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…Hails Yoruba contributions to national development —
The Zonal Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Everlasting Light Parish, Abuja, Pastor David Okoror, has urged Nigerian leaders to use power to protect citizens rather than deprive them of their rights and resources.
Okoror gave the charge on Sunday in Abuja during the church’s Yoruba Cultural Sunday celebration, themed, “Our Culture Is Not Evil and Should Not Die.”
The cleric, who is also a security expert, said Nigeria was facing challenges, including insecurity, unemployment and hunger, but urged citizens to remain grateful for the country’s continued unity.
“Currently, a lot of things seem to be very wrong in Nigeria. We have challenges everywhere. But the Bible commands us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 that in all things we should give thanks,” he said.
He said Nigerians should appreciate God that the country remained united despite its difficulties, adding that the achievements of the Yoruba people in education, medicine, industry and other professions provided reasons to celebrate the nation’s diversity.
According to him, the decision by a church with members from different ethnic backgrounds to celebrate Yoruba culture demonstrated how cultural diversity could promote national unity.
“Today, we are celebrating Yoruba culture, but the Igbo man is here, the Edo man is here. I am not a Yoruba person, but I am wearing agbada and a Yoruba cap. We are going to eat amala, gbegiri and Yoruba food. That is how we promote unity,” he said.
On governance, Okoror urged political leaders and public office holders to see power as a responsibility to protect the people rather than an instrument of oppression.
“My message to government and those who hold power is that they should use power and authority as a shield, as a protection, as a covering for the people,” he said.
He said such protection should extend to addressing insecurity, unemployment, hunger and poverty.
“Covering from insecurity, unemployment, hunger and destitution. That is the purpose of power,” he added.
The cleric warned that the misuse of authority would worsen the suffering of citizens and undermine their rights.
“When you use power as a sword, you use it to dispossess the people, you steal from the people, you take away their rights,” he said.
He, however, expressed optimism that Nigeria would overcome its challenges, urging citizens to maintain their faith in God.
“There is hope, as long as God is on the throne. He will see us through the current challenges and take us to the Promised Land,” he said.
Also speaking, the Parish Pastor, Otumba Oreoluwa Ariba, said the cultural celebration was an opportunity to appreciate God through Yoruba heritage.
Ariba, who hails from Ogun State, likened the event to the Oju de Oba festival in the state, describing praise and worship as important expressions of Christian faith.
“When you praise God, you move Him from His throne. It is the easiest way to get victory, to get answers to prayers and for God to fight your battles,” he said.
He explained that the church deliberately incorporated Yoruba language, traditional attire and music into the service to demonstrate that Christianity did not require the abandonment of cultural identity.
Similarly, Dr Bolaji Mejabi, a lecturer at Baze University, Abuja, and chairman of the organising committee, said the event was designed to challenge misconceptions about African culture and encourage younger generations to preserve their heritage.
Mejabi said the portrayal of African traditions as evil had contributed to the abandonment of valuable cultural practices, some of which had been embraced by other societies.
“Our culture is not evil at all. There are some practices we have to modernise, but everything should still give glory to God,” he said.
He expressed concern that many Yoruba children could no longer speak their language, greet elders appropriately or bear names that reflected their cultural heritage.
According to him, the Omoluabi ethos, which emphasises respect, love, integrity and unity, could help strengthen the country’s moral values and improve governance.
“Yoruba culture is all about love, unity and respect. We respect our elders and show love. If we revive these values in our homes and schools, it will reflect in governance,” he said.
He urged parents to teach their children Yoruba language, greetings, dressing and other cultural values, stressing that cultural education should begin at home.
Mejabi added that raising children with sound cultural and moral values was consistent with biblical teachings on child upbringing.
The event featured cultural dances, drama, gift presentations and traditional Yoruba delicacies, including amala, ewedu, gbegiri, ofada rice and pounded yam.
Members of different ethnic groups attended the service in Yoruba traditional attire, reinforcing the message of unity in diversity.
One of the organisers, media consultant Bode Olagoke, said the church had previously celebrated other ethnic groups and would continue the initiative to promote national cohesion.
He said the cultural celebrations were also intended to educate younger members about their heritage, the meanings of their names and the values they represented.
“The church authority came up with such Cultural Sunday to teach younger ones our real culture — culture of respect, meaning of the names they bear, and what we represent as a people,” he said.
