Rev. Tor Uja, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), has called on the church to say no to military coup d’etat, saying Christians must rise to defend the nation’s values and democracy.
Uja made the call at a news briefing to mark one year since he assumed office on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to him, many times the church just sits and watch things evolve. I think the time has come for the church to stand up and defend not only the values of this country but our democracy.
“I want all the churches to stand up and speak against it. Let all churches come out on the streets and say no to that.
“We cannot accept punctuation in our democracy life at this time. I want the churches to get more involved. We have preached, we have prayed.
“Now is the time to also to stand up and put our voices against negative forces that will come up in this country,” he said.
The executive secretary decried low finances to run the commission in terms of pilgrimage and appealed to the Federal Government for financial support.
He further appreciated the government for providing for the commission, adding that NCPC had planned to set up some investments to boost its revenue but had little or no finances to do that.
According to him, the commission had used resources they got from the government wisely and judiciously.
“I think the only challenge I can point at is that of finance. Definitely pilgrimage is not one of the key economic programmes of government especially in this recession.
“Once we make sufficient investments in our heritage centres and the churches rise up to be partner, many things will be easier. We want to develop a new template for pilgrimage activities.
“We are acquiring one, two or three places to put investments on ground but our finances are thin.
“We need further support from churches, Christian Ministries, leaders and institutions. We want to build leadership among pilgrims to come back and see the revolution of this country spiritually and physically.(NAN)
JEZ/AFA