Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration will take Nigeria to the promised land.
He spoke at the 56th Independence Anniversary Interdenominational Church Service at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.
The promise of God, he said, includes building a new Nigeria where there will be peace from north east to the Niger Delta, and where there will be jobs for the unemployed.
“We are on our way out of the wilderness”. He stated
Describing Nigeria as the light of the world and salt of the earth, he appealed to Nigerians not to be dismayed by the economic situation.
“We should not be like children of Israel when He took them out of Egypt and after few problems became grumblers in chief.He said: “As children of God we must declare this nation will prosper, we must be like our father who is the great encourager.“Our message to Nigeria is be strong and of good encourage, do not be dismayed, every Nigeria will benefit from the new Nigeria.
“God saw our nation and decided to put this leadership in place, this leadership will take us across the red sea to the new Nigeria”. He stated
President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Dr. Samson Supo Ayokunle, who delivered the message, said the leaders need divine revelation and to receive wisdom from God to handle the economy.
According to him, the wisdom from God will prevail over the economic recession in the country.
Despite the huge resources in the country, he said that Nigeria found herself in recession for a number of reasons.
One of the causes of the recession, he said, was Nigeria’s inability to save during the rainy days.
He said: “They were siphoning the resources for their pockets. We got into this also because of our inability to diversify. We killed our agriculture for oil.
“We are all responsible for the self-imposed trouble. There is hope; help will come from above for Nigeria. There is a way out in the mind of God if we seek Him.” He added
As a way out of the recession, he advised the government to go beyond party affiliations as the solutions are not limited to the members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The government, he said, should be able to listen to others, promote and celebrate excellent leadership.
Urging Nigerians to always put God first in all they do, he called on employers of labour to always do everything possible to pay workers their salaries and allowances.
He also urged the government to always promote the politics of love and not hate.
Noting that the country is also being troubled by insurgency, militancy and unemployment, he advised that the quicker Nigeria stopped paying lip service to agriculture, the better for the nation.
“When you have left office, what will you be remembered for?” He queried
“Judgment of God is coming. The corrupt Nigerians that have not been apprehended will not escape the judgment of God.” He said
He urged the government to restore religious studies and discipline in schools.
Part of the scriptures the clergy read in the Holy Bible included Isiaiah 60: 9 to 20 and 1st Chronicle 12:32.
The 1st scripture reading was taken from Ezekiel 37: 1 to 14 by a representative of the judiciary.
The 2nd scripture reading was taken from Romans 8: 28 to 39 by Chief of Defence State Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin.
Intercessory prayers were said for the nation, security and economic challenges, for the President, Vice President and other executives.
Prayers were also offered for the legislature and the judiciary, peace and development of the country and the unity of the church.
Dignitaries at the occasion included Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, Wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora, Senate President Bukola Saraki was represented by Senator Barnabas Gemade.
