Guardian

CLERICS have called on Nigerians to embrace righteousness in 2013 and contribute their quota towards moving the nation forward, even as they warned that dire consequences await any person intent at destroying the polity.

Pastor Lazarus Muoka, General Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries, urged citizens to turn away from evil and accept God’s grace in the new year, in order to escape impending doom that awaits sinners.

In a statement through the Head of Communications, Pastor Louis Chidi, the General Overseer said: “All these evils and atrocities are for the wonders of God to be multiplied, so that people can turn to Him. Last year, when others were predicting peace and prosperity, I warned that if people hardened their hearts and refused to renounce their evil ways and come to God, the year would be characterised by political and economic confusion and more bloodshed. It happened.”

The cleric called on Nigerians to recognise God as Creator and His Son, Jesus Christ, as Saviour, and repent of their sins so that the nation would experience peace in the year.

He said: “If the world fails to put a stop to abominations pervading high and low places, God will destroy humanity again. Meanwhile, God will continue to multiply His wonders in order to draw people to Himself. The Lord does all things for His own sake. He does not make a man wicked. But when a man has made himself such, if he does not repent, when the measure of his iniquity is full, he will fall under the wrath of God.”

SPEAKING, last Sunday, during a combined service at Bible Training Centre, Ayobo, Lagos, the General Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Williams Kumuyi, said the past, present and future are in God’s hands. According to him, people can only enjoy the future when they renounce sins of the past and believe God for a new beginning.

Kumuyi, who spoke on ‘Power For A New Beginning’, also pronounced blessings: “The Lord is saying that it doesn’t matter what happened in the past. The mistakes of the past will be turned into miracles. Grace will come into your life and cover the guilt of the past.

“As Isaiah 41:15 promises, you will be that new threshing instrument. What you’ve never seen, you will see. What you’ve never heard, you will hear. There will be miracles, new expectations, new things and new possessions. The Lord will bring them to pass in our lives in the new year.

“When God says He will, Satan cannot hinder Him; no demon can; and no human being can hinder Him either. God said, ‘behold, I will do a new thing’

“Signs and wonders will characterise your prayers in the new year. You shall possess your possessions and answers to your prayers will come speedily. When you open your mouth, the Lord will fill it.”

THE Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, on his part, called on President Jonathan to match words with action and make the country a better place in the year.

He made the appeal in a message signed by Director of Social Communications, Very Rev. Msgr. Gabriel Osu.

Martins urged Jonathan to address challenges confronting the nation such as insecurity, poverty, unemployment and erratic power supply, among others.

He said: “At this period of our national life, what Nigerians need is to see practical steps by their leaders to alleviate the growing rate of sufferings in the land. They want to see good governance. We have gone through a lot as a nation and we have been hearing promises upon promises. We want to see action this time around.

“I want to believe that the President is very sincere about moving the nation forward. But he must prove it with concrete actions and not just mere rhetoric.

“My prayer is that the year will usher in a new vista of immense opportunities and fulfillment for us as a nation.”

Martins also called on Nigerians not to lose hope but continue to contribute their quota towards the development of the nation.

THE Bishop of Lagos Mainland, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Adebayo Akinde, enjoined Christians to fear God and put their faith in Him in the new year. He also urged them to rest with the assurance that God is in control of the universe.

Akinde spoke, last Tuesday, while delivering his New Year message, themed: ‘Allowing God To Direct Your Steps’ at the Cathedral of St. Jude, Ebute Metta, Lagos.

“Don’t allow fear to take away your faith in God in the new year,” he said, adding: “Jesus will calm the storm of diseases or unemployment. He will step into the ship of your family and remove any affliction.

“This year, do not live by sight. Be a great man and woman of faith. Let your faith be in Christ. God will make 2013 a year of opportunities for you. The One who has authority over natural and spiritual issues is our leader.

“Do not be afraid: that is God’s message for Nigeria in 2013. Kidnapping, terrorism, natural disasters and unemployment may abound, but God is still in control of the universe. As Jesus walked on the sea and stepped into the ship for his disciples, God will step into the affairs of Nigeria in 2013.”

He urged political office holders to rule with the fear of God, saying God will pass through the country. Hence, this is time for the unrighteous to turn a new leaf and “submit to the sovereignty of God and be good.”

PRELATE of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Sunday Ola Makinde, called on the Federal Government to initiate policies and programmes that would bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians and help forget the traumatic experiences of 2012.

In his message, made available by the church’s Media and Public Relations Officer, Rev. Oladapo Daramola, the cleric said Nigerians need succour, relief and renewed hope and this could only come when government implements through people-oriented economic policies.

Makinde said: “2012 was a challenging year for people of the country. It will go down in history as one of the most tragic and traumatic years. We started the year with a nationwide protest over hike in pump price of petrol. This claimed the life of some innocent Nigerians, including Ademola Aderinto, a young man who was shot in Lagos.

“Other tragic events were the ill-fated Dana Air crash and the Nigerian Navy helicopter crash, which claimed the life of Kaduna State Governor, Sir Patrick Yakowa, General Andrew Owoye Azazi and four others. These are just few of the many misfortunes of the past year.

“Our quest for social justice, fairness, equality, respect for human rights, freedom, tolerance and peace seem to be a mirage. There is palpable anger in the land and something needs to be done urgently. It has become imperative for the Federal Government and other tiers of government to rise to the occasion and stem the tide of suffering sweeping through the country.”

Makinde predicted that 2013 would be a prosperous year for the nation. He said that persons who are setting the collective destiny of the country backward would be exposed and disgraced, except they repent and seek God’s forgiveness.

He warned that those who refuse to turn away from corruption and are bent on turning Nigeria into a failed state would be embarrassed.