Social Secretary, Island Club, Hon. Olukayode Ogundipe; Lord Bishop, Diocese of Lagos, (Anglican Communion), The Rt. Rev. Humphrey Olumakaiye; and Chairman, Island Club, Mr. Olabanji Oladapo, during annual Lenten talk, choral rendition and breaking of fast
By Odinaka Uruakpa
The Diocesan bishop of Lagos, (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Humphrey B. Olumakaiye has called on Nigerians to thread the path of righteousness, honesty and sincerity always so that in exhibiting these virtues in all that they do, they can revive the spirit of unity which is needed to build a great nation.
Olumakaiye who gave this charge as guest speaker during the 2019 annual Lenten talk, choral rendition and breaking of fast of the Island Club members at the Peacock Hall, Island Club, Lagos, urged Nigerians to free themselves from sin and go back to God who alone can free the country and make Nigeria great again.
Said he: “We need to go back to God and be free of sin. A free nation is a great nation. We need to thread the path of righteousness, the path of honesty and sincerity. We should revive the spirit of Christ and that is total love and sacrifice. We should all be our brother’s keeper and we should live a life of righteousness”.
While delivering his talk tagged “Renewal of the spirit and the reborn worship in Nigeria: Life in the spirit, life of worship”, the bishop spoke lengthily on worship as it relates to African culture and Nigeria in particular.
While thanking God and commending the Island Club for its contributions to the Nigerian society, the bishop urged the members to remain united and focused.
“I want to thank God for the contributions of the Island Club members to the society. They have made life worth living for other people and I give kudos to them for this; transforming the society and making sure that they make an impact.
“This is wonderful. I want them to continue in their good works because God is still in the business of recreation. He created us to recreate. He created us to beautify our environment. He created us to love our fellow humans and show sincere love to our neighbour.
Sated he “They have been doing this in a wonderful way; I want them to continue what they are doing in making the society a better place to live in”, he said.
The bishop also urged Nigerian youths to be focused and engage themselves in gainful ventures so that they can make impact in their society.
“The youths of our country need to be focused. They should know that there is dignity in labour. There’s reward when we walk in the path of dignity. God created us to make impact.
“Our youths should not be lazy. We have many things that we can lay our hands upon that will make our future bright. The should continue to work hard, they shouldn’t always wait for the government; but think of ways they can contribute to the economy of the country”.
He also advised the youths to shun greed and follow the path of righteousness.
Said the Bishop: “We are all on a journey. The situation where you want to attract the whole world to yourself and you want to make it in a day; you want to be stinkingly rich within a short period of time and put your hands into bad things is absurd. It is not scriptural. You have to work hard and God will bless the work of your hands”.
Also speaking on the occasion, Olabanji Oladapo, Chairman, Island Club urged Nigerians not to relent in prayers, adding that citizens need to be prayerful especially for God to grant the country lasting peace in trying times.
Said Olabanji: “As we embarked on the 40 days fasting and prayer, we committed our country into God’s hands. We continue to pray to God to look upon Nigeria and let peace reign in the land.
“I believe that as we have fasted and prayed during the Lenten period, God will be with us and grant us lasting peace in every area of our national life”.
