The General Overseer of The Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev. Sam Aboyeji, has urged Nigerians to embrace hard work, shun corruption and seek divine intervention to achieve national renewal and break new grounds.

Aboyeji gave the charge at the conclusion of the church’s 71st Annual Convention, themed “Breaking New Grounds,” held at the Foursquare Camp, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ajebo, Ogun State.

He said sustaining progress required diligence, a strong relationship with God and a collective determination to overcome the challenges confronting the country.

According to him, Nigerians must move beyond dissatisfaction with the state of the nation and demonstrate a commitment to building a better society through honest and productive endeavours.

“Even when we desire new grounds, we need to work hard at it by being diligent,” he said, calling on citizens to reject fraudulent activities and other shortcuts to success.

He specifically urged those involved in internet fraud, popularly known as Yahoo Yahoo, and corrupt practices to turn away from such activities and embrace legitimate means of livelihood.

Aboyeji also called for increased innovation, entrepreneurship and industrial development, urging Nigerians to establish businesses, develop industries and pursue ideas capable of transforming the economy.

He stressed that national development could not be achieved through indolence or dishonest practices, insisting that diligence and integrity were essential to breaking new grounds in every sector.

The cleric, however, said human efforts alone would not guarantee sustainable progress without divine assistance, particularly in addressing the country’s economic and social challenges.

Citing biblical passages on seeking God’s intervention, he urged Nigerians to humble themselves, pray and turn away from wickedness, expressing optimism that the nation would overcome its difficulties.

“This Nigerian land will be healed. There will be many more new grounds to be broken, even in this land, in the name of Jesus Christ,” he said.

On the church’s focus on “Ever-Increasing Glory” ahead of the 2027 general election, Aboyeji urged Nigerians to remain hopeful despite prevailing uncertainties.

He said faith in God, confidence in the country and belief in its leadership were necessary to sustain hope for a better future.

The five-day convention featured ministers, including the Senior Pastor of Christ Livingspring Apostolic Ministry, Wole Oladiyun, and the Founder who is also the President of Encounter Jesus Ministries International, Apostle Michael Orokpo, among other facilitators.

Chairman, 71st Convention Organising Committee, Rev. Charles Fashola said as part of the convention and in line with the theme, the Church empowered quite a number of persons who came from all over the country.

“It is time for the Church to start giving back to its members. This is what we have achieved during this convention by empowering those with nano, micro businesses across 199 districts in Nigeria” he said.

Rev. Olabisi Aboyeji advised women in the nation to be intentional about breaking new grounds in teaching their children the way of the Lord so that they can be good leaders tomorrow.