Insecurity: Former President urges Nigerians to pray for Country  

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has urged to pray for the nation to overcome the threatening security situation, assuring that the swinging of the pendulum will not make it fall off.

Obasanjo made the call while speaking at the 108th Annual Convention of the Nigerian Baptist Church, NBC, held at the Baptist International Conference Centre, KM 54 Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Assuring Nigerians to be optimistic and prayerful, the ex-President said; ”all hands must be on deck for the prosperity of the nation.”

Obasanjo stated: “On the situation we are in the country, I am an incurable optimist about a number of things particularly about Nigeria. Keep praying that the situation will only be threatening, but we won’t be overcome by it. May we continue to prosper.”

The convention with the theme: “Moving Forward, Finishing the Race with Joy” also saw Reverend Olasupo Ayokunle hand over the baton of leadership as President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention to Reverend Israel Akanji.

The ex President advised the Baptist Church members to work cooperatively with Reverend Akanji the same way they worked with Reverend Ayokunle, commending the outgoing Baptist President for his contributions to the progress and development of the church.

Also present at the convention were; Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State; Senator Ishaku Abbo, representing Adamawa North Senatorial District; representatives of the All African Council of Churches as well as World Council of Churches, Baptist World Alliance and other religious bodies.

Governor Makinde called on Nigerians to continue to pray for the nation’s leaders. He urged them to play their role by being wary of happenings around them and reporting to security agencies and authorities when they notice anything untoward.

The Governor praised the Baptist Convention for having an orderly and peaceful transition in its leadership, praying that such would also be recorded in the nation’s political landscape.

Congratulating him on his 10 years of excellent service to the Baptist Convention in Nigeria, Governor Makinde lauded Dr Ayokunle for his ability to speak truth to power and urged him to continue to render excellence service to the cause of Oyo State and Nigeria, at large.

He said: “After serving as the President of the NBC for 10 years, Dr Ayokunle has rendered excellent service to the Baptist Convention. Excellence is closely related to completeness and this is linked to that number, 10. Just as you have achieved excellence in service here and I can see that you are not tired, we want you to continue to be of service to our country and to our state.”

Also the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun urged Nigerians to reject violence and pursue peace, asking both leaders and followers to live with the fear of God for the situation of the nation to be better.

Governor Abiodun further advised the church ”to continue to seek God’s face for an end to divisive tendencies in the nation and for the nation to continue on the path of socio-economic development.”

He also praised Dr Olasupo Ayokunle for his dynamic leadership of Christian faithful, being a moral compass and shining example of the Christian fold.

Mercy Chukwudiebere