Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, has urged Nigerians to seek God's mercy for a complete turnaround in the new year. He highlighted the role of divine mercy in the survival of boxer Anthony Joshua from a fatal crash. The call came during a special thanksgiving service in Lagos.
During the 2026 Special Sunday Thanksgiving Service at the Throne of Grace RCCG Headquarters in Ebute Metta, Lagos, Enoch Adeboye emphasized the importance of seeking God's mercy for success and preservation. He stated that no one can achieve breakthroughs without divine intervention, quoting, “It is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy, which means there is no power in any man to be successful if God does not show him or her mercy. The implication is that any man who is wise will always seek God’s mercy given liberally.”
Adeboye linked this to the recent survival of British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua in a car accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on the last Monday of 2025. The crash resulted in the deaths of two 36-year-old British citizens, Kelvin Ayodele and Sina Gami, while others were injured. Joshua had swapped seats with someone before the incident, and Adeboye attributed his escape to God's mercy, saying, “I read in the newspapers yesterday that our boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, exchanged seats with someone before the accident. The people he exchanged seats with died. I don’t know why, but the mercy of God said someone would still be alive today.” He further referenced Lamentations 3:22–23, noting that humanity's continued existence is due to God's mercies, not personal cleverness.
Special Assistant Dele Balogun reinforced the message, warning against abusing God's mercy, which could lead to its withdrawal. He called on Nigerians to repent from crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, and shedding innocent blood, as “God opposes the shedding of blood, and a lot of innocent blood has been shed in this country. Therefore, to be entitled to God’s mercy, Nigerians must repent and seek God’s mercy.” The service included prayers for families and future generations, underscoring the need for humility and appreciation of divine benevolence.