Advocacy
By Aderonke Ojediran
The Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim (ESOCS) has called on the church to be more alive to its responsibility as a catalyst for good governance in Nigeria.
The Prelate of ESOCS, Dr David Bob-Manuel, gave the charge at the seventh edition of the St. Moses Orimolade Memorial Lecture, on Saturday at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The lecture had the theme, ” The Church as a Catalyst for Good Governance in Nigeria”.
Bob-Manuel said that absence of social and moral principles contributed to bad leadership, saying that the church should do more to promote the principles.
” It is common knowledge that the continuity of any organisation lies on its leadership.
“The church, as a religious and social organisation, has an important role to play toward social change and improvement on society’s value system,” he said.
Bob-Manuel further said that the church was expected to teach morals to help to shape the society.
” The church of God on earth was designed to be a place where morals are taught and life-changing teachings are practised. It is a place of character moulding.
“In all, Christianity as a religion, is assumed to be capable of influencing the society positively,” he said.
The cleric said that Cherubim and Seraphim Church would be 100 years old on Sept. 9 2025.
“Let’s pray to God to preserve our lives to see this day and beyond,” he prayed.
Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun, the special guest of honour at the lecture, urged the church to speak up against bad governance.
“Silence by the church is not an option.
“The church must speak loud about free and fair elections, dignity of all human beings, superiority of public good over private interests, respect for the supremacy of the constitution, observance of the rule of law and equality of all citizens before the law.
“As a sitting governor, I firmly believe the church should mount advocacy on what impedes good governance, namely; autocracy, dictatorship, arbitrariness, culture of impunity, self-perpetuation in office, suppression of opposition, corruption and failure to respond to aspirations of the people.
“I lay emphasis on the fear of God in decision-making. Public interest is our moral compass. I govern strictly under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; hence, I strongly attribute my successes so far to my submission to the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit,” he said.
Adekele said that only a divinely-guided leader could deliver on good governance, restore public faith in politics, avoid self enrichment, resolve societal poverty, and observe the rule of law.
Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi, Founder of Love of Christ Generation Church, said it was important for the body of Christ to stay united in order to make demands from government on behalf of the society.
Dr Daniel Okoh, the President of Christian Association of Nigeria, who was the guest speaker and represented by Bishop Evan Onyemara, said that the church should speak up for good governance.
“The church should wake up, we have a huge role to play.
“In the current world order, the church must continue the difficult task of liberating society from spiritual darkness.
“Leaders, as the main agents of good governance, must be freed from spiritual blindness, because it is only then they can truly serve the people.
“My conviction is that people must be at the centre of the governance process. Policy making should start and end with public interest as the yardstick,” the cleric said.
