Abiodun urges churches to partner with govt to break poverty cycle

By Vera Wisdom-Bassey

The Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has called on churches and other faith-based organisations to partner with government in nation building, stressing that government cannot shoulder the responsibility of addressing Nigeria’s challenges alone.

Speaking at the 12th Annual Public Lecture of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Lagos, with the theme, “Poverty Alleviation, Economic Development and Stability of the Nigerian Economy,” the governor commended the vital role of the church in shaping society.

“Government alone cannot fight the issue of Nigeria. We appreciate the role of faith-based organisations in complementing our efforts in education, healthcare, peace building, moral regeneration, among others,” Abiodun said.

He praised the church as a dependable partner in raising God-fearing citizens, promoting family values, and fostering unity in diversity. “Whether in government, the church, or family sectors, we must cooperate to break this circle of poverty. Poverty is not just economic deprivation, it is a human reality,” he added.

Quoting Proverbs 19:17, Abiodun reminded the audience of the biblical call to care for the vulnerable.

He urged the church to join hands with government to eradicate poverty, saying God commands believers to pursue justice and equality.

The governor also admonished leaders at both federal and state levels to create an enabling environment where citizens can live with dignity, pursue their dreams, and contribute meaningfully to nation building. He expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Foursquare Gospel Church for its invaluable service to Nigeria’s spiritual and social transformation.

In his remarks, the General Overseer of the church, Rev. Sam Aboyeji, emphasised the importance of the annual lecture, describing it as “revealing, engaging, impactful, thought-provoking, and capable of contributing to sustainable solutions for national development.”