Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, former Vice President of the World Bank (Africa) and one-time Minister of Education, alongside Mr. Ade Buraimo, Group Managing Director/CEO of Alpha Morgan Bank, have called on Nigerians to embrace deep spiritual and economic renewal to lift the country out of its current challenges.
The call was made at the third annual Kingdom Lifestyle Conference in Lagos on November 25, organized by Jesus World Changers Apostolic Mission (JWCAM), under the theme: “From Systemic Poverty to Sustainable Prosperity.” The event attracted numerous church leaders and business figures.
The Chairperson, Conference Planning Committee giving her vote of thanks.
L-r: Rev David Amosun, Dr Olubayode Awosika (Host/Convener, Kingdom Lifestyle Conference), Dr Mrs Dere Awosika MFR, OON (Chairperson, Conference Planning Committee), Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili (Keynote Speaker), Mr Ade Buraimo, GMD/CEO Alpha Morgan Bank Ltd. (Guest speaker) & Pastor Akin Akinpelu (Guest speaker) at the Kingdom Lifestyle Conference Series 3 organised by Jesus World Changers Apostolic Mission (JWCAM), held at the NIIA, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Dr. Ezekwesili: The Church as an Agent of Transformation
In her address, Dr. Ezekwesili lamented the nation’s “outsourced outrage,” divided voices, and dwindling global reputation, highlighting President Donald Trump’s comments on the killing of Christians in Nigeria as an international rebuke.
She argued that this diplomatic embarrassment stems from Nigeria’s “collective indifference” and a failure to unify voices in defense of the sanctity of life.
“You can’t solve what you don’t take responsibility for, and you can’t solve what you deny,” she stated, noting that many influential Nigerians are in denial about mass killings and governance collapse.
She defined poverty as not just an economic condition, but a “mental and spiritual activity sustained by a mindset that normalizes lack and excuses injustice.”
Dr. Ezekwesili stressed the Church’s powerful role as an agent of transformation. To achieve sustainable prosperity, she urged the church to address corruption by using the pulpit to teach civic empathy, public morality, and human dignity.
She called on the church to raise Kingdom Ambassadors by building mentorship networks that model godly character in business and politics. Build believers who see themselves as stewards of heaven in the boardroom, prioritizing long-term stewardship over short-term gains.
She also encouraged the church to govern with transparency by inspiring believers to impact public service, governing with humility and accountability.
“When the mindset changes, behaviour changes, and when behaviour changes, the systems shift. That is when poverty loses its grip,” she concluded, adding that the Church must also persistently speak against mass killings and demand lawful action from the state.
Mr. Ade Buraimo: Building Sustainable, Kingdom-Based Empires
Mr. Ade Buraimo focused his message on building sustainable, “Kingdom-based” empires, emphasizing the primacy of divine vision and durable systems over short-term gratification.
He cited Psalm 127:1: “Except the Lord builds the house, the builders are building in vain,” and stressed that a well-documented vision is the necessary starting point for any business effort.
Buraimoh urged business owners to Focus on Systems, Not Just People. He argued that “Culture, Structure, and Systems” are a business’s greatest assets, countering the common mantra that people are the most valuable asset.
Businesses owners according to him should operate like a republic, involving many ingenious people, rather than being centered solely on the founder.
To ensure enduring success, he said systems must be simplified and durable to survive the departure or competition of key individuals.
He warned attendees to beware of early celebration that “The world is dangerous and wicked… they want you to start, but don’t want you to finish.”
Conference Conclusion
The event which concluded with a special prayer session for the country and its leaders also featured speakers like Dr. Ike Neliaku and Pastor Akin Akinpelu.
In her closing remarks, Conference Planning Committee Chairperson Dr. Mrs. Dere Awosika emphasized a message of unity, stating, “The church is one,” and affirming, “Nigeria has hope, and the hope is hope today in God.”