Spread the word
The General Overseer Charismatic Renewal Church Ministries, Dr Cosmas Ilechukwu, Sunday, enjoined government at levels and the citizenry to join hands in building a greater nation conducive for all to live in.
Speaking ahead of the 2027 elections in the country, the cleric, who is also the Deputy President Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, harped on the need for citizens to exercise their civic rights as voters, pay their tax and maintain law and order.
Nation builders, he noted, must remain focused even in the face of opposition because nations are built systematically and gradually.
Ilechukwu restated this at a special prayer service for Nigeria and her leaders’ 2026 edition of the Change We Need Nigeria Initiative, held at the church auditorium in Abuja.
Quoting from the book of Nehemiah, the convener said nations must return to God in repentance and submission, emphasising that nations are only built and enhanced if a vision is understood.
The leaders, Ilechukwu said, must also set goals, roll out social welfare programmes, and anchor the economy on a solid ground, adding: “It is a fundamental requirement for leadership to bring the needed change.”
“The government must then prioritise the rule of law to inspire institutional growth in all facets, takes responsibility and not encourage ethnicity and nepotism and then encourage active participation of the people as a form of complementing government actions,” he said.
Citing the example of Nehemiah from the holy scriptures, he said: “Nehemiah was threatened, mocked, fought, but he prevailed as a leader.”
Baring his mind on the current state of the nation, Ilechukwu frowned at a high cost of living and fuel hikes, insisting that current leadership can change the trend and bring about a positive change.
“Today, we are buying fuel for N1,500 pr litre. That was not what it was last year. Our prayer is that by this time next year, it should be sold for N500 per litre, then we will know we are moving in the right direction, and we shall celebrate it.”
While enjoining citizens to join in building the nation of their dreams, he added, “We cannot depend solely on government. It is a combined action. The citizens must be ready to prioritise law and orders and play their own roles too very well.
“Also as we prepare for the 2027 polls, INEC, our electoral empire, must restore the people’s confidence as a way of defeating voter apathy so that all the idea of dragging themselves to court after elections would be a thing of the past.”
Spread the word