Internalize God’s Word For Transformation, Cleric Urges Nigerians

By Frederick Peters, KADUNA

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA: The Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Kano, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Adefemi Adegbola, has urged Nigerians to live out the values of scripture to usher in blessings and national transformation.

Father Adegbola stated that the current challenges facing the country demand actions that lead to a true spiritual reconversion, where citizens internalize the word of God to bring about desired changes.

The cleric made the call on Sunday in Kaduna during an interview shortly after concelebrating Mass at St. Gerard Catholic Chaplaincy in Kakuri.

Centering his homily on the power of scripture, Adegbola noted, “In the word of God there is power, healing, and conversion.” He introduced two acronyms—the “Five Rs” and the “Five Cs”—to outline what is expected of Christians and how the word operates in their lives.

“The word of God is a gift, so the first R is that we receive it with an attitude of confidence, faith, and humility,” Adebola explained. “Then we read it. After reading, we research and study the word. Next, we reflect on it through meditation, and finally, we remember it through memorization and quotation. I encourage all Christians to recognize the power in the word, honor it, and value it.”

He further explained that engaging with scripture yields results driven by the “Five Cs.”

“The first C is conviction. When you study the word of God, it convicts you; you cannot remain the same. This leads to miraculous transformation,” the cleric said. “Next, the word corrects us, and we must be open to correction in our daily struggles. The word also chastises us, which is a process of purification, sanctification, and fortification that all imperfect believers need.”

He added that the final two elements, conversion and change, are what ultimately transform families, workplaces, and the nation.

Closing his message, Adegbola reminded Christians of their foundational purpose. “We are seeds planted by God. God has established and empowered you to be fruitful and productive, bringing transformation to our political and socio-economic order.”

When asked where Nigeria currently stands in this spiritual journey, the cleric lamented that the commitment often stops at the surface.

“Well, it ends at the level of semantics,” Adegbola said. “But this is a time where we are called to action. Action simply means reconversion—where we live out the word and internalize its values to bring blessings and transformation to our country.”he reiterated.