By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos – A former State House Chaplain, Prof. Yusuf Obaje has charged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of gratitude, specially thanking God for seeing the country through the last general elections that defied prediction of violence and break up. He also said that citizens should learn to give selfless service to promote the culture of love for God and for fellow humans.

Prof. Obaje gave the charge in his keynote address titled “The Rotarian Spirit of Humanitarianism and its Implication for a Dislocated Humanity” delivered at the 6th District Conference of the Rotary International District 9125 Nigeria held at the Crest Hotel, Jos.

The former Chaplain called on the Rotarians and Nigerians as a whole to always remember that the Rotarian spirit is the spirit of love for God and humanity, selfless service, spirit of responsibility, godly lifestyle, self discipline, spirit of peace and peaceful co-existence, endurance and excellence hence the need to apply these qualities at all times for the good of the nation.

He also lamented that the signs of dislocated humanity which include replacing of God-centred religion with godless religion, lack of vision and mission by political leaders, collapse of social values and morals, erosion of sound cultural values among others have been neglected to the peril of the nation and humanity and called for a rethink.

According to him, “Coming out of the general elections successfully is the act of God; we shall transit in peace because God answers prayers of Nigerians which we must sincerely be grateful to God. The world is in need of godly lifestyle, self discipline, endurance and love and there is no love act without the deep sense of love for God and humanity.

“If we imbibe the spirit of selfless service, Nigeria will not be where it is, many of our political and religious leaders have no spirit of selfless service. As Rotarians, you must remember that to live is to serve and to serve is to live for life without selfless service is vanity.”

Also speaking, the Rotary International President, Gary Huang represented by Past District Governor, Olugbemiga Olowu charged the Rotarians to “keep lighting the world with goodness” reminding them that “Rotarians light up people’s lives everywhere through their action.”