A fiery Cleric and General Overseer of Holy Trinity Authority Prophetic International Church, Ado Ekiti, Prophet James Omitade, has declared that Nigeria has refused to attain development since Independence, owing to lack of patriotic leaders who could ignite change in the system.
Prophet Omitade averred that, Nigeria will only ascend the ladder of development that can geometrically improve the standards of living of the citizens, when leaders who are God-fearing and with unshaken commitment, sacrifice and devotion to nationhood take positions at all cadres of governance.
The renowned Ekiti Cleric, said this in his message titled: “Nigeria: Great in Individual, but not as a nation”, marking the 65th Independence Anniversary of the Nigeria, which was released to journalists, in Ado Ekiti, on Monday.
The man of God lamented the slow pace of economic development in the country and the alleged penchant of the privileged leaders to enslave and imprison the citizens, warning that these must stop to avert the wrath of God from vising the perpetrators of such acts.
“We must forget this habit of selfishness and personal aggrandisement at the expense of others. We must not think of self alone, but we must think of others, because this will not profit any nation”, he said.
Prophet Omitade urged the leaders to be prudent and live austere lifestyles that can checkmate the endemic corruption and unbridled accumulation of wealth, appealing to leaders to redirect their psyches to things that will profit the country, rather than those that benefit only their families.
He bemoaned that lack of commitment to the country’s leadership has manifested in various negative ways like: corruption, political thuggery, youth neglect, and poor standard of living, saying no leader will feel comfortable when all these socio-economic maladies are hitting the citizens.
“Let me start by congratulating Nigerians on the occasion of the 65th Independence of this Nation. It has been a long walk, though without freedom and expected prosperity.
“Nigeria is a great nation whose prosperity becomes stunted by non- committed leaders who only think of themselves. We have to change our ways because the system is becoming a recurrent decimal, thereby portraying no hope in sight situation.
“For us to move forward and enjoy that prosperity God has planned for us, we must have committed leaders. The followers too must show commitment, because it is among them that the leaders emerge”, said the man of God.
The Prophet appealed to the citizens not to despair nor lose hope in the possibility of the Nigerian greatness, saying “with God, all things are possible.
“For us to get it right, we just do it right and doing it right means we must fear God and abide with his commandments. No nation develops when sins and transgressions take the centre stage.
“Every privileged people in Nigeria has mortgaged the future of the people. Building of roads is not enough. Chief Obafemi Awolowo built the Southwest region to the extent that he provided infrastructures and also built human resources that are now the pride of the zone. Today’s leaders must follow this trend.
“The population is increasing, jobs are not there, so criminalities will continue to soar. When political leaders are messing up the system through corruption, those saddled with other responsibilities like traditional rulers, church leaders, civil servants and medical personnel, are only chasing things that will favour them. We are not putting humanity first and this is utterly bad and sinful”.
The Prophet appealed to the federal government to be diligent in enforcement of laws to checkmate the upsurge of insecurity, criminalities and infuse attitudinal change, saying “notorious lawbreakers in Nigeria are the most obedient abroad”.