A group under the aegis of Diaspora Alliance Nigeria has called on Christians across the country to actively participate in civic life and community development for national transformation.
This was disclosed at a recent seminar held in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
The event, themed “Occupy Till I Come,” aimed to inspire believers to reclaim their role in shaping the nation’s future amidst pressing issues such as poverty, insecurity, and moral decline.
The seminar attracted over 1,500 participants, including prominent church leaders, civic advocates and other stakeholders, who engaged in discussions about the moral, economic, and security crises facing the country.
The convener of the event, Rev. Emmanuel Ihim, emphasised the need for Christians to move beyond the walls of the church and engage courageously in public policy and community initiatives.
“Revival is only the starting point. Our divine mandate is to occupy—to engage, to influence, and to transform every sphere of society,” Ihim declared.
One of the keynote speakers, Dr. Ikechukwu Nkulo, while addressing the urgent challenges confronting the nation, lamented the deepening poverty and insecurity that have left millions of Nigerians “hungry, fearful, and disillusioned.”
A civic activist and U.S.-trained lawyer, Attorney Lloyd Ukwu, stressed that democracy thrives only when moral institutions, including the church, stand united and courageous..
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for Abia State, Rev. Ojo Ojo Uduma, called on the church to “rediscover its prophetic voice and become a light in the darkness.”
The seminar concluded with a formal handover of vision documents to the representative of the Abia State Governor, affirming the partnership between the Diaspora Alliance and local authorities to advance community development and civic education.
Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, highlighted the importance of Christians engaging proactively across the Seven Mountains of Influence, including government, media, education, and business.
He also praised the initiative and challenged Christians to step forward into leadership roles.
The gathering ended with prayers and a shared commitment to action, as participants pledged to rebuild communities, mentor youth, and speak truth to power.
Organisers hope the event will inspire similar initiatives across Nigeria and among the global diaspora, uniting believers in their shared mission to be salt and light in an era of unprecedented challenges.
Diaspora Alliance is a global coalition of Nigerian Christian professionals, faith leaders, and advocates working to advance civic engagement, ethical leadership, and sustainable development in Nigeria and across the diaspora.
