The General Overseer and President of the United Apostolic Church of Christ Worldwide (UACC), Rev. (Dr.) James Bayo Owoyemi, has called on leaders at all levels of governance to shun nepotism and prioritise a quality of life for citizens.
He made the remark in a sideline interview during the Special Thanksgiving Service commemorating the 60th anniversary of the church’s Pastors’ Conference at the Mount Zion International Prayer Centre, Ologuneru, Ibadan, on Sunday.
Addressing Nigeria’s pressing economic challenges, Rev. Owoyemi emphasised the importance of faith and hope, stating, “The Bible assures us that with God, all things are possible. It is vital that we trust in God and align our actions with His will.”
He urged leaders to recognise their positions as a divine privilege, reminding them that they would ultimately be held accountable before God.
“So, I encourage Nigeria’s leadership to trust God, put everything in His hands, and, at the same time, strive to please Him,” he said.
“They are in power by the grace of God, and it is important for them to appreciate this and do His will because they will not be there forever.
“They should implement policies that improve the lives of Nigerian citizens, shun nepotism, and govern in such a way that when they stand before God, they will have the boldness to give an account of their stewardship.”
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Rev. Owoyemi also conveyed a message of hope, stressing that despite the current difficulties, faith in God could bring about positive change.
“This is a message of hope. We should trust that, in the end, everything will turn out to the glory of God, and we will praise Him in Nigeria.
“The current situation in Nigeria will lead to praise. We should have hope, trust God, and continue to serve Him.
“We must not allow the present challenges to drive us away from God. We should believe that Nigeria will be good and that God’s purpose for this country will come to pass in Jesus’ name.”
Earlier in his sermon, titled “The Secret of Living is Praise,” Rev. Owoyemi encouraged Christians to cultivate a spirit of praise, warning that neglecting this practice leads to spiritual stagnation.
Drawing from Psalm 150:6 and Isaiah 38:19, he cautioned that those who cease to praise God ultimately set themselves on a path toward despair.
“The essence of life is to praise God. How often do we offer Him our gratitude?” he asked, illustrating his point with the biblical story of Paul and Silas, who praised God even while imprisoned.
“Their praise brought about miraculous freedom, demonstrating that praise is the key to victory in times of trial.”
This year’s conference featured a variety of enriching seminars, fervent prayers, and revival sessions, all aimed at strengthening pastoral leadership.
A special highlight was the posthumous tribute honoring the legacy of the church’s founding president, the late Archbishop Solomon A. Adetisola, which was celebrated on Saturday.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE