Vanguard End of Year Thanksgiving: Cleric wants Nigerians to back Buhari’s anti-graft war

…says no longer business as usual for politicians
Global economic downturn a cycle —Adefaye

By Olayinka Latona & Providence Obuh

THE General Overseer of Tabernacle of Safety Church, Prophet Samson Olayooye, yesterday, appealed to Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s war against corruption in the country.

The cleric, who spoke at the end-of-year thanksgiving and praise service, organised by Vanguard Media Limited, said it was imperative to discover the causes of corruption and eliminate them.

The cleric, who assured that in spite of the present economic meltdown in the country, expressed that there is still a strong hope for Nigerians, stressing that President Buhari needed the wisdom of God to pull through in the fight against corruption in the country.

He said: “I pray that God will endow our President with the necessary wisdom that he needs to direct the affairs of the nation, God’s wisdom to fight against corruption will be released on him and he should hold on to his commitment to fight corruption and he will win the battle by God’s grace.”

In his words: “In the year 2016, shaking in this nation will stop. If the prophecies of doom concerning Nigeria did not come to pass, all we needed to do next year is stabilising, although it is not a place for the corrupt.

“Spirituality is the thing that God will use to place people in the position of authority. It is no longer business as usual in Nigeria; it is era of giving account of what you did with people’s money while in office.

“Nigerians must return to God in prayer, and anytime a nation returns to God in prayer, God responds and when He responds, He responds like rain.

“From what will start happening now in Nigeria, the whole world will know that God has decided to help and favour Nigeria. God has been keeping us as a nation despite various challenges because He has plan and purpose for us.”

Calling on the newly elected ministers to rule with the fear of God and cooperate with Mr. President in the fight against corruption and also deliver dividends of democracy to the people, Prophet Olayooye said: “All the new ministers should cooperate with Mr. President. It is no longer business as usual. Transparency, honesty and integrity must be their watchwords. Anything money is approved for, the evidence must be on ground.”

In his message entitled, “Lord God Omnipotent,” the cleric emphasised that God has power to change all negative circumstances, assuring the participants that no matter the challenges of life, which they had been facing and which they might have sought for solutions in different quarters, God would provide lasting solution to them.

Economic downturn a cycle

Meanwhile, the Editor-in-Chief of Vanguard Media Limited, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, in his welcome address urged participants that Vanguard is moving on, describing the global economic downturn as a cycle.

“I can give you words of assurance that it is in challenges like this, when you are tested that you show skill through endurance, prayer and fortitude.

“Vanguard is moving on and trampling over all the troubles and I have full assurance that we will triumph over the present challenges. We do know that even in business, everything is from a cycle, the global economic downturn is a cycle, the cycle that we are passing through will also pass away in Jesus’ name.”

Adefaye, who also represented the Publisher, Mr. Sam Amuka, urged the staff to always praise God despite the current challenges facing the country.

He stated: “We need to give praises to God  Almighty for preserving us despite all the challenges. I can tell you it is not only here that we are experiencing challenges. It is a national thing, it is a global challenge. It is only when it is tough that the tough gets going and I am happy to say that among the institutions that are considered to be up to weathering the storm globally, Vanguard is counted as one. So, we have a real cause to praise God Almighty.

“I have a good will message of the Chairman, that you all stay strong and steadfast. God will see us through.”

However,  the co-coordinator of Vanguard Media Christian Fellowship, Elder Emmanuel Obuh, encouraged the participants to appreciate God in any situation they find themselves, saying, “We need to praise God in all situations, appreciate and thank Him for keeping us from the beginning of the year till now and also for where He is taking us to.