I will like to make a statement on the fabric of religion in Nigeria. Why do I use 'fabric of religion'? As much as it is to do with enlightenment and moral codes, for many it is a veil that covers their eyes. For some others it is the perfect cover for their nefarious and evil souls. In these two groups it has very little to do with the supreme being, nor is it to make better their ways; For them it is a smoke screen to manipulate, condemn, exploit, and chastise their fellow men & women. Most times their own kit and kin.


Fact is the traditionalist are in their mould and thus remain uncouth, while it is totally impossible to out-devout a muslim. And even in the light of present divisions in the muslim faith, they still stand resoundingly as one... politically, morally and spiritually; and they often use theirs to good effect, whatever means they implore. Nigerian muslims carry their brothers in faith along, and most times their humility & meekness is quite laudable. Nigerian christians - (bar some that take their faith as sacrosanct, and they are few and far between in social spaces): the lost sheep up north; the gullible, hypocritical and hostile in the west; the vile, profane and wicked in the east; and the totally reckless, violent and opinionated in the south... these are in vast majority by far. They all appear to wear their scriptures on their sleeves, as they within a moment notice can spit out an unscrupulous biblical line to defend their vain and one sided views. It is like the advent of Christianity some 500 years ago off the coast of Badagry and later on through the shores of Calabar has done little to alleviate our superstitious and ignoble ways.


For the love of Christ, His outstanding message is clearly the love of neighbour as self, without being condescending or patronising, which in turn reflects the love of God. So it is very terrible bearing witness to things we do to one another in a holier than thou attitude or 'spare the witch not to live' mentality, or the 'strike my enemy beneath my feet' mantra. This is not Christianity, Because, being Christlike is showing love, and Jesus at the moment of his persecution and death still prayed God forgive his enemies, sinners and hypocrites. It is high time we shun prophets interpreting scriptures and start to build genuine shared values as a people and common grounds as a nation. Lets begin to put an end to this barbarism we often portray that demean our fellow man for no just cause.