Ayo Ola
The Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, (TREM), Dr Mike Okonkwo, has said that Nigeria is getting out of wilderness.
He noted that for some past years, Nigeria had been in wilderness, but added that things have started changing for the better.
He said Nigeria has a prophetic agenda which it must fulfill.
The bishop also urged Nigerians not to give up on Nigeria, adding that the country is in God’s hands.
He spoke on Sunday after the Cross Over service at the international headquarters of TREM, Obanikoro, Lagos, Nigeria.
According to him, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, and the consequent national challenges, were a necessary route that Nigeria must have to go through. He added that because of the current challenges and experiences, people now want the right things to be done.
He advised eligible electorate to participate actively in the 2023 elections. He also advised them not to vote based on gratification, religion or ethnicity.
Okonkwo said, “We should have hope in the country. We should not give up on our nation. Because of uncertainties, and insecurity, you do not now what the future holds but one thing I can assure you is that our country is in the hands of God. Nigeria is not going to break into pieces. God has His mighty hands upon this country. There is a prophetic agenda to fulfil. That is why in spite of all our differences and idiosyncracies, the country has not gone into blazes. It is not because of anyone’s expertise, smartness or skill. It is simply because of God’s agenda concerning the country. So, for me, I will say to people, not to lose hope.
“For those who are running out, if there is specific reasons why they should go, I will not say they should not go. But if you are running out because of the temporary challenge, you need to think twice. For me, what we are facing is a temporary challenge. I believe, as I said at the beginning of 2022, we are turning the corner and the things that happened this past year (2022) already showed us that we are truly turning the corner.
“Everyone wants good for this country. Like I say to people who are offset, they said: see what Buhari has done to us.’ Buhari was a road we must cross as Nigerians. If we did not cross the road called Buhari, we would not have come to a point where we want something different. So it was a road that was necessary for us to move through as a country or as a people. Let us look with hope and expectations for good in this country. I believe it will be alright.”
He added, “Nigeria is bound to come out of the wilderness. For some years, we have been in the wilderness. We are about to get out of the wilderness. The light is already showing up from the tunnel. That is where we are now.
“My demand from my members is that we will have 100 per cent of all eligible voters collect their Permanent Voters Cards. We believe in the country, Nigeria. It is to put the consciousness of our nation in the minds of our people, that is why every Sunday, when we start service, after opening prayers, we sing the National Anthem. It is a must and in most of our branches we do that. Whether you like it or not, you are a Nigerian and so we intend to have 100 per cent participation because you do not have any reason to be talking about bad leadership in the country when you are not even voting.”