2019: New Lagos Anglican Bishop urges youths to seek leadership positions

By Egbogota Clara

Rt. Rev. Humphrey Olumakaiye, Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos (Anglican Communion), has urged Nigerian youths to vie for leadership positions without violence in the 2019 General Elections .

Olumakaiye said this while briefing newsmen after a courtesy visit to the General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, at the Redemption Camp, along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

“I don’t know how elderly persons that are above 80 years can make policies that they will not be part of.

“There should be a drastic, revolutionary and spiritual change that can bring this country to the Promised Land, the youth should come all out and seize their future without violence.

“They should stop all these recycling of leaders that have nothing to offer the country except their stomach, they don’t have the interest of the people at heart, and they are only after what they will get.

“Enough is enough, the young, the youth, the vibrant people should be given a chance in the polity of the country.

“This tradition of recycling the same set of people that are already over spent should be stopped, if not, it will be difficult to move forward.

“The money politics is not good for our system, it will not make us get the best leaders, merit should be our priority,’’ he said.

The cleric urged Nigerians to get their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to enable them vote in credible leaders.

“My candid advice for Nigerians is that they should vote according to their conscience, they should participate fully in electing our leaders; we have the right to pick our choice.

“The PVC is very important for everyone to have; we should go all out in mobilising people to vote for credible leaders,’’ he said.

The cleric condemned the gale of defections among politicians, saying it was unfortunate and unhealthy for the country.

“It is very unfortunate the kind of politics that is being played out in this country and it cannot take us anywhere, it is not good for our country.

“It is disheartening; it cannot take us to the greater future that we are looking ahead to.

“I believe our focus should be on good governance and fighting corruption which has already become a cancer in our system,’’ he added.

He urged Nigerians to return to God for the country to overcome its challenges.

“We should go back to the ancient path of obedience, dignity of labour, honesty, fear of God, love and also being faithful to the things of God.

“By the time we walk on the path of righteousness, the beauty of holiness will be seen in our lives by everybody and the society will be better for everyone to live,” he said.

He urged Nigerians not to lose faith but to continue to pray for the country.

“We should continue to pray and be patient with this government and see what they will deliver at the end of their four years.

“I believe that they are focused but at the same time they need to do more, especially on security, there is need for them to improve on security.

“Even on the economy of the nation, they have to do more so that life can be better for the common man, I live among the people and, I know that they are suffering greatly,’’ he said.

Olumakaiye said he visited Adeboye to brief him on the centenary anniversary of the Diocese of Lagos coming up next year.

Earlier, Adeboye who prayed for a successful tenure for the newly enthroned Bishop also thanked him (Olumakaiye) and his wife for paying him a visit.

“I was born into an Anglican home and I am ready to work with the Bishop to promote the course of the gospel.

“I had always wanted to be a Bishop because I was inspired by the visitation of an Anglican Bishop to my home town in 1951, It came to pass in 1981, 30 years later,’’ Adeboye said.