* Says Good leaders will emerge in Nigeria
*Urges Christians to imbibe love, unity, sacrifice
Akinpelu Kehinde, Ilorin
A stalwart of the Social Democratic Party, Pastor Engineer Sunday Adebayo Babalola, on Sunday, urged Kwara State indigenes and residents not to despair over some of the challenges in the state.
He stated that God will soon raise good, humane, and caring political leaders who will deliver dividends of democracy to them.
The pastor and politician advised indigenes and residents of Kwara State not to despair but to have hope for a bright tomorrow.
He identified some of the challenges facing the people of the state to include poverty, hunger, an unfriendly business environment, and insecurity but stated that things will change for the better.
In his Easter message, he said there will be the emergence of good, responsive, responsible, humane, and accountable leaders, who God, will use to salvage the country.
According to him, Nigeria will overcome insecurity, hunger, poverty, and mass unemployment.
He also said the country will overcome an unfriendly business environment, tribalism, nepotism, inflation, corruption, mismanagement, and other developmental challenges.
According to him, God will intervene in the affairs of the nation and cause the election of good leaders who will deliver dividends of democracy and good governance.
He advised Nigerians not to be despondent because of the current hardship, insecurity, inflation, and other challenges in the country, adding that God will address the current challenges of the nation.
He reiterated that God will intervene and make Nigeria become a cynosure in the comity of nations.
The politician urged Nigerian leaders to work for the unity and progress of the country.
He also advised Nigerians to co-exist harmonious and eschew divisive tendencies.
He admonished them to love one another and make sacrifices, which he noted are some of the lessons of Easter.
The pastor also urged people, especially, Christians all over the world, in Nigeria and particularly, in Kwara State, to bask in the victory of Jesus Christ over death.
He stated that Easter is a unique Christian period that marks the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
According to him, Easter marks the victory of God through Jesus Christ over the devil, sickness, sin, and other afflictions of the devil.
Babalola said, “Easter is a special period in Christiandom. The period is used to mark the crucifixion, death, and the glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Easter marks God’s defeat of the forces of evil and the devil which led to the salvation of mankind from sin, sickness, and all the pangs of the devil.
“This Easter coincided with fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan for our brothers, sisters, fathers, and mothers who are Muslim ummahs. Such a coincidence is rare.
“It could be a pointer that God will intervene, positively impact the world, and address global challenges.
“I wish fellow Christians around the world, Nigeria and in particular, in Kwara State, a very memorable celebration.
“They should imbibe and daily exhibit the lessons of Easter which are love, unity, sacrifice, godliness, and mutual co-existence.
“Merriment should be done in moderation to avoid sad stories.
“Road users should be safety conscious and be mindful of other road users, safety and security tips, regulations, and rules.”
He added, “Nigerians should not despair as there is hope for Nigeria. Nigeria, certainly, will overcome its current challenges and emerge a cynosure in the comity of nations. We need to eschew divisive tendencies and work to unite and move the country forward. Nigeria will overcome insecurity, banditry, terrorism, herders-farmers clashes, hunger, poverty, mass unemployment, unfriendly business environment, tribalism, nepotism, inflation, corruption, mismanagement, and other developmental challenges.
“Good, responsive, responsible, humane, and accountable leaders will emerge, who God, will use to salvage the country. Nigeria will once again become the true ‘Giant of Africa.’
Babalola also said, “To my fellow Kwarans, do not be despondent. It is obvious that this is not the best of times in the state. Poverty, hunger, an unfriendly business environment, and insecurity are challenges in the state.
“People also complain of lack of access to quality and affordable medicare and education as well as high cost of living, mass unemployment, and lack of access to potable water. There are also complaints of lack of welfare for the people, mismanagement, and bad governance.
“God will intervene and salvage the state. Better days are ahead. Kwarans, with good electoral decisions, will soon be happy. Good, caring, and humane leaders will soon emerge in the state by God’s grace who will address the challenges in the state.”