Tell leaders the truth, don’t curse them, Remi Tinubu tells clerics

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday, admonished religious leaders to focus on praying and counselling governments at all levels instead of raining curses on them.

The President’s wife advised at the opening ceremony of a four-day International Conference of the African Biblical Leadership Initiative (ABLI) scheduled to be held in Abuja.

The ABLI initiative themed, ‘Value-based leadership model for Africa’ attracted African and European leaders and global global Christian leaders.

In her address, Tinubu, who was represented by the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of New Partnership for Africa’s Development, Princess Gloria Akobundu, lamented the numerous challenges plaguing leadership, especially in Africa.

The First Lady, therefore, urged religious leaders to preach peace and follow in the footsteps of Christ by fervently praying for leaders in power instead of abusing them.

She said: “To our spiritual fathers, I urge you to build and foster peace and development as well as to pray for the government. Let us not curse, insult and castigate the government. Rather, speak the truth to the leaders and conscience of our citizens.

Earlier in his speech, the President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Daniel Okoh, harped on the need for effective leadership.

Okoh also prayed for God to continue raising conscientious and compassionate leaders for African countries.