Re-Separating State And Religion

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Kindly refer to the Punch Editorial piece on the above subject matter published on Page 14 of November 24, 2010 edition and the subsequent reaction of His Eminence, Dr. S. Ola Makinde, prelate of the Methodist church of Nigeria, on page 12 of Wednesday, December 1, 2010 edition.

The two pieces of opinion were very much interesting in the sense that the Punch Editorial tried to catalogue the various government institutionalized programmes, policies, activities and spending of the public resources in favour of both the Christian and Islamic faithfuls, especially, on pilgrimage, as a total flagrant disregard to the country's secular status, as entrenched in the Nigerian Constitution.

However, Dr. S. Ola Makinde was of the opinion that the government gesture was a way of helping, especially, the indigent ones, to fulfill a religious obligation, central to their faiths. He further stated the significant role of the two religious organizations in our national development, such as community and infrastructural development, education, health and media establishment, amongst others.

I strongly believe that it is the responsibilities of the various tiers of government to provide the necessary enabling, and conducive atmosphere, and environment, for the generality of the citizens to practice their faiths, without any hindrance.

The question now arises – Are we really sincere, fair and just in our individuals organizational and governmental approach to issues, without any sentiment, bias and selfish interests?

In order to answer the above postulation, succinctly and analytically, before arriving at the appropriateness or otherwise of each of the two opinions under – a – reference, lets take a critical look at two quotations – one is a typed speech delivered by King LEOPOLD II OF Belgium to the early Missionaries he sent to Africa, in 1883, (published on page 38 of Compass Newspaper edition of Wednesday, December 1, 2010) entitled – Teach Africans to read and not to reason. I hereby make few quotes from the speech.

"Reverends, Fathers and Dear compatriots:... your evangelization must inspire above all Belgium interests... go to interpret the gospel in the way it will be the best to protect your interest in that part of the world... Your knowledge of the gospel will allow you to find texts orderings, and encouraging your followers to love poverty like "happier are the poor because they will inherit the heaven" and 'it's very difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of God'... Evangelize the niggers so that they stay forever in submission to the white colonialists, so they never revolt against the restraints they are undergoing... Recite everyday 'Happy are those who are weeping because the kingdom of God is for them... Make them pay tax each week at Sunday mass... Use the money supposed for the poor, to build flourishing business centres... Teach the niggers to forget their heroes and to adore only ours... Never present a chair to a black that comes to visit you... Never invite him for dinner even if he gives you a chicken every time you arrive at his house."

The second quotation is from the former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, published on the back page of the Punch of Friday, December 3, 2010, and I quote. "We say we are a Federal Republic, we are not federal. We are unitary and over-centralized because all the powers lie with the Federal Government at the centre. We say we are a republic, but the royal fathers draw funds from the state treasury. We say we are a secular state, yet we sponsor people to Israel and Saudi Arabia every year. We are in self-denial."

In essence, if we take critical and analytical look at the above quotations, by interlacing them with the Punch Editorial comment, one will, with all sincerity, commend and give kudos to the newspaper, for a well-thought, unbiased, fair and just opinion, and comment, on National Issues of a great importance, which is in fact germane to our corporate existence as a NATION, and taking into consideration the fact that there are Christians and Moslems in the hierarchical and organizational  set-up of the Punch Newspaper.

Re-Separating State And Religion