Children's Day: Archbishop Musa calls for Children welfare

 The Archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria Most Rev Dr Musa Panti Filibus has sent out felicitation message to children as they mark the 2021 Children's Day. 

The Archbishop said, children are heritage from God and should be given priority in order for the nation to have a future. "Children are gifts from God and should be nurtured and guided in ways that will help them live and grow responsibly." He urged parents and guardians to pay proper attention to the welfare of children as that will make them grow with sound mind.

The statement reads that, "This response comes with huge responsibilities on our part as parents and guardians. The responsibilities of making them responsible should cover spiritual, social, cultural, psychological, emotional and educational spheres of life." 

The Christian leader calls on the government to ensure the rights of children are protected.

The full message:

Annually, the 27th day of May Nigerian children together with their parents and guardians celebrate Children's Day. 
Children are gifts from God and should be nurtured and guided in ways that will help them live and grow responsibly.
As we mark this year's Children's Day, let us celebrate every child as an embodiment of talents.
Every child will certainly become an adult some day, but what kind of adult do we as parents and guardians want them to become? The expected response will be that, "we want our children to become responsible adults and citizens of Nigeria." 
This response comes with huge responsibilities on our part as parents and guardians. The responsibilities of making them responsible should cover spiritual, social, cultural, psychological, emotional and educational spheres of life. 
I call on government at all levels and all duty-bearers to be intentional in safeguarding Nigerian children by providing all infrastructure and systems that guarantee their welfare and security.
As faith leaders, we will play our part to compliment all efforts and initiatives to give the children the best.
To you dear Nigerian children, may the Lord God bless you and keep you, may God make his face shine upon you, be gracious to you and give you sustainable peace as you grow to be responsible adults and citizens of Nigeria. Amen 
Happy Children's Day!!!.

Bronnum Lutheran Seminary marked 35 years

 Lutheran Seminary set to celebrate 35th anniversary 

Bronnum Lutheran Seminary (BLS) Yola is set to celebrate 35 years of its existence. In an announcement made public by the Assistant Register of the School Mr. Liviticus Yusuf said the school anniversary celebration will be in conjunction with a convocation and awards of certificates to some of the graduates of the Theological Institution. 

The anniversary and the combined convocation ceremony is slated to take place tomorrow 14th May, 2021 at the Jolly Nyame Hall of Junior Seminary section under the chairmanship of Justice Nathan Musa and Prof. Kalatapwa George Farauta as the Guest Speaker. Most Rev Musa Panti Filibus PhD, the Archbishop of the LCCN will be the Chief Host, while Prof. Ambrose A. Zemba the chairman governing council of the Seminary as Host. 

Bronum Lutheran Seminary was founded in 1985 as the highest theological learning institution of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria. According to the Provost of the Seminary Rev Dr. Sekenwa Moses Briska, "BLS has produced some  of the finest scholars in Christian Theology in Adamawa State and Nigeria, there are graduates of the Seminary that are lecturers in other places outside Adamawa State apart from hundreds of pastors serving in the church today.” 

Bronnum Lutheran Seminary is the highest theological Institution of learning owned by the Lutheran church of christ in Nigeria. The seminary offers diploma, bachelor's degree, post graduate diploma and masters programs in various fields of theology. Programs of the seminary are affiliated to University of Jos and Ahmadu Bello University Zaria respectively.

SOH Storms Benin City/Marks World Day Against Trafficking In Persons

Rev Dr Gibson Lesmore E. Country Director SoH

By Felix Joseph Samari,

Country Director of Symbols of Hope Project Nigeria, Rev Dr Lesmore Gibson Ezekiel has charged religious leaders to reject the temptation of religious merchandise.

The charge came at the 2019 World Day Against Trafficking In Persons Symposium, which was organised on 31st July 2019 by SOH and it's Returnees Network in Benin city, Edo State, Nigeria.

At the event, Dr Lesmore gave credit to the bravery and courage of Returnees who have defied the stigma and shame from some section of society and in worst cases even their friends and family to fight against irregular migration.

He said " Symbols of Hope Project will continue to partner and provide support for the returnees to the best of our ability, as we together fight against human trafficking and irregular migration".

He urged participants at the event to seek ways that will aid the reintegration of the Returnees back into society.

Dr Lesmore further said SOH exists to fight against dehumanizing practices of trafficking in persons and stands firmly against organization or individuals that seek to reduce the dignity that God put in man at creation.

He then urged all participants present and the entire society to get involved in every possible way in the fight against human trafficking and irregular migration.

World Refugee Day: UNCHR Calls Churches to mobilise their congregations in Adamawa to take a step with refugees

By Felix Joseph Samari/Yola 

The Government House Chapel Dougirei Yola in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Field office in Yola, Adamawa organised a special prayer session and enlightenment campaign to mark the 2019 World Refugee Day. The Program took place at the Chapel on 23th June 2019. The Chaplain Rev Tombrokai Robert Gajere said the World Refugee Day which is marked on the 20^th of June every year was a special day observed around the world by communities, faith groups, schools and institutions, businesses and people from all works of life in solidarity with refugees. He said as a Church it is very important to look into the plight of others as Christ mission on earth was to bring redemption and give succour to mankind which according to him encompass everything.

Prof. Maxwell Gidado Chief of Staff to Adamawa State Governor

Inviting the officials of the UNHCR to speak at the Church service the Chief of Staff to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri Professor Maxwell Gidado said, the effort of the global community to address human plight is to be commended and complimented. He welcomed the UNHCR to the Government House Chapel on behalf of the Governor of Adamawa State and assured the team of the Fintiri led administration commitment to humanitarian cause.

Mr Vincent Babalanda leading the UNCHR delegation addressing the congregation said the commemoration of the World Refugee Day on June 20 is an annual event thatdraws the attention to the plight of forcibly displaced people from their homes, mobilise support and solidarity  for the refugee cause.. “To show the world that as we go about our daily activities there are people that are not able to do what we can do, they include internally displaced persons, refugees, stateless individuals and returnees. They cannot because they are not at home.”

Mr Babalanda saidout of the 70.8 million displaced persons according to the UNHCR Global Trends Report  5.1% are within Nigeria; he said that is the more reason why the people of Nigeria need to get involved in the support for the affected population. He called on the church community to seek ways to support the people affected in whatever way possible. “As a Christian community we also have to see how best we can support our brothers and sisters as individuals and as a church community.” Mr Vincent Babalanda appealed to the congregation to donate any item(s) that may not be used or needed at home to displaced persons. These items will help to alleviate their suffering due to lack of basic necessities such as clothes, beddings, cooking utensils to mention a few.. “Collectively we can help human being to survive another day, another week, another month and another year.” Reflecting on the theme of the 2019 Refugee Day Mr Vincent said, “Taking a step with the refugee is a Christian duty. Our lord has given us duty to care for the people affected. We need to walk with them to ensure that the mission of God is fulfilled.”

He lauded the Adamawa State government for being valuable partner to the UNHCR. He called on the government to continue to partner in areas possible to support the people displaced irrespective of their language, belief, creed or religion.  According to him, there are number of Nigerian refugees in Cameroon who will be returning to Nigeria in few weeks and Adamawa was sighted to be first State in North East to receive the returnees. He said about 4000 refugees will be returning to Nigeria. Babalanda called on the Christian community to continue to pray so that these people may “come back in safety and dignity.” He said, “Without the Lord there is no hope, when we put God before us we create hope for ourselves and the people we are trying to help.”

Mr Babalanda drew the attention of the congregation to the increasing numbers of displaced persons and be part of efforts to promote peace and contribute to peaceful coexistence initiatives. These interventions will enable displaced persons to live in harmony and work together to improve their well-being without engaging in conflict amongst themselves.. “It is through conflicts occurring and re-occurring that these numbers are continuing to rise. If nothing is done to address the root causes of conflict, the numbers will continue to increase. Anybody can be displaced if we cannot do anything about it, it may be us someday. That is why we have to take a step with the refugees.”

 As the Sunday service coincided with the International Day for Widows, Mr Babalanda said the majority of the displaced population are women who have lost their husbands as a result of the conflicts.. He said the widows are often left without a breadwinner to fend for their children. He urged the church to continue in the good virtue of supporting the widows especially in livelihood activities to enable them to be able to sustain themselves and their families. “They are facing a lot of challenges and we need to remember the women who have lose their husbands in the insurgency. They are mothers and mothers make a nation.”

Woman an irresistible substance

By Felix Samari

As part of their annual event to celebrate the women in the body of Christ the Adamawa State Government House Chapel, Dougerei Yola organized a special worship service on the 9th of June, 2019. The Program was tagged: Women of Substance, a theme which was centered on the study of two Bible characters, Queen Esther and Deaconess Dorcas in the Acts of the Apostles. 

The programme featured songs presentations by various women groups from different denominations within the State capital. Among singing groups were the women of the Ekkilisiyan Yanuwa a Nigeria (EYN) women fellowship Jimeta (from Vuno Klah and State Low Cost), the women Fellowship of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) (The Cathedral Jimeta, Doubeli, Jambutu and Bwarangji), women from the Grace Chapel among others presented soul lifting songs to the congregation. 

The Women of the Government House Chapel in their turn presented a song and a short drama demonstrating the role of the women in raising godly children. They also made special presentations of gifts to the wives of the Chaplain and the Deputy Chaplain. The Chaplain Rev Tonborokai Robert Gajere was also presented with a gift by the women. The same gesture was made to the Deputy Chaplain, Ven. Habila Yunusa Tula.

Leading the session of prayers, the wife of Deputy Chaplain Mrs Rabi  Yunusa Tula prayed specifically for all women and committed their roles in the hands of God as they face the remaining part of 2019 and beyond. She also prayed for women in the house of God and for God to make the women to be God fearing and faithful in the family life.

Speaking at the service Mrs Happy Tonborokai Robert Gajere, the wife of the Chaplain thanked all invited guests on behalf of the Chapel and the women in the Chapel, she said they were very pleased to receive the various visitors especially the women groups from the various churches. To further elaborate the uniqueness of the womanhood. Mrs Gajere said, Woman is the body while man is the head, the body can fit in any dress unlike the head. We are unique and we are wonderfully made. She encouraged women to take their role of influencing the society seriously.

 

Rev Tadakapwa E. Kaford was the Guest Speaker; she spoke on the theme of the service. Opening her message, the preacher said, The Woman of Substance is a woman that has a meaning. She said it is not just about her outward appearances but that the woman of substance defines her worth and keeps herself to the purpose of her creation.  Drawing from the story of creation Rev Tadakapwa said God created man complete and woman was in the creation in the man, according to her man had not the ability to bear fruits. She told the congregation to understand that the strength of the woman is imbedded in the man.  She said, before you arrived, the man was complete. Man could only not bear fruits. Everything was around him in abundance but there was no companion.

Rev Tadakapwa charged them to take their place in creation and not to compete with the man as their purpose of creation were to complement each other and make each other complete. She lamented that many women have drifted from the intent of God in creating them. Women have abused the purpose of creation. You were created for a meaning. Women you have a purpose. According to her, the coming of the woman in the world was to make the world better. She challenged the women to remain in the position where God has placed them. She said, If a woman knows her worth and purpose of creation she can not be naked on the street, she cannot sell her body. The preacher strongly called on women not to waste their destiny. In rounding off her exhortation, the preacher said, An irresistible is the woman of substance. She is the crown of God's creation. She is not arrogant, she is not aggressive, she is humble. The woman of substance does not die she lives on many years after she is buried. She urged the women to yield themselves and make themselves to be made leaders who will walk in purity and contentment as they envisage the future ahead.

The service was led by Dr. Grace Malgwi and the bible lessons were read by Mrs. Shatu Gwany and Barr. Momsisuri Bamare Odo.

The Archbishop of the Lutheran church of Christ (LCCN) and the President of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Most Rev Panti Filibus Musa called on the people of Adamawa state to remain peace as they await the conclusion of the gubernatorial election which was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returning officer at the collation centre in Yola. 

Archbishop sent out a press statement through the communication office of the church which was made available to the media on Monday at about 4pm from the Church headquarters in Numan Adamawa State. 

The Statement reads:

On behalf of the Lutheran church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) I wish to congratulate the entire people of Adamawa State for a peaceful conduct before, during and after the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections held on the 9^th of March 2019 across all the 21 local government areas of the State. The conduct of the people of Adamawa State as observed generally have demonstrated your commitment to authentic democratic culture.

While we await the conclusion and outcomes of the elections, I call on us to assume collective responsibility for peace to reign in our state and by extension, our country. I call on all parties and party members to exercise high sense of restraint in making statements or taking actions that may heat up the polity. Let me particularly admonish the youths to stay calm and remain law abiding at any time during this period.

I wish to also commend the Independent National Electoral Commission and all-party agents at the collation centres for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner. This demonstrates that the people of Adamawa state are peace loving and law abiding.

I call on all to remain fervent in prayers for peace in the states where elections have been declared inclusive and others where collation was suspended.

God bless Adamawa State, God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Peace.

 

LCCN is one of the largest church denomination in Adamawa state and represents a large percentage of the population of the state. The church has its headquarters in Numan southern Adamawa.

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The Lutheran Archbishop commiserated with Muslim Ummah and communities in Adamawa

The Archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) Most Rev. Dr Musa Panti Filibus this morning made a public statement on the recent Mubi Mosque Bomb blast and the conflict in Numan Local Government area. The Statement was made public by the Communications officer of the LCCN, Mr Felix Samari. The Archbishop in the statement said, “We woke up yesterday to a very sad news of irreparable and disheartening loses of human lives due to deadly attack on Muslim worshippers in a mosque in Mubi and clash between herdsmen and farming communities in Numan Local Government, all in Adamawa State.” He condemned the taking of life of innocent citizens and commiserated with the families and the people of Adamawa State. “This kind of wanton destruction of human life is not acceptable for whatever reason and is condemnable in all strongest term.” Archbishop Filibus called on all people in Adamawa and Nigeria to learn to live with one another in peace. “We must learn to live together in peace despite differences of trade, creed or belief.” He said, “At this time that Adamawa state is beginning to enjoy relative security and peace, the activities of the insurgents and conflict between communities should not draw us back to the dark days.” He also prayed for God to be the comfort of the affected families and wished quick recovery to the wounded. “It is our prayers that God would console families who lost their beloved ones in these incidents and grant quick recovery to those who were injured.” The Christian leader called on the warring communities to seek good and peaceable ways handling their differences. “May I strongly call on farmers and herdsmen to break their swords and embrace dialogue in overcoming any misunderstanding towards peaceful coexistence.   I also call on all citizens to not take laws into their hands as this only perpetuates the cycle of violence.” He equally thanked the government for its role in ensuring security of lives and property in the state. “While appreciating the efforts of our governments, it is our honest prayers that much more is done to ensure the protection of human life and property and to bring an end to the protracted clashes between herdsmen and farmers in our country."