By Adeleye Kunle
As preparations for the 2023 general election gain traction, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has urged the church to be actively involved in the process of preaching peace toward the poll’s conduct.
Abiodun made this call at the Mayflower School in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State, during the 9th Annual National Convention of the National Council of the Anglican Christian Fellowship.
Speaking further at the convention under the theme ‘Go in this Thy Strength,’ he urged the church to continue to support and encourage all levels of government.
While also urging the church to condemn the use of violence by groups seeking redress, Abiodun stated that everyone must learn from the various violent situations occurring throughout the country and the world.
“Permit me to take this opportunity to urge the church to be actively involved in the process of preaching peace in preparation for the success of the upcoming 2023 general elections. I would like to encourage the entire church of God to continue to pray for and support all governments in this country.”
“I enjoin the church to also assist us in condemning the use of violence by groups as a means of seeking redress or supporting the will of our people; lessons must be learned from the various violent situations throughout the country and the entire world,” he said.
The governor also stated that in order for the church to play its role as the conscience of the nation, “it must ensure that God-inspired sermons are preached on the pulpit,” and that the church has a vital role to play in the spiritual reawakening of the people, particularly the path of peace and truth.
“The church is a synthesis of the larger society; aside from individuals serving the Lord, the church as a body has its own societal responsibility.” The church is the conscience of the nation, as well as the guiding light of any society seeking to develop.
“In order for the pulpit to effectively perform its functions as the conscience of the nation, God-inspired sermons must be preached.”
“The church has a vital role to play in spiritual reawakening of the people, particularly the path of peace and truth,” he added. “The church must speak up, we must speak up in defense of the defenseless.”
While noting that both the government and the church should devote all of their efforts to the country’s socioeconomic development, Abiodun added that churches must engage in activities that will spiritually and economically uplift worshippers.
He assured the state’s people of his administration’s commitment to the continuous provision of a safe environment, emphasizing that his administration would continue to support all security agencies while also ensuring that thuggery, vandalism, and cultism are not tolerated in the state.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to the development of all sectors of the state economy and the development of all parts of the state.
He also stated that when his administration’s agro cargo airport is completed by the end of the year, it will improve the people’s socioeconomic lives.
The Baba Ijo of St. Paul’s Cathedral, Sagamu, Olu Sokoya, noted in his remarks that the people of the state are satisfied and happy with the state’s overall development, adding that the people would definitely appreciate the governor’s good works with their votes.
The Most Rev. Olusina Fape, the Diocesan Bishop of Remo, who praised the governor for his administration’s giant strides in the development of all regions of Ogun, also praised him for not being a tribalistic administrator.
Fape, who also praised the agro cargo airport project and other road projects, praised the governor for not abandoning projects started by his predecessor.
