2024 came to an end five days ago with the challenges and triumphs that marked the year. With 2025 already in progress, Adeola Ogunlade engaged church leaders to share their expectations, aspirations, and visions for the New Year.
Let us embrace unity, faith, love-President (OAIC), Baba Aladura, Dr Israel Akinadewo
S the clock ushers in 2025, the President of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), Nigeria Region, and Prelate of the Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW),Baba Aladura, Dr Israel Akinadewo, urged Nigerians to embrace unity, faith, and action in overcoming the challenges facing the nation as we enter the New Year.
In his heartfelt address, the Prelate acknowledged the socio-economic hardships confronting many Nigerians, including inflation, unemployment, and poverty, while emphasising the power of faith in navigating these turbulent times. “The dawn of a new year is always a time of reflection, renewal, and hope,” he said. “Amidst Nigeria’s challenges, our faith in God remains our anchor, our hope, and our strength.”
Drawing inspiration from Psalm 107:29-31, the Prelate unveiled the 2025 theme: Calming and Overcoming the Raging Storm, noting that resilience and divine guidance as pathways to national progress. “If we as citizens unite in the interest of our nation, we shall overcome the storms that often pervade every year,” he affirmed.
The prelate highlighted the need for collective action and compassion in addressing the struggles of marginalised communities. He called on churches and individuals to extend a helping hand and to be instruments of peace and prosperity. “God’s provision is always sufficient for us,” he reminded, urging Nigerians to create a future that mirrors God’s kingdom on earth.
Recognizing Nigeria’s diversity as a strength, the prelate stressed the importance of unity in overcoming the nation’s challenges. “The need for unity has never been more critical,” he said, calling for reconciliation and understanding across cultural, religious, and societal divides.
He encouraged the church to lead efforts in fostering love and harmony, noting that unity is not just an ideal but a necessity for Nigeria’s progress. “Let us remain united in our prayers, actions, and commitment to one another,” he urged.
The prelate underscored the importance of unwavering faith and devotion in the face of adversity. He urged believers to renew their commitment to God’s work, emphasizing that clarity, strength, and direction come through prayer.
He also called on all Nigerians to join in prayer for the nation, interceding for peace, progress, and divine intervention. “May God grant wisdom to those in positions of authority and heal the divisions that have plagued us,” he prayed.
Govt should explore other sources of revenue in 2025 – Prelate Uche
In an exclusive interview with The Nation, Emeritus Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Excellency, Chukwuemeka Uche, appealed to Nigerians to remain optimistic about the New Year, urging government at all levels to be intentional about their investment in agriculture.
Reflecting on the socio-economic and leadership challenges facing the nation, the revered cleric emphasised the power of prayer and divine intervention in steering the country toward progress. “God’s word can make things new and change situations,” he said.
“We should keep praying for our leaders—our president, governors, local government chairmen, ministers, and members of the National Assembly—so that God will touch their spirits and guide them toward making policies that benefit society.”
He underscored the need for proper governance and leadership as catalysts for reducing crime and creating employment. Stressing the potential of agriculture, he lamented the nation’s overreliance on crude oil.
“In the past, the southeast thrived on farm produce, the southwest on cocoa, and the north on groundnut pyramids. These were our economic mainstays before oil became the focus,” he noted.
The prelate called for a return to agricultural prosperity and the revitalisation of industries such as textile mills, cement factories, and rubber production.
“The wealth of a nation depends on what it can produce and export,” he said. “If we keep importing and consuming, we will remain impoverished. Agriculture and industry are our paths to survival.”
Expressing optimism for 2025, Emeritus Prelate Uche encouraged Nigerians to cooperate with President Tinubu, whom he believes can steer the nation toward positive change. “If Nigerians are cooperative and focused, things will change for good,” he asserted.
He also called on citizens to play their roles as patriotic individuals, emphasising the collective responsibility of nation-building.
“We all have roles to play as men, women, boys, and girls. Let us be good citizens and support our leaders, for with God, things will be better for us as individuals and as a nation.”
Addressing the church, the Prelate urged unity and a focus on living out the gospel. “Our Lord Jesus Christ said, ‘Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.’ We must not only preach Christ but also practice the tenets of our faith,” he said.
Face 2025 with resilience amid growing challenges – Bishop Ighele
Bishop Charles Ighele, General Superintendent of the Holy Spirit Mission (The Happy Family Nation), in a chat with our correspondent called on the citizens to embrace resilience and self-improvement in the face of looming economic and societal challenges.
In a heartfelt message, Bishop Ighele urged Nigerians to remain united, develop their skills, and cultivate a spirit of contentment while pursuing godly ambitions.
“Things are tough and will get tougher,” Bishop Ighele cautioned. “For the last 15 years, I have been warning that the real suffering is yet to begin. Now, it seems we are at that threshold. But I appeal to citizens not to turn against each other in their struggle to survive.”
Instead, he encouraged Nigerians to identify their God-given talents, invest in self-education, and harness their abilities to work productively. He emphasised the importance of developing a spirit of contentment while maintaining an ambition rooted in faith and integrity.
Bishop Ighele lamented the longstanding issues within Nigeria’s education sector, which he described as a foundational problem contributing to the nation’s challenges. He noted that public primary and secondary schools have failed to adequately develop students intellectually and emotionally, or to instill civilised behaviour.
“The educational system has failed to provide the two basic outcomes of any functional education: mental development and civilised behaviour. Without these, most students lack the capacity to be productive and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he explained.
According to Bishop Ighele, this systemic failure has created a “vicious circle” of poverty and criminality, perpetuating underdevelopment and societal decay.
Bishop Ighele underscored the need for Nigeria’s ruling class to undertake comprehensive societal re-engineering, addressing the deep-seated flaws in the country’s social and educational substructures.
“Until the Nigerian ruling class embarks on a total overhaul of the societal framework, there can be no glorious superstructure, no Nigeria that naturally attracts pride from its citizens or admiration from others,” he stated.
However, he expressed hope that transformative change is possible if the nation’s leaders rise to the occasion and understand the urgency of the task.
Despite the challenges, Bishop Ighele remains optimistic about Nigeria’s future. “I am hopeful that things will change in due course,” he said, urging Nigerians to keep faith and work collectively towards a better tomorrow.
