…Calls For Anti-Grazing Bill Against Hunger
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rivers State Chapter has on behalf of its National President, Rev. Dr. Samson Ayokunle appreciated various denominations and church leaders for their understanding and total compliance to the stipulated government and World Health Organization’s regulations over the spread of the corona-virus pandemic, especially the restriction on church services not exceeding 50 persons within allowable physical distancing including other health sanitary regulations.
The State Chairman of CAN, Most Special Apostle Stanley Dimkpa stated this in his 2020 Easter message to the Churches while appreciating the church leaders that donated various foodstuffs and other materials as palliatives to cushion the sufferings of their members, the chairman encouraged others to emulate the life of Christ Jesus and extend same gesture to the less privileged in their congregations.
He prayed that this Easter celebration will catalyze the mercy of Almighty God on His people, the State and Nation in Jesus Name.
CAN also used the opportunity to commend the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and other concerned heads of government agencies for their efforts and commitments towards the safety of lives by tackling the spread of COVID-19 in the State.
The group equally applauded what it called the cordial relationship that exists between the various arms of government in the State. CAN further appealed to the State Committee on palliatives to endeavour to do all within its reach to cushion the hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and to work with the love of God, equity and justice in the distribution of provided materials.
The association also called on the multinational companies as well as public spirited sons and daughters of Rivers State to support the state government in raising funds for this purpose as it is done at the federal level.
CAN also used the opportunity to appeal to the State Assembly to consider the Legislation of Anti-Open Grazing bill to secure the farmlands as to reduce hunger in the state. A bill to curtail the loitering of cattles in the state capital. He equally called on the State Committee on the stoppage of black sooth to urgently collaborate with the appropriate Federal Government agencies to bring results as the residents of the State are endangered by the continuous increase of the black sooth in the State whose danger is equivalent to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Apostle Dimkpa used the opportunity to dwell on the significance of the Good Friday and Easter to Christians and prayed for the Churches.
“May this Easter celebration remind us to reciprocate the sacrificial love of God on one another, renew our friendship/personal relationship with Christ and promote the bonds of Unity and peaceful co-existence in our State, which have always held us together as a people United by a common destiny”, he declared”.
CAN said the significance of Good Friday as the essence of Christian faith can never be overemphasized; adding that if Christ did not die on a Good Friday, there wouldn’t have been resurrection and that if Christ had not resurrected on the Easter Sunday, Christian faiths would have been in vain. (1st Corint. 15:14) “This is why I have deemed it very important to encourage all believers to fearlessly, faithfully and joyfully celebrate this year’s Easter as never before even in our lockdown conditions at our various homes to testify the essence of our salvation and victory over COVID-19 pandemic including other challenges. Let us therefore be encouraged by God’s assurances on us all”.
“And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt”.
“And there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling” (Exodus 12:13 and Psalm 91:10).
This truth, the chairman stressed, does not mean that there will never be difficult times (Rom 8:35-37) but that as long as Christians make God their Lord and Refuge in everything that happens to them, God will work for their good (Rom. 8:28).
