The Bishop Theologian of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion and a professor of Theology, The Rt. Rev. Prof. Dapo Asaju has brought to memory the views of Federick Lugard about major tribes in Nigeria. He also suggested the way forward for Nigeria as a country.
Lugard was the first governor-general of Nigeria. He was credited to have amalgamated the northern and southern protectorate to form Nigeria in 1914.
Prof Asaju recalled Lugard’s views at the 45th anniversary of the Christian Association of Nigeria. The event was held on September 24 at jubilee Resort Hall, National Christian Centre, Abuja.
The lecture was titled, THE CHURCH AND THE DOCTRINE OF REGENERATION IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF NIGERIA”. It addressed some of the critical issues troubling Nigeria since independence.
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THE CHURCH AND THE DOCTRINE OF REGENERATION IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF NIGERIA
Outline of Lecture by
Rt. Rev. Prof. Dapo F. Asaju
Professor of Theology, Lagos State University,
Bishop Theologian of Anglican Church of Nigeria and
Former Vice-Chancellor, Ajayi Crowther University Oyo.
The President, Christian Association of Nigeria,
Your Excellences, Your Eminences, Graces and lordships,
Members of the Executives of CAN,
Invited Guests,
Gentlemen of the Press,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I wish to congratulate the CAN President, the Executive Committee and all member-churches of the ‘Christian Association of Nigeria’ on this 45th anniversary of its establishment. We celebrate the efforts made by successive leaders of the organization in defending the Christians and the church of Christ in Nigeria. I am grateful for the opportunity offered me to speak at this forum. The 45th anniversary of CAN is being celebrated today with this discourse about our dear country and indeed the world at large and the relevance of the Christian doctrine of Regeneration as a possible panacea.
Degeneration of Man and the Nigerian Dilemma
The problems of Nigeria and Nigerians are complex, chronic, self-inflicted and as diverse as they are numerous. The people suffer from acute corruption and devaluation of normal standard of living. There is apparent failure of government at all levels. Most people have bleak future because of lack of security, employment, basic infrastructure and avenue to maximize their potentials. Internal colonization by a tribe over others have shown defiant domination of most top leadership positions in government, legislature, judiciary, military, para- military and agencies of education and commerce. Protesting youths who dared call for change were shot at by the military. Wanton killings occur among target communities in Northern Nigeria and the middle belt. Government keep borrowing for unprofitable causes, thus impoverishing future generations with a heavy debt burden. The cost of electioneering is so high that young people who aspire to political leadership are often frustrated. Family moral values are falling as liberal western lifestyles and revisionist theologies and philosophies are making incursion into Christian communities. Proliferation of ammunitions smuggled in through porous Nigerian borders have made life unsafe. Brain drain of too many medical professionals have threatened the future leadership of the country.
Churches have not united enough under the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria to defend the church and the suffering people of Nigeria. Our social responsibilities to one another has suffered because of selfishness, insensitivity to the plight of persecuted Christians and refugees as a result of Boko Haram , Fulani herdsmen and bandits attacks. In the early church, the concept of Koinonia catered for the needy from the churches’ common purse. Today, materialism and affluent lifestyles of church leaders have defeated the ideal of Christian solidarity. Apathy to political and electioneering matters have continued to disenfranchise Christians from governance and its benefits to the ordinary citizens. Like Chinua Achebe stated, ‘Things have fallen apart and the Centre cannot hold. Anarchy has broken loose. We pray for rebirth of our dear country. This is the essence of regeneration.
Regeneration of the heart and spirit is the only way to achieve fundamental transformation of the nation. Nigeria as a geographical entity came into being under circumstances which were beyond the control of the constituent peoples and nations. It was an imposition by colonial powers. The partitioning of Africa and the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates of Nigeria were executed by colonial overlords. The African and indeed the Black Race, has always been treated as sub-human and as slaves, by the Caucasian, Asian and Arab races to the extent that they have from time immemorial enslaved, colonized and still influence and determine our social, economic and political destinies. This situation persists because by reasons of omission and commission, African countries have not been fortunate enough to have good, caring, disciplined, credible and progressive leaders in the political and economic sector to develop the potentials of the people, even though they are naturally well endowed.
‘Regeneration’ can be defined as renewal, revival and restoration of a body or system. Oxford English Dictionary defines it “…as to be reborn, brought again into existence or formed anew”. Regeneration is a basic doctrine in Christianity. It is a step in the process of salvation; and the objective work of God in a believer’s life. Wikipedia describes it as follows: “Spiritually, it means that God brings a person to new life (that is they are ‘Born Again’ from a previous state of separation from God and subjection to the decay of death”). It is in other words, the second birth. It therefore refers to the intrinsic positive change that occurs in the corrupted human heart and mind in a behavioral sense. Hunan beings are the creation of God. We were made in His image. Charles Darwin’s ‘Theory of Evolution’ is wrong. Man is too complex a creature to derive from a ‘big bang’ and evolution process. We are wonderfully and fearfully made. Man is comprised of Body, Spirit and Soul. The soul and spirit require regeneration. The fall of man at Eden and the corruption of sin destroyed man’s innocence. He who bore God’s image and was blessed to be fruitful, multiply, replenish and take dominion over all creation, was expelled from his home base and became a vagabond in the earth as well as in the heart.
Tragically, this corruption of man’s heart and spirit manifested in the life of Cain, the first born to Adam and Eve. He hated and murdered his brother Abel. He shed the first blood; that of his only brother despite divine warning to the contrary (Genesis 4: 6-8). So much blood have been shed in Nigeria that the earth if polluted. Apostle Paul referred to the fact that all people of the earth descended from one blood – from Adam and Eve and God decided their times and boundaries geographically (Acts 17:26). Consequently, the corruption of sin places man at the centre of the spiritual warfare between God and Satan and between their kingdoms. All men are born with the sinful nature. “In sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51:5). God was so frustrated with man’s corruption by sin that he regretted that He made man. He consequently brought the Flood of waters to destroy the world; saving only the family of Noah. From the three sons of Noah descended the three races today, the Caucasians, Mongoloids and Negroids.
There is a genetic dimension to the behaviour of people all over the world. The Bible gives detailed accounts of the origin of the nations of the world and why they behave the way they do. This same applies to the origin of Islam and the hostility that religion poses to Christianity and Israel globally, including the philosophy and theology of violence often identified with the adherents of the religion. All wars, conflicts, sinful ideologies and human behaviour are on account of the state of the heart. The heart of man is naturally sinful, evil and desperately wicked. Issues of life arise from the state of the heart. This is why for a fundamental change to happen in man, it requires spiritual surgical operation that will change human heart and spirit.
God promised Israel that when they repented of their sins, He would give them a new heart and a new spirit. (Ezekiel 32) King David, after committing adultery with Bathsheba as well as murder her husband Uriah, received the judgment of God for these sins, delivered by Prophet Nathan. In his plea, the king acknowledged his sins, repented of them and pleaded that God will create in him a new heat and renew a right spirit within him. He pleaded further that God will not cast him away, neither should the Holy Spirit be withdrawn from him. He asked for restoration to him, of the joy of salvation. Man is a vessel of either the Holy Spirit or evil spirit. This fact determines to a large extent, human behaviour. Paul rightly states that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and Powers….” (Ephesians 6:12).
The Holy Bible gives case studies of prominent persons whose hearts were controlled by God. Pharaoh’s heart was hardened by God until he was punished for his enslavement of the Israelites. Nebuchadnezzar’s heart was also controlled by God turning it into that of an animal. When eventually the king came back to his senses, he declared that God the Most High reigns in the affairs of men. On the other hand, when Jonah preached to the people of Nineveh, their king and people repented of their sins, humbled themselves and God forgave their sins.
Indeed “ the heart of kings are in the hands of the Lord and he turns it as He wishes” (Psalm 21:1-2). The heart of a man can be healed. The Madman of Gadarah was healed by Jesus (Mark 5:1-20). John the Apostle was a temperamental zealot until Jesus converted and changed him. Saul of Tarsus was a persecutor and murderer of Christians until his radical conversion on the road to Damascus.
The conversion of Emperor Constantine the Great was all it took to change Europe into a Christian empire. We therefore submit that the heart of a person is what determines his passion, desires and convictions. People with wicked heart include rulers like Emperor Nero, Adolf Hitler (who supervised the killing of more than six million Jews) in Germany and Eastern Europe, Idi Amin of Uganda, terrorists, suicide bombers, bandits, kidnappers , armed robbers, hired assassins, ritual killers, cultists, abortionists all of whom are currently a misfit to the Nigerian people. This also include the ‘pen robbers’ who loot public treasuries thereby being responsible for the death of many vulnerable Nigerians as a result of accident on bad roads, lack of or bad treatment in hospitals, etc. Regeneration is therefore important if we want to address and resolve the Nigerian problem. We once had a Nigeria where the people lived harmoniously with each other irrespective of tribe, class or creed. Religion was regarded as a person’s personal affair. People intermarried across tribes and religions and lived freely in any part of Nigeria without let nor hindrance. Many students of one tribe studied in institutions located in other tribes. This ideal of national peace and interaction informed the establishment of the ‘National Youth Service Scheme’. The Biafran war upset this ideal, as many Nigerians were massacred by other tribes. The National Anthems of Nigeria, past and present contain phrases which encourage that ‘though tribe and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we stand’. Life was safe. Travelers moved from one part of Nigeria to another in the day and at night with little fear of armed robbers of kidnappers. Sellers of wares were confident enough to display their wares for buyers who placed money on the tray and no one would steal the money nor the wares.
Education was sound and qualitative. Moral values, both Christian and traditional were upheld. Sexual purity and discipline was popular. Workers were mostly contented with their little wages which purchased their basic necessities, jobs were easily available for graduates and even school leavers. Travel abroad was easy as the Nigerian currency was powerful enough to be respected internationally, The Green passport attracted respect for the Nigerian holders because of our wealth and the influence of British commonwealth, marriage was sacrosanct, fear of God was pronounced, churches preached sound gospel which transformed human lives and built principles and integrity. A good name was preferred to money and fame, civil servants were more disciplined and both state and church competed in providing social amenities such as schools, hospitals, leprosaria, etc. Then, corruption was abhorred. Even in local villages, thieves who were apprehended were paraded nakedly before the community. People dreaded stealing and living lawlessly. Impunity was rare as everyone was under authority, including church leaders, traditional rulers. Law enforcement agencies and the government. We used to have good leaders who were disciplined, principled, Spartan in lifestyle, and well educated.
Each tribe had heroes like Nnamdi Azikiwe (Igbo), Obafemi Awolowo (Yoruba), Ahmadu Bello ( Hausa-Fulani) and Dennis Osadebey ( Mid-West).All these have changed today. Where are our true leaders today?
We need men of ideas whose brains produce ideas that solve society’s problems. This is why we need regeneration or rebirth of the Nigerian nation. The new Nigeria can come about through messianic intervention, divine placement or deliberate thinking, planning and strategizing.
Pathway to Regeneration in Nigeria
There is an urgent need for Nigerian people to repent and seek regeneration. Israel was admonished by God to pursue this goal. “If my people who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, repent from their sins and call upon me, I will hear from heaven and heal their land” . This healing by God is subject to deliberate action of the people and their leaders, to repent from their sinful behaviour. But in a situation where leaders act lawlessly with impunity, where corruption and violence have become common place and where persecution of Christians is intensifying with no respite in sight from government and law enforcement agencies, it does not appear as if the leadership of the people are ready for corporate repentance. Many Nigerians seek positive change from the current state of collapse of the systems of society but it appears that the so- called Cabal in government drag the destiny of the nation in the opposite direction. If there will be transformation of Nigeria, it will have to involve all sectors of society. For the Church to take the lead, it must first cure itself from her own sins before atoning for the sins of society. Transformation of the heart is the exclusive preserve of Almighty God. He searches the hearts of men. When Prophet Samuel made mistakes repeatedly in choosing from the household of Jesse, God corrected him. God said to Samuel, ‘you look at outward appearance but I look at the heart’. David, an unlikely candidate; the most junior of the brothers, was chosen as King. David was later to be described as man after God’s heart. We must therefore as Christians pray specifically that God reveal to us right candidates to contest elections in the next political dispensation. God reigns in the affairs of Man. That was the verdict of King Nebuchadnezzar after God humbled and punished him for his pride. That being the case, people of God must passionately pray for God’s revival. Great preachers caused such revival in the midst of their people in medieval Europe.
When ancient Israel experienced God’s wrath on account of their sinfulness and degeneration of society, prophets and priests took the bull by the horn to cause moral reformation. This demanded corporate confession of sins and seeking God’s forgiveness, determination to do right, confession of their allegiance to God and commitment to live holy and righteous lives, restitution of what they had acquired sinfully and fervent re-dedication of their lives to God. That was how King Josiah, Ezra and Nehemiah led their people to intercede and changed their national affairs and worship towards God.
Transformation effects can impact society if our evangelism and prayer are directed to leaders in government and all other sectors of society. When Emperor Constantine was converted, the whole empire was converted. The reason why the Bible commends us to pray for leaders in Authorities is because God can convert and influence their hearts to take right decisions. That way, we may live in peace in society. If we fail to pray for them, the kingdom of darkness will influence and possess them to do evil.
We should be courageous enough to resume and vigorously pursue aggressive evangelism , using the genuine gospel to reach the nooks and crannies of our nation. Let us identify the Charles Spurgeons, Jonathan Edwards, George Mullers, D.L Moodys and John Wesleys in our midst to pray and kindle the fire of national revival again. Evangelism is effective if backed by real miracles. Jesus Christ went about doing good and liberating all those who were oppressed by the devil. For God was with him. Our church seems powerless today in the face of persecution, diseases and deaths. Where are the powers of God in the lives of real servants of God who would transform their societies. Gideon asked the Angel, Judges 6; if God be with us, then why are all these calamities befalling us and where are the miracles which our fathers told us happened in the past? Jesus performed miracles of different types: Healings, deliverances, Natural and raising the dead. Miracles are automatic accompaniment of the proclamation of the gospel.
If unbelievers do not come to God out of persuasion of theology, they will, when they witness or are beneficiaries of miracles. Jesus Christ delegated authority to heal to his disciples. “As you go, preach, heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons and raise the dead. Freely you have been given, freely give. (Mathew 10:7-8). “And these signs shall follow all who believe in me. In my name they shall lay hands on the sock and they shall recover, they shall cast out demons and if they take any poison it shall do them no harm”. The apostles were all men of astounding miracles. Even the Deacons like Stephen and Phillip did miracles that converted whole cities. With so many churches dotting every space of our urban cities, we must recover that genuine power of God through corporate repentance, regeneration of our heart, receiving of God’s spirit and moving out to preach and demonstrate the power of God.
Our theology must change and our pulpits must be cured of heresies and entertainment. So must strange fires be extinguished from the altars of the church. Transformation can be achieved also through the ministry of the home church. Proverbs stated that ‘madness is [common] in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction can e used to expel it, the point here is that early discipline of a child can mould his or her character and spirituality early enough to make such a child become good and transformed agent in society.
Regeneration of the nation can happen if it results in attitudinal change and physical development of the society. When revival happens in a degenerated society, the beer parlours, smoking joints, brothels, gambling centers and criminality will be affected to low patronage. Then also, political leaders will present themselves as men of integrity, honour and pragmatic impact and agent of change in the lives of the people of Nigeria. The people who constitute Nigeria have age long history and behavioral characteristics which are sometimes not compatible with Christian ideals. These traits must be confessed and changed by the people before they can be personally transformed and then go on to transform society. The different people who constitute the country known as Nigeria today had their distinct ethnic identities, languages and political structures and systems. Some date back into ancient times. There were Kingdoms and empires governed by powerful rulers. There were the Yorubas, Igbos, Kanuri, Hausa, Fulani, Tiv, Idoma, Igala, Ijaw, Calabar, Ibibio, etc. In fact there are more than two hundred and fifty languages spoken by Nigerian people of today. The unfortunate twin calamities that befell Africans in this part of the continent, viz, Slave Trade and Colonialism witnessed the infiltration, conquest, subjugation and redefinition of the destinies , cultures and histories of the existing various independent nation states. Colonial domination and influence cost Africa our pride, nationhood, political culture and forced the people into an unintended and unsolicited marriage with other people by colonial fiat.
According to Jack McCaslin, “Before Europeans arrived in the territory, that is now Nigeria, a number of different civilizations existed whose presence is still felt today. For example, in the north, Islam was predominant. In the nineteenth century, there were two Islamic empires, the Sokoto caliphate and the Bornu Empire. To the southwest lay numerous Yoruba city-states that generally had in common animist religion and were sometimes united. To the Southeast was an Igbo Kingdom, Nri, and a collection of semi-autonomous towns and villages in the Niger Delta. Such regions were linguistically, religiously and politically distinct.” Lord Lugard’s sarcastic infamous description of the amalgamation was of “how a marriage between the rich wife of substance and means (the South), and the poor husband (the North) would lead to a happy life for both. Some have suspected that Lugard was also referring to the political supremacy of the north over the south. The name ‘Nigeria’ was coined by the future Lady Lugard in an 1897 London Times article”. It thus appears if Nigerians were incompatible bed-fellows ab initio
It is interesting to reproduce below the views of Lord Lugard about the major tribes in Nigeria, in his Handover note to Walter H. Lang, on the 25th September 1918: “The Hausa –Fulani has no ideals, no ambitions save such as sensual in character. He is a fatalist, spendthrift and gambler. He is gravely immoral and is seriously diseased that he is a menace to any community to which he seeks to attach itself” On the Yoruba: “Lagos has for 20 years opposed every Governor and has fomented strife and bloodshed in the hinterland… I have spent the best part of my life in Africa; my aim has been the betterment of the natives for whom I have been ready to give my life. But after some 29 years, and after nearly 12 years as Governor here, I am free to say that the people of Lagos and indeed the westerners are the lowest, the most seditious and disloyal, the most purely prompted by self-seeking motives of any people I have met”. On the Igbo: These people of predominantly Eastern Nigeria are fiercely rebellious with no regard for authority. Though industrious and religious, in deference to the objectives of her majesty and the crown, they are highly dangerous to be trusted with”.
The Fulanis are the ‘Troublers of Israel today. They have declared Jihad against the whole country. The Uthman Dan Fodio violent religious expeditions led to the take-over of numerous indigenous peoples in Hausaland and Nupeland. Ilorin, a Yoruba town has been taken over by the Fulani lineage who have been the Emirs. These are the same people who infiltrated Yorubaland in the 19th century and raided Osoogun, the hometown of Samuel Ajayi Crowther in 1821. They captured the teenager Ajayi, his mother and sister amongst hundreds occupants of the town, and sold them all into slavery. Ajayi was sold to several buyers until he was put in a slave ship which was rescued by the British abolitionists. After his liberation, he was settled in Freetown Sierra Leone from where he was taken to England and ordained. He was a foremost missionary who evangelized Lokoja, Igboland, Niger Delta and parts of Yorubaland, particularly Badagry and Abeokuta. He was the first Black Bishop in the world. Through him, education, modern agriculture and translation of the Bible and Book of Common Prayer into Yoruba, Igbo and Nupe. His story is a classical example of how Christian regenerated heart can transform society at large.
Transformation must include a critical review of the country and redesign its Constitution. There had been several Constitutions in Nigeria but the basic positive changes in the country have not happened. The last Constitutions include: Order in Council over Crown Colony (1913); Clifford Constitution ( 1922), Richard Constitution ( 1946), Macpherson Constitution (1951), Lyttleton Constitution (1954), Westminster Constitution (1946), first Constitution upon Independence approved by British Order (1960), second Post-Independence Constitution (1963 until the first Military Coup, 1979 Constitution (changed to American Presidential System), 1993 Constitution crafted under oversight of the Military and the 1999 Constitution (also produced by the Military) The recent Constitutions have entrenched in the country certain provisions that have troubled the unity, justice and progress of the country. Constitutional review should involve more of the grassroots contributions that will be in the interest of the general good of the people.
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I am of the opinion that the reports of past national commissions and conferences held over the state of the nation be reexamined and vital suggestions made by these assembly of representatives of the society be incorporated in the restructuring process.
• If the presidential system of government is too costly, then we should revert to the Parliamentary system. Let us go back to regional system of government which reflects true federalism. This makes the centre, that if the federal Government to devolve some of its dominant powers to governments at the lower level. It is also important to redress the abuse of privileges existing in the present Constitution such as the perennial terms of office of Federal Law makers. They should be made to have single term of office, maximum two. Governors who have served their states should be discouraged from transiting to Senate of House of Representatives. They are recycling themselves, leaving little or no room for the younger generation to occupy positions of power. Legislators should be made to operate on part-time basis as it was in the past. The times of their meeting should be scheduled quarterly and when they meet, they are paid allowances and given accommodation during the period of their sitting. The current lawmakers should be allowed to exit with the current administration. After their exit, we should review the salaries and allowances of legislators. This should be reduced drastically and the power to fix their own salaries should be withdrawn from them. The salaries and wages commission should be responsible for fixing their salaries. Candidates who are satisfied with that condition, who really want to come to serve the people will be the ones who are likely to contest future elections.
Recommendations
1• Christians should continue to reach out to their Muslim counterparts in pursuit of peace and harmony in Nigeria. They should be encouraged to realize that politicization of religion accounts for some of the religious violence experiences in the country. The sponsors of violence and banditry should be identified, arrested, prosecuted and punished as example to others. Muslims should be made to realize that they are also victims of violence and insecurity.
2• The religious and traditional Elders of the various ethnic nationalities within Nigeria should organize a major conference to discuss the Nigerian question and come up with viable recommendations on how to restructure this country in a manner that will ensure peace, equity, federalism and less expensive system of government. The term of office of the President/ Prime Minister should be limited to one term of five years only. The office of president and Governors should be constitutionally made to rotate among the various major ethnic groups or senatorial zones. The Police and paramilitary forces should devolve to the States while the Military remain under the Federal Government control.
3• There is a need to have a major consultation conference of Brains of Nigeria in every sector to rethink each sector and profession by fining solutions to the problems of each sector and recommending how the country can stop corruption, create employment, and make progress in every sector, including Education, security, Healthcare, Industrialization, Housing, Employment, Agriculture, etc. We need a major wage review that will pay very well, our Doctors , Nurses and engineers and teachers etc such that we can stop the Brain Drain of doctors and professionals outside the country.
4• we need a re-orientation of the entire citizenry about their political rights and fundamental human rights. History needs to be introduced into the curricular of all students at all levels. People must know their history otherwise they will lose their identities with time. This lack of historical consciousness is what allowed for the unreasonable and reckless statements by government leaders of Fulani extraction to claim that Nigeria belongs to them and that the Fulani has a right to occupy all Nigeria and do whatever they like.
5• The Church leaders should wake up and stop playing church but assume their roles ad watchman over the affairs of Nigeria. The message of the pulpits must now change. Emphasis on large crowd gathering and wealthy lifestyles and bragging about wealth must stop. The congregation should be politically educated to know what is happening around them and how they can defend themselves, prevent attacks, how to deepen their commitment and convictions in Christianity.
6• The Church must deliberately design means of training and raising credible leaders who
are disciplined and God fearing and knowledgeable enough to provide leadership at all levels and in all sectors of Nigeria. We are leaderless at the, moment. The Church is the Light of the World and Salt of the Earth. Bad leadership endures because of absence of the good.
7• The Church must exit its indifference and lackadaisical attitude towards elections. They must register and vote, campaign and monitor elections to prevent rigging and god-fatherism. The church has for now sufficient population to effect positive change in governments at all levels. With proper political education, necessity of current insecurity and failed governance should compel all good Nigerians of all religions (Christians especially to ensure that the next elections in 2023 does not go to those who are bent on bringing this country down to the grave).
8• The Nigerian churches are too proliferated and materialistic. Some Church (especially Pentecostal) leaders live in too much opulence, being mentioned among the richest pastors in the world, preaching an untimely theology of prosperity theology at this time of national emergency! Of course they can afford stupendous wealth and cite them as examples of God’s blessings, in the face of glaring abject poverty, killings, violence, joblessness, youth restiveness and refugees all over the societies.
9• The church must first cure itself of internal errors before it can challenge similar exploitation in the larger society.
10• There is need for mass reorientation of the citizenry and reeducating the present and coming generations about patriotism, nationhood, nation building, civics, etc
- New curriculum should be designed for primary and secondary schools, to compulsorily include prayer and Christian religious education. Education is knowledge and
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Prayer is effective but it must be complimented by action. Faith without works is dead. The Church must organize, protest, speak truth to power, instruct her members in government to be accountable to God through the church to do that which is just and right, and not to indulge in corruption or evil Through prayer and divine intervention, God has the power to humble or eliminate all Pharaohs and Nebuchadnezzars. And there will be peace in the land.
Our focus as Christians is to intensify prayer and evangelism to bring about general mobilization of all churches to propel revival in the land. CAN should be strengthened to sanction churches who behave in unethical manner. If there is holiness in the church there will be outpouring of God’s mercy and restoration of our fortunes. When the people change, when the righteousness of God permeates the rank and file of the citizenry, there will be transformation. Few committed champions can start the fire, like the twelve apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ who took on the world and propelled global christian civilization.
God help and inspire CAN to achieve this aspiration of transformation of society in Nigeria.
Amen.
