Abia Christians celebrate Israel at 76, pray for peace


Christians in Abia State have celebrated the state of Israel at 76 years of statehood while praying for peace in that region.

Under the auspices of the Abia State chapter of Christian United for Israel Prayer Outreach, they include orthodox churches under the umbrella of the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Pentecostal Federation of Nigeria.

During the occasion, prayers were offered to God to continue to abide by his people, the state of Israel, which came to be on 14th May 1948 through a six-day war led by one-eyed General, Moshe Dayan.

In his brief remark during the occasion, the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Michael Freeman, who delivered a letter from the state of Israel to CUFI through the 2024 state coordinator of CUFI, Rev. Dr. Chris Nwachukwu, said, “It is my honour and pleasure to celebrate with you today and to express my gratitude to the management, and all involved with the Christian United For Israel Prayer Outreach and the incredible young people who have come together from different parts of the country to celebrate Israel at 76.

“This year, we mark and celebrate our 76th Independence Day, but our hearts are still heavy with the memory of 1200 Israelis and others who were brutally murdered by Hamas on October 7.

“And still today, 132 Israelis and other citizens are still being held by Hamas in their terror dungeons in Gaza. Together we must demand their release and pray for their safe returns.

“Israel continues to thrive as a diverse and vibrant democracy, a leader in agriculture and technology, entrepreneurship and innovation and human development and ingenuity. Together with our friends and partners in Nigeria, we will continue to build a better future for all of us, our children and grandchildren.

In his opening address, the 2024 state coordinator of CUFI, Rev. Dr. Nwachukwu, called for prayers for the unity of Christians and churches and prayers for Israel, stating that as of date, many had been displaced and the land divided into three units.

He said that the great golden dome in the region signifies Islam, which occupies the major part of Israel, noting that Muslims and Jews occupy 76 per cent of Israel, with Palestine wanting to occupy Gaza, making the Christians not to have control of the land.

In his admonition, the state chairman of the PFN, Bishop Chikezie Elekwa, described God as a “convent-keeping God,” noting that Israel has passed through a lot, adding, “They went from one captivity and enslavement to another. They were scattered everywhere, dead, and dried and had no idea that they would come up alive again. Today, this nation of Israel is standing as a great army and will never be defeated.”

Abia State governor, Alex Otti, represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Religious Matters, Apostle K. C. Wiper, said as Israel is the firstborn to God, Nigeria is the second born, stating, “As Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, Abia State is the capital of Nigeria.”

Archbishop Chibuzo Raphael Opoko of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Umuahia Archdiocese, who was represented by the Bishop of Umuahia East Diocese, Right Rev. Ikechukwu Nkulo, used the opportunity to advise the state government to institute and solidify its pilgrims’ board.