The Shun Corruption campaign was launched in Minna, capital of Niger state on August 20, 2018. The launch was carried at the Executive Committee meeting of the state’s Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) which had over a hundred member of the fellowship in attendance from all the Local Governments Council Areas.
Although it was scheduled in less than forty eight hours, it turned out to be an outstanding event with a turnout that had a great population and the top echelon of the Niger Pentecostal executive in attendance. The meeting was also attended by members of the advisory council of the fellowship.
This launch coming on the heel of the Shun Corruption launch in Suleja also in Niger state, the state has demonstrated that it is a fertile ground for effectively promoting the anti-corruption work of the Pentecostal Church. The pastors in the state are keen to take ownership of the process and ensure that Pentecostal pastors are accountable and are willing to commit to work for the public good.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Tive Denedo, the Programmes Manager of the Priests Peace Justice Initiative (PPJ) said the Shun Corruption project which is an idea designed to mobilize Christians against corruption using the Pentecostal perspective at a time when this country needs Christians of Pentecostal extraction to be in the vanguard of preaching against corruption and raising models for the younger generations in Pentecostal Churches around the country.
Denedo said the task of ensuring that the fight against corruption is effective, the Church need to highlight other relevant issues including ensuring that the Pentecostal Church is accountable in its engagement, amplifying its voice in the struggle for social justice for its members and society as well as working towards having a space in the political leadership of this nation. He emphasised that Pentecostal Christians should participate in the election process through registration for the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs), run for elective offices and make sure that their votes count by working for a free, fair, transparent and credible elections.
He urged the gathering of pastors to use the numerical strength and the huge financial resources available to the Pentecostal congregation as a means of bringing transformation to the country. He described the two assets as relevant capitals and tools that can be deployed in making all the difference in the fight against corruption and having a strong hold in the political enterprise of the country.
In his declaration of the launch, the Niger state Chairman of PFN, Rev. Emmanuel K.K Leke said that the fight against corruption must be taken seriously by all believers, saying also that everyone in the meeting must get registered to obtain their voters cards as well as ask their members to get their voters cards as the 2019 elections is very crucial for the stability of the country.
According to him the challenges of the time calls for all well meaning Pentecostal pastors and members to contribute to making Nigeria a country that is responsive to the yearnings of her citizens.
He pledged to include the training being organized by PPJ in the 2019 calendar of the PFN saying “We are glad to have you here today to speak on anti-corruption. We will invite you and will give you up to three hours to train pastors on what we have heard you done in Abuja. We support what you are doing”
Other pastors who are present at the launch include the State secretary of PFN, Pastor Dike Yakubu, Pastor Paul, Chairman Suleja Local Government Chapter of PFN.