By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, Oct. 9, 2023 (NAN) A cleric, Rev. Gabriel Duduyegba of St Luke’s Anglican Church Amje, Lagos, has urged persons occupying leadership positions in the country to serve with compassion to alleviate sufferings of Nigerians.
Duduyegba, who delivered a sermon during the church’s Sunday service, spoke on the theme “The Key to Supernatural Living”.
The cleric, in a reference to the book of Mark Chapter 10 verses 42-45, advised the leaders to emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ to become servant leaders through diligent discharge of their duties.
According to him, a leader must be someone who listens to the cry, pains and groaning of the people, there is hardship in the country and citizens are suffering.
The man of God emphasised that the welfare of citizens must be the priority on the agenda of the leaders, which according to him, must always be given utmost attention and attendance.
“God’s expectations from our political leaders, religious, even traditional leaders is to be a servant-leader which our Lord Jesus Christ talked about in the book of Mark 10 verses 42-45.
“You are not to be served but to serve, so our leaders right from the top, we thank God for your lives because it has pleased God that you’ll be in this leadership positions at this particular time.
“Nevertheless, our President, vice-president, senators, governors, legislators and representatives must exhibit the servant-leadership act, humble yourself, listen to the cry, groaning and sufferings of the citizen of the country.
“We want to thank God for the October 1 Nigeria’s Independence Day speech by President Bola Tinubu, but he must be proactive, truthful and must take the welfare of civil servant and citizens as number one,” he said.
Duduyegba, who commended President Tinubu for exhibiting equity in his appointment, said he has done well in this regard; he carried the youth and women along which is a plus for his administration.
“President Tinubu is doing well but it must be balanced, we are asking for more, he should go beyond the palliatives to cushion the effects of subsidy, the situation goes beyond sharing of rice, garri beans and other food stuffs.
“You must provide solution for the citizens, if not permanent but a reasonable percent because that is why you have been elected and what you’ll be remembered for when you leave office.” Duduyegba added.
The cleric enjoined the citizens to always pray for the leadership of the nation and not to lay curses or abuse them, saying “let your prayers be – ‘it shall be well with Nigerian, my country’.”
He called the people to endeavour to obey laws of the land and pay their taxes regularly, adding that “it’s scriptural, you are required and must pay your tax and must have the fear of God in all your dealings.