Former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, has urged parents to instill biblical values in their children as a pathway to national transformation. He made this call during the Grand Finale of the “2024 Champion of Champions National Bible Quiz Competition” held in Abuja on Wednesday.
The event, organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in collaboration with Voice of Evangelism International, emphasized the importance of spiritual integrity for both personal and national development.
Prof. Gana highlighted that living by biblical principles is essential for overcoming challenges such as poverty and for achieving success in various areas of life. He underscored the transformative power of the Word of God and urged Nigerians to prioritize Bible study.
He praised the event’s sponsor, Archbishop Emeka Agwu, for his dedication to promoting biblical knowledge among the youth. Drawing from Joshua 1:8, Gana emphasized the significance of meditating on and living according to the Scriptures, which he described as the foundation of character, integrity, and good governance.
Gana also warned that the neglect of instilling biblical values in children could lead to moral decay, and he called on Nigerians to pray for wise and capable leaders, as effective leadership is crucial for national transformation and prosperity.
Archbishop Agwu, who sponsored the quiz and serves as the General Overseer of VOEI, echoed the call for Christians to make Bible study central to their lives. He stressed that engaging diligently with the Word of God is particularly vital in these challenging times. Agwu commended the participants for their dedication to understanding the Scriptures and expressed confidence that their biblical knowledge would empower them to lead impactful Christian lives.
The Archbishop emphasized that the primary objective of the competition was to ignite a passionate interest in in-depth Bible study within the Christian community. Reflecting on the theme, “Remain in the Word,” based on John 8:31, he urged believers to anchor themselves in the teachings of the Bible, especially as the world faces increasing ungodliness. He also warned that the end times are near and encouraged Christians to awaken from spiritual complacency and actively engage in fostering spiritual revival.
Archbishop Agwu noted that the Bible Quiz is not merely an academic exercise but a spiritual endeavor aimed at deepening the understanding and application of biblical principles.
Venerable Princewill Ireoba, the Director of Ecumenism and Interfaith for CAN, commended the organizers for the initiative, noting that the program brought Christians together across different denominations. Ireoba, who also chaired the Planning Committee, emphasized that what unites Christians as a church is the Word of God. He added that CAN fully supports such programs to further strengthen faith within the Christian community.
(NAN)
