By TonyeBarcanista

One thing about this country is that we are usually dishonest, emotional and sentimental with ourselves over issues that has to do with religion and the State. I shall speak on the controversy surrounding the former National Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Eunuch Adeboye, the Federal Reporting Council of Nigeria governing code for not-for-profit organisations, the suspension of the code, and the unfortunate sack of Dr. Jim Obazee.

1. The NGO Governance Code Has Court Legitimization:
The code was enacted in 2015 to regulate NGOs in the country, including Church and Mosques. I don't believe it was targeted at any individual, religion or sect.

During its enactment and hearing, a group of Pastors including those from Adeboye's RCCG and other Pentecostal Churches went to federal high court, Lagos to challenge the suit in July, 2015. on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, Honourable Justice Buba dismissed the suit and upheld that the plaintiffs had no locus standi to challenge the suit. The ruling thereafter gave the Council the legitimacy to implement the code.
http://www.barbaric.com.ng/frcn-enact-governance-codes-ngos/

2. On The Provisions Of The Code
I have heard people larment that the code was meant to stifle Christianity and the Church, but on scanning through the provisions of the code, I am yet to see where they get such Idea from.

Firstly, the code does not spare any organisation or sect that is registered as NGO. It does excused Islam/Mosque, neither does it specify a particular sect, religion or church. Even charity organisations are subject to the code as long as they are registered as NGO in Nigeria according to our laws.

Secondly, on the provision of the code, the code simply mandates Chief Executives, organisational heads, founders, General Overseer etc of NGOs to a specified term in office and not to create a sense of "ownership" of their organisations by them. It made it clear that relatives and spouses of organisation heads should not "inherit" the respective organisation under any guise. It allows for accountability to the organisation/members by the heads of the NGOs, as well as mandates financial accountability to the government.

What Is Wrong With The FRCN Good Governance Code For NGOs?
Why should a not-for-profit organisation head wish to "own" the organisation by staying in office without term limit? Why should there not be succession plan in Non-governmental organisation, including churches and mosques? Why should an NGO be inherited by spouse and relatives? What is wrong with Churches and Mosques being accountable to their members and donors, as well as to the government, paying taxes where applicable should they indulge in profit making activities? Is the Church the only group affected?

We are in a society where crises usually brew in churches after demise of founders and General Overseers simply because of lack of succession plan. We are in a society where religious bodies hide under the guise of "the Church" to engage in profit making ventures, yet refused to pay tax to the government like every for-profit organisation. We are in a society where NGO heads lavish organisational funds without accountability to anybody, yet these monies were donations, levies, offerings, tithes etc to the organisations for some purpose or the other. What is wrong with accountability to members and donors of organisation? Is this not a global practice? Will the Bill Gate Foundation donate money without asking for accountability?

What is wrong in clerics contributing to pension funds so as to ensure that their pension is protected by law after retirement? Won't this arrangement help junior pastors?

What exactly is wrong with the bill?

Why Redeemed Christian Church And Some Other Pentecostals?
Firstly, of all the NGOs that includes foundations, charities and Mosques, only Pastors from RCCG and some other Pentecostal Churches went to court to challenge the code. Is there something they are not telling the public? Fine, they exercised their right to challenge government policy, but judgement has been delivered, is it not appropriate to respect the decision and live with the regulation or approach a higher court to set aside the lower court's ruling? Why should Redeemed Church and some Pentecostal Christians see it as a personal battle?

With due respect to RCCG, the code was meant to apply not only to Pastor Adeboye or RCCG, but also to other religious organisations and their heads including Mosques. Making it appear like a personal war against the Redeemed Church or Christianity is improper and against the teachings of Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 2:13-17.

Christianity, The Church And Civil Authority:
1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,
1 Peter 2:14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.
1 Peter 2:17 Honor all men; love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

That was a clear instruction to Christians by Apostle Peter. Christians have no history of resisting civil laws/codes even at the point of death during the time of the Roman rule. That was what distinguished Christians from others.

This Code is in fact aimed at sanitizing the society against abuse by so-called religious leaders and bodies. The Church must be subject to the civil authority of the State as long as it doesn't conflict with the demand of God Almighty and His Christ. This is a fact we must get used to or go to court if unsatisfied.


The Sack Of Dr Obazee Is A Bad Omen
The sack of the erstwhile boss of the FRCN may elicit cheers from religious sentimental people, but it only shows that President Buhari is leading Nigeria via sentiment and not principle. Sacking a man for doing his job after obtaining a legal victory is unfortunate and uncalled for. Appointees of government must be allowed to do their jobs without fear or favor to any group, but President Buhari and his minister of trade and investment expected appointees to only do what they ask and not what is to be done. This is unfortunate and a bad omen to leadership. Why should a policy be suspended because of a particular religion/church? Isn't the law meant to be above every individual and group? This is sad!

In conclusion, we must be aware that in sane climes like Europe, USA, UK and South Africa, such institutions (Religious and other NGOs) are well regulated, especially with respect to their finances and management. RCCG and some other churches have their branches over there and they comply with their regulations. Why should they now have problem with ours? Churches, Mosques and other NGOs are not classified under sole-proprietorship, and as such can't be said to belong to any SINGLE individual irrespective of his status or perceived status. Hence, management and finances must be regulated to reflect that.

Finally, irrespective of my Christian faith, it is my belief that sanity must be brought in our society. If Jesus could pay his tax as a male adult (according to the law) and subject himself to civil law, why not his followers?


May God Bless Us All And Bless Nigeria
Happy Year 2017
www.nairaland.com/attachments/4720022_code3_jpeg6f5173fd1b894b6ab6561498111a224b
Shared on Palmchat

Spot on. Others may seem to disagree. I expect a rejoinder soon.

INTROVERT:
Reading

Nice to see you in the New Year, Happy New Year to you.


I await your modified comment

The last paragraph of the attached says :
" in the case of religious or cultural organizations, nothing in this code is intended to change the spiritual leadership and responsibilities of founders, General Overseers, Pastors Imams.....which are distinguishable from purely corporate governance and management responsibilities and accountabilities of the entities"
However, the action of the FRC seem to have negated this as it sought to remove a Spiritual Head , G O.No?

trueconscience:
The last paragraph of the attached says :
" in the case of religious or cultural organizations, nothing in this code is intended to change the spiritual leadership and responsibilities of founders, General Overseers, Pastors Imams.....which are distinguishable from purely corporate governance and management responsibilities and accountabilities of the entities"
However, the action of the FRC seem to have negated this as it sought to remove a Spiritual Head , G O.No?

The position of GO is relative. As long as he is the Head of Management or Board, the law applies to him. Being a Spiritual head is not same as head of leadership, but most GOs are both spiritual and leadership/management heads.

They can keep their spiritual heads, but not management head. That's what the law says.

Beside, I thought the Head of the Church is Christ? Am I missing something?

INTROVERT:
Spot on. Others may seem to disagree. I expect a rejoinder soon.

Agreeing or disagreeing is the right of individuals but I will welcome a rejoinder.

AM HERE TO OBSERVE..............

trueconscience:
The last paragraph of the attached says :
" in the case of religious or cultural organizations, nothing in this code is intended to change the spiritual leadership and responsibilities of founders, General Overseers, Pastors Imams.....which are distinguishable from purely corporate governance and management responsibilities and accountabilities of the entities"
However, the action of the FRC seem to have negated this as it sought to remove a Spiritual Head , G O.No?

It tries to differentiate SPIRITUAL responsibilities from CORPORATE governance meaning that Adeboye can still be the head spiritually but when it comes to finance and other matters, his role becomes limited.

INTROVERT:




It tries to differentiate SPIRITUAL responsibilities from CORPORATE governance meaning that Adeboye can still be the head spiritually but when it comes to finance and other matters, his role becomes limited.

I think he skipped that...

For once I agree with the OP.

Ruling/Following with sentiments is the reason why Nigeria will never be a developed country.

AZeD1:
For once I agree with the OP.

Ruling/Following with sentiments is the reason why Nigeria will never be a developed country.

This cannot be the first time you are agreeing with me na

TonyeBarcanista:
This cannot be the first time you are agreeing with me na

True it's the 2nd.
The first being not believing in Biafra and the by force joining of Delta state into their proposed country.

Buhari is a weakling president, he allowed sentiment and politics to over ride national interest, one fact has been established, the Church is under serious scrutiny and their members will start waning if the pastors continue with their flamboyant lifestyle, Messr Obazee will bounce back and become very relevant in our National polity, I'm happy that he is a Christian and by extension a Pastor, having the tenacity to implement such law suggests one thing, he's upright, Period!

AZeD1:


True it's the 2nd.
The first being not believing in Biafra and the by force joining of Delta state into their proposed country.

Well, not to derail anyway... Happy New Year...


i wish the government didn't suspend the implementation. We must do away with sentiment.

@tonyebarcanista

The problem with this policy lies on this provision below which shows the target was the church:

* Where the founder has occupied the leadership of the 3 governing structure for a period more than 10 years each, he can only be a board of trustee leader especially if he is older than 70 years

Why select for them which office among the three they should choose?

Why not give them the option than imposing the option of the board of trustee on the GOs?

This is the problem that should be addressed,

TonyeBarcanista:
Well, not to derail anyway... Happy New Year...


i wish the government didn't suspend the implementation. We must do away with sentiment.

Happy new year to you also.


To be honest, I'm neutral about the FRC code but I'm against the sacking of the dude.
People should be allowed to do their job without fear or favour but Buhari has just shown that you don't have to do the right thing or the wrong thing, just be on his good books and your job is safe.

IamPatriotic:
Buhari is a weakling president, he allowed sentiment and politics to over ride national interest, one fact has been established, the Church is under serious scrutiny and their members will start waning if the pastors continue with their flamboyant lifestyle, Messr Obazee will bounce back and become very relevant in our National polity, I'm happy that he is a Christian and by extension a Pastor, having the tenacity to implement such law suggests one thing, he's upright, Period!

What Buhari did is following the steps of his predecessors that are usually biased when it comes to taking legitimate position due to religious, ethnic or some other sentiment.

We admire USA, UK, Europe,and even South Africa, but why can't we see implementation of the needful to make our society be like those we admire?

With due respect, it is clear that some of these pastors are afraid that the law will put a stop to their selfish interests and desires.

Dr Obazee shall be vindicated, this I know for sure.

MadamExcellency:
@tonyebarcanista

The problem with this policy lies on this provision below which shows the target was the church:

* Where the founder has occupied the leadership of the 3 governing structure for a period more than 10 years each, he can only be a board of trustee leader especially if he is older than 70 years

Why select for them which office among the three they should choose?

Why not give them the option than imposing the option of the board of trustee on the GOs?

This is the problem that should be addressed,

My dear, a founder of an NGO is not the owner of the NGO. The BoT is an advisory organ, it has no executive function. Performing a role there is okay to them. Personally, I would have preferred that the issue of headship of BoT of Church is handled by the Church and not restrict to a former or retiring GO.

But the most important is management and financial regulation/accountability, which is the reason for the Code.

All these talk mean little or nothing to me; i am all for taxing these organisations just like many other businesses. We all know the fraud that goes on behind the screen of "religious organisations" and "NGOs". Politicians and crooks in goernment have found them safe havens to launder stolen funds.

Just the other day, a pastor was telling me what has become of the "body of Christ" these days. He informed me big men now "hire" pastors, have them establish churches, and hide their stolen monies n the accounts of these churches, and i have not a shred of doubt they do same with NGOs.

The intentions of these organisations initially were germaine, but over the years theyve become nothing but regular business establisbments masquerading as ngos and churchea and mosques.

KahlDrogo:
All these talk mean little or nothing to me; i am all for taxing these organisations just like many other businesses. We all know the fraud that goes on behind the screen of "religious organisations" and "NGOs". Politicians and crooks in goernment have found them safe havens to launder stolen funds.

Just the other day, a pastor was telling me what has become of the "body of Christ" these days. He informed me big men now "hire" pastors, have them establish churches, and hide their stolen monies n the accounts of these churches, and i have not a shred of doubt they do same with NGOs.

The intentions of these organisations initially were germaine, but over the years theyve become nothing but regular business establisbments masquerading as ngos and churchea and mosques.

In other words you are in agreement

Government regulation of religious organizations always raises a number of conflicting concerns.

Regardless how much you try to sell it, the overly religious will see it as state abuse of power, or worse, an attempt to annihilate religion. Heck, there might be someone crazy enough to attribute it to the rise of the antichrist.

Funny how those whom the law is meant to protect are the first to kick against it. Truth is, some GOs are money-making charlatans at best; at worst, con artists!

The unstable dude again.

Watch him come up with another topic to contradict himself.

I can summarise the dude in a sentence.
He is more like a light boat in a stormy ocean, always dancing to the tune of the wave. He likes to be seen as correct.
Just a populist for the wrong reason.

Hmmmn

Get it right, Its a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) therefore government have no right to meddle in their affairs.
Government self wey dey meddle have they done their duty(ies)
How have they helped the masses they are leading abeg they should face governance and do it well.
They should lead an exemplary life others will follow abi no be so

I agree with you on this.

Your points are germane, same points I informed the proponents of the abrogation.

Obazee 's sack is done to enclave the ignorant and idiots from their hard earned money.

Abi o.

Not when done in this manner.

Religion is a sensitive matter.


I am not surprised you wrote this epistle because PDP could have capitalized on it to promote their Islamization Conspiracy Theory which I am sure you would have contributed to as a POLITICIAN that you are.

Now that It was dealt decisively, you are still out with your usual article.

number 1 reason is the most powerful reason.....all govts of every countries of the world regulates NGOs.

Idahosa's church became his family's business.,..his wife,children are all pastors of the church

......