‘Forgive Boko Haram,’ Reps speaker urges Nigerians

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has urged Nigerians to forgive the members and sponsors of the Boko Haram sect.

The Speaker made the comments on Thursday, September 17, 2015, during the diamond anniversary lecture of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria which held at the Christian Ecumenical Centre in Abuja.

“The need for sober reflection is particularly important for us in Nigeria, especially in the North-eastern states of Nigeria, where the terrorist group, Boko Haram, which of late, has been flaunting its association with the world terror group, the Islamic State (ISIS), has targeted not only the Church, but also Mosques, children, women and indeed, the entire society, in mindless terror, death and destruction of all that we hold dear,” Dogara said according to The Sun.

“The rights of our people as entrenched in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended, to worship and choose their religion has been violated by the terrorists, who left no one in doubt that they want everyone to follow their ways.

What are the lessons for us today in Nigeria? Christians would need to forgive those who, especially in the last six years, have promoted, strengthened and supported the massive destruction that the Church and others had suffered in the hands of the Boko Haram. But, where else lies the footstep of the saviour except in forgiving? History has shown that the blood of saints cannot be shed in vain‎,” he added.

Dogara also urged the church to be a leadership role model for the world to follow.