The Zonal Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Everlasting Light Parish, Abuja, Pastor David Okoror, has urged Nigerian leaders to use power and authority to protect citizens rather than deprive them of their rights and means of livelihood.
Okoror made the call on Sunday in Abuja during the church’s Yoruba Cultural Sunday celebration, themed, “Our Culture Is Not Evil and Should Not Die.”
The cleric, who is also a security expert, said Nigeria was facing challenges on several fronts but urged citizens to remain thankful to God despite the difficulties.
“Currently, a lot of things seem to be very wrong in Nigeria. We have challenges everywhere. But the Bible commands us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 that in all things we should give thanks,” he said.
He noted that despite insecurity, unemployment and other socioeconomic difficulties, Nigerians should appreciate the fact that the country remained united and was not at war.
According to him, the church’s decision to celebrate the Yoruba people was an opportunity to appreciate their contributions to national development, particularly in education, medicine, industry and other professional fields across the world.
Okoror said celebrating Yoruba culture in a congregation comprising people from different ethnic backgrounds demonstrated the unity needed to overcome Nigeria’s challenges.
“Today, we are celebrating Yoruba culture, but the Igbo man is here, the Edo man is here.
“I am not a Yoruba person, but I am wearing agbada and a Yoruba cap. We are going to eat amala, gbegiri and Yoruba food. That is how we promote unity,” he said.
Addressing government officials and other holders of public office, the pastor stressed that power should be used to protect citizens from insecurity, unemployment, hunger and destitution.
“My message to government and those who hold power is that they should use power and authority as a shield, as a protection, as a covering for the people.
“Covering from insecurity, unemployment, hunger and destitution. That is the purpose of power,” he said.
He warned that the misuse of authority could expose citizens to hardship and deprive them of their rights.
“When you use power as a sword, you use it to dispossess the people, you steal from the people, you take away their rights,” Okoror said.
He, however, expressed optimism that Nigeria would overcome its current difficulties, urging citizens to continue trusting in God.
“There is hope, as long as God is on the throne. He will see us through the current challenges and take us to the Promised Land,” he said.
Yoruba culture promotes unity, cleric says
Also speaking, the Parish Pastor, Otumba Oreoluwa Ariba, said the cultural celebration was his way of expressing gratitude to God through the preservation and promotion of Yoruba heritage.
Ariba compared the event to the Oju de Oba festival in Ogun State, where he hails from, describing it as an opportunity for Christians to offer their highest form of praise to God.
“When you praise God, you move Him from His throne. It is the easiest way to get victory, to get answers to prayers and for God to fight your battles,” he said.
He explained that the church deliberately incorporated Yoruba language, traditional attire and music into the service to demonstrate that Christianity did not require the abandonment of cultural identity.
Similarly, Dr Bolaji Mejabi, a lecturer at Baze University, Abuja, and chairman of the organising committee, said the event was designed to challenge misconceptions about African culture.
Mejabi argued that narratives portraying African traditions as evil had contributed to the abandonment of valuable cultural practices, some of which had been embraced by Western societies.
“Our culture is not evil at all. There are some practices we have to modernise, but everything should still give glory to God,” he said.
He expressed concern that many Yoruba children could no longer speak their native language, greet elders appropriately or bear names that reflected their cultural heritage.
According to him, the Omoluabi ethos, which emphasises respect, love and unity, remains important to rebuilding the country’s moral values.
“Yoruba culture is all about love, unity and respect. We respect our elders and show love. If we revive these values in our homes and schools, it will reflect in governance,” he said.
Mejabi urged parents to take deliberate steps to teach their children the Yoruba language, traditional greetings and appropriate cultural practices, stressing that moral and cultural education begins at home.
He added that raising children with sound cultural values was consistent with biblical teachings on child upbringing.
The well-attended celebration featured cultural dances, drama, gift presentations and traditional delicacies, including amala, ewedu, gbegiri, ofada rice and pounded yam.
Members of different ethnic groups attended the service dressed in Yoruba traditional attire, reinforcing the message of unity in diversity.
One of the organisers, media consultant Bode Olagoke, said the church had previously celebrated other ethnic groups and would continue to promote cultural diversity as a means of strengthening national cohesion.
Olagoke said the cultural Sunday initiative was also intended to educate younger generations about their heritage, the meanings of their names and the values their communities represent.
He said the initiative would help children understand the importance of cultural identity and respect for others.
