…Sowore seeks peace, progress as Nigeria marks 66th Independence
By Olayinka Latona
LAGOS — Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, have urged Nigerians to embrace patriotism, responsible leadership and genuine service to God and humanity as the country marks its 66th Independence anniversary.
They spoke at the annual Independence Thanksgiving Service of the RCCG, themed “Acceptable Service,” held at the church’s National Headquarters, The Throne of Grace, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.
The service also featured prayers for Nigeria, its leaders and citizens.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the event, Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the role of prayers in nation-building and commended the Christian community, particularly the RCCG, for its continued efforts towards the spiritual and moral development of the country.
The governor urged Nigerians to uphold patriotism, resilience and determination, saying national development required collective responsibility.
“The Nigeria we want cannot be built by government alone. It requires each of us to play our part, believe in our country, and work together towards a better future,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He added, “I encourage every Lagosian to keep pushing forward and doing their part. Progress comes when we work together and keep faith in our state and our country.”
Sanwo-Olu said the thanksgiving provided an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s past, present and the future they collectively desired to build.
He also introduced the APC governorship candidate, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, and his running mate to the congregation.
In his sermon, Adeboye charged Nigerians, particularly leaders, to understand the essence of true service, stressing that every individual had a purpose and responsibility to fulfil.
“We are created for service. If you are alive today, it is because God is giving you a little more time—perhaps so that you may begin to serve,” Adeboye said.
He warned against unproductive lives, saying those who claimed to serve God must ensure that their service was driven by the right motives.
According to him, service to God becomes acceptable when it is motivated by a genuine desire to do His will and serve humanity.
“If you know the will of your Master and do not do it, such a person is living on borrowed time because they are occupying space that could be given to someone else,” he said.
Adeboye also cautioned that religious activities, including miracles and other spiritual works, did not automatically make a person’s service acceptable if the motive behind them was wrong.
He urged Nigerians to remember the inevitability of divine judgment, saying actions and motives would ultimately be tested.
“Let us remember the day of judgment. We can pretend that we are serving God, that we are doing everything He wants us to do for His people, but you cannot deceive God,” he said.
Adeboye illustrated his message with the functions of different parts of the human body, saying each was created for a specific purpose.
He said the hands, legs, eyes and mouth were designed for productive purposes, while cautioning against using the mouth for gossip and other negative activities.
Also at the service was the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who called for peace, progress and greater national cohesion.
Sowore said Nigerians should appreciate the relative peace in the country and work together across religious lines to promote national development.
“It is important that everybody in the country should appreciate the fact that we are still experiencing some kind of peace, but we all really need peace and progress in the country.
“We are also ready to work with everybody, whether Muslim or Christian,” he said.
The service featured dedicated prayers for Nigeria led by Pastor Foluke Adeboye, wife of the RCCG General Overseer.
She prayed for God’s mercy and forgiveness of the nation’s sins, as well as wisdom for leaders and divine intervention in the affairs of the country.
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