The All Progressives Congress (APC) vice presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday said that leadership roles are not meant for underage people.
He spoke in Lagos at the maiden edition of a yearly lecture series in commemoration of the 73rd birthday of the General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch, organised by the Triumphant Elders’ Consultative Forum.
In a lecture titled: “Harmonising virtues to gain heaven and earthly prosperity,” Prof. Osinbajo noted that when leadership role was bestowed on immature persons, they see same as opportunity to enrich themselves.
According to him, every believer must have the transformative virtues, which he termed as “serving others, education, hard work and innovation, integrity, caring for the needy, fairness, equality and justice for all, love for enemies, humility and frugality”.
Prof. Osinbajo, who used Pastor Adeboye as an example, said true prosperity and significance could only come from a life committed to serve others.
“The question that you and I must ask is how does a man from Ifewara… a place not so prominent in the map of his own country in Nigeria – in under 30 years of adulthood – become one of the most influential men in the world without holding public office or fighting a war?
“Simple – he accepted the overlordship of Jesus Christ. He abandoned all personal ambitions despite the certainty of a stellar and comfortable career, and dedicated his life to helping others to find salvation and spreading the message of the redeeming love of Jesus Christ in every village, city and nation of the world. These are the virtues that make for earthly prosperity and a guaranteed place in heaven.
“Heavenly prosperity comes from accepting not a religion, but the truth that Jesus came to the world to pay for the sins of all men by dying on the cross and shedding his blood. Embracing that truth and accepting his lordship,” said Prof. Osinbajo.
He added that God would hold them accountable for their actions and inactions.
The APC presidential running-mate said: “Our challenges are poverty– 112 million extremely poor despite being the largest economy in Africa. We are one of 33 of the poorest countries in the world; infant mortality – 3.9 million children have died between 2009 and 2014; maternal mortality – 55,000 women die every year; diarrheal diseases – 110,000 yearly deaths; literacy – 10.4 million children out of school; 80 per cent graduates jobless; corruption; missing funds – N2.6 trillion NNPC petroleum subsidy scam; $7 billion kerosene subsidy scam; $1 billion missing excess crude fund; 400,000 barrels of oil stolen every day.
“Our challenges present personal and communal obstacles to prosperity and happiness. Who does God expect to solve these problems? According to Matthew 5:13-14, we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth…we are the solution to Nigeria’s problems. Our environment eagerly await revealing and manifestations of the sons of God”, he stated.
He urged Christians to love their enemies, adding that those who had the powers to influence government policies that would better the people should not fold their arms.
“Some of us have the powers to influence governments and ask why there are no free health services, free education and social welfare scheme for the elderly. It is a fundamental responsibility God has given us. I am a politician today so that I can be able to at that level do things that will influence policies that will change millions of lives,” he said.
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