By Ralph Madugu
The General Secretary of Tarayyar Ekklisiyoyin Kristi A Nijeriya (TEKAN), Rev Moses Jatau Ebuga, has raised alarm over the ‘brutal treatment’ of Christians in Nigeria, ranging from abduction, forceful conversions, kidnapping and discriminatory arrest, torture and being killed for their faith.
He added that the persecution and genocide against Christians across the world was worse today “than at any time in history.”
The TEKAN scribe stated this while delivering a goodwill message at the Centenary General Church Council meeting of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Jos.
He however expressed optimism that despite the “dampening challenges of Corona virus pandemic” and the other challenges facing the country, “the Church shall march forward against the will of the gates of Hell.”
While commending COCIN for the successful conduct of election into the office of the COCIN Vice President, the clergyman acknowledged that elections into Church offices were becoming as “complex as that of the world.”
The TEKAN General Secretary said that it was TEKAN’s desire that the recent LG elections in the state should not have taken place especially in Jos North LGA due to what he tagged “high level of insecurity and the challenges of not allowing other political parties to take part in the elections.”
Said he: “We did our best to advise the PLASIEC and the Plateau State Government against the election, but they went ahead with the election.”
He added that TEKAN also tried to intervene in the lingering crisis in the Plateau State House of Assembly but to no avail andcalled for prayers towards its amicable resolution.
In what could be described as an account of his stewardship in TEKAN, Rev. Ebuga informed the GCC delegates that the TEKAN Executive Council has approved the hosting of the 2022 General Assembly to be held at the Mambilla Baptist Convention of Nigeria (MCBN) from January 12 to 17 January 2022, adding that the TEKAN Women Fellowship General Assembly would be hosted by the MCBN from 6 to 12 December this year in Gembu.
He also announced that the retirement service of the TEKAN President, Rev Dr. Caleb Ahima, who is also the President of the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria (CRCN) is scheduled to hold from 26 to the 27 of November 2021 in Takum, Taraba State.
While reminding the delegates about what he described as the “importance of the structure of our forefathers and founders of the Church,” the TEKAN GS said: “It is my hope that this 100th GCC celebration reminds us of the importance of the structure our forefathers and founders of the Church sacrificed to lay and build. It is my prayer that you will sustain this structure and build on it.”