Anglican Bishop Johnson urges Nigerians to put nation above all
Johnson
The Anglican Church Bishop of Lagos Mainland, Rt. Revd. Akinpelu Johnson, has said that Nigeria will continue to dwell in its challenges as long as the citizens put other things above the good of the country. Bishop Johnson stated this during the 90th anniversary book launch of All Saints’ Anglican Church, Yaba, Lagos.
The cleric said: “The church is a divine enterprise. Sometimes, it has its problems, but it stands. We are celebrating 90 but there is more work ahead. It is a challenging period for all Nigerians, but our leaders must be faithful in all they are doing, and we hope that by 2023, credible leaders after God’s heart will be elected. Also, if we put other things above the good of the country, we will continue having problems.”
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while praising those that have served the church, promised to contribute his own quota to the church projects.
On the anniversary, Akinpelu said: “We give thanks to God for the continued existence of the church for 90 years. So, it’s a thing of joy and thanksgiving to God. For me, it’s sentimental because I worked in the church when I was young in the ministry. All Saints’ Anglican Church, Yaba has been faithful in church planting; they planted all Saints’ Ikosi-Ketu 40 years ago and many other churches, so, it’s a church that has missionary zeal, and that is why we are here, also to recognize those who continued to serve and those that have served in the church.
On his part, Chairman, Development Committees for the anniversary, Olusesan Ayodele Onabowale, said: “In terms of challenges the church has gone through, we consider them growing process. We were privileged to celebrate the 80th anniversary and in the last 10 years, a lot of water has flown under the bridge and because of this, we cannot but appreciate God in the 90th year because 10 years is no joke in the life of a man.
“Part of the things we put into place is recognising our nonagenarians and decorate them with medallion medal; the reason being that come 100 years, we are not likely to have two or three of them again, so, that is why we called people that matters, which include the Lagos and Ogun State governors to celebrate with us.
“This is a change going towards the youths. We are letting the youths appreciate what the church used to be, what it is now, and going forward what it should be so that they don’t lose sight of how things are done. And, we want to use this opportunity to also raise funds to carry out some projects like our church hall, new church organ and the new medical centre; we have tried to raise money but we externalize it. All we are doing is for humanity and we live for humanity.
On what Nigerian leaders can learn and his advice to the nation, he said: “We all have to persevere as a people. We must have a genuine understanding, be passionate and love this country. We should not be self-centred, those that have must cater for those that don’t have, and those that have should spread it around, after all, we come into this world with nothing and we shall leave with nothing.
He added: “Whether a person amassed the whole world, stack away billions, on the day the bell tolls, he cannot take away a thing and those who do not know how those things were achieved will step in and do whatever they want to do with it so, in a person’s life-time, he must ensure to satisfy mankind, assist those that do not have.
“We visited the handicaps recently and I was amazed by what I saw and I ask why those who are well-to-do don’t reach out to them.”
Also, Sanwo-Olu while praising those that have served the church, promised to contribute his own quota to the church projects.
Related
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.