Serving Humanity is Serving God: Obasanjo’s Call to Nigerians as former President Felicitates with Dr. Stephen Akintayo
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Nigerians to look beyond self-interest and contribute to the well-being of humanity to build a progressive society.
Obasanjo made the remarks at the 40th birthday celebration and public lecture in honour of Nigerian entrepreneur, Dr Stephen Akintayo, held at Ibeju Lekki, Lagos on Saturday.
Obasanjo who was represented by his wife, Mrs Bola Obasanjo, noted that serving humanity is a true way of serving God.
Obasanjo advised the people to cultivate the habit of giving, rather than expecting others to give to them.
The Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, popularly known as Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, says pride is a sign of misplaced success, describing it as a silent destroyer of destiny.
Oyedepo urged people to reject pride and stay humble throughout their journey.
He encouraged Akintayo to continually give glory to God for every promotion and every expansion he would experience.
Oyedepo added that in the same vein, every impactful life is guided by a mentor, someone who had gone ahead and has the proof to show for it.
He prayed that the celebrant would be guided by divine wisdom and remain on track.
“May you always be adorned with humility and meekness as a way of life” Oyedepo said.
Senior Pastor of Bahamas Faith Ministries Church, David Burrows, also said God has bestowed precious promises upon humanity, enabling believers to partake in the divine nature.
He urged the people to discover their purpose and fully maximise it with God’s help, noting that by doing so they would become partakers of the divine nature.
“Life often begins with challenges, and it’s how we respond that matters.”
“Life is full of challenges, we’ve all faced them, and we’ll all face more. It’s how we navigate these challenges that defines us.” Burrow said.
The founder/Chairman of Coscharis Group, Dr Cosmas Maduka urged the young generation to look for assets and not money.
Maduka also encouraged young people to emulate the lifestyle of Dr Stephen Akintayo, saying the celebrant submits himself to mentorship.
In his remarks, Akintayo said pain has a purpose, explaining that every step of his progress emerged from moments of pain.
Akintayo said God had helped him author more than forty-five books and produce over two thousand video courses.
“I would say the blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it” he said.
Akintayo urged the younger generations to invest in knowledge and self-development, describing it as critical to their growth and success.
He further added that an entrepreneur’s willingness to take financial risks was crucial, emphasising that integrity remained fundamental to achieving success across business sectors.
He expressed appreciation to those who had journeyed with him through every season, both visible and unseen.
Akintayo said the celebration reflected how God had shown up in his life over the past 40 years.
He also noted that over the years he had learnt that success was not achieved overnight, and that impact is never accidental but it is the outcome of discipline, intentional relationships, continuous learning, and a willingness to serve beyond oneself.
The highpoint of the event included; a book unveiling, the official naming of Bishop David Oyedepo Street, and the launch of a 1,000-apartment housing project by Gtext Homes at Jasper Gardenia Estate, Ibeju-Lekki.
