By Esther Onyegbula

LAGOS—The District Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church, Iba, Rev Dan Olumefun, has urged Nigerians to shun violence and indiscriminate killing in parts of the country.

Speaking at the inauguration of a newly created district, Sabo-Oniba and the installation of Rev. Godwin Onofomi as the District Overseer, Olumefun, called on Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of tolerance, irrespective of their political, religious and ethnic differences.

The Iba District Overseer charged Nigerians to embrace love and peace and make the necessary sacrifice for the development of the country, stating that what the country needed at a time like this was intercessory prayers for God to continuously stabilise the country.

He charged Christians and people of other faith to live in unity while urging the government to focus on the critical areas of needs in the country such as insecurity, hunger, unemployment, decayed infrastructure, corruption which had all held the country down.

According to him, “in spite of our religious differences there is no reason why we should kill ourselves. In a country where there are different religious groups people should be allowed to practice their faith. There is no reason why we should force people to fast; we should be liberal in our approach.”

“For the states and the country to make any meaningful progress, people from different religious backgrounds must work together for a common goal as well as demonstrate true love and tolerance for each other at all times.”

Appreciating God over his installation, the new District Overseer of Sabo Oniba, Rev Onofomi said that it is a great privilege, and a call to service. It is not by might, it is not that I am better than others but God is the one who qualifies.”

“My dream is to take from Volks bus stop down to Awori Illema down to the riverine areas; every soul through us would be won for Christ. Concerning the killings in the country, Onofomi said what we need is tolerance.

“Although it is part of the signs of end time because of the love of this world Satan will be fighting his last battle and there will be crisis in the world. But Christ has assured us that we can live in harmony as Christians through long sufferings.

“Our leaders should stand up from their comfort zones and go round the states, the country, do feasibility studies to know and feel the pains of the people. Those who voted for them are not those in the city, they are the villages who trusted in them that there will be changes, they should not forget them, they should listen to their cries, they should attend to them and do something about the plight of the people. With prayers God will intervene.”

Pastor Azeez Ayobami Chairman Inauguration planning committee noted that the new district was carved out of Iba district. The new district has five zones, 31 churches under this district. Including mission areas in riverine areas.