By Vera Wisdom-Bassey
The Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria held her 67th Annual Convention recently at Ajebo, Ogun State. The programme witnessed the presence of important dignitaries likeof Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, commissioners and others.
It also witnessed the appointment of new key national officers into the organisation’s board, national executive council, elevation of 86 pastors to the status of reverends and senior pastors.
The week-long programme witnessed ministrations from Bishop Wale Oke, the president of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and Dr Paul Enenche of the Dunamis Church.
Abiodun called on Nigerians to be united during the forthcoming election and continue to pray for the unity in the country. He called on Christian leaders in Nigeria to use their office as men of God to promote the unity of Nigeria for the benefits of the country and its citizens.
According to him, Nigeria is going through security challenges now such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cultism, among others, but gave hope to Nigerians that the problems were surmountable.
He said: “Our churches must come alive and play their important roles, even as our societies are afflicted with all manners of ills ranging from insurgency, kidnapping, cultism, banditry, sexual assaults and a host of others.
“The role of the church, as the conscience of the nation, is an age-long fact, which has become the guiding light for any society that desires development.
“It is, therefore, imperative that the love of God be extended to all, while people are implored to eschew bitterness.”
He also urged the church to preach against moral ethics in order to correct the ills ongoing in the society “Moreso, the church as an organ of socialisation, is ever relevant, especially in propagating moral ethics in the society.
Abiodun urged parents and guardians to properly monitor their wards against being instrument of violence in the hands of the politicians in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
“For this reason, the church is enjoined to work harder in its responsibility by condemning the use of violence by individuals or groups to seek redress,” he said.
In his sermon, the general overseer, Reverend Sam Aboyeji, called on political office holders in the country to hand over the challenges of Nigeria to God for divine encounter. He encouraged Nigerians to always speak positive things that would unite Nigerians.
The general overseer expressed his gratitude to the governor of Ogun and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, for their joint efforts in ensuring that there was adequate security of lives and property on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway throughout the period of the convention. He specifically thanked Abiodun for honouring the invitation, saying that he was the first governor in the state to attend the programme in their camp ground.