Rev. Fr. Michael Afrifa, Chaplain of Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), and leaders of Ojokoro chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), have said that the only panacea to peaceful coexistence in the country is for all Nigerians to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Prince of Peace. They stated this at a two-day revival with the theme, “Peace all round” held recently at St. Rita Catholic Church, Obadeyi, Agege, Lagos. Fr. Afrifa, in his submission regretted that Nigerians have allowed politicians to divide them along ethnic and religious lines. According to him, the relative peace being enjoyed in the country is “the peace created by politicians,” adding, “only Christ can give you true peace.” He said: “For a nation to develop, we need peace in our country, families and churches. The children are confused; families are at loggerheads with members of the same families. We don’t see ourselves as one any longer. “
Peace does not mean only when there is no war. Peace cannot be attained on earth without safeguarding the people; no peace without Christ.” Fr. Afrifa, who is the Parish Priest of St. Rita Catholic Church, Obadeyi, called on all Christians to champion peace wherever they are. Quoting the Catechism of the Church, CCC 2348 and the scriptures, the Ghanaian priest who said he has spent 21 years in Nigeria, regretted that the absence of peace in the country is because “we are not thinking beyond ourselves.” He added, “Why can’t we live together? We said we follow Christ but there is no peace. What is bringing confusion is accidental. Start peace from your heart as individual.”
Speaking at the second day of the revival, Thursday, June 29 at the same venue, a pastor of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Rev. Samuel Aremu, gave ten conditions for peace to reign in the country, families and everywhere. He listed them as adequate knowledge of God, obedience to God, existence of true love, truthfulness and avoiding cheating. Other conditions, he noted, are equality, understanding, hard work, avoiding laziness and ability to do the right thing at the right time. In his opening remarks, the Chairman of CAN in Ojokoro LCDA, Dr. Clement Gbenga Coker, commended the representatives of the Catholic Church in CAN activities in the area but requested for more Catholics participation in the association. He said the association resolved to have the revival in Catholic Church because “the spirit of God ministered that we have to use the place where the Holy Spirit originated.” Calling for financial support for the association, Coker said CAN in the area was self-sponsored.
