By Amos Aar
THE ASSOCIATION of United Farmers Benue-Valley (AUFBV) on Sunday held a thanksgiving service at the Chapel of Grace, Government House, Makurdi and to also pray for divine intervention in the face of continued attacks by suspected herders.
Asked the motivation for the thanksgiving despite the dire circumstances faced by its members, marked by killings, displacement, and homelessness, Mr. Dennis Gbongbon Utsa, the President of AUFBV, said the association chose to express gratitude to God for sustaining the IDPs against all odds and to also seek divine intervention in their plight.
“The association operates across four states, but today, we are in Makurdi, Benue State, to thank God for His mercies, even amidst the suffering of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benue.
“The border between Benue and Nasarawa has been marked by continuous unrest and a lack of peace. But in every situation, we must give thanks to God, trusting that He has a purpose.
“Our thanksgiving today is an appeal to God to intervene in the plight of these vulnerable families who have endured endless killings and displacement, forcing them to flee their ancestral homes and separating them from loved ones.
“We believe in the power of prayer. We have explored avenues for peace and security, but now we turn to God for divine intervention. Through this thanksgiving, we seek forgiveness for our sins and ask God to restore peace so that farmers can return to their fields and thrive.”
Earlier, the Chaplain of the Chapel, Rev. Fr. Clement Ugoh, delivered a sermon urging Christians to be beacons of light, guiding others to Christ. He likened their role to the star that led the wise men to Jesus at His birth.
