At the 80th birthday lecture of Bishop Mike Okonkwo in Lagos, former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and Bishop Okonkwo urged Nigerian churches to return to preaching a gospel rooted in integrity, productivity, and responsibility key drivers for national transformation and the fight against corruption.
During the 24th annual Mike Okonkwo lecture titled “The Nigeria Of Our Dream: Today’s Reality and a Responsible Pathfinder,” Osinbajo cautioned against sermons that focus solely on miracles and prosperity without emphasizing accountability, saying they undermine Nigeria’s development.
“If preached rightly, the gospel renews and empowers people,” Osinbajo said. “True wealth arises from productive and creative work. We cannot build a nation on miracle money and shortcuts. The gospel upholds diligence, honesty, and responsibility the pillars of societal change.”
Highlighting Africa’s economic struggles, he pointed to the reliance on exporting raw commodities like cocoa instead of processed goods, a practice that keeps resource-rich countries poor. “We must add value through creativity and innovation gifts from God,” he stressed.
Osinbajo also referenced the Puritan work ethic in Europe, where integrity and honest labor transformed societies and curbed corruption a model Nigeria should follow.
Bishop Okonkwo called on Nigerians to evaluate the country’s progress nearly 65 years after independence. “Nation-building is everyone’s duty. When we care for one another and prioritize collective well-being, we can achieve the Nigeria of our dreams.”
Retired Major General Ike Nwachukwu, chairman of the event, described Nigeria as a land of vast potential yet beset by poverty amidst abundance.
“Closing this gap demands responsible leadership and citizens who put the common good above self-interest,” he said.
The event also saw Davina Phillips awarded a N1 million cash prize for winning the Mike Okonkwo essay competition.
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