By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
In what can be described as feeling of hopelessness amidst security and harsh economic challenges pervading the Country, Nigerians have been liken to people without hope for a better tomorrow.
The assertion was made by the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Bauchi State Chapter, Rev Dr Abraham Damina Dimeus while speaking on Sunday at a summit on Security organized by the Youth Wing of Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) Bauchi State Chapter.
The CAN Chairman declared that, “as it is now, we are in times of chaos, hunger, poverty, banditry, armed robbery, kidnapping, corruption and many other vices that have retarded development of every facet of human existence”.
He further lamented that, “the Church has failed by not doing much to check the involvement of the youths in all the vices happening across the country. Christian youths are deeply involved in the mess. Where then lieth the hope for a better Nigeria?”
Speaking on the theme: ‘In times like this, what is the role of Christian youths in fighting insecurity’, Damina Dimeus drew his text from Exodus 9:14 and Isaiah 2:1-5 saying that, “Christian youths have significant roles to play in times life this. We don’t have to aggravate the already worst situation as youths”.
He lamented that, “Check out those involved in Boko Haram, kidnapping, banditry and other vices, you will discover that majority of them are youths. This is not telling positive for the future of Nigeria. We must do something quickly to bring back the youths to their senses”.
“We should not be ignorant of the situation, as Christian youths, we must live upright, be good examples and followers of the meekness of Jesus Christ. Shun vices, concentrate on doing good always”, he advised.
He then assured that CAN as a body will continue to protect the integrity and interest of the Christian youths in the state warning however that, “we will not hesitate to expose and handover to security agencies, any youth found involved in any criminal activity”.
The CAN Chairman then called on the government at all levels to step up security measures across the country to save guard the lives of all Nigerians particularly at this Yuletide period when movements from one place to another is at the peak.
In his remarks, Director of Youth in CCN, Deacon Ishola Michael opined that the youths as future of the Church must be awaken in order to take their rightful position in the scheme of things in the Nigeria project.
He emphasized that when the youths are properly educated on the roles they are expected to play in times like this, they will become responsible leaders of the Church which will then affect the society positively.
Earlier, President of the YOWICCN, Bro Bitrus Gwakata said that the summit was organized with the aim of bringing the youths up to know that they have a stake in the Nigeria project and must do everything possible to effectively participate in it.
Bitrus Gwakata added that the theme was chosen in order to let the youths know that in times like this, they do not have to sit on the fence but to be alert and offer a helping hand in the efforts to stem the issue of insecurity in Nigeria by applying the principles of the Bible.
The YOWICCN President then admonished the youths to rise up in prayers and fasting for divine intervention in the situation of the country because that is the only solution.
Prayers for peace, harmony among Nigerians was led by Rev Prof Collins David who stressed that it is only fervent prayers by Christian youths across the country that can save the situation from deterioration to worst.