“Seek God, show compassion”: the cleric urges… TheConclaveNg

The Administrator of the National Worship Center of the United Evangelical Church, Reverend Chris Effiong, has called on Nigeria’s leaders to adopt a more cautious, humane and spiritually guided approach to governance in the face of worsening insecurity across the country.

In his Sunday sermon, Reverend Effiong expressed deep concern over what he described as “the senseless and recurring loss of innocent lives,” noting that children, students, farmers and ordinary citizens going about their lawful activities continued to fall victim to violence and disorder.

He lamented that the frequency of such tragedies is gradually forming a dangerous pattern which, if left unchecked, could normalize. According to him, the persistence of these incidents not only reflects systemic failures, but also risks resulting in moral and spiritual consequences for the nation.

“This pattern must not be allowed to continue,” he warned. “The blood and cries of those who died unjustly could demand justice, and the pain inflicted on families and communities could have far-reaching repercussions for the nation.”

Reverend Effiong urged political leaders at all levels to become more sensitive and responsive to the plight of citizens, stressing that leadership must go beyond politics and power to embrace empathy, responsibility and accountability.

He also emphasized the need for divine intervention, particularly in addressing challenges that seem resistant to conventional solutions. He called on leaders to humble themselves, seek God’s guidance, and approach government with a renewed sense of purpose and moral clarity.

Citing past and current national tragedies – including the deaths of protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate, the Nyanya bombing, recurring violence in Plateau State, and widespread assaults against women and girls – Effiong noted that these events represent not only human failures but also deep moral wounds that require urgent healing.

He warned that allowing such negative patterns to persist could entrench them as social norms, thereby undermining the moral and developmental fabric of the nation. “Negative patterns must be decisively addressed, dismantled and discouraged,” he said.

In his closing remarks, the cleric outlined what he described as a path to national healing and restoration. First, he urged leaders to demonstrate humility by acknowledging shortcomings and offering sincere apologies to citizens affected by policies and governance failures.

Second, he called on those in authority to cultivate godliness and align their actions with what he called “the divine purpose for the nation,” stressing that true leadership must prioritize the collective good and long-term prosperity of the country.

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