By Foster Akpore | Abuja | November 2, 2025
The inauguration of The Capitol Church, Abuja, on Sunday brought together clerics, reform advocates, and gospel artistes in a solemn yet inspiring call for the Church to reclaim its role as a moral compass and agent of national transformation.
Held at Zeus Paradise Hotel, Mabushi, Abuja, the event, tagged HTK Conference 1.0, explored the theme “The Relevance of the Church in Nation Building.” It featured a keynote address by Dr. Otive Igbuzor, social reformer, policy strategist, and General Overseer of the Palace of Priests Assembly (PPA), Abuja.
Delivering his paper titled “The Church as an Agent of Social and Work Reform in a Nation,” Dr. Igbuzor described the Church as divinely ordained to serve both a spiritual and social mandate—balancing salvation with societal transformation. He observed that while many churches have focused heavily on personal prosperity and spiritual empowerment, the neglect of social responsibility has weakened moral standards and work ethics across the nation.
“The Church of Jesus Christ is built on a dual mandate,” he said. “Jesus preached salvation to the poor and liberty to the oppressed. He healed the brokenhearted, but He also challenged corruption and social injustice. The Church must return to that comprehensive vision.”
Drawing from biblical references and historical insight, Dr. Igbuzor highlighted how early Christianity combined faith with social care, and how institutionalization later eroded that prophetic voice. He explained that the Palace of Priests Assembly, through its Priests Peace and Justice Initiative (PPJ), is working to revive this vision by mobilizing Pentecostal churches to address corruption, governance, and peacebuilding nationwide.
Between 2018 and 2024, he noted, over two hundred churches joined the PPJ’s “Shun, Speak, and Stand” campaign—promoting behavioural change and civic responsibility through faith-based engagement.
“The Church must not merely pray against corruption,” he said. “It must demonstrate ethical conduct, institutional accountability, and respect for work as divine service. When we restore dignity to labour, we restore the soul of the nation.”
Other speakers at the event included Dr. Victor Ogbijah, Presicient of F3C Church; Pastor Onyx Ogbijah, Senior Pastor; Apostle Dr. Elishamo Rosemary Ideh, Prophetess and National Voice; and Rev. Omar Pela, a spiritual and visionary teacher.
Musical renditions by Saint Evergreen, a prolific songwriter and performer, and Bright Gain, a jazz artist and motivational speaker, enriched the atmosphere with worship and reflection.
In his closing appeal, Dr. Igbuzor urged churches across Nigeria to institutionalize social arms, integrate work ethics into discipleship, and promote civic engagement. “A reformed Church,” he concluded, “will produce reformed citizens; and reformed citizens will build reformed nations.”
The Capitol Church inauguration drew clergy, professionals, and youth representatives, reaffirming that the Church’s relevance in nation-building rests not only on prayer but on the pursuit of justice, integrity, and the renewal of social conscience.