I’m optimistic Nigeria will experience reawakening, Odedeji says

As CAC says Tinubu must lead with courage

Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. James Odedeji, has expressed hope that 2024 will be one of the best years Nigeria has ever experienced. He made the submission in a New Year Message made available to journalists, yesterday.

Odedeji, who took time to pray for Nigerians and institutions of government, said the time to favour Nigeria is now. He said: “God is about to do a new thing in our country and we all shall experience it as the Lord lives. My prayer is that evil will not prevail in the land.

“All elements of bad governance will not thrive in the year. I am optimistic that Nigeria will experience a new awakening irrespective of the bad indices that are confronting us.”

The bishop, however, urged those in position of authority to get to work, saying: “This is not a time to talk glibly about transformation. It is a time to work and be sincere with what God has committed into our hands. It is time for all those that have been put in charge of strategic places in governance to wake up and live up to their billing.”

He said: “God has decided to favour Nigeria. But if citizens don’t do the work, we would remain impoverished and would continue to cry.” Odedeji, who celebrated 10 years as bishop in the diocese in 2023, said the theme for the diocese for 2024 is: ‘Fight the good fight of faith’. He said the theme bears a lot of relevance for the entire nation.

“Nigerians and, indeed, Christians are being called to fight the good fight of faith. It is the fight of righteousness. It is the fight of holiness. It is the fight to do the right things. It is the fight not to allow corruption to thrive. As a church, we will be pursuing that theme for the whole of the Year 2024.

“We will be encouraging our people to hold fast the profession of their faith. Our nation is bereft of men of integrity. It is time to make everybody come to that realisation that without living right we can’t get things right. Nothing happens by magic.”

Alluding to the scriptures, Odedeji said: “Paul told Timothy to fight the good fight of faith. The kind of fight Paul was asking Timothy to fight was not a physical fight. It is a fight of faith. The fight of faith has to do with standing for the right thing and the values of the Christian faith.” He urged government to tackle insecurity in the land appealed citizens to be their neighbours’ keepers.

MEANWHILE, the President, Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide, Henry Ojo, has urged President Bola Tinubu to lead Nigeria with courage and a resolve to lift the country from the backstage position into glory.
 
Ojo gave the advice in his charge to Nigerians, yesterday, at the CAC Arogungbogunmi Freedom Festival 2023 Conference and Convention at Olunde, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Lamenting the current state of the nation, he said: “I want to use this medium to encourage our president that he should not be discouraged. Whatever strength, knowledge and ability that God has given to him should be used to make Nigeria a better place.” 

Stating that the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is at hand, the CAC General Evangelist, Richard Adebayo Kolawole, in his year 2024 prophecies declared: “The Lord said we should use praises to open the door of Year 2024. Hence, ministers of God should organise praises in their various churches or ministries.”

ALSO, the Vicar, Diocese of Lagos West, All Saints Anglican Church, Ikosi-Ketu, Sunday Folorunso Oginni, has said that 2024 will be a year of Joy with abounding  testimonies, though there is no promise of a trouble-free world.  He made the declaration while speaking with journalists after the Church’s Holy Communion service.  Oginni lamented that the issue of corruption and bad leadership is worrisome.