Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, have said Nigeria consists of people who, although can pray, generally lack commitment to being righteous.
Professor Osinbajo made this comment while speaking at at a special banquet that marked the 20th anniversary of Nigeria Prays in Abuja.
Nigeria Prays is a pet project of General Yakubu Gowon, on Friday October 14, 2016, said that if Nigerians truly believed in and walked in the ways of Jesus Christ and if they stood up for truth, righteousness and justice, the country would clearly witness a turnaround.
Adding that it is important to pray to God always, he insisted that it is more important that many Christians turn away from evil in order that the country becomes 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 also said that preachers had failed to let people know about their indecency In collecting bribes from government personnel. He also added that nations that follow the principles of the Bible, always emerged 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.
“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 said.
Osinbajo praised the virtues of honesty, integrity and hardwork of Gowon, and advised the citizens, especially leaders, to emulate him.
Gowon had earlier said that the group had spent the last 20 years praying for the sincere recovering of the country, adding that time had not weakened 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.”
