Tribalism, religion thwart development in Nigeria — Cleric

A renowned cleric in Akwa Ibom State, Dr John Okoriko, has identified tribalism and religion as basic factors militating against meaningful development in Nigeria.

Speaking in Uyo on Sunday during the monthly interactive service for April on the theme, “The Law of Attraction” Okoriko, who is the founder of Solid Rock Kingdom Church, disclosed that Nigeria would have been attracted to the British style of development but tribalism and religion have taken over the centre stage of national life causing backwardness in its drive for development.

Fielding questions from online callers, Apostle Okoriko explained that the law of attraction posits that what you are attracted to can also reflect in you, adding that if Nigeria was attracted to the development strive of their colonial masters, it would have reflected in the nation’s development when the colonial masters left governance. 

Okoriko, who is the author of a book titled, “Every Satan Has A Human Face”, noted that Nigerian  Leaders are attracted to their tribes and religion to the detriment of development. 

He observed that the interplay of religion and tribalism has caused barriers to the development of Nigeria after independence. 

He noted the development drive of the colonial masters never attracted Nigerian leaders to replicate the same in their country.

“The law of attraction is a natural law which attracts you to something and those things will mentally reflect in you. In other words, what you are attracted to reflects in you. It is also called the law of mirror.”  

He said Moses in the scriptures was with God on the mountain looking at God’s face for 40 days and when he left God’s presence, the light from God continued to radiate on his face forcing the people of Israel to ask Moses to cover his face. 

“Anything you associate and admire must reflect on you as mentality attracts reality.” 

Okoriko, who stated that he does not believe in the existence of witches and wizards, maintained that the belief in witchcraft is only in the mindset that only exists in the realm of the mind. 

He warned Nigerians especially the youths to mind what they admire adding that what they are attracted to, can bring negative or positive effects as Nigerian leaders take the tribe at the centre stage leaving the nation underdeveloped. 

“If we look at Christ Jesus at all times, we won’t see Satan, witches and wizards. 

“This is because Satan was not among the creatures that God created from the beginning. It is only a creation of man in his imagination. Satan is a religious title and Jesus never came to the world to establish a religion ” he said.