By Grace Ben Kato
The Presiding Bishop of Chapel of Freedom International Churches, Lokoja, Dr. John Ibenu, has urged governments at all levels to create an enabling environment for small, medium, and large-scale enterprises to thrive.
Bishop Ibenu who made the call while speaking with journalists on Sunday, at the grand finale of the church’s 34th anniversary and annual convention in Lokoja, said government must not only provide a conducive business climate but also empower the people responsibly to stand on their feet.
He urged Nigerian leaders to emulate Germany, where he noted the private sector drives the economy.
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“In Germany, the economy is driven by private enterprises. The government employs only about eight percent of the working population, while businesses, industries, and individuals create jobs and drive economic growth,” he said.
Describing this year’s convention as impactful, the bishop said participants were taught to reign in life, regardless of the challenges.
“Everything in life has its challenge unless you don’t have an aspiration. If you have an aspiration, there will be challenges but you must continue to put in efforts that will bear results. We must always aspire higher, but that aspiration must be matched with effort,” he stated.
Ibenu tasked government to develop a “practical, sustainable vision” and ensure every citizen is meaningfully engaged. He said government must be deliberate about mobilizing people to actualize its plans.
According to him, government, must have dreams and visions, that must be matched with deliberate, intentional efforts, sacrifices, and mobilization of people. “Any government can succeed. Kogi State Government can succeed if they can mobilize the people.
“They must communicate what they are doing, what they plan to do, and who will do what. Nobody is a nonentity. The mechanic by the roadside is doing something; the cleaners, lawyers, doctors, governors, and commissioners are all doing something. Everybody must be involved. It is all the hands coming together that build a strong nation and a strong state”, he said.
The bishop, who led the congregation to pray for Nigeria and Kogi State, while making reference to the Bible, commended the Kogi State Government for providing an enabling environment for religious organisations to thrive. He singled out the ongoing airport project as a landmark initiative capable of boosting the state’s economy and attracting investment. “Let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end,” he prayed.
Bishop Ibenu assured that religious leaders would continue to partner with government to promote peace, moral values, and sustainable development in Kogi State and across Nigeria.
Also speaking with newsmen, Guest Minister, Bishop Jerry Gbakara, presiding Bishop of Transformation International Christian Church Ughelli, Delta State, described the convention as awesome.
He prayed for peace in Kogi State and Nigeria, asking God to “touch the hearts of the leaders to do the right things expected of them.
Bishop Gbakara also called on government to ensure the 2027 general election is violence-free.
Other Ministers present at the week long conference includes: Pastor Austen Ukachi, Senior Pastor of He’s Alive Chapel (HAC), Lagos and the Chairman of the Watchman Ministries in Nigeria, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, Senior Pastor of Victory Life Bible Church Abeokuta, Bishop Dauda Maiwaazi, founder of the Fire and Power Ministry Lagos, Rev. Arome Adah, General Overseer and founder of Savannah Ministries Abuja, Rev. Arome Tokula, Senior Pastor, Christ Family Center Abuja, Pastor Joshua Omada, General Overseer Knowledge of the Truth Ministries, who’s also Chairman Kogi Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), amongst others.
