The Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Ondo, Rt Revd Latunji Lasebikan, on Thursday, advised Nigerian leaders to sacrifice their selfish interests rather than betray the electorate and the nation.
Lasebikan, while speaking during a service for the dedication and handing over of Abraham and Esther Anglican Church of Advent, donated by the Lisa of Ondo, High Chief Simeon Oguntimehin.
Lasebikan maintained that leaders must be willing to make personal sacrifices and advised the people to always vote leaders with integrity and character, saying Nigeria’s leaders are selfish and surrounded by sycophants and would not tell them the truth.
He said that the problem bedevilling Nigeria’s progress is selfishness and said “to take Nigeria out of the present predicament, selfishness should be shelved. Everything they are doing is about self interest.
“In a time like this when people are suffering and poverty, hardship everywhere, and you are buying jets, buying multi-million naira official vehicle, and you’re asking people to sacrifice.
“It is just madness. It shows our people are suffering from mental problems, when leadership cannot sacrifice but all these are matter of time as I believe that God will visit the country and will fight for the poor”
He noted that leaders have failed the church who they represent and said “It’s unfortunate because the church is supposed to lead but maybe we don’t affect members because those who go into politics they have failed to represent the church.
They go there to satisfy their selfish interest but not to represent the church or the people who voted them into power and that’s why we don’t feel their impact.
“This is a challenge to leadership and this why we must intentionally monitor our members so that they can represent the interest of the members and the church”
He hailed the donor High Chief Oguntimehin for his 90th birthday and the building of the ChurchChurch, saying this is a fulfillment of a lifetime dream and mission accomplished.
There is another thing we are celebrating today, you’re 90 today and we celebrating two things together, the Church dedication and your 90th birthday.
“This is a dream come true. You conceived this idea inside of you and you chose to give birth to it and it has come to reality today.
Baba has focus in creating permanent legacies and built this church in memory of his parents in an area that lacked a church, the Government Residential Area (GRA) of Ondo Town.
“The lifelong of Baba Lisa commitment to service stands as an example of the power of individual action to strengthen communities and support the next generation of leaders.
“We appreciate your contributions to the church and your immediate community. I called on other spirited individuals to emulate you.
“Rich people if they are closer to God they will be led to do what God wants them to do if they can put aside all the selfish interest, and we have some people who can empower youths, it will go a long way to help unemployed youths”
High Chief Oguntimehin, while thanking God said the Church was built in the memories of his late parents, saying they played vital roles in his life.
He said “My original plan was to have the Church completed and dedicated to mark the 80th memorial service for my father on May 19, 2023, however, due to some logistics arising from the topography of the land and additional cost that day was not feasible.
Hence, the decision to have it completed for dedication as part of the activities of my 90th birthday ceremony from September 12 to September 14, 2024. By the grace of God, the dedication and handing over is taking place today. This is the Lord’s doing and it marvellous in out eyes”
