Tag: insecurity in Nigeria

  • Prosperity gospel aiding insecurity – Clergy

    Prosperity gospel aiding insecurity – Clergy

    A Clergy, Oscar Amaechina says property gospel encourages love of money  rather than build morality and it is  contributing to the challenge of insecurity in the country.

    Amaechina, the President of  Afri-Mission and Evangelism Network (AMEN), said this in Abuja on Saturday at the launch of a book titled: “Who is this God”, written by an American lecturer, Paul Bryan.

    Amaechina  advised pastors to stick to the true biblical doctrine and teaching for their members and discourage their congregation from covetousness.

    He said Pastors should desist from emphasizing the love of money to their congregation but encourage them to remain content with what they have.

    “The danger of prosperity gospel is that it does not bring morality through what people are doing so I strongly believe that insecurity and the way we live our lives recklessly is as a result of not knowing God.

    “When you look at the challenges in Nigeria, insecurity has bedevilled us in a very alarming proportion.

    “Those who are kidnappers have religious groups where they belong. Some of them are in the churches, they give money to their pastors, they pay tithe, they give offerings.

    “Some of them can even build churches yet they still go and kidnap and collect money from people because some of them just believe that the essence of why we are existing in life is because God want us to prosper.

    “When we understand God , you will worship him better, you will know his rules, laws ,ordinances and precept and you will be very careful the way you live your life,” he said.

    The Clergy stressed that Christendom had been faced with different challenges as most pastors were now defining God based on the brand of their Christianity.

    According to him, Christians see God in many dimensions and also many had failed to preach morality but rather focus on frivolous lifestyle.

    Read Also: Insecurity: IGP orders arms drill, reorientation for police officers

    Amaechina, the reviewer of the 377-page book sectioned into six parts, said the book would encourage readers to foster a deeper spiritual connection.

    According to him, “it is an expository, impacting and informative book and  has helped to define God in a biblical manner, holistically not just partially.

    He said the book is meant for everybody, both Christians and non Christians and ministers of the gospels because it impacts the knowledge of God.

    Amaechina disclosed that the author who is based in America, has been a Christian for more than 46 years.

    “He was a lecturer in two universities in USA and involved in ministry. His passion is to teach adult how to know the God of the Bible

    “We are giving out the books free because in Afri- mission and Evangelism Network, we strongly believe that anything that has eternal value should not have price tag .

    “If you put price tag to it the people who don’t have money will not be able to afford it. This book is not a book we should discriminate against those who do not have money,” he said.

    Another Clergy,  Josephine Amaechina of the Antioch Christian Centre, said the book teaches moral values that would help reshape the society.

    She said the centre would soon launch a book club that would gather children together and nurture them using the book as a study guide.

    Speaking in the same vein, Adamson Uokhag, the Abuja Chapter Coordinator of AMEN, called for the revival of reading culture that would spur Nigerians into knowing the truth about God.

    He said the book will be an eye opener for Christians and non-christians to know who truly,  the God they serve is and not the God they hear about.

    (NAN)

  • Nigeria’s unyielding battle against insecurity

    Nigeria’s unyielding battle against insecurity

    By Hamza Ali Usman

    SIR: In the heart of Africa lies a nation teeming with diversity, rich culture, and unrelenting potential. However, beneath its vibrant surface, Nigeria grapples with a complex and persistent challenge—widespread insecurity. As the country stands at a crossroads, the shadows of insurgency, communal clashes, banditry, and kidnappings loom large, casting a pall over the hopes and dreams of its people.

    The roots of Nigeria’s insecurity are deeply entrenched in a tapestry woven with historical, political, and socio-economic threads. Decades of colonial legacy and post-independence struggles have left scars on the nation’s fabric, contributing to a sense of disarray that continues to haunt its present.

    One cannot ignore the turbulent waves of insurgency, exemplified by the notorious Boko Haram, whose name has become synonymous with fear and destruction. Their relentless attacks, aimed at destabilizing communities and crippling progress, have inflicted immeasurable suffering on innocent civilians, leaving wounds that go beyond physical scars.

    Moreover, the spectre of ethno-religious conflicts casts a shadow over unity. Tensions between various ethnic groups and religious divides have often erupted into violent confrontations, tearing apart the societal fabric that binds the nation together.

    Banditry and kidnappings, once confined to specific regions, have metastasized, spreading like wildfire across the country. These criminal acts, driven by economic desperation and social inequality, continue to sow seeds of fear and mistrust among the populace.

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    The complexities of Nigeria’s insecurity cannot be attributed to a single cause. It’s an intricate tapestry woven with threads of corruption, poverty, ineffective governance, and the struggle for resources. The result is a landscape fraught with challenges, testing the resilience of a nation that yearns for stability and peace.

    Yet, amidst the darkness, glimmers of hope emerge. The spirit of the Nigerian people remains unbroken, resilient in the face of adversity. Communities band together, demonstrating solidarity and resilience, refusing to succumb to the forces seeking to tear them apart.

    Efforts to address these issues are underway, albeit amidst daunting challenges. Reforms in governance, increased security measures, and grassroots initiatives aimed at fostering unity and dialogue are steps towards a brighter future. The quest for lasting peace requires a collective commitment—a commitment to bridge divides, heal wounds, and build a nation where every citizen can thrive without fear.

    Nigeria’s struggle with insecurity is a multifaceted saga, woven with the threads of a troubled past and the aspirations of a hopeful future. It is a narrative of resilience, where the Nigerian people continue to write their story of perseverance against all odds, striving for a nation where peace and security reign supreme.

    • Hamza Ali Usman, Borno State University, Maiduguri.