NIGERIA COULD RISE TO GLORY AGAIN

NIGERIA COULD RISE TO GLORY AGAIN

Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua

Among the numerous questions people are now asking isif 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 Easteris 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. Thiscan 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 uspray: “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 relationin 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 killthe 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) (nirec.ng@gmail.com).

 

HUMAN INCONSISTENCY

THE AGONY OF HUMAN INCONSISTENCY

Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua

When the Church celebrates “Palm Sunday”, the first part of the liturgy is the blessing of the palms that is distributed among the worshippers who move in procession to the Church. In jubilation, the worshippers sing: “Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel. Hosanna in the highest.” At the Palm Sunday Passion Narrative, the same Jesus who received the accolades of HOSANNA still receives the condemnation of “away with him, away with him; crucify him; we have no king but Caesar!” Palm Sunday thus becomes a celebration of the double tragedy in human nature. The pain is deep as a result of the inconsistencyand contradictions in human nature. The human mind is so deep that you may never know the true feelings of a person towards you just as all that glitters is not gold. Some people with wealth, power, and exalted positions are often deceived by the praise singers around them. Very often they are shielded from reality to a point that they are not conscious even of their immediate milieu. 

Some people of influence erroneously think that they are important because of the people who surround them to sourcefor their daily bread in a country that cannot provide basic needs for its citizens. If everybody is gainfully employed with food assured on a regular basis, the slave masters would discover that no one cares about them and their stolen wealth. No privileged person should think that he is loved and cherished without strings attached. Very often, the real person is not loved. What is loved is the office and position the person occupies. So many realize this too late, when they discover how alone, lonely and lonesome they are after leaving office. Some discover in shock that their phones have suddenly become quiet. Out of office, they would long to hear the phone ring whereas, some days ago, while in office, their phones were so busy that they had to assign somebody specifically to receive their personal telephone calls. A deep reflection on the Palm Sunday drama of human passionwill help human beings to be more reasonable. 

At the beginning of the Lenten Season, the dry palms that were green and fresh on Palm Sunday are collected to be burnt to ashes for use on Ash Wednesday. This shows again that no condition is permanent. The ashes from the palms remind the human person of his transient nature. In wearing the ashes from the palm, the human person is reminded that he would return to dust from where he was created. He is also reminded that he needs repentance before the dusk of his life. The palm then is very significant to human existence. From the palm, wine is produced. Wine is a symbol of celebration and this should remind human beings that life is not all storming waters just as life is not all bed of roses. From the palm tree, oil is produced. This palm oil is used for cooking, and food preserves the life of the human person. From the palm tree, kernel is produced and this can be used for ointment for healing of different ailments. From the palm tree, the broom is produced for sweeping and cleaning the environment. So there is a lot to think about concerning Palm Sunday and the human existence.

Palm Sunday should teach human beings the value of humility. The feast should call everybody to accept the gospel values (Mark 1:15). Let us not forget as we celebrate Palm Sunday that the same people who shout Hosanna for us today could shout, “Away with him! Crucify him” tomorrow when we are no longer useful to them. The inconsistency of human emotions and temperaments are as delusive as shadows. Human nature is so selfish that the praise singers today would prefer a thief to a generous Saviour tomorrow. If this happens when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry (Luke 23, 31). In comfort, a person lacks the vision and wisdom to know true friends and real foes because in his riches man lacks wisdom (Psalm 49 (48), 1-13). When the green palm turns to ashes, people are reminded that no condition is permanent and no position is permanent. 

The Christians in government all over the world by baptism are called to share in the kingship and leadership of Christ. When Christians pray for their members to be in leadership position, it is expected that the Christian would showcase the ideals of Jesus in leadership. Jesus destroyed the disparity that existed between the Jews and the Samaritans; the men and the women. Following the ideals of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, the Christian in leadership position must not discriminate against anybody based on religion, tribe and political party. It would also be the desire of the Muslims to have leaders who would promote the ideals of Islam. If every Christian leader promotes the true teachings in the Holy Bible and every Muslim leader promotes the true teachings in the Holy Quran, both the Christians and Muslimswould end up praying for a good Nigerian to lead the nation instead of a Christian or a Muslim. Honestly, we should ask sincerely if there are Muslim or Christian Markets in Nigeria. This is why we should not allow ourselves to be deceived by those who use religion as a political decoy. If there are issues that can bring about religious disharmony between the Christians and the Muslims, these issues could be resolved at the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council instead of the pages of the newspapers. I say this because of the agony that emanates from human inconsistency. 

 

When we look at Nigeria and elsewhere and see the level of killings and violence in states where some governors have ascended to power with the campaign of promoting religious legal code, we can question the sincerity and authenticity of their motives. A state that honestly lives out a religious legal code should be able to prevent violence with maximum security. Love is deeper when the legal system respects the rule of law and promote justice unconditionally. It is not possible that the agents of violence in Nigeria cannot be handled by the Nigeria security agents. How long shall the echo of killings like the Jewish cry of “crucify him” continue unabated in Nigeria? A possible response to our puzzle is that the gun and weapons of war alone cannot provide security in Nigeria. The Christians need to work with the Muslims to protect the sanctity of life. We should accept that Nigerians are suffering including Christians and Muslims. 

 

Let us pray that as we celebrate Palm Sunday, our leaders and all of us may adopt the attitude of Jesus Christ who was so humble to the extent that it was difficult to differentiate him from his apostles. The soldiers needed Judas who was Jesus’ treasurer, financial secretary and bursar to show them the master in the community of Jesus. Let us be sincere and committed to our various mission for God and humanity. Let us pray for justice knowing fully well that no one lives on earth forever. As we pray and work with the God of justice, mercy and compassion, let us be convinced that our dependence on God will lead us to desire the imitation of God who created us for himself. In Islam, human beings are enjoined to promote justice (Qur’an 4:58)! Believers are enjoined to be ever steadfast in their devotion to God, bearing witness to the truth in all equity; and never let hatred of any-one lead them into the sin of deviating from justice. “Be just: this is closest to being God-conscious. And remain conscious of God: verily, God is aware of all that you do (Qur’an 5:8). If Christians and Muslims are close to God, then we would have practised justice in a way and manner that we may not become lonely later in life because of the inconsistencies in human nature. May our Hosanna not turn to “crucify him” before we die. 

 

Rev. Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua is the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) (nirec.ng@gmail.com)

FORGET THE PAST AND MOVE ON

NOT TO RECALL THE PAST IS TO MAKE PROGRESS

Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua

 

On the Fifth Sunday of Lent, the Church reflects on the value of forgiveness as a condition for making progress in life. Some people attribute their challenges and poor performance to the mistakes either of their own past or the poor performance of others who have lived before them. Living in the past is to remain a perpetual prisoner hence Nelson Mandela when he regained his freedom said: “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison” (https://www.goodreads.com). 

As President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela wrote this personal awesome story:

“After I became president, I asked one day some members of my close protection to stroll with me in the city to have lunch at one of its restaurants. We sat in one of the downtown restaurants and all of us asked for some sort of food. After a while, the waiter brought us our requests, I noticed that there was someone sitting in front of my table waiting for food. I told one of the soldiers: Go and ask that person to join us with his food and eat with us. The soldier went and asked the man to join the president at table. The man brought up his food and sat by my side and began to eat. His hands were trembling constantly until everyone had finished their food and the man left.

The soldier said to me: the man was apparently quite sick. His hands trembled as he ate !! 

"No, not at all," said Mandela. "This man was the guard of the prison where I was jailed. Often, after the torture I was subjected to, I used to scream and ask for a little water. The very same man used to come every time and urinate on my head instead"...; 

so I found him scared, trembling, expecting me to reciprocate now, at least in the same way,  either by torturing him or imprisoning him as I am now the President of the State of South Africa...

But this is not my character nor part of my ethics.

The mentality of retaliation destroys states while the mentality of tolerance builds Nations.”

Th expression of progressive people is, “I must leave the past behind and move on.” In the first reading of today, God said through the Prophet Isaiah: “No need to recall the past, no need to think about what was done before. See, I am doing a new deed, even now it comes to light; can you not see it? Yes, I am making a road in the wilderness, paths in the wilds (Isaiah 43:18-19). Great men and women who have influenced the world do not look back. They are focused on their mission to a new vision.

 

When God decided to save Lot and his family from the destruction that would befall Sodom and Gomorrah, they were warned not to look back but Lot's wife looked back as she lingered behind him, and she became a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). In the words of Saint Francis De Sales, yesterday is gone and never will return, tomorrow is God’s secret. Only today is mine. The people who remain in the past never make progress in life. We need to put our past behind us and move on. At the Stations of the Cross during Lent, the Catholics say, “No matter what my past must have been, I can always begin anew”. God of mercy and compassion looks at the struggle of the human person to do better hence the Psalmist says, “If you Oh Lord should mark our guilt, who will survive? With you is found forgiveness and for this, we revere you” (Psalm 130:3). If we focus on what to do now to better the future instead of crying over the past spilled milk, we would develop the capacity to make the future heaven instead of hell.

 

You can imagine how the world would look like if Christians were to live strictly with the Old Testament Scriptures with only a concentration on the passages and verses that give the narratives of war, polygamy, vendetta in the ancient context that do not make sense in the modern age. The coming of Jesus is the hope for salvation for Christians. Otherwise, the Christians would still believe that the hatred that existed between the Samaritans and the Jews is a way of life. The Gentile world would not have embraced Christianity if Jesus did not break through the traditions that kept Israel and other nations asunder. Without Christ, what exists is crisis. To follow the teachings and life of Jesus Christ is to promote the peace that can transform the hearts of humanity and make the world a paradise. Human beings are agents of God to transform the world. This transformation can only take place if all the Christian denominations and Islamic sects by way of dialogue within the denominations and sects can forget the past that separated them and be united in their diversity. The divisions within the Church and within the Mosque could be a scandal to unbelievers. This intra-religious forgiveness is a divine mandate for all God’s creatures. At the conversion of Cornelius and his household, Peter said “the truth that I have now come to realize, is that God does not have favorites, but anyone of any nationality who does what is right, is acceptable to God” (Acts 10:34). This means that God loves us as his own. Whether we can make heaven through a particular religion, denomination or sect should be left for God, the best judge.

 

In the judgement of God, there are no permanent red lights just as there should be no permanent red lights in dialogue. As partners in dialogue, we risk being misunderstood, misinterpreted and misrepresented hence we must not declare a denomination or sect as a “no go area” or a forbidden zone. This would contradict the concept of justice and the will of God who desire the salvation of every human being in their individual states. Jesus believed that even the outcast like prostitutes are not excluded from the agenda and mission of salvation. As religious leaders, we should be very slow and careful in declaring a person or institution a cast away or anathema akin to the Pharisees.  “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.  At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you.  Go and sin no more” (John 8:3-11).

 

With God, there is always a second chance. Paul was a persecutor of Christians. He thought that he was fighting for God. When he was converted from Saul to Paul, he discovered that God is so powerful that you cannot kill for him or kill in his name. He realized his present moment with God. He forgot the past and moved on. In today’s second reading, He wrote to the Philippians: “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ-yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:8-14).

 

Today, the world needs to prepare the youths and women in a way and manner that their energy and capacity should focus positively on nation building. The elders must let the youths know that a greater future lies ahead. The youths when fully engaged can create positive impact with minimal resources. They should be given the capacity to become effective change-makers. The women too should be encouraged to contribute in peace building projects. They can tell their children to forget the past and move on to build the nation. This is the time to build trust especially between the different Christian denominations, Islamic sects and political parties to move the nation forward. If we can sacrifice our personal gains to giving the capabilities and opportunities to work at the different levels of Government, we would go a long way to influence local and national politics. If we can develop the huge potentials in our nation, we would not have the time to think about our past failures. May God give us the grace and capacity to forgive, forget and move on to the promise land where the national cake would be available for everybody. As we march forward, may peace flow like a river from us to others. May we turn our deserts to rivers of living water.

Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua is the Executive Secretary of NIREC 

NOT TO RECALL THE PAST IS TO MAKE PROGRESS

NOT TO RECALL THE PAST 

IS TO MAKE PROGRESS

Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua

 

On the Fifth Sunday of Lent, the Church reflects on the value of forgiveness as a condition for making progress in life. Some people attribute their challenges and poor performance to the mistakes either of their own past or the poor performance of others who have lived before them. Living in the past is to remain a perpetual prisoner hence Nelson Mandela when he regained his freedom said: “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison”(https://www.goodreads.com). The expression of progressive people is, “I must leave the past behind and move on.” God said through the Prophet Isaiah: “No need to recall the past, no need to think about what was done before. See, I am doing a new deed, even now it comes to light; can you not see it? Yes, I am making a road in the wilderness, paths in the wilds (Isaiah 43:18-19). Great men and women who have influenced the world do not look back. They are focused on their mission to their vision. 

 

When God decided to save Lot and his family from the destruction that would befall Sodom and Gomorrah, they were warned not to look back but Lot's wife looked back as she lingered behind him, and she became a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). In the words of Saint Francis De Sales, yesterday is gone and never will return, tomorrow is God’s secret. Only today is mine. The people who remain in the past never make progress in life. We need to put our past behind us and move on. At the Stations of the Cross during Lent, the Catholics say, “No matter what my past must have been, I can always begin anew”. God of mercy and compassion looks at the struggle of the human person to do better hence the Psalmist says, “If you Oh Lord should mark our guilt, who will survive? With you is found forgiveness and for this, we revere you” (Psalm 130:3). If we focus on what to do now to better the future instead of crying over the past spilled milk, we would develop the capacity to make the future heaven instead of hell. 

 

You can imagine how the world would look like if Christians were to live strictly with the Old Testament Scriptures with only a concentration on the passages and verses that gives the narratives of war, polygamy, vendetta in the ancient context that do not make sense in the modern age. The coming of Jesus is the hope for salvation for Christians. Otherwise, the Christians would still believe that the hatred that existed between the Samaritans and the Jews is a way of life. The Gentile world would not have embraced Christianity if Jesus did not break through the traditions that kept Israel and other nations asunder. Without Christ, what exists is crisis. To follow the teachings and life of Jesus Christ is to promote the peace that can transform the hearts of humanity and make the world a paradise. Human beings are agents of God to transform the world. This transformation can only take place if all the Christian denominations and Islamic sects by way of dialogue within the denominations and sects can forget the past that separated them and be united in their diversity. The divisions within the Church and within the Mosque could be a scandal to unbelievers. This intra-religious forgiveness is a divine mandate for all God’s creatures. At the conversion of Cornelius and his household, Peter said “the truth that I have now come to realize, is that God does not have favorites, but anyone of any nationality who does what is right, is acceptable to God” (Acts 10:34). This means that God loves us as his own. Whether we can make heaven through a particular religion, denomination or sect should be left for God, the best judge. 

 

In the judgement of God, there are no permanent red lights just as there should be no permanent red lights in dialogue. As partners in dialogue, we risk being misunderstood, misinterpreted and misrepresented hence we must not declare a denomination or sect as a “no go area” or a forbidden zone. This would contradict the concept of justice and the will of God who desire the salvation of every human being in their individual states. Jesus believed that even the outcast like prostitutes are not excluded from the agenda and mission of salvation. As religious leaders, we should be very slow and careful in declaring a person or institution a cast away or anathema akin to the Pharisees.  “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.  At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you.  Go and sinno more” (John 8:3-11). 

 

With God, there is always a second chance. Paul was a persecutor of Christians. He thought that he was fighting for God. When he was converted from Saul to Paul, he discovered that God is so powerful that you cannot kill for him or kill in his name. He realized his present moment with God. He forgot the past and moved on. He wrote to the Philippians: “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ-yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:8-14).

 

Today, the world needs to prepare the youths and women in a way and manner that their energy and capacity should focus positively on nation building. The elders must let the youths know that a greater future lies ahead. The youths when fully engaged can create positive impact with minimal resources. They should be given the capacity to become effective change-makers. The women too should be encouraged to contribute in peace building projects. They can tell their children to forget the past and move on to build the nation. This is the time to build trust especially between the different Christian denominations, Islamic sects and political parties to move the nation forward. If we can sacrifice our personal gains to giving the capabilities and opportunities to work at the different levels of Government, we would go a long way to influence local and national politics. If we can develop the huge potentials in our nation, we would not have the time to think about our past failures. May God give us the grace and capacity to forgive, forget and move on to the promise land where the national cake would be available for everybody. As we march forward, may peace flow like a river from us to others. May we turn our deserts to rivers of living water.