Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has charged churches to look beyond church buildings and focus on bringing up great leaders who will carry on the legacies of the church.
This was as he joined other clergymen to intercede on behalf of the nation for victory over the sponsors and perpetrators of violence.
Osinbajo said this on Sunday while leading other top government officials to the dedication of new buildings opened by the All Saints Anglican Church Wuse Zone 5, and the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David Parish, Utako, Abuja.
Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, disclosed this in a statement titled ‘Anglican, RCCG Abuja Churches pray for national unity and against ‘troublers’ of Nigeria’.
Speaking shortly after the dedication of the new church auditorium at the All Saints Anglican Church, Osinbajo urged members of the church to see the occasion as a call to the greater work of transforming the entire society.
According to him, “The dedication of the physical building called the church must only remind us that the real work of building the church is that of bringing up men and women in the knowledge and nurture of the Lord.
“The forces of evil and hate are more vehement than ever. The battle between light and darkness is more intense than ever, but we will prevail.”
At the dedication of the RCCG City of David Parish new building, the Vice President urged members of the City of David, Abuja parish to look beyond the physical dedication of the church building and focus on bringing up great leaders that will carry on the legacies of the church.
He commended the Pastor of City of David Parish, Abuja, Gbolade Okenla, for his dedication and hard work, and also praised the members of the congregation for the sacrifices that birthed the new building assuring them of the blessings that will follow their contributions.
Referencing the example of David in the Bible, Osinbajo said, “David only thought, he did not build a church, he thought about building a church and the Lord blessed his generations forever. But you have not only thought of building a Church, you have built a church. So, the wonders and miracles of God will attend to you and your families forever more in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Prayer was also made for the country. First was the Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of all Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Henry Ndukuba, assisted by Bishop of Kubwa Diocese, Duke Akamisoko, who lead the prayers for the security, peace and prosperity of Nigeria.
In a similar vein there were also prayers during the dedication of the new Church building of Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David Parish, Utako, led by Assistant General Overseer and Regional Pastor from the RCCG City of David Parish, Apapa, Lagos, Idowu Iluyomade.
While thanking God for his blessings that has culminated in the dedication of a new church building over a short period, Iluyomade urged Christians to remain steadfast with God especially in times of difficulty.
He prayed for leaders of the country, including the President and the Vice President and assured that sponsors of trouble in parts of the country will soon be arrested, noting that “God will intervene personally and arrest those causing trouble in the country.”
Offering prayers for the unity of the country, peace and protection of leaders, Ndukuba prayed God to give the President and the Vice President and other officials of the present administration wisdom to lead the country. Akamisoko prayed for the unity of the nation.
Other dignitaries at the dedication of the City of the David building include Philip Aduda; Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; and former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, among others.
