Nigeria should prioritise unity earlier than elections, Olutayo tells FG

The Founder of Unity Worship Centre, Pastor Dayo Olutayo, has referred to as on the Federal Government to prioritise nationwide unity and handle the divisions threatening Nigeria earlier than specializing in one other election cycle.

Olutayo stated Nigeria’s persistent divisions alongside non secular, ethnic and regional strains had weakened nationwide cohesion, warning that elections carried out with out addressing these challenges may additional polarise the nation.

He made the decision whereas talking on the importance of the church’s annual November programme, Maranatha, with this yr’s theme, “Our God Reigns”.

According to him, the programme is designed to resume Christians’ expectation of the second coming of Jesus Christ and encourage believers to stay spiritually watchful.

He defined that Maranatha, a biblical expression which means “Come, Lord Jesus”, serves as a reminder that Christ’s return may occur unexpectedly, urging believers to not grow to be complacent of their religion.

Speaking on Nigeria’s challenges, the cleric argued that the nation’s variety in language, tradition and faith was not unintentional however a part of its nationwide future.

He stated Nigeria had a novel alternative to exhibit to the world how individuals of various backgrounds may reside collectively and construct a united nation.

“One underlying grace that Nigeria has from God, which He wants to use to help us rule the world and show the world how to worship God and build a nation, is unity in diversity,” he stated.

Olutayo maintained that Nigeria’s founding beliefs of unity and religion ought to information nationwide improvement, including that peace and progress couldn’t be achieved with out first establishing unity and mutual belief amongst residents.

He recalled that the nation’s former nationwide anthem emphasised unity and religion, noting that peace and progress, launched within the subsequent anthem, may solely grow to be significant when these foundational values have been upheld.

The pastor additionally expressed concern that political actions and election preparations have been consuming nationwide consideration and assets whereas deeper issues threatening the nation’s unity remained unresolved.

He argued that political competitors had continued to deepen divisions, significantly alongside non secular and ethnic strains, relatively than promote a shared Nigerian id.

“Every election cycle, by experience, has divided Nigeria further along these two platforms: religion and language,” he stated.

He due to this fact urged the Federal Government to carry stakeholders collectively to develop sensible options to the nation’s divisions earlier than embarking on one other spherical of elections.

Olutayo confused that his enchantment was not an try and blame the present administration, however a chance for it to deal with longstanding nationwide challenges.

He additional raised issues about insecurity, disclosing that his neighborhood had been affected by violence, kidnapping and killings.

According to him, the normal ruler of his neighborhood was kidnapped and killed within the bush, forcing residents of the village and neighbouring communities to flee their properties.

He questioned how displaced residents in communities affected by insecurity would take part meaningfully in elections when their properties had been abandoned and entry to polling items remained unsure.

“Where would they vote from? Let’s not just push ourselves to destruction through this election by all means. We should talk about unity first,” he stated.

The cleric referred to as on Nigerians, political leaders and different stakeholders to maneuver past ethnic, non secular and regional sentiments and embrace a typical nationwide id, insisting that nationwide unity ought to take priority over political ambitions.

Also talking, pastor of Unity Worship Centre, Abuja, Casmir Igwe, urged Nigerians to reside responsibly and stay acutely aware of their relationship with God and humanity, stressing the necessity to put together for all times after dying.

The Head of the Elders Council of Unity Worship Centre, Abuja, Jide Adeniji, referred to as on Nigerians to rise above tribalism, non secular intolerance and social divisions, urging Christians to prioritise unity and their frequent religion over denominational variations.