Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has challenged churches in the Southern states of Nigeria to assist those in the North to cushion the effect of violent attacks on them in the area.

Umahi, at the 10th Year Anniversary and foundation laying ceremony of Basilica of Grace Cathedral of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in Afikpo on Sunday, thanked the Primate of the Church, Rev. Nicholas Okoh, for going to Kaduna to offer assistance to Christians who were attacked for no just cause.

He said: “I say this, the church in the southern states of Nigeria must rise up to assist the churches in the Northern states of Nigeria. That is the word of God. That is the fulfilment of the scripture.

“Ithank the Primate who demonstrated this by going to Kaduna to help our brothers and sisters that were unfortunately attacked, killed and maimed for no just cause.”

Umahi, in a statement on Tuesday by his spokesman, Emma Anya, disclosed that the State Executive Council would on Wednesday meet to discuss the kind of assistance to be offered by his administration to the victims of the Kaduna attacks.

“On Wednesday, we will also do something to assist our brothers and sisters in Kaduna to cushion the ugly effect of what happened to them,” Umahi promised.

The Governor charged the Anglican Communionto embrace the agricultural policy ofhis government through its ‘One-Man, One-Hectare ofland’ to help diversify the economy.

“I will like the church to cue into our one-man, one-hectare agric policy. We have so much land and so we can prosper,” he stated.

Rev. Okoh, commended Governor Umahi for leading Ebonyi State with the fear of the God, noting that the state had witnessed tremendous transformation within the less than twoyears of his administration.