Former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has called on Nigerians, especially the youths, to take ownership of the country’s future by participating in politics, demanding transparency, and promoting integrity in public service.
He said that true change in governance and development would only come when citizens engage meaningfully in the political process. Osinbajo gave the charge, at the weekend, while delivering the keynote address at the second yearly Daniel Taiwo Odukoya Memorial Lecture, held at the Fountain of Life Church headquarters in Ilupeju, Lagos.
The former Vice President, while speaking on the theme, “The Evolving Relationship between the Church and the Government in Nigeria,” charged the church in Nigeria to reclaim its transformative role in nation-building, stressing that Christian institutions must lead by example in accountability and active engagement with government.
He emphasised that the church, historically, has not been a passive observer but an agent of social transformation.Osinbajo recalled how missionary efforts in education, healthcare, and social development laid the foundation for civil society in Nigeria, noting that Christian organisations have always been at the forefront of shaping legal, social, and moral norms.
“The church was not only responsible for pioneering education but also stood as a voice of conscience during the military era. Its leaders championed democratic values and human rights,” he said.
He said that churches today must continue to uphold those traditions by advocating honesty, accountability, and righteousness, not just from others, but also from within their own institutions.
“The gospel must be preached in a way that upholds morals and values. The church’s true power lies in its moral authority, not in prosperity. Wealth should be a tool to advance God’s work, not the goal itself.
“Any young person who wants to be in politics must study, and be interested in things that are around you. You must understand how things work. Read biographies, understand healthcare, education, and economic systems, particularly in the African context.”
In her welcome address, the third child of the late Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, Dr Tobi Enuha, described her father as a man whose leadership extended beyond the pulpit.
She noted that the yearly lecture was inaugurated in 2024 on what would have been his birthday, June 15, as a platform to honour his legacy and promote national dialogue around Christian values and governance.
Also speaking with journalists, the Associate Senior Pastor of the Fountain of Life Church, Toluwani Odukoya, explained that the choice of this year’s theme was influenced by her late father’s deep concern for Nigeria and his belief in the church’s potential to influence national development.
Odukoya called for a return to Christian principles, selflessness, and service, encouraging young Christians to take responsibility for change and not just complain about the system.
In the same vein, the Senior Pastor of the church, Jimmy Odukoya, said that the life and legacy of his father could be summed up in two words: selflessness and sacrifice.
He, therefore, urged Christians to live lives of impact and be agents of transformation in their communities, adding that the church has a responsibility to speak out and engage in national issues.
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