Speaking with Sunday Trust on Christmas Eve in his church in Utako, Abuja, Olupitan said, “We bless God for this great year ending a few days from now—2013 will be memorable to Nigerians especially Christians.”
He gave the reason it is so: “Christianity in the north, there’s a reprieve by God’s grace—the bombings and all this stuff were greatly reduced by the grace of God.”
The cleric spoke on the import of Christmas hinging his explanations from biblical portion: “For the season we’re in, in Isaiah 9:67, the bible says for unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the government will be upon his shoulder and his name will be called wonderful, counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace.
“Undoubtedly, the greatest gift God gave to the world after the fall of man was Jesus Christ.
“In John 3:16, the bible says for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.”
Olupitan described Christmas as time with huge economic benefits to nations of the world saying, “The season we’re in is a money spinning period.
“In fact, in America and some countries in Europe, the revenue realized this period runs into trillions of dollars in sale of Christmas tree, Christmas light, hampers for Boxing Day etc.
“There’s no season as money yielding as this season. It speaks volumes about the person who died over 2000 years ago. Jesus is the greatest thing God gave to the world.
“I’ll encourage Nigerians to have hope in God. 2014 makes 100 years Nigeria was amalgamated after the Royal Niger Company annexed Nigeria in 1864.
“In 1914, the northern and southern protectorates were amalgamated to be one Nigeria.
“I believe in jubilee. We’ll be having two jubilees—one century, 100 years.
“If Jesus doesn’t come in the next 100 years, what happens to Nigeria? Nigeria will come out of this quagmire. It’s been apathetic to a nation that is so much blessed. We’re still grappling with power [electricity], education.”
He advised the country’s rulers: “I have this counsel for our politicians. They should remember God put them there because the bible says in the book of Romans 13:1, no man assumes authority except which God has given to him.
“God put them there to take care of the subjects. Politicians should have soft heart toward the populace. Do something that the nation will remember you for. What will you be remembered for.
He called on Nigerians to reflect on their lives because “we can’t be doing the same thing and be expecting different result”.
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