Nigeria is a nation configured with morals. Elements and fields in any system define the way it would be configured and when it comes to morals in Nigeria, there are two elements namely religion and education. Despite our diverse population and glaring differences in ethnic groups, religion and education unify us. Regardless of customs and traditions of any tribe, it allows respect of values of any authority that is older and sacred.
Nigeria parents raise kids with fears of the future, they inform their kids that to be successful in life, they need two keys (God and education) and these keys can be found in religious centres and schools. 90% of Nigeria parents have not only transferred their parental responsibility of moral guidance and directions to these centres but they have also become too lazy to measure the quality contents of what their kids learn from these centres. Nigerian kids grow up and become pesky of teachings they learn from people in charge of these centres. They see people in charge of religious centres as perfect demi-gods who can make no wrongs and turn themselves to robots who follow wishes and commands of their controllers because they have been designed and configured in such manner.
Five days ago, I met a childhood friend who is now a part-time teacher in one of my friend’s residence. Immediately, we exchanged greetings, he said to me “Nigeria can not grow”. I was shocked. This is a childhood friend I have not met for years and all what he could say to me after all these years is ” Nigeria can not grow”. I smiled and asked my friend to tell me why did he lose hope in the growth of Nigeria? He showed me a copy of his daily wisdom nuggets and read out to us one of his crafted statements of wisdom which stated “Cool cash money which comes from dishonesty has blindfolded and stolen away integrity and dignity of people who ought to put the world in its right shape, the globe now a village of distrust”.
He explained to us how a particular private school mandated it for students who are currently writing National Examination Council (NECO) to pay the sum of five hundred naira (#500) per paper after they have paid the initial fee charged by examination body. These funds would be used to settle teachers and exam invigilators per paper. I told the principal of the school that I will not take part in such exercise and even advised him but he said to me that “if we fail to do what other private schools are doing, what would be our excuse if students of other schools pass with good grades and our students fail woefully? This is Nigeria. Only the fittest survives.
He also shared with us story of a pastor who impregnated three choirsters of the church and also siphoned funds donated by church members to build hall inside the church premises. This sad narrative cuts across every nooks and crannies of the nation. We now have paedophiles and pastors who rape minors on the altar and sanctuary of the Lord. Blood of the lamb has been replaced by bloods of minors disvirgined by the holy rod of pastors. Nigeria is an orphan nation. Churches and mosques have become abbatoirs for minors and centres for manipulations. People of doubtful integrity and tainted dignity are in charge of moral centres where our kids grow in spirit, thoughts and knowledge.
Religion is a coin of opposing sides. It brings salvation and destruction but it depends on the decision of officials in charge of its affairs. Unlike present religious centres where poor members contribute funds to build schools they would be financially incapacitated to attend, early religious centres brought free education to Nigeria; they built schools and made learning conducive. Unlike present religious centres where the poor ones feed the church, introduce and practice immorality on the altar of God, early religious centres fed the poor, eradicated some demeaning traditions and introduced morals to the society. Unlike present religious centres where there are reserved seats for the rich and influential ones, people arrive early and sit on vacant seats during the days of early religious centres.
Recently, Biodun Fatoyinbo, senior pastor of COZA was alleged of rape by Busola Daķolo, wife of popular gospel singer, Timi Dakolo. Either innocent or guilty, COZA Senior pastor is just a pointer to hundreds of paedophiles, rapists and fornicators who hide their true colors under pretence as men of God to satisfy their ugly desire. Three years ago, the chief Imam of Ijesaland Central Mosque also publicly announced that they could not find the sum of #30,000 inside the savings of the mosque locked with padlock and could be accessed by officials of the mosque. Inside the box was a letter which indicated that the fund would be refunded. Many Alfas have been accused of sleeping with minors and involving in vices that bring stains to Islam. Unfortunately, these are moral centres our kids attend to become better, useful and responsible ones. Like religious centres like schools. What a nation.
Religion owns servitude, manipulation and brainwashing. I was once a victim and I have seen people at its highest peak of servitude. I have read and watched videos of pastors of big churches ridiculing god’s sanctuary with their ugly utterances like “Remove your pants, let me anoint your clitoris. Remove your bra, allow the spirit to suck your succulent breasts. Drink the anointed semen of grace and allow your father in the lord to disvirgin you for the purpose of grace”. Inspite of all, Africans especially Nigerians still go to church and listen to sermons of these questionable men of God and one wonders if Nigerians worship God or men. May we never be victims of manipulation and brainwashing.
Nothing is working in Nigeria apart from corruption, mismanagement, misuse of power and politics of sentiments. Different school of thoughts rely on education and religion as elements of positive change. They have read about countries who become better after new ideas and innovations directly linked to technology, a subset of education. Dying nations rely on education to chart new ways but unfortunately, the woeful state of our schools, lack of standard equipments, subjects and curriculum that can not address the problems of the nation especially heads of schools have collected #500 as bribe from students who will chart a new way. What a pity!
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