From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Senior Pastor, Dunamis International Gospel Centre, (DIGC), Dr Paul Enenche, has donated relief materials, including bags of rice, noodles and mattresses, among other items, to victims of the Yelwata killings in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
Enenche, who spoke during the visit said one of the solutions to check the incessant killings and spate of insecurity in the country was to have leaders that would not wish to be perpetually in power and negotiate away the lives and welfare of its people.
He also stated that one of the solutions to the genocide that was experienced in Benue State and other parts of the country would be for the people to make a conscious decision to take their destinies in their hands by securing their communities and not allow themselves to be wasted by armed herdsmen.
The preacher/teacher stated that it was pertinent for Nigeria as a nation to ask forgiveness from God, to cleanse and have mercy on Nigeria and give the nation a leadership that feels and has compassion for its people; leadership that is devoid of political sentiments.
He said: “We are on a mission to Benue State in the wake of the very horrific, and almost like a genocidal pogrom in the land that resulted in the death and burning of so many people alive. We see the climate of doom, the climate of death, the climate of darkness. The grief, the pain and the hurt in the land and in the nation.
“We came on a condolence visit to the land (Benue), we came on a solidarity visit; to stand with our people and to let them know that light will never bow to darkness and darkness will never triumph over light.”
Proffering solutions to the incidences of killing in Nigeria and Benue in particular, he said: “The solution to this type of issue is the will in the heart of the leadership of our nation, both at the federal and state levels, to have authorities and leadership that have the will to do the right thing; that have the heart to put anything political aside and look at realities and to say this is the real situation on the ground.
“A leadership that values human lives above every other consideration and do what is right, in the interest of the people, in the interest of their consciences and in the fact that one day everybody will stand before God to give account of their lives.
“We want to trust God for national leadership that has a heart for people; national leadership that is not in position because they want position or because they want a name; national leadership that has compassion.”
On the kind of leadership that the people desire, he said: “The various legislatures, both the national and the state (lawmakers) must make laws that forbid this kind of devils from going to territories to kill people. What is the use of lawmakers sitting to administer over territories and nations that produce no results.
“What is the use of sitting and making laws that are irrelevant? Let nobody think that they will be where they are forever because a time will come when they will be out of office. So, everybody in one position or the other will come down one day and face this reality, if it is not tackled today. Therefore, it is better for the leadership at all levels to wake up now and do something about it. What kind of nation is this? Where there is almost zero heart for the feelings and aspirations of the people.”
On the part of the people, he said: “It is time for the people to wake up, rise up and to say enough is enough. We will take our destiny in our hands. I believe that those two things will work together to bring a solution.
“What we also need is action on the part of the various territories of the land, where people will say: you know what? We cannot watch ourselves wasted like this, we cannot watch our communities wasted like this. Whatever we need to do, we will do it by ourselves, to ensure that we secure our territories.
“And the various communities, whatever can be done to ensure that you are not defenceless, is highly encouraged, suggested and necessary at this stage. It is not a battle for comfort, but a battle for survival and people must do what it takes to ensure they survive.
“And to the grieving families, it is so heartbreaking, only God knows your pains. Nobody can say I understand, nobody understands, only God understands and the God who understands will comfort you, console you, give us solace and continue to give us answers to this situation.”