By Nenzar Beka
The greatest difficulty and task Nigerians have is the need to convince its population that extra-judicial killings and use of sacred religious books as weapons of war is an aberration which goes against all sanctity of human living.
This assertion was made by Prof. Victor Ezigbo, a professor of systematic and contextual theology with Bethel University, USA and guest lecturer during a public lecture organized recently by the Faculty of Arts at the Faculty Unity Hall on the topic “From a spear of violence to a balm of peace: Discerning religious healing powers for addressing religious violence in Nigeria”.
Prof. Ezigbo who is also the Chair, Department of Biblical and Theological Studies, pointed out that although the most common religious books in Nigeria – the Bible and the Quran – have several episodes of violence narrated in them, there are very vital examples and elements of peaceful co-existence which the two religions can harness to initiate peace and harmony among its followers leading to great developmental strides.
He observed that religion in Nigeria has becoming a cheap commodity hence it has created the ‘use and dump’ syndrome and has also become a great instrument for manipulation of innocent and loyal followers adding that the country’s current spade of religious violence is anchored on three major factors.
“Today, Nigerians see violence as the only means of achieving any meaningful change. Secondly, Nigerians do not see the government as capable of salvaging their situation, so they seek to do it themselves and three, Nigerians now uphold ethnic and religious entities above national interest and identity”. He remarked.
Citing the story of Jesus Christ and the Samaritan woman in the Bible, the Nigerian-American scholar explained that the Jews and Samaritans at that time were in utter contempt of each other, hence, Jesus decided to go through Samaria because he wanted to teach his disciples the power of inter-faith relations.
According to him, the value and principles to arriving at peace are hinged on five major components which involve, preemptive interfaith engagements; peace-making principles, concession of religious traditions; concession of divine prerogatives of true worship and having a transformational goal.
Furthermore, Ezigbo enjoined Nigerians to see every need to draw those sacred solutions to engender all peace elements in the country adding that the University of Jos must be a leading voice in the peace making process by establishing an interfaith centre.
Drawing allusions from his Igbo ancestry and South-Africa’s Bantu, Prof. Victor Ezigbo said Nigerians should learn to treat each other as brothers and sisters bearing in mind that nwanne di namba (a sibling exists in a foreign land) and ubuntu (I am because we are).
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sebastian Maimako represented by Yakubu Gomos who is the Executive Director of Advancement Office of the university, commended the Faculty of Arts for organizing and hosting a scholar of this repute adding that his administration will welcome a lot of public lectures that seek to promote research and create synergy with communities outside the university.
He added that his doors are open to promote community relation which is an integral part of the tripartite goal of academics – teaching, research and community service – as management and staff seek to build a more robust educational system both nationally and globally.
Chairman of the occasion and Vice-Chancellor Federal University Gashua, Prof. Andrew Haruna in his closing remarks also reinforced the guest speaker’s position by adding that Nigerians are equally torn between the lines of ethnic sensations.
According to Prof. Haruna, many of the tribes in Nigerian, though diverse, are linguistically related historically. He disclosed that these tribes have a common descent and are only distinct today due to many years of remaining on their own. Consequently, a “Hausa man should know that when he kills an Ngas man, he is killing his cousin. This fact is scientifically proven”.
After the lecture, there was room for comments where members of the university community in attendance engaged the guest lecturer in thought-provoking discourse where it was suggested that an interfaith students’ forum be initiated in the Faculty of Arts with the support of the institution.
Present at the public lecture also were the Deputy Dean of Arts, Dr. Dauda Chantu, Director, Centre for Alumni Relations, Mr. Samuel Mwansat, Deputy Director, Centre for Gender and Women Studies, Dr. S. Wakjissa, Heads of Departments, Lecturers, students and members of the public.
Recall that the Faculty suspended all examinations for the 26th of July, 2018 to enable the public lecture to hold. This, according to the Deputy Dean, Dr. Cahntu, was due to the importance attached to the topic of discourse and also because of logistics. It was envisaged that examinations will begin from 30th July and arrangements were made flight ticket for this week. Any postponement will mean a loss of resources.
