A former minister of information, Prof. Jerry Gana, has urged Nigerians to pray for wise and capable leaders to man the affairs of the nation.

Mr Gana said this at the Grand Finale of the “2024 Champion of Champions National Bible Quiz Competition,” on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to him, effective leadership is key to national transformation and prosperity.

The event, which was organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in collaboration with Voice of Evangelism International (VOEI), highlighted the role of spiritual integrity in personal and national development.

Mr Gana said that understanding and living by biblical principles was key to overcoming challenges, including poverty, and achieving success in various aspects of life.

He said that there was transformative power in the Word of God, urging Nigerians to prioritise Bible study.

The former minister lauded the event’s sponsor, Archbishop Emeka Agwu, for his commitment at fostering biblical knowledge among youth.

Citing Joshua 1:8, he underscored the importance of meditating on and living by the Scriptures, character, integrity, and the moral foundation necessary for good governance and societal prosperity.

Mr Gana called on parents to instil biblical values in their children, warning them that neglecting this responsibility leads to moral decay.

The sponsor of the quiz and general overseer of VOEI, Archbishop Agwu, urged Christians to make Bible study a central aspect of their lives.

Mr Agwu emphasised that diligent engagement with the word of God was essential, especially in these critical times.

He commended the competitors for their commitment to understanding the Holy Scriptures and expressed confidence that the knowledge gained would empower them to lead impactful Christian lives.

He emphasised that the primary goal of the competition was to spark a passionate interest in critical Bible studies within the Christian community.

Reflecting on the theme, “Remain in the Word,” derived from John 8:31, the archbishop called on believers to root themselves in the teachings of the Bible, especially as the world faces increasing ungodliness.

He warned that the end times were imminent, urging Christians to awaken from spiritual complacency and actively engage in efforts to foster spiritual revival.

According to him, the Bible quiz is more than an academic exercise, as it is a spiritual pursuit aimed at deepening understanding and application of biblical principles.

On his part, Venerable Princewill Ireoba, the Director of Ecumenism and Interfaith, CAN, commended the organisers for the initiative, adding that the programme brought Christians together in spite of different denominations.

According to Mr Ireoba, who is also the chairman, planning committee, said as Christians, what binds us together to stand as a church is the word of God.

He said that CAN was always in support of programmes such as the quiz to further strengthen faith.

(NAN)