The Wife of the President, Oluremi Tinubu, on Sunday inaugurated the National Assembly Christian Fellowship Chapel in Abuja, a 750-seat facility located within the parliamentary complex.
At the ceremony, Mrs. Tinubu highlighted that the chapel serves as a symbol of accountability, reminding legislators that while they make laws, there will come a time when they must give an account of their actions.
“May this chapel inspire humility in leadership, courage, and compassion in service to humanity as a whole,” she said.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged Nigerians to prioritize quality leadership over religious differences, citing President Bola Tinubu as an example. He encouraged citizens to support leaders with the capacity to foster national prosperity and tackle insecurity, while emphasizing continuous prayers for the nation. Akpabio described the chapel as a moral compass for Nigeria’s governance.
Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu, noted that the chapel demonstrates that faith and public service are not at odds, asserting that both aim to promote justice, unity, and peace for national growth. He called the chapel a heavenly covenant for Nigeria’s development.
Speakung the event, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, commended the 10th Assembly and the chapel’s promoters for completing the project. He urged prayers not only for the legislature but also for the executive, judiciary, and other national institutions, emphasizing that unity across creed, tribe, and region is key to national greatness.
On his part, former Head of State Yakubu Gowon called on Nigerians to embrace love across tribal and religious lines, urging lawmakers to act in the nation’s interest. He reminded legislators of the sacrifices made to preserve Nigeria’s unity and warned against allowing those efforts to be in vain.
Speaker of the 8th Assembly, Yakubu Dogara, recalled that the project, which began in 2016, faced funding challenges and seemed far from completion. He stressed that unity and faith in Christ are essential for the chapel to fulfill its purpose, describing it as a place for repentance and prayer for national healing.
In the sermon, Bishop Matthew Kukah of Sokoto Diocese encouraged lawmakers to approach governance with humility, ensuring that laws benefit both the rich and poor and advance national development regardless of party affiliation. He urged legislators to use the chapel to reconsecrate themselves and their offices to God and public service, seeking wisdom in prayer and standing firm against wrongdoing.
Senator Bono Yaroe, President of the fellowship, explained that the chapel’s conception in the 7th Assembly was driven by limited space and time for worship. He called on Christian lawmakers to use the chapel sincerely, turn away from sin, and pray for God’s healing for the nation.