Christians In Northern Nigeria Lament Plights

BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – the Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF), has expressed grave concern on the injustice and discrimination that Christians suffer as a way of life, in the North in all spheres of life.

The group lamented that Christians from educationally disadvantaged states of Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina and other northern states are denied their state quota admission to read courses of their choice, in spite of their performance, because of their faith.

NOSCEF, in a statement through its chairman, Engr. Ejoga Inalegwu, said, “The injustice/discrimination that Christians suffer as a way of life, in the north in all spheres, even Christians from educationally disadvantaged states of Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina and other Northern states are denied their state quota admission to read courses of their choice, in spite of their performance, because of their faith.”

In a Christmas message to the nation, NOSCEF pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari, to give the Christian community in the country Christmas gift by ensuring the release of Leah Sharing from what the forum described as “the brutal custody of the Boko Haram”.

The forum said, “We plead with the President, Muhammadu Buhari, to give the Christian community of this great nation, the Christmas gift by ensuring the release of our dear child Leah Sharibu from the brutal custody of the Boko Haram.”

The forum which also expressed displeasure with the state of the nation said, “Our hearts bleed for our nation, a nation that has abandoned God and every godly value.

“We call evil good and good evil, we congratulate those who steal the mandate of the people by the barrel of the gun and intimidation, we have forgotten the values of the leaders of the  Yar’Adua fame, who could look at victory to its face and say “the means that brought me to power is flawed”.”

The group lamented that those from whom they expect a higher standard, are the first to congratulate a stolen mandate.

“Every local Government election is now won 100% by the party in power in the state. Those who are advocating that INEC should take over Local Government elections, will now be chewing their words because with INEC, we see elections stolen by at gunpoint and lives lost. 
We call on men and women of conscience to cry out loud so that the situation does not deteriorate further.

“Dishonesty in government escalates crime and criminality. Let the spirit of Christmas revive our ways to ways of godliness. Let us pray that God will bring hope and righteousness to the state of despair and hopelessness in the nation,” the group explained.

The group prayed, “May the Lord flush out unrighteousness of state organs, so that the rich (the wise men) and the poor (the homeless Shepherds) will have access to the blessings of God to our nation, Nigeria.
Goodness Thomas scored 302 in JAMB and 278 in post JAMB, with 6 A1s, but could not get the course of her choice, because she is a Christian (News report). Let the nation cry out against this injustice.”

The group observed that the message of Christmas is a message of hope for a people who had lost every hope, adding, “It is good news to revive the hearts of those in despair.

“It is the good news of deliverance. Like the Shepherds and wise men, sought to meet this Jesus, the Messiah, meet the Savior so that your Christmas would have been complete and you can make peace with your creator.”