By Linus Ngantem
A Professor of Church History, Professor Musa Gaiya has called for a review of the curriculum for religious studies in universities to cover the current global challenges posed by religious conflicts.
Delivering the 50th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Jos, Gaiya observed that the dosage of theology in the curriculum for the study of religion in Nigerian Universities has turned them into theological seminaries.
He said a scientific approach is the most effective and appropriate method to the study of religion in the curriculum of Nigerian Universities to enable students participate in resolving religious conflicts in Nigeria.
Gaiya who spoke on “Religion After 9/11: Implication for the Study of Religion in Nigerian Universities” identified religion as the cause of violent conflicts and all other forms of terrorism in the world.
He noted that the issue did not attract attention until after the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center in United States of America that led to the death of thousands of people which the US intelligence agency linked to Al-Qaeda, a terrorist group.
He described the study of religion in Nigerian Universities as a theological and confessional study, a scenario which is a departure from the intention of its founding fathers, to justify his call for a redesigning of the curriculum to address the present global threat to peace.
Professor Gaiya urged students to adopt the scientific approach to the study of religion and be rational in their thinking rather than whip up sentiment against another religion leading to conflicts which is today a major challenge to Nigeria as a nation.
He sued for collaborations with other disciplines in the humanities and social sciences to introduce courses that will address the lingering religious conflicts in Nigeria, Africa and in other continents of the world.
He implored the Nigerian mass media and religious bodies to correct some of the negative and unnecessary sentiments about religion such that adherents can relate freely without suspicion.
Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Sonni Tyoden commended Professor Gaiya for the timely lecture, stressing that it will go a long way in curbing some of violent conflicts experienced in Nigeria such as the recent post electoral violence in some parts of the country.
The occasion attracted dignitaries from within and outside the university community.
