John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, has dismissed fears by Christians that Muslims want to Islamise Nigeria. Instead, he urged Christians to rather Christianise the country.

“Let nobody deceive you, I don’t think there is anybody who has plan to Islamise Nigeria,”Onaiyekan said at a Mass to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Gwarinpa II in Abuja on Sunday.

“But even if they do, they have every right to do so. They have every right to do so provided they also know that I have the right to Christianise the whole of Nigeria.

“The answer is not in complaining and crying; stand up like a man and Christianise Nigeria.

“People complain that Christianity is being persecuted; they are saying that some people want to Islamise the nation. Just know that nobody can’t Islamise you unless you agree to be Islamised.”

He pointed out that instead of whining about “Islamisation”, Christians should step up effort in preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

He urged them not to be distracted by the pursuit of material things in preaching the Gospel.

“You don’t Christianise the nation by standing up and looking for prosperity or material benefits,” he said.

“You Christianise a nation, if you are ready to stand up for the truth, preach the gospel, carry the Cross and follow the Lord Jesus.

“For as long as you are not ready to stand up and carry the Cross, you are on the verge of losing your faith; if you don’t want to lose your promotion for Christ’s sake, you are also not worthy to be a Christian.”

Onaiyekan noted that Christianity had survived over 2,000 years and the religion became more established even when the apostles faced persecution and were even killed.