A DIRGE FOR MY BELOVED COUNTRY

A DIRGE FOR MY BELOVED COUNTRY

Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua

 

Oh God, you remained forever blessed for you are the source of all blessings. You hate evil and no sinner is your guest. From age to age you are victorious in battle. We cry to you like Rachel who weep for her slaughtered children. She refused to be consoled. Her voice could not reach the powers that lacked the capacity to protect her children (Jeremiah 31:15). The rulers of the nation are not touched by the violence that is ravaging the poor. They do not value justice no matter how loud the poor cry in anguish (Job 19:7). Succor the pains of those who weep because human comfort is far from the land. There is no one to revive our courage. Our children are desolate because the enemy has prevailed (Lamentations 1.16). Do not stay afar off and watch the terrorists, kidnappers and impious people revile your name. Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild animals; do not forget the life of your poor forever. Have regard for your covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of violence. Do not let the downtrodden be put to shame; let the poor and the needy praise your name again. Rise up, O God, plead your cause; remember how the impious scoff at you all day long(Psalm 74:18-22). 

 

The eyes are spent with weeping as the empty stomach churns. The bile is poured out on the ground because of the destruction of the people. The infants and babes faint in the streets of the city as they cry for food (Lamentations 2:11-12). Human beings are slaughtered and beheaded like sacrificial lambs. Almighty Allah, teach those who use your name in terrorist operations that you are not the God of violence. You are the same God of different tribes and nations who call you Ubangiji, Chineke, Olodumare, Abasi,  Osanobwa, Osenobulua, Osinegba etcetera. Oh God of our fathers! Where are you? Can’t you see that evil has clouded our land and an evil root have taken over the hearts of some people who vow to kill everybody who do not assent to their criminal ideology?

 

Our ancestors taught us that it is you who creates kings to rule over the land. The Holy Books taught us that it is you who sent to the earth prophets to teach us your ways. Jesus Christ came that we may have life and have it in abundance (John 10:10). The prophet of Islam revealed that if you save one life, it is as if you have saved the whole world and if you kill one person, it is as if you have saved the whole of humanity (Quran 5). Why then do evil people kill in your name? The Catechism teaches that you Oh God created us to know you, love you, serve you and to be happy with you on the last day. It appears that your silence is enabling human beings to be soaked in the ocean of blood. The value of the human person has been reduced to zero and killing a human person has become a game. Oh God arise and scatter the thoughts of the criminals who have invaded your land. We do not pray for their destruction but the destruction of the evil root that has possessed their hearts. Convert them to know that life is sacred!

 

Oh God of divine protection, the kidnappers have over-run the land. Kings, Priests, Consecrated Women and those who have no political security are kidnapped for ransom. Human beings are used for rituals and money has become a deity. Our Seminarians and many others are languishing in the dens of the kidnappers. On the evening of January 8, 2020 in the “Good Shepherd of Kakau” Major Seminary along the Kaduna-Abuja highway, a village located near Kaduna, the capital of the State of Kaduna, in central Nigeria, between 10:30 pm and 11:00 pm some bandits attacked the Seminary, firing indiscriminately. The attack lasted about thirty minutes and the bandits “had access to the school dormitory, which houses 268 students”. Touch the heart of their evil captors to release them Lord. Let them not be killed like they beheaded our dear brother, Reverend LawanAndimi, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michika Local Government Area and the District Church Council Secretary of the Ecclesiya Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN) Church in Michika, Adamawa State. 

 

Lord God, blood is flowing in Nigeria like a river. Grant eternal rest to all who have been killed especially those who were killed while over a hundred people kidnapped after gunmen opened fire on commuters along Kaduna-Zaria Highway recently. Thanks for saving the Emir of Potiskum, Umar Bubaram who was among those who sustained severe injuries in the warfare on Nigerian highways! At this point, some Prophets have told us who will win elections but have not yet prophesied how long this suffering will last. The security apparatus has broken down and every state is raising hunters to secure the innocent people in their lands. Our version of democracy has shown the greed and selfishness of those who aspire to rule over the people in a land where life has lost value. We now see the emptiness of those who seek political office who are only loyal to those in power. Political prostitution is rampart as aspirants of political offices decamp from one party to the other without sense of shame. Rescue your land and save your people. In this time of Armageddon, we cannot cry to the security agents who are also victims and vulnerable like every one of us. 

 

If the gallant soldiers could be killed by the terrorists, then what is the hope of the armless person? If a Police officer could remove his police uniform at the sight of hoodlums, to whom shall we go for safety? This is why we are crying to you who is able to arise and scatter the thoughts and powers of the enemies. Save your people from the hands of bandits, unknown gunmen who could also be those paid to secure life of the innocent people. Lord deliver Nigeria from the abyss of hell and make our land habitable again. How can we repay the unknown soldiers and all security agents who have sacrificed their lives for the nation? The gallant men and women in uniform who keep awake so that the common man and woman can sleep. Is it enough to remember them on Armed forces remembrance day with a wreath? Of what use is a flower to a widow and orphan who are dying of hunger? The families of those who have died in the hands of terrorists and civil war to keep Nigeria one need more care than a wreath of flowers. 

 

Oh God give to our soldiers and police the grace and capacity to carry out their duties with unity of purpose for the common person in the nation. Teach them not to betray the nation by aiding criminals. It is alleged that His Royal Highness (HRH), Godwin Aigbe Esq the Enogie of Ukiri, near Benin City Edo State and a retired CSP in the Police force was kidnapped, maimed, released and later attacked again. The kidnappers were arrested by the Edo State Police Command through intelligencegathering. Some men who claimed to be police officers from Abuja came to release them despite protestation from the Edo State Police Command. Like the deer yearns for running waters, so we long for you, O God. We thirst for God, for the living God. When shall we come and behold the face of God? Tears have been our food day and night, while people say to us continually, "Where is your God?" These things we remember, as we pour out our soul: how we went with the throng, and led them in procession to the house of God every Sunday and Friday. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for we shall again praise him, our help and our God (Psalm 42:1-6).

 

Rev. Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua is the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC -nirec.ng@gmail.com) & The Secretary General of the West Africa Inter-Religious Council (WA-IRC – wairc.rfp@gmail.com). 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE 4TH QUARTER MEETING OF NIREC

 

 

THE COMMUNIQUE

 

BEING THE COMMUNIQUE OFTHE 2019 FOURTHQUARTERLY MEETING OF THE NIGERIA INTER-RELIGIOUS COUNCIL (NIREC) HELD AT SHERATON HOTEL AND TOWERS, FCT, ABUJA, FROM 11TH TO 13TH DECEMBER, 2019​​``

 

Preamble

 

The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), under the Co-Chairmanship of the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), His Eminence, Rev. Dr. Samson O. A. Ayokunle, and the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence, AlhajiMuhammaduSa’adAbubakar, CFR,held its 2019 Fourth Quarterly Meeting at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja, between the 11th and 13thof December, 2019. The meeting was attended by eminentpersonalities and distinguished members of NIREC. 

 

The formal Opening Ceremony was held at LadiKwali HallSheraton Hotel Abuja where the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Gida Mustapha declared the meeting open. Also present were other dignitaries, the representatives of Civil Society Organisations and relevant stakeholders in pursuit of peaceful coexistence.

 

Appreciation 

​

The Council expressesits immense appreciation to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Gida Mustapha, for not only supporting the NIREC with logistics but also for being physically present.This isdeepening the engagement between Government,Traditional Rulers,Religious leaders and the citizens.

 

Resolutions

 

After extensive deliberations and consideration of the state of the nation, NIREC made its observations andtherefore:

1. UrgesGovernment at all levels to continue to support and cooperate with Traditional Rulers and religious leaders with a view to engendering peaceful coexistence, political stability and social harmony in their domains, places of worship and other spheres of their influence;

2. Appeals to Political, Religious and Traditional Leaders at all levels to desist from making offensive and divisive comments capable of heating up the politybecause what they say resonates among their followers and subjects across the country;

3. Advocates fidelity to the rule of law and obedience of court orders by the political leaders in order not to appear as law breakers in the eyes of the citizens and the international community since the core function of government is the promotion of law and order;

4. Encourages government to promote, encourage and support the teaching/ learning of Islam and Christianity so that Nigerians may become knowledgeable about their religions and not get hoodwinked by charlatans and extremists who appropriate the pulpit to preach hatred, intolerance and violence to achieve their selfish ambitions and parochial objectives;  

5. Dissuades government from imposing additional levies on religious establishment who have already submitted themselves to government regulations, or making lawful marriages difficult for people, hence exacerbate the problem of promiscuity among Nigerians;

6. Expects government to consider Traditional Rulers and religious leaders as partners-in-progress and facilitate easy access to their key functionaries at all times in order to nip certain emergent issues in the bud before they escalate to major crises since many Nigerians have more faith in their Traditional and Religious leaders than politicians;

7. Appeals to government and other stakeholders to consider the courage to speak truth to them by religious leaders as rightful religious duty and not an opposition to their leadership since religious leaders are stakeholders in the country, given that almost all Nigerians are either Muslims or Christians; 

8. Recommends that government should engage more with Nigerians across fora since education and enlightenment, which many Nigerians now have, make people easy to lead but difficult to oppress or enslave;

9. Directs Traditional Rulers and religious leaders to seek more knowledge about religions other than their own since human beings naturally oppose what they are ignorant of in order to ensure sustainable mutual understanding instead of misguided mutual hostility and unwarranted religious rivalry that often fuel violence in Nigeria;

10. Reiterates that Nigerians across ethnic and religious persuasions cooperate with law enforcement agencies in ridding Nigeria of crime and criminals by providing information and intelligence to security agencies as well as being stakeholders in community policing;

11. Calls on government and security agencies not to rest on their oars but double their efforts in amelioratingthe suffering and agony of Nigerian families who are victims of terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, rape and other crimes that make life very difficult for average citizens;

12. Advises government to formulate and implement policies that will create jobs and offer social security to millions of Nigerians who are idle, hence vulnerable to being used to promote discord both online and offline;

13. Stresses the need for government to respect the sanctity of life and inviolability of the court system by not violating both through its agencies at any time through extra-judicial killings or disobedience of court orders;

14. Emphasizes that given that Islam and Christianity are both ways of life and that the ways of life must be in conformity with the Constitution, all Nigerians are to accept whatever is deemed constitutional by the court without emotions and sentiments either on the issue of hijab or other matters; and

15. Appeals passionately to political actors, TraditionalRulers, religious leaders and opinion molders, including social media influencers, to be circumspect in their reactions to issues and refrain from hastily making comments on matters that come up in the (social) media in order not to ridicule themselves or lose their respect in the eyes of the public as evident in the alleged demolition of a mosque in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State and notice of demolition of a church inZaria, Kaduna State, both of which turned out to befalse or exaggerated. 

 

 

 

His Eminence,​​

Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni

The Sultan of Sokoto/ President General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic

Affairs (NSCIA) and Co-Chairman, NIREC)​

 

His Eminence,​​​​

Rev. Dr. Samson O. A. Ayokunle

President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Co-Chairman, NIREC

 

 

Fr. Prof. Cornelius A. Omonokhua

Executive Secretary, NIREC

 

NIGERIA INTER-RELIGIOUS COUNCIL COMMUNIQUE

THE COMMUNIQUE

BEING THE COMMUNIQUE OF THE 2019 FOURTH QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE NIGERIA INTER-RELIGIOUS COUNCIL (NIREC) HELD AT SHERATON HOTEL AND TOWERS, FCT, ABUJA, FROM 11^TH TO 13^TH DECEMBER, 2019 ``

Preamble

The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), under the Co-Chairmanship of the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), His Eminence, Rev. Dr. Samson O. A. Ayokunle, and the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, held its 2019 Fourth Quarterly Meeting at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja, between the 11^th and 13^th of December, 2019. The meeting was attended by eminent personalities and distinguished members of NIREC.

The formal Opening Ceremony was held at Ladi Kwali Hall Sheraton Hotel Abuja where the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Gida Mustapha declared the meeting open. Also present were other dignitaries, the representatives of Civil Society Organisations and relevant stakeholders in pursuit of peaceful coexistence.

Appreciation

The Council expresses its immense appreciation to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Gida Mustapha, for not only supporting the NIREC with logistics but also for being physically present. This is deepening the engagement between Government, Traditional Rulers, Religious leaders and the citizens.

Resolutions

After extensive deliberations and consideration of the state of the nation, NIREC made its observations and therefore:

Urges Government at all levels to continue to support and cooperate with Traditional Rulers and religious leaders with a view to engendering peaceful coexistence, political stability and social harmony in their domains, places of worship and other spheres of their influence;

Appeals to Political, Religious and Traditional Leaders at all levels to desist from making offensive and divisive comments capable of heating up the polity because what they say resonates among their followers and subjects across the country;

Advocates fidelity to the rule of law and obedience of court orders by the political leaders in order not to appear as law breakers in the eyes of the citizens and the international community since the core function of government is the promotion of law and order;

Encourages government to promote, encourage and support the teaching/ learning of Islam and Christianity so that Nigerians may become knowledgeable about their religions and not get hoodwinked by charlatans and extremists who appropriate the pulpit to preach hatred, intolerance and violence to achieve their selfish ambitions and parochial objectives;  

Dissuades government from imposing additional levies on religious establishment who have already submitted themselves to government regulations, or making lawful marriages difficult for people, hence exacerbate the problem of promiscuity among Nigerians;

Expects government to consider Traditional Rulers and religious leaders as partners-in-progress and facilitate easy access to their key functionaries at all times in order to nip certain emergent issues in the bud before they escalate to major crises since many Nigerians have more faith in their Traditional and Religious leaders than politicians;

Appeals to government and other stakeholders to consider the courage to speak truth to them by religious leaders as rightful religious duty and not an opposition to their leadership since religious leaders are stakeholders in the country, given that almost all Nigerians are either Muslims or Christians;

Recommends that government should engage more with Nigerians across fora since education and enlightenment, which many Nigerians now have, make people easy to lead but difficult to oppress or enslave;

Directs Traditional Rulers and religious leaders to seek more knowledge about religions other than their own since human beings naturally oppose what they are ignorant of in order to ensure sustainable mutual understanding instead of misguided mutual hostility and unwarranted religious rivalry that often fuel violence in Nigeria;

Reiterates that Nigerians across ethnic and religious persuasions cooperate with law enforcement agencies in ridding Nigeria of crime and criminals by providing information and intelligence to security agencies as well as being stakeholders in community policing;

Calls on government and security agencies not to rest on their oars but double their efforts in ameliorating the suffering and agony of Nigerian families who are victims of terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, rape and other crimes that make life very difficult for average citizens;

Advises government to formulate and implement policies that will create jobs and offer social security to millions of Nigerians who are idle, hence vulnerable to being used to promote discord both online and offline;

Stresses the need for government to respect the sanctity of life and inviolability of the court system by not violating both through its agencies at any time through extra-judicial killings or disobedience of court orders;

Emphasizes that given that Islam and Christianity are both ways of life and that the ways of life must be in conformity with the Constitution, all Nigerians are to accept whatever is deemed constitutional by the court without emotions and sentiments either on the issue of hijab or other matters; and

Appeals passionately to political actors, Traditional Rulers, religious leaders and opinion molders, including social media influencers, to be circumspect in their reactions to issues and refrain from hastily making comments on matters that come up in the (social) media in order not to ridicule themselves or lose their respect in the eyes of the public as evident in the alleged demolition of a mosque in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State and notice of demolition of a church in Zaria, Kaduna State, both of which turned out to be false or exaggerated.

Fr. Prof. Cornelius A. Omonokhua

Executive Secretary, NIREC