Former Nigerian leaders, General Yakubu Gowon and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, were among notable guests at a recent church service where biblical lessons were read and hymns rendered by the congregation.
A statement from the First Lady’s media office disclosed that Obasanjo delivered the Second Lesson, taken from Genesis 22:15–18, highlighting God’s promise of blessings that follow obedience. Gowon, a former Head of State, read the First Lesson from Genesis 3:8–12, which reflects humanity’s first confrontation with divine judgment and responsibility.
The host minister later read the Ninth Lesson from John 1:1–14, focusing on the message of the Word becoming flesh and living among mankind, after which worshippers stood to sing the hymn O Come, All Ye Faithful.
President Bola Tinubu did not attend the event. However, sources within the Presidency explained that his absence was not a deliberate snub of the former leaders but rather due to the strictly religious nature of the programme.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters had earlier reported on November 28 that Obasanjo openly criticised the Tinubu administration over the nation’s worsening security situation. Speaking at a public event in Jos, Plateau State, the former president said Nigerians are justified in seeking international assistance if their government fails to protect them.
Obasanjo decried the persistent killings across the country, stressing that no citizen should lose their life because of ethnic background, religion, or location. He argued that the continued loss of innocent lives, coupled with what he described as government excuses, was unacceptable.
According to him, insecurity is a national crisis and not one limited to any particular region or group. He insisted that every death should be seen as a collective loss to the nation.
Reflecting on his time in office, Obasanjo said security agencies then could track criminals anywhere in Nigeria but lacked the advanced technology to eliminate threats without deploying troops. He noted that the situation has since changed, with Nigeria now possessing drone capabilities that can neutralise terrorists remotely.
Despite this progress, he questioned why such tools are not being fully utilised, criticising what he described as a preference for dialogue and apologies over firm action against violent groups.