The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, has called on Nigerians to be truthful and diligent in 2023. <\/p>\n

Badejo made the call on Monday in his new year message titled \u2018Be Truthful and Diligent: God Will Save Nigeria\u2019. <\/p>\n

The Catholic Bishop said the New Year in view of what the previous year had been, called for Nigerians to be diligent and have a change of heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we do not change our ways, then nothing is new in the year, we simply cannot continue with a country where crime is tolerated or even rewarded and valour and virtue are punished. <\/p>\n

\u201cHow does one explain the platitude of the authorities in the face of the ongoing mayhem and bloodshed in Kaduna and Zamfara and elsewhere in the country? <\/p>\n

\u201cHow does anyone justify the fact that arrested suspects of the St. Francis Catholic Church Owo in Ondo State mass murder have still not been fully identified or prosecuted? So many are unattended and unresolved tragedies across the country. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe, Nigerians, must apply all our legitimate strengths and resources to snatch our country back from the threshold of total chaos; 2023 must be that year of promise.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have another opportunity, especially through the general elections to truthfully and courageously choose leaders who will pursue our common good and not their selfish dreams. So, secure your PVC and vote your own choice. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe must produce leaders with integrity and a good track record, who follow not the logic of the survival of the fittest, but the survival of the weakest, therefore, a nation where truth and justice will reign,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

He also urged Nigerians to pay no attention to Prophets of Doom, saying there is nothing wrong with faith religion, and prayer which the people have in abundance.<\/p>\n

Badejo enjoined Nigerians never to substitute prayer and religion for the opportunity to take Nigeria back from the grip of corruption, selfishness, criminality, and other evil practices. <\/p>\n

According to him, we must work and pray at the same time. <\/p>\n

\u201cAfter celebrating Christmas so prayerfully it will really amount to unbelief to doubt that if we do our best, God will ensure Nigeria\u2019s recovery. <\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, I ask Nigerians not to shun prophets of doom who, around this time annually, come up with hackneyed, visions and messages of doom.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s better to listen more to Jesus who says: \u2018Do not be afraid, I am with you, I am the way the truth and the life.\u2019 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe duty of true prophets is to admonish and encourage God\u2019s people to live righteous lives, galvanize them to do their duties, to pray for the nation and not to predict doom and destruction without redemption. <\/p>\n

\u201cIn nearby Ghana, security agencies have reportedly cautioned prophets of doom to desist from their trade this year, what a shame for security to be more disposed to giving hope than \u201cmen of God\u201d are; given that many Ghanaian prophets and pastors learnt from Nigerian \u2018masters\u2019. <\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe Nigeria should borrow a leaf from the Ghanaian authorities really, what use is prophetic declarations that do not eventually bring people nearer to God?,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

He further remarked that Nigeria would make more progress in all aspects once the citizens decided to live by the truth. <\/p>\n

\u201cLet us resolve firmly not to buy or sell our votes, it is a crime before the state and a sin before God to buy or sell votes. <\/p>\n

\u201cVote according to your conscience and experience, pray for God\u2019s direction in all you do, and work in that direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cShun evil and expose it wherever you can, let us know that evil done to the neighbor, unattended to, might eventually consume me, God forbid that to happen. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe must remember as has been proven many times over, that the power of the people will always be greater than the people in power if the people would only use that power correctly,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

Badejo urged all to always remember that \u201crighteousness exalts a nation while sin destroys it\u201d (Prov. 14:34). <\/p>\n

If my people who bear my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my presence and turn from their wicked ways, then I will listen from heaven and forgive their sins and restore their country.\u201d (2Chron. 7:14). <\/p>\n

\u201cThe earth is the Lord\u2019s and its fullness thereof, says the psalmist; the earth does not belong to the devil, so God will always have the power to make things right if only we mend our ways and do things right. <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, there is hope, so have a New Year happier than the last,\u201d Badejo said. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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