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By Vera Wisdom-Bassey
Leaders at the various levels of political governance have been urged to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians as the country passes through economic difficulties even as they encouraged the citizens not to lose hope, and strengthen their faith in God through praise.
General Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev. Sam Aboyeji, speaking at a special programme of the Christian denomination to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary, urged Nigerians to cultivate the habit of praising God, saying that thanksgiving would help the nation overcome its challenges and experience greater blessings.
The special programme with the theme, Awesome Praises, Awesome Blessings, was held at the Egbe District Headquarters of the church in Idimu, Lagos.
The cleric said Nigerians had many reasons to give thanks to God, particularly for preservation of lives despite the difficulties and challenges confronting the country.
According to him, praising God is not only an expression of gratitude but also a biblical principle capable of opening the way for greater blessings.
“I always like to give praise to God because He demands that we give Him praise, so that the earth can yield her increase, and God will bless us,” he said, while making reference to Psalm 67:5-7.
Aboyeji said the first reason Nigerians should praise God was because they were alive, stressing that many people had passed through difficult circumstances but survived through divine intervention.
“We are alive today because God helped us. Our souls escaped from the snare of the fowler. The snare is broken and we have escaped,” he said.
The Foursquare leader recounted a near-fatal experience he had during one of his trips earlier in the year. He said the driver conveying him and some senior members of the church reportedly became tired and fell asleep while driving, causing the vehicle to swerve off the road.
According to him, the occupants began shouting the name of Jesus before the vehicle eventually returned to the road.
“If it had happened, it would have been a big, big bad news for the church because I was not the only one in the car. Some prominent men in this church were also there. But God preserved us; He helped us,” Aboyeji said.
He added that his frequent travels by road and air had further reinforced his belief in the need to continually appreciate God for preservation.
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The cleric identified victory over physical and spiritual battles as another reason for believers to praise God.
He said Nigerians had faced several challenges, some visible and others beyond human comprehension, but maintained that God had continued to provide protection.
Quoting Romans 8:37, he said: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”
The District Overseer of Egbe Headquarters and chairman of the Holy Spirit Vigil, Rev. Friday Babatunde Obende, in his remarks appealed to leaders at all levels to prioritise the welfare of citizens, stressing that leadership comes with the responsibility to serve the people.
“I will advise leaders to do all they can to take care of the citizens. God did not keep them there to take care of themselves,” he said.
He also urged Nigerians not to lose hope despite the country’s economic and social difficulties.
Obende said God had faithfully sustained Nigerians and urged citizens to remain strong and continue to give thanks.
“I will advise Nigerians to keep getting strong. Things might be difficult and uncomfortable, but don’t give up. It is not over until it is over. We should learn to give thanks to God,” he said.
Obende expressed optimism that Nigeria would eventually experience better times, saying citizens should remain hopeful and continue to work towards a better future.
Also speaking, Rev. (Mrs.) Olabisi Aboyeji, wife of the General Overseer, who recalled that she was born in 1960, noted that the occasion provided an opportunity for Nigerians to appreciate God for sustaining the country despite years of challenges, crises and divisions.
She called for greater unity, saying Nigerians should work towards a country where citizens, particularly children, would be free to live and travel to different parts of the country without fear.
She also expressed concern about the legacy being left for the younger generation, urging parents and leaders to promote the fear of God, moral values and quality education.
“We need to prepare the next generation. If we don’t inculcate these values in them, Nigeria will die. Our prayer is that Nigeria will not go underground, but we need a lot of effort to ensure that the next generation receives a good legacy,” she said.
