he times are hard, no doubt. But do we have to ridicule ourselves and do our women have to strip themselves naked before we are able to access the wealth of the Nation? Do we have to go on street protest, subjecting ourselves to all kinds of danger, realizing the brutality of our Policemen? I say "No"

It is just unfortunate that the spell (curse) of poverty placed on our people by Satan will not allow them to listen to the solution spelt out by God.

Nigeria has more than enough money to go round every citizen. But why does it not go round, where some people live in extreme affluence with the same commonwealth and the majority wallow in extreme poverty?

The reasons are many; selfishness, lack of concern for the other fellow, lack of pride for the nation and so on and so forth but it can all be summed up in one word "Unrighteousness"

But has the Bible not expressly warned us that "Righteousness exalts a nation while sin brings reproach to any people?" (Prov. 24:34).

For the past 12 years, I have been shouting on the roof top that we mobilize ourselves to a life of Godliness.

The Bible says it that Godliness alone can make us to eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1:19) and those of us who are old enough can testify to it that once upon a time, when Godliness reigned in this nation, everyone lived a fairly comfortable life.

I have always said it that it is possible to return to that past life of Godliness if our high profile faith leaders on both sides of the isles will mobilize us. But they are handicapped. They wine and dine with the same people who are responsible for our poverty.

Others milk dry the resources of their constituencies in the proverbial saying "The Priest get fat while the laity gets leaner" why my late old man N.I. Alabi always say that Christians are very stupid. If however they repent, they are capable to mobilize us.

I have over the years, times without number, say it that if we can collectively unite against ungodliness, our woes are over.

The recent soccer Cup of nations has vindicated my stand.

If we can be so united as a nation because of soccer, which does not take our hunger away, why can we not unite against something, which is likely to lead us to hell as it is not easy to please God in poverty.

I have over the years pronounced it, times without number that if our youths will devote a tenth of the time they devote to European football league and team up with my plans of prosperity for the nation, their lives will be better of and they will not have to be involved in any yahoo activity.

If those women who stripped themselves naked a while ago shouting "we are hungry" and the youths who went on street protest will spend such unity and energy to mobilize themselves to the Biblical counsel of 'Righteousness' our poverty will flee like lightning.

Prevail on your Pastor and Imam to mobilize us to a nationwide life of righteousness.

Sam Aweda, Pastor, Jesus for the World Revival Mission (Peoples' Church)