From Joseph Asegba, Yola
Archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN), Most Reverend Musa Filibus, has urged government at all levels to intensify efforts toward protecting citizens, ensuring justice and promoting peace in the country.
Filibus made the call in Demsa, Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa at the LCCN 2026 National Annual Convention.
The convention themed, “Go and Bear Fruit that Will Last” (John 15:16), holds from Feb. 25 to March 1, saying the gathering marks the 101 convention of the church since its establishment in 1925, describing it as a historic moment that brings together members, friends and partners from across Nigeria and beyond.
Speaking on the state of the nation, the clergy, said Nigeria continued to face insecurity, with innocent lives being lost. “Today we remember families who lost loved ones, those displaced and others who lost livelihoods due to terrorist activities.
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He said, “While appreciating signs of progress in the security situation, we call on the government to do more, to protect citizens, ensure justice and promote peace”. Panti however, urged Christians to remain steadfast in prayer and to embrace their role as peacemakers.
“As Christians, Jesus calls us to pray, stay alert and be peacemakers. We are to seek the peace and prosperity of the city (Jeremiah 29:7). Religious leaders must speak and act for peace. We must never justify the killing of any innocent person because of religious, ethnic or political sentiments,” he added.
Speaking on the theme, Filibus said it was aimed at challenging Christians to raise generations rooted in the fear of God and committed to bearing fruits beneficial to the church and society. “In a nation today that is shaking, we have left the fundamentals of what it means to be a people of the same country even when we differ in our faith.”
He noted that, “Religious leaders have resorted to teachings that instigate misunderstandings rather than building bridges and bringing people together. This gathering aims at bringing us back to a faith that compels us to live lives worthy in society and portray the life of Christ”.
In his remark, Reverend Amos Kiri, President, the United Church of Christ in Nigeria, and Guest Speaker, who took his reading from the Book St John Chapter 25:16, described the message as a clarion call for Christians to live according to Christ’s teachings.
The President said, “In our society today, our behaviour and conduct do not portray how Christ wants us to live. We must bear fruits worthy of emulation. We expect a change in understanding of what Christianity is and how we are supposed to live as Christians in this corrupt world.”
