By Toyin Adeniyi
Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ilesa, Rt. Rev. Dapo Asaju, has urged Nigerian Christians to take concrete action in their spiritual and national lives, saying non-achievement persists when believers rely on prayer alone without following up with action.
He made the appeal at the 2025 Abiye Global Convention which took place recently in Ede, Osun State recently.
Bishop Asaju who preached on the topic, Victory Over Non-Achievement, said the Bible remains “the final authority” and should be the first point of reference for anyone seeking progress.
“The Bible is the constitution of life. Heaven and earth may pass away, but the Word of God can never go unfulfilled,” he said.
He told Christians that spiritual growth and life breakthroughs require active steps. “You want to have an achievement in life? You want to move forward? Stop sleeping. Stop praying without taking action,” he said, quoting Isaiah 60’s call to “Arise and shine.”
Asaju warned that many believers see themselves as small despite God’s promises. “Stop seeing yourself as little. See yourself as God sees you,” he said, adding that “with God nothing is impossible” for any child of God anywhere in the world.
The bishop also challenged Christians to shine their light through righteous living. “You cannot afford to be corrupt. You cannot cheat. You are the light of the world,” he said, emphasising that Christian conduct must reflect biblical standards.
Making reference to Kemi Badenoch, Leader of the UK Conservative Party, Asaju said, ” She arrived in Britain with just 100 pounds she got from her Nigerian father. She worked as a sales girl in a supermarket and in care homes, but she said to herself, ‘This is not how my life is going to end.”
” Through perseverance and faith, she rose to political prominence, now interrogating the British Prime Minister in Parliament.This Yoruba girl is the head of the Conservative Party,” Asaju exclaimed at the same time prayed that his listeners will enjoy divine promotion.
Vision for greater future
He urged Christians to embrace a vision for a greater future, quoting God’s instruction to Abraham.when he was asked to lift up his eyes and look as far as he could see that the land would be given to him and his descendants.
Asaju who was a one time VC of Ajayi Crowther University, said, “If you are good, you can be better. If you are better, you can be the best. The little you have shall become plenty tomorrow.”
On the current situation of the country, the Bishop warned Christians not to stay silent. “People are dying. People are being killed. People are being driven away from their villages. Because we are comfortable in the south, we are keeping quiet. We need to speak out,” he said.
Drawing from Isaiah 61, the bishop reminded believers that Jesus came “to preach good tidings to the weak,” “to heal the brokenhearted,” “to proclaim liberty,” and “to comfort those who mourn.”
