Channel your energy to ideas, not destructions — Jerry Gana

Prof. Jerry Gana, a former Minister of Information, has tasked Nigerian youths to desist from using God-given energy for destruction rather for ideas that will project Nigeria forward.

Gana made the call on Thursday at the 11th African Biblical Leadership Initiative (ABLI) 2024 Conference, organised by the Bible Society of various countries across the world, hosted by Nigeria in Abuja.

The ABLI conference organised for Youth Assembly has ‘Arise and Shine: Raising a New Generation of Transformational Leaders’ as its theme.

Gana advised the youths to rethink not to lay blame on leaders, considering the country’s present challenges.

The former minister urged them to channel such energy towards bringing ideas to find solutions to Nigeria’s present situation as a way forward.

“The issues bothering Nigeria are not to be angry; it is not to blame anyone; the issue is to find relevant solutions to make the whole system of government work, and that’s the light we are talking about here.

“That’s why we are appealing to the youths not to spend their energy in criticism, abuse, or destruction. We should spend time thinking and finding out solutions.

“The youth of Nigeria, don’t use your energy to destroy; use the energy to think and bring out the ideas that will project Nigeria forward,” he advised.

Citing from the biblical quality, Gana said God is interesting in a nation operating on values of justice, equity, righteousness, and goodness, adding that it’s possible to have the kind of things seen in the biblical leadership of the old.

Rev. Poju Oyemade, Senior Cleric, Covenant Christian Centre, in his keynote address, quoted from Isaiah 60:1, which states, “Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”

While reflecting on the scripture, Oyemade explained that to achieve transformational leadership, he tasked people occupying positions to understand what it means by light.

“The present of darkness all around us is because God’s people are not arising to shine.

“Arise and shine implies that we should enlighten the darkness all around, and this will bring us the transformational leaders.

“The leaders who are in the position to change and to transform negative issues by bringing innovative ideas that bring impacts to society,” he said.

He said it was his belief that with the brilliant ideas for the ABLI leadership to organise such a conference to involve the youths, it was a good platform for the needed transformational leaders in Nigeria.

Dr Mohammed Girma, a representative of the British and Foreign Bible Society, expressed delight over the conference, saying that it was a vital moment for ABLI.

“I will also highlight the indispensable role that the Bible Society of Nigeria has played in organising this event.

“You support dedication to promote peace and biblical values in leadership, which is an inspiration to Nigerian youths.”

Mr Beluso-Chukwu Enwere, National Chairman, Youth Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), lauded ABLI for the conference he described as a ‘wonderful one’ especially as it had involved youths in Nigeria.

He used the forum to announce plans by the CAN youth wing to print Bibles to share for youths in both primary and secondary schools across the country as their contributions to encourage youths to embrace God in the country.