Ahead of Nigeria’s 54th Independence Day celebrations on October
1, a group of pastors have begun praying for transformation of the
country.Independence anniversaries across the world are usually times
for celebrations but a group of pastors drawn from different churches
have vowed neither to eat nor taste anything until God hears their
prayers and heals the land. Coming under the auspices of Prayer Action
for Success of Season (PASS), its members insist that a better Nigeria
is all that is acceptable to them. The refrain on their lips is, ‘what
shall it profit a man to have his meal regularly and lose a country like
Nigeria?’
In a chat with Daily Sun in Lagos, the convener of the
inter-denominational association, Apostle Bolaji Akinyemi, said his
focus was “to create, through intense prayer, a new country that
Nigerians have been yearning for. We want a Nigeria where the voice of
the majority will triumph over the say of the minority.”
The dividends of democracy, according to him, should reflect on the lives of the people. No wonder, the theme for this year’s gathering he said was taken from the Holy Book, Eccl. 5:9: “the profit of the land is for all,” saying that Nigerians should have unrestricted access to the common wealth of the country.
Having been together for 10 years, Akinyemi said, the spirit-filled pastors were bent on projecting a country dominated by productivity, accountability, safety for all and satisfaction to most. He pointed out that in overcoming Nigeria’s problems, there was urgent need for spiritual confrontation of the problems by true ministers of God.
To be part of the association, he stated that there were no criteria beyond believing in the name of the Lord. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord is free to be a member. So, it is a cross denominational meeting, as it is not restricted to a particular group. PASS is the coming together of pastors from across the country to power its agenda through prayer,” he explained.
Recollecting how the association started, Akinyemi said: “We actually started in Abuja in 2004 where I was invited to a prayer meeting by some other prayer groups. While there, I saw the beauty of the idea of coming together to pray for our nation. I felt the idea should not just be a one-off thing; rather, it should be something that would continue. So, I called on some other pastors and they believed in that idea. Occasionally, we call for meetings, especially at very sensitive times, so that it doesn’t become a political platform.
The idea he said, was to “drive the PASS agenda, because the basic tenet of democracy is that the majority would have the way, while minority would have their say. We believe that democracy is not fulfilled, except majority of the populace are satisfied with the running of the country.
“You will agree with me that we all need a country that is safe for all, though it cannot be satisfactory to everybody. But the area of safety is an area we cannot compromise. Take a cue from the unfortunate incidence of late Mr. Dimgba Igwe, who was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver. That act shows how unsafe our roads are. One of PASS’ major agenda is that everybody is entitled to dignity of life.”
Akinyemi revealed that membership composition of the body was open, and the level of participation was quite huge. “We have about 15,700 registrations (online). People have signified their intention to be part of this year’s meeting, which would witness the participation of people across local governments.
“By the virtue of my apostolic duties, I have been to most nooks and crannies of this country, interviewing pastors and they are willing to be part of the project.”
Dwelling more on the October 1 meeting, Akinyemi said it would feature prayer and fasting session, titled “Solemn Assembly,” informing that the programme now holds annually.
On the pastors invited to the occasion, he said the choice of the Managing Director of the Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Femi Adesina, was inevitable, explaining that his spiritual life and deep experience spoke louder for him.
His words: “Principally, we are expecting Mr. Adesina, who would be speaking to the Nigerian youths, especially those in the entertainment industry. You will agree with me that those young men are doing great things. They have been able to break grounds and they need our prayers; and we feel that a very exposed personality in the person of Adesina should anchor that,” he stated.
Akinyemi expressed confidence that the renowned journalist would bank on his wealth of professional and Christian experience to provide a balance between practice and faith during the programme.
“There should be a balance. I have known Adesina to be a man of faith; he is a pastor in Foursquare Gospel Church, and I have a measure of relationship with the church. So I want someone who would be able to balance what we want, and deliver it from the perspective of faith.
“Similarly, Pastor Adegorowa (SAN) will be speaking on the ‘beauty of a constitutionally-run society.’ He would be encouraging everyone to be law abiding. We also have Prophet Niyi Olowoporoku, who would be anchoring the prayer session. Even the Vicar of the Anglican Church, Maryland, Lagos, Rev. Blessing Ajayi would also be coming.
“Through the theme of this year’s operation, God is speaking. We know that the mind of God is that the profit, the revenue that is accruing to this nation should be judiciously shared to everyone. Because if the profit of the earth is for all, why are all not living a good life?” he queried.
Describing Nigeria as a praying nation, the convener believed that it was not prayer or lack of it that was the country’s problem, but absence of life’s essential information, stressing that Nigerians could exercise their faith ignorantly.
“You can pray and pray amiss; there are other basic areas of information you need to access, and that is one of the reasons we are bringing these erudite professionals so that you are not myopic or just keeping to the Bible.
“We are reaching to young men like Abolore Akande (9ice) who has shown interest in leadership and there is need for them to come and hear the perspective of those who are in the media and other sectors, so that we don’t just leave them to professional politicians to groom,” he said.
“Therefore, I think we are not just praying, we are also asking each of these people to come and learn how to go about things in certain areas of the society. There has been much of prayer, but very little information dissemination to help the society.”
The convener also noted that Nigeria being a multi-religious setting, there was need for mutual coexistence and respect for all faiths. “We must respect other people’s faiths and still trust God to be able to make the Nigerian society one of our dream.
“So what we are trying to do through the October 1 meting is to initiate and unveil a campaign of sign-up-for-a-new-Nigeria, with a slogan ‘I believe’.”
Akinyemi advised Nigerians to be well guided against politicians who make empty campaign promises, especially as 2015 general elections drew closer. He frowned at politicians who came up with manifestos without consulting with the public. He revealed that the event was an avenue to create a platform where people would be educated and informed on what a normal society should be and make demands across party lines.
He revealed that the project had so far been funded by friends, co-pastors and ministries who believed in his visions – people who from time to time lend a helping hand, stressing that “this year’s programme will hold at Christ Apostolic Church, Lion of Judah, at 30, Power line, off Okunola street, Egbeda Lagos on Independence Day.
The dividends of democracy, according to him, should reflect on the lives of the people. No wonder, the theme for this year’s gathering he said was taken from the Holy Book, Eccl. 5:9: “the profit of the land is for all,” saying that Nigerians should have unrestricted access to the common wealth of the country.
Having been together for 10 years, Akinyemi said, the spirit-filled pastors were bent on projecting a country dominated by productivity, accountability, safety for all and satisfaction to most. He pointed out that in overcoming Nigeria’s problems, there was urgent need for spiritual confrontation of the problems by true ministers of God.
To be part of the association, he stated that there were no criteria beyond believing in the name of the Lord. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord is free to be a member. So, it is a cross denominational meeting, as it is not restricted to a particular group. PASS is the coming together of pastors from across the country to power its agenda through prayer,” he explained.
Recollecting how the association started, Akinyemi said: “We actually started in Abuja in 2004 where I was invited to a prayer meeting by some other prayer groups. While there, I saw the beauty of the idea of coming together to pray for our nation. I felt the idea should not just be a one-off thing; rather, it should be something that would continue. So, I called on some other pastors and they believed in that idea. Occasionally, we call for meetings, especially at very sensitive times, so that it doesn’t become a political platform.
The idea he said, was to “drive the PASS agenda, because the basic tenet of democracy is that the majority would have the way, while minority would have their say. We believe that democracy is not fulfilled, except majority of the populace are satisfied with the running of the country.
“You will agree with me that we all need a country that is safe for all, though it cannot be satisfactory to everybody. But the area of safety is an area we cannot compromise. Take a cue from the unfortunate incidence of late Mr. Dimgba Igwe, who was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver. That act shows how unsafe our roads are. One of PASS’ major agenda is that everybody is entitled to dignity of life.”
Akinyemi revealed that membership composition of the body was open, and the level of participation was quite huge. “We have about 15,700 registrations (online). People have signified their intention to be part of this year’s meeting, which would witness the participation of people across local governments.
“By the virtue of my apostolic duties, I have been to most nooks and crannies of this country, interviewing pastors and they are willing to be part of the project.”
Dwelling more on the October 1 meeting, Akinyemi said it would feature prayer and fasting session, titled “Solemn Assembly,” informing that the programme now holds annually.
On the pastors invited to the occasion, he said the choice of the Managing Director of the Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Femi Adesina, was inevitable, explaining that his spiritual life and deep experience spoke louder for him.
His words: “Principally, we are expecting Mr. Adesina, who would be speaking to the Nigerian youths, especially those in the entertainment industry. You will agree with me that those young men are doing great things. They have been able to break grounds and they need our prayers; and we feel that a very exposed personality in the person of Adesina should anchor that,” he stated.
Akinyemi expressed confidence that the renowned journalist would bank on his wealth of professional and Christian experience to provide a balance between practice and faith during the programme.
“There should be a balance. I have known Adesina to be a man of faith; he is a pastor in Foursquare Gospel Church, and I have a measure of relationship with the church. So I want someone who would be able to balance what we want, and deliver it from the perspective of faith.
“Similarly, Pastor Adegorowa (SAN) will be speaking on the ‘beauty of a constitutionally-run society.’ He would be encouraging everyone to be law abiding. We also have Prophet Niyi Olowoporoku, who would be anchoring the prayer session. Even the Vicar of the Anglican Church, Maryland, Lagos, Rev. Blessing Ajayi would also be coming.
“Through the theme of this year’s operation, God is speaking. We know that the mind of God is that the profit, the revenue that is accruing to this nation should be judiciously shared to everyone. Because if the profit of the earth is for all, why are all not living a good life?” he queried.
Describing Nigeria as a praying nation, the convener believed that it was not prayer or lack of it that was the country’s problem, but absence of life’s essential information, stressing that Nigerians could exercise their faith ignorantly.
“You can pray and pray amiss; there are other basic areas of information you need to access, and that is one of the reasons we are bringing these erudite professionals so that you are not myopic or just keeping to the Bible.
“We are reaching to young men like Abolore Akande (9ice) who has shown interest in leadership and there is need for them to come and hear the perspective of those who are in the media and other sectors, so that we don’t just leave them to professional politicians to groom,” he said.
“Therefore, I think we are not just praying, we are also asking each of these people to come and learn how to go about things in certain areas of the society. There has been much of prayer, but very little information dissemination to help the society.”
The convener also noted that Nigeria being a multi-religious setting, there was need for mutual coexistence and respect for all faiths. “We must respect other people’s faiths and still trust God to be able to make the Nigerian society one of our dream.
“So what we are trying to do through the October 1 meting is to initiate and unveil a campaign of sign-up-for-a-new-Nigeria, with a slogan ‘I believe’.”
Akinyemi advised Nigerians to be well guided against politicians who make empty campaign promises, especially as 2015 general elections drew closer. He frowned at politicians who came up with manifestos without consulting with the public. He revealed that the event was an avenue to create a platform where people would be educated and informed on what a normal society should be and make demands across party lines.
He revealed that the project had so far been funded by friends, co-pastors and ministries who believed in his visions – people who from time to time lend a helping hand, stressing that “this year’s programme will hold at Christ Apostolic Church, Lion of Judah, at 30, Power line, off Okunola street, Egbeda Lagos on Independence Day.
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The Sun MD, Adesina, 9ice, others for Nigeria’s Independence prayer summit |
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