Don’t lose hope, Okonkwo tells Nigerians

General Overseer of The Redeem Evangelical Ministry (TREM), Bishop (Dr) Mike Okonkwo, has called on every Nigerian not to lose hope in spite of the daunting socio-economic challenges facing the nation.

Bishop Okonkwo said rather than lose hope, every Nigerian should stand in prayers for our nation, saying he is a firm believer in prayers could change situations and circumstances, no matter how complex they might appear.

Okonkwo said, “though we have all gone through very trying times this year, especially regarding our economy, the grace of God has kept us intact as a nation.”

The clergyman, who saluted the dogged resilience of Nigerians in weathering every storm, said we should not give in to despair.”

“I encourage every Nigerian to continue to contribute his or her quota to the peace, prosperity and development of this great nation,” he said.

The clergyman, however, said: “the problem with us as Nigerians, is that rather than deal with issues as they come, we tend to politicise them. In the developed nations of the world, they deal with issues holistically without ethnic or tribal sentiments. This is the reason why they seem to be on top of whatever comes their way.

“As we prepare to enter the New Year 2017, I urge our leaders not to lose hope, but to rather take a cue from their counterparts in the developed world, by burying their political differences and tackling national issues with the urgency they deserve rather than politicise them.

“Let me also use this opportunity to call on all Nigerians, particularly Christians, to continually pray for our nation and all political office holders for God’s grace and wisdom in steering the ship of this nation, so that we would arrive at God’s ordained destiny for us.”

“Let us also pray that violence, kidnappings and insurgency will cease in Nigeria because no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of violence.

“I encourage everyone to remain steadfast in faith, knowing that God’s will for this great nation can never be aborted. I am a firm believer that the coming Year 2017 would be better for us all. Indeed, the earth shall yield her increase for us. We shall all see the Nigeria of our dreams,” he stated.