A clergyman, Rev. (Dr.) Joseph Chukwuekele Omaegbu, has said that what Nigeria needs to survive the present economic hardship are selfless leaders and a creative workforce.

The economist-turned cleric, however, expressed optimism that the austere economy staring Nigeria in the face is temporary.

Omagbu, who is the Founder and General Overseer of Koinonia International Ministry (KIM), with headquarters at Aggah Egbema, Rivers State, made these observations during an interview with News Express shortly after a thanksgiving service to bring to a close activities marking his 60^th birthday celebrations.

He charged Christians to be sincere in all that they do and admonished all Nigerians to downplay things that divide the people.

Proffering a solution to the present economic crunch which is biting Nigerians hard, the Man of God was optimistic that if Nigerians genuinely look inwards, God would provide divine solutions to the problems plaguing the country.

He said: “Yes, the economic situation can be bad but it is not permanent. We need leaders who are creative, who think for the people and not themselves.

“We need a workforce, a population that is creative. People should begin to think of what to do to live, instead of seeking employment because you can see it is not readily available.

“People should go back into agriculture. Even me, I am considering going into large-scale farming. When we begin to look inwards, God will speak to us about what to do to improve the economy.

“So, I urge Christians, in particular, to show sincerity, dedication and commitment to God and to the community where we live and the nation. We should downplay political differences so that God can use us to improve lives.”

A philanthropist, Omaegbu who is popularly known as OJC, said he would now focus more on serving God and the people, using the OJC Foundation through which he awards scholarships to indigent students and extends financial grants to widows, among others.

Earlier in his sermon during the thanksgiving service at KIM’s Ebenezer Cathedral, Aggah, a guest preacher, Apostle Nnanna Paul, described thanksgiving as a display of gratitude and appreciation to God for what He has done for the celebrant.

“If you are not thankful to God, your own tank will not be full. Only when you are thankful to God that God will fill your thank. A man that is thankful to God will live to enjoy the best of life,” Apostle Nnanna said.

Drawing his sermon from Second Samuel 22:1-52, and the testimony of Omaegbu and his family, which detailed their ordeals, including 25 unsuccessful attempts on the life of the celebrant within two years, Apostle Nnanna said: ‘God has shown that He is the rock and refuge of the family.

“We have come to celebrate a man who has gone through experiences of life, a man whose life should be an encouragement to others. His profile shows that he is a man who has gone through the valleys of the shadows of death and he survived.

“From the little that I have understudied him, he is a man of temerity. I have always said that it takes temerity to intimidate timidity. He is a man that you cannot intimidate because those who know their God will stand and do exploits.”

Highlights of the thanksgiving service included an award to Omaegbu as an Ambassador of Christ by the management of Christian Telegraph newspaper.

Eminent personalities who graced the event included His Royal Highness, Eze Steve Uzor, Nzeobi II of Egbema Ancient Kingdom, members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, among others.

•Photo shows Rev. (Dr.) Joseph Chukwuekele Omaegbu.

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