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General News of Sunday, 25 April 2021

Source: thenationonlineng.net

Loans: ECWA warns FG on mortgaging youth's future

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The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) has expressed disgust over the nonchalant attitude of President Muhammadu Buhari towards the continuous abduction of Leah Sharibu and others in Boko Haram captivity.

ECWA also expressed concern over the interminable flippant borrowing that has become characteristic of the present government without proper accountability for loans already taken, warning that the future of many generations of our children is been mortgaged.

The church called for the implementation of the 2014 National Conference report, which they believe would be panacea to the various agitations for secession and other problems facing the country.

The church stated these in a communiqué after its 68th General Council Meeting held at its headquarters in Jos, Plateau State.

The meeting had in attendance the church’s leaders across the country, as well as from the Republic of Chad and the United States.

Sharibu, now 17, a member of ECWA, was among the schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram in Dapchi, Yobe State in February 2018.

While others have been released, she remains in captivity for reportedly refusing to convert to Islam. She was 14 at the time of her kidnapping.

ECWA President, Rev Stephen Panya, who read the communiqué, said, “The council expresses grave apprehension that despite all the assurances by the Federal Government to secure our prisoners of conscience – such as Leah Sharibu, Grace Lukas, Alice Loksha, Lilian Gyang, Pastor Polycarp Zongo, the remaining Chibok schoolgirls – these abductees and many others continue to remain in captivity. The council reiterates its call on the government to do more to produce tangible results.

“The council also observed with worry the massive and forceful takeover of ungoverned spaces by criminals and non-state actors, who obviously seem to be in control in the country vis-à-vis the seeming inability of the government to decisively deal with the menace as well as protect the citizenry from these prowling merchants of death.

“More specifically, the council notes the unabated attacks on Christian communities in the Middle Belt, the North, and other parts of the country and the needless destruction of lives and property by Fulani jihadist militia and Boko Haram. The council cautions the government against continuous politicisation of security matters.”

Panya also asked the government to ensure the safe return and resettlement of all internally displaced persons to their homes.

The church council noted with disquiet the spontaneous agitations for restructuring and secession, saying the calls were borne out of systemic injustice.