AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The President, Nigerian Baptist Convention, Dr Israel Akanji, has stressed the need for the citizens to fully rely on God and sow prayers, patriotism, selfless service and other good virtues into Nigeria despite the odds believing that in the end, “there would be shouts of rejoicing in the land.”
Dr Akanji rekindled the hope of the citizens in his 64th Independence Anniversary message to Nigerians, made available to journalists on Monday, September 30, titled, ‘Sowing in tears,’ alluding to Psalm 126, verses 5 and 6 of the Holy Bible which read, “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shout of joy…”
Acknowledging the plights of Nigerians occasioned by insecurity, economic meltdown, corruption, bad leadership and sundry other factors, the NBC President said, “This message comes at this season on the occasion of the 64th anniversary of the independence of our great country, Nigeria. I say congratulations to all of us Nigerians home and abroad.
“I congratulate all friends of Nigeria too who pray for this country, who are living in this country or who have interest in this country.
“This point of entry of my message of today, I believe, is the point of departure for many because there are those who feel that in Nigeria, there is no reason for us to celebrate. There are those who feel in Nigeria, we should not congratulate ourselves. There are those who think in Nigeria, we should be lamenting, sorrowing and pouring ashes on our heads. However, I feel very differently about our nation, Nigeria. I feel very strongly that this is a country to thank God for in spite of all that we are experiencing, we need to thank God for this country.”
Alluding to his 60th birthday when he branched at the General Hospital, Birnin Ladin (where he was delivered as a baby in 1967) on his way to Jos in Plateau State, requesting that he should be prayed for, Rev. Akanji said, “As I talk on the title of my speech, ‘Sowing in tears, we need to thank God for this country.
“I am appreciative of what God had done through Nigeria in spite of all the difficulties.”
Harping on the need to be thankful in spite of the situation, he stated that ‘Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.’ According to him, when man has difficulties, man seeks God more. “The Psalmist said I look unto the hills where comes my help; my help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and the earth.
“The situation we are going through in Nigeria, difficult as it is – I respect the thoughts of the people about our situation: There is hunger in the land, there is distress in the land, and there is poverty in the land, we are living at a level that is so low – We pray that God will help us out. He will touch our leaders. We shall have compassionate leaders, truthful leaders, leaders that are generous. I pray that God would raise such leaders for us everywhere. I am not talking about leaders in government alone.
“Leadership is everywhere: leadership in the family, leadership in schools, where we work, local government councils, state and at the national level. It is across all segments of our lives. The Bible makes us to know that when we have difficulties, the extremity is God’s opportunity. 1Peter 5, verse 7, “Cast all your anxiety on the Lord because He cares for you.” In the Holy Bible, Peter had been around Jesus and he had seen Jesus turn situations around.
“Life’s extremity moves us to God to seek his help. At times we look at systems as if that is where our benefits would come from. Yes, our offices should pay us well. Government should do good, but in times of distress, we are to look up to God. God does not want to share His glory with anybody. So Nigerians, as we celebrate independence, we have pains, we have burdens but cast all your burdens on God because He cares.
“This is, therefore, an opportunity to have communion with God your maker. At this time when we are at crossroads, it is the time to put our trust in God, and surrendering to Jesus. As you accept Him as your Lord and saviour, He would take care of you. Let us not look at circumstances of the country as extremely terrible and bad. God is able to bring something good even out of the terrible sitiation. God is God because all the negative things we are facing, He is above them and He can handle them.”
As he urged the leadership at all levels to lead with the fear of God, he said, “Our difficulties will help us to see that we have a God who can do justice and what man cannot do.”
