Minority rights and all

I got into an issue when I attended the old students association meeting of my secondary school last saturday. The association is presently led by a group more recent and younger graduands of the school after my generation had failed in our previous attempt. Going by the success that these new guys have recorded I feel led to reaffirm my position that the younger generation of Nigerians are the most creative and intelligent generation ever in this country.
I consider them to have been very disadvantaged because their older counterparts have not left any real and proper example for them to build upon. We have an embarrasing electoral system, disgraceful performances in governance, a cash and carry educational system, corrupt judiciary and security agencies, terrible infractructures and a dysfunctional society. In spite of these, we have seen outstanding performances from them in sports, music and arts. Nollywood was recently rated higher than Hollywood in some demographics in the movie industry. For those crying about quality, I want to say that there present performance can be equated to bringing water out of stone in our unhealthy financial and business environment. The best part of this generation is their belief in the Nigerian spirit which is seen in their popular phrase Naija which is now of general application, and arouses within them a strong attachment and a sense of belonging to a Nigerian culture that is youth driven.

Now, back to the issue which occurred at the old students meeting. We were talking about starting an online newsletter which would give people the opportunity to advertise their businesses and I indicated that I would also use it for my church adverts. This was highly resisted by a number of people in attendance who were incensed by the idea that I would want to advertise my church activities. This level of hostility against the church has become the norm all over the place, and I think that it has become imperative for us to seek the protection of our rights as a minority right issue.

I have found out that there is a growing negative perception of the church by a generality of the populace. I consider these views to be highly misplaced because when these critics have personal crisis, it is the same church that they run for succour. Sometimes I wish we can repay them in their coins; but we are constrained by our calling to be forgiving.

Recently, the tabloids and the internet were invaded by all types of negative commentaries when one of the most respected pentecostal pastors in Nigeria took delivery of a private jet. Yet there was hardly any celebration when the same man was mentioned among the fifty most influential man in the world for 2008 by Newsweek magazine. i'm sure the influence for which he was recognised were for his positive contributions to society.

While we do admit that there are soem job seekers and bad eggs in our midst, the contribution of churches to Nigeria cannot be over emphasized. in a country where people cannot afford any medical service, they have to rely on their faith and prayer to deal with all kinds of ailments. Our counselling tables have helped in managing diverse forms of psychiatric and psychological conditions especially among those who cannot afford trained professionals. You cannot place a value to the effect of the spiritual activities of the churches to the well being of society, and the church remains the main platform for the teaching of proper values and character building.

With the failure of the family system and the lack of any social security system, churches embark on welfare programmes such as paying rents and school fees for stranded members, as well as providing a network for assisting people in job placements and growing businesses. A lot of churches now operate members' cooperatives as well as Micro Finance Banks for the financial empowerment of its members and the society. It is not true that these programmes are embarked purely for the purpose of church growth. Rather they are carried out as a result of a true desire to affect society and touch lives.

I honestly think that the general hostility to the church is inappropriate and uncharitable. It is true that we have been told to always turn the other cheek, but it should not be a justification for the level of violence against the church. That is why i think we need protection. We intend to institute this matter in the Highest Court in Heaven. In the matter of the protection of the minority right of the church between the church as the claimant and the rest of the world as defendant. We intend to retain Jesus Christ as our lead counsel, and the Honourable Judge will be God himself. I rest my case.