Former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and the outgoing Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze, have called on Nigerian pastors to preach more against bribery, corruption, stealing, and others.
The duo said this on Saturday at the Inaugural Daniel Taiwo Odukoya Lecture held in Lagos.
They said Christian values, if well practiced, could bring transformative change to the country.
The late Taiwo Odukoya was the co-founder and senior pastor of The Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju, Lagos. He died on August 7, 2023, in the United States.
The lecture was titled, ‘Strengthening the Christian Voice in Government and Public Office.’
Osinbajo, in his keynote address, emphasised that the gospel of Jesus was the most transformative force.
He said, “We have a substantial number of Christians in government, yet we have not seen the transformative change expected from those in government.”
He stated that strengthening the Christian voice could lead to transformative change in nations, emphasizing that the lives of Christians in government should be sufficient to bring about such change.
Osinbajo said, ‘The Bible says that righteousness exalts a nation. How often do we hear pulpits condemning bribery, corruption, and the stealing of public resources? How often do those who receive money from politicians and other sources question its source? So, the question is not how many Christians are in government, business, or professions. The question is, what are they equipped with?
“What are the relevant principles of the gospel that they know and apply in their daily, professional, or public lives? What standards has the church set for them? Does the church question the officeholder’s giving of tithes and offerings that only the wealthiest businesspersons can afford?“ Does the church embrace unexplained affluence? So, the real issue with strengthening the Christian voice in government is how we ensure that the lives of Christians in government reflect the principles of the gospel.
“Those principles have made other nations great, as the destiny of nations depends on how the church behaves. What the church teaches or accepts is what our nation will become. I pray that the memories and legacies of Pastor Taiwo will last forever.”
Delivering the lecture titled, ‘Strengthening the Christian Voice in Government and Public Office,’ Akabueze maintained that amplifying the Christian voice would require unity and a focus on the core principles of faith rather than doctrines.
He added that love, mercy, integrity, justice, diligence, and truthfulness were all rooted in biblical guidance, saying the Christian voice must be galvanised around these golden rules.
He said, “Christianity teaches that we are stewards of God’s creation, responsible for managing wisely and equitably the resources committed to us. This concept of stewardship must apply to public office, where leaders are entrusted with the welfare of their communities and must be accountable for their actions. Promoting social justice and equity is integral to Christianity’s teachings and mission.
“This commitment is particularly relevant in the sphere of government and public office, where decisions and policies have a profound impact on society. Throughout the Bible, there is a recurring theme of advocacy for the poor, the marginalised, and the oppressed. Jesus’s ministry focused on reaching out to those on the fringes of society, challenging systemic injustice, and calling for a more equitable distribution of resources and opportunities.
“In public office, Christians can continue this legacy by championing policies that protect and uplift the most vulnerable members of society. The Bible frequently addresses issues of economic justice, urging fair treatment of workers, responsible use of resources, and equitable distribution of wealth. In modern governance, Christians can advocate for economic policies that promote fairness, reduce inequality, and ensure that the benefits of economic growth are shared widely.”
The Associate Senior Pastor of the church, Toluwani Odukoya, noted that her father’s passion for knowledge extended beyond the Word of God to a vast array of books, reflecting his insatiable curiosity and commitment to learning.
She added, “We believe that the annual Daniel Taiwo Odukoya Lectures will carry forward this legacy of empowerment and enlightenment. These lectures are designed to enhance your understanding of leadership, especially from the perspective of a child of God. Our goal is to bring you closer to your place of impact and influence, to help you step into and fully occupy the role that God has ordained for you as a beacon of light in this world.
“As we embark on this journey today, may you be inspired, empowered, and transformed? Let this lecture be a step towards embracing your God-given identity and fulfilling your divine purpose.”
On his part, Senior Pastor, Jimmy Odukoya, who presented a book titled ‘Reclaiming the Nigerian Dream,’ written by his father, said, “My father was passionate about Nigeria, encouraging, praying, preaching, and publishing articles about Nigeria. He always said we could influence government with our prayers and character.”
