Ishaku charges Christians to always criticise political leaders

Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba has called on the church to always advise and critisise political leaders when necessary to enable them to deliver their mandates to the people.

Ishaku made the appeal on Wednesday in Abuja after receiving a prestigious award bestowed on him by The Church of Nigeria titled, “Prestigious Award for Courageous and Purposeful Leadership in Challenging Situation”.

He told newsmen on the sidelines of the event that the award would spur him and other recipients to do more for the betterment of the nation.

He said: “This award is an encouragement. But more than that, they need to start early in advising, particularly those of us in politics.

“They also need to point out to us when we go wrong early, so that we can make corrections towards delivering the benefits of democracy to our people.

“I find out that the church is very clear in its criticism and most times they are very correct in their critique, it doesn’t go to the press like you people do, they tell us quietly and it has been very useful.

“So, I told them too quietly, that they should be able to encourage us more by the quiet criticism they are giving us, it helps a lot.”

According to Ishaku, the award by the church meant a lot to him because the church was the trust of the society.

The immediate past Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRCN), Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, who was also a recipient of the prestigious award thanked the church and the Primate for the recognition.

Oyeyemi said: “This is not like those awards that when they give you, they ask you to bring money.

“For the Church of God to recognise you, it means that you have truly done well. And I thank the Primate for this nomination and conferment.

“This will spur me even in my retired life to continue to remain steadfast and contribute my quota to the nation.”

Other recipients of the award include former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Minister of Defence, retired Lt.-. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma and retired Brig.- Gen. Buba Marwa), the Chairman/ Chief Executive, NDLEA.

It was reported that all the recipients were awarded on the sidelines of the Church of Nigeria’s Standing Committee Meeting.

The meeting is the highest decision-making body of the Church and has as its theme, “Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done’’.