Northern States Christian Elders Forum, NOSCEF, has pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to give the Christian community in the country Christmas gift by ensuring the release of Leah Sharibu from the custody of Boko Haram.
The group also called on men and women of conscience to cry out loud, so the situation does not deteriorate further.
It stated: “Dishonesty in government escalates crime and criminality. Let the spirit of Christmas revive our ways to ways of godliness. Let us pray that God will bring hope and righteousness to the state of despair and hopelessness in the nation.
“May the Lord flush out unrighteousness of state organs, so that the rich (the wise men) and the poor (the homeless Shepherds) will have access to the blessings of God to our nation, Nigeria.
”Goodness Thomas scored 302 in JAMB and 278 in post JAMB, with 6 A1s, but could not get the course of her choice, because she is a Christian (News report). Let the nation cry out against this injustice.
“The injustice/discrimination that Christians suffer as a way of life in the north in all spheres should stop. Even Christians from educationally disadvantaged states of Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina and other northern states are denied their state quota admission to read courses of their choice, in spite of their performance, because of their faith
“Soon, having taken over the headship of the institutions that regulate higher education, they will start targeting the private universities to frustrate them and will even make “under cover laws”, that even our brethren in the National Assembly will be stampeded to support under guise of party loyalty, among others.”
The forum described the message of Christmas as that of hope for a people who have lost every hope, stressing that it was good news to revive the hearts of those in despair.
“It is the good news of deliverance. Like the Shepherds and wise men sought to meet Jesus, the Messiah, meet the Savior so that your Christmas would have been complete and you can make peace with your creator
”But no Herod (no man) can stop God from blessing those whom He would bless. He who would not spare His son, Jesus Christ, to die for us will with Him give us all things.
“Finally, we plead with the President, Muhammadu Buhari, to give the Christian community of this great nation a Christmas gift by ensuring the release of our dear child, Leah Sharibu, from the brutal custody of the Boko Haram. We believe the government has the wherewithal and competence to effect her release,” the group stated.
