The General Overseer of The Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Sam Aboyeji, has urged Nigerians to embrace hard work, diligence and integrity while shunning corruption and internet fraud as pathways to national development.
Aboyeji made the call at the closing ceremony of the church’s 71st Annual National Convention, themed “Breaking New Grounds,” held at the Foursquare Camp along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ajebo, Ogun State.
The cleric said achieving progress in individuals’ lives and the nation required a deliberate commitment to hard work, a desire for improvement and a willingness to move beyond the status quo.
According to him, Nigerians must translate their desire for a better country into productive actions rather than resorting to dishonest practices and shortcuts. “Even when we desire new grounds, we need to work hard at it by being diligent,” Aboyeji said.
He challenged those involved in internet fraud, popularly known as Yahoo Yahoo, and other corrupt practices to abandon such activities and embrace legitimate means of earning a living.
“Let those staying on Yahoo-Yahoo work hard. Let those who are corrupt repent. Let people earn a living by working hard,” he said.
Aboyeji added that Nigeria needed more inventors, entrepreneurs, businesses and industries capable of creating economic opportunities and contributing to national prosperity.
He cited prominent Nigerian business figures, including Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola, as examples of the kind of business success the country should seek to encourage through productive enterprise and diligence.
The cleric stressed that sustainable progress could not be achieved through shortcuts but required citizens to develop their talents, pursue legitimate opportunities and contribute meaningfully to society.
He also emphasised the importance of seeking divine assistance, urging Nigerians to combine diligence with faith and prayer for the country’s development. The convention’s theme, “Breaking New Grounds,” reflected the church’s call for individuals and the nation to pursue greater achievements rather than remain satisfied with existing conditions.