise that the music has changed—and the dance must also change.
“The President, in the spirit of Christmas, should make every effort to unite Nigerians, especially as social media has become a platform for fanning embers of disunity. The body language and actions of government officials have often fueled this division.”
He asked President Bola Tinubu to pursue a political settlement for the Nnamdi Kanu issue, as this would help ease tensions in the South-East and further unite the country. He said: “We acknowledge that many leaders desire to do good, but intentions alone are insufficient.
“If Nigeria must stand tall among nations, our leaders must allow Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to reign in their lives and decisions. Nigerians must choose to be their brother’s keeper, as Christ commanded.”
Ike also urged Nigerians to take it easy and lead life of peace and contentment by shunning all temptation to attain a certain social status by force, and therefore hunting lots of people in the process.
He called on Nigerians to use the season to give and ensure that the poor feel the positive impact of Christmas, which signifies Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, bringing hope to a dying world.
On Enugu State, the bishop commended various revolutionary achievements in the state within the past two years, adding: “We applaud Governor Peter Mbah and his administration for these strides”.
He said, “However, Enugu people are groaning under the burden of multiple taxation.
“In the spirit of the season—’joy to the world and peace to all men of goodwill’—we appeal for the review and reduction of these tax burdens so that the people may breathe more easily and livelihoods may flourish. We trust that the governor, known as a listening leader with a human face, will respond compassionately.”
