By Oluwayemi Davidson, Warri
Following the spate of killings, maiming, kidnapping and the general security challenges facing the nation, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ughelli North Chapter in Delta State has organized a one-day seminar on security for pastors and church leaders in the local government area.
The seminar with the theme ‘Securing Worship Centres And Clergymen In Contemporary Nigeria’, held at the All Saints Pentecostal Mission, Ughelli, borders on three grey areas which are terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria, effect on churches; Biblical perspective on Security; and Hostage Taking, Modus operandi, Prevention and Remedies.
Addressing the participants, the Ughelli North CAN Chairman, Snr Supt. Apostle Charles Okpacha, stated that church leaders in the land xhould be security conscious and be mindful of what is happening in their environment.
He said the nation was going through trying times in the hands of evil men who have no value for human life and tasked those present to use the knowledge gotten to protect the church from terrorist and terrorism.
One of the first guest speakers, Revd Godwin Ofenomor took time to expatiate on terrorism, insecurity in Nigeria as well as the effect on the church, saying that so many lives especially Christians have been lost to Insecurity in Nigeria.
Revd Ofenomor who is also a legal practitioner enumerated causes of insecurity to include bad government, economic imbalance and marginalization; ethnic and religious intolerance; poor security apparatus; loss of moral value and poverty.
He said insecurity had created fear on members of the church, and posed great threat to the growth of the church in Nigeria, just as he lamented the loss of lives and properties since insecurity started in the country.
Revd Ofenomor charged individuals, the church and government at all levels to put security measures in place to reduce the killing, kidnapping and Herder and Farmers clashes in the country.
Also, Hon. Andrew Arhavwarien who based his lecture on Bablical Perspective on Security stated that the church was instructed by Jesus Christ, according to the book of Luke 21:34-36, to be Watchful and pray.
Hon. Arhavwarien said the era of just praying without being watchful were over and as such charged the Christians to shun lukewarmness and be proactive by ensuring that security measures were put in place to protect the church from imminent danger.
He defined watchfulness to mean being vigilant, sensitive, inquisitive and curious, stressing that all security breeches should be reported without delay to security agencies around us.
“Hostage Taking, Modus operandi Prevention and Remedies,’ which formed the third lecture was taken by Revd Samuel Ucho.
Another speaker, Revd Samuel Ucho defined “Hostage Taker,” as a person who seized or hold somebody as a conduction for the fulfillment of an ideology or for financial gain and enumerated some measures to be taken to prevent kidnapping.
According to him, some of the preventive steps includes; maintaining a moderate lifestyle; not discussing money issues publicly, keep someone informed of where you are going, avoid late movement, know your neighbors amongst others.