Cleric tasks Nigerians on love, unity for development

Nigerians have been charged to imbibe the spirit of love and dwell together in unity for the development of the nation.

The planter of Christ Apostolic Church (Boanerges) worldwide, Prophet Ade Ologbonyo who gave charge also urged well-to-do and kind-hearted people to always support the less privileged and vulnerable persons in the society with their God-given resources.

The renowned Prophet of the gospel spoke in Orun Ekiti during the annual Prophet Ade Ologbonyo Foundation empowerment programme where gifts were distributed to widows, orphans, and other vulnerable persons, and free medical/health care was given to the people.

He said the gesture was to show the love of Christ to all mankind irrespective of religion, tribe and background.

The man of God noted that the Foundation which started in April 4, 2008, has since cared for over 600 widows and awarded 40 scholarships to students who are now graduates with over other 30 students still on scholarships.

“Many young widows and orphans have been trained at various levels of apprenticeship with necessary equipment such has sowing machine (both manual and industrial), grinding machines, shoe making machines, generating set and so on, gifted the beneficiaries.”

Ologbonyo who stressed the need for the spread love among Nigerians in line with the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ said, “It is high time for everyone irrespective of the religious diversity and tribal differences to love one another genuinely, saying where there is genuine love, there will be progress, unity and peace.

“Let the spirit of love form the foundation of our existence. People who genuinely love are happier than haters. Whatever we plant will come back to us in folds. Rather than spreading hatred, let us plant the seed of love, and we shall reap peace, unity and progress,” he added.

Prophet Ologbonyo further explained that the real happiness comes through benevolence to others, such as care and doing things to help others etc, which according to him, expands one’s being, leading to inevitable happiness.

“I’m much more happier and fulfilled whenever I’m privileged to put a smile on someone’s face or solve problems. The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is one gospel. It mustn’t be during Christmas or festive period alone. It should be as God helps and leads. Jesus Christ preached and practiced one gospel which is love all His life (Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:37).”

Quoting Mark chapter 12 verse 30 to 31 which says “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength, this is the first commandment. The second is this, you shall love your neighbours as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these,”

He said the programme came through a divine instruction specifically given to him by God in two Bible verses : James 1 verse 27 and Exodus 22 verse 22 to 24 telling him that widows and orphans are suffering and He (God) has given him the assignment of taking care of them.

The man of God who revealed that it was not easy in the beginning because of lack of financial support for over eight years said, “Sometimes, we would have to borrow to meet up as the population kept increasing, but to God be the glory for how far He has brought us.

“Some people see what we are doing as a show to get people’s attention but I’ve said this times without number that if giving our all for evangelism is show, I wish we can all join this show, as long as souls are saved for Jesus. Most people in this life think that being happy is about having more money, more power or more control over things or other people rather, these make a person unhappy when one get obsessed with it.”

The foundation according to him has contributed immensely and still contributing to the welfare of Nigerians, especially the people of Ekiti State and its environs, through the provision of free health services, food items, and clothing materials, paying of school fees, giving out tools such as sewing machines, grinding machines, shoe making machines, etc to widows and orphans.