From left: Founder of Calvary Kingdom Church, Archbishop Joseph Ojo, archbishop of Ibadan Province of the African Church of Nigeria, Augustine Odufuwa, the Presiding Bishop of Vineyard Christian Ministries Archbishop John Alagbala Osa-Oni, (celebrant), founder of RCC&T, archbishop Taiwo Akinola & wife bishop Ireti Taiwo and Honorable Justice Yetunde Adesanya of Lagos State High Court at the investiture ceremony, public elevation & installation of Bishop Taiwo Akinola as charismatic archbishop.
By OLAYINKA LATONA
The founder of Calvary Kingdom Church, Archbishop Joseph Ojo, has called on Nigerian politicians to prioritize good governance over superficial measures like palliative distributions, which he argues do little to address the country’s core issues.
According to Archbishop Ojo, people need to be empowered with problem-solving skills rather than temporary relief.
Speaking at the archbishopric inauguration and enthronement of Bishop Taiwo Akinola as charismatic archbishop at Champion Peace Cathedral, Rhema Christian Church & Towers, Sango Ota, Ogun State, Ojo highlighted the suffering caused by Nigeria’s economic policies and widespread insecurity, which continue to burden ordinary citizens.
The cleric stressed the need for leaders to move beyond sympathy and “cultivate a sense of empathy” for Nigerians affected by economic hardships. “Nigeria needs leaders with great empathy, not just sympathy,” Ojo stated. “We need quality leaders who understand and share in the struggles of the people, not merely those who provide temporary relief without real solutions. Empathy drives self-sufficiency—rather than giving someone fish, we must give them a fishing rod and teach them how to use it.”
Reflecting on the qualities required of effective leadership, Ojo remarked, “We don’t need leaders to sympathize as though Nigerians are in orphanages; we need leaders who will walk in our shoes, feel our pain, and offer meaningful solutions.”
In his sermon titled “Receiving Much and Giving More,” Archbishop Ojo advised Akinola to approach his new role not as a title but as a calling that requires responsibility and sacrifice. He urged him to love, minister with an open heart, and nurture relationships: “Carry out your master’s work to the fullest. Love God and the people around you, both good and bad.”
Archbishop Akinola, founder of Rhema Christian Church & Towers, expressed his gratitude and commitment to honor the responsibilities of his new office. He pledged to uphold the sanctity of his role, affirming, “I will continue to make a positive impact on the lives of men and women. I am committed to preserving, defending, and advancing the mission of the church.”
The event was attended by dignitaries, including bishops, archbishops, elders, and royal figures from both Nigeria and abroad.
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