On Saturday, the president of the United Apostolic Church of Christ (Worldwide), Rev. James Owoyemi, urged Nigerians to always pray for the country rather than cursing it and its leaders.

He told journalists in Ibadan that it was unpatriotic for citizens to continually curse their countries rather than speak positively to their countries of origin.

“We need to commit our leaders to the hands of God; pray for our nation and be patient. The problems Nigeria is facing today did not happen overnight.

“Nigeria’s problems have been there for years and there is no magic wand to effect a sudden change.

“Nigerians need to be patient with the government and pray for a positive turnaround for the country.

“Government itself should rule with the fear of God; shun nepotism; trust and believe in God to make all things possible,’’ he said.

Mr Owoyemi spoke with journalists on the sidelines of the church’s 2024 Women’s Conference, which had “Mothers of the Mighty’’ as its theme.

He stressed the need for Christian women to be sensitised to the dangers of abandoning their responsibility of raising God-fearing and responsible children.

“We gathered women members of the church here to let them appreciate their responsibility concerning their children. Mothers’ role in raising children is very important, as they are the first teachers.

“They should impact their children positively through prayers, through the word of God and by showing them the way of the Lord,’’ Mr Owoyemi said.

Guest speaker at the conference, Oluwayemi Adewusi, said successes attained by a woman must be visible before she could be referred to as a mighty one.

“She must also be able to keep a healthy relationship with people around her,” she noted.

“The woman should also make sure that she establishes a spiritual foundation at home and is prepared to overcome every challenge that comes her way.

“Many challenges will come, but it is challenges that will turn to successes and make people affirm those successful as mighty women,’’ she admonished.

One of the participants, Funmi Olorunyomi, noted that the conference, the second edition since it started in 2023, had impacted women positively.

“If the church can train women to be the real mothers and wives that they should be in terms of supporting the home front financially and in the training of children, society will benefit a lot,’’ she said.

The four-day conference that began on Thursday ends on Sunday. It featured Bible quizzes, talk shows and prayers for Nigeria.

(NAN)