Renowned Nigerian cleric, Enoch Adeboye, told congregants at the Redeemed Christian Church of God on Sunday that surviving all the daunting threats that beset the country in the past year calls for celebration.

“When you say you’re a survivor, let your neighbour know. Ebola came, I survived, Coronavirus came, I survived, kidnappers are out there, I survived, bandits are out there, I survived, there are murderers wearing police uniforms, I survived,” the RCCG general overseer charged worshippers at the New Year day service. “Go ahead, tell three or four people: ‘I am a survivor. Celebrate me.”

He added, “It is good to celebrate yourself. You’re going to be helping yourself by visiting two or three people by telling them to celebrate you, tell them: ‘Celebrate me, I’m a survivor.'”

Mr Adeboye’s comment comes in the wake of increased insecurity as a result of banditry and kidnapping that characterised the just concluded year 2022.

It also comes barely seven days after a trigger-happy policeman, Drambi Vandi, killed a pregnant Lagos lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, on Christmas Day. 

The killing of Mrs Raheem triggered nationwide condemnation with citizens condemning it and calling for justice for the deceased.

On December 30, 2022, the Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos ordered that Mr Vandi be remanded over the murder of Mrs Raheem.

The Lagos lawyer’s brutal murder in Ajah came barely two years after young #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Tollgate were killed by soldiers under the cover of darkness. The demonstrators had joined their counterparts nationwide to demand an end to decades-long police brutality.