Don seeks suppression of ethnic loyalty in public

By Emmanuel Afonne

Prof. Godwin Akper, a professor of Systematic Theology, at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), has called on churches in the country not to allow ethnic loyalty to suppress their calling to the world.

Akper made the call on Thursday in Abuja while delivering the 25th inaugural lecture of NOUN with the theme: “Are we the reason? (Christian) Religion in the Nigerian Public Spheres.”

He argued that allowing ethnic loyalties to suppress their calling would erode Christian essentials such as love without ulterior motive, unity, kindness, peace, care for the needy and hospitality.

He, therefore, called on the churches to declare a “status confessonis” (a moment of truth) where the gospel can prevail against division caused by ethnicity.

“Ethnic loyalties are embarrassing and it is contrary to the message of reconciliation that runs through the scriptures,” he said.

Akper noted that Christians in pluralistic societies should embrace cultural identities and excluding identities that inhibit their calling to the world.

“However, if we are willing to concede that the Bible is the final authority on matters of faith, Christian life (public and private), good works and intelligibility, it should then guide our behavioural patterns and mission to pluralistic societies.

“Therefore, our multiple identities, notwithstanding, Christians should rather be guided on how to discern what God wills for them from the scripture rather than emphasise the differences that exist between people of divergent cultural and religious backgrounds.

“If the story of conversion of Cornelius of Caesarea in Acts Chapter 10 should be an example for us to follow, it should place Christians on the side of changed persons that are well-equipped for good works in public spheres.

“They should, therefore, transcend native loyalties and identities with potential to exclude Christians virtues in the public life of churches in pluralistic societies.

“I maintain that for the members of the Nigerian churches planted along ethnic lines, their credibility in the public space depends largely on the extent to which they can manage ethnic loyalties that affect their calling to the world.

“The essential of showing the humanities of God to all persons in the society should not be suppressed, to pave the way for ethnic, creedal or any other identity in pluralistic societies like Nigeria,” Akper said.

According to him, essentials of a good Christian depends on ones ability to instill values such as good attitude to work, the need to live in peace with one another and to show kindness to communities in situation of discomfort.

Akper noted that the future of Nigeria was dependent on the citizens early realisation of the ethics of hospitality and ubuntu in the country’s local communities.

“I make a call with a deep sense of conviction, that we revert to our known values of showing hospitality, even to strangers in our midst.

“The African values of hospitality and ubuntu – that a person is a person through other persons, echoes interdependence and communality within communities.

“The Nigerian society should be one of those African communities that depend on one another to be a people of great reputation.

“We teach ‘Nigerian peoples and cultures’, yet our graduates find it difficult to identify who they are as Nigerians; this may be a factor contributing to the ‘Japa syndrome among adults and our youths.

“Our graduates today hail their mates who secure either work permits or green cards to commence what I consider to be a journey towards slavery to Asian, middle east and western economies.

“We have left the dreams and ideals of the founding fathers of Africa and Nigeria. So, we are now reaping what we never planted,” he added.

He added that the dreams of the founding fathers could be resurrected through moral regeneration on the campuses and public spaces, if the essentials of religions are rightly appropriated in the public spheres. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma