Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, the Anglican Archbishop of Enugu State, on Saturday called on the faithful to use the Christmas period to pray fervently for a new Nigeria.
Chukwuma made the call in Enugu while delivering his Christmas message themed: “Hope and Faith in God of All Possibilities’’.
He said Nigeria’s various challenges were surmountable, adding that there was a need to get leadership right.
He stressed that everyone must get involved in the quest for a new Nigeria that would ease the economic burdens of citizens and reunite all its component parts.
“We want agile men with good character and integrity to lead this nation; we are sick and tired of those that divide us under any guise.
“It starts from collecting your Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and voting wisely as prayers are good, but must be backed with action in the right direction.
“I call on all Nigerians to also use this period to go to the INEC local government offices close to them to collect their PVCs.
“This 2023 election is important and strategic for all Nigerians.
“I call on churches, mosques, and other faith-based groups, civil society, associations and unions to mobilize all their members to collect their PVCs.
“No one should be left out in this mass movement to get Nigeria right and people should not vote for parties, but for individuals that have the vision, capacity and integrity to move this great nation forward,’’ he said.
The archbishop appealed to the wealthy to remember the poor and the less-privileged around them not just in this Christmas period, but always as “Nigerians are really facing challenging economic times.
“There is a need for us to be our brothers’ keepers and make the essence of Christmas, which is sharing of love, to permeate all within our neighborhoods and communities,’’ he said.
The cleric also called on security agencies to redouble their efforts to stem insecurity.
“Governments at all levels and security agencies should step up mechanisms to protect the people.
“Governments should do more to fund education as we pray that the strikes of 2022 will not be seen or experienced in 2023.
“We must do more to fund healthcare in all ramifications and check the exodus of Nigerian doctors abroad and also stem the current high rate of medical tourism,’’ Chukwuma said.
