Govt, religious bodies must unite to fight hunger, poverty – Bishop Emmanuel

ABUJA – The Founder and President of World Royal City Church, Bishop Dr. Effa Emmanuel, has called for stronger collaboration between the government and religious organisations to combat Nigeria’s worsening humanitarian crisis, particularly hunger and poverty

Speaking during the 17th Anniversary celebration of World Royal City Church in Abuja, Bishop Emmanuel emphasized that religious leaders—who have earned the trust of their congregants—are well-positioned to bridge the gap between the government and the people.

The event, held over the weekend, also saw the inauguration of two associations: The Pastors’ Support Network, comprising over 4,000 pastors across Nigeria.

The Grand Alliance of Christian Bishops, representing over 50 bishops from six states.

Church Representation in National Assembly

Bishop Emmanuel proposed that the church be granted representation in the National Assembly to advocate for the interests of the Christian community in addressing humanitarian challenges. He argued that religious leaders, through their grassroots influence, can reach individuals who may be hesitant to engage with government institutions.

“The government needs to partner with religious organisations to reach people they ordinarily wouldn’t,” he explained. “There are people who walk into my office who haven’t eaten but would never approach a government office. Religious leaders have built trust with the people, and when we work with the government, they will trust us more. I even think there should be a representative in the House of Representatives for the Church, the Body of Christ, to speak for the church because the government doesn’t fully understand our struggles.”

Beyond humanitarian efforts, Bishop Emmanuel urged the government to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, stressing that the private sector—not the government—is the primary driver of job creation and economic growth.

“The first step in alleviating Nigerians’ suffering is to create a fair environment for business operations,” he said. “The private sector is what generates jobs and sustains economic growth in every country. However, because we have depended on the government for too long, we now feel abandoned as it withdraws. We need to reignite creativity, build businesses, and foster partnerships to drive economic independence.”

Key speakers at the event included: Rev. Tun Boon, a leadership expert from Brunei, who underscored the transformative power of strong leadership, citing examples like Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore and Mahatma Gandhi of India.

Archbishop Robertson Akwazi, former PFN Chairman in Bauchi State, who expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future.

Rev. Tun Boon remarked, “Throughout history, great leaders have shaped the destinies of families, communities, and entire nations. The impact of leadership cannot be overstated.”

Echoing this sentiment, Archbishop Akwazi reaffirmed his faith in Nigeria’s potential for renewal.

“We believe in the rebirth of Nigeria,” he said. “This is our country, and we are committed to making it better, no matter the challenges.”