The Ondo State government on
Thursday, shut out Christian leaders out of the International Event Centre,
(the Dome) in Akure, the State capital.
The State government restrained
them from holding their annual prayer summit in the state.
The Christian leaders under the
aegis of the Niger Delta Christian Leaders Forum (NDCLF) had gathered in the
state for a programme tagged: “2017 Prayer Summit” to make intercession for
Nigeria.
The members, who also comprised
the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN), were drawn from the nine states of Niger
Delta.
When our reporter went to the
venue, he met thousands of people in aggrieved mood, chanting abusive words on
the state government for sending them out of the dome.
However, the state has been using
the DOME for the 2nd National Council on Niger Delta (NCND) summit since last
week Thursday.
But as of the time the CAN was
sent out of the hall, NCND events were not taking place, as the delegates were
resting in their various hotels ahead of the dinner taking place on Thursday
night.
The Christian leaders who had
gained entrance into the hall for the three-hour prayer, were ordered out by
government officials, who locked the entrances to the hall.
Most of the participants who
spoke with journalists expressed disappointment and regreted that a Christian
governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) could treat fellow Christians in such
manner.
Pastor Benaiah Moses, an overseer
from Edo State, lamented that “this is quite unfortunate. Imagine, they sent us
out after they had assured us of using the venue, giving an excuse that the
place is reserved for dinner.
“Can this ever happen with other
religions? I don’t see any reason why they wouldn’t allow us to use the hall
this morning, or in the least, give us an alternative,” he said.
The delegates were pacified by
the leadership of the association and mobilized to the front of the dome to
pray under the scorching sun.
However, the NDCLF National
President and former CAN chieftain, Bishop Ayo Oritsejafor, said the refusal
did not irk the association and that there was no disappointment since prayer
could be offered anywhere.
Oritsejafor, who was represented
by the General Secretary, Bishop Dr. Eddy Bebor, stressed that they were
resolute to seek God’s intervention for lasting solutions to problems facing
the Niger Delta.
Bebor, who pacified the aggrieved
and embittered delegates, explained that Bishop Oristjafor was unavoidably
absent.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner
for Information, Mr. Yemi Olowolabi said he was not aware of such scheduled
programme.
It is clear that there was an ongoing programme. Just because participants are resting is not enough for them to run in..CAN should be able to plan its programmes against conflict with programme of others..Must they gather to pray?? Abeg safe me this fathom post..
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