An Anglican Church cleric, Ven. Kehinde Aremu, on Monday urged citizens to allow a reformation of the country to ensure development of its economy.
Aremu, the Sub-Dean in Charge of the Cathedral Church of St David, Kudeti, made the call at a news conference in Ibadan.
The conference was organised as part of a week-long activity lined up for the anniversary of the 170 years old Church with the theme: “Jesus Christ The Same Yesterday, Today and Forever”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Church of St. David Kudeti, Diocese of Ibadan South, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion was founded by the late German missionary and evangelist, David Hinderer on April 27, 1853.
According to Aremu, political leaders and the entire citizens should return to God, repent and allow a national rebirth to produce a country everyone will be proud of.
He said that to address the situation in Nigeria, leaders should note that righteousness exalted a nation and sin was a reproach to any people.
“Our leaders must know that nobody has any wisdom of himself except it is given by God. That is why we need to turn to God, the problems facing the country is not beyond what God can solve.
“We have neglected God for long, we depend so much on our own wisdom and so we are left on our own. We must know that without the help of God, we can do nothing,” he said.
The cleric said that increase in the rate of crime in spite of large number of churches was sign that the world was about to end.
He noted that the church had impacted on many lives economically, aside spreading the gospel for 170 years and being a place where christianity started in southwest apart from Lagos end.
“We are not relenting in our welfare programmes, big institutions such as Emmanuel College of theology, St Anne’s School and many more which emanate from the church.
“We ensure that our Computer and Innovation Centre is open to all irrespective of religion or tribe, “he said.
Earlier, Chairman, Anniversary Planning Committee, Mogaji Olutunde Aboderin, said that the anniversary presented opportunity to families, friends and associates to identify with the enduring history and legacy of faith, nurtured by perseverance that the church represented.
He added that adequate security had been put in place to ensure safety of lives and properties during the programme.
NAN reports that the week long anniversary will hold between Sept. 18 and Sept. 24.
The event will feature medical outreach, youths variety day, unveiling of the Baobab tree where the first service was held in April 27, 1853 and planting of new trees.
It will also feature book launch, reopening of first storey building in Ibadan land, the David and Anna Hinderer House within the church premises, hosting of invited Anglican spiritual heads and other dignitaries.