By Our Reporter
Vice President Yemi Osibanjo has assured Nigerians that the country will overcome its current sociopolitical challenges with prayers and faith in God.
Osibanjo disclosed this on Saturday during a prayer convocation organised by the Eastern Nigeria Union Conference (ENUC) of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church.
The ENUC of the SDA Church comprises of the membership of the church in South-East and South-South regions.
The vice president, who was represented at the event by the Chaplain of Aso Villa Chapel, Pastor Seyi Malomo, said that the country would emerge stronger from its problems.
Osinbajo, who spoke on the topic, ‘Dry Bones Shall Live Again’, said that the land would be healed, a new nation birthed and Nigerians would prosper and enjoy peace.
“As we pray, our dry bones will come back to life. Our nation shall live and stand on her feet.
“A new nation will be birthed, one where like the city to which Elisha went, the land was healed, the people prospered and peace and joy prevailed,” he said.
He said that it was gratifying that the prayer convocation came at a time of great travail and tribulation for the country.
“In the throes of a pandemic leading to economic downturn, loss of jobs and livelihoods, we have been faced with an unprecedented scale of insecurity in different zones of the nation.
“This is a “dry bone” situation. I give God the praise for this prayer convocation dedicated to praying for Nigeria.
“Everywhere you look in scripture, the destiny of nations is in the hands of God’s children
“So, scripture has consistently shown us that children of God are central to the birth of a new nation, the rebirth of nations.
“I want to thank, the ENUC of the SDA Church for organising this special meeting as we commemorate our 2021 Democracy Day and the 6th year of the Buhari/Osinbajo administration,” Osibanjo said.
In a sermon at the ENUC Media Centre in Rivers State, the President of Port Harcourt Conference, Pastor Anyalebechi Nnunukwe called on Nigerians to live in prayer and faith.
Nnunukwe, whose sermon was centered on Ezekiel 37:1,2, attributed the challenges the country was facing to disobedience to God’s words and instructions.
“Our nation today is in a state of near hopelessness. Even the continued unity of the nation is being questioned and threatened.
“Agitations for secession and self-determination have escalated to a point comparable only to the pre-civil war era.
“In some communities, even the idea of praying for Nigeria has been met with stiff resistance. Among the youth, there are many who feel that there is no hope, no future for them in Nigeria,” he said .
The clergy said that the concerns in the country were not just for economic security and prosperity, but also of personal safety and daily survival.
Nnunukwe assured Nigerians that if they could repent, there conditions would change .
“The adversity maybe associated with illness, poverty, hatred, under-development, greed, and other undesired realities of life.
“However, we come to tell you that Jehovah can change every situation,” Nnunukwe said.
Also, the President of ENUC, Pastor Bassey Udoh commended the vice president for being part of the programme.
Ikengaonline reports that the National Day of Prayer held virtually as well as in all the churches across ENUC.
Prominent among the dignitaries that attended the programme virtually included state governors of South-East and South-South regions.
Others are the Ministers of Health, Defense and Education, Dr Osagie Ehanire , Alhaji Bashir Salihi Magashi and AlhajiAdamu Adamu respectively.