Speaking on availability of petrol, infrastructural development – with focus on road and rail transport – power, employment, economy, among others, he presented interesting ideas all targeted at moving the country forward.
His words: “You will recall that it was not until last year that we got out of the economic recession into which the country had fallen as a consequence of past unsustainable economic policies, which projected short-term illusory growth. This government is slowly stabilising the economy.”
Barely a week into 2018, the country witnessed a series of unfortunate incidents. There were the killings in Omuku, Rivers State; the murders in Benue State, alleged to have been carried out by herdsmen,; destruction of farmlands and the murder of a woman in Ondo State, also alleged to be the handiwork of herdsmen; the attack on persons in Kwara State; fuel queues still linger and fuel prices have failed to stabilise, among others.
In all these, there has been good news as well. Relative peace has been recorded in some states across the country; some Badoo strongmen have been arrested; WHO’s approval of the new typhoid vaccine; rescue of Boko Haram captives; the Federal Government’s dedicated efforts towards rescuing victims of the Libya slave trade, as well as other stories that heralded good for the year.
Through the varying occurrences, church leaders have contributed their voices to the issues on ground, from the background of their interactions with the members, who form the major part of the citizenry, offering pointers on what government needs to focus on in 2018 to make the country better.
CAN admonishes on hate speeches, urging Christians to get PVCs
President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, in a message made available to TribuneChurch, admonished against hate speech propaganda, and called on Christians to ensure they registered to be eligible to vote in sussequent election.
He also restated the need for leaders to work towards making the dividends of democracy available to all citizens.
“As we begin a new year together, I congratulate every Nigerian, both the leaders and the led, on being among the living who entered this long awaited year. I urge all and sundry to return to God in repentance with a view to healing our land and restoring all our losses in the past years.
“As we enter into this New Year, it’s natural to reflect over the previous year and consider gains and losses. Despite that the economic recession was severe, our God did not allow depression to consume us all. We feel with those innocents who met their untimely death within the year as a result of communities, farms and churches’ attack by herdsmen.
God says, ‘Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead’ (Joel 2:12&13). God says, ‘Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and filled with unfailing love. Then the LORD will pity His people and jealously guard the honour of His land’ (Joel 2:18).
“It is only in our repentance that God will look down from eternity to heal our land and send to us grain, new wine and olive oil in abundance to satisfy our needs. I urge politicians to avoid hate and inciting speeches, and every eligible voter should register. Voters’ card is the power of the electorate to elect whoever you want. If you are involved, you get the leader you demand and if you failed to be involved, you get the leader you deserve.”
He further appealed to security agents to “be dedicated and loyal to the nation in their duties,” and called for the promotion of peace and unity.
“The three tiers of government should strive hard to make the much-awaited dividends of democracy available to the people. Let there be room for gainful employment for our youths roaming the streets. Nigeria will be a better country if justice and the fear of God is upheld by both the government and the governed,” Ayokunle stated, and prayed that 2018 will be better than 2017.
Politicians need rethink on cultic, unfair, rigid governance —Pastor Akinosun
President, Christ Apostolic Church, Worldwide, Pastor Abraham Olukunle Akinosun, in his message, urged politicians to have a rethink on how they currently practised politics, noting that people were yet to feel the impact of democratic governance.
Describing the current system as “too cultic, rigid and unfair to the common man, as only the rich and the well-connected get elected into any office,” he said the current system only positively benefitted a few persons as “projects are executed, not for the benefit of the people but to benefit those in power; jobs are given to only children of those in power and their supporters, and the gap between the rich and the poor is getting wider.”
He noted that the clamour for restructuring and devolution of powers at the federal level, should be extended to the state and local levels, stating that “in a true democracy, all shades of opinion and parties should be involved in government, especially at the grassroots.”
He said: “As we look forward to another election year in 2019, our politicians should bear in mind that unless we practise democracy in such a way that will benefit the people, we may not be able to develop optimally as a nation.”
TACN focuses on unity, prompt payment of salaries, lasting security
The Apostolic Church Nigeria, in its New Year message for Nigeria, while calling for prayers for the nation, said the focus should be on ensuring a united front, prompt payment of salaries, and the security of the country.
The message read: “The unity of this country has been committed to the ministry of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, saith the Lord; because ‘I can see the gathering together in this nation to stage protest with banners. I can see confusion in the system of the government and disagreement, which can lead to bloodshed in the nation.’
“‘Therefore, let My sons arise unto prayer. By the nature of this year, let My church make My house their spiritual abode, and let tithe become obligatory for all the redeemed of the Lord,’ saith the Lord. By taking to this injunction, you will all be able to overcome the spirit of supplanting in the office and the spirit of misrepresentation that will be rampant this year, especially for salary earners.’
“‘The leaders in government are in confusion. Therefore my people, you need to pray to call upon Me. As I have given you a day during the first month of the year to call upon Me for the peace of the nation, this you will do. I have seen the money paid; the armies of Satan have been hired from evil countries to fight the nation, but I will forfeit it. I will turn it back upon them: Back to the sender, back to the sender is My message to you, saith the Lord.’”
Underprivileged should feel impact of good governance —Archbishop Abegunrin
Most Reverend Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin of the Catholic Archdiocese of the Ibadan called on government to ensure that the dividends of democracy and good governance reach the people.
Condemning the commercialisation of the education sector, he lamented the non-payment of salaries, which he said were a major feature of the past year, and said efforts should be made to urgently address the situation.
“In Nigeria now, good education has become commercialised, that’s the problem. There should be focus on areas neglected by government . We have a long way to go, and this justice for all must start from the top. My dear people, we are all in need. I will only call for repentance. Let us repent and do justice at home, at work, in the church, mosque, in the media houses. Let us pray and in our various positions, let’s do good, even if those around us are doing bad. I think in this country, we need to ask for God’s forgiveness. Let’s not condemn or curse those who are at the helm of affairs. Rather, let’s pray for them. Let’s pray and encourage them so they will have a change of heart and do better.
Avoid bloodshed in political campaigns —Most Revd Abidoye
Spiritual Head of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church Movement (Ayo Ni O) worldwide, The Most Reverend Samuel Adefila Abidoye, in his message, called on parties to be mature in their political campaigns, in order to avoid bloodshed.
He also advised the electorate to avoid actions that could lead to breakdown of law and order before the 2019 general election.
He said the only weapon all eligible Nigerians have is their votes, which can be legitimately used to retain or change any administration, rather than resort to violence.
He said: “2018 is another year of engaging in campaign, politicking and other political permutations, either to gain or retain political positions, but my plea to all Nigerians, especially politicians, is that we should be politically and spiritually mature and also be careful not to engage in activities that could lead to bloodshed.
“I urge the ruling government to be masses-oriented by working more on improving the quality of our education that is going down the drain and help to raise the standard of our technical schools, that will in turn, produce more employers of labour, rather than job seekers. There should be creation of more skill acquisition/training centres across the country as this will help mop up a portion of unemployed youth roaming our streets.”
He prophesied that 2018 would be a fruitful year, but warned celebrities and corrupt politicians to be wary and watch their ways in order to avoid the wrath of God.
Abidoye called on all Nigerians to continue to pray for government at all levels, remain calm, humane, firm, resolute and decisive. He also appealed to government to address the insecurity in the country, while calling on the citizens to “give the present administration more time to execute their campaign promises.”
He particularly called on President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate critically the causes of the present fuel scarcity, which he said had brought untold hardship on Nigerians and also exposed the country to international ridicule, so that such will not repeat itself again.
He prayed for bumper harvest of foodstuffs for the nation, pointing out that when there is abundant food and availability of social amenities, there would invariably be peace and development in the country.
God is working out miracles for Nigeria —Primate Okoh
Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, in his New Year message, declared 2018 as a year of happiness as God is working out miracles for the country.
He said even if the past year had been characterised by frustrations, which he described as “helpless situations about our national life,” 2018 would bring joy to all.
He urged Nigerians to remain hopeful, stating that the year would be one of reaping fruits of labour, as the Lord would perfect blessings upon all spheres of national life.
Bring perpetrators of violence to justice —Bishop Ajiboye
Bishop Amos Ajiboye of Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Agodi, Ibadan, Oyo State, in his New Year message, called on the Federal Government to respond appropriately to the violence recorded across the nation in recent times.
He said the problem of intolerance and ego are issues that fuelled war, fighting, acrimony and bitterness, noting that “This attitude of selfishness has led to what we refer to day as corruption.”
Speaking on the theme, Strive for Peace and Holiness Apart from Which No One Will See God, he urged all to return to God and embrace righteousness, which he said is the product of peace and holiness.
While condemning the barbaric acts of January 1, 2018 when souls and property were destroyed in Rivers, Benue and Kwara states, he said the Kwara State incident was a repeat of December 18, 1999 during the regime of late Governor Lawal when about 21 churches were vandalised.
He, therefore, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to bring the perpetrators to book and adequately compensate the affected victims.
He reiterated the fact that God would hold all leaders responsible if Nigeria, a country which God has given us with lots of resources, is allowed to crash, and urged all to “work towards life that depicts us as people who are not ingrates, rather people who are appreciative of the enormity of God’s love.”
2018, year of cause and effect —Bishop Akinlalu
The Anglican Bishop of Oke-Osun Diocese, Gbongan, Osun State, Right Reverend Dr Abraham Akinlalu, has described 2018 as a year of “cause and effect.”
Bishop Akinlalu, in his New Year message to Nigerians said: “we shall sleep on our beds as we prepare them,” and enjoined Nigerians to unite, understand one another and be tolerant in order to enjoy the fruits of the land.
He enjoined Nigerians to be patient with leaders, adding that Nigeria is a large country, endowed with multifarious cultures and languages.
Government will lose relevance if it fails to address insecurity —Pastor Poju Oyemade
Senior Pastor, Covenant Christian Centre and Convener, The Platform Nigeria, in a message published on his Twitter handle, called on government to take the issue of the security of the citizenry as a priority.
Noting that government ran the risk of losing relevance if it failed to address the issues on ground, he said security was government’s most important focus.
“The most important work of any government is the security of its citizens. If it fails at this, it loses relevance,” he stated.
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