S/West CAN celebrates Leah at 16

…tasks FG on her release

By Josephine Oguntoyinbo
|
As Leah Sharibu turned 16 yesterday, members of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) South West zone gathered to celebrate her birthday, just as they called on the Federal Government to intensify effort towards her release from captivity.

They made the call at the South West zonal meeting of the association held at the First ECWA Church, Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The CAN Director on National Issues and Social Welfare, Bishop Stephen Adegbite said that Leah, one of the school girls abducted by Boko Haram in Dapchi village, Yobe state over a year ago has spent 449 days in captivity.

While saying CAN has met with President Mohammadu Buhari on the issue several times and he informed them that the demand for her release is very high, and noted that the association insisted that nothing is too much for the Federal Government to spend to secure her release.

“We should see her as our own daughter, more than a year now, whatever could be done to set her free should be done as a nation ,CAN will not relent in its prayers to ensure that Leah and others who suffer same fate are rescued”, he stated.

On his own, the CAN Chairman, Lagos State branch, Apostle Alexander Bamigbola posited that marking her birthday was in solidarity, both in the spirit and physical with the young lady who declared for Christ despite intimidation and persecution.

The cleric who expressed optimism that the girl will be rescued as “all things work together for good to them that love the Lord” called on the Federal Government to do more in securing her release.

Also speaking, the CAN Chairman, Ondo State branch, Rev. Dr. John Ayo Oladapo enjoined the government to be more aggressive and do everything possible for her release.

According to him, the security of this nation calls for more attention, stressing that the Federal Government should do more to secure lives and properties.

The Chairman, Ondo State Christian Welfare Board, Very Rev.Raphael Agboola appreciated the effort made so far by the government on the security of the nation saying that the programme was to encourage them to do more and identify with the heroine and her family.

“This daughter of God must not die, we know prayer is key, and God answers prayer, the bible says the thought that I have towards you is that of peace, not of evil. As God reigneth, she will be reunited with her family soon”, he said.

Prayers were offered for her and her family at the event with cutting of a symbolic cake.

Speaking on the essence of the South West zonal meeting, the South West CAN Chairman, Rev. Father Raphael Osegbohun explained that the delegates of the association across the South West were in Akure to pray for Nigeria and chart a new course for the South West.