Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged Nigerian Christians to join hands with President Ahmed Tinubu-led government and the armed forces to tackle the issues that have threatened the co-existence of the country.
He stated this in his remarks at the Interdenominational Church Service for the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, on Sunday.
Akpabio noted that the continued existence of the country lies in its rich cultural, religious and ethnic diversity and called on the people to embrace unity.
He also stressed the resolve of the present administration to redouble its efforts in securing the country.
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Akpabio paid glowing tributes to members of the armed forces who fell in the quest to make Nigeria remain one, saying that their labour would never be in vain.
He said, “The unity of Nigeria came at a great price. The sustenance and defence of this unity rests on the shoulders of the men and women of the Armed Forces, and the true weight of loss is carried by the families and dependents of these fallen heroes. If only we could share the pain they feel, then we would truly understand the imperative of eschewing insecurity and violence in all its forms.
“Now is the time for all stakeholders to set aside our differences, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or political affiliations, and come together to strategize on the way forward for this great nation that our gallant men and women of the Armed Forces paid, and continue to pay, the ultimate price to preserve.
“It is also a time for sober reflection, to take stock of past events such as the civil war, and to reflect on current challenges like the war on insurgency, incessant attacks on innocent Nigerians, and the spate of kidnappings across the country. We must reflect on their causes and work together to prevent future occurrences.
“I call upon the church to partner with the government in a much-needed rebranding of Nigeria. The church is urged to continue spreading the gospel of love for oneself, others, and our country. We must blur the lines that divide us across ethnic and religious boundaries through messages of tolerance, peace, unity, and progress.
“This administration is more determined than ever to strengthen and promote the oneness and indivisibility of Nigeria because the strength of our great nation lies in our diversity.”
