By Lukman Olabiyi and Bianca Iboma-Emefu
Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has emphasized the church’s crucial role in promoting good governance, urging it to continue its mission of liberating society from spiritual darkness.
He made this observation during the 7th annual memorial lecture of the founder of The Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim, themed “The Church as a Catalyst for Good Governance in Nigeria.”
Governor Adeleke highlighted that many public leaders are spiritually bound, which hinders their ability to deliver effective governance and the benefits of democracy.
“Leaders, as the primary agents of good governance, must be freed from spiritual blindness to genuinely serve the people,” he said.
He asserted that governance should centre on public interest, with policy-making reflecting this principle.
The governor called on the church to uphold its evangelistic legacy to combat spiritual darkness and advocate for the marginalized.
“The church must return to the tradition of speaking truth to power,” he urged.
Adeleke emphasized that the church should be the voice of the voiceless, ensuring that human dignity is respected in all governmental actions.
“Silence from the Church is not an option,” he stated, urging it to advocate for free and fair elections, the dignity of all individuals, public good over private interests, respect for the constitution, and equality before the law.
He also stressed the importance of the Church’s role in addressing issues that obstruct good governance, such as autocracy, corruption, and the suppression of opposition.
In his address, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, who was represented by Bishop-Elect Evans Onyemara, spoke about the Church’s role in fostering a peaceful state, asserting that peace leads to more resources for development.
He criticized the reluctance of older leaders to relinquish power, which contributes to social issues among the youth, including drug addiction and cultism.
Okoh called for the Church to guide youths toward sustainable practices, such as agriculture and skill acquisition, while fostering peaceful communities.
His Most Eminence, Baba Aladura Dr. David Bob-Manuel, stated that the Church must possess the capacity and integrity to influence governance positively. He pointed out that the Church in Nigeria has not fully embraced its role as a catalyst for good governance and must communicate truth to the government without compromise.
The event included a panel discussion on the Church’s role in eradicating poverty, featuring notable figures such as former Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, His Eminence Clem Agbara, Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi, and renowned Christian leader, Niyi Afolabi.
