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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
President of the United Church of Christ in Nigeria (HEKAN), Rev. Amos G. Kiri, has called on the newly ordained pastors to remain steadfast in their faith, despite Nigeria’s security challenges, while also urging government’s action to address the rising economic pressures on citizens.
Rev. Kiri stressed the importance of evangelism even in volatile regions, including among criminal groups.
“If there’s anyone that needs the gospel more at this point in time, it is the terrorists, the bandits and the kidnappers because what they are doing is contrary to humanity. The gospel of peace is being preached, so they need it more than anything this time around,” he said.
The HEKAN leader gave the charge while fielding questions from journalists at the weekend in Kaduna during the church’s 60th annual convention and ordination service, themed, “We Are One in Christ,” where four pastors were formally ordained.
Addressing the insecurity in the country, Kiri acknowledged the risks facing Christian leaders but called for courage and commitment to their calling.
“Our Lord Jesus Christ has said it from the word go that we will be persecuted, killed and hated, not because of anything but because of the gospel,” he said. “So, my charge to them will be to be bold enough.”
Drawing parallels with Christ’s mission, he added: “Jesus Christ knew he was going to be crucified but that didn’t deter him. So, it’s an issue of just standing firm and holding on to the promises of God.
“We want to thank God Almighty for the occasion today. It really means a lot to us to have ordained four pastors. This is telling us that there is also a need out there in the field, it is so important to us that we have additional manpower,” he said.
He noted that the ordination reflects a growing demand for ministers, describing the development as timely given what he called a lot of spaces that are ungoverned by the ministers of the gospel.
On the country’s economic situation, particularly the rising cost of living, the cleric acknowledged a drop in some food prices but warned that farmers are facing increasing production costs.
“While the prices of corn, rice and other things have come down, the issue of tractors, fertiliser and other farm inputs is skyrocketing,” he said. “How can you buy a bag of fertiliser at N50,000 to N70,000 and then sell a bag of corn at N23,000? That is a total imbalance.”
He called on the government to introduce subsidies for agricultural inputs to support farmers and ensure sustainable food production.
Kiri also dismissed claims linking global tensions, including developments around the Strait of Hormuz, to rising fuel and commodity prices in Nigeria.
“I think some of these arguments do not hold water,” he said. “We have oil, we produce oil, why can’t we just refine it here?”
He urged authorities to strengthen local refining capacity and support private sector investments, including those of Aliko Dangote to ensure affordable fuel for Nigerians.
On rising cement prices, he questioned the rationale behind the increases, pointing to the country’s domestic production capacity.
“You have Sokoto Cement, you have Benue Cement; we have a lot of cement factories in this country. So, what has that got to do with that?” he asked. “The political will has to be there. When you have a lot of production here, the prices will definitely fall.”
The HEKAN President urged the government to prioritise local production and implement policies that will ease the burden on ordinary Nigerians, enabling them to meet basic needs, including housing, more affordably.
