— Says Nigeria children are now feeling insecure

By Dayo Johnson Akure

The Ekiti State Area Overseer of the Apostolic Faith Church and member of the Board of Trustees in West and Central Africa, Prof. Joseph Oba Fatoba, has expressed concern over insecurity in the country.

Prof Oba Fatoba, lamented that ” the security situation has deteriorated to a point where even small children are no longer satisfied with the state of the nation.

Consequently, he said the church has declared national prayers to seek the face of God as a way to solving the security situation in the country.

He said this while paying a visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Akure, Ondo State, as part of activities to mark the Ondo/Ekiti 2025 camp meeting of the church.

The clergyman said “I am not satisfied, our leaders are not satisfied, and even the little children are not satisfied.

“With what is happening in Nigeria now, our District Superintendent has directed that all members of the Apostolic Faith Church in West and Central Africa must go on their knees and pray.

“This prayer is stronger than any two-edged sword or any bomb. We believe it can pull down every stronghold troubling this nation.”

According to him the church had already begun intensified nationwide prayers two weeks ago and would continue “until God brings an end to the insecurity that has overwhelmed the country.”

“All our politicians have tried, all of us have tried. The only way out now is to call on God to avert these challenges.”

On whether Christians were being specifically targeted for persecution in the country , Oba Fatoba said that insecurity in Nigeria affects every citizen, irrespective of religion.

According to him “Insecurity affects everybody, Christians, Muslims, and others. It is now a national issue. “If we try to tie it only to religion, we may fail in fighting it. The devil is behind what is happening.”

“For some time now, we have had security men guiding our services. Formerly, it was not like that. On Sundays, while people are worshipping, there must be security men on duty. We don’t want any problem to arise unexpectedly,” he added.

He said that the daily and weekly prayer sessions declared by the church were open to all Nigerians, not only church members.

“This thing is not meant for Apostolic Faith alone. We are praying for Nigeria. Anyone who wants to join should come.

” Tell people in your workplace, in your street, everywhere, that a prayer is going on for this country. We are already seeing new faces joining us.

He said Sunday services across all Apostolic Faith Churches will now be dedicated to prayers for Nigeria, both in the morning and evening sessions.

“Daily prayers from Monday to Friday will also hold between 4 p.m.–6 p.m. or 5 p.m.–7 p.m., depending on the area.”

He also announced the upcoming 2025 Ondo–Ekiti Camp Meeting, scheduled to hold from December 14 to 21, 2025, at the church headquarters in Ijoka, Akure.

Oba Fatoba said that the annual spiritual convocation, jointly involving all Apostolic Faith Churches in Ondo and Ekiti states, will feature Bible teachings, revival services, youth programmes, music concerts, and hybrid participation for spiritual renewal, salvation, sanctification, and Holy Ghost baptism.

Responding, the State champion of the NUJ, Prince Leke Adegbite, who praised the church’s efforts, said that Nigeria had survived thus far because religious leaders continued to intercede for the nation.

Adegbite said “Your prayers are part of what is keeping our country today. In some nations, a fraction of what we face would have scattered them. But God has been merciful because of men and women who pray silently for this nation.”

He promised the church that the union, would help in publicizing its activities and the forthcoming camp meeting, adding.

The chairman said that within our capacity, we will promote what you are here to do in Ondo State.”

Meanwhile, among the entourage of the Overseer was the Ondo state Area Overseer, Rev Joseph Adeboye; Rev. Isaac Fasanu – Zonal Pastor in Ondo State; Rev. Henry Akimbobola – zonal Pastor; Rev. Felicia Adedulu – Pastor Gaga church; Prof. Bankole Oladumiye – Pastor at FUTA, Mr Julius Alabi and other ministers of God.