The General Superintendent , Holy Spirit Mission, popularly known as Happy Family Nation, Bishop Charles Ighele, has called on the Nigerian government and political leaders to place the welfare and development of citizens at the heart of governance.
Speaking during an interaction with members of the Christian Faith Reporters Association (CFRA) in Lagos, the cleric stressed that the primary purpose of governance is to improve the quality of human life through access to quality education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and other essential services.
According to Bishop Ighele, political campaigns should move beyond promises of basic infrastructure and focus on policies that directly enhance the well-being of Nigerians.
“Anything apart from making the human being the centre of development does not work,” he said. “When God created the world, He created man as the reason for creation. Likewise, man is the reason for governance.”
The cleric argued that amenities such as roads, electricity, and pipe-borne water should no longer be celebrated as extraordinary achievements but regarded as basic responsibilities of government.
“Building roads should be normal. Providing water should be normal. Electricity should be normal. The real issue is improving the quality of human life. Education does not only develop the mind; it helps to produce civilized citizens,” he stated.
Bishop Ighele urged aspiring leaders to centre their campaigns on practical solutions that would improve citizens’ lives and effectively harness the nation's resources for sustainable development.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria could overcome its challenges if leaders and citizens engage in meaningful national conversations aimed at finding lasting solutions. According to him, the country's problems cannot be solved by a single individual but require collective effort and commitment.
Addressing the issue of protests, the cleric said leaders should pay attention to the grievances behind public demonstrations and use them as opportunities to drive reforms and national development.
Drawing lessons from the historical evolution of England, he noted that responsive leadership and people-oriented policies helped address social inequalities and improve living standards.
“The political class should ask themselves: What are the people saying? What is their pain? Why can't we send our children to the same schools attended by ordinary Nigerians? Why can't we use the same hospitals?” he queried.
He maintained that improving the quality of education, healthcare, and employment opportunities would significantly reduce social unrest and public dissatisfaction.
Using Singapore as an example, Bishop Ighele highlighted how visionary leadership focused on creating industries and jobs to secure the future of young people.
“Nigeria has the capacity to create jobs for its citizens. I prefer solutions to endless protests. However, people should not remain silent. Leaders must know that there is hunger, pain, and hardship in the land, and these challenges can be addressed,” he said.
Reflecting on Nigeria's past, the cleric called for a national reorientation programme that would instill values of civility, responsibility, and patriotism among both leaders and citizens.
He further linked the country's security challenges to social injustice, arguing that widespread inequality and poor governance have created fertile ground for crime and instability.
“In every country, there are people with criminal tendencies. But when social injustice becomes widespread, it fuels insecurity and disorder. Through proper leadership, education, and social reorientation, these issues can be addressed,” he concluded.
Bishop Ighele's remarks underscore the growing calls for a governance model that prioritizes human development, social justice, and improved living standards as the foundation for Nigeria's progress.#
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