By Bridget Ikyado
Abuja – The Lead Pastor, Good Tidings Bible Church International, Dayo Olutayo, has urged Nigerians to give peace a chance for the country to be a better place for all.
The cleric made the call during the Church’s special service and grand finale of its 18th anniversary on Sunday in Abuja.
The theme of the anniversary is, “Hosanna in the highest”.
According to him, peace is important for the development of any nation, moreso as the country heads to a decisive election in 2023.
“We have no other nation to call our own, there is no nation without problems and no family without crisis, we should therefore give peace a chance.
“Nigeria’s destiny is great as designed by God, but it is in our hands to make it come to pass.
“All political parties have signed the peace accord and it’s expected they abide by it; debates should be issue based,” he added.
Olutayo appealed to all Nigerians to exercise their franchise so as to bring about good leadership.
“Our choice is in our hands, let us stop complaining, let us provoke the change we desire,” he said.
On the church’s anniversary, the cleric said it was a remarkable 18 years of service to God and helping the poor and indigents in the society.
Olutayo said the church would continue to stand in the gap with prayers and intercession for the nation to experience a turn around.
The Guest Speaker, Apostle Lawrence Oyetunji of Christ Ambassador International Christian Centre, Dublin, Republic of Ireland, commended Nigerians for been steadfast in spite of current challenges.
Oyetunji, however, said Nigeria would experience a turn around and be great again.
“The level of progress made by the present administration is commendable; many people won’t understand.
“Many nations are having economic crises, Nigeria has done relatively well especially on her economy.
“If you have been out of the country, you will understand what I am saying,” he added.
The cleric advised Nigerian leaders to tackle issues of porous border, unemployment and other areas affecting the country negatively.
He assured Nigerians that God was with them, adding that “Nigeria will be a place of tourism and investments, nations will still come to partner with the country”.
Earlier, Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, said Nigeria needed to ensure righteousness was enthroned in all phases of life, to inspire positive change.
“Our economic life, social life, political life, in our offices and homes, righteousness needs to be enthroned,” Adesina said.
He said that prayers offered by churches were helpful to the country in overcoming various challenges.
“Nigeria is where it is today because the Church is involved, the church has remained steadfast in intercessory prayers for the nation,” he said.
Adesina added that the church had a major role to play in nation building.
He encouraged Nigeria youths to come out en mass to participate in the forthcoming elections.
“Nigeria is fundamentally youthful in population; I urge the youth to actively and positively contribute their quota immensely.
“The era of social media pontificating is over, they are needed physically in the exercise,” he said.
Also, Mr Azu Ishiekwene, Editor-in-Chief of Leadership Newspaper, said the church had in it’s 18 years of existence ushered in hope and all that was good to the society.
He said that the duty of the church was to call people to righteousness and speak the truth at all times.
Highlight of the anniversary was the launching by Adesina of the church’s publication, “The Kingdom Magazine”.
Also intercessory prayers were offered for the country, with various thanksgivings and worship by groups and branches of the church.(NAN/vitalnewsngr.com)
