By Gbenga Ojikutu
As the country works hard to subdue the challenges of ethno-religious dissonances in the system, the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has tasked religious leaders to promote tolerance, peace and unity among Nigerians through their preachings.
Oyebanji, who described religious leaders as critical and strategic partners in governance, described the foregoing as the most potent remedy and best way to fasttrack the process of nation building being desperately sought by stakeholders.
The governor gave the charge in Ado Ekiti, on Friday, while receiving the President of Get Ready Ministry, Evang. Taiwo Ola, in his office, as part of the activities lined up for the four-day Crusade being organised by the Ministry in the State.
Evangelist Taiwo, who began the Crusade on Monday, visited the Governor, alongside the leadership of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria(PFN), led by its Chairman, Ekiti chapter, Pastor Tayo Ajayi Kolade.
Addressing the men of God, Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, appealed to religious leaders to consider themselves as dependable allies and partners of the current Ekiti government in the task of ushering in shared prosperity for all citizens.
Oyebanji said, though the country is currently challenged by multifaceted socio-economic and security crises, saying these can be subdued if the religious leaders can join the government to promote justice, peace and fairplay among Nigerians.
He said religious extremism, which often stokes enmity and unnecessary upheavals can be easily checkmated if the clerics dedicate their times to change the perceptions and characters of their adherents through their sermons.
“The element of peace building is tolerance, love and care for one another. All these will bring peaceful co-existence, which was what Christ stood for during his lifetime.
“Our nation is currently facing various challenges, from economic crisis , insecurity to social welfare . As members of PFN, your contributions are invaluable in addressing these challenges. Let us work hand in hand to uplift the marginalized, care for vulnerable, and build a better future for all”.
Describing Ekiti as a relatively peaceful State going by national ratings, Oyebanji, said his government has been working hard to promote unity and love among the citizens, regardless of political and religious leanings.
Oyebanji vowed that his government won’t relent in promoting peace for the state to attain the targeted shared prosperity status that has been the mantra of his administration.
“No doubt, Ekiti is a peaceful state by the grace of God. We pray to witness more peace, not only in Ekiti, but in Nigeria at large. We can only achieve these when we do what we preach by loving ourselves regardless of our religious leanings. Peace in Nigeria, is peace for all.
“To sustain the peace in Ekiti land, we need your prayers. We need your prayers for the success of this administration and for economic stability of our nation”, Oyebanji said.
In his submission, the General Overseer of Get Ready Ministry, , Evang. Ola, described the governor’s performance as highly captivating, saying this motivated him to bring his Ministry down to Ekiti to support the administration with prayers.
The Cleric added that though, Ekiti had been having highly impressive leaders since the advent of democracy in 1999, but described Oyebanji as a God sent, which he said reflected in his conduct, character and performance in all spheres of the economy.
“We have been having governors, good ones in Ekiti since 1999. I am familiar with the trends of things since the time of Otunba Niyi Adebayo, but this is the best we have ever got. People within the state and outside were speaking glowingly of this government. They are really happy with him.
“This is not a partisan government because the governor is relating with everybody.;That is why we are here to pray for Ekiti State, so that God can open his doors of opportunities for our land for Governor Oyebanji to achieve that shared prosperity he desires for our people”, the Cleric said.
Lending credence to the fact that Oyebanji has performed creditably well, the PFN Chairman in Ekiti State, Pastor Tayo Ajayi Kolade, said the Ministry is holding the four days Crusade in Ekiti to sow the seeds of prosperity and transformation in the life of Ekiti people.
Kolade praised Governor Oyebanji for raising the bar of governance and delivery in the last 16 months he mounted the saddle, saying the PFN would begin to be a good partner to the current government to take Ekiti to the promised land.
Present at the occasion were: Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Mr. Abayomi Opeyemi, his counterpart in the Finance Ministry, Mr. Oluwadare Jolumo, Deputy Chief Staff, Mr. Victor Adeniyi, men of God, members of PFN, among others.
