By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has advised religious leaders in Nigeria to play positive roles that would advance the country.
Obasa gave the advice at a service marking the 100th anniversary of the St. Peter’s African Church, Remo Iperu, Ogun State on Sunday.
The Speaker said that Nigeria required intellectual contributions from religious leaders for the desired change in the country’s polity and as a guide to the future generation.
“I therefore urge our Christian leaders not to relent in their efforts to cater for the spiritual needs of the Christians under their care and also use various platforms to encourage our people to support our various initiatives as government, that will make life easier for everybody,” Obasa said.
Obasa, who recently ended his tenure as the chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, pointed out that Christianity, like every other religion, provided the enabling platform for the people’s spiritual edification and social needs as individual members of the society.
He further disclosed the role of the Christianity as a unifier of people and motivation to them irrespective of their race, culture, and education.
His words: “You will all agree with me that religion generally serves as a veritable tool for social integration, and harmonious co-existence in the society, and remains one of the cords of unity that knit us together, especially in a multi-religious society like ours in Nigeria.
“As such, in maintaining peace and social order, such basic principles and religious virtues as enunciated in the Holy Books must be imbued and placed into practical demonstrations.
“As we constantly show harmony and unity of intent in our service and dedication to our creator in our different places of adoration, I encourage you all to emulate the unity we frequently exhibit in the larger society in our place of worship.”
The speaker, however, congratulated the church for reaching the feat of 100 years of service to God and humanity, stressing that it was evident in what Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 16:18: “Upon this rock I will build my church; (and this is the best part) and the gates of hell will not overpower it.”
