 As Nigerians usher in the new year 2024, the presiding bishop of the Redeemed Evangelical Mission, Trem, Mike Okonkwa, has charged them to focus on God as he is the only hope to survive the challenges plaguing the nation. Bishop Okonkwa, who gave this charge during a crossover service in Lagos, says the hope of the country was not in the hands of the leaders as the issues are not peculiar to just Nigeria. The auditorium lights up with dancing and thanksgiving. The faithful are grateful for the year 2023 despite the huge turmoil they went through. Just before the dawn of the new year, they pray fervently hoping for a fresh start. The presiding bishop, Mike Okonkwa, then takes to the podium as he makes prophetic declaration for members and indeed the nation. So as the countdown begins, 2024 saunters in ambigibulation by the congregants. Bishop Mike Okonkwa declassates the year of great and mighty things. He explains further the reason behind the prophetic word. It is to us specifically that they come in here wishing to expect great and mighty things in different areas of our lives, in our career, in our profession, in ministry, in family, in our health, in different aspects. Indeed the outgun year could not have come with lots of hardship and difficulties for countries of the world. The man of God shares some insight on what to expect in the new year. The fall is not going to offer any person any good. I can tell you that without fear of contradiction. If you are expecting any good, you are wasting your time. Your only hope now is to focus on Jesus. If you fail to do that, you will see it with your eyes. You will see challenges the way you have never seen before. With great expectations in hope for themselves and the country, the congregants are speaking with high spirits. There is no gain without pain. And the new hope of the present administration to me is a process and not a magic. So the Nigeria has to be hopeful that this new year, 2024, Nigeria will prosper us. It's a work in progress and I'm sure and I'm certain that things will be good. The year 24 for me has a year of great difference. And what I wish and expect, I want God's word to really work in my life. And for Nigeria as a whole, I want a well-structured country and God's plan to really come to stay. The service so far has been great. That's our papa, our daddy, our big daddy. He has imparted a lot of knowledge into us in order to go about this 2021. And we hope that the Lord will lead us and direct us and keep on blessing us to survive and to keep on going years upon years. So in the wake of the new year, haven't prayed and given thanks, the faithful are hopeful of a silver lining after a challenge in 2023. Justin Akadonya, Plastipine News Lagos.