As the nation prepares for the 2015 general elections, the presiding Bishop of the Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM, Dr. Mike Okonkwo has warned Nigerians not to sell their votes for bags of rice or other pecuniary items stressing that their votes represent their lives.
“You don’t vote somebody because he gives you bag of rice. You don’t have to sell your vote because someone gives you a temporary succor . Your vote is your life. When you give somebody your vote. You are telling him take my life and direct it wherever and however you like. That is what it means”, Okonkwo warns.
The revered cleric made the admonition today at an annual event organized by his church called Breeding Leaders For Empowerment and National (BLENT) with the theme, “State of the Nigerian Power sector: Issues, Alternatives and Prospects”.
The 69 year old bishop also called on his parishioners to register to vote at the forthcoming elections adding that he would personally request to sight their voters’ cards when the elections approach.
“Now election is coming make sure you are registered. You don’t have a choice as a member of this church not to register. You must register within the area of your residence. I will ask for your cards before the election.
“I know some of you will ask, what can my vote do?, it can do a lot. It can make a lot of difference. That is very important so that we can change Nigeria. Wherever you find yourself in the society decide to be a change agent.If everyone decides to be a change, you will be surprised the impact will can make in the society”, he urged.
Okonwko also advocated sure ways of curbing corruption which has become a hydra-monster inhibiting the nation’s growth. According to the preacher, corruption would be extinct when nabbed corrupt individuals are dispossessed of their loots and put them behind bars to serve as deterrent for others.
He said, “Corruption can be stopped. When someone is caught for stealing money, take the money from him and put him in jail. Definitely, that will discourage a lot of people from corruption because they will know that the proceeds of corruption will be taken and also end up in jail.People think twice before stealing
‘But if someone steals billions and you put him in jail for three months and after then he comes out to enjoy his ill-gotten wealth, corruption cannot be curbed that way”.
The cleric called on political leaders and the anti-graft agencies to double their efforts in the fight against corruption. He recalled that during the tenure of ex-chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, many government officials were careful about graft due to the courage of the former EFCC boss to arrest anybody indicted no matter how highly placed.
On why this year edition of BLENT focused on Nigerian power sector, the presiding bishop of TREM said the power sector was crucial to every sector of the economy saying there is no way there could be meaningful development without fixing the epileptic power supply in the country.
He lamented the huge cost organizations including churches spend on energy. According to him, the crisis in the power sector has driven scores of businesses to the neighbouring West African countries like Ghana where there is constant power supply.
His words, ‘As you are no doubt aware, one area we have grappled with as a nation over the years has been the generation , transmission and distribution of power to all nooks and crannies of Nigeria .
Successive administrations have over time promised so much and delivered so little to the Nigerian public. We have had series of interventions in the sector , but there is still much to be desired to be desired. No nation can fully develop its potentials without a vibrant power sector to drive its economy because almost everything we do is depended on power.
Today, the cost of production has skyrocketed because our industries and manufacturing sector have to invest so much to meet their power needs . From multinationals to the average welder on the road side, adequate power supply is a much needed resource to drive the economy”.
He however acknowledged the efforts of the current government in repositioning the sector for optimum effectiveness. He said, ‘ I truly want to thank God for the efforts of all those in the power sector who are working hard to see that power in Nigeria is developed, promoted and fully repositioned so that we can restore back our lost glory.
“I am a firm believer that God is visiting Nigeria again. All the years that the locust , caterpillar, Cankerworm and Palmerworm have destroyed will all be restored and Nigeria will once again take her place in the comity of nations”.
While further emphasizing the role of the church in nation building, Okonkwo noted that the church as an institution should make maximum impact in every sphere of life and lead the way in the mission of national transformation.
“ I want to assure all our friends in the house that as a church , we believe that one of our major assignments is to make positive impact in our world for the kingdom.
“We believe in the project called Nigeria and necessity is laid upon us to take the bull by the horns and jumpstart the National Transformation process. That is why our efforts and operation as a church are geared towards making our members agents of transformation.
“ We believe that the church has gone beyond sitting down clapping hands and shouting Hallelujah. The world out there is waiting for us to show the way. Creation is waiting for us to manifest and this is our time .
“Like I have always said and it bears repetition , government cannot do it alone, it is an assignment for each and every one of us. When we all arise to cover our corners, pretty soon we would have made a significant impact”.
