Christian leaders and traditional rulers from Northern Nigeria have resolved to speak with “one voice” and prioritize the sanctity of human life as part of efforts to address insecurity and alleged persecution in the region.
The resolution was reached on Friday at the Northern Christians Stakeholders Meeting organized by the Stefanos Foundation in Abuja.
Enenche: Unity and Value for Life Key to Stopping Bloodshed
The host and Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Glory Dome, Dr. Pastor Paul Enenche, said unity among Northern Christians is the first step to overcoming current challenges.
“When the people are divided they can be destroyed. The force of unity carries a lot of power,” he told journalists. “So the first and foremost thing is for the people to be united together — in thought, in planning, and everywhere possible — and to speak as one voice.”
On the killings across the country, Pastor Enenche called for “an awakening of conscience” among leaders.
“Human lives matter more than anything. Any desire that does not put humanity and the humanness of life into consideration is not a worthy desire,” he stressed.
“It looks like the value of human life has so reduced in our nation that terrible and disastrous things are happening and people are going about as if nothing is happening.”
He added that leadership at all levels must begin to place a higher premium on human life, saying that would “provoke all the actions that need to be taken for the bloodshed in this nation to stop.”
On possible challenges to unity, he noted: “Everybody likes to have an opinion, to be an island to themselves and not be subordinate to anybody. But I believe that challenge has been overcome, and the future is clear.”
Turaki: Understand History, Take Political Power Seriously
Delivering the keynote, Rev. Prof. Yusuf Turaki said Middle Belt Christians must undertake a “deep study of the history of Northern Nigeria” to understand past injustices.
“What Boko Haram, bandits and kidnappers are doing today are not different from what their forebears did to the Middle Belt in the past,” he said.
“If you want to stop Christian genocide you must take the issue of political power very seriously.”
New Leadership of Northern Christian Traditional Rulers Inaugurated
In his acceptance speech on behalf of the newly selected executive of the Christian Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Orchivirigh Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse. The Chairman pledged to lead with God’s guidance.
He said “We are not gathered together for war. We are gathered together for the sake of peace in this nation,” he said. “Leadership comes from God. On behalf of my colleagues, I accept this assignment and pledge that, God helping us and with your support, we will discharge this task to the glory of God and for the good of our people.”
He stressed that action must follow the meeting: “This will not end in an ordinary function. Strategic decisions must be taken.”
International Partners Pledge Support
A representative of the Netherlands told the gathering that global strategy should include taking Nigerian Christian/traditional leaders to Europe and the United Nations, rather than relying only on politicians.
Citing the “Syria Model,” he said bringing traditional leaders to the EU and US helped secure recognition and support.
“Global institutions prefer to work with traditional/local leaders, not just pastors or politicians. Europe is still a Christian continent and Christians have majority votes in the European Parliament,” he said.
Oyedepo, Represented: Progress Made, Follow Up With Action
The General Overseer of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, represented by Pastor Agi Emmanuel, State Pastor, FCT, said the meeting showed progress because “the leadership structure has been reconstituted” and leaders now have “one voice.”
“The take home is that we must follow up with consistency. It must not stop at this meeting,” he said. “Without vision a people perish, but without people a vision cannot survive. Leaders need followership to secure the future of our children.”
Closing Remarks
In his closing remarks, His Royal Majesty, the Ochi’Idoma, Agabaidu and Vice Chairman of the Christian Northern Traditional Rulers Council, thanked Pastor Enenche, Engineer Mark Lipdo, Stefanos Foundation, and international partners for their support.
“As Royal Fathers, we reaffirm our commitment to work hand in hand with the Church, Government, and Civil Society to promote justice, peaceful coexistence, unity, security, and sustainable development throughout Northern Nigeria,” he said.
Key Takeaways from the Meeting
The Leaders agreed to unite in thought, planning, and voice nationally and globally. An urgent call for leaders to place higher value on human life to end bloodshed.Action and Followership*: Progress has been made with new leadership, but consistency and public support are critical.
