Nigeria is in the wilderness, says Gowon

Friday Olokor with Agency Report A former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), on Saturday reflected on the state of the nation and came with a verdict that Nigeria is “walking in the wilderness.” He however expressed optimism that all the challenges currently facing the country would be temporary because God’s promise was that joy cometh very soon. Gowon, who spoke in Abuja, during the thanksgiving service to commemorate 20th anniversary of “Nigeria Prays”, a prayer movement for the country, advised Nigerians to continue to pray. According to him, the first rally by the Nigeria Prays held was held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja on October 1 1996, when the ship of the Nigerian State was experiencing great turbulence for which the nation needed effervescent prayers of righteous souls to move God’s right hand to calm the storm. He said, “When you ask what prayers has God been answering, you think of all the problems and crisis that we have had in the country and the way the good Lord has been able to ensure that they all are peacefully resolved until we create another problem for ourselves. “Since God inhabits the praises of His people, God knew Nigeria would continually need Him to see the nation through difficult times in much the same way as He was with the children of Israel, particularly during their walk through the wilderness. Nigeria is currently walking in the wilderness but joy cometh very soon. This is the promise of God for our beloved country after rallies and prayers in different geo-political zones of the country. “We cannot stop praying for Nigeria especially in the light of mounting challenges that have continually caused citizens to question their identity and the survival of the nation’s democratic structure.” Similarly, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said although Nigeria had people who could pray, they lacked commitment to righteousness, the News Agency of Nigeria reports. According to him, there is the need to pray to God always but it is more important that Christians turn away from evil in order to make the country great. He said, “If we want to be a nation that can feed its people, we must turn from evil ways and work for righteousness. “When our pulpits preach righteousness, our people will rise up and become the salt of the earth; Christians will stand up and be honest if we preach righteousness in the pulpit.” He added, “Prayer and fasting are good, but they are not enough to lift the country except the citizens turn away from evil.”

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