Nigeria’ll rise from ashes of shame – Bishop Okonkwo

The Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, has said that in spite of the current economic recession and other developmental challenges, Nigeria will rise to become a positive reference in the comity of nations.

He, however, said it was imperative for Nigerians and the nation’s leaders to be proactive, innovative and foresighted, adding that they should appropriate technological advancements and modern trend and practices to fast-track national growth and development.

He spoke on Sunday in Lagos during TREM’s special programme tagged, ‘Breeding leaders for empowerment and national transformation.’

The bishop called on Nigerians to appropriate the positive aspects of the social media to advance their careers, education, businesses and lifestyles.

He urged the nation’s leaders to emulate some other leaders from advanced countries and adopt pragmatic and innovative programmes and policies that will advance the nation; as well as break away from conventional approach to governance.

He lamented that the current state of Nigeria was unexciting, adding that it was imperative to diversify the economy from being oil revenue-dependent.

Okonkwo said, “God is not a counterfeiter. When God wants to do something in our lives, He gives information, wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Where we are now with the media and the internet is still nothing compared with what is coming. God is too big to be put in a box.

“Some people, especially young people who have opportunities to travel outside this country, will cry for this nation. We are still living in Stone Age in Nigeria. You travel outside and you ask yourself, ‘What is wrong with us in this country.’ People have gone far.

“The King of Saudi (Arabia) is already connecting to China. They are moving out of oil. They are no longer thinking of oil, they are now into other areas of technology that will give them money in their country. They are already ahead, so that in the next few years, they will be controlling things. So it is not about oil any longer. They know that oil is becoming obsolete and we are still struggling with oil.”

The guest speaker, Mr. Chude Jideonwo, urged Nigerians from all walks of life to embrace modern technology and global best practices to advance their undertakings.

He stated that Nigerians were under-utilising the potential of the media.

Jideonwo, who is the co-founder of Red Media; urged Nigerians to aggressively seek knowledge, update their skills and hire people who have required knowledge and competences.