Governor Ishaku appeal to UMCN to come back as one denomination
Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku has appeal to the leadership of both bodies, United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN) lead by Bishop John Wesly Yohanna, and the United Methodist Church (UMC) lead by Reverend Philip Micah Dopah to come together as one denomination.
” I am appealing to you to please come together as one denomination as it has been in the past years.
“Let all of you forgive each other and forget about the what has happened in the past.
The Governor represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Anthony Jellason said that the two can become more stronger when they come together as one.
Earlier, the Leader of Southern Conference of the United Methodist Church UMC, Rev. Philip Micah Dopah said,
“There is no glory without history. The epoch-making ceremony we are celebrating today gave birth in a disastrous effort to elect a new bishop for the Nigeria Area under the tutelage of the Retired Bishop Arthur F. Kulah in 2012. In his bit to midwife the transition, Retired Bishop Arthur F. Kulah failed and his efforts plunged the church into untold hardship, chaos and desperation for which the church is still suffering today.
“Fortunately, we were left with no option than to navigate the Southern Annual Conference out of these anarchy to an independent entity. So many issues came into play during that period of commotion, time will not permit us to relate in this write up.
“We have gone through persecutions from one police station to the other, one DSS office, to the other, different prisons, different courts, threats, intimidation, name calling ranging from breakaway faction, tribalist, renegade, rebels etc. God been our helper, we are able to stand firm with a record of achievements during the past 10 years.
He enumerated some of the conference achievements recorded in the past Ten years to include:
Successful Registration of our conference with the Corperate Affairs Commission with the name Southern Conference of United Methodist Church, Consistent organizing of Annual conference from 2013 to Date and ordination of pastors both Elders and Deacons for kingdom work, Establishment of New Churches in Imo state, Akwa Ibom State, Delta State, Enugu State, Anambra State, and Lagos State, Number of Districts rose from 31 during Bishop F. Kullah to 39 Districts and Numbers of charges from 227 to 327 Charges, Building of Episcopal residence at the tune of N13.5m remaining 15% percent completion, Purchase of landed assets in Jalingo opposite Rubby, Dinyavoh,mile six, Jimlari, former Camp ground, Appawa and Zing running in to millions of Naira, Purchase of UMC Camp where we have gathered including the Land out to the tune 90 MILLION (N90,000 000) including payment of 10% to the vendors, A robust sustainability plan that replaced the incomes coming from the global conference of the UMC.
He said that despite the factors, the conference have remained committed to strong, United, unshakable, growing in all church organizations and we are a force to be reckon with in Taraba state and Northern Nigeria.
“Despite all the above accomplishments, we have not arrived yet, therefore we are making Special Appeals to all our members, politicians, friends of southern conference of United Methodist Church. We need modern toilet, modern Tents, Solar boreholes, more solar panels, Transformers, Plastic chairs, accommodations and general renovation more especially in the camp ground. Just as Jesus died for us to live let us consecrate ourselves to the service of God Almighty.
“Iam calling for more prayers, Love, trust, encouragement, commitment, unity, with Jesus Christ as our captain and trusting God, we have already crossed the Red Sea and surely our next destination is the promise land. No power of hell, no scheme of man will stop us from entering the promise land as long as we continue to Stand firm in the power of Jesus Christ.
He acknowledged the support and encouragement of some personalities to include,
Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku CON and the Government of Taraba state, Bishop Tsav Thomas, Bishop Japheth Aneas of LCCN, Bishop LCCN Taraba Diocese, Bishop Philip Isaac Taku, of Royal priesthood Bishop Edwin Jarumai International praise church and RCCN president Rev Bulus Yerima.
Others are, Rev. Jolly T. Nyame Daban Yorro former Governor of Taraba state,late Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai of blessed memory, Rev David Alkali Vagure, CRCN president and CAN chairman Taraba State Rev Dr Isaiah Jirapye Magaji, TEKAN ECWA Taraba State, Rev Dr David U Ibi Nocef Taraba State Rev Dr Victor Falack, the 39 Districts superintendents, heads of organizations programs, All chairman of Boards and committees, Commissioners, local Government chairmen, and other political class of our conference, and our political friends both Christians & Muslims such as Hon. Anthony Jellason, SGS, Bishop Innocent Solomon, Col. Kefas Agbu,LCCN Bishop Taraba StateDiocese Bishop Timothy V. Warimi Chief David Sabo Kente, Senator Bwacha Emmanuel, senator Shuaibu Isa Lau, Hon Danladi Baido, Hon Aminu Jika, Dr Aminu Jauro Hassan, Hon Hassan Bappa, Hon Nasiru Boboji, Hon Kasimu Maigari, Innocent Jabanya, Bello Yero, Hon John kizito Bonzena, Hon Danladi Gwampo, professor Jerome Nyame, Professor Joseph Albasu Alkinjo Kunini, Hon Victor Bala Kona, Hon. Samaila Mai Hanci, Rev.Simon ZubairuBamga, Rev. Father James Vonti, Rev. Andemun Rimamnde, Comrade Peter Jediel NLC Chairman Taraba State, our conference lay leader Hon Dennis L Yasso and members Board of laity, council members, pastors that were taken to prison (Rev Philip Micah Dopah, Rev John Lantoya Ezekiel, Rev Solomon Shugaba, Rev Abainitus Akila Hamman, Rev Hassan Umaru, Rev Elkanah MK Ayuba Rev Dickla Zoban, Rev Zaphaniya Bakari and late Rev peter Danladi) and the 31 lay members that were taken to Jalingo prison and suffered in court for five Years, members Youth forum, members Elders forum zing, and every member of our conference who contributed and sacrificed in one way or the other for making it possible for the 10 years of our existence as a self-reliant, self-supporting and self-propagating conference.
“These are our pillars among others, we thank you most sincerely. Our prayers for the living, may God continue to sustain and replenish you in all endeavours.
In his message, the Guest Speaker, Rev. David Akila Vagure urged people to learn to forgive each other.
On the coming Elections, he said:
“Money bags should keep their money, people are already aware of the type of person that they will vote for in the coming Elections.
“We will vote only those that will work with the fear of God.
He title his message: Without Holiness, you can’t see the Lord, and took his text from Hebrew 12:148.
Also speaking, the Chairman planning committee, Rev.Akila Haman said:
“We have passed through many persecutions, so looking at the past, we have reason to celebrate and we have to work hard in the areas that are weak.