Warri (Delta) – Bishop Simon Okah, the National Vice-President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), South-South, has predicted that Nigeria will experience uncommon grace in 2015 to overcome its current challenges.
He spoke with newsmen yesterday in Warri after a service to mark his 62nd birthday, noting that the truth that had been hidden in the past would be told in 2015.
He urged the youth, who he described as the future of the nation to be steadfast.
“Grace and truth go together; the scripture says you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.
“I am glad to announce that a lot of the truth buried in the past will be told.
“Grace will come upon some governors and that will change a lot of things for better in 2015,” he said.
Okah said that at 62, he felt fulfilled and had reasons to be grateful unto God who had been keeping him.
He called for the urgent diversification of the nation’s economy in view of the dwindling oil prices in the international market.
He said that all states in the federation had something to offer in terms of economic values, adding that agriculture alone could sustain the nation.
“Nigeria can make it without oil, we have a lot of mineral resources and vast arable land for agriculture.
“If we all engaged in agriculture, it will go a long way to solve our problem as a nation,” he said.
Okah advised politicians to see themselves as servants of the people and not to use their positions to intimidate them.
Meanwhile, Bishop Matthew Audu of the Catholic Diocese of Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Sunday called on Nigerians to preach the gospel of peace, unity and love.
In an interview with newsmen in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Audu said this would help the country to overcome its security challenges and achieve speedy development.
The cleric said the appeal had become imperative because of the lingering security challenges in some parts of the country.
“Our role as religious leaders is to preach the good news to the people and to ensure that peace and unity is sustained in the states and in the country “No meaningful development can be achieved in any society where there is no peace; peace is priceless and is non-negotiable.
“The security challenges facing the state (Nasarawa) and some parts of the country have affected our lives and socio-economic development.
“I want to call on all Nigerians to continue to preach peace, unity, love and tolerance as demonstrated in the Scriptures.
“If there is peace, unity, love and tolerance among Nigerians, the security challenges facing the state and the country will be a thing of the past.
“I also want to call on Nigerians to intensify their prayers for their peaceful co-existence and the development of the country for the benefit of all,” Ishaya said.
The bishop also admonished adherents of both Christianity and Islam to be steadfast and adhere strictly to their religious doctrines for them to obtain the favour of God.
Specifically, the cleric urged Christians in the state to continue to tolerate one another irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliations and beliefs.
On the role of wealthy individuals and corporate bodies in the empowerment of the people, Ishaya appealed for their intervention and support.
“They should continue to assist the underprivileged in the society in a bid to improve their living standards.