“Occupy Till I Come” State and Citizens Seminar Rocks Abia

Preamble:

This epoch-making event was indeed the convergence of different stakeholders from within and outside Nigeria with a single passion and drive of becoming agents to birth a better Nigeria. This can be achieved by Christians taking active part in the politics of our nation.

The theme for this meeting was “Occupy till I come”. The Diaspora alliance, Christian Association of Nigeria Abia Chapter and Church Fathers in the state played a very critical role in this strategic movement.

Proceedings:

The Master of Ceremony Apostle K.C Wiper after a brief opening prayer and welcome speech invited Rev. Bar. Emmanuel Ehim the convener of the meeting to take the first paper presentation.

Speaker 1: Rev Barr. Emmanuel Ihim spoke on “A Call to Occupy – Strategic  Framework for Societal Transformation and Effective Citizenship”.  

His text was taken from Luke 19:13, Matt. 28:18. He said Revival is a starting point, it is an ignition. To disciple a nation is to teach and to shape the nation, country and citizens. If you fail to disciple a nation and citizens, they become captive.

Rev Barr. Emmanuel Ihim

He said that Jesus, in His parable of the ten servants, gave a divine mandate to “occupy till he comes.” This was not a passive suggestion but a command to engage, influence, and take responsibility in every sphere of life.

As Christians, we are not just citizens of heaven, but also ambassadors on earth. We are called to transform society through spiritual, moral, and civic engagement.

He noted that to occupy means to take position (Kingdom Mandate), take charge, and influence territories. It implies dominion, stewardship, and productive engagement. We are not called to isolate from the world but to infiltrate and influence it for God.

Strategic Framework for Transformation:

Spiritual Foundation: Prayer and the Word as the base for wisdom and guidance. A life of holiness and integrity to build moral authority.

Civic Awareness and Participation: Know your rights and responsibilities as a citizen. Vote, advocate, and engage in policy-making where possible. Promote justice, equity, and good governance.

Occupying the Seven Mountains of Influence:

Religion – Preach truth with boldness.

Family – Build strong, godly homes.

Education – Promote values and excellence in learning.

Government – Encourage godly leadership and accountability.

Media – Use platforms to promote truth, not propaganda.

Arts & Entertainment – Infuse creativity with morality.

Business & Economy – Practice kingdom principles in finance.

Community Transformation Projects: Support development: health, education, clean water, and social justice. Lead community outreaches and training. Partner with local leaders for reform.

Building Effective Citizens: Model integrity, discipline, and servant leadership.

Teach others—especially youth—the values of patriotism, responsibility, and service.

Influence policies and cultural mindsets through example and advocacy.

Conclusion:

God’s call to “occupy” is a divine assignment to shine in darkness, speak truth in deception, and build where others destroy. Societal transformation begins with one soul, one family, one community at a time. Let us rise to the challenge—not just as churchgoers but as change agents.

He prays that the Lord, will help us to answer the call to occupy. Use us as a vessel to transform our society and be an effective citizen in the Kingdom and on earth. Amen.”

He further said there is a need to redeem the church and country. To rekindle the foundation of marriages and families. Let us do with our lives that which lasts forever.

The Concluding Prayer was done by Rev Dr. Graceman Iheanacho who took his prayer quote for the bible in Nehemiah 1: 3 – 4.

After the prayers, revered fathers and critical stake holders present were acknowledged. The representative of the Executive Governor of Abia State was also Introduced. After that, Dr. Hyacinth Nwachukwu was introduced to give the welcome address and vision brief.

Dr. Hyacinth Nwachukwu who gave the welcome address and vision brief by the Diaspora noted that righteousness exalts a nation and we as Christians are the light and salt of the world. He noted that our nation need a new kind of citizenship. Christian citizenship is not tied to pews and pulpit. It is the courage to speak truth in love. The ability to transform culture without being influenced by it.

This submit is a birth cry of a need to raise Esther’s, Nehemiah and Joseph’s. The rising of the righteous remnant who will defend justice and stand by the truth. We are citizens of heaven called to steward the earth.

The Governor was highly appreciated for his great transformational work.  The partnership and signing of memorandum of understanding with the Diasporas team was highly acknowledged. According to his words it is more than policy but legacy.

He encouraged all to allow this submit to affect us. He noted that we are not waiting for change but we are the agents of change. He concluded by enjoining us to arise and shine for our light has come.

After the address, the chief of staff who represented the Governor of Abia State was invited to address the submit. The Chief of staff Pastor Caleb Ajagba PhD started his speech by acknowledging all the spiritual fathers in the house. He spoke using the seven (7) mountains of influence:

• Religion
• Family
• Education
• Government and Politics
• Media
• Arts and entertainment
• Business and commerce.

He encouraged Christians to understand the power of the Government and policy making. He challenged all participants to get actively involved in politics. He concluded his speech by asking all this very thought provoking question “after Governor Alex It, who next?’

Speaker 2: Rev. Ojo Ojo Uduma who is the CAN Chairman for Abia State lectured on “The Great Commission: Discipline Nations, transforming culture, advancing the Kingdom”. He took his reading from Genesis 39: 1-6.

Joseph went to Egypt as a slave but because the spirit of God was with him, he was made almost a master in the house of Potiphar. Joseph did his work diligently and it was the basis of the transformation he introduced to the land of Egypt.

He noted that the appointment by Potiphar set the stage for Joseph to become an agent of national transformation. He asked, what will people see when you come around them?

“What has changed our culture? Why are people making our country look evil? Who would change the narrative? Who would join in the struggle for national transformation?” He asked.

He noted that in a strange place, when you live according to the will of God, you become an agent of change. Jesus knew that the world is decayed but he left us as the light of the world.

“The decayed society is not the problem but the presence of the light. We must stand out as light and salt,” Uduma preached.

He concluded by asserting thus: “for us to disciple the world, it is not by words but by the life we live.”

After the paper of the CAN President, The convener, Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia, CAN chairman and Bishop I Nkulo were invited to officially handover the documents of the submit to the representative of the Executive Governor.

SPEAKER 3: Rt. Rev. Dr. Ikechukwu E. Nkulo, JP,FIPMA, TFG who represented the Archbishop of Umuahia, Methodist Church Nigeria,  Most Rev. Chibuzo R. Opoko, DOB, TFSG, JP ,spoke on the Topic: “The Nigerian Crisis: A Spiritual Diagnosis and a Call to Righteous Rebuilding”

In today’s Nigeria, poverty is no longer a statistic, it is a painful daily experience. Families go hungry not because they are lazy, but because the cost of food is beyond reach.

The markets scream with scarcity, and the masses groan in hunger. The poor man can no longer afford rice, garri, or bread. Farmers can not harvest in peace due to insecurity. Bloodshed everywhere (using the Benue Crisis as an example), the nation groans, yet no one hears.

Fuel Increments (A Burden Too Heavy): The repeated fuel price increases have affected everyone transportation, food, healthcare, and even education. We are paying more for less.

The cost of living has skyrocketed beyond what the average Nigerian can afford. The masses suffer in silence, and leaders give no answer. The cries of the poor have become background noise.

Poverty in Health and Healthcare Crisis: Using FMC Umuahia as an Example. Go to Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, a referral hospital, and see what poverty looks like in the health sector.

Patients lying on bare floors, no drugs in pharmacies, doctors and nurses underpaid and overworked. Their excuse has always been no space at even the emergency ward.

A woman comes with complications—she is told to buy gloves, needles, and even a hospital bed. Where is the dignity of human life when health care is a luxury?

Poverty in Security (A Nation Bleeding): We have become a nation of walking corpses. Fear has taken over our homes, streets, churches, and farms.

Insecurity has turned thousands into Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)—not by war, but by abandonment. Bandits, kidnappers, terrorists, they roam freely.

Yet, our security forces are underfunded, under-equipped, and often overwhelmed. Nigeria bleeds and no one stops the hemorrhage.

A Nation of Division and Exclusion: Though we are told Nigeria is one, our experiences say other wise. We practice exclusivism, not inclusiveness. The rural poor are left behind. Youth are unemployed, frustrated, and vulnerable.

Some are recruited, not into jobs or schools—but into violence. Young minds are now taught to kill, to become suicide bombers, to take lives with the belief that they serve a cause. They say, “Before I die, I will take thousands with me.” Is this the nation we prayed for?

A True Christian Witness: In the midst of darkness, some have stood tall in faith. We remember the Methodist minister from Ossah, who was captured and killed, his head chopped off, yet he did not deny Christ.

This is the depth of faith we are called to. This is the price of true discipleship. Are we, as Christians, ready to stand for truth, even unto death?

A Call for Spiritual Rebuilding: Now is not the time for cosmetic religion. We must rebuild our moral and spiritual foundations. Let our churches and theological institutes be known for truth, integrity, ethics, and sacrifice. Let our students not just be hearers of the Word, but doers and warriors for Christ.

Institutes/Schools should be seen as a Moral Standard: Our institutions must no longer mirror the corruption of the land.

We must rise as a city on a hill, a light in darkness, a refuge for the righteous, and a factory of truth.

Let our institute be a standard of moral excellence, where students are trained not just in theology, but in character, injustice, and in courage.

Leaders Must Speak the Truth: The silence of the pulpit is dangerous. When leaders fear to speak truth, the nation dies silently. The church must regain her prophetic voice, not as politicians, but as messengers of righteousness.

THIS IS A CALL TO SINCERE SPIRITUAL DUTY

Let us no longer be religious for show. Let us not just gather; let us go forward with action. Let our churches and institutions be places of:

1. Truth over corruption
2. Love over division
3. Sacrifice over selfishness
4. Holiness over hypocrisy

And Finally, he Prays, May God open our eyes. May we stand, even when it costs everything.

May we fight for Christ—not with bullets, but with boldness, not with hate, but with holiness.

SPEAKER 4: Attorney Lloyd Ukwu spoke on “Moral Demise of Nigerian Society: A Christian Political Perspective” He said “Democracy Is the Best but Easy to Destroy.” The Church in in the nation, shaping institution.

Democracy is indeed the best system of governance known to man. It gives voice to the people, promotes freedom, encourages justice, and protects human dignity. However, democracy, for all its strength, is also fragile. It can be destroyed not necessarily by war or weapons, but by silence, indifference, and the corruption of institutions that uphold it.

The Collapse of Society’s Pillars: There are four major institutions that uphold any healthy society:

1. The Family
2. The Government
3. The Educational System
4. The Church (The Religious Institution)

Today, we are witnessing a painful collapse of these institutions. The family unit is being eroded by moral decline. Government is often plagued with corruption and mismanagement.

The educational system struggles with underfunding and lack of direction. And the Church, the moral compass of society has grown disturbingly quiet.

When these pillars collapse, society becomes unstable and unsafe. The behavior of individuals, especially leaders, becomes destructive. We must be careful, not just with our actions, but with our silence.

The Church is now a Sleeping Giant: Desmond Tutu, a renowned South African Archbishop and human rights activist, once described the Church as a prophetic voice. He believed that the Church must not only pray but speak truth to power  even at the risk of persecution.

Sadly, the Church in Nigeria has largely failed in this regard. Despite being one of the largest Christian populations in the world, the Nigerian Church has not lived up to its potential in shaping the nation.

There is too much division. Churches are fragmented by denomination, doctrine, and personal interest. There is little unity, little cooperation, and even less courage to speak openly against corrupt practices. Many religious leaders have chosen comfort over confrontation.

Attorney as an activist rightly pointed out: “If six or seven strong churches in Nigeria can unite and take a stand, they can shake this nation to its roots.” But the Church has not done so. It has the numbers, the influence, the platforms, and the resources yet it remains largely passive.

(Lessons from Other Nations: Pakistan as a Case Study)

We can learn from what happened in Pakistan, where the judiciary and civil society took a firm stand. When the President unlawfully removed the Chief Justice, the Bar Association and civil movements protested.

Their peaceful resistance led to a reversal of the decision and, eventually, the removal of the President, who went into exile.

This is a clear example that when institutions unite and stand for truth, they can bring national transformation.

The Way Forward (The Church Must Regroup): Nigeria’s government has helped the Church grow, especially in terms of freedom of worship and land for expansion. Now, the Church must rise and give back not just spiritually but socially and in seriousness.

• The Church must regroup, not around denominations, but around purpose.
• It must speak out against injustice, oppression, and corruption.
• It must train its members to be ethical leaders in education.
• It must collaborate, not compete.

Democracy thrives where the Church shines its light. But when the Church is silent, darkness grows. We must not let democracy die under our watch. The Church has what it takes to change Nigeria but only if it rises from comfort to courage.

Closing:

This beautiful gathering came to an end as we all shared the Grace. And greeted one another with hugs, smiles and laughter hoping to see a brighter and better future from that day on.

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