Header Ads

Breaking News
recent

ONDO GOVERNMENT DENIES CHRISTIANS FROM HOLDING NATIONAL PRAYER



As what look like complement to the on-going National council meeting of the NigerDelta regiion presently in Ondo state, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) were pennultimate Thursday given a shock as they were locked out of the International Events Centre, Dome, in Akure, the Ondo state capital, venue schedule  for the National Prayer Summit.

The Christians who had already planned using the event centre were shut out and barred by the Ondo state government from holding  the prayer at the venue.

It was however gathered that the Christians were drawn from the nine states of the Niger Delta regions of the country for the National prayer.

Many of the Christians were from the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) and Niger Delta Christian Leaders Forum (NDCLF).

According  to information, the christian leaders were in Akure, the Ondo state capital, for a prayer program, tagged "2017 Prayer Summit for Nigeria"

Speaking on the development,  Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) told journalists that effort to convinced the state government to get the christian leaders have access to the venue yielded no results and fall to deaf ears.

Oritsejafor, who is now the President of the Niger Delta Christian Leaders Forum (NDCLF) condemned the act of the state government adding that participants were drawn  from far and near from all the Niger Delta  states of the Federation.  Representing the General Secretary of the body, Bishop Eddy Bebor,  said the christian leaders were disappointed by the action of the state  government,  but however  decided to hold their prayers outside the hall (Dome)under the scorching sun.

He explained that the main purpose of the payers was to seek God's face in order find solutions to the challenges facing the progress and development of the country.

According to him, the Niger Delta region is being faced with a mirage of problems noting thatprayers and  supplications to Almighty  God would only be a solution and end to such challengeshort facing the region and Nigeria  as a whole .

"Despite challenges, we have decided to converged here today to seek prayers for the development of the Niger Delta and the country as a whole. Prayers is the solution to the problems facing our country and by offering more supplications to God, there would be progress and unity would also reign in the country ". He noted.

Rev. Samuel Obakulujo, the Ondo State Chairman of the Niger Delta Christian Leaders Forum (NDCLF) said, although, the group can hold its prayer anywhere adding that they were not deterred by the action of the state government  locking them out of the venue.

Obakulujo stated that the christian body has achieved its aim of obeying God to hold a National prayer for people of the Niger Delta region and the country as a whole.

His words "We have achieved our aim, the purpose is to offer prayers and that we have done in obedience to God almighty for the progress of the region and Nigeria".

Some Christians who spoke on the development,complained and queried the action of the state government that barred them from using the planned venue  for the prayer.

"Many of us are surprised by the action of the state government and wondered how Governor Rotimi Akeredolu could treat people like such because himself is also a christian" one of the leaders said.



When contacted on the development,  Yemi Olowolabi, the State Commissioner for Information, denied  having knowledge of the state  government action on the christian leaders to hold a prayer at the international event centre, DOME.









No comments:

Powered by Blogger.