The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo, Most Rev John Oyejola has described the economic hardship many Nigerians are battling as the consequences of their failure to shun vote selling during the last general elections in the country.
Oyejola lamented that despite his warnings against vote selling, several Nigerians of voting age traded their votes, maintaining that the suffering the entire nation is passing through is the end result of their disobedience.
The cleric made this known on Sunday while addressing multitude of Christians and adherents of other religions who besieged Oke-Maria Prayer Mountain at Otan-Ayegbaju, Boluwaduro Local Government Area of Osun State for the 2024 Oke-Maria Pilgrimage organised by the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo.
Catholics, non-Catholics and other Pilgrims in their thousands attended the annual spiritual programme held between Saturday and Sunday with the theme: “But the Virgin Mary surpasses them all, Prov.31:29/ Luke 1:48.”
Those who attended the programme seized tye opportunity to pray for Nigeria in distress and for their individual problems.
Addressing the pilgrims, Bishop Oyejola said, “It is obvious that the country is experiencing economic crisis and people can barely feed. This is very sad and it makes me unhappy. But, the truth is that you (Nigerians) suffering for selling your votes. I will tell you people the truth because if you say the truth, you are going to die and if you don’t say the truth, you will die. So, why not say the truth and die with integrity.”
The clergyman, however, lamented worsening hardship and opined that God is able to turn things around in the country if the people come to him in prayers.
As the economy bites harder, Oyejola called on Nigerians to adjust their social life and live within their means, resist from wastefulness and only go for their basic needs.
He said, “Let everyone use this year’s season of Lent to plan a life that is adaptable. Don’t be wasteful. If there are things you have used and can still reuse, save it. There is need for adjustments of social life. Numerous life, flashy cars, jeweleries, you don’t need those things. Simply go for only what you need. Differentiate between needs and wants.”
Oyejola warned civil servants against frustrating people that visit their offices for one civil issue or the other by demanding tips from them.
“The poor should be charitable and should not seek for double portion whenever palliatives are distributed to them. Honesty is the best policy. You will sleep and there is no disturbance for you. Save for the poor. All should be hardworking and committed to their works in order to prosper.
“You can still make a good living in Nigeria in the right way,” he added.
The bishop cautioned young Nigerians against get-rich quick syndrome, noting that those who involve themselves in ritual money would die untimely.
“Youths must shun get-rich-quick mentality. Don’t do Yahoo plus. You will die fast. I don’t want anyone of you to die now. I want you to get to 80 and 90 years of age and see you great grand children.
“Parents should stop putting quick expectations on gains. Don’t pressurise your children to bring suitors. It is not everybody that must get married. You may not believe. But, everybody is bound to be happy.
“Parents should develop the attitude of protesting when they see their children bring big cars and huge money without any legit and lucrative work they are doing,” the cleric stated.
