Osinbajo tells Nigerians to turn away from their evil ways

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says Nigeria comprises people who can pray but generally lack commitment to righteousness and must turn away from their evil ways.

Speaking in Abuja at a special banquet to mark the 20th anniversary of Nigeria Prays, the pet project of Yakubu Gowon, former head of state, Osinbajo said that if the citizens truly believed in and walked in the ways of Jesus Christ, whom they profess to adore, and if they stood up for truth, righteousness and justice, the country would clearly witness a turnaround.

He said it was important to pray to God always but it was more important that Christians turned away from evil in order to make the country great.

“If we want to be a nation that can feed its people, we must turn from evil ways and work for righteousness,” he said.

“When our pulpits preach righteousness, our people will rise up and become salts of the earth. Christians will stand up and be honest if we preach righteousness in the pulpit.”

He said that preachers were failing to tell their people about the impropriety of collecting bribes from government officials, adding that nations that follow the principles of scripture always emerge great.

“Prayer and fasting are good, but that they are not enough to lift the country except the citizens turn away from evil,” he said.

“The principles of hard work, integrity and innovation are things that made other countries great and they are all in the gospel and if we follow the principles, we can be great.”

He extolled the virtues of honesty, integrity and hard work of Gowon, and urged Nigerians, especially leaders, to emulate him.

Earlier, Gowon said that the group had spent the past 20 years praying for the sincere healing of the country. He said that passage of time had not diluted the vision of the group.

“It has been an eventful journey to prepare a highway for God in our nation,” he said.

“By His grace, we have succeeded in laying a solid spiritual foundation for national reflections and intercessions.

“Through prayers, rallies, seminars, Nigeria Prays has created an opportunity for Nigerians and friends of Nigeria, irrespective of denominational affiliation and religious background.”