At thanksgiving, Gowon preaches peace, tolerance for Nigeria’s growth
Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) has, again, harped on unity, tolerance and peaceful co-existence to move the nation forward.
Speaking at a thanksgiving service organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the new Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Rev Yakubu Pam, yesterday in Abuja, Gowon sought an agenda for “our territorial integrity and pushing forward for our oneness to take our country to the next level.”
Represented by the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator Gorge Akume, the elder statesman stated: “We don’t have to toy with our unity. You are in a very good position working closely with CAN and people of other faith so that together, we can re-establish peace, push forward our agenda for our territorial integrity, push forward for our oneness so that together, we can take our country to the next level. We have the human and material resources to take Nigeria to the next level.”
He added: “You have been working with people of different faiths. That was why virtually everybody supported you for this office. It is an opportunity for you to do more to bring peace to our country. We need peace to succeed.”
Also speaking, Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege urged improved inter-religious harmony.
He observed that the new NCPC boss had kept the faith in all of his previous appointments as a bridge builder.
In his sermon, CAN president, Rev (Dr.) Samson Ayokunle, challenged the appointee on courage and creativity.
The cleric charged Pam to ensure that during “your tenure, Nigerian Christians would be able to fly directly to Israel.”
On her part, the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, said President Muhammadu Buhari expects prayers from the NCPC boss for the peace, unity and containment of the novel coronavirus.
She submitted that the scourge has worsened rape cases and gender violence in the country, urging the church to rise up to the occasion.
“Rape and gender based violence have escalated because women and children are locked down with the abusers. Rape is worse than COVID-19. You need to pray for women, children and the vulnerable in the society. You have to be fair to all,” she pleaded.
