‘Lack of integrity became the “cancer of our leadership”’- David Oyedepo

Bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide and Chancellor of Covenant University, David Oyedepo, shared his opinion on what was wrong with Nigeria’s leadership.
Speaking at the 13th Matriculation of the institution at the Cannanland, Ota, the multi-millionaire cleric said that lack of accountability and lack of integrity became the “cancer of our leadership”, Daily Independent reports.

He stressed the importance of having responsible leaders working hard to exercise their duty.

“Someone has said, ‘people hear what you say, but they will only end up doing what you do.’ Leadership by example therefore is the greatest need of our time. Until you can boldly say, ‘follow me,’ you are not qualified to lead. This takes hard work, not of flesh and blood, not of strength and vigour, but of heart and conscience. It is working on oneself to be worthy of one vocation.”

The Winners’ Chapel head Oyedepo, represented by Bishop Thomas Aremu, lamented that the tendency of giving power to able but godless men became acceptable.

“They have every kind of academic degree but lack of integrity has become the norm rather than the exception among the vast majority of them. Covetousness has also become the cancer of our leadership structure across the length and breadth of our great continent.

The bishop concluded his speech with the statement that only the emergence of worthy leaders will help Africa solve its problems.

“Our vast natural resources as a people have become the private estate of our self-centred leaders in most cases. The conscience of many has been “seared with hot iron.” This is our awful situation today. Africa today is at the precipice of total collapse except a new generation of leaders takes the stage. I do believe that the greatest need of the 21st Century is that of leadership.”

It would be recalled that in September Oyedepo turned 60. President Goodluck Jonathan congratulated the clergyman thanking “a devoted servant of God” for his contribution into Nigeria’s education.

The bishopt has been recently involved in controversy over his wealth as Oyedepo was called the richest cleric in the world with an estimated net worth of $150 million. Reacting to the reports, Oyedepo expressed surprise over the figure also adding that the income generated from tithes and offerings in his mega church were used for building schools and serving the needs of the poor.