As Nigeria marks her 65th Independence Anniversary, the National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Wale Oke, has called on Nigerians to embrace unity as a tool for building a stronger and greater nation.
Bishop Oke made this call on Sunday, September 28, 2025, during a special church service in Abuja organized to commemorate the nation’s independence.
Speaking on the theme “The Power of Unity in Building a Great Nation,” drawn from Psalm 133, he emphasized that Nigeria possesses all it needs to overcome its present challenges and rise as a global force if citizens and leaders at every level work together in harmony.
“We can have a country free from insecurity, where peace and unity prevail. Nigeria can become a united nation, a global force, and a beacon of greatness when we put aside divisions,” he said.
He expressed concern that the country’s growth continues to be hindered by tribalism, religious sentiments, and regional divisions, stressing that these primordial factors remain major obstacles to national development.
“We will make rapid progress not by tribe, section, or region, but by recognizing that we are all brethren,” he noted.
Drawing further from Genesis 11:1–9, Bishop Oke highlighted that a people bound together in unity are capable of achieving extraordinary results. He urged Nigerians to rise above the narrow lenses of tribe, religion, and partisan politics, insisting that what binds citizens together is far greater than what separates them.
“We must love one another, because love conquers all. When we truly practice love, we will be just and fair to everyone regardless of their tribe, faith, or background,” he stated.
The service, which attracted Christian leaders, government officials, and well-wishers, underscored the need for unity as the foundation for Nigeria’s growth as the nation celebrates six and a half decades of independence.
