Rev. Fr. Peter Asan, Parish Priest, St Michael Catholic Church, Garaku, Nasarawa State, has harped on attitudinal change by Nigerians in order to address the various challenges facing the nation.
Asan gave the charge on Sunday in Garaku, while presiding over Thanksgiving/Child Dedication Mass of Mr Daniel Ogazi, member representing Kokona East constituency at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly.
He noted that the country would only get better if Nigerians would do the right at all the times.
According to him, the peace, joy and security that the country experienced was being eroded.
“The country is facing acts of terrorism, kidnapping, banditary among other evils. Those perpetrating these evil acts are human being.
“Security agencies are not magicians. We need to give them useful information to tackle the security challenges facing the nation.
“Let’s all of us continue to do the right things and live exemplary lives for our children and for a better society.
“What we need is security and peace in the country. Let’s us be honest and cautious of what we are doing for the development of the society, ” he said.
He advised politicians and wealthy Nigerians against unnecessary accumulation of wealth.
” You may build a good house, buy good cars, accumulate money for your children, one day they will grow up and say all these things are old fashioned or they will spend the money recklessly,” he said.
The priest also charged Christians and other Nigerians to celebrate the forthcoming Christmas New Year festivities peacefully and reach out to the needy.
Also speaking, Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, Speaker of the State Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, and Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi, all lauded Ogazi for his contribution to the development of the church, his constituency and the state.
Responding, Ogazi said that the thanksgiving mass was to appreciate God for His protection, blessings and favours upon him and and his family.
“I have every reason to celebrate God. I have learnt carpentry work, I was an “Okada” commercial motorcycle rider and a taxi driver, I held different positions and today, a member of the state House of Assembly, I thank God for his blessings and favours, ” he said.
Ogazi, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Education, Science and Technology assured of his continued contribution to the development of the church and the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that among dignitaries who attended the occasion were the state All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Chairman, Mr John Mamman and Mr Silas Agara, Federal Commission, National Population Commission.
Others are Chief Lawrence Sylvester-Ayih, the ‘Abaga Toni’ of Toni Chiefdom, state House of Assembly members, local government chairmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders among other well wishers. (NAN)