By Bridget Ikyado
Venerable Ovie Ezimeruwe, Vicar of St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Gwarinpa, Abuja, has called on Nigerians to learn to live together in peace and harmony.
The cleric gave the charge during the Church’s Carol of Nine Lessons with the theme “Light for the Night”.
The cleric called on Nigerians to remain steadfast and continue to pray for peace and unity of the country.
He said that Nigerians must be united and hope for a better future.
According to him, religion has a critical role to play to strengthen peaceful co-existence in the country.
He, however, advised religious leaders to continue to preach peace and not violence to their members.
“Unity and peace are possible for the nation, if we can follow the man, the Prince of peace, who is Jesus Christ.
” If we use his principle of peace, we will have peace in Nigeria.
“No holy book encourages war or hostility. Why then do we have hatred?
“God will fight for us and we shall hold our peace. We must move forward, we are a people of prophecy, Ezimeruwe said.
He also urged politicians, leaders and citizens to align their lives with the tenets of the Prince of peace,following the precepts of Jesus Christ.
“If we do that, peace will and unity will not elude us,” Ezimeruwe said.
Earlier in a sermon on the theme ‘Light for your Night’, Ezimeruwe said: ”Jesus was born at night to deal with issues of the dark, the darkness of sin, he came as light to clear d darkness.
” The night and darkness may be challenges, issues,and pain we encounter.
”Jesus comes into the situation there will be light.”
Ezimeruwe added that darkness could also be a calamity and a painful
season of confusion, confronted with issues in office, at home and society.
“It could be a season of depression,disappointment,but the birth of Jesus will make them over as the season of great joy is here and there will be a turnaround.
” Carol is a time of joy and it can foster unity because when you are happy, the happiness extends to others.
”So, I believe that this time is a time of unity, we forget tribes and our problems, it is a time of joy, togetherness and happiness,”he said.
NAN reports that the carol of nine lessons had lessons from the Holy Bible centred on the creation of man,the fall of man and the birth of Jesus Christ, Redeemer of the world,with songs ministrations by various church groups (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)