Rt. Rev. Samson Osundina: Methodist Bishop Seeking Collective Efforts To Rebuild Nigeria | Independent Newspaper Nigeria

Source: Independent Newspapers Nigeria

LAGOS - Rt. Rev. Dr. Samson Osundina, the Bishop of the Diocese of Ikorodu, Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN), has called on Nigerians to join hands to rebuild our country.

Bishop Osundina, who spoke at the 30th Synod of the Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN), Ikorodu Diocese, themed 'Arise and Build', admonished the church that as individuals, nation or group of persons how much you can accomplish when you align yourself with the will of God. He took his message from Nehemiah 2:18.

He stated: "To God be the glory for the inspiration of the theme. It is so apt and timely. This is the time we need it in this country because of the present situation in the country, politically, spiritually, socially, professionally and others because almost everything has broken down. Even within the church, we know that many things have collapsed and willingly destroyed or non-chillingly destroyed. We know it is time to arise and build, which means many things have gone wrong."

On what should be done to reposition the country, Bishop Osundina said if individuals would be cautious enough to know that God is the author of their lives and He is the one that can strengthen them to normalise things, then they should make themselves available to Him.

"If we make Him our leader, our dictator and not us dictating to Him, then we will see God in action and He will guide us and inspire us.

"The word of God says that 'You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free'. It is time for us to know the truth and know that actually things are not working out the way it should be."

On the role of churches in the task at hand, the man of God made reference to the past when the missionaries were in the country.

"If I am not mistaken, the missionaries started this movement by introducing most of the civilisation that we have today, schools and what we have today.

"Which means our charity must begin at home. Every Christians must go back to the values of God and go back to the scripture and let people know the right things to do. Which means all those that called themselves men and women of God should now go back to what the scripture says."

In doing the will of God, Bishop Osudina advised the delegates, saying, "As Christians, we must love others with true Christian love, seriously committing everything to God in prayers.

"Every Christian should learn from Nehemiah and his team the spirit of perseverance and courage in the face of challenges."

He, therefore, advised the government to reduce the cost of governance as part of moves to reposition the country and to make the people happy.

"By the grace of God, we must start this in the church. They must lead in this direction. It has gone far beyond our expectation. Almost everybody now goes extravagant way of living and it is not the best. We must learn how to cut our cloths not according to our size but according to our cloths and that must begin in the house of God.

"The government's contribution to this is that, when some churches applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), some of them were not screened enough to know the genuineness of their callings and that is why even in the churches today, you can see those things happening there. But, by the grace of God, we don't practice such here in MCN."

The Bishop charged the government not to hold back on the various changes and policies to revive the country's economy.

"From the Local Government to the Federal Government, things must be done normally with the fear of God. Economically, we should cut down the cost of governance.

"Cost of governance is too high and costly in the country. All this unnecessary ceremonies has to be cut down to normalcy so that the common man in the street can be remembered.

"Like we do in the MCN, the churches all over the country must start giving out to the needy and the poor. This is the time we need to be our brothers' keepers. Those that have should extend to others that have none or have little.

"By the grace of God, the MCN with the societies some individuals have gone far in this area. Some of them have done something like this to people in Ikorodu and Agbowa areas of Lagos State by providing foods for them and putting something on the table for them to have.

"By doing so, they are wiping away tears from their faces. It should be a collective responsibility for all of us to join hands together and rebuild this country," he concluded.

Lay President of the Diocese, David Sunmoni, was full of praises to God and all those that made the Synod a success and prayed for a better hosting and organisation of the Year 2025 edition of the Synod.

"We thank God for the success of this year's event and we hope and look forward to Him for the organisation and hosting of the Year 2025 edition of the Synod. And to all the workers, both male and female and have contributed to the success of the programme, I say thank you as well. All should look forward to next the year's edition of the event," he said.

In his remarks, the Communication Minister for the Diocesan Bishop of Ikorodu Diocese, Very Rev. Abidemi Aina, expressed appreciation to God Almighty for the grace given to the Diocese and the Methodist Church of Nigeria (MCN) as a whole for the successful hosting of the Synod.

"To God alone be all the praises for all He has done for us with the successful hosting of this Synod. Without Him, it could not have been possible for us to have a successful hosting. As a result of this, we are appreciative of His love towards us and we will continue to praise Him and adore Him," he said.

Bishop Aina also expressed appreciation to the Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Samson Osundina for his tireless service to ensure the successful hosting of the Synod.

"Let me also express our appreciation to all those who have contributed in one way or the other to the successful hosting of the Synod. It was a collective responsibility as all hands were put on deck before and during the Synod. Our prayer is that God Almighty will see us all to more celebration on this sinful earth," he prayed.

Present at the Synod was the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Sir Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, who was the chairperson of the Synod opening ceremony.