CAN, PFN Urge Nigerians To Remain Hopeful

By ‘Tunde Babalola

President of the Christians Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, urged Nigerians to remain hopeful irrespective of the harsh economic situation in the country.

He appealed to political leaders to use the season of Christmas to bring relief and joy to the citizens and also lessen the pains of Nigerians by paying more attention to their well-being in the prompt payment of workers’ salaries and pensions to the pensioner.

In his Christmas massage entitled, “Christmas, a season of Peace, Hope and Joy”, Ayokunle noted that what Nigerians are passing through currently might not be what would cause us to rejoice or give anybody hope of tomorrow humanly speaking, unless those in power are more decisive and God intervenes for us.

“It is the good you have done now that people would remember tomorrow. Please, let us lessen the pains of Nigerians, let all things be done to reduce the high cost of things in the market and let enabling environment be created for employment of our youths who are roaming the streets having no job.

“I rejoice with all Christians in Nigeria and of course all over the world at this season when God became man to live among us to redeem us from all our sins and eternal death. My message to all Nigerians is to remain hopeful in Christ Jesus and rejoice in hope, no matter what the situation we are passing through may be,” he said.

The CAN president, who implored Nigerians not to let off their guards on COVID-19 protocols, said the world had entered the fourth phase of the pandemic and it is spreading faster than other phases.

“Please, wherever you go, especially in public places such as markets and churches, wear your masks and keep all the safety protocols. I pray that none of us would die untimely in the mighty name of Jesus.

“ I urge you to receive Jesus as the Lord over your life today, share the message of the saving power of Jesus with others who do not know him and show love in a practical way to someone around you. Let us through the love of Christ embrace one another irrespective of religious, ethnic and political differences,” Ayokunle advised.

Also, President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke, urged Nigerians not to be dampened by whatever harrowing experience they might be going through as the birth of Jesus Christ, which is being celebrated around the world, represents hope and joy for mankind.

Oke, who is also the President of The Sword of the Spirit Ministries, gave the encouragement in his Christmas and New Year message.

The cleric pointed out that the birth of Jesus Christ offers an opportunity to the people to commit their ways to God and be truthful in their earthly service to humanity.

“This season which celebrates the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, represents hope and joy for all the people of the earth. So, regardless of the situation we find ourselves, this opportunity given to you and I on a silver platter shows that we should be more than grateful by serving Him, the Almighty, with everything in us”.

He called on the authorities in the country to double their efforts at confronting the challenges facing the people in all forms.

“Our government at all levels should continue to work relentlessly towards making sure that our security, economic and political challenges, among others, are turned around for the good of the country and its people. Our economy should be knocked into shape by revamping it to bring down high cost of living in the land,” he admonished.

On the coming 2022, Oke assured Nigerians that it would be filled with abundant blessings and joy for the nation and its people, particularly those who key into the programmes of God.