Osinbajo: Why Nigeria’s Wealth Remains in the Hands of a Few
….Ex-VP links lopsided resource distribution to lack of godliness among leaders
….urges church to preach virtues of honesty, hard work, and integrity
Former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has said Nigeria’s wealth remains concentrated in the hands of a few because those tasked with managing and distributing resources lack godliness and pursue wealth for selfish reasons.
Delivering the keynote address at the 80th birthday celebration of Bishop Mike Okonkwo, founder of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), in Lagos, Osinbajo stressed that leaders must embrace integrity and the church must return to preaching the gospel that once transformed Europe.
Quoting from the Book of Acts of the Apostles, he noted:
“In that Bible passage, people sold their properties and brought the proceeds to the Apostles. But the Apostles still needed men full of the Holy Spirit to ensure fair distribution. If those entrusted with resources are not godly, then there will be problems.”
He argued that virtues such as hard work, productivity, honesty, and integrity are indispensable for national growth.
“So many people wonder what is the role of the church in us realising the Nigeria of our dreams. The truth is, the same gospel that many take for granted here is what Europe and America used to change their societies for better. The gospel tells us that hard work, productivity, integrity, honesty and other good virtues are the bedrock of growth and development. The gospel does not support corruption and cheating.”
Osinbajo warned against the belief that divine intervention alone will solve Nigeria’s challenges:
“Many people believe manna will fall from heaven, but the truth is that God has already given us the divine ability to be productive.”
He also recalled how Bishop Okonkwo once backed him when some Christian leaders opposed his nomination as vice-presidential candidate in 2014.
“I was invited to a meeting with some Christian leaders to explain my choice as a vice presidential candidate. Surprisingly, some of them were opposed to even hearing me out. I had to leave. Later, Bishop Okonkwo called me for another meeting with regional leaders of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, and I was able to speak.”
The event’s chairman, retired General Ike Nwachukwu, called for stocktaking as Nigeria approaches 65 years of independence.
“We really need to ask ourselves what we have achieved since 1960. Brazil, for over 40 years, has been producing vehicles and even aircraft from their steel factories. What about our own Ajaokuta?”
In his remarks, Bishop Okonkwo urged Nigerians to reflect honestly on the nation’s progress and their role in shaping its future.
“For over a decade now, we have been organising this annual lecture to bring men and women of calibre to speak on topical issues. The Nigeria of our dreams is possible, but the task lies with all of us. If we care for others and see the wellness of our country as a collective duty, then things will be okay.”
