Nigerian Newsday

By Titus Mangut

The Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ (ERCC), has thrown its weight behind calls by some Nigerians that the Federal Government should investigate the recent ADC plane crash which killed 96 out of the 104 people on board and make public the outcome of the investigation.

The president of the church, Rev. Adamu Akyala, made the stand of the church known shortly after the church synod (assembly meeting) which was held at the ERCC headquarters, Alushi, Nasarawa State, last week.

He said it was high time Nigerians knew why the country recorded more than four air disasters within a year, adding that all the officials who may be found wanting in the discharge of their functions should be brought to book.

Rev. Akyala expressed the church’s appreciation to Nasarawa State Government for assisting the ERCC medical centre, Alushi, with the sum of N20 million toward the building of tuberculosis (TB) ward at the centre.

In another development, the ERCC president has appealed to churches and religious organizations to always come to the aid of people living with HIV/AIDS.

He said discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS was a sin and that such discrimination had in the past contributed to the death of some patients. He advised people to always be their brothers’ keeper".

Rev. Akyala also advised couples to be faithful to each other, so as to reduce the chances of contracting HIV/AIDS.

Meanwhile, the ERCC has expressed dismay on the unfolding political events in the country, particularly the spate of impeachment of governors, saying that in most cases they state lawmakers did not follow due legal process before impeaching the governors.

A press statement after the church general executive meeting in Akwanga last week, signed by the ERCC information officer, Mr. Abaka John, said the church was however, not in support of any corrupt governor, but urged the lawmakers to respect the constitution of the country.

The church while giving total support to the anti-corruption campaigns of the government through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), however called on the EFCC not be selective in the fight against corruption.

According to the ERCC, if corrupt people were made to face the law of the land, "in no distant future the country will be a corrupt-free nation", noting that the untold hardship the people of this country were going through was because of the "greed of some leaders who want to amass wealth for themselves, living the masses in abject poverty".

The statement further appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure it registered all eligible voters so that people can exercise their franchise during the 2007 general elections. It also urged politicians to play the game of politics without bitterness for the overall development of the country.