We’ve reason to celebrate Nigeria @64 – Rev Dr. Akanji

By Samuel Luka, Bauchi

As Nigeria clocks 64 years of independence on Tuesday 1st October, the President of Nigeria Baptist Convention (NBC), Rev Dr Israel Adelani Akanji has reminded Nigerians that in spite of the present situation of hardship and economic crunch, they have a great reason to celebrate.

He said even if there is nothing, there is every reason to celebrate and give thanks to God for keeping the country as one united entity.

“Yes, we have pains, yes, things may seem hard and difficult, yet, we have every reason to be grateful to God for the different things He is doing for us as a country, individuals and families.” The NBC President said.

The Clergyman who took his text from Psalms 126, stressed that God is restoring Nigeria for good because He is a faithful God who will not abandon his people no matter what the situation is.

“We should not put our trust on man who can fail at anytime, rather, we should put all our hopes on Him because He has promised to meet all our needs according to His riches in glory.” He added.

Rev Dr. Akanji also called for constant prayers for the leaders and not curses, stressing that the prayers of intercession is always heard by God expressing hope and confidence that things will get back to normal for Nigerians.

“Sometimes you don’t know where to go for solution to your problem but I am telling you today that you have a place to go, go to the Lord, lift up your eyes and hands to Him and your help will come from Him.” He added.

“When we are a cross road like this, it is the time for us to get closer to God, have faith and trust in God and these will make things easier for us. We need to come to a point in our lives when we understand that we can’t do anything on our own,” the Clergy man said.

He advised Nigerians not to see the present situation in Nigeria as extremely bad, saying, God is able to bring something good out of such situations.

“That is the kind of God we have, He is above all situations. Our difficulties help us to know that we have a God who can do those things we cannot do ordinarily.” The Rev noted.

Giving the theme of his message as ‘Sowing in Tears’, he stressed that sowing is all about planting seeds with the hope and expectation of good harvest at the end of the year with tears which stands for hard labour.

Rev Akanji however lamented that the present situation of the country is that of self- centeredness and looking away from the poor, those who are suffering bringing in different reasons for not helping.

The Clergyman called on Nigerians to be their brothers keepers, share the little they have together in love and affection saying that, God is always happy with such situations and He will use to bring more blessings.