Ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo
Osinbajo to Christians in govt: Uphold gospel principles
Former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said to drive Nigeria’s transformative change, Christians in government must embody the principles of the gospel.
Osinbajo, who spoke at the inaugural Daniel Taiwo Odukoya Lecture in Lagos, with the theme: “Strengthening the Christian Voice in Government and Public Office,” said values like hard work, diligence, integrity, and respect for obligations are essential for the nation’s progress.
Osinbajo said the principles of the gospel have historically driven social and economic development in regions like Europe and America.
He stressed that despite a significant presence of Christians in high government positions in Nigeria, the anticipated transformative change has not been realized.
Acvording to him, this was due to a misalignment between the gospel’s teachings and the prevalent focus on material prosperity within Nigerian churches.
The former vice president condemned prosperity gospel, which emphasizes wealth and physical well-being, as a deviation from the true purpose of faith, arguing that the focus on miraculous wealth and success undermines the values of hard work and integrity.
He criticized the church for no questioning the source of wealth for some individuals, saying lack of accountability and the church’s acceptance of unexplained affluence.
Osinbajo insisted that Christians in public office should be equipped with relevant gospel principles and for churches to set high ethical standards.
He cslled on the church to reject unexplained wealth and to emphasize the importance of integrity and hard work in professional and public life.
The guest speaker, Pastor Ben Akabueze, highlighted the role of Christians in advocating for economic policies that promote fairness and reduce inequality.
According to him, the Bible focuses on economic justice and the equitable distribution of resources.
Akabueze called on Christians in government to champion policies that protect the vulnerable and to continue Jesus Christ’s legacy of advocating for the marginalized and oppressed.
Toluwani Odukoya, Associate Senior Pastor at Fountain of Life Church, reminsced on memories of her late father, Pastor Daniel Taiwo Odukoya, as a visionary and intellectual with a passion for knowledge.
She expressed hope that the annual Daniel Taiwo Odukoya Lectures would continue his legacy of empowerment and enlightenment.
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