Former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, on Sunday, advised leaders and the privileged in Nigeria not to use their positions to oppress people.
Jonathan gave the advice at a special thanksgiving service to celebrate the 50th birth anniversary of the General Overseer of Rock of Ages Christian Assembly International (RACAi), Pastor Charles Osazuwa, in Benin City.
He stated that because positions were temporary, leaders must learn not to use the positions to punish people as they would only be remembered for the impact they made on the society.
According to him, some of the things he did while in office were still being talked about today, and he believed that any position he occupied should not be used to cause the death of anybody.
“Any position I have occupied which were by divine providence, it was my belief that it should not be used to create hardship for the people,” he said.
Jonathan commended Pastor Osazuwa for his accomplishments from a very humble beginning, saying “his profile reminds me of the humble beginnings of some of our church leaders and even Christ.”
He added: “Most great men of God came from very humble beginning and we are happy that Pastor Charles has impacted on the society at just 50.”
At the service, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, thanked God for the life of Pastor Osazuwa, and said that he was a man who always spoke truth to power and urged him not to relent.
He noted that the church would be instrumental to the solution of the current challenges bedevilling the nation and charged church leaders to speak up on the challenges.
“I thank God that he is 50 and I know that the Lord has many more years for him in His vineyard.
“He has impacted so many lives, including mine, and one good thing you enjoy here is that you have a man of God that preaches Christ and salvation and whenever he is with me that has always been his emphasis and I cherish it.
“When you are in a privileged position of authority you need people to remind you of your purpose in life as a Christian.
“He speaks with the fear of God only and not the fear of man and I believe that all our church leaders should continue to speak in that manner.
“It is important for us as church leaders to speak out bodly in the interest of the nation because the prophetic words that come from their mouth will also help to change this nation.
“The problems that we have in the nation today will be solved through the church because the Lord will hear the prayers of the church,” Okowa stated.
