By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
As the over 200 million people residing in Nigeria celebrated the country’s democracy day and historic June 12, the General Overseer of the Christian Central Chapel International, CCCI, a.k.a Faith Mansion World Headquarters, Ikot Ene-obong 8 Miles Calabar, Bishop Dr Gospel Emmah Isong, has solicited for citizens’ support and prayers for the nation’s leaders at all levels.
Isong stated that it is only when the people’s prayers and support is showered on leaders that lead well and withstand challenges that comes with the offices.
Isong dropped the charge on Monday in Calabar, while answering questions from journalists on the aborted June 12, which is celebrated to mark Democracy Day in Nigeria.
Isong solicited for Nigerians’ support home and abroad, urging them to put their weight solidly behind leaders of the nation, adding that with tolerance of one another, peaceful co-existence irrespective of ethnic and religious diversity, the country can still move forward.
Isong, who doubles as National Publicity Secretary, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, said that with tolerance for one another, prayers for those in places of authority, Nigeria can still recover it’s lost glory.
The cleric urged the citizens to see it as responsibility at all times to include their leaders in the prayers, so that God can direct the leaders on how to govern the people.
Isong, who spoke on the topic: “Responsibilities of Citizens to Their Newly Elected Leaders: Democracy Day Edition, enumerated the five cardinal responsibilities of citizens to their leaders to include prayers for those in high places/authority so that they can accomplish the expected mandate.
Isong added that other responsibilities include: keeping faith with the social contract, be patient, avoid murmuring, quick judgement and social media criticisms, stressing that all the vices mentioned can be a sort of distraction to people in places of authority.
The financial expert-turned preacher of the gospel called on all Nigerians to speak with one voice so that they can help leaders of the nation solve the security challenge faced by the country, adding that the insecurity challenge is a challenge which need collective responsibility of all.
He said, “Security of lives and property are paramount, if you see something, say something,” stressing that nations only thrive in a safe and peaceful atmosphere, that is devoid of ethno-religious rancour, and where there is social harmony.”
The National Patron of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, South-South zone, called on Nigerians to abide by the rule of law, support leaders of the country at all times, and above all steer clear from indulging in criminal activities.
Drawing allusion from Abraham Lincoln’s axiomatic postulation of “democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people.”
The cleric stated all that was required from the citizens was their total support.
The preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ called for maintenance of clean and green environment, which according to him was capable of attracting tourists into the state, a development he said would bring a value addition to the economy of the state and that of the nation at large.
