1. The Arewa Christians Association (ACIPA) congratulates all Christian faithfuls over the celebration which began on Good Friday on 10th April, 2020.
Easter is not only symbolic of the blood on the Cross at Calvary but reflects the blood of Lamb at the door posts of the children of God while in captivity in Egypt under Pharaoh.

2. The Arewa Christians rejoice with all Muslim faithfuls on the commencement of the fast after sighting the Moon heraldic Ramadan.
It is not a coincidence that the Christians holy month of Easter/Passover connect to the Muslims holy month of Ramadan.
We therefore, call on Muslim faithfuls to join us network, create  awareness against the spread of COVID-19 and to continue praying against the Pharaohs of Nigeria and their households.
The evidence of the answered prayers we began is obvious for the discerning.

3. As much as we pray for Gods' Grace, mercy and protection again at this China plague (COVID-19) that has become a global pandemic, crippled economy of nations and humbled great world leaders, we call on leaders of the free world and the World Health Organization (WHO) to stop their hustle for relevance and politics of economy to face the reality of their limitations towards a solution without sentiment to color or race.

4. Enough is Enough! While Corona virus (COVID-19) has mystified scientists and humbled great world to the supremacy and Divinity of the existence of ONE Great God, event in Nigeria have and will continue to prove that God is working against the Pharaohs that withheld the freedom and greatness of Nigeria.
Whether the Corona Virus (COVID-19) was inflicted deliberately in China or it was a collaboration of evil towards apocalyptic new world order, We for call for repentance as an only first alternative.

5. More events shall unfold in Nigeria at both National and state levels to further humble and naked the proud, corrupt and ungodly amongst our leaders.

6. We hereby commend the initiative of President Mohammadu Buhari with particular reference to the total lockdown on Kano to forestall spread to other states and the pragmatic steps over Lagos, Ogun States and the FCT.

7. Today, there are no skeptic amongst our governors especially with the ravaging death toll in Kano.
The Arewa Christians sincerely appreciate the boldness of Governor Ganduje to abolish the long practice of almajiri, (street begging) a practice that has become a long tradition synonymous to negative Islamic practice in Northern Nigeria. Thus painting the North in negative terms constantly.

8.  We also wish to single out the leadership initiative of Governor Simon B. Lalong of Plateau state, who also doubles as the chairman of Northern Governors forum. His effort at inaugurating and assigning with immediate effect the committee on relocation of all almajiri to their States of origin is a step in the right direction and long overdue.

9. We strongly call on all Northern Governors to sustain the momentum at abolishing all forms of street begging in the name of almajiri.

Though both Christianity and Islam encourage seeking religious and other forms of knowledge, both also abhors street begging with an alternative ways of giving alms to the needy.

It is unfortunate that street begging and negative antecedents have become associated to Northerners everywhere in Nigeria. This unacceptable!

10. After our findings, local intelligence and consultations with our Patrons it became imperative that we make the following observations suggestions :

a) That while government at Federal and state levels may have sincere objectives to curb the spread of COVID-19, safe, provide  or ensure the means of sustainability, government bureaucracy, red-tapism and corruption along the line of chain of command and authority is an impediment to government existing distribution of palliatives.

The truth is majority of Nigerians are suffering an some may die from the Scotch of hunger under the lock down than from COVID-19.

b). Health workers  and other first respondence have put their lives on the line to safe other Nigerians. However, inherent corruption and lack professional discipline especially amongst the lower cadre security operatives at international borders and especially interstate entry points is responsible for the recent increase of the spread of COVID-19.

c). The greatest risk of community transfer of COVID-19 is as a result of interstate border entry points and the greatest, imminent and most vulnerable risk routes are the commercial routes or centres and interstate border towns and communities.

Commercial drivers and security operatives make brisk business at border towns and communities. While commercial drivers drop passengers on transit to next destinations, security operatives in turn become clearing and forwarding officers of passengers motorable roads, illegal footpaths or bushes that connect travellers through communities to urban centres at our collective risks.

11.  In view of the above, we therefore suggests the following:

a). Since government assistance in form of food or cash can hardly trickle down to the poor and vulnerable as a result of inherent known weakness in government, food items, toiletries and others should be distributed through vetted reputable community m
Mosques, Imams, Churches, Ministries and Pastors at various parishes, Provincial, District, or local Church councils. This should be carried out in collaboration with identified ward, community, village head alongside government officials.

b). Each needy or poor Nigerian knows the road to the market. Therefore, rather than converting the peoples money to foodstuffs, especially where some are on special diets as a result of diabetes or other ailments, government should monetize the palliatives to Nigerians.
Payments should be made through personal bank accounts since government have details of BVN of all account holders and knows who owns what.
It is also easy to reach the needy who do not own a bank account through community Mosques or Imams, Churches or Pastors, Ward, community or village heads.

c). An independent committee comprising locals, clergies, ward heads, media and including government officials be set to ensure monitoring, accountability and compliance to government directive.

d).  To ameliorate the suffering of pensioners and others in need of financial palliatives, banks should be categorized under essential services with new protocol of services to customers within the period of the pandemic.

e). Setting of high powered supervisory committees to monitor the role of security operatives at the national and interstate borders. Those found wanting or found to have aided entry of COVID-19 across any crossing should be made to face the law accordingly.

f). The corrupt compromise by some security high command over the war on terrorism and Fulani militia cannot be allowed to permeate this our collective war against the unseen deathly common enemy called COVID-19 or the China plague.
 Nigerians are tired of government rhetorics of policies and directives while over eighty percent (80%) of Nigerians rely on daily income for sustainability. Nigerians simply need food on their tables.

12.  Together we shall overcome the Pharaohs of Nigeria and cross over the red sea when the last last stroke of COVID-19 will be overcome by the good of of the God of life eternal for humanity over evil and her her proponents.

Once more our prayers and goodwill to all Muslim faithfuls in this special month of Ramadan.
Together we shall overcome to have a greater Arewa and indeed a greater Nigeria.

Rev'd. Luke Shehu
Chairman, ACIPA