By SAM EYOBOKA

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in Lagos challenged Nigerian preachers to live pious lives, stating that church pulpits should be places where the values of integrity, honesty, moderation in all things, humility and genuine selfless services to God and man are promoted.

In an address read on his behalf by the permanent secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the Federal Government,  Esther Gonda, at the  dedication of the newly completed cathedral of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (His Glory) at Anthony Village in Lagos, the president argued that the  values are the driving force that could help Nigerians to live in love and unity, which are urgently needed for building a progressive and enviable society.

Congratulating the presiding bishop of TREM, Dr. Mike Okonkwo, for the church dedication, Jonathan charged the celebrant to mark the occasion with gladness, and thanksgiving for what the Lord has used the ministry to do for the nation.

Speaking earlier in the only sermon of the day, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye described  Okonkwo as a true and worthy friend, one of the six people in the world that he could vouch for.

“I have many brothers but very few friends,” he said.  “Bishop Mike Okonkwo is one of my friends. There are six people in the world today who will ask me to give them a reference letter and I can give out my letter head and sign at the bottom and give them the blank paper to go and write whatever they like. Bishop Mike Okonkwo is one of them”. 

Adeboye, who described the new building as superb, said the members of the church must not be carried away thinking the beautiful cathedral may have emerged as a result of their efforts, “except the Lord builds a house, they labour in vain those who build.”  

After the sermon in which he charged every Nigerian to live holy lives and allow God to perfect His purposes for the nation, he also cut the tape to declare the new ultra-modern cathedral in the presence of two serving governors-that of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and his Anambra State counterpart, Mr. Peter Obi.

Others who graced the occasion include the immediate past General Overseer, Foursquare Gospel Church, Rev. Wilson Badejo, Bishop Joseph Ojo, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Rev. Sam Ukaegbu, Bishop Simeon Okah, Bishop Francis Wale Oke and Rev. Moses Iloh.

Okonkwo used the occasion to offer prayers to God to rid the nation of corrupt leaders, saying that Nigerians who trouped last April to vote their leaders did so because they desire a nation that is free of corruption and terrorism.