It was a delight to behold last weekend at the ShepherdHill Baptist Church Obanikoro, Lagos as the body of Christ in Lagos led by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the other five blocs (CSN, CCN, CPFN/PFN, OAIC, TEKAN/ECWA) of the body gathered to pray for the unity of Nigeria.
Alexander Bamgbola, the chairman CAN, Lagos State chapter, in his welcome address at the 2019 Lagos Inter-Denominational Divine Service (IDDS), themed, ‘Walking in the Perfect Image of God’ said the IDDS has remained a unifying factor for all Christians in Lagos.
“As true Christians, emulating Jesus Christ our lord and saviour should be our utmost desire and priority in this life. Hence, our theme, ‘walking in the perfect image of God’ should not end at this wonderful IDDS. We should let it be our prophetic declaration and must be alive in our consciousness in all areas of our personal, social, political, family and religious lives,” said Bamgbola.
According to Bamgbola, the IDDS is apt and relevant to every Christian, as he urged Nigerians to embrace peace and harmony among the various ethnic and religious groups in the country.
Adewale Martins, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos urged Nigerians to love and accommodate one another to attain meaningful development in the country. “We have few individuals who are gaining so much from the impunity in the land. We cannot move forward as a nation unless we learn to love and accommodate one another.
Martins, who was represented by Rev. Fr. Stephen Akinsowon, in his sermon said when there is true love, those in public offices would not steal and loot our collective wealth.
“Tell our politicians that Nigerians sleep in motor parks and petrol stations. Our streets are lined up with young people who are idle. We are experiencing outbreak of child labour, child prostitution; politicians should not sleep until they do something.
“When we oppress others or take for ourselves and family what is meant for all, it is called greed and selfishness,” Martins stated.
According to the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Christian leaders should preach to tackle inflation, poor infrastructure and the evil in our society. “All hands must be on deck so that our nation and Christian faith be elevated. We are aware that our country is going through turbulent times, but the truth of the matter is that we are where we are today because we fail to love our neighbours as ourselves,” Martins said.
Akinwunmi Ambode, the Lagos State governor, in his goodwill message thanked the body of Christ in Lagos for fostering religious harmony in the state.
Ambode used the occasion to sought continued prayers for the state and the nation. He was represented by Toyin Awoseyi, the permanent secretary of Lagos State, ministry of home affairs.
On his part, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos state governor-elect represented by Bayo Osiyemi, a public affairs analyst and former chairman, Mushin Local Government, lent his voice in tasking Christians on active politics.
SEYI JOHN SALAU
