Isaac Ajibade Adeyemo is the resident pastor of the First Baptist Church, Maiduguri, Borno State. In this interview with BODUNRIN KAYODE, he speaks on the challenges of Christians in the northern part of the country and effects of insurgency on the church in the state.
With your experience as a cleric in the north, how will you describe the situation in Borno State as regards insurgency?
I have been here since 2012. Though the insurgency has been in existence before my arrival, I have since been witnessing it. The insurgency has been lingering despite the efforts of the government, but I perceive that there is an internal conspiracy and the government is not addressing the issues the way it should. So, it has been lingering because they have been giving it a surface type of intervention.
What are those issues that the government should address?
The government needs to create jobs for the youths. This is the only way to engage the youths. Rehabilitation programme should also be a priority in order to restore normalcy. The society needs to embrace and accept those who have actually repented with a view to ensuring peace. Former President Goodluck Jonathan made efforts to find solution to insurgency in Borno State and the country at large, but he was not able to achieve it. I think it is ideal for the President Buhari-led government to make another attempt in order to find a lasting solution to insurgency in Nigeria.
How has insurgency affected your church and Christians in Borno?
It has affected our church in a great way. As a matter of fact, the impact had been disheartening since I resumed in November 2012. Most of our members who are Yoruba and are craftsmen and traders felt the heat most, while those who could not withstand it had to relocate. I remember that one of our deacons was killed somewhere in Hausari in Maiduguri barely two weeks after I came on board. He was killed in the presence of his wife and children. The church was even crumbling economically because the tithes and offerings were no longer coming. The congregation especially on Sundays reduced drastically such that we then used to have 120 in attendance instead of over 700 members. Many church programmes have been suspended including vigils due to the activities of insurgents. These are the major challenges of all clerics in Maiduguri. It is a major challenge we still grapple with in this part of Nigeria and I pray God intervenes. Also, it has affected us from expanding the growth of the church as well as propagating the gospel. We no longer have branches except that of the one in Southern Borno. Others like Konduga, Bama, Gwoza, along Banki Road, Damasak, Mongunu, Gubio and the rest of them have been abandoned because of insurgency.
What is the situation as regards the study of Christian Religious Knowledge in schools?
I learnt that Christian Religious Knowledge has been abandoned in government schools, though the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has not given up yet on the issue. We visited the former governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, while he was in office and the issue was raised. About a month ago or so, we were with the new governor, Professor Babagana Zulum and we still brought this issue to his attention. Up until now, CRK is not taught in government schools in Borno, but we teach the subject in our own private schools. Even as a cleric, I get myself involved in teaching whenever there is the need to fill in the gap once in a week.
Do you think Christians in Nigeria are well treated?
I don’t think so, because if you look at the appointments, about 85 per cent are non-Christians. They have not done well for Christians in that regard. This government should be able to strike a balance so that the two major religions will be effectively represented. Being one sided is not really good for the peace and progress of the country.