By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
The 38th Session of the Southern Conference of United Methodist Church UMC has called on President Mohammadu Buhari to change the current Security Chiefs and restructure the entire security architecture of the country.
The Conference disclose this in a Communique signed by Rev. Cletus Kuhturu (Chairman), Rev. Adamu Mashi, Santos David, Jonathan Ageh ( Members) and Deacon Bulus (Secretary).
It call on the three tiers of governments (Federal, State and Local Governments) to provide all the enabling security environment for Economic activities to improve.
It express concerned on the security challenge faced in the Nation which contributed greatly to the poor harvest in the 2020 farming session.
“Farmers are attacked on their farms, Fulani militia put their Cows into farms, thereby destroying crops. Lack of rainfall this season also affected farmers seriously, causing hike in prices of food stuffs in our local markets.
“We therefore call on our farmers to be careful in handling their farm products, we must store our food stuffs for our consumption, we should not be quick to dispose our food stuffs for bogus spendings.
The Conference call on President Mohammadu Buhari and the National Assembly members to urgently pro active measures to stop the incessant killings of innocent Nigerians and destructions of Properties almost on a daily basis.
It disclose that the 2020 witnessed a serious setback in Economy, Agriculture, Commerce and Industries due to outbreak of COVID 19 pandemic, which caused a greater danger to the Church and Society as a result of the protocol to crack down the virus by governments of the nations.
“We encourage our members to obey the protocol prescribed by government in other to curtail the spread of COVID 19 pandemic. Our Churches are directed to follow strictly the protocols in all Church gathering.
“Our members should also know that Corona Virus is real, the prevelance cases in Nigeria and Taraba State calls for caution.
It expressed concern on the Company and Allied matters Act (2020) which provides that all registered Companies and Organizations with Corporate Affairs Commission which include Religious Organizations.
“The Conference is appealing to President Mohammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to exclude Religious Organizations from been monitored by the Act.
The Conference also appeal to all authorities concerned to look into the issue of pensioners in the state and the country at large, which according to them, is very worrisome especially, workers in the state and the country that has not been paid gratuities for years which some are yet to receive their pensions for years.
The Conference also express concerned on lack of payment of Teachers and Local Governments Employees salaries regularly which makes life unbearable for them and their families.
On Academics, the Conference said that it consider Education as a tool for transforming the people, increasing civilization and skills aquisition.
“We will continue to compliment government efforts in provision of quality Education, we encourage our Districts and Local Churches to open more schools and support individuals who want to further their Education in various fields of endeavors.
The Conference call on Youths to be committed in Academics and choose professional courses as their choice in Universities, adding that the Conference is lacking professionals in the field of Medicine, Nursing, Law, Engineering and Information Technology (ICT).
“Our Pastors and Educationist should work harder in providing counseling for our talented Youths to seek admission in courses that are relevant for the day.
“Our Youths should also note that we are in generation of skills acquisition or Vocational work.
“We call on the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Nigeria Universities ASUU, to be quick in resolving their differences, so that our young ones will return back to school.
Nasarawa Reporters 