Grand Reception For Archbishop Musa Panti Fillibus

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OUR ROLE AS CHRISTIANS IS TO BIND PEOPLE TOGETHER  BY SELF-SACRIFICE SAYS OSINBAJO

“In our nation, it is our role to bind people of different tribes, of different faith, or different beliefs together and we must do so by self-sacrifice.

SPEECH DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, VICE PRESIDENT FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE GRAND RECEPTION FOR ARCHBISHOP MUSA PANTI FILLIBUS AT THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF CHRIST IN YOLA, ADAMAWA STATE ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

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I’m most honoured and delighted to have been invited to this grand reception in honour of Archbishop Musa Panti Fillibus, for his election as President of the Lutheran World Federation in May this year.

But I would have invited myself and come had I not been invited because I consider this elevation an important one for our nation; an important one for the black people of the world, an important one for Africa, and also because I consider Archbishop Fillibus a brother and a friend.

Having served in ministry myself for many years, and interacted with many anointed ministers of the gospel, I’m sure that you will understand how it is that one is more interested in character to make a judgement of those that one comes across. And here indeed is a man of character.

It is no mean thing to be elected to head a great body such as the Lutheran World Federation, and it is true indeed that to do so, one obviously must have certain attributes and characteristics that make one particularly favoured by such a large number of distinguished people across the world.

The Archbishop himself said this elevation is through the grace of God. Indeed the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, but time and chance happen to them all.  Indeed this is the Lord’s doing and it is marvellous in our eyes.  I thank the Lord for you and for honouring you in this very special way.

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But let me also congratulate my brother, the governor of Adamawa state. God has blessed you and the state by enabling this great honour to occur in your administration, I congratulate you especially. I also must congratulate pastor Ruth Fillibus, the wife of our new president, president of the Lutheran World Foundation.

I want to congratulate you, especially because without you, it would have been extremely difficult to achieve half of what he has achieved. Not only have you continued in ministry, but you also maintained the home front, so congratulations.

In the same vein, let me also congratulate the Lutheran Church in Nigeria over which the Archbishop presides, for producing the 13th Lutheran World Federation President and only the second African to hold this exalted position.

The Lutheran Church is essentially blessed because of your own heads the Lutheran Church.  I am told that there are about 75 million members across all continents of the world.

For the commitment of the Lutheran World Federation to ecumenism, evangelism, justice and philanthropy is especially noteworthy.

The 10th Lutheran World Assembly in Winnipeg, Canada in 2001, says and I quote “In our world today, where too often religion is used politically or by the government to divide people and to fuel conflict, it is crucial that we pursue justice and reconciliation with people of other faith.”

Is it possible to put this any better? It is especially our role as Christians to bind people together. And in our nation, it is our role to bind people of different tribes, of different faith, or different beliefs together and we must do so by self-sacrifice.

Jesus our Lord said, and I quote from Mathew 5:43-44, “ye have heard that it hath been said, thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven; for he maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans do the same?”

And for those who have urged revenge, the answer that our faith gives is and I quote “vengeance is mine, says the Lord”.  We have no authority from our God, no authority from our Lord Jesus Christ to take revenge.  He says that vengeance is his.

It is the word of God that says “for God so loved the world that gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believe in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” And when you look at that scripture again, it is God who so loved the world. It did not say He loved only one part of the world or tribe or one faith. God loves everyone.  And it’s our duty as his messengers to ensure that all, regardless of race, regardless of religion, feel the love of God.

Your Grace Archbishop, as Nigerians, we are glad for this international feat, for this international achievement. And especially glad that in the 10 years of authority in the Lutheran Church, it will be located here on our shore.

And so on behalf of the government and people of Nigeria and especially Mr President, President Muhammadu Buhari, I congratulate you and I wish you an excellent, God-guarded and God-guided tenure as president of Lutheran World Foundation.

God bless you.