By Emmanuel Awari -Jalingo
An appeal has been made to political leaders, businessmen, professionals, church leaders and members of the TEKAN/ECWA Block to deliberately invest in the younger generation.
The Chairman of the TEKAN/ECWA Block, Taraba State Chapter, Rev. Andemun Rimande Musa, made the appeal during the Block Convention held at the Jolly Nyame Stadium, Jalingo.
”We must provide mentorship, support skills acquisition, create jobs, encourage entrepreneurship and help the younger ones to discover their talents.
”We must guide them away from drugs, crime, violence and other destructive lifestyles.”
He disclosed that a young person who has meaningful opportunities can become a great employer of labour tomorrow.
”Let us not only tell our youths that they are the leaders of tomorrow, but let us prepare them to become those leaders.
”Let us give them the education, skills, mentorship, opportunities and moral foundation they need. The future of Taraba State depends greatly on what we do with our young people today,” he said.
He further appealed to political leaders to do the right thing, be honest and serve the people.
”Do not make promises you have no intention of fulfilling. Do not use people merely as instruments for obtaining political power. Do not encourage violence because of their poverty or manipulate the vulnerable. Do not use public resources for personal enrichment. Instead, remember that every position of leadership is temporary, but accountability before God is permanent.”
Rev. Musa encouraged politicians to embrace transparency, accountability, justice and fairness.
”Let public office become an opportunity to serve rather than to accumulate wealth,” he stated.
On the coming 2027 elections, the TEKAN/ECWA Block Chairman said:
”I call on every member of the TEKAN/ECWA Block to participate responsibly and prayerfully, for politics affects education, security, roads, healthcare, employment, agriculture, the economy and the future of our children.”
He urged Christians to be interested in who governs them at the state and national levels and to be guided by Christian principles and a good conscience.
”We must not sell our conscience because of money. We must not promote violence because of political interests. We must not insult one another because of political differences. We must not spread false information against our opponents.”
He called on TEKAN/ECWA Block members who participate in politics to be examples of good leadership.
”Let Taraba State see in us a different kind of political participation based on honesty, service, accountability and love for the people. Our political participation should be a light to the state, not a source of darkness.”
The TEKAN/ECWA Block Chairman appreciated Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, for the security of the state.
”We sleep with our two eyes closed because you have made security one of your priorities. What is happening in other states is not happening here because we have someone like you on board. Again, we want to appreciate you for providing free education for our children and making fees in our tertiary institutions the cheapest in Nigeria,” he added.
He also called on members not to neglect gathering together as people of faith, reflecting on their responsibilities to God and society, evaluating their journey and renewing their commitment to righteousness, unity, peace and responsible leadership.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Northern Religious Leaders Assembly (NOCRELA), Rev. Dr Micah Dopah, commended the TEKAN/ECWA Block for the spirit of unity among its members.
”This is a lesson that the body of Christ must learn from. Your strength lies in your unity. Beware that many are envious of your unity. Therefore, the leadership of the Block must protect this unity to advance the cause of the gospel. The strongest weapon of the enemy against you is your disunity,” he stated.
He pointed out that the leadership of the Block had the responsibility to educate and guide its members on their civic and political responsibilities.
”Do not allow partisan politics to disunite you. The Church must be involved in politics, and the leadership of the Block must guide its members to vote rightly.”
According to him, if the Church failed to participate actively in partisan politics, it would suffer the consequences of political decisions taken by political leaders in its absence.
”Therefore, encourage your members to get involved in active partisan politics.”
”NOCRELA is committed to the unity of vulnerable Christians in Northern Nigeria. We are ready to partner with the Block in respect of this objective,” he said.