Chairman, Northern Christians Association, Rev. Joseph John Hayab,
The Chairman of the Northern Christian Association (NCA), Rev. Joseph John Hayab, has urged Christians across the country to participate in the ongoing Dangote Petroleum Refinery Initial Public Offering (IPO), saying religious considerations should not prevent Nigerians from investing in legitimate businesses.
Hayab made the call at a media parley in Kaduna, where he also reflected on Nigeria’s 66 years of independence, attributing some of the country’s developmental challenges to ethnic, religious and regional divisions.
According to him, Nigerians must begin to see themselves first as citizens of one country rather than allowing religious, ethnic and regional identities to determine their response to national issues.
He cited the United States, which recently marked 250 years, as an example of a country that has made significant progress by building institutions and developing a culture of respect for its Constitution and national identity.
Hayab said Nigeria, despite being 66 years old, was still struggling to achieve the level of development expected of a country of its age because citizens had not fully embraced the idea of nationhood.
He, however, acknowledged that Nigeria had recorded some progress, noting that the country’s development had also been affected by military interventions, particularly the coups that interrupted democratic governance.
The NCA chairman said sustained democracy and credible elections remained essential to changing the country, stressing that leaders must be made accountable to the people through a transparent electoral process.
According to him, politicians who know that they can be removed by voters after failing to perform will have greater incentive to provide effective leadership and deliver on their promises.
He said Nigerians should not regard government projects such as roads, hospitals and other infrastructure as personal favours from political leaders, stressing that such projects were funded with public resources.
On the Dangote Refinery IPO, Hayab urged Christians to separate business and investment decisions from religious considerations, saying the shares being offered were an investment opportunity and not a religious product.
“Business has no religion. What Dangote is selling is not Islam; Dangote is selling shares. Shares bring money,” he said.
Hayab, who disclosed that the NCA had begun creating awareness about the offer among Christians, encouraged church members to consider buying shares for themselves, their children and future generations.
“If I have my way, just as they are advertising, every Christian should have 10 shares,” he said, adding that investment should be seen as a means of building long-term family wealth rather than merely seeking immediate returns.
The NCA chairman also called for a stronger investment culture among Nigerians, arguing that greater domestic participation in businesses would increase Nigerians’ stake in the economy and contribute to national development.
He urged Christians and other Nigerians to consider legitimate investment opportunities irrespective of the religious background of business owners, stressing that political administrations would change but viable businesses could continue to contribute to the economy.
