Adeboye, Oritsejafor, Martins agree 2016 inspires hope for change

WHILE most Nigerians entertain fears about the prospect of Nigeria recovering from current economic morass, eminent Christian leaders including the CAN president,

Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, appear to agree with the former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, that the year inspires hope of a real change for Nigeria.

Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev Alfred Adewale Martins called on President Muhammadu Buhari and his government to quickly put in place sound economic policies that would help shore up the nation’s dwindling economy, and save the country from imminent economic collapse.

Asked about his projections into the new year, Pastor Oritsejafor said he was very optimistic that the nation’s fortune will turn for the better, revealing that God gave him a theme titled EPHPHATHA which presupposes that God is about to open does of possibilities for the nation and its citizens in the new year.

He therefore urged fellow Nigerians to be totally obedient to all divine injunctions and things that appear to be hopeless today, including the security situation, will be divinely sorted out, “because the King of kings has promised to open doors of possibilities for the nation to the amazement of all her detractors within and without.”

According to the CAN president the only role expected of those who are called by His name, is to humble themselves, turn from evil ways and pray with obedience to the word of God and He will open doors we never imagined and heal the nation.

Similarly, at the cross-over night service at the new auditorium of the Redemption Camp on Simawa Road, Ogun State, Pastor Adeboye acknowledged that the current economic situation in the nation may get worse after which there will be brighter days.

Revealing his annual prophecies for year under four categories; individuals, Nigeria, international, and the RCCG, he said things are likely to get tougher before they get better in the new year, assuring that there will be light at the end of the tunnel and the masses will have cause to glorify God before the end of the year.

The man of God also urged Nigerians not to forget the place of prayer for God to finish what He started in the country, stressing: “In this new year, things are likely to get tougher before they get better, but things will surely get better before the end of the year, provided we did not rejoice too soon. Keep praying that God will finish what He started last year.”

On the international scene, Daddy GO, as he is fondly called by all and sundry, quoted God as saying there would be progressive occurrence of natural disasters until world leaders realized that such happenings are part of divine judgment against unholy laws made by the countries.

He further said a major war will be averted internationally, warning that a new sexualy transmitted disease will surface.

He said: “On the international scene, natural disasters, floods, fire, earthquake, are likely to get progressively worst until governments realized that these are part of divine judgment against those who enact unholy laws. If Government will repent of disdaining Christ and His Church, He will help them win the fight against terrorism.”

For individuals, Adeboye said some families will trace the beginning of their generational blessings to this year. Some will obtain help from unexpected sources, grateful hearts will have more causes to be grateful, noting that the chosen few will receive blessing so large they can hardly contain it.

In all the churches visited by Sunday Vanguard correspondents, the crossover night began with Holy Communion services and sessions of hearty praise and worship to express gratitude to God for His wondrous doings in the passing year.

At the Camp, a service of songs where the GO’s wife, Pastor Folu Adeboye and some ministers as well as the church’s Mass Choir thrilled the congregation with theme hymns from previous Congresses and conventions. The drama department also showcased a drama which focused on the healing power of Jesus and divine prosperity.

In a message made public through the Director, Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Msgr. Gabriel Osu, Archbishop Martins, while noting that the state of the nation’s economy was in an all-time low, said there was need for the President having finally got his cabinet in place to urgently present the nation with a sound economic blueprint that would help arrest the fast depreciating value of the nation’s currency in the new year and pursue in earnest a diversification of the economy to make it more robust and investor-friendly.

“While the proposed budget recently presented to the National Assembly is encouraging, we hope its provisions, when passed, would be strictly followed and properly monitored so that we can get the required results,” he said.

Archbishop Martins while acknowledging the necessity of fighting corruption and recovering much of the nation’s wealth that have been cornered by a few, said that it is necessary that the task of governance and implementation of policies that would impact positively on the lives of suffering Nigerian masses must be pursued without undue distraction.

“If you look around, it is obvious that Nigerians are truly suffering. Our economy is on its knees; the naira has depreciated drastically while fuel scarcity pervades the whole country. Nigerians expect the Buhari-led government to rise up to the challenge of rebuilding the nation as we are anxious to see a positive change that will begin to impact on the day to day life of Nigerians.