By Ayo Alonge
The Primate of The African Church, His Eminence, Dr. Emmanuel Udofia, has charged Nigerians on the need to embrace goodwill and true service to God, if the country is to cast off the tag of corruption.
Udofia stated this yesterday, in Lagos, at the official dedication of a cathedral built by a branch of the church.
In his sermon, taken from 2 Chronicles 7:14, the cleric charged Christians to shun sins and worship God truly.
“An act of service is not just about worshipping in a church building but about truly serving God with all our heart and soul. The central message of the church is that Jesus is key to our freedom and salvation and we must always embrace him as a people,” he said.
Addressing journalists, Udofia added that corruption would have eaten deeper into the fabric of the country but for the presence of churches everywhere.
“We must live a life that is so pleasing to God and surrender our lives to Him. When the country is led by the spirit of God, corruption will be a thing of the past because corruption comes as a result of not doing the will of God. Nobody can tell how Nigeria would have been, if Nigeria was not as religious as this. God sees the church as a place which provides solution to people’s problems.
“As corrupt as we are labelled, we wouldn’t have been where we are today but for the impact of the church and preponderance of churches in the country today,” said Udofia.
In his address, the Chairman of the Building Committee, Otunba Olutola Senbore, explained the makeup of the edifice.
“The cost of the project to date amounted to approximately N300 million, from the basement hall which can accommodate up to 300 guests for functions and meetings. The main auditorium can comfortably seat 500 worshipers. The gallery, when completely furnished with the appropriate folding chairs, will accommodate 300 worshippers,” said Senbore.