Abia State governor, Alex Otti, has urged minister of the gospel to prepare Christians to serve and uphold the right values at levels of governance.
The governor made the call at the Aguiyi Ironsi Conference Centre, Umuahia, during an Apostolic Banquet organised by Christian Citizenship International, Diaspora Alliance, in partnership with the Abia State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Religious Matters.
The event had the theme “Reclaiming Apostolic Leadership for National Transformation.”
Governor Otti, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, said the presence of Christians in positions of authority creates opportunities for positive influence and effective evangelism, noting that leaders naturally command public respect.
He urged church leaders to raise a generation that would sustain Christian values in governance beyond the present time, adding that the initiative should not end with the current participants.
He expressed confidence that the effort would grow beyond Abia State to Nigeria and beyond.
The governor also assured the organisers of his administration’s support, announcing that the banquet would now be held quarterly.
“We want to let you know that we are partnering as a government with this.
“It should not end here. That is why the government is giving every support to this initiative,” he said.
In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Religious Matters, Apostle Kenneth Wiper, described the banquet as a high-level gathering of faith leaders, public officials and community influencers committed to moral leadership and civic responsibility.
He said the event was aimed at bridging spiritual leadership with practical governance to promote national renewal, while commending the Christian leadership example being demonstrated in Abia State under Governor Otti.
Earlier, the convener of the Christian Citizenship Network, Pastor Emmanuel Ehim, said the gathering was to celebrate what God has accomplished in Abia State through Governor Otti’s leadership.
He praised the governor’s two years in office, describing his administration as transformative across sectors.
Also speaking, the President of Vision Africa Radio, Archbishop Dr. Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha, said Christians and ministers of the gospel must hold themselves accountable and act as responsible stewards of the message they preach.
The event was attended by several prominent Christian leaders, including the Chairman of CAN in Abia State, Rev. Ojo Ojo Uduma, Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia, Most Rev. Dr. Chibuzo Raphael Opoko; Anglican Archbishop of Aba, Most Rev. Dr. Isaac Chijioke Nwobia; former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, Most Rev. Dr. Uma Onwunta; Anglican Bishop of Umuahia, Rt. Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Ibeabuchi; and Methodist Bishop of Item, Rt. Rev. Dr. Ikechukwu Nkulo.
- Media Report