Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu
Buhari; former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon and the General
Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi on
Sunday expressed optimism that the nation will overcome her numerous
challenges.
Nigeria, in recent time has been
engrossed in serious security challenges, which led to the massacre of over 44
soldiers by Boko Haram terrorists; economic challenges, among others.
However, the trio expressed
optimism that things would soon change for the better as the nation took her
problems to God in prayer.
Speaking at a Special National
Prayer Service organized by Nigeria Prays at the Deeper Life Bible Church
headquarters, Gbagada area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, Buhari said this was
the right time for Nigerians to pray for the nation so that things would move
in the right direction.
The president, whose speech was
read by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said there was
the urgent need for Nigerians to pray for peace and unity and prosperity of the
nation.
Buhari stated that Nigeria
definitely had challenges, but that the challenges were not bigger than God,
adding that “we will overcome, whether security challenges, economic or
otherwise.”
Speaking, Gowon said with the
general election looming ahead, it was natural for people to become anxious and
fearful of what the future held for Nigeria in the light of wanton killings in
the land, be these politically motivated or executed by the dark agents of
insurgency, Boko Haram or by armed cattle herdsmen and rustlers.
“Aside the challenges of
politics, there is also the problem of economic hardship that has not only made
the poor poorer, but drastically reduced the quality of life of even the rich
or politically influential. More than ever before, there is great need for
us-children of God; men and women of faith, young and old to come together to
pray and intercede for our dear nation and its people,” he said.
Gowon charged Christians not to
ever resort to retaliation that would lead to religious war despite provocation
and threats for the sake of the country, urging the authority to provide the
necessary physical protection for all while their prayers and christian love
would provide the ultimate peace accord.
“Praise must rise to God in unity
from every corner of the Nigerian church to combat the forces that militate
against the progress of the nation. God’s solution to the problems of this
country is not to be found only in guns, retaliation or physical weapons, but
in the Holy Spirit-directed, believing and prevailing prayer from His people
who are willing to confess and forsake sins and embrace righteousness,” he
said.
He urged the Nigerian church to
embrace the spirit of love, patriotism and commitment to the good of the nation
irrespective of political party or religious affiliations or tribal difference,
saying that as citizens, “we all have important roles to play in the
development of our nation.”
Gowon said concerns being raised
by Christians about the spate of killings in Nigeria should not be ignored,
urging the government to rise to the occasion.
“We must continually demand that
government be seriously alive to its primary responsibility of the protection
of life and property of all citizens. While government is encouraged to do the
needful, people of faith also must be encouraged to win over unnecessarily
angry and violent people with the force of love,” he said.
Also speaking, Kumuyi said there
is hope for the nation and that her challenges would certainly be overcomed if
Christians would pray and seek the face of the Lord in repentance.
According to Kumuyi, Nigeria’s
problems were not insurmountable, but stressed the need for turning away from
all sins and humbleness of heart before God could heal the land.
“Our wicked ways brought us to
our present predicaments. We are reaping today the life-threatening fruits of
the death-dealing seeds we sowed yesterday. To keep on taking the poison whose
deadly effect the doctor is treating is suicidal. Turning from our wicked ways
is the only thing to do so as to prevent self-destruction,” he said.
The man of God emphasized that
when the nation turned away from her wicked ways, God would usher in good
healthcare system, cause the economy to boom, alleviate poverty in the land;
boost arts, culture and social reform as well as entrenchment of the rule of law,
justice, industrialisation, good education and research; usher in national
peace, security, equity and good governance.
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