Nigeria’s Latter Glory Will Bounce Back Stronger, Greater – Bishop Priscilla Otuya

…Calls on government to endorse faith-based initiatives and NGOs

The Convener of Mothers of the Nation and People’s Bishop, Bishop (Dr) Priscilla Otuya, has assured Nigerians that the nation’s latter glory will bounce back stronger, greater, and better.

She made the declaration while calling on visionary Nigerians to come together as one body to build a new Nigeria, rather than trading blames, complaining, and making inflammatory statements without taking action.

Bishop Otuya spoke at the Vision Collective for National Regeneration, a one-day mini-summit and media parley convened to showcase God-given visions, enterprise, innovation, and solutions for national regeneration, themed “How to Build It.” The initiative, powered by Nigeria First and News Nigeria International, USA, was held at Rockview Hotel, Festac Town, Lagos.

According to her, the time has come to gather like-minded people for national rebuilding.

“We have come to a point where we need to start gathering like-minded people, because the human body is made up of different parts. Whoever has an idea for a new and better Nigeria, it is time to move from making inflammatory statements to demonstrating what we can actually do to make this new Nigeria a reality,” she said.

“It is easy to find faults and castigate the government. But it is time to move beyond mediocrity and complaining, to seek out those whom God has given a similar vision and idea to make Nigeria work. All the parts of the body must come together to function effectively,” she stated.

Elaborating on the vision, Otuya said: “In 2006, during a Leadership Training Workshop at the Obasanjo Farm in Ota, organized by the African Leadership Forum, I received the revelation of a new Nigeria. Since then, I have been working quietly behind the scenes with some people, trying to reorient Nigerians on what they need to do and how they should see things.”

Quoting scriptures and citing biblical examples, she assured that signs abound that Nigeria’s latter glory will be greater.

“If you are of the Spirit and a follower of Christ, you will see things before they happen,” she noted.

She added: “The ways of God are not the ways of man. It is time to position ourselves to see new things. This is not about the government or any individual, but because it is ordained by God, Nigeria comes first.”

“At 66 now, by the time Nigeria turns 70, we will see visible change – not by power, nor by government, but by Divine will and His supreme intelligence,” Otuya declared.

On actualizing the vision, the cleric stressed the need for honesty and inclusivity.

“We need to be honest with ourselves and create a platform where people can present their ideas and be well represented. At the end of it, the vision will be actualized. If God has earmarked you to make an impact, He will enable you and create the platform,” she said.

Speaking on collective responsibility, Otuya advocated the use of the Church as a context, noting that while the Church as an institution may not be able to play a direct role, the elect among them whom God has encountered in their various capacities will be called out to play key roles in the vision.

For effective governance, Bishop Otuya appealed to the Federal Government to create an Office for Faith-Based Initiatives and NGOs as a channel to reach more citizens and communities. She clarified that the call was not necessarily for funding, but for recognition and encouragement of their activities to do more.

In his remarks, Rev. Dr. Oladele Ajayi, Presiding Chaplain of the Chapel of Christ the Light (CCTL), Alausa, Ikeja, said that in the past 20 years, CCTL has committed itself to becoming a model inter-denominational church with vibrant Men’s, Women’s, Youth, and Children’s fellowships, as well as regular public services that reach diverse people without denominational bias.

“It is a place that accommodates different forms of worship, but with a distinct pattern to run with, and that is why it is called inter-denominational,” he said.

Rev. Ajayi called for collaboration with unity of purpose, adding, “Let us come together and return to the old Church without denominational barriers, doctrines, and traditions, but operate in the unity of the Spirit through the teachings of Christ.”

In her contribution, Hon. (Pastor) Bolatito Ladega commended the Convener and organizers for the initiative. She noted that the older generation faced fewer challenges compared to the new generation which is confronted with numerous problems, but expressed faith that Nigeria will get better. “I believe in God for everything; Nigeria will get better and be okay,” she said.

Also speaking, Rev. Joseph Nkwa Chijo, Overseer of the United Gospel Churches of African Nations (UGCAN), said isolation, especially in faith-based activities, is not encouraging. He stressed that to build a better Nigeria that citizens can be proud of and hand over to the next generation, barriers must be broken and stakeholders must collectively work to make the vision succeed.

A highlight of the summit was the presentation of awards to honour distinguished Nigerian clerics for their dedication and selfless service to the Church as God’s elect without barriers.