Port Harcourt – The Petroleum Industry Fellowship International (PICFI) has urged Nigerians to complement prayers with actions while seeking nation building and positive change.
The National President, Dr Gift Roman, made the call on Friday in Port Harcourt on the sideline of PICFI’s 22nd Annual National Prayer Conference.
Speaking at the conference with the themed: “Bearing the Cross”, Roman said that the conference was organised to pray for Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“PICFI is an organisation of Christians in the oil industry. This conference is to pray for our companies, families and Nigeria.
“As we have gathered, we are praying for a new Nigeria and to see transformation in our country,” she said.
She stressed that prayers must be accompanied by practical actions if the desired results were to be achieved for the country.
According to her, Nigerians must move beyond merely talking about change and demonstrate it through responsible conduct and service.
“The problem we are having in this country is that we are not walking the talk. We are just talking the talk.
“The Bible says faith without work is dead. So, we can do all the prayers, but if our works are not in tandem with the prayer points, nothing will happen,” she said.
Roman urged Nigerian leaders to prioritise citizen’s welfare and create opportunities for a better life.
She said the country needed leaders with the fear of God, compassion for citizens and willingness to listen to the people.
The PICFI president said that many Nigerians were currently facing hardship, urging leaders to implement measures capable of improving citizens’ living conditions.
“People are really suffering. So, if we have leaders that will turn situations around for people to be happy, I believe that every one of us will be happy,” he said.
Roman expressed concern over the high number of Nigerians leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad.
She said that creating better living and economic conditions in Nigeria could reduce the desire among citizens to seek opportunities abroad.
“But if we have those green pastures here, obviously people will remain in the country and contribute to its growth,” she said.
She expressed optimism that improved leadership and better opportunities would contribute to national transformation and enhance citizens’ wellbeing.
Roman dismissed the assumption that oil workers were immune to current economic challenges because of their relatively high salaries.
She said the current economic hardship affected oil workers despite their relatively good earnings.
She said that the declining value of money indicated that high income earnings did not necessarily translate into improved living standards.
According to her, some oil workers might be earning relatively well, but the economic situation affect them indirectly through their dependants.
“Workers face increasing financial responsibilities as relatives, church members and others seek assistance amid difficult economic conditions.
“If things are going on well and people are having good means of livelihood, you will find that fewer people, or even nobody will come to you,” she said.
Romand said that the petroleum industry was also facing several challenges, including production fluctuations, market instability, disruptions, internal restructuring and workforce downsizing.
Also speaking, Mr Mike Iwegbu, PICFI Coordinator, Port Harcourt Zone, urged Nigerians to participate in the 2027 general elections and use their conscience and vote for candidates of their choice.
Iwegbu said that the elections would determine the direction Nigeria would take, saying that voting for the wrong candidates would increase hardship in the country.
“So, let us go out, not just to vote, but to vote for people who would listen and have compassion to improve the living conditions of Nigerians,” he said.
He said he expected development to be reflected in the lives of ordinary Nigerians rather than remain limited to official pronouncements.
“Not development in the papers, not development in theory, but practical development,” Iwegbu said. NAN
