The Administrator of the National Worship Center of the United Evangelical Church, Reverend Chris Effiong, has called on Nigeria’s leaders to adopt a more cautious, humane, and spiritually guided approach to governance in the face of worsening insecurity across the country.
Delivering his Sunday sermon, Reverend Effiong expressed deep concern over what he described as the “senseless and recurring loss of innocent lives,” noting that children, students, farmers, and ordinary citizens going about their lawful activities have continued to fall victim to violence and unrest.
He lamented that the frequency of such tragedies is gradually forming a dangerous pattern that, if left unchecked, could become normalized. According to him, the persistence of these incidents not only reflects systemic failures but also risks provoking moral and spiritual consequences for the nation.
“This pattern must not be allowed to continue,” he warned. “The blood and cries of those who have died unjustly may call for justice, and the pain inflicted on families and communities could have far-reaching repercussions for the nation.”
Reverend Effiong urged political leaders at all levels to become more sensitive and responsive to the plight of citizens, stressing that leadership must go beyond policy and power to embrace empathy, accountability, and responsibility.
He further emphasized the need for divine intervention, particularly in addressing challenges that appear resistant to conventional solutions. He called on leaders to humble themselves, seek God’s guidance, and approach governance with a renewed sense of purpose and moral clarity.
Citing past and ongoing national tragedies—including the deaths of protesters at Lekki Toll Gate, the Nyanya bombing, recurring violence in Plateau State, and widespread assaults against women and girls—Effiong noted that these events represent not only human failures but also deep moral wounds that require urgent healing.
He cautioned that allowing such negative patterns to persist could entrench them as societal norms, thereby undermining the nation’s moral and developmental fabric. “Negative patterns must be confronted, disrupted, and decisively discouraged,” he said.
In his concluding remarks, the cleric outlined what he described as a pathway to national healing and restoration. First, he urged leaders to demonstrate humility by acknowledging shortcomings and offering sincere apologies to citizens affected by policies and failures of governance.
Secondly, he called on those in authority to cultivate godliness and align their actions with what he termed “the divine purpose for the nation,” emphasising that true leadership must prioritize the collective good and long-term prosperity of the country.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
