Better Societies

 Endless Good Fridays & No Resurrection By Prof Matthew Michael 15 April 2022 During this period of Easter, the plight of many Nigerians comes readily to my mind. I have seen several pictures and video clips of Jesus passion--which remind us of the horrific pains and torture of Jesus on the cross in his salvific sacrifice to atone for our sins. The Easter season always brings afresh to us the unimaginable agonies and pains of our Lord on the cross. The vivid image and graphic representations of his pains and abandonment often leave us in complete shock and speechlessness because of the horrors of the human race against its kind.  While I competely identify with these depictions of the pains and sufferings of Jesus, and I felicitate with all Christians globally on the joy and anticipation of a resurrection, I found it  awkward that this season of pains and suffering does not help us to make the connection-- even though for a moment--with the pains and suffering of the ...

Zwandien Bobai 11 April 2019 I am afraid of COVID-19 not because I do not have "faith" like many purport. I have realised that having "faith" even in God does not immune one from "fear." And I think in every sense that FAITH does not connote FOOLISHNESS!  I am afraid of it because of my economic status. If it comes to me and others like me, I know my name is going to be DEAD! When will they finish testing those who returned to the country lately? If some of the "rich people" die from lack of attention and proper medical care, what would be the fate of the poor when they contract the disease?  I am afraid of it because I do not know people who met people who met those whose statuses have been confirmed as positive. My very neighbour could be infected even without knowing it. They may not have traveled abroad or mingled directly with people who returned from worse hit countries. They may just have met relations of relations of relations of infected...

HELD APRIL 4TH – 8TH, 2022, AT THE ECWA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE HALL, JOS, NIGERIA. The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) held her 69th General Church Council (GCC) meeting with emphasis on the Church’s 2022 theme: “Look He is coming with the clouds” (Revelation1:7). This theme is aimed at reminding ECWA members and believers across the world that the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is near and all Christians need to be more vigilant now more than ever before. It also encourages them not to be faint hearted but be prepared for His final coming. The meeting had in attendance members of the ECWA Executive, ECWA Board of Trustees, Chairmen, Secretaries, and Delegates of all the 91 District Church Councils (DCCs) including USA. Also in attendance were Directors of Departments, Chief Executive Officers of ECWA Strategic Business Units and Heads of Tertiary Institutions. Leaders from the ECWA Chad Republic were in attendance as observers.  The Council deliberated on Church re...

 By Farooq Kperogi  It has just been reported that least 11 soldiers have been murdered by terrorists in Kaduna, a few days after the same terrorists bombed two Kaduna-bound trains in quick succession, murdered and kidnapped scores of passengers, and gunned down soldiers sent to rescue passengers.  And there was no consequence for this. So far, the only person who has paid a price for it is Sheikh Nuru Khalid who was fired from his imamship for speaking up against it and asking for accountability.  Recall, too, that some months backs, terrorists invaded the Nigerian Defense Academy in Kaduna, killed some soldiers and abducted others without the slightest resistance. Why is Kaduna such a sitting duck for terrorists even though it has more military formations than any city in Nigeria? It is, for all practical purposes, Nigeria's military headquarters.  What sort of military becomes reliably powerless, helpless, unresisting, and subdued before terrorists? Something...

By Farooq A. Kperogi Twitter: @farooqkperogi You don’t promote unity by simply glibly mouthing off infuriating platitudes about unity being “non-negotiable.” You promote it through meaningful symbolic gestures to reassure estranged groups that they, too, matter.  Unity is promoted when conscious efforts are made to heal national wounds, to accommodate disadvantaged groups, and to make political concessions to restore faith in the promises of the country. The federal character principle, quota system, reservation of slots for students from educationally less developed states in federal institutions are examples of what sociologists call positive discrimination in the interest of the greater good of the society. Nigeria also needs policies in positive discrimination in the political realm. That’s why I am a strong advocate for constitutionally enshrining power rotation at all levels of government in Nigeria in response to our peculiarities as a country that is riven by deep-seated pr...

Pranks, Lying, God and April's Fool by Matthew Michael  I don't normally wade into the controversies of God and theology in online discussions--but I'll make exception for this. I think there is a difference between lying and playing pranks. Culturally, April fool is rooted in the desire to play pranks--and have fun among friends. Prank is defined as "a practical joke or mischievous act" which is not intended to cause harm. Similarly, it could also be defined as the act of  "playing trick on someone with the intention to be funny and not to harm a person." There is nothing wrong in enjoying a healthy sense of humor; the God of the Bible is a serious deity but he is also a deity full of humour--and at times plays humourous pranks himself too.   Modern studies have shown several humorous literary devices employed by God and biblical writers in conveying their messages. For example, the humour over the wordplay surrounding the names of Isaac--(laughter)--be...