From Asile Emmanuel, Jos
President, Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Dr Dachollom Datiri, has said the Regulation of Religious Preaching Bill by the Kaduna state government is totally unacceptable and that COCIN rejects the bill in its totally.
Speaking in his speech at the 90th General Church Council of COCIN said the Constitution of Nigeria does not discriminate against any religion, and the move by the Kaduna state government to restrict or regulate preaching is clearly a breach of the fundamental human rights of Christians.
He however commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts at tackling insecurity and corruption in the country.
Datiri said: “While the scourge of Boko Haram has slightly abated, brutal attacks by Fulani herdsmen have claimed hundreds of innocent lives in several parts of the country causing a national outcry, President Buhari’s response is commendable as long as it goes beyond just politically statement.
“We commend President Buhari’s efforts in fighting corruption, it must be stressed that fighting corruption must be seen as the collective responsibility of all Nigerians. The truth is that only true disciples have capacity to successfully fight it ”
According to him, “as a church we must be deliberate in stamping out all forms of corruption amongst us.”
Speaking on fuel scarcity, Datiri said “the last few weeks have been tough as citizens have been battling the fuel crises, in the midst of this unbearable situation, and as if to say that we have not seen anything yet, Nigerians were slammed with the deregulation pronouncement and reality.
“While it is being argued that this will help end the perennial fuel cries, is it not portraying a level of insensitivity on the part of government? What measures have been put in place to cushion the effects of deregulation. It is shameful that Nigeria is having to go through such unbearable experiences when our country is a major producer of crude oil.”
On National Grazing reserve, he said Nigerian lawmakers must appreciate the weight of trust and responsibility bestowed on them by the electorate.
Datiri added: “They must see themselves as those who ought to work for equity and defend the common people against those who would oppress and take advantage of others”.
According to him, “the idea of grazing reserves is barbaric,” adding that “in this civilised world, Nigerian lawmakers must reject this move aimed at keeping some people perpetually dominated.”
Meanwhile Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State who spoke at the occasion appealed to the church to partner with the state government in order to fight the ills of the society and to continue to promoting the rights and dignity of all mankind.
Lalong said: “Let me call on all spiritual leaders and members of the church to continue to be on their knees in order to sustain prayers to God to help us sustain the peace we are now having in the state.
“I acknowledge the difficulties we are facing as government in view of the current economic downturn, but this situation notwithstanding, we are very much committed to ensuring we better the livelihood of our people and give opportunity to explore the potentials we have as a state so that they can live a meaningful life.
“The task of addressing the many economic woes we are facing is no doubt difficult and will come with the hardship that people are currently facing, but the hope we have is that after the toils will come a season of fruitful harvest. While we explore other avenues of raising finances to address the issues of salaries in the absence of the balance of the bailout funds, we wish to still assure citizens that salary will be addressed soon”.
In the same vein the Gbong Gwom Jos, Jacob Gyang, advised citizens of the state to embrace farming.
He praised Governor Simon Lalong for his efforts towards restoring peace in the state.
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