By Ebunoluwa Sessou

Fountain of Hope International, FOHI, has called on the Federal Government to urgently tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, lamenting the rising spate of killings affecting Christians and Nigerians across the country.
The conference, FESTAC 2025, brought together FOHI members nationwide for spiritual renewal, fellowship, and reflection on Nigeria’s current realities, emphasizing a collective call for faith-based resilience and urgent government action on security.
FOHI is a humanitarian organization established to cater to the welfare of the needy, organise medical outreach, educational support, evangelism outreach and it has its branches in 141 chapters in Nigeria and 3 in the United States of America.
Speaking at the 37th Annual General Conference of FOHI held at the Church of the Pentecost, Anglican Communion, FESTAC, Lagos, and with the theme, “For This God Is Our God,” the Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Olusola Odedeji, PhD, said Nigeria would experience “heaven on earth” once the killings and general insecurity are decisively addressed.
Odedeji, who expressed deep concern over what he described as “unnecessary killings” in parts of the country, particularly in the North, said the issue had generated global attention.
“All is not well in this country. Lives and properties are not safe and everybody is living in serious fear,” he said.
“A lot of Christians have been killed unnecessarily in the northern part of Nigeria, and the world is watching. When external people say Christians are being poorly treated in Nigeria, they speak from facts and figures.”
He urged the government to take immediate action, insisting that addressing insecurity would reduce external criticisms and restore public confidence.
“People are going about their businesses with fear. Even traveling from Lagos to Ibadan, you read many Psalms so that you will not fall victim of circumstance. The Lord will help our President,” he said.
Chairman, CPC Zone 4 and Chairman Conference Planning Committee, FOHI, Bro. Timothy Moyebi, described the killings as “genocide against Nigerians,” emphasising the need to look beyond religious and ethnic lines.
“Religion is just a way of life. Our faith teaches us not to discriminate. This is not genocide of Christians alone; it is genocide of Nigerians,” he said.
“I believe the present government will nip it in the bud. It is just a matter of time.”
FOHI Chairman, Bro. Debo Atunwa, reflected on the growth of the organisation, across Nigeria and in the United States.
He described the conference as a reaffirmation of FOHI’s spiritual mission, especially in a period marked by uncertainty and national tension.
“Amidst threats and uncertainties, our ultimate hope remains in what God will do,” he said.
“The theme is timely. When human support fails, God remains our guide.”
Atunwa also announced a leadership transition, stating that his deputy, Sis. Waleola Adeyemo, would officially take over as chairman at the close of the conference.
“She has worked tirelessly and proven herself a capable leader. We expect tremendous innovations under her watch,” he added.
In the same vein, the Deputy Chairman, FOHI, Sis. Waleola Adeyemo, who is set to assume leadership of the organisation, said the conference theme reaffirms God’s unchanging nature and His reliability in guiding His people.
She noted that women have an increasingly critical role as societal pressures escalate.
“Our children are exposed to all sorts including social media, internet influences and the challenges are greater than what parents faced decades ago,” she remarked.
“Women must guide, groom and hold their homes together because the pressures today are enormous.”
Adeyemo also stressed the need to apply divine wisdom in addressing Nigeria’s insecurity when human efforts seem to fail.
‘Nigerians are stressed, need proper health care’ — Onafalujo
Meanwhile, the Deputy Director of Nursing, Nigerian-French Language Village, Badagry, Mrs. Onafalujo Abodunrin, urged Nigerians to prioritise their health amidst rising stress levels linked to economic hardship and travel risks.
“Most people are stressed. We advise them to rest at least 30 minutes to an hour daily and seek medical attention at primary or general hospitals when necessary,” she said.