By Oluwole Ogundele
Nobody knows the exact origins of religion, even though archaeologists and palaeo-anthropologists are generally of the opinion (based on hard evidence), that a group of early humans known as Neanderthalers in Europe had one or two belief systems. This was between 430,000 and 40,000 years ago. The Neanderthalers also believed in the concept of “life after death,” as they buried food items and arrow heads among other materialities with their dead relatives. Their contemporaries in Africa were doing the same thing. These early African Homo sapiens were called the “Rhodesian man” populations.
Despite the different theological approaches, every religion tries among other things, to develop an understanding of the nature of God. No religion is superior to another. Therefore, humility including openness is sacrosanct. Islam was introduced to Nigeria as far back in time as the 11th century. In Nigeria, religion is an important component of our inherited cultural traditions. Religion and everyday life including the people’s observation of the environment were/are very intricately interwoven.
In the 15th century, some Portuguese introduced Christianity to the territory later christened Nigeria. Both Islam and Christianity tried to submerge the indigenous religions. However, this mission could not be completely accomplished, even though the injuries sustained as a result of this collision are with most Nigerians up to now. The major goal of these foreign belief systems was to destroy the self-confidence and self-esteem of the citizens. This was/is a good illustration of mental, spiritual subjugation which makes sustainable development unachievable. Such a scenario promotes cultural and economic imperialism.
The Nigerian ethnicities had their local deities or saints/divinities long before the collision with Islam and Christianity. These deities were usually charismatic humans who had added some great values to the lives of the people. Shango and Ogun among the Yoruba of south western Nigeria are good examples in this connection. Up to now, similar deities exist among the Igbo, Itsekhiri, Ijaw, Urhobo, Edo, Igala, Berom, Tiv, Hausa, and Kanuri. Contrary to popular thinking, Nigerians do not refer to these deities as gods. They are intermediaries between the supreme God and humanity. By the Western cultural standards, we can legitimately be calling them Saints Ogun, Shango and Amadioha. The only God is called Olodumare in Yorubaland and Tamuno among the Ijaw. There is only one God across the universe. But there are thousands of local divinities to intercede with the creator God on behalf of the ordinary humans. In addition, spirits of lineage ancestors are also respected because of the belief that they work for justice and equity. Evil people in a given extended family are punished accordingly by these spirits. Spirituality occupies a conspicuous position in African religions. It is also a social control mechanism. The Yoruba call these deities Orisha. “Orisha-ness” is an exclusive preserve of the extra-ordinarily charismatic members of a region.
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It is not a family chieftaincy title or political office for a pretender (bereft of elementary wisdom) masquerading as a leader. Indeed, saintliness could not be bought with money. It was about somebody’s uncommon service to humanity and God.
Are the above scenarios not parallel to those two world religions that have robbed us of the capacity to think sophisticatedly? Thus, for example, why do most Catholic Churches have Joseph or Marian shrines or grottoes? These are designated sacred spaces with images for prayers to God. What is the difference (aside from aesthetics) between each one of these grottoes and the Ogun or Amadioha shrine?
In my opinion, both religious heritages are fundamentally the same. The Arabs and Europeans cleverly planted seeds of discord in Nigeria as elsewhere in Africa, so that the locals could continue to wallow in material and to a limited extent, spiritual poverty. Ignorance is a dangerous disease! Not surprisingly, Nigeria continues to experience serious social disruptions including political/economic turmoil of huge proportions. Nigeria has been pushed towards uncritical interdependence or poisonous global integration, via the lens of cultural/religious collision or indoctrination. Many Nigerians remain almost incorrigibly Arabo-centric or Western in their country of pluralistic essence.
There is nothing wrong with being a critical member of the modern global economy, but everything is bad for remaining a puppet with strings. No doubt, Islam and Christianity have come to stay, as a part of our incorporated and to limited degree, inscribed culture. In fact, a few African cultural elements like drumming and dancing have been carefully embedded into these foreign religions.
However, our religious leaders need to exercise some considerable restraint in avoiding controversies capable of setting Nigeria ablaze. Nigerians should condemn the hypocrisy of these leaders who do one thing and say another.
Those who crafted the Nigerian Constitution, with a big space for freedom of religions were not moronic because the country has a multiplicity of cultural values and value-systems. But very unfortunately, fundamentalism-a relic of savagery still dominates the hearts and minds of a lot of Nigerians despite their many degrees and certificates. They need to be liberated from religious bondage which makes critical thinking an impossibility. Anybody without a thorough, critical appreciation of his cultural heritage is an illiterate who suffers from serious colonial mentality. Such a person needs some deliverance before he sets Nigeria on fire.
Sustainable development has its deep roots in robust cultural education. The Chinese, Japanese, and Singaporean economies among others, are the by-products of cultural re-orientation from the primary school level. A critical assimilation of Nigerian indigenous epistemologies is the beginning of wisdom. Without a careful application of knowledge, wisdom remains elusive in the extreme.
Nigerians must begin to critically assimilate their cultural traditions in order to engineer a new geo-polity enshrined in creativity and economic progress. Nigeria was not the only country colonised by Britain. The United States of America was once a colony of Britain. Uncritical Arabisation and Europeanisation are a roadblock to Nigeria’s progress.
National unity, peace, and progress must not be sacrificed on the altar of stone age, unfettered religious/ethnic bigotry. Nigeria has lost many innocent people in recent times due to senseless religious teachings and actions. This country is notorious for its appalling security and economic situation leading to more internally displaced people on a daily basis. As members of Homo sapiens (thinking beings), all religious/ethnic crises must stop as quickly as possible. Our leaders across the board have to work for equity, fairness, and peace. More and more Nigerians are dying daily out of starvation, while our self-indulgent religious and political leaders, do not show sufficient commitment to public services. Government at all levels have to take some urgent palliative measures to reduce the current economic hardships/agonies, arising basically from the fuel subsidy removal. However, a repeat performance of the “trader moni” concept should be avoided. There is a trust deficit. Our politicians should stop their hedonistic tendencies capable of provoking a storm of protest. Thus, for example, it is callous to be talking of over one hundred billion naira for buying bulletproof cars and refurbishing offices for the federal lawmakers, when the citizens are hungrier and more hopeless than hitherto. Who will save us from ourselves?