The Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Oliver Ali Aba, says the country is struggling to become great as a nation.
Aba said this on Friday, during an interactive session with newsmen at the end of a dedication and holy communion service at St. John’s Methodist Church, Okai Item, in the Bende Local Government Area of Abia.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the service was held in honour of Bishop Sunday Onuoha, President of Vision Africa Radio, Umuahia, who celebrated his 60th birthday.
He said: “Nigeria, with a population of at least 200 million people, meant much to Africa and the world as a whole in the area of the economy, and it has what it takes to be great.
“And for that simple reason, Nigeria is still struggling to have its final place in the commonwealth of nations.
“I want to assure us that Nigeria as a nation is full of blessings from God and humanity.
“Every serious nation today started somewhere, so we are on the track of progress until we finally settle there.
“That is why we are having challenges, and as these problems come our way, we will continue to solve them one by one until we have reached our destination.”
Earlier in a homily, the prelate urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of gratitude and thanksgiving to receive greater blessings from God.
Reading from the gospel of Luke 17:15–17, the cleric recalled the story of the 10 lepers who were healed by Jesus Christ, but only one of them came back to thank Him.
He congratulated Onuoha on his 60th anniversary and described him as an icon, not only in his state, Abia, but also in Nigeria as a whole.
He said that Onuoha is a very humble and exemplary leader, with remarkable achievements that have challenged everyone.
Highlights of the church service included the cutting of the birthday cake by Onuoha, who used the opportunity to thank God and his guests that came to honour him.
NAN reports that the church service was attended by many clerics from different churches across the country. (NAN)
