President of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Pastor Dr. Sampson Ekwutosi Igwe has said it is not enough for President Mohammadu Buhari to replace the service chiefs but that government should provide the military with the necessary equipment to function in the face of terrorism
Igwe made the observation at a press briefing on Tuesday to announce the quadrennial convention of the church billed to begin on Friday, February 12.
Igwe was asked to advise the government on what to do to stem the security problem in the country.
He said beyond the replacement of the security chiefs, the government must be ready to address the paucity of necessary tools for the military to function and must also pay attention to the welfare of the military.
“Many Nigerians clamoured that the president should remove the service chiefs; that they have not performed well. He obeyed by removing them a few days ago, but that gesture as good as it is will not solve the security challenge. The government must provide equipment and encourage the military by boosting their morale. The government must make their welfare a priority,” he said.
He also stated that there is a need to sensitize every Nigerian to be security conscious. “We must all become security officers if we are really serious about keeping this country safe. We should not leave it to the military alone. We must be ready to report suspicious individuals and help the police to track criminals when the need arises.” he said
Igwe said further that the church’s convention will usher in a new dawn for Nigeria. The theme according to him is, I will heal your land, taken from 2Chronicles 7v14.
He said the theme is apt and has been inspired by the holy spirit to address the global pandemic and the security situation in Nigeria.
Recalling the last convention of the church four years ago, with the theme, Church, pillar, and ground of truth, he said, “We have seen the physical manifestation of that theme since the last convention. The gospel has impacted many and lives have been transformed. This year, the theme is, heal our land. I believe the Lord has also inspired this theme to address the issue of the global pandemic and the issue of security. God will surely heal our land.”
He said the church has put plans in place for delegates at the convention to comply with the covid-19 protocol adding that the convention promises to usher a new dawn for Nigeria.
The convention is expected to hold at the National Headquarters International Convention grounds, Olorunda, Ketu, Lagos from Friday, February 12 to 14.
Igwe said seasoned and anointed men of God have been prayerfully selected and saddled with the responsibility to deliver messages on the various sub-topics of the theme.
He said there “will be prayer session for the healing of individuals, families. Institutions and indeed the nation.”
Pastor Igwe believes the endowments of Nigeria will be better managed if there is a God-fearing leader at the helm of affairs. He also admonished that the Body of Christ should come together and unite in areas that are common to all.
His words, “We all believe in evangelism. We all believe there are hell and heaven. We believe in the name of Jesus. I think we should all come together in these areas. Church leaders should be encouraged to be active in both the CPFN and CAN or any of the blocs in CAN that they belong to and join forces to work together in promoting the cause of Christ in Nigeria.”