As Nigeria celebrates 65 years of independence from Great Britain, voices from the nation’s faith community are adding depth to the national reflection. From Archbishop Joseph Ojo’s call for a generational shift in leadership, to Bishop Charles Ighele’s reminder that political freedom without economic and social liberation is incomplete; from Rev. Jimmy Adetoyese-Olagunju’s charge to move ‘beyond prayer’ toward practical nation-building, to Bishop Robertson Akwazi’s echo of President Bola Tinubu’s message of hope and resilience-clerics are urging Nigerians to see independence not just as history, but as a mandate for renewal. Together, their messages highlight a common thread: Nigeria’s future greatness depends on faith, values, visionary leadership, and the active participation of its citizens.
Archbishop Ojo calls for younger leadership to drive nation forward
As Nigeria marks its 65th Independence Anniversary, Archbishop Joseph Ojo, Founder of Calvary Kingdom Church, has called for a generational shift in leadership, urging younger Nigerians to take more strategic roles in steering Africa’s most populous nation toward greater progress.
Speaking in an interview, Ojo reflected on the nation’s journey since October 1, 1960, recalling the excitement that filled the air when Nigerians first gained self-rule from Great Britain. ‘I was 11 years old when we got our independence, and I was so excited because we felt that indigenous people could now lead us after being ruled by foreigners. We were hopeful that things would get better,’ he said.
According to the cleric, Nigeria has made significant strides in population, governance, and development since independence, but the pace of progress is being slowed by the age and capacity of its leaders. ‘At 65, a person cannot do the work of a young person. Old men like us cannot bear the nation’s burdens anymore. Those who have led have tried their best, but they must be courageous enough to allow younger people to participate in leadership,’ he stated.
Archbishop Ojo stressed the importance of giving young Nigerians not only opportunities to serve but also key positions where their creativity and energy can be maximised. ‘Most of the things we do, we get counsel from young brains. When you put younger people in strategic places, development happens faster,’ he noted.
Looking ahead, Ojo expressed optimism that Nigeria’s future remains bright despite its challenges. ‘Over the years, we have not done badly, but things can improve a lot more than this. I am very hopeful that Nigeria will be great again in my lifetime. Our currency might not be at par with the dollar, but the country will be better and favourable for all Nigerians,’ he affirmed.
As the country celebrates 65 years of independence, his message is clear: the next phase of Nigeria’s greatness will depend on empowering its youth with the mantle of leadership.
Nigeria, not yet old enough at 65-Bishop Ighele
When Nigeria gained independence from Great Britain on October 1, 1960, the air was filled with optimism. Flags waved, hopes soared, and citizens believed that the new nation would chart its course toward prosperity and self-reliance. But 65 years later, Bishop Charles Ighele, General Superintendent of Holy Spirit Mission (The Happy Family Nation), argues that the country still struggles with the very essence of independence.
‘Independence for a nation can be proclaimed in a day,’ Ighele reflected. ‘But while it takes a day to declare independence, it takes years and decades to really become independent.’
For him, Nigeria’s story at 65 is one of political freedom without the substance of economic and social liberation. He notes that while Nigerian leaders are bold in speech and action, often without fear of international reprimand, the country remains dependent in critical areas such as food security, education, health care, and infrastructure.
‘At age 65, Nigeria is far from having a semblance of independence in providing food for her huge population,’ he said.
Despite abundant arable land-Nigeria holds one of the largest percentages of cultivable land in Africa-millions still go hungry. ‘People are dying of hunger because the people have not been politically led and socially and educationally parented to benefit from the huge agricultural resources in the country.’
To Ighele, agriculture is not just a means of feeding the population but a pathway to national wealth. ‘There is more money in agriculture than in crude oil,’ he insisted, urging government to embark on what he calls ‘agricultural socialisation’ to reorient citizens toward farming and agribusiness.
Beyond food production, Ighele laments Nigeria’s overreliance on foreign expertise in construction and engineering. ‘A situation where all major construction projects are being executed by foreign-owned companies is simply sending the message that Nigerian education has not provided the engineers and other construction workers who can independently run companies that can embark on massive projects,’ he said. For now, he added, the nation’s best brains often end up employed by these foreign firms rather than leading indigenous enterprises.
The Bishop further highlighted the paradox of poverty that defines everyday life. With about 70 percent of Nigerians living in hardship, many depend on a small fraction of wealthier relatives, governments, or humanitarian groups for survival. ‘A nation where the majority are poor and look to palliatives is far from independence,’ he observed. Without urgent reversal, he warned, Nigeria risks becoming ‘like an old poor man who achieved nothing or a rich evil man who did evil but now about to die regretting how he lived his life.’
Despite these grim realities, Ighele remains hopeful that Nigeria can rewrite its story. He believes the current government has the intellectual capacity to reverse the trend of dependency and lead the nation toward true independence. ‘Having had political independence, all other sections of our national life should be made to become independent,’ he urged.
For Bishop Ighele, Nigeria at 65 is not too old to change, but not yet mature enough to fully grasp the weight of its independence. His message is both a caution and a call: to seize the next decades not as a burden of missed opportunities, but as a chance to finally embody the independence proclaimed in 1960.
Bishop Akwazi calls for unity, national renewal
As Nigeria celebrates her 65th Independence anniversary, the Cross River State Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and the Presiding Bishop City Gate International Churches Worldwide, Cross River State, Bishop Robertson Ugar Akwazi has urged Nigerians to embrace President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s message of hope, faith, and action-reminding citizens that with Almighty God on their side, a new, prosperous, and self-reliant Nigeria is possible.
The bishop, reflecting on the President’s Independence Day address, noted that while the journey has been filled with trials, the nation’s resilience is proof that a brighter future lies ahead.
For him, Nigeria’s story at 65 is one of political freedom without the substance of economic and social liberation. He notes that while Nigerian leaders are bold in speech and action, often without fear of international reprimand, the country remains dependent in critical areas such as food security, education, health care, and infrastructure.
‘At age 65, Nigeria is far from having a semblance of independence in providing food for her huge population,’ he said.
Despite abundant arable land-Nigeria holds one of the largest percentages of cultivable land in Africa-millions still go hungry. ‘People are dying of hunger because the people have not been politically led and socially and educationally parented to benefit from the huge agricultural resources in the country.’
To Ighele, agriculture is not just a means of feeding the population but a pathway to national wealth. ‘There is more money in agriculture than in crude oil,’ he insisted, urging government to embark on what he calls ‘agricultural socialisation’ to reorient citizens toward farming and agribusiness.
Beyond food production, Ighele laments Nigeria’s overreliance on foreign expertise in construction and engineering. ‘A situation where all major construction projects are being executed by foreign-owned companies is simply sending the message that Nigerian education has not provided the engineers and other construction workers who can independently run companies that can embark on massive projects,’ he said. For now, he added, the nation’s best brains often end up employed by these foreign firms rather than leading indigenous enterprises.
The Bishop further highlighted the paradox of poverty that defines everyday life. With about 70 percent of Nigerians living in hardship, many depend on a small fraction of wealthier relatives, governments, or humanitarian groups for survival. ‘A nation where the majority are poor and look to palliatives is far from independence,’ he observed. Without urgent reversal, he warned, Nigeria risks becoming ‘like an old poor man who achieved nothing or a rich evil man who did evil but now about to die regretting how he lived his life.’
Despite these grim realities, Ighele remains hopeful that Nigeria can rewrite its story. He believes the current government has the intellectual capacity to reverse the trend of dependency and lead the nation toward true independence. ‘Having had political independence, all other sections of our national life should be made to become independent,’ he urged.
For Bishop Ighele, Nigeria at 65 is not too old to change, but not yet mature enough to fully grasp the weight of its independence. His message is both a caution and a call: to seize the next decades not as a burden of missed opportunities, but as a chance to finally embody the independence proclaimed in 1960.
Bishop Akwazi calls for unity, national renewal
As Nigeria celebrates her 65th Independence anniversary, the Cross River State Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and the Presiding Bishop City Gate International Churches Worldwide, Cross River State, Bishop Robertson Ugar Akwazi has urged Nigerians to embrace President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s message of hope, faith, and action-reminding citizens that with Almighty God on their side, a new, prosperous, and self-reliant Nigeria is possible.
The bishop, reflecting on the President’s Independence Day address, noted that while the journey has been filled with trials, the nation’s resilience is proof that a brighter future lies ahead.