A BLESSING IN DISGUISE FR. OJAPAH MSP

 

A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

Stephen Ojapah MSP

 

As 2019 rolled to the end, no one could predict that a pandemic was in stock for us.  Corona virus was first reported to the World Health Organization on December 31, 2019. In Nigeria, public worship in the evening or night of December 31st is popularly referred to “cross-over nights”. The night is filled with vigils and prayers to launch people into the New Year. Some churches have maintained a simple but profound Liturgy of thanksgiving to God with moderate praises and worship. Some churches use the ‘cross-over service’ to offer ‘predictions’ about the incoming year; as evidence of their communion with God. Oddly enough, Corona virus blind-sided all who made predictions for 2020.  Corona Virus is teaching us myriads of lessons among which is the fact that “Life is a circle.” A little over a century ago (1918-1920), the world experienced the Spanish Influenza. Few pictures are in circulation to show the gruesomeness of this pandemic. Generally, it is believed about 500,000,000 people were infected, and about 50 million died globally. Surprisingly, the Spanish Influenza Disease (SID) did not begin and end in Spain.

 

According to (https://en.m.wikipedia.org), “The Allies of world war 1 came to call it the Spanish Flu primarily because the pandemic received greater press attention after it moved from France to Spain in November 1918. Spain was not involved in the war and had imposed wartime censorship. From Europe it found its way to Nigeria through travelers that came from England via the sea; the disease indeed found its way to Sokoto and Maiduguri to Calabar and Lagos; from Zaria and Kontagora to Owerri, Muri, Munshi, (Tiv land) Kano, Nasarawa, Benin Ilorin etc. A total of 22 towns here in Nigeria recorded 8.6 million infected people and about 500,000 deaths; as reports from the Public Record Office (PRO) C0583/77, and documented by J Beringer and M Cameron Blair as of September 5, 1919 showed. Notices were given for closure of public places and buildings including churches and mosques, to help contain the virus. Few global survivors who are still alive remember the public health disease. For instance, William Sardo Jr from Kansas in the USA remembers   how a bereaved person would come to report the death of his or her loved one, and before the burial all in the same house hold would die 

 

The Corona Virus is still moving in an indiscrete arithmetic progression. The graph for this virus doesn’t show that we have reached the peak of the infection and deaths. We are hoping and praying for a quick return to normalcy as the world holds its breath and tears. The Spanish Influenza Disease began in Europe and eventually caught up with the rest of the world. So also the Chinese Virus otherwise known as COVID-19 has caught up with the rest of the world. We are humbled by a lot of striking lessons to take home with in the face of this crisis. When Nigeria was under the colonial rule, the disease came through Europeans via the Sea travelers, a century later a similar disease is coming to us via the Air travelers. The human person is constantly interacting with the other; when a “faraway” neighbour is in pains do not imagine you are immune because it takes only a snap of the finger, the bad fate of the “faraway” neighbour will soon get to you. Three Months ago I saw with amusement people holding conferences with face masks, it looks very funny to me, I honestly did not imagine it will get to Gidan Mai Kambu this soon; here we are.

 

This is one of my favorite scriptural passages. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28)This is a passage that seems to simply say God is involved in our lives despite the most horrible experiences that we go through. And that God has consistently brought out something good out of the worst of human experiences, at the end of the World War II the world gave birth to the United Nations Organizations; which has largely sustained world peace. Most drugs that cure Malaria and Typhoid now, came about when hundreds and thousands have died because there were no medications for it. We hope and pray that Scientists will be illumined with fresh insights into the possible medications that could cure the COVID 19.   We commiserate with families who are affected here in Nigeria and the other countries: The United States, Italy, China, Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Iran, Ghana, etc. We are united with all bereaved families in prayers and solidarity as a result of COVID 19. 

 

On the political front; this Pandemic could change our attitude to how we have allowed the nation to lack basic amenities. Now, it is hoped that our health institutions will finally get the needed attention required long ago. Other security challenges seem to have been taken care of. There is a sharp decrease of kidnappings and herdsmen attack, there is a colossal damage meted out on Boko Haram by the Chadian troops led by their “President Idriss Deby with the help of Isreali Army, Hundreds of Boko Haram were killed and Nigerian soldiers freed from Boko Haram captivity” as reported by many online media like https://dailypost.ng . These are real signs of blessings and hope amidst COVID 19.

 

While some are questioning the situation beyond every common sense; Raymond Sesan Aina MSP in a short reflection on the 4th of April has some words of comfort for our suffering world.“The Book of Job, read from the perspective of the Christian faith, makes us ask, “Why, God, are there such terrible detours to redemption? Why do innocent people suffer?” In times like this, people of faith should not be afraid to be contemporary Jobs who put hard questions to God (Job 3-37) and contemporary Jacobs who struggle with God to the point of being injured (Genesis 32) in our bid to meaningfully respond to evil and God’s ‘silence’. Instead of so quickly jumping to a dogmatic conclusion, hidden behind a ‘private revelation’, of the ‘purpose’ of COVID-19 in the world, we need to spend some time on the Book of Job that invites the believer to ponder the question of innocent human suffering. In the face of global disaster as COVID-19 pandemic, God’s intention in the midst of all this is indeed perplexing and the best that the believer can do is to listen with an open heart. If one listens, very different things will happen.”

 

Let us reflect on the “The Essence of Life: From Sokoto to Wuhan.” In our studies of Metaphysics, one of my favoritetopics is: ‘Essence, Accidents and Substance’. These Metaphysical realities try to deconstruct the many false assumptions around an object and try to get to the core of any issue or phenomenon. The essence of life is always arrived at, in moments like the Corona pandemic: when all of a sudden, all that matters now is very little, all appointments that you thought were so important, and one couldn’t do without, becomes false, all engagements that could have caused real disagreements if stopped in a normal situation, suddenly shows it’s possible to do without it. There is a certain simplicity in life at the moment that I thought would never have happened. The rich and the poor now all access the same healthcare system.  Every world’s religion has rich teachings concerning the things that matter most in life. The COVID-19 pandemic is driving home this message. All of a sudden, we all care about one another, and we are willing to offer help and support to the next person. Life is becoming more communitarian in nature. We’re not hearing of struggles on whose nuclear weapon works better. Could this pandemic be a blessing in disguise? 

 

Fr. Stephen Ojapah is a Missionary of Saint Paul (MSP). He IS the Diocesan Director of Inter-religious Dialogue and Ecumenism in the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto. He is a KAICIID FELLOW (omeizaojapah85@gmail.com)

 

 

 

RECONCILIATION AND JUSTICE BY TONY OKOLO

RECONCILIATION AND JUSTICE: 

A PATH TO PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT

Tony Okolo CSSp

 

Peace is the foundation of progress and the bedrock on which development is anchored in any nation and society. Peace, a product of development transforms the lives of the people. Without sustainable peace, the resources, time and energy that should be used for meaningful development would be spent onweapons of wars and mass destruction. This is why reconciliation and dialogue are paramount for a peace-oriented development. Given that conflicts and differences cannot be escaped or completely avoided, reconciliation remains the veritable vehicle which conveys peace to the arena of inter-personal relationships for the promotion of harmonious co-existence. This is key to the enhancement of societal and/or national progress and development. According to Michelle Borquez, reconciliation is an issue between you and the other person. Almost every religion has a system of reconciliation in their doctrines and praxis. Chuck Clay was, therefore, right in his affirmation that reconciliation is a tenet of all the faiths which brings people together and allows for forgiveness. The primary goal of religion is to use reconciliation to bring about inner healing to the heart of the ‘wounded’, re-enkindle a more harmonious and peaceful conviviality between persons and most importantly, re-establish the broken relationship with the Creator which was occasioned by the injury meted out on His creature. 

 

In Christianity, reconciliation is conceived as a gift that is both given and received by those who are open to sowing the seed of peace in their hearts, in others and in the community of men and women. Jesus admonishes His followers to always offer the gift of reconciliation and peace to their fellow men and women even before offering any gift to Him at the altar especially when someone has something against his or her brother or sister (Mathew 5:23). This demonstrates the importance Christianity places on reconciliation for the achievement of sustainable peace in the human society. Indeed, it is only reconciliation that can bring glory to God in heaven and peace to men on earth who are God’s friends and on whom His favor rests (Luke 2:14). Desmond Tutu insists that without forgiveness, without reconciliation we have no future as humans. For Malcolm Fraser (1930 - 2015), reconciliation requires change of heart and spirit, brings about social and economic change but must be driven by symbolic as well as practical action.

 

Nigerian society is divided along ethnic, linguistic, religious and cultural differences. If this plurality is not well managed, the result could be susceptible to communal violence and clashes, even within the same ethnic group as we have witnessed in the past. This, in my view, stands behind whatever efforts that have been historically made by the leaders and subjects of this multi-ethnic nation towards the realization of sustainable peace and unity. Suffice it to point out here that true reconciliation and national cohesion were the original intention of the Truth and Peace Commission (otherwise known as the Oputa Panel) which was established in 1999 by the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo. Despite all the difficult challenges encountered by this Commission, from its inauguration till the time of its final annulment in January 2003, it recorded a lot of success in seeking to resolve some age-long, relational problems in our nation. To be sure, in setting up the Commission, President Obasanjo had declared complete reconciliation as its singular objective. Although the Commission pursued vigorously this objective and made very useful and practical recommendations, propositions or suggestions for its realization, its report did not see the light of the day.

 

It is alleged that Rwanda and South Africa are the fastest growing economies in Africa today as a result of the glaring progress and development which were brought about by sustainable peace in these countries. This could be the result of the implementation of their Reconciliation Commission. I think Nigeria could do the same to promote peace and development. In the words of Dalai Lama, “When we face problems or disagreement today, we have to arrive at solutions through dialogue. Dialogue is the only appropriate method. One sided victory is no longer acceptable. We must work to resolve conflicts in a spirit of reconciliation and always keep in mind the interest of others.” Dialogue, as understood here, implies listening to the other and, indeed, giving the other an opportunity to tell their story as it affects them so as to kick start a true process of reconciliation and healing. According to John Perkins “there is no reconciliation until you recognize the dignity of the other and until you see their view. You have to enter into the pain of the people. You have got to feel their need.”

 

Nhat Hanh opines that “Reconciliation is deep practice that we can do with our listening and our mindful speech. To reconcile means to bring peace and happiness to nations, people and members of our families… In order to reconcile, you have to possess the art of deep listening.” This is what a credible Truth and Reconciliation Commission tries to do. That is, it tries to address some nagging issues of national importance and cohesion and, thus, strives to usher in total healing and reconciliation which are needed for a uniform socio-economic development of a diverse nation like Nigeria. To be sure, the art of deep listening and/or dialogue plays a major part in inter-faith relationship. It is also a great asset to nation building since it is only through such listening that one can pay utmost attention and appreciate the lamentations and complaints of the aggrieved other. Though this may be a difficult road to take, it remains the only available path that will lead the nation to true progress.

 

Corazon Aquino strongly recommends that “Reconciliation should be accompanied by justice otherwise it will not last. While we all hope for peace it shouldn’t be peace at any cost but peace based on principle and justice”. Nelson Mandela went further to say that, “reconciliation means working together to correct the legacy of the past injustice”. Hence Justice, in this sense, must involve the reparation of the injustice of the past and not allowing the bitter experiences of yesterday to repeat itself today.  As N. K. Jemism beautifully puts it: “reconciliation is a part of healing process. But how can there be healing when inflicting the wound is not stopped?”  It is, therefore, crystal clear that Nigeria as a nation cannot make much progress unless the question of injustice that has been meted out to some components of the nation, who feel injured or short-changed in the cooperate existence, is sincerely and courageously addressed. 

 

This injustice can be in the forms of negligence, abuse of power or exploitation. Reconciliation helps to overcome the ill-feelings of injustice, eschew suspicions and divisions and, then, foster peace, unity and sustainable progress. Justice demands recognizing the pain of the victims of injustice and taking necessary steps to address it selflessly, dispassionately and courageously.  As Theodore Roosevelt would put it: “Justice consists not in being neutral between right and wrong, but in finding out the right and upholding it wherever found, against the wrong”. Therefore, for Nigeria to achieve a significant development as a nation, there must be peace whose bedrocks are dialogue-driven reconciliation and courageous pursuit of justice for one and for all. Without this, nation building and national progress are and remain nothing but a mirage. 

 

Fr. Dr. Tony Okolo CSSp is a Nigerian Spiritan working in Phoenix, Arizona USA

(checheokolo@gmail.com).

 

SR MONICA ROWLAND SSH ON LATE SR HENRIETTA SSH

SR HENRIETTA ALOKHA, SSH GIVE HER LIFEWITNESSING TO THE SACRIFICIAL LOVE OF CHRIST.

By 

Sr. Monica Omowumi Rowland, SSH

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:12  )

This article is very timely especially as the Christendom commemorates Easter Celebration (i.e. the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ).  The event of Jesus Christ on the cross, in a way was reenacted when our beloved Sr. HenriettaAlokha, SSH gave her life to save the little ones under her guidance on a Sunday Morning of March 15th, 2020 at Abule Ado, FECTAC, phase 11 Extension, Lagos. Lagos State. Who was this great woman and heroine of our time? 

Sr. Dr. Henrietta Ebosiogwe (meaning -the will of God) Alokha, SSH was born in Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State on May 11th, 1967 to Late Chief Vincent Dodah Alokha and Late Mrs. Julianna Alokha.  She was the fourth of the six children born into this devout Catholic family. Shortly after her birth, she received the Sacrament of Baptism. She started her elementary education in the year 1975 at Egbadu Primary School at Agenebode; uunfortunately lost her mother at the tender age of eight, the same year she started her primary education.  Her mother was a model to her and her siblings.  She proceeded to do her Secondary Education at St. Peter Grammar School at Agenebode and graduated with an excellent result.  The father was a renowned Head teacher/Educationist, who had the rare privilege of working with early missionary priests who relied on his educational background and his ability to interact with different elite groups and the local communities to evangelize across Edo North geographical entity and beyond. Given to this background, no doubt, Sr. Alokha grew up in an environment rooted in discipline, respect and strong Catholic faith.  She was highly intelligent, and she enjoyed reciting her catechism to the admiration of the rest of her siblings. Until her death, she was a ‘diary of special family events;’ recounted by her elder Brother, Barr. Anselm Alokha, KSM. 

Towards the end of her Secondary School education at St PeterCollege, Agenebode, she   expressed interest in becoming a nun. Through the Spiritual guidance and mentorship of Late Rev. Fr. Cyril Ofoegbu, the then Parish Priest of Sacred Heart CatholicChurch, Agenebode; thus, she was admitted into the convent to commence her religious vocation in the Congregation of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (SSH) on November 17, 1983 as a Postulant alongside five others. 

Having expressed the desire to continue in the Religious Life, she was received into the Novitiate on April 13, 1985.  On August 23, 1987, Sr. Henrietta Alokha, SSH made her Profession of Temporary Vows at the Sacred Heart Novitiate Chapel, Atani-Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria with five of her classmates; the incumbent, Superior General, Sr. Monica Omowumi Rowland, SSH was among the five.   Right after, her profession, Sr. Henrie, as she was fondly called by her Religious Sisters, was assigned to teach in Brother Pius Nursery/Primary School, at Akenzua Street, Benin City for two years.  On June 11th, 1989, in the company of her classmate, Sr. Rowland, she left for further studies at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin in the United States of America where she obtained aBachelor of Science Degree in Personnel Management and Psychology on May 16th, 1993.   Having witnessed her ardent dedication to serve the Lord and commitment to the Charism of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Administration then, granted her request for Perpetual Profession of Vows on November 12, 1995 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Ubiaja, Edo State, Nigeria.  On November 03, 2012, she celebrated her Silver Jubilee with her only surviving classmate in the Congregation, Sr. Monica Omowumi Rowland, SSH.   

In the year 1996, she furthered her studies in the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. where she obtained her Post Graduate Diploma in Education.  She continued her academic formation on Part Time Basis in the University of Benin where she later obtained a Masters’ Degree in 2005 and Doctorate Degree in 2016 both in Educational Administration. Sr. Alokha served in various capacities in Education apostolateas Teacher, Head Teacher, Vice Principal and Principal to eight Catholic Schools mostly in Edo State. 

She displayed exemplary behaviour as an easy-going but with firm personality. She was a great organiser and a successful mediator. She exhibited selflessness and was never swayed by material things.  She was very simple and humble.  She was a role model per excellence. She believed in excellence.  Her slogan is “Anything worth doing is worth doing well.”  She loved children and her profession as a teacher.  That may explain why she went back to look for the two lost sheep of hers; even after she was already saved in the first instance. After the incidence of March 15th in Lagos, that saw the demise of our great sister, Sr. Henrietta Alokha, SSH several reports went out about the disaster. In one of the dailies, the news had it about our sister, that: “she died after rescuing her students without being able to rescue herself”. And went further to ask:  “What kind of love was that?” My response to this question is Sacrificial love which is the Spirit and Charism of our congregation (The Congregation of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus).   The paper  answered correctly that it was the love of the gospel, which lays down its life for others. It is the love of the Lord Himself – The Good Shepherd. 

Sr. Henrietta was not a mere hireling. She loved and had passion for her students whom she took as her own children. That was why even though she had the opportunity to flee and to leave the children under her care, she did not because like the Good Shepherd she was concerned about them. We must remember that the difference between the Good Shepherd and the Hireling is their motivation for tending the sheep. For while the hireling does it for his own benefit, the Good Shepherd does it for the benefit of the sheep. Thus in contrast, the Good shepherd stands in to fight and protect the sheep against any evil and whereas, the hireling runs away to save his own life. 

Sr. Henrietta paid the ultimate prize by giving up her life. Little wonder reports of comments from her past students abound in the dailies and social media, Nigeria, for instance reports the comments of one Bissie Adeleye Jagunna who wrote: “Sr Henrietta you exhibited the motherly love for all your children in your care as their custodian. Thank you for not letting their mothers be in sorrow…you laid your life down for their girls; rest on peacefully may his perpetual light shine on you Sister”. Another former Student, Omono Ebi Dawodu, wrote on FACEBOOK, “Sister Henrietta Alokha, you were a rare gem. You taught me self-confidence….You have always protected your students/ children and you proved that again by laying down your life for the students in Bethlehem college in the gas explosion.” To the glory of God, Not a single student died from the Explosion.   Like a good shepherd (Cf. Jn. 10:12), she laid down her life for her students.

What lesson does Sister’s death has for our world? Most especially our beloved Country, Nigeria?  How many leaders out there are ready and willing to pay the ultimate price of sacrificing something for their Followers? Sr. Alokha through her death showed us sacrificial love.  Bethlehem Girls College was made up of students of all ethnic groups in the country. For each of these students, Sister gave her life. She is an emblem oflove, unity and peace. So the best way to keep her legacy alive is for all to work for sacrificial love, peace, and unity.   Sister lived a happy and fulfilled Religious life. A life of love and dedicatedservice to God and humanity in the field of education, within her Religious Institute and in the Church in Nigeria. She paid the ultimate price. Sr. Henrietta Ebosiogwe Alokha, SSH rest on in the bosom of our Lord and Saviour. You will be greatly missed by all who knew you.