Don’t Allow Ethnic, Religious Propaganda To Divide Nigeria, Achudume Charges Leaders-Elect
ABEOKUTA – The General Overseer, Victory Life Bible Church (VLBC) International, Apostle Lawrence Achudume has appealed to elected Nigerian leaders to shun ethnic and religious divides that may truncate the peaceful co-existence of Nigerians.
Apostle Achudume made the appeal on Sunday at the 2023 Holy Convocation 2023 held in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.
Achudume maintained that promotion of religious and ethnic sentiments responsible for underdevelopment of the country.
The clergyman noted that, those promoting ethnicity and religious agenda were doing so for their selfish interest, stressing that the phenomenon has reduced the quality of governance and administration.
“We are too slow in terms of development, in terms of social networking, as a government and as a people. And perhaps the citizens are not to blame, but those in leadership.
“I think this last election was a big lesson. Even though people are giving it a different wrong connotations, which I feel ashamed that people I have so much regard for. I think Nigerians need to renew their minds to believe in Nigeria.
“When I heard some people saying non-indigenes should leave where they are, I feel ashamed. It doesn’t make sense. Britain was built by non indigenes. America is America today because of people that came from different places to come and stay there.
“People in America are not really American indigenes, they are foreigners, so it doesn’t make sense that the enlightened people, educated people, people that are supposed to be exposed are still speaking ethnicity and religion.
“Let’s put those ethnic jargons, religious jargons behind us, let’s speak Nigeria. Once we can speak Nigeria, there’ll be development. But unfortunately, those who are speaking ethnicity and religion are those that want to abuse you and use you for their selfish interest. So the way forward, let’s speak one Nigeria. Let’s love one another. That’s the way we can move forward.
“Let’s forget issue of whether you’re a Christian, Muslim or an Hindu worshipper, let’s say we are Nigerians. That’s how we can go forward.”
Speaking on the theme of the convocation, “Divine Speed”, Rev. Mrs. Fola Achudume said Nigeria will become point of reference in the comity of nations only if her leaders seek God’s intervention.
According to her, divine speed remains the connection between man and God that accelerates the destiny of a nation.
