Christmas: Bishop Ike calls for prayers for soldiers, generosity towards persons in IDP
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 across the country.
Ike also called on Nigerians to extend their prayers and generosity to displaced persons in various Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps across the nation.
The bishop made these calls in a Christmas message, which is themed: “Allow the Prince of Peace to Reign”, he delivered during a press conference held in Enugu on Wednesday.
Ike noted that many Nigerians are not only spiritually poor but physically hungry.
According to him, those who escaped death by hunger have remained captives in the dens of kidnappers, while their families are heartbroken and gradually losing hope in the nation.
“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 said.
The bishop, however, encouraged President Bola Tinubu to pursue a political settlement for Nnamdi Kanu issue, as this would help ease tensions in the South-East and further unite the country.
“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,” he said.
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.
“Take it easy. Pause. Be cautious in your travels, movements, and celebrations this season,” he advised Nigerians especially youths.
He called on Nigerians to use the season to give and ensure that the poor feels 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 Gov. 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.”
