The president of the All Africa Baptist Fellowship, Israel Akanji, has urged Nigerians to pray for President Bola Tinubu and leaders at all levels to build a country that will be the pride of the world.

Mr Akanji made the call at the induction of Thomas Takpatore as senior pastor of First Baptist Church Nigeria, Garki Abuja on Sunday.

In an interview on the sidelines of a special induction service, Mr Akanji said followers have a role to play in addressing the challenges facing Nigeria.

“We have our own human responsibilities in the difficult times we are in. We must be praying for government. The Bible says that the people of God must pray for the leaders because nobody assumes leadership without the knowledge of God.

“Whoever that person is God has put in there, it is our own to pray for them and support them and then to be good citizens to contribute our own quota,” said the Baptist Church leader.

Mr Akanji added, “President Tinubu cannot be everywhere you, in our cars, we should not break the traffic lights. We should not drop banana peels from our cars on the road. We should keep the cities clean. We should be fair to the environment.

“We should be lovers of one another. Let the killings and attacks of people that is shedding blood should discontinue in our country. And I tell you the truth, the whole world will come to watch Nigeria, if we can just embrace brotherly love among one another,” he said

Mr Akanji who is also the president of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, charged the new senior pastor to always seek the face of God.

He tasked him on good leadership and steady commitment to his duties as the shepherd of the church while urging members to give him the required support.

(NAN)