By Our Reporter
The Zonal Vice President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), and President/Founder of the Calabar-based Christian Central Chapel International (CCCI), Archbishop Emmah Gospel Isong, has warned Nigerians against resorting to wicked, destructive and malicious criticism of those in positions of authority.
Archbishop Isong gave the warning on Sunday during an interdenominational Thanksgiving Service organized to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary
The service, held at the CCCI’s Faith Mansion World auditorium, drew top government functionaries, judicial officers, security chiefs, Christian leaders, traditional rulers and other Christians from across denominations.
Preaching on the theme, “Using Your Past Testimonies To Get Your Future Miracles”, drawn from Exodus 15:22-25, the renowned cleric said the nation’s journey, like Israel’s journey through the wilderness, demands thanksgiving, reflection and trust in God for greater exploits ahead.
According to him, Nigerians must learn to appreciate God’s faithfulness in the past as a spiritual strategy to unlock future miracles.
He said: “Do not engage in wicked criticism against those in authority. Constructively criticize them. There is a difference between wicked criticism meant to pull down, and constructive criticism meant to build up. God expects us to honour authority while also holding it accountable in love and truth.”
Archbishop Isong also charged those in positions of authority not to forget God’s past blessings and testimonies upon their lives.
Also speaking, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayanbem, who represented Governor Bassey Edet Otu, called on Nigerians to remain committed to peace, unity and the collective responsibility of building a nation that future generations will be proud to inherit.
He described the anniversary as an opportunity to appreciate God’s faithfulness and reflect on the sacrifices of past heroes.
“Independence is more than the remembrance of a date in our history. It is a reminder of the sacrifices of those who came before us and of the responsibility placed on our generation to build a nation that future generations will be proud to inherit,” he said.
The Speaker further noted that despite challenges since 1960, the Nigerian spirit has endured, adding “Nigeria has travelled a long road since 1960. Yet, through it all, the Nigerian spirit has endured. Our people remain resilient, enterprising and deeply committed to the hope of a better country.”
