The International Friendship League (IFL), Edo South Chapter, has marked Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary with a call for genuine citizenship transformation, responsible leadership and renewed commitment to nation-building.
The celebration, held on October 1, 2026, at ViewPoint Hotel, GRA, Benin City, had the theme, “Nigeria @66: A Call to Citizenship Transformation,” and featured a symposium, panel discussion, interactive session, prayers, music and exhortations.
The symposium, which focused on “Transformed Citizens, Transformed Nation,” featured presentations by Professor Peter O. Ibadin of the Department of Accounting and Taxation, University of Benin, and legal practitioner, Reginald Oriaku, Esq.
Speaking on “Transformed Citizens: The Foundation for Transformed Community and Nation,” Prof. Ibadin said national transformation must begin with the individual citizen rather than being left solely to government.
He challenged Nigerians to move from a culture of entitlement to responsibility, apathy to constructive participation, self-interest to public interest, and complaint to meaningful contribution.
According to him, a transformed citizen should be characterised by character, competence and civic responsibility, while demonstrating integrity, accountability, respect for the law, economic productivity and commitment to the common good.
Ibadin said citizenship transformation should be evident in everyday life—from the home and workplace to the road, business environment, community and digital space.
He urged Nigerians to reject corruption, dishonesty, fraud, examination malpractice, lawlessness, discrimination and abuse of public resources, stressing that the Nigeria people desire cannot be built with behaviours that undermine the nation.
He also called for responsible digital citizenship, urging Nigerians to verify information before sharing it, reject misinformation and harmful content, respect other users and use technology to promote constructive dialogue.
“National transformation begins with personal transformation,” he said, adding that Nigerians must stop waiting for others to fix the country and begin asking what they could contribute within their spheres of influence.
Ibadin further stressed that Christian faith could provide a pathway to personal transformation, citing 2 Corinthians 5:17 and calling on citizens to surrender their lives to Christ.
In the second symposium presentation, titled “Transformed Nation: Building the Nigeria We Desire at 66,” Oriaku examined Nigeria’s 66 years of independence and identified resilience, challenges, progress, missed opportunities, innovation and unfinished nation-building as recurring features of the country’s journey.
He said national transformation required more than abundant natural resources, infrastructure and economic activity, stressing the need for institutions that work, accessible justice, quality education, productive infrastructure, innovation, accountable leadership and citizens who trust one another.
Oriaku identified transformed citizens, strong institutions and governance, a productive economy, social cohesion, responsible leadership and infrastructure as major pillars of a transformed nation.
He called for a shift from a predominantly consuming economy to one that produces, adds value to agricultural and mineral resources, supports small businesses, promotes innovation and technology, and creates quality employment.
He also described human capital as Nigeria’s greatest national asset, urging greater investment in education, healthcare, youth development, science, technology, research, creativity and innovation.
Oriaku maintained that every segment of society has a role to play in nation-building, including families, communities, businesses, religious bodies, government, universities, civil society, citizens and the diaspora.
He challenged Nigerians to envision a country with reliable power, better transportation, stronger educational institutions, productive industries, competitive businesses, digital inclusion, effective public institutions, safer communities and greater opportunities for young people.
Quoting Psalm 127:1, he said genuine and lasting transformation must involve God, stressing that repentance and a return to God were essential to the rebuilding of the nation.
Kumuyi: Nigeria still has hope
In his message titled “Divine Assurance When Nigeria Prays,” the General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, said Nigeria still had opportunities for recovery, restoration and renewal.
Referencing 2 Chronicles 7:12-14, Hosea 2:23 and Isaiah 19:25, Kumuyi said “rivers of mercy still flow to the nations,” adding that God answers prayers on the basis of His promises.
He stressed that humility must precede prayer and seeking God’s face, while genuine repentance remains essential to healing and forgiveness.
Kumuyi expressed hope for the recovery and renewal of Nigeria’s healthcare system, economy and institutions, including the judiciary, saying peace, progress and prosperity remained possible if the nation sought God with humility and sincerity.
Okpebholo: Nigeria will overcome its challenges
The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, thanked God for Nigeria at 66 and expressed optimism that the country would become a place where things would work and where Nigerians would live to witness the expected transformation.
The governor, represented by his Special Adviser on Women in Christ, Pastor Courage Aburime-Walter, commended Pastor Kumuyi for his commitment to nation-building through programmes such as the IFL.
He urged participants to continue praying for Edo State and Nigeria, particularly for growth and development.
Dudun: God uses people to build nations
The Edo South Overseer of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Blankson Dudun, said God uses individuals to build nations and would continue to raise people who could contribute to Nigeria’s advancement.
Dudun referenced the political journey of former American President Abraham Lincoln, who contested elections several times before eventually becoming president, to illustrate the importance of perseverance and purposeful leadership.
He stressed that people who fear God and embrace integrity have important roles to play in building a progressive nation.
Citing Genesis 41:37-39 and Titus 2:11, he said there is a divine mandate and blessing when God’s people turn away from wrongdoing through sincere repentance.
IFL: Building purposeful citizens and leaders
Earlier, the Chairman of the IFL Edo South Chapter, Pastor Dr. Ojo Kennedy, explained that the International Friendship League is a non-denominational Christian fellowship platform designed to bring highly placed individuals and influential members of society together for fellowship, spiritual development and meaningful engagement.
He said the IFL is an outreach arm of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, established to extend the transforming power of Christian faith to human life, leadership, families, businesses and society.
According to him, the league seeks to raise purposeful individuals, principled leaders, resilient families, productive institutions and responsible citizens who will leave their world better than they found it.
He listed among its activities monthly fellowship meetings, prayers for nations and leaders, evangelism and special intervention programmes involving correctional centres, hospitals, schools, orphanages and other institutions.
Panel calls for collective responsibility
The celebration also featured a panel discussion and interactive session during which participants examined practical ways of achieving citizenship transformation and national development.
Venerable Sam Aisien of the Anglican Communion, Diocese of Benin City; Dr. Ikponmuen Moses Ugiagbe of the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR); and Ambassador Dr. Amos Areloegbe, among others, emphasised the collective responsibility of citizens in building a better Nigeria.
The speakers maintained that meaningful transformation could only occur when Nigerians at all levels committed themselves to doing the right thing, obeying the law, promoting accountability and contributing positively to their communities.
The event also featured the singing of “To God Be the Glory” and “O Happy Day, That Fixed My Choice,” as well as choir renditions and ministrations by the Deeper Life Bible Church Choir.
The gathering ended with renewed calls for Nigerians to embrace responsible citizenship, integrity, service, unity and faith as the country enters another year of independence.
The central message of the celebration was that the transformation of Nigeria cannot be achieved by government alone, but requires citizens who are prepared to transform their own character, conduct and communities.
As one of the symposium messages put it, “We cannot build a transformed Nigeria with an unchanged citizenry.”
