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Invest in job creation for youths, US-based Pastor Ibitoye charges FGN
A call has been made for the Nigerian government to prioritise job creation for the nation’s youth, recognising them as the backbone of the country’s future.
In an interview with Ebony Herald International, Pastor Francis Ibitoye of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Mirror of God, Rhode Island, USA, urged the Nigerian government to leverage the country’s vast mineral resources to develop industries and factories, which would, in turn, provide employment opportunities for young people.
Expressing concern over the mass exodus of Nigerians seeking greener pastures abroad, the Ikole-Ekiti-born Pastor Ibitoye noted that many of these young Nigerians are excelling in leadership roles in foreign countries where their talents are recognised and valued.
He criticised Nigeria’s mismanagement of its resources, arguing that the same wealth, if properly utilised, could drive national development, just as seen in many developing nations.
Furthermore, he urged the Nigerian government to desist from excessive foreign borrowing, warning that no country can thrive while relying on perpetual loans.
“The resources we have in Nigeria are sufficient to sustain the country. What some people receive daily or monthly could sustain an entire village here,” he stated.
Addressing the youth, he encouraged them to pursue education and vocational skills, enabling them to become job creators rather than job seekers.
He also called for a structured welfare system for retirees, ensuring they receive adequate support, similar to what is practised in developed countries.
Commenting on recent policy changes in the United States, Ibitoye opined that the American government is deliberately targeting illegal immigrants with criminal records through stringent laws.
Speaking about his church, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Mirror of God, which has branches in Nigeria, he explained that they only establish new branches under divine direction.
He emphasised the church’s commitment to supporting the less privileged through various empowerment initiatives, including educational sponsorship and food aid.
He highlighted some of the humanitarian efforts undertaken by his church in Rhode Island, United States, such as contributing funds to provide winter jackets, gloves, and socks for the homeless.
On the growing perception of churches as profit-driven enterprises, Ibitoye categorised religious ministries into three groups: those genuinely called by God, those appointed by people, and those who appoint themselves.
He reiterated that the core vision of his ministry is to reach out to the underprivileged and win souls for the Kingdom of God.
“The foundation of our faith is love first, God’s love for humanity; then self-love, which enables us to love others,” he concluded.
