In this century, in this democracy, in this education, fighting between Christians and Muslims is still prevalent in Nigeria, and sincerely, could only be explained as a symptom of painful transition to democracy. It has conclusively been shown that Nigeria is one of the most religious and superstitious countries in the world, and the generalisability of much published research on Nigeria shows her as problematic and frequently troubled by religious strife. This makes one wonders what is federal constitutional republic about Nigeria? There is an unambiguous relationship between religion and leadership in Nigeria, and Onuoha (2005) shows that Nigeria began in 1804 on the wrong foot! The famous Professor Claude Ake on democracy, in what could well pass for religion in Africa once states that: "Is it not better for Africa to seek development rather than democracy? why should we care about the democratization of Africa? Does it really matter? Particularly at this time when the development crisis has left many of us impoverished. undernourished and starving, our infrastructure decaying, our social consensus. Fractured irredeemably, unleashing stress, conflict and violence everywhere? The answer is that this crisis is precisely a crisis of politics; especially a crisis of anti-democratic practices. We hear repeatedly that development has failed in Africa. The point however is that it just never started in the first place because of inclement political conditions. More than anything else, it is politics (and religion) that is under-developing African."

One major challenge that Christians are facing in Nigeria is living a life of integrity in the face of a corrupt society. Another challenge is the lack of depth in God’s word to be able to ward off false teaching that is destroying the country rather than building it. The church seems to be turning so materialistic that a gospel message does not look complete without a mentioning of prosperity. Pastors turn executive with private jets, while the Country is faced with the challenge of a sustained democracy amidst corruption in leadership, continuous poverty and political instability. Election, for example, calls for special prayers that godly people be voted in to positions of leadership, to bring to bear a godly influence in our nation, but reverse is the case. What effort on the part of religion to fight corruption in our country, a hope that the fight will be total, sustained and entrenched in our national life.  A hope that the prayer focus will be right, that is will focus on repentance and a complete turn around to the godly paths that we were made to believe when it was introduced to the country, other than the prosperity preaching that is not kingdom centred and of course not the intention of the originators.

If Nigeria began in 1804 on the wrong foot, then the first Europeans to set foot on what is now of Nigeria destroyed it? They reached the Gulf of Guinea in the latter part of the fifteenth century and sailed the coast from the Mahin River in the mid-west to the Forcados River and beyond, making periodic incursions into the hinterland. As at that time, of course were mainly interested in commence and slavery, but devised that if Africans were to be good customers and easy prey as slaves, they must have some rudiments of Christianity –considered most important by European merchants, civil authorities and missionaries at that time. This is the birth of Christianity in Nigeria, won’t Nigeria have truly, I mean truly discover God at the right time, and not some forced selfish imposition that is now the vehicle for our reverse development? The game was an outing for the slave trade which ravaged West Africa for nearly three hundred years, and now a start of a new ravaging by ourselves! You don’t have to be student of history to know about the Ancient Bini Kingdom, Great Oyo Empire, Oduduwa Kingdom, and the Traditional Igbo Society just to mention a few? Have we all forgotten so soon that these great and very respectable kingdoms and empires were developing and growing at their own pace before the incursion of the Europe in the guise of colonialism? Had this not distorted our development, we would not have been where we are today. Walter Rodney while writing in his book “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa” noted that prior to the coming of the white man, the level of cleanliness in Bini (in the present EDO) was better than what was obtainable then in Amsterdam. What a revelation?

The baton was passed unto the Nigerian pastors by the missionaries, who advanced it ‘Pentecostally’ to present day pastors who abuse and take advantage of poor people and their reluctance to question 'pastor’s god', most especially because of widespread ignorance, limited exposure to knowledge, and social problems of poverty, illiteracy and a fear of physical insecurity. Why can’t we learn when we see pastors frequently been docked for fraud, pastor (King) flogging church members, using religion to defraud people. Instead of working hard and converting Sunday and Friday to working days, we listen to fake pastors and their gods. While religion is failing Nigeria, I however, want religion to be reformed in Nigeria and people exposed to a world class training that will help then to be more effectively employ every resource at their disposal to be best in the service of the God and development of the country. To be trained in leadership skills that are transferable, and be exposed to new discipleship and mentoring concepts that will affect the mentality of generation to come. In Nigeria, the overwhelming majority of the population are either illiterate, have had little education or non at all as compared to the few educated elite pastors. Almost all pastors are the products of formal education, and majority of church-goers acquire their education through non-formal way. Against this backdrop, advocating for an exposure education about religion in Nigeria becomes imperative. Doing so, it will reduce the social and economic inequalities, and how people are ripped off.

God give me the strength to serve you, and the wisdom to discern real pastor in my country. That is my prayer, because I was born to a Christian home; my father was an elder and my mother a woman leader in the church. In Sunday school, I was told that I am a sinner and I cannot save myself,  I still remember my mother asking me(even till now) where I will go if I happen to die? She wants to be sure about my salvation. It was in 1993 at a meeting organized by the Fellowship of Christian Students, I was made to understand 1 John 5: 11 – 13 which has to do with the assurance of salvation. Ever since I made the commitment to the Lord Jesus I have never remained the same. I am not perfect but I have a growing hatred for sin. I have had many challenges in life but the Lord Jesus has helped me as I seek to honour Him. Now, my perceptions have change, but my faith remains. The religion has failed us (me), and it has failed Nigeria. Nigeria’s religion have turned to greed, and the more it grows the more backward and undeveloped we go, it is unstatistically proven, but not far from the truth.

Only God can help, and I wonder as I was concluding this piece that what did Steve Biko mean when he said 'Black man you are on your own'?

Robot  # 1 | 09.05.2009 22:59

Nigeria began in 1804 on the wrong foot!...Is it not better for Africa to seek development rather than democracy? why should we care about the democratization of Africa? Does it really matter? Particularly at this time when the development crisis has left many of us impoverished. undernourished and starving, our infrastructure decaying, our social consensus. Fractured irredeemably, unleashing stress, conflict and violence everywhere? The answer is that this crisis is precisely a crisis of politics; especially a crisis of anti-democratic practices. We hear repeatedly that development has failed in Africa. The point however is that it just never started in the first place because of inclement political conditions. More than anything else, it is politics (and religion) that is under-developing African." ...Read the full article.

Anioma777  # 2 | 10.05.2009 00:24

The problem with most Nigerians is that THEY ARE LOOKING FOR WHAT IS NOT LOOKING FOR THEM. Going to church or not going to church is a personal thing.The most important thing is that your personal relationship with God and above all your FAITH remains strong. Religion is not the problem in Nigeria or anywhere in the world, its MAN THAT HIJACKS,MANIPULATES RELIGION TO FURTHER HIS OWN EVIL AGENDA. THUS BRINGING RELIGION INTO DISREPUTE AMONGST NON-BELIEVERS. After our wicked leaders and endemic corruption, churches/Pastors ( business centres ) are the next big killers of the Nigerian population. Spiritually killing. But a lot people claim to go for bible classes or night vigils or whatever idiotic names they call it. Yet they do not understand that no matter how long you read certain parts of the bible, you will never understand it until you experience a similar encounter. Many are too easily swayed by their pastors, friends or family as to what direction they should take spiritually. One often wonders wether most Nigerians are not subconsciously "worshipping" their pastors rather than God. Fact of the matter is that the vast majority of Nigerians have such unstable and fragile FAITH, that I often wonder which is more secure their fragile faith or the substandard buildings due to collapse in the not too distant future. Church destruction of Nigerian spirituality makes me really angry, but then I remember Jesus foretold many of these things will happen so only fools will let themselves be party to this nonsense. Temptation is a good sales spirit but you the buyer have the control to buy or not to buy the commodity being packaged falsely using God!!!!

draftman  # 3 | 10.05.2009 14:30

You're very correct. Religion has been our downfall, the pastors amd Imam makes us poorer, the pastors especially makes a fool out of the followers by stealing, lieing, adultery, and thiefry. But this will go on as long as ppl fall for fraud. christianity has always been a fraud fron its inception into africa, african still believe in the white jesus with blue eyes, we still believe this man is coming to save us, we believe in the book that was written by the british as the word of god. Our mind has been polluted with all these gabbage, hence we will fight to preserve our masters, rapist, and opressions religion. If religion saves, we should a wonderful place with all these churches in nigeria. Religion has brought nothing but war and pooverty among our ppl. We got what we deserve in these scam artist pastors.

overdryv  # 4 | 10.05.2009 17:50

One point people overlook is that if it is not for the slave master or colonialst no African could be a Christian or a moslem. So our belonging to these religions is like wearing proudly the badge of slavery. African could have had backward religions and culture but embracing foreign religions that are meant only for the educated elite is what is presently ravaging Africa. I have always told people that the bible could be a great book but certainly not written for blacks. After more than two thousand years the bible was written, the elite cannot agree on how it should be interpreted. So where is the place of the illiterate large black population in it? @Anioma If you agree that Jesus predicted those things when he supposedly lived, does it mean he is responsible for their fulfillment? This is the problem I have with prophecy. What are the forces behind prophecies? If we must believe in them, it automatically translates into man not having free will. If I predict that in 2010 that two brothers from Auchi would overthrow Yaradua and it happens, definitely it means there is an unseen hand at work. This line of reasoning fits perfectly what is happening on the Nigeria religious landscape. Its not quite out of place to say that most or all the pastors are under the influence of some demons. Just being curios here.

Anioma777  # 5 | 10.05.2009 21:09

@Overdryv @Anioma If you agree that Jesus predicted those things when he supposedly lived, does it mean he is responsible for their fulfillment? This is the problem I have with prophecy. What are the forces behind prophecies? If we must believe in them, it automatically translates into man not having free will. If I predict that in 2010 that two brothers from Auchi would overthrow Yaradua and it happens, definitely it means there is an unseen hand at work. This line of reasoning fits perfectly what is happening on the Nigeria religious landscape. Its not quite out of place to say that most or all the pastors are under the influence of some demons. Just being curios here. Overdryv you ask and make valid points above. The scriptures and faith is open to individual interpretation that sometimes may not be understood straight away. The prophets made predictions based on what was revelaed to them. My understanding and it is not something that was instilled or preached to me, is that God created us all with a FREE MIND. No matter what mental state humans are in, subconsciously we know what is good and what is bad. I believe God has mapped out our lives. Ok one may now argue correctly, so what is the point of mapping all humans life and yet I am saying God has given us a free mind. This human map is like having a road network from A-Z. Where A is your birth and Z is death and the letters in between are the trials and tribulations throughout your life and are like inter-state highways,roads and streets all connected. So for example if lets say an armed robber at 20 years and say is on route F decides to carry on with this life,he still can end up a good person by taking route G. I think God is in charge of A and Z and the letters in-between he is more an observer waiting for us to come back on course to a better life. This obviously is simplistic,but I prefer to look at life this way than complicating it. @Deepthought After reading your post I remembered an article I read on a flight a few years ago. I am not a person to always believe in surveys as sometimes the cynic in me thinks it can be manipulated to suit one's agenda. The article stated that on average most circular countries had better tolerance and kindness amongst it populace than so called over religious nations. Two countries sprung to my mind NIGERIA and USA!!!!

lateesha  # 6 | 10.05.2009 21:44

The Church in Nigeria is driven by demonology. Everything is demon,demon,demon You are stressed out and have a headache due to sleeplessness,it's a demon. You eat beans ,get bloated and have small diarrhea,demon A bird perches at your front door or you see a stray black cat,it's a demon from Okija God help you if you hear a cat meowing at night,it's a legion of uncountable demons sent from your village. ah ah you are sitting at home and hear a normal settling noise in the house,a demon is at work,you start binding and casting. I know evil powers are real but the publicity they get amongst Nigerian Christians at the expense of praise and adoration to the almighty is annoying.

UGOJIALOR  # 7 | 11.05.2009 04:15

Part of the reason why Africa is in a deep mess is because we fail most times to: 1. Tell ourselves the truth 2.Our inability to challenge established practices that glaringly are a setback rather than a straightforward, many that are either Christians or Muslims are so because their father or their mother was.religion is just plain politics, an intangible... Read more opium to hold and control the gullible many, it only takes a brave mind to challenge the status-quo,but really how many brave mind do we have in Africa? How many are the gullible? Until the equation changes in favour of the brave.the hope of Africa will still remain an ELDORADO. More disappointing is the so called educated Africans who in some instances have bagged very high degrees(Masters, PHD etc). Yet no effect of the knowledge on African development. THANK GOD I HAVE KNOWN THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH HAS SET ME FREE AS FAR BACK AS AGE 12. Source: written by Mr Adeyinka Ayorinde

otito  # 8 | 11.05.2009 08:49

The Lord said to His disciples when asked about the end of the ages: And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Matthew 24:11-13 Well on track brethren, get rid of organised religion but seek to share the Word MAY BE THROUGH IMFORMAL BIBLE STUDIES.. THE MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITY IS THAT YOU DO NOT LET YOUR LOVE WAX COLD. Also take into consideration, Paul’s advice to Timothy; Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; The amplified Bible version says: As I urged you when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay on where you are at Ephesus in order that you may warn and admonish and charge certain individuals not to teach any different doctrine, Nor to give importance to or occupy themselves with legends (fables, myths) and endless genealogies, which foster and promote useless speculations and questionings rather than acceptance in faith of God's administration and the divine training that is in faith (in that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence)-- Whereas the object and purpose of our instruction and charge is love, which springs from a pure heart and a good (clear) conscience and sincere (unfeigned) faith. But certain individuals have missed the mark on this very matter have wandered away into vain arguments and discussions and purposeless talk. They are ambitious to be doctors of the Law (teachers of the Mosaic ritual), but they have no understanding either of the words and terms they use or of the subjects about which they make dogmatic assertions. Again, SHUN ORGANISED RELIGION BUT DO NOT LET YOUR LOVE WAX COLD OTITO

lateesha  # 9 | 11.05.2009 10:37

=otito;354974>The Lord said to His disciples when asked about the end of the ages: And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Matthew 24:11-13 Well on track brethren, get rid of organised religion but seek to share the Word MAY BE THROUGH IMFORMAL BIBLE STUDIES.. THE MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITY IS THAT YOU DO NOT LET YOUR LOVE WAX COLD. Also take into consideration, Paul’s advice to Timothy; Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; The amplified Bible version says: As I urged you when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay on where you are at Ephesus in order that you may warn and admonish and charge certain individuals not to teach any different doctrine, Nor to give importance to or occupy themselves with legends (fables, myths) and endless genealogies, which foster and promote useless speculations and questionings rather than acceptance in faith of God's administration and the divine training that is in faith (in that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence)-- Whereas the object and purpose of our instruction and charge is love, which springs from a pure heart and a good (clear) conscience and sincere (unfeigned) faith. But certain individuals have missed the mark on this very matter have wandered away into vain arguments and discussions and purposeless talk. They are ambitious to be doctors of the Law (teachers of the Mosaic ritual), but they have no understanding either of the words and terms they use or of the subjects about which they make dogmatic assertions. Again, SHUN ORGANISED RELIGION BUT DO NOT LET YOUR LOVE WAX COLD OTITO If by organized religion,you mean churches,I beg to disagree. The Bible talks about assemblyng of brethren It talks about house of worship and place of worship. There is nothing wrong with an organized place of worship with proper order. Our God is a God of orderliness. If God took out time to instruct the people of Israel on the details of building the temple,he is not against building a house of worship. Christ himself while chasing out the money changers talked about his father's house being a house of prayer than a den of thieves. Non organized religion whatever that means is not the solution to greed and corruption.

M. Akosa  # 10 | 11.05.2009 14:33

Thank you Mr Adewumi, for writing this article. Our Nigerian folks are further retarded by attending all those pentecostal churches that is preaching and teaching them how to become more passive, moronic and stupid in the face of brutal onslaught. On the development versus democracy issue. Yes, what we need is not democracy at this stage in Africa. Countries in post colonial parts of the world are all bastard and illegitimate entities, fooling ourselves even further by engaging in western ideological driven democracy. For your information, there is now a modern black African version of the bible, published and edited with the help of many eminent (black African friendly) scholars. It is aimed at teaching us to love, respect and nuture our nature and environments.

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