By Samuel Aruwan
Kaduna
The national president of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, at the weekend in Kaduna cautioned Christians of Northern Nigerian extraction to stop act of hypocrisy.
The national president tasked Christians to firmly unite and celebrate one another instead of lamentations and self condemnation.
Speaking during a Thanksgiving Service in honour of Engr. Andy La’ah Yakubu, immediate past Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, organized by CAN, Northern States, Oritsejafor who was represented Elder Sunday Oibe, CAN Director of Research, said “We are gathered here today to pray and thank God for the life and opportunity that He has granted to one of our own, Engr. Andy Yakubu to serve this country, as the GMD of NNPC for two years. From all accounts, he left the NNPC better than before he took over. He has made his positive marks there as good Christians, as wonderful person from the north of Nigeria
“I am proud to say that from his upbringing as the son of a reverend, he has never left the church, instead made meaningful contribution to its growth and survival in Northern Nigeria. And if there is any time that the Church in Northern Nigeria needs to firmly unite, it is now. Christians in many parts of Northern Nigeria are undergoing unprecedented persecution and suffering. But God has been on our side and we shall overcome evil with the weight of our faith.
“Engr. Andy Yakubu is one of us, who has proven that ‘when the righteous rule, the people rejoice’. We must learn to celebrate our own that have performed well, instead of pulling them down with our words. If we celebrate greatness among us, we are only strengthen our unity and telling the world that we are one, that we cannot be divided and used. It is an important security measure for Christians in Northern Nigeria.”
Yakubu in his response said “Fellow soldiers of the Cross, at every given opportunity, I always express my profound thanks to Mr. President for the opportunity to have served in the capacity of GMD of the NNPC. Personally, it was a great challenge at the same time an opportunity to serve the nation in a very important capacity. It is pertinent to state at this point that I was appointed GMD on 26th June 2012 by Mr. President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and after two years, another GMD was appointed. I enjoin us all to support the new GMD in the same way you supported me, if not better. It must be noted that I enjoyed working with Mr. President throughout my time as GMD and that created the enabling environment for me to discharge my responsibility to the best of my ability.’’