By Danjuma Auta
ECWA President Rev.(Dr.) Stephen Baba Panya, has said that peace is non-negotiable hence must be pursued at all cost.
Rev. Panya made this known when he played host to members of the Godo-Godo traditional council who were on a courtesy visit to the ECWA headquarters in Jos.
The ECWA President said, “the conflict that engulfed the entire Godo-godo communities in recent times are uncalled for and condemnable by all.”
He added that the communities had lived in peace with one another despite their religious and tribal differences and emphasized on the need for peace to be sustained in the area.
On the recent election of Rev. Dr. Habila Saidu as the paramount ruler of the Godo-godo chiefdom, the ECWA President opined that it was divinely arranged at the right time and charged the monarch to use his wealth of experience as a missionary and as an ECWA Pastor to preach peace and the love of God for all.
He tasked the traditional ruler to lead with the fear of God and ensure justice to all irrespective of religious differences.
Eulogizing the monarch, the ECWA President acknowledged that Rev. Dr. Habila Saidu left behind good testimonies when he served as a pastor in the church and called on him to guard against any negative tendency that could influence him in serving the people.
While calling on the people to give the new ruler the needed support, Rev. Panya said for Godo-godo chiefdom enjoy peace and development, the people must beware of those who use religion for their selfish gains.
Earlier, the chief of Godo-godo, HRH. Rev. Dr. Habila Saidu, told his host that they were at ECWA headquarters to identify with his “first constituency as a pastor, missionary and an administrator” whom he acknowledged that God had prepared him for the leadership as a traditional ruler to oversee God’s creatures irrespective of their differences.
Recalling his missionary journey experience to the Koma Hills while serving as a pastor, Rev. Dr. Saidu disclosed that he was the first missionary sent there where he worked with the locals to transform the entire community.
He told his host that Godo-godo chiefdom is comprised of Hausa, Fulani and the natives who are both Christians and Muslims yet knowing him as a retired pastor, they decided to elect him as their traditional ruler.
The monarch also informed the ECWA leaders that his visit to the ECWA Headquarters in company of other members of the traditional council including Districts and Village heads, leaders of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jamaatul Nasril Islam (JNI), Ardos and tittle holders was a sign of appreciation to God and the people for choosing him.
He however, pledged to administer justice in the fear of God to all in the discharge of his duties and solicited for prayers and support of the church to enable him succeed. Special prayers were offered to God towards a successful coronation as well for the traditional ruler to succeed during his reign.