Presiding Bishop, Chapel of Freedom International, Lokoja, Dr. John Ibenu, has called on government at all levels to create enabling environment for small, medium and large scale enterprises to thrive.
Speaking at the grand finale of activities marking the 34th anniversary and annual convention of the church in Lokoja on Sunday, Bishop Ibenu said aside creating an enabling environment, government must also empower the people responsibly to stand on their feet.
He urged government to emulate Germany whose working population are largely employed by the private sector.
“In Germany, the economy is driven by private enterprises. The government employs only about eight per cent of the working population, while businesses, industries and individuals create jobs and drive economic growth,” he said.
Describing this year’s annual convention as impactful, Bishop Ibenu said participants were taught to reign in life, regardless of the challenges.
“Everything in life has its challenge unless you don’t have an aspiration. If you have an aspiration there will be challenges but you must continue to put in efforts that will bear results.
“We are challenging everyone, we must always aspire higher. But that aspiration much be matched with efforts,” he stated.
He tasked government to develop practical, sustainable vision, and ensure everyone is meaningfully engaged.
The trained medical doctor said government must be deliberate about mobilizing the people to actualize its plans.
“As a government, we must have dreams and visions, and it must be matched with deliberate, intentional efforts, sacrifices and mobilization of people. Any government can succeed. Kogi state government can succeed if they can mobilize the people. They must communicate what they are doing, what they plan to do and who will do what. Nobody is a nonentity. Nobody is useless because everybody can do something. The mechanic by the roadside is doing something, the cleaners, lawyers, doctors, governors and commissioners are all doing something. Everybody must be involved in doing something. It is all the hands coming together that builds a strong nation and a strong state.
“The government should give us very clear vision of what they plan to do and how they intend to achieve it as well as who will be involved. We the people are ready. We are ready to pray for them. We are ready to talk to the people on their behalf, support and guide them,” he said.
Bishop Ibenu commended the Kogi state government for providing an enabling environment for religious organisations to thrive.
He singled out the ongoing airport project as a landmark initiative capable of boosting the state’s economy and attracting investment.
Bishop Ibenu assured that religious leaders would continue to partner with the government in promoting peace, moral values and sustainable development in Kogi State and across Nigeria.
Speaking with newsmen after the service, one of the guest ministers, Arch Bishop Jerry Ggbaka from Ugheli, Delta state, described the convention as awesome.
He prayed for the peace of Kogi state and Nigeria.
Arch Bishop Jerry prayed that God will touch the hearts of our leaders to the right things expected of them while praying that “let the wickeds of the wickedness come to an end!”
He called on government to ensure the 2027 general election is violence free.
