[dropcap]A[/dropcap]so Rock Presidential Villa, although built with an Islamic architectural orientation, was not re-designed by any of the Christian Presidents in the persons of Olusegun Obasanjo or Goodluck Jonathan. It was simply occupied without complaints. That, perhaps was because it was reasoned that the facility wasn’t built to suit the personality of the occupant but to serve as official residence of the Nigerian President.
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What we are informed of today, about the alleged closure of officially designated and purpose-built facilities for Christian worship within the Presidential Villa on ‘orders from above’ amounts to a slap on Christendom. Whether Children Church or Adult Church, it is inconsequential. A designated worship center is a sacred place of worship. Seeking to take it out of the precincts of the villa or as reported, far from the residence of the President, can only be reasonably interpreted to mean intolerance of the Christian faith.
The Presidency is respectfully called upon to clarify on this issue and desist from further plans in this regard, if any, as no reason would be justified enough to assuage the strong feelings of segregation, apartheid, and governmental exclusion that are appearing to be the norm in the current administration against Christians and ethnic minorities.
Oraye St. Franklyn, a strategic communicator and good governance advocate, writes from Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He tweets from @RealOraye. He is also on Facebook.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
