Nigeria could rise to glory again

Among the numerous questions people are now asking is if the nation, called Nigeria is going into oblivion. This is because of the rate of crime in the different parts of the country that now negate the value of life. Some people who try to give reasons why the nation is drowning in the ocean of blood put the blame solely on leadership and governance. Others put the blame on religion and a fall in traditional values. But we can ask further: “What if each person sincerely do a proper self-examination of conscience to see the individual contribution to this national tragedy? This would be a personal contribution to the celebration of Easter for the nation. Because Easter is a celebration of hope, we can hope that even in the face of death, all is not lost for those who believe in the reality of heaven. What is needed at this trying moment of Nigeria is a radical change of attitude and values. This can take Nigeria to another level. God forgets the sins of the sinner who resolves to do better through penance and repentance hence what precedes Easter is the celebration of Mercy, Forgiveness and Compassion during the Lent. In the words of the National Anthem of Nigeria, let us pray: “O God of creation, direct our noble cause, guide our leaders right, help our youth the truth to know. In love and honesty to grow. And living just and true. Great lofty heights attain. To build a nation where peace and justice shall reign.”

The saying that, “To err is human, to forgive is divine” does not mean that the human person has no capacity to change for the best. Every human being actually can rise from grass to grace. Jesus rising from death to life defines the divine vision in every human being. No one is born a criminal just as no one is born a Saint. We can actually make a difference even in the face of human trials. Jesus while going through the most agonizing pain and trauma on the cross prayed for his executioners: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing” (Luke 23:34)! If you listen attentively to the passion narratives during Holy Week on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, one thing that stands out is the consistency of Jesus Christ. He did not deviate from his life saving mission despite the rejection, pains, provocations, denial and agonizing death. We should therefore grow beyond any given predicament and not use the challenges of unemployment for example as a reason to perpetuate crime. Vendetta and perpetual nursing of vengeance can destabilise a person emotionally, psychologically and physically. Anger has the capacity to eat up the owner. The antidote is to conquer hatred no matter how you are bruised, derided, injured and traumatised. The effect is perfect healing of mind and body. Jesus is a priest and victim who went through the worst forms of pains that any human being on earth could ever go through. We can change any ugly situation like Jesus, the wounded healer.

Anger is natural. This is why God in anger regretted creating man (Genesis 6:6). God vowed to wipe human beings from the face of the earth (Genesis 6:7; Zephaniah 1:2) but Moses pleaded for the people (Deuteronomy 9:13-14). Moses sought the favour of God saying, “Lord, why should your anger burn against your people whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand (Exodus 32:11)? May God have mercy on Nigeria! Saint Paul admonished the Ephesians: “Do not let resentment lead you into sin, the sunset must not find you still angry. Do not give the devil his opportunity (Ephesians 4:26-27).  God says, “I am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more” (Isaiah 43: 25).  If a sinner turns away from his sins and decides to be righteous, God forgets his past sins but if a righteous person turns from his righteousness and decides to live in sin, God forgets his past goodness (Ezekiel 18). This is why the repentant thief who was crucified had the opportunity to be with Jesus in paradise at the last moment (Luke 23:33-43).

Nigeria can rise again to a higher glory if the Christians and Muslims in government could apply the values of their religions to governance. For instance, it is forbidden for a Muslim to cheat even in commerce and trade. Borrowing and lending does not attract interest in Islam. Even at death, the relatives of a Muslim have to pay any debt he may be owing somebody and if somebody is owing him, the money must be paid to the family of the dead. This value is not different from that of Christianity. The cultures and traditions in Nigeria communities uphold integrity and honesty. This is why we need to find out where we learn the act of corruption that has become a dragon to wage war against in the core polity of Nigeria. You can imagine if the act of love, justice and honesty that are core values in our religions and traditions are practised in the implementation of government policies. You can imagine if these values are remembered and used in political appointments. If Nigerians could really be committed and devoted to their religions and cultural heritage, trust will give way to mutual suspicions. Nobody would be deprived of human dignity based on religion, ethnicity and where a person comes from.

Let the Easter message inspire in us the hope of creating a greater nation with a better Christian/Muslim relation in Nigeria. In the past, we have lived together in peace and harmony. The killings in Nigeria today has proven wrong those who think that every Northerner is a Muslim while every Southerner is a Christian. Now it is clear that the violence in Nigeria is not an organised war between Christians and Muslims or Between North and South. Was it the Northerners that went to Rivers State to kill the natives? Are the killings in Zamfara orchestrated by Southerners? Who is killing who in Kaduna State? Can we still sustain the argument that the clash between the herdsmen and the farmers in the various communities in Nigeria is a war between Muslims and Christians? Nigeria could rise to glory again just as Christ rose from the dead to life if we can sincerely identify the true causes of our woes.

Stakeholders of Inter-religious dialogue and peace builders must never give up in sourcing for means to sustain the hope that Christians and Muslims have no choice but to live together in peace and harmony. Peace is a cherished virtue in Christianity and Islam. This peace cannot co-exist with injustice hence we must pray and work for justice at all levels.  The essence of Easter is to reflect deeply on the value of life and fulfilment of our mission just as Jesus accomplished his mission. Easter means to be fully alive (Revelation 1:18). It is a celebration of victory over sin and death. Yes, Easter reveals the hidden wisdom of God which none of the princes of this world knew. Otherwise, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Corinthians 2:7-8). Easter reconciled us with God (1Peter 1:3). The victory of Easter can have effect on Nigeria if we accept Jesus Christ and his entire message (Romans 10:14). May this Easter celebration give to us and our nation God’s blessings, salvation of souls, healing, deliverance, mercies and comfort (Psalm 103:1-5)! May the resurrection of Jesus Christ bless Nigeria with riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory and blessings (Revelation 5:12). May Nigeria rise to glory! May God answer our “prayer for Nigeria in distress.”

Rev. Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua is the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) ([email protected]).