Cleric asks religious leaders to lead by example

THE Archbishop of Remo, Ijebu, Yewa and Egba (RIYE) dioceses of the Methodist Church, Most Reverend Luke Odubanjo has challenged religious leaders to lead by example by practising what they preach.

Rev Odubanjo who spoke in Abeokuta yesterday lamented the level of moral decadence in the society and insisted that if men of God in the country were leading by example the decay in the Nigerian society would not reach the level it is today.

The Archbishop, who regretted the forceful take over of mission schools from their owners, noted that the decision has contributed in no small way to the rot in the society.

Odubanjo who spoke to journalists in Abeokuta after dedicating the new multi-million naira church building of the Methodist church, Oluwo branch, insisted that everyone should be involved in the provision of quality and affordable education in the country.

He said, “As religious leaders, we must lead by example. Politicians should know that they are there to serve the people; therefore they must render selfless services and live a life worthy of emulation.

“It is the duty of the church to teach the people to do away with corruption. They must always remember that they are the servants of the people and they should not steal what belongs to the people. They must be faithful and obey the rules of the game”.

In the view of the cleric, the taking over of the mission schools formerly owned the churches gave rise to the moral decadence in the society, lamenting that schools no longer teach moral values and religious studies.

He urged the government to, totally return the mission schools to their original owners, maintaining that this would further reduce the burden on government in the provision of education.

His words, “When government took away the mission schools from the churches, moral decadence and indiscipline started to prevail in our school.”

“Students no longer obey schools’ rules and regulations, some even go as far as beating up their teachers, all sorts of ungodly acts began to manifest in the behaviours of the students, he added.

The clergyman urged government to make education the “duty” of everyone, disclosing “The education sector is such a huge sector and the government cannot do it alone. We must all part-take in the provision of quality and affordable education for all.”

Speaking on the issue of corruption, Odubanjo urged religious leaders to teach the people to always live within their means.

Speaking on the dedication of the new church building, Odubanjo reminded the congregation that the church was not their property but it belongs to God, urging them to always use the church for the glorification of God.