Bomba Dauda
The Deputy Governor-designate of Kaduna State, His Excellency, Comrade Jerry Adams, and the Chief Launcher of the book, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, Minister of Defence, have called on Nigerians to embrace forgiveness as a vital step towards healing the country and overcoming the deep divisions caused by years of conflict and mutual mistrust.
Adams, who was the Special Guest of Honour, made the call at the launch of the book, “No Freedom Without Forgiveness,” authored by Rev. Ezekiel Bulus, Resident Pastor of ECWA Good News Church, High Cost, Kaduna.
Describing the book as timely, Adams said the people of Kaduna State and Nigeria as a whole had experienced painful conflicts and deep wounds over the years, resulting in the loss of lives and destruction of property.
According to him, the time has come for individuals and communities to let go of the pain, bitterness and animosity they hold against one another in order to heal from deep-seated hatred and build a more peaceful society.
“Forgiveness needs to be part of us, not only as Christians but also as human beings. We have fought one another for too long and caused so much destruction and loss of human lives.
“At this junction, we must allow the pains and animosity we bear against one another to slide so that we can heal ourselves from the deep-seated hatred we have against each other,” Adams said.
He reminded Christians that humanity consists of children of God and urged them to forgive others, just as God forgives human trespasses.
Speaking as the Chief Launcher of the book, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, Minister of Defence, who was ably represented by Usman Anto, Chairman of Sanga local government area also stressed the importance of love and forgiveness among Nigerians.
According to the Minister, Nigerians must learn to love and forgive one another, noting that the country’s difficult situation and the mutual mistrust among its people have contributed significantly to holding the nation back.
He said Nigeria could not experience genuine healing and lasting peace until its people were willing to forgive one another and overcome the bitterness created by years of conflict.
“Nigeria is in a difficult situation, and mutual mistrust among its people has drawn the country backward. Until we forgive one another, we can never heal the land of the incessant ethno-religious conflicts that have bedevilled us as a people,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the President of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and Deputy National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Audu Amba, highlighted the importance of forgiveness and encouraged Christians to be quick to forgive those who wrong them.
On his part, Samuel Atung, SAN, Principal Partner of Gatekeepers Consult, described the book as an “antidote” needed in everyday life, stressing that forgiveness remains central to the Christian faith.
According to him, Christians cannot genuinely claim to follow the teachings of Christ while refusing to forgive others.
The event brought together religious leaders, professionals and other members of the public, who reflected on the importance of forgiveness, love and reconciliation in promoting peace, healing and peaceful coexistence in Kaduna State and Nigeria at large.
