Nigerian Pastor, Achudume Decries Declining Value For Human Life, Calls For Integrity

ABEOKUTA – The Senior Pastor of Victory Life Bible Church International, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, has called for a society that places premium on human life, rewards genuine enterprise and upholds moral values, warning that the future of Nigeria depends largely on the choices its leaders and citizens make today.

He made the call while speaking at the thanksgiving service marking the 50th anniversary of the Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), hosted by his church in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Achudume used the occasion to address issues ranging from the proposed pregnancy termination legislation in Ogun State to the state of entrepreneurship, political leadership, social media influence and the responsibilities of journalists in nation-building.

On the proposed Ogun State Safe Termination of Pregnancy Law, 2026, the cleric appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun not to assent to the bill, urging him to consider what he described as the sanctity of human life.

Making a passionate appeal, he said the state should avoid any action that could encourage the termination of unborn lives.

“For humanity’s sake, this bill should not be signed into law. We do not want any more shedding of blood. Let the child live,” he appealed.

He also called on journalists to give the matter adequate public attention, emphasising the importance of the media in bringing issues of public interest to the attention of government and citizens.

Beyond the legislative debate, the pastor reflected on the role of the media in the development of society, describing journalists as an integral part of socio-economic progress.

He acknowledged the difficult conditions under which many practitioners operate, noting that the profession comes with its share of pressures, sacrifices and personal challenges.

While praying for journalists, Achudume asked God to strengthen them and see them through the demands of their responsibilities, urging them not to lose sight of the importance of their work to society.

He also raised concerns about the nation’s political culture, particularly the growing attraction of creative and resourceful individuals to politics at the expense of productive enterprise.

According to him, Nigeria risks losing people with innovative ideas and entrepreneurial abilities when political office is perceived as a more rewarding route to wealth than building businesses and creating opportunities.

He lamented that individuals who enter politics and emerge wealthy through questionable means are sometimes celebrated rather than questioned about the sources of their fortunes.

The pastor called for a change in societal priorities, stressing that creativity, hard work, innovation and enterprise should receive greater recognition if the country is to achieve meaningful economic development.

Achudume equally expressed concern about the influence of social media on the values and lifestyles of young people, warning against allowing online popularity to become the measure of personal worth or a guide to life decisions.

“They celebrate emptiness and call it showbiz. They celebrate nakedness and call it fashion,” he said, criticising the tendency to present indecent dressing and other questionable practices as entertainment and modern fashion.

He particularly questioned the obsession with social media followers, including those who boast of millions of followers on TikTok, without necessarily demonstrating meaningful contributions to society.

He urged young people to think independently, exercise restraint and avoid allowing online trends to dictate their choices, adding that people should live purposefully and remain conscious of their responsibilities.

On personal development and the challenges of life, Achudume stressed the importance of building a strong relationship with God before difficult situations arise.

He noted that challenges were inevitable in business, marriage, careers, the civil service and other areas of human endeavour, urging people to remain steadfast in their convictions rather than abandon their values when faced with adversity.

Meanwhile, the thanksgiving service brought the Ogun NUJ’s week-long Golden Jubilee activities to a close, with members of the union dressed in white and gold converging on Victory Life Bible Church International for the celebration.

The Ogun NUJ Chairman, Comrade Wale Olanrewaju, read the Bible passage from Psalm 89:25 and subsequent verses during the service, while prayers were offered for journalists, the union, Ogun State and Nigeria.

In his remarks, Olanrewaju commended Achudume for his longstanding support for journalism and his contributions to society, describing him as a social crusader who consistently uses his voice to call government to action on issues affecting the people.

He said the pastor had remained a friend and delight to journalists, adding that his willingness to support the profession and speak on matters of public interest had earned him the goodwill of media practitioners.

Olanrewaju further described Achudume as one of the respected religious leaders whose influence extends beyond the pulpit through his engagement with social issues and advocacy for positive change.

In recognition of his contributions to journalism and society, Achudume was conferred with the Ogun NUJ Golden Jubilee Ambassador Award at the thanksgiving service.

The week-long celebration, which commenced on a Sunday and climaxed with the thanksgiving the following Sunday, marked five decades of the union’s existence in Ogun State and provided an opportunity for journalists to reflect on their professional responsibilities and the role of the media in shaping society.