Speaking on the state of the nation at the church’s yearly New Wine Conference with theme, ‘Greater Works Than These Shall He Do’, organised by Christ Global Network, the Bishop said the church would continue to pray for the president and leaders at all levels of governance for peace and wisdom to direct the people aright.
He said: “It is our plea that this new administration would do the needful in mending fences with all the aggrieved sections of the nation. This is to ensure that true peace prevails in the nation.”
The cleric attributed the cause of the nation’s ailing economy to poor implementation of both fiscal and developmental policies, saying these have continued to militate against its projected growth and development.
He urged the new administration to review the current security strategy, adding that the growing insecurity in the land was heart-rending and a nightmare to investors and visitors.
He urged the new administration to look into the numerous cases of herdsmen attacks on farms, organised kidnappings, killings and other associated crimes.
Akinola emphasised the need for the new administration to invest more on the education sector and also agriculture to combat the looming food crisis in the country.
He said: “There is disturbing data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) predicting that about 25.3 million people will face food insecurity across Nigeria between June and August 2023. FAO in the statement warned that if actions are not taken to avert the crisis, 4.4 million people in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states will be affected.”
According to the cleric, it was a shame that despite Nigeria’s vast arable lands, huge human capital and financial resources, the country could be categorised as being unable to feed its citizens.
“It is even more laughable that Nigeria is accepting food aids from countries under war situations such as Ukraine. The government should show more interest in agriculture,” he added.
The weeklong event, which witnessed conferences and seminars delivered by other bishops and pastors from other denominations, focused on the spiritual development of the church and peace of the nation.
One of the papers delivered by Bishop Peter Oloye of Christ Fishers of Men of All Nations, Ogun State, titled: ‘Conflict Resolution In Church,’ emphasised that crisis is part of man and inevitable.
According to Oloye, how churches and individuals manage their crisis is important, as it would determine if peace would reign in such churches or not.
He added that except crises are well managed with commitment, genuine mind and with the fear of God, the consequences would always be damaging.
Oloye called on President Tinubu to ensure that the prevalence of the rule of law, which is the bedrock of any egalitarian society, is upheld by his administration.
