The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, states as follows:
“WE THE PEOPLE of the Federal Republic of Nigeria:
“HAVING firmly and solemnly resolved:
“TO LIVE in unity and harmony as one indivisible and indissoluble Sovereign Nation Under God…”
This position has been consistently maintained since independence in October, 1960
The expression in the preamble of the constitution of this country, that “Nigeria is a nation under God” is a clear indication of the people’s common belief in the existence of God, the Supreme Being. It is the most significant thing in our constitution which is the fundamental law governing this great nation.
A nation is an aggregate of people or peoples of one or more cultures, races, tribes and so on, organised into a single state. Though Nigeria is one of the poorest nations in the world, it is commonly said that she is a great nation being the most populous country in Africa, blessed with potentials for true greatness. If the unity of this country is maintained and her available resources are properly tapped and utilized by those at the helm of affairs in the fear of God for the common good of all, Nigeria will spring up into enormous wealth capable of being a force to be reckoned with in the comity of nations.
Nigeria is place where God Almighty for His infinite love, kindness and mercies, has planted His truth and established His kingdom as a grain of mustard seed now growing in the midst of the kingdoms of the world. On this score the visions of St. Gideon Meriodere Urhobo, formerly called G. M. Ukoli, are of tremendous relevance, and on this ground God’s Kingdom Mission stands. And if Nigeria will find her bearings on spiritual values of the truth and righteousness of God she will certainly be a greater nation. “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people,” said King Solomon. – Prov. 14:34.
That Nigeria is one of the countries where of the Anointed Remnant is chosen is one of of tremendous divine favour. It may be token of tremendous divine favour. It may be difficult for the ordinary man to understand because of its spiritual nature as it relates to the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth in this end-time. The gospel of the kingdom was what M. Urhobo preached to Nigerians and St. G. others during his lifetime, and it made a lot of difference when his message is compared to those of the Orthodox Christianity, and the Pentecostals now flooding everywhere with. their propensity and propaganda for miracles and wealth.
For the reason that this time of the end will witness the setting up of the promised kingdom of God, its good news is of vital relevance intended to have impact on the people. Hence Christ’s commission to his servants is the preaching of the good tidings of his kingdom. As it is written: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come.” “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…” Matt 24:14; 28:19.
To this task, St. Urhobo dedicated his life for 19 years of meritorious service in the Lord’s vineyard. His visions and revelations still being expounded by God’s Kingdom Society (GKS) and God’s Kingdom Mission (GKM) bespeak of his class in the Lord’s household of faith.
At this juncture, we feel obliged to pay glowing tribute to the memory of St. G. M. Urhobo for his noble role as a spiritual watchman during the nationalistic struggles of those days for the independence of Nigeria. When some of the leading nationalists developed atheistic tendencies that independence could be attained without God and made the youths posture for revolution, St Urhobo opted for constitutional and peaceful methods in the struggle and condemned atheism without reservation in his spiritual warfare against “Godless Nationalism”. That independent Nigeria emerged without any stain of blood and that sovereign Nigeria is acknowledged as nation under God, a unmistakably inscribed in the preamble of her constitution, is a vindication of St. Urhobo’s stand.
In this trying times of the period known in the Holy Bible as “The last days” or “End of the world”, any nation without God cannot stand an acrid test, and is doomed. We have an object lesson to learn from the fall of the Soviet Union usually regarded as a super power. Since her revolutionary attainment of nationhood in 1917, she had promoted and pursued an official policy. of ATHEISM. But where is it today? It has since crumbled and the word of God is vindicated. As it is written: “For the nation and kingdom that I will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.” – Isa. 60:12.
We seize this opportunity therefore, to call on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, his Vice-President and Ministers. State Governors, and their Commissioners as well as Local Government Chairmen and their Councillors, to remember always that Nigeria is a “Sovereign Nation under God” and should be administered in a manner consistent and reflective of this collective declaration. Said King David: “The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.”-2 Sam 23:3,4.
It cannot be said that Nigeria has not made any progress or achieved anything since she attained independence. The gains though unsatisfactory are visible and manifest. It is sad to observe that the country has not come out of the woods. While a few of the rulers made some commendable efforts to brace up with the problems of the nation, which are multifarious and complex, others have made things more difficult and exhibited avarice in a degree unprecedented in the annals of this country. Why should Nigerians, because they have the privilege of being at the helm of affairs, be so insensitive the sighs and cries of fellow citizens? Yet we talk of patriotism on which all the struggles for independence in those colonial days were anchored.
The state of the nation as at now is pitiable. Laudable programmes are being put in place but the pity of it all is that within the various strata of the Administration there are forces inimical to progress or those who are working against the success of such programmes. The economy is in had shape and the cost of living is soaring that the common man is now confused. Our social life has been bedeviled by the incidents of armed robbery and spates of unwonted assassinations rendering the police in many cases helpless and eroding the sense of security.
There was a news report that three policemen were sentenced to death by the Chief Judge of Kogi State for robbing and setting ablaze some traders. The policemen were said to have mounted an unlawful kpoint near beira Okene junction where they found the traders with huge sums of money. They did not only rob them of their possessions but also set ablaze the bus while their victims were inside it. Again the SUNDAY PUNCH of May 27, 2001, carried a headline, “Police Corporal robs, kills two traders”.
While the Government anti-corruption crusade is being invigorated, the gruesome acts of some policemen as being reported, are a major cause for concern and worry. There should be no relenting at all by Government in its efforts in combating crimes. Let more attention be given to things will bring the citizenry some sigh of relief.