By Angela Atabo
The Primate of The Church of the Lord, Worldwide (TCLWW), Most Rev. Rufus Ositelu, has called on Nigerians and political leaders to uphold secularism as a guiding principle for governance.
He disclosed that this would promote unity, fairness and transparency among the different segments of peoples and groups in the country.
Ositelu, who is also the President of the World Council of Churches (WCC) for Africa, made the call at the Cathedral Dedication of the TCLWW in Abuja on Sunday.
He said that a truly fair and united nation must separate religious influence from political administration.
According to him, those in government and those outside government must truly love Nigeria it translates to progress and development in the society.
“Many of these woes are due to personal gains and lack of love for this country. If we love Nigeria, we know the truth and the truth will set us free; we will do the right thing.
“In our constitution, Nigeria is a secular state so should the government either at Federal or State be harbouring anything apart from secularity?
“It is one of the geneses of our problem because when it started it started some years back like 30 years ago. The leadership of the country said it was a political thing and it would soon go away.
“It did not go away, it has been growing to the negative effect of this country. So, let us face the truth, face facts and the solutions are there, we don’t need to invent the will.”
He likened Nigeria to Switzerland with different regions speaking languages.
“If you want power as the Prime Minister, you contest. But we can also have the presidency like they have in Switzerland which is shifting from one region to another.
“So that when it is the turn of any tribe, people outside Nigeria and within Nigeria will know that this tribe also exists. The president will be representing the tribe and things will go well.”
He urged Nigerians to continue praying for the nation because there is nothing God cannot do and within the next 10 years Nigeria would be great again.
Speaking on the theme “By the Grace of God it is Done”, the Primate urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the face of life’s challenges, encouraging them that God’s favour would find them.
“In the book of Leviticus chapter 26, 9 and 10, the Lord says, I will look on you with favour and make you fruitful and increase your numbers and I will keep my covenant with you.
“You will still be eating last year’s harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new. That will be your portion in Jesus’ name.”
The Primate drew from well-known biblical examples, including Joseph, David, and Job, illustrating how God’s favour elevated individuals even when circumstances appeared bleak.
According to him, these stories reveal that “what seems hopeless is never hopeless with God,” and that challenges often indicate that blessings are imminent.
He congratulated the Abuja Diocesan for the dedication of the church.
Also speaking, Archbishop Designate Babatunde Ahsaye, Diocesan, Abuja Diocese, Provincial Head, Northern Ecclesiastical Province, TCLWW, praised God for His faithfulness in turning their vision of building the church into reality.
Ashaye said: “This Cathedral stands as a symbol of revival, unity and divine presence in the heart of our nation’s capital.
“It declares to the world that the church of the Lord is marching on, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”(NAN)
Edited byIsmail Abdulaziz
