CAC President, Pastor Samuel O. Oladele praying for Nigeria, President and Vice President yesterday at a courtesy visit to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo
The President of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Samuel Olusegun Oladele has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to rise to the challenges of governance and put right those wrongs which they had set out to correct on assumption of office.
Speaking during a courtesy visit on the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo GCON, at the State House on Saturday, Pastor Oladele recalled the optimism with which many Nigerians welcomed President Muhammadu Buhari's emergence in 2015 after his fourth attempt at the Presidency.
He however stated that many of the issues which the government promised to put right have remained largely unresolved till date.
The cleric stated that the emotion which Candidate Buhari displayed when he was aspiring to the office of the President of Nigeria, as well as his record of discipline and integrity, had endeared the President to him.
He therefore enjoined President Buhari to do his best, albeit within the few months to the end of his administration, in resolving the problems facing our nation, especially in the area of the economy, security and the social-political landscape, stating that it is only righteousness that exalts a nation.
Pastor Oladele commended the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo for his invaluable contributions to governance at the various levels in which he had served over the years, and especially as the Vice President which, he said, confirms him as a true ambassador of Christ.
In his response, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo expressed his deep appreciation for the Pastoral visit. He stated that the historicity of Christianity in Nigeria would not only be incomplete but will be largely untrue without a proper mention and recognition of the role of Christ Apostolic Church as the signpost of the evolvement of Pentecostalism in Nigeria. He recalled that some of Pa Elton's associates were leaders from Christ Apostolic Church.
The Vice President said that he was fascinated by the story of Pastor S.O. Oladele who was called into ministry at age 14, fifty-three years ago, saying that his emergence as President of Christ Apostolic Church was divinely orchestrated. Prof. Osinbajo then prayed that the Lord shall help Pastor Oladele fulfill His good purpose for the Church through him.
On the issue of governance, the Vice President said that the administration of President Buhari is doing its best in combating the security challenges which they inherited, such as the Niger Delta MEND, The Boko haram insurgence, communal crisis among others. He added that the emergence of banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other novel security challenges in various parts of the country have put so much pressure on available resources.
He, however, stated that the complexity of the situation has presented an opportunity for ingenuity too, especially in the deployment of security resources. The Vice President assured that the Buhari administration is doing its best to ensure the situation is fully tackled, and that the security challenges would soon be a thing of the past.
Professor Osinbajo said that his aspiration to the office of President was borne out of his desire to "do something" and "make effort" to change the paradigm stating that, "with honest leadership we can achieve the best for Nigeria".
He said that his emergence as Vice President of Nigeria was solely by the hand of God and that having served meritoriously in that capacity in the last seven years, he decided to offer himself to serve the country as President because he knows what to do to solve the problems. He affirmed that, "we are all here for a while hence we need to advance the cause of the Kingdom of God.
The President of Christ Apostolic Church later prayed for the Vice President and his household and the Government.
By Pastor Ade Alawode,Director of Publicity, CAC Nigeria and Overseas