As 2023 winds up today with its ups and down, some Nigerians clerics in this interview with ADEOLA OGUNLADE talks about their expectations in 2024
2024: a year with great opportunities for rebirth — Oke
The National President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Wale Oke in a statement made available to our correspondent, urged Nigerians to be optimistic.
Speaking on behalf of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), he said Nigerians should be thankful to God for preserving them in 2023, and the attitude that they should continue in2024.”No matter what happened in the past, the Lord saw us through, and now we are here”.
Oke, posited that the New Year holds a promise of great opportunities- opportunities for a rebirth, opportunities for new things, opportunities for prosperity, and opportunities for greatness. God has said in His word: Remember ye, not the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19.
He noted that the New Year would come with its diverse challenges, “we should, however, know that challenges are the food of champions. Rather than pretending that the challenges are not there, we should look them straight in the eyes and tackle them one by one with the help and the wisdom of God.”
Oke added “Let us therefore be resolute to make this year great. Let us pray, seek the help of God, and receive clear direction from Him on how to handle our challenges. We should thereafter go to work, decisively, diligently, and conclusively resolving whatever challenges we face, individually or corporately. The Scripture is clear that “With God all things are possible.” Mathew 19:26.”
“It is with pleasure that we welcome you to a year of great possibilities, a year of great opportunities, a year of great prosperity, a year when the Lord shall make all things new in our lives individually, and as a nation. He has said it in His word: “And he that sat on the throne said, Behold I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write, for these words are true and fruitful”. Revelation 21:5”
Nigeria will be great again–Uche
Speaking in the same vein, the Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Uche, said in an interview with The Nation, said that Nigerians have reasons to thank God, not minding the fact that the citizens started myriads of challenges, including the challenges of cashless policy, fuel price hike like, but “the Bible says in everything, we should thank God. The Bible says in 1st Thessalonians 5:17, “Rejoice evermore”. Since we are still alive, ours is to pray that things will be well and we will smile again.”
Uche, who expressed his optimism about a better year again for Nigerians, said that God was already there to assist Nigerians to do better in the New Year. “I believe that some of the policies of the government to revamp our economy will pull through in the New Year. For instance, when the refinery of our crude oil starts operations, it will greatly improve our economy. I recently listened to Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu who said that Nigeria is not poor. She knows what she is saying.”
The prelate, while recognising that the country’s economy has been mismanaged, he added “I believe those at the helm of affairs be it in the judiciary, executive, and legislatures, will turn a new leave and serve Nigeria honestly, faithfully, diligently, and maintain the rule of law and love for all.” Expressing optimism, he reiterated that God is not a God of confusion, adding that He has always blessed Nigeria.
He advised the Nigerian leaders and the citizens to be God-fearing and love for one another, eschew bitterness, hatred, and malice, and see ourselves as one entity and one Nigeria.
“We will attain a lofty height that will be the envy of Africans and other nations of the world. If you look well, our country is blessed abundantly in many ways. When we see the various disasters plaguing some nations, we will realise that God is good to us as a country. Everything that is needed to make Nigeria great has been graciously given to us by God”.
“When God created man, he gave man the mandate to dominate. Dominion is the ability to harness. I love our country and I believe that Nigeria will be great because God has given us the ability to be great. What remains as citizens is for us to play our part. We must be determined to fear God, revere him, and love humanity”.
Our focus should be on quality education, human capital development-Ighele
Speaking to The Nation on his expectation in 2024, the Chairman of the Financial Accountability Commission of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Charles Ighele stressed the need for the leaders to care for the masses.
The cleric condemned a situation where the nation’s leaders have failed to use leadership to lift the common man.
While decrying the parlous state of the nation in his New Year message, Bishop Ighele said, “My concern is the proverbial Hobbessian ‘state of nature’ Nigeria has descended to.
He said, “From the first civilian government right to the first military coup till now, the quality of human life in Nigeria has been nasty to the extent that Nigerian prostitutes in Niger, Libya, and many other countries are the cheapest and the most dehumanised prostitutes in those countries.
“With mass illiteracy at all levels and mass semi-literacy at all levels giving birth to mass unemployment and mass poverty and mass crime, I expect past and present governments at the local, state, and federal levels to address the root causes of Nigeria’s decaying human capital”.
The cleric said the only way forward is access to mass quality education which will give birth to mass quality and globally competitive labour force.
“There should also be mass access to capital and land which are all critical factors in wealth creation. A massive entrepreneurial class that is likely to emerge will eventually provide jobs for the masses.
“Without this, Nigeria will continue to be like a giant factory that keeps producing human beings, many of whom are likely to become criminals in a social system and culture that does not government mentally parents its citizens, especially the weak ones.”
We need a more cohesive, united alliance for the nation’s growth—Akinadewo
President, Organization of African Instituted Churches (OAIC)- Baba Aladura Israel Akinadewo said that as we stand on the threshold of a new year, 2024, the leaders and the led need to re-strategise to form a more cohesive and united alliance in rescuing the country from the strangulation of socio-economic and socio-political pandemonium.
Akinadewo said Nigeria, possesses great potential and resilience, yet there are pivotal shifts required to invoke God’s blessings and secure breakthroughs in the year ahead.
According to him, to pave the way for these blessings, the nation also requires unwavering faith, brotherly love (1 Corinthians 16:14), and deliberate actions, with measurable appraisal techniques, for effective feedback on real growth..
He also counselled that the diverse ethnics, religious groups as well political class should eschew bitterness in their interpersonal relationships, and consider the larger interest of the country than individual aspirations.
Akinadewo, who is also the Prelate, Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW) noted that embracing the diverse differences in Nigeria while fostering a spirit of togetherness would fortify the nation’s fabric and “allow us to weather challenges with collective strength.”
The cleric posited further that as individuals and as a nation, the citizens must prioritize integrity, justice, and compassion in all her endeavours, be kind, compassionate, and kindhearted (Ephesians 4:32), and declare A Day of Thanksgiving across the country.
“Our political leaders should embark on a path of sustainable development, focusing on education, healthcare, infrastructure, economic empowerment, and other activities that promote peace to ensure a brighter future for all.
“May this New Year mark the beginning of a transformative journey, where our collective efforts, guided by faith and unity, propel our dear nation toward the fulfillment of God’s blessings and abundant breakthroughs. With faith and determination, we can surmount any obstacle and realize a flourishing future for our beloved nation,” he said.
