Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has called on religious leaders in the state to use the Christian Citizenship Network program to enlighten their congregations on applying the Christian and biblical worldview in exercising their civic responsibilities as citizens of the nation.
Governor Otti who made the call at the Aguiyi Ironsi Conference Centre, Finbarrs Road Umuahia, during the Christian Citizenship Network Program organized by Rev. Emmanuel Ihim, urged them to set the agenda for positive engagement in society.
The Governor represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, stressed the need for them to initiate, articulate and promote social movement of christians of different denominations for the purpose of facilitating and encouraging reforms, good governance, elections and appointments of godly citizens into public office.
He disclosed that his administration remains fully committed to repositioning Abia positively and thanked Rev. Ihim for sustaining the movement which has helped in sustaining the reputation and integrity of the Christian faith within the community as well as fostering a morally conducive environment for good governance.
In his welcome address, the President of Ohaneze Ndígbo in USA, Dr Hyacinth Nwachukwu encouraged Christian politicians and parties to appropriate the moral perspective of Biblical vision of governance and implement Christian social values in the society.
In his speech, the Diaspora Alliance Convener, Christian Citizens International, Rev. Emmanuel Ihim, while describing the theme of the program, “Occupy Till I Come: A Call to Christian Responsibility in a Deteriorating Nation,” as apt, disclosed that the objective of the program is to appropriate the benefits of strategic alliances with all Christians, Churches, Ministers and Organization, having similar visions and missions for an enlarged platform, effectiveness and expanded influence.
In their goodwill messages, the Archbishop of Umuahia Diocese, the Most Rev. Chibuzo Opoko and the State CAN Chairman, Rev. Ojo Ojo Uduma re-echoed the commitment of churches to the promotion of a just social order, progress, development and religious freedom in society.
The program which featured prayers for Governor Alex Otti and the state attracted the presence of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Religious Affairs, Apostle Kenneth Wiper, Heads of religious organizations, the clergy among other distinguished personalities.
