The Church has been urged to take a more active role in promoting entrepreneurship and driving industrialisation by bridging financial gaps and supporting innovative ventures among Christians.
This call was made by Bishop Charles Ighele, General Superintendent of Holy Spirit Mission (Happy Family), during his keynote address at the 2024 End-of-Year Forum organised by the Association of Christian Correspondents of Nigeria (ACCoN). The event, themed “The Church: Entrepreneurship and Innovation for a Prosperous Nigeria,” took place at Vineyard Christian Ministries, Lagos.
Bishop Ighele emphasized the Church’s potential to influence national development by mobilising its members into key economic sectors. He also encouraged Church leaders to spearhead agripreneurship initiatives.
“The Church must lead the charge in creating a prosperous Nigeria by empowering its members to engage in entrepreneurship and innovation,” he stated.
He called for collaboration between the Church and government, urging policymakers to prioritise human development and leverage Nigeria’s agricultural strengths. He also announced that the Holy Spirit Mission’s Institute of Entrepreneurship and Skills Development would commence operations in 2025 to enhance entrepreneurial skills among Christians.
Rev. Sam Aboyeji, General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church Nigeria, who served as the Father of the Day, highlighted the Church’s significant role in fostering national development through education, healthcare, vocational training, and ICT programs, many of which are offered free of charge.
“The Church, as the salt of the earth, brings preservation and hope to the nation. As the light of the world, it points society toward peace, prosperity, and progress,” Aboyeji noted.
Adeola Ogunlade, President of ACCoN, emphasized the Church’s role as a catalyst for sustainable development, urging it to create practical solutions to tackle youth unemployment.
“Faith fuels innovation. The Church must leverage its teachings to bridge the unemployment gap through entrepreneurship,” he asserted.
The forum featured a panel discussion with speakers including Rev. Carol Ighele, Apostle Julius Opasola, and other Church leaders and media experts. They explored the Church’s role in human capital development and nation-building.
The event reaffirmed the Church’s pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s development through entrepreneurship, innovation, and strategic partnerships.
