Nigerians should be patient with President Buhari  -cleric

The Head Pastor of the Celestial Church of  Christ,  Rev. Pastor Josiah Owodunni, has emphasised on the need for Nigerians to be patient with the president Muhammadu Buhari led Government,  advising that they should pray rather than complain.

The pastor who was speaking during a  world press conference marking the 70th Anniversary of the church at its  International headquarters in Ijeshatedo,  Lagos, admonished all citizen to be fervent in prayers for the love of God to increase in the heart of the President.

He maintained that it is only when the Love of God abounds in the heart of a leader that he will be motivated to do things that will be favourable to all.

In his remark on the state of the nation,  the Reverend said,  “I will Counsel patience on the part of the people,  give Buhari some time.  What is happening in Nigeria is not peculiar to Nigeria alone.

” Every country has its own ups and downs,  we should be patient and help him with prayers and Nigeria will succeed.Prayer is very important because without it we are helpless,  but with prayers we become strong.”

While admonishing those in position of leadership,  Owodunni said every leader should imbibe the spirit of humility in their dealings and decision making process.

He said the family,  the church and the nation can only get better when humility and not pride thrives, saying “pride destroys but humility does not”.

On the protracted leadership crisis  that had caused factions in the Celestial Church of Christ,  Owodunni stated that the church will continue to pray for the Oshoffa family to come to terms with the choice of the late Founder,  Pastor Oshoffa.

He said the Constitution of the church as drafted by the founder spelt out how a successor should be appointed,  ” before the late pastor and founder left us,  he did what was good,  he appointed his own successor and the hierarchy of the church knew it.  Some people were of the opinion that it would have been them.  It is still that spirit of why not me that is still disturbing the church. Section 108 of the Constitution States how a successor should be appointed,  while section 109, says there should be only one Pastor.”

Speaking on the atrocities some of the pastors within the fold perpetrate   ,  Owodunni said, ” There are indeed some false Celestial Pastors,  they are not one of us  but profess to be part of us.  How can you belong to a cult and also be a part of the church,  you cannot serve two masters at a time.”

He attributed the desire for earthly pleasures especially money  as the reason for the increase in bad eggs in the fold.

Advising his members, he said,  “The love of money will cause the downfall of many,  we should be concerned with God providing us with our daily bread. “

Speaking on the events lined up for the programme which will hold from  September 29th to October 1st, Owodunni said it will be a period of Thanksgiving and a time to reflect on if the church has achieved what God expects of them.

He also called on the fourth estate of the realm to continue to give accurate  information to members of the public as well as inform our leaders of the plight of the common man. He maintained that the media remains “the conscience of  the Nation”.