PASTOR ONAOLAPO OLUWASEGUN: NIGERIA’S GREATEST STRENGTH LIES IN HER HUMAN AND NATURAL RESOURCES, SAYS NATION MUST HARNESS THEM FOR GREATER PROSPERITY
By The NewsPostage
As Nigeria marks her 66th Independence Anniversary, the Association of Christian Youths of Nigeria (ACYN), under the leadership of its National President, Pastor Onaolapo Oluwasegun, has saluted the nation’s heroes, both past and present, for their sacrifices, courage and invaluable contributions to the growth and development of the country.
In a goodwill message to Nigerians, Pastor Onaolapo described the sacrifices of Nigeria’s past and present heroes as a priceless part of the nation’s history, stressing that their courage, resilience and patriotism should continue to inspire present and future generations to work collectively towards building a peaceful, prosperous and truly united Nigeria.
The ACYN National President, however, called for a total overhauling of the nation’s system, particularly in areas that directly affect the welfare, opportunities and future prospects of Nigerians. He maintained that the country must develop institutions and policies capable of giving citizens, especially the youths, the opportunity to realise their God-given potentials and contribute meaningfully to national development.
According to him, Nigeria’s greatest strength lies not only in her abundant natural resources but also in her enormous human resources, stressing that the effective management, development and proper utilisation of these resources remain critical to achieving sustainable economic growth and improving the standard of living of the people.
Pastor Onaolapo also emphasised the urgent need to create greater opportunities for young Nigerians through quality education, skills development, entrepreneurship, employment and meaningful participation in governance. He noted that empowering the youths would not only strengthen the future of Nigeria but also reduce frustration and restore hope among the younger generation.
Meanwhile, the Christian youth organisation has expressed deep grief over the tragic Igbokoda air crash in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, which reportedly claimed the lives of 32 victims, describing the incident as a devastating national tragedy that has plunged families, colleagues and the nation into mourning.
In his condolence message, Pastor Onaolapo commiserated with the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Ondo State Government, the Nigerian Air Force, the Ilaje Local Government, the families of the deceased and the entire people of Nigeria, praying that God would grant the bereaved families the strength and comfort to bear the irreparable loss.
He described the death of the personnel as particularly painful because they were officers who dedicated their lives to the protection, security and service of the nation. He said their sudden demise had sent shockwaves across Ondo State and Nigeria, leaving behind families, colleagues and loved ones who must now confront a painful and difficult reality.
The ACYN President said the fallen officers answered the call of duty with courage, patriotism and uncommon dedication, stressing that they had paid the ultimate price in service to their fatherland. He maintained that their sacrifices would remain an enduring part of Nigeria’s history and urged the nation never to forget those who lost their lives while serving and protecting the country.
Pastor Onaolapo particularly sympathised with the bereaved families, noting that behind every uniformed officer was a family whose life was deeply connected to the deceased. He lamented that families who had looked forward to the safe return of their loved ones were instead confronted with grief, pain and an irreplaceable vacuum.
He also commended the Nigerian Air Force, security agencies, emergency responders, local authorities and residents of Igbokoda and Ilaje for their efforts in the search, recovery and emergency response operations despite the difficult terrain surrounding the crash site. He urged the relevant authorities to sustain every necessary support for the affected families.
While calling for prayers for the repose of the souls of the departed, the ACYN National President urged the Federal Government and relevant aviation authorities to conduct a thorough, transparent and professionally credible investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. He stressed that the causes and contributing factors must be established and appropriate safety measures put in place to prevent a recurrence.
Pastor Onaolapo also called on Nigerians to remain united, patriotic and committed to the peace and progress of the country, stressing that nation-building is a collective responsibility that requires the contributions of government, religious leaders, youths, professionals and citizens across all sectors.
He commended the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the government has taken steps aimed at addressing some of the challenges confronting the nation and laying the foundation for a stronger Nigeria. He, however, urged government at all levels to continue to listen to the yearnings of the people and implement policies that would bring tangible relief to Nigerians.
The ACYN National President congratulated Nigerians on the 66th Independence Anniversary, praying for peace, unity, prosperity, security and sustainable development across the country. He urged every citizen, particularly Nigerian youths, to remain hopeful and committed to building a nation that future generations would be proud to inherit, while praying that Almighty God would grant the departed eternal rest and comfort their families, colleagues and the entire nation.
Signed:
Pastor Onaolapo Oluwasegun
National President, Association of Christian Youths of Nigeria (ACYN)
