L-R: Wife of the General Overseer, Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev. (Mrs) Olabisi Aboyeji; the General Overseer, Rev. Dr Sam Aboyeji; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; the Guest Speaker, Dr Doyin Salami; Rev. Hakeem Ogunniran; Senior Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), Rev. Matthew Ashimolowo and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Tunde Lemo, during the 70th anniversary and 12th Annual Public Lecture of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, held in Lagos on Wednesday
By Nudoiba Ojen
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has called for that the cooperation of faith-based institutions, wealthy individuals, and corporate entities with the government to break the cycle of poverty in the country.
Governor Abiodun stated this on Wednesday at the 12th Annual Lecture of the Foursquare Gospel Church, titled: “Poverty Alleviation, Economic Development, and Stability of the Nigerian Economy,” to mark the church’s 70th Anniversary.
The event held at the Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The governor, who was the Chairman of the occasion, stated that the theme of the public lecture was apt as poverty was currently confronting many nations, including Nigeria.
He stressed that to defeat poverty, all hands must be on deck, as government alone could not do it.
Abiodun said, “As leaders, whether in government, the church, or the private sector, we must collaborate to break this cycle. Poverty is not just an economic statistic; it is a human reality.
“Poverty alleviation is a collective responsibility. Faith-based organizations, private sector players, and community leaders must join hands with us to provide education, vocational training, mentorship, and micro-financing.
“This collaboration not only uplifts individuals, but also fosters resilience in communities, making them less vulnerable to poverty and social disabilities.
“Furthermore, the Pentecostal Church can help strengthen moral capital, which is very essential for sustainable development through its emphasis on discipline, stewardship, and accountability.
“Economic stability must be anchored on inclusive growth where opportunities are extended to all citizens, especially the vulnerable,” he said.
The governor pointed out that economic development and stability were two sides of the same coin, stressing that without stability, development would be short-lived and poverty would persist.
He admonished the church to use its teachings and actions to inspire values of hard work, integrity, and accountability, noting that the church could mobilize support for social change, serve as a bridge between citizens and government, and provide support systems that empower families and strengthen society.
The governor said his administration had embarked on various empowerment programmes for women, farmers, and youths, as well as providing free health services to the vulnerable to cope with the current economic realities.
The General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church, Pastor Sam Aboyeji, in his address, noted that the public lecture was part of the church’s platforms to discuss national issues aimed at finding solutions to the nation’s problems.
Aboyeji commended Governor Abiodun for demonstrating consistency in the state’s socio-economic development, maintaining that his investment in infrastructure, agriculture, education, youth empowerment, among others, as well as poverty alleviation, has lifted the state to a higher pedestal.
In a lecture titled: “Poverty Alleviation, Economic Development, and Stability of the Nigerian Economy,” the guest lecturer and former Economic Adviser to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Dr Doyin Salami, said though various reforms had been carried out in the past to bring the nation’s economy out of the woods, they had not yielded the desired results.
Salami, who observed that Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China were at par in the past in terms of development; however, stated that the Chinese had made tremendous progress in the last 30 years, hence the need for Nigeria to do away with soft reforms and embrace hard reforms.
He contended that though the nation’s economy was growing in nominal terms, the growth picture was not appealing, as an increase in investments did not stimulate and drive growth.
The former Economic Adviser said for the country to experience economic stability and growth, a reliable data framework, secure environment, provision of adequate electricity, quality education and health, as well as human capital development, must be put in place.
He proposed a seven-year tenure for elective officials to enable them focus on tackling the various challenges facing the country, as the current arrangement does not allow for concentration on governance.
