The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Reverend Henry Ndukuba, has urged Nigerians to remain hopeful despite the country's worsening economic challenges.
He emphasized the need for faith, good leadership, and industrial development as critical solutions to reviving the nation's fortunes.
Speaking at the 35th Anniversary Awards and Carnival for Christ Celebration held in Abuja, Weekend, Reverend Ndukuba addressed the pressing issues facing Nigeria.
He reassured citizens that God would eventually lift the country out of its difficulties and urged them not to lose hope despite the hardships.
The Primate identified corruption and poor leadership as major factors hindering Nigeria's progress. He criticized the alleged misuse of public funds, particularly referencing claims that over N318 billion was spent on the implementation of a new version of the national anthem, a figure he described as appalling.
He spoke at the event marked 35 years of the Anglican Communion's existence in Abuja.
Ndukuba said: "We should not give up, we should hope in the power of God, who is not like us, who will not fail, who will not be wary, who will not abandon his own.
"Because we have seen that by faith in this God, people can be lifted, people can be helped, people can even use the little resources at their disposal to achieve great things.
"And so, we are sending out a message of hope to Nigeria that we will not stop hoping and trusting in God. In due season, the Lord will lift this nation.
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"It is so crazy to say that one of the ministers of this nation is telling us that they spent over N318 billion in the implementation of bringing in the new old national anthem. Did they compose a new one? What did they do? This N318 billion, will it not be enough to establish industries?
"Nigeria is richly blessed, but because of the endemic corruption in our system, palliatives will not get to those who need it.
"But if there will be a revitalization, a reactivation of our agro-industries, cotton in Funtua to feed the textile industries in Kaduna, maize and cereal being produced in the far North, North East, North West and indeed, we are able to process food and feed not only this nation but this continent of Africa.
"What will turn around our fortune is industrialization. They will be able to feed their families. Even if we concentrate on growing tomatoes and processing some of these, our agro-industries and growing our agro-industries."
"As we celebrate the 35 years of our existence, we pray that the Lord will manifest his glory and power, bless Nigeria, bless her citizens, bless her leadership, and indeed, raise us from where we are to position us to where he desires us to be."
