What role can the church play in the quest to build the Nigeria of our dream and how?
The church is a key player in building Nigeria as nation through the message of the church. The church’s core message should form the basis for building Nigeria’s core values. It is this values that will transform Nigerian citizens into nation builder. Other points are the provision of humanitarian services; the church should influence government officials positively to contribute to building Nigeria. The church has large human resources; especially its members and such human resources should be guided for positive contributions to nation building.
The church should speak for those who cannot speak out as stated in the book of Proverbs 31:8: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Speak up for the poor and helpless and see that they get justice. Lastly, we need to pray regularly for our nation.
Everyone used to look at the church as the bastion of high moral ground, probity and other values that exalt a nation. So, what has gone wrong?
Corruption has eaten deep into the fabrics of the church, which has made the church become gospel of materialism. Instead of true gospel that will lead to us to a new Nigeria, sectionalism, tribalism, division, misplacement of priority have weakened the church.
There was a period when clerics were put in highest esteem in Nigeria because they could not be compromised and intimidated. But the situation is different now, especially going by the lifestyle of most of the notable clerics. What is your take on this?
The reason the situation is different among clerics today is as a result of the fact that many pastor have derailed. Carnality has become the order of the day among many pastors. Some of them now derive pleasure in indulging in sin. Hypocrisy, desire to amass wealth and the act of romancing with ungodly people and politicians, among other questionable immoral characters, have taken charge in the Christendom today.
Is there any nexus between the church, business and politics? Kindly explain their areas of connection?
Since the church is in the world, there is a link between church business and politics, because the Christian worldview speaks to all areas of life. Business and politics are unavoidable for the church because it is one of the areas that the church influences the society. Government restrains evil and promotes good. Since the church is the conscience of the government, the church must make sure that such is clearly achieved.
What do you think is wrong with Nigerian leaders at every level and the fact that the country is still groping in the dark in the midst of human and natural abundance? Isn’t this a time bomb?
The claims by some Nigerian leaders that the country is still in the dark with the availability of human and natural resources are because they are overwhelmed with corruption, fanatism, selfishness and poor implementation of government policies. They are also not bothered about workers welfare and they don’t create job opportunities. Majority of them are incompetent. Most of our leaders are not competent to handle the offices they occupy. If things continue the way they are, surely it is going to be a time bomb in no distant time.