Clerics express optimism for 2017

As Nigeria steps into the New Year, saying farewell to 2016, described as a year like no other, clerics offer messages of hope for 2017, tasking government and citizens on playing their roles to ensure a sustainable economy and a developed nation.

 

CAN calls for courage, faith, determination

President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend (Dr) Samson Ayokunle, speaking with TribuneChurch on the organisation’s message for Nigerians in 2017 called for courage, determination and faith.

According to him, “courage helped Joseph to surmount the challenges when Mary was with child. Courage was also displayed when the disciples faced the storm with Jesus, as there was calm after the storm. We need to be determined as Nigerians that we will be better than where we are coming from. As we begin 2017, we declare that the storm will cease as we go along. Let us focus on Jesus Christ, who is the Lord above all things. We also need to have faith, expressed through prayer. We should also do our best to God and we believe that 2017 will be a successful year for us.”

 

PFN prays for divine wisdom for leaders, followers

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, under the leadership of Reverend (Dr) Felix Omobude, based its 2017 message for Nigeria on the second stanza of the national anthem, calling for godly wisdom for leaders and followers, divine direction for youths, and for truth, love, justice and honesty to resonate in the hearts of all citizen, so that the country can experience peace and development in 2017.

 

We must be patriotic —Methodist Prelate

Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Reverend (Dr) Samuel Uche, in his 2017 message, called for sober reflection and reiterated the need for citizens to embrace patriotism.

“First of all, we must believe in God, be patriotic and be prepared to make sacrifices and love one another. We must be prepared to place our country above self. Those in positions of authority should treat the welfare of the people as a matter of priority. Whether in secular or religious circles, persons in positions of authority must see themselves as shepherds and, as such, take it as a duty to care for those in their care,” he stated.

 

God will do a new thing for Nigeria in 2017 —Archbishop Ademowo

Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend (Dr) Ephraim Adebola Ademowo, in his message, called for Nigerians to be steadfast in faith, prayerful in hope and always trust in God’s unending love.

In his New Year message made available to TribuneChurch and entitled, “The Glorious Year,” Ademowo stated that “The good news is that the Almighty God, who knows no impossibility, said in Isaiah 43: 19, that He would do a new thing for His children this year. However for something new to happen, the old must give way. We must let go of our old ways of living if we want to experience a glorious beginning this year.  Our old ways of thinking and doing things, especially our ungodly behaviour, must give way.

“This past year, our dear country has weathered all kinds of storms and has survived, including the storms of wanton destruction of lives and properties, kidnapping, rise in crime due to the increasing rate of unemployment, insurgency and economic depression. God is always on our side and there is light at the end of tunnel if we all rise to do what is right and proper as a people and as a nation.

“Let me make this call to our leaders on sound economic framework for Nigeria. Every Nigerian should have a guarantee of adequate and affordable food, healthcare, housing, education, transport telephone and internet access. But as plans to expand local capacity for crude oil processing progresses, government’s economic planners must key into the world’s unstoppable zooming into the age of production and consumption of alternative energies, gas, solar and wind.  These energy sources are cleaner and cheaper. While gas is available in more plentiful supply than fossil oil, solar and wind energy are renewable and inexhaustible.  Keying into this trend is a realistic, killer economic ace for Nigeria,” Ademowo stated.

 

CAC President tells Nigerians to have hope in God

The president of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) worldwide, Pastor Abraham Akinosun, in his New Year message called on Nigerians to have hope and forget the struggle and difficulty that came with the past year.

“We should first of all place our hope in Jesus Christ who never fails. We should desist from placing hope on things of the world which can never last.”

While commending the recent discovery of crude oil in the North-East, he called for government to take meaningful steps to diversify the economy in the face of the projection that crude oil will lose value in the years to come.

“Nigeria should make use of its abundant resources to develop the energy sector so that industries can produce at full capacity. There should also be focus on ensuring the development of agro-allied and petro-chemical industries. The Niger Delta militants should understand that in the future, according to economists, oil will not be high in demand as now. So, they should allow peace to reign so that Nigeria can develop. I also urge government to take drastic steps on improving agriculture to ensure quality food production,” Pastor Akinosun stated.

While commending the military for a job well done with regards to the raid on Sambisa forest, he called on the Federal Government and the military to ensure that the fight against insurgency is won, once and for all.

 

It will be a year of new beginnings —Most Revd Abidoye

The Spiritual Father of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide, Ayo Ni O, Most Reverend Samuel Abidoye, in a release made available to TribuneChurch, expressed optimism that 2017 would usher in development.

According to him, “I am optimistic that 2017 will be a better year economically, socially and in our commitment to serving God. It is going to be a year of new beginnings for all Nigerians as the economy is bound to recover from recession and socioeconomic development would take place. Nigerians are hardworking people and I know that we shall use the abundant resources given to us by God wisely to restore the country to normalcy and put it on the path of economic growth and development again.

“I wish to commend the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for its determination to face the nation’s woes. I also commend the war against corruption by the Federal Government and urge that there should be no sacred cows; the fight against corruption should be total. However, the hardship currently facing many citizens requires the government to adopt workable approach to see to its end,” he stated.

 

We shall see the Nigeria of our dreams in 2017 —Bishop Okonkwo

Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), in his New Year message called on Nigerians “not to lose hope in spite of the daunting socio-economic challenges. Rather than lose hope, I urge every Nigerian to stand in prayers for this nation, because I am a firm believer that prayers can change situations and circumstances, no matter how complex they may look.

“There is no doubt we have all gone through some very trying times last year especially with regard to our economy, but the grace of God has kept us intact as a nation. I also salute the dogged resilience of Nigerians who are always ready to weather every storm that comes their way. We cannot afford to throw up our hands in despair, so I encourage every Nigerian to continue to contribute his or her quota to the peace, prosperity and development of this great nation.

“I encourage everyone to remain steadfast in faith knowing that God’s will for this great nation can never be aborted. I am a firm believer that 2017 would be better for us all. Indeed, the earth shall yield her increase for us. We shall all see the Nigeria of our dreams.”

 

We will testify in 2017 —Pastor Adefarasin

In his New Year message, the head Pastor of the House on the Rock Church, Lagos State, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, said that, “God wants to give everyone a fresh start in their business, health, family, job, academics, marriage, relationship and we will all testify to the goodness and glory of God in 2017.”

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