The Bishop of Egba Diocese of the Catholic Church, Peter Odetoyinbo in this interview with CHARLES COFFIE GYAMFI, insists that Nigeria is where it is today because it is “far from God.” He maintains that the take-over of Missionary Schools by the governments has contributed immensely to the moral decay in the society.
What is the problem with Nigeria?
We are where we are because the country, as a whole, is far from God. Greed, avarice, materialism and frivolities have replaced our morals. Many Nigerians’ principles on right and wrong are no longer there.
We are suffering from our greed and frivolities, because we didn’t conserve. We believed everything would be okay. A Yoruba adage says money is a visitor, so when you have it, take care of it, keep it, preserve it and use it well. But we didn’t, from all indications. And it is not only the politicians that should be blamed for this, as everybody has contributed to it. Nigerians are used to frivolities.
The time we had more than enough money, what did we do with it? I was told that in Abuja, some of those that looted our treasury have started selling their houses, but nobody is ready to buy them. How did they acquire such properties in the first place? A lot of people looted billions of naira and dollars from our treasury. This was money meant for alleviating the suffering of the average Nigerian, but one person decided to take it. A political office is a position of dignity, respect and honour and somebody in that position should live up to that expectation.
Do you agree that all is not well with the church, due to some religious leaders’ misbehaviours?
The church, from the Catholic point of view, is made up of sinners and weaknesses. As such, mistakes abound from man. So, who becomes a leader? Is it not from the congregation? Do you just become a religious leader all of a sudden? You might have gone through all the stages from being a Christian, a follower and baptised before you arrived at that position. You don’t just become a Catholic Bishop one day, you must have been baptised and come from a Christian home. Well, I am not talking about the leaders alone, because whatever happens to the leaders also affect the members. We are all Christians together; it is only by office that we are Leaders.
Even during the time of Jesus, Judas made a mistake. So, we must put it within the framework of Christian’s journey into salvation and Jesus is always there to apply the remedy, which we all know of. Hence, there is Sacrament of reconciliation that renews that human being that has fallen and brings him or her back into the mission entrusted to Christ.
When mistake happens, there is always a remedy. For example, within the Catholic Church, there is remedy, and within the other churches, too, there is remedy and checks and balance for religious leaders and the standard that is demanded from every religious leader. I know that for all Catholic churches.
The moral fabric of the Nigerian society seems to have broken down completely, despite proliferation of churches. What led to this?
The government took over schools. These are realities that have affected the society. I grew up within the Catholic family and I went to a Catholic primary school, as well as, a Catholic Minor Seminary secondary school, as my parents are Catholic. So, whatever is said in the church will be reflected at home, which will also be echoed in school. These days, however, government has its own policies for schools, which run contrary to Christian policies. So, where does the church stand, when the policies are running against the change of heart that the church stands for, the moral upbringing that the church stands for, and the good conduct that the church preaches in the schools? These are the effects and families are torn apart by various policies— international policies, and Nigerian policies on human life, on family life, which are tearing family apart.
For example in the Catholic church, our Holy Father just came out with a document: “Amor is Letitia,” which means “the joy of family” aimed at taking us back to the root. Let’s go back to the family because once the family is solid, everything is okay. In the 60s, government came out with policies that helped the family and the economy.
Are you satisfied with the Anti-graft war of the present administration?
Why not? For me personally, it has revealed some things. I never believe individuals were stealing so much money. I didn’t believe it until it was exposed. Before in Nigeria, we only used to hear of millionaires, but in today’s Nigeria, you hear of trillionaires. If you open the newspapers, you will see it there.
Do you agree with the Presidency that the judiciary is frustrating the efforts of the anti-graft war?
Who is using who? Who created what? Who is supporting who? So, if one is accusing the other, the same Presidency will use the same judiciary for the anti-graft war. So, whatever is in the court, let the judiciary take care of it. Judgment that has not been passed, nobody should conclude. The Presidency should always wait, as the judiciary is an important arm of government from all indications. Just as the Presidency is playing its own role, let the Judiciary also plays its role. At a point, they will agree, at a point, judgment will be made and at a point, all of us will know the truth. What is the best way to fight this war?
The first one is, if they still have the money, let them return it because it doesn’t make sense, when you put somebody in jail and he still has the money. Let them be allowed to return the money they have stolen and after that, the law should take is course.
What is your suggestion to the political class, with regards to reversing the seemingly hopeless situation of the country?
Let them implement the policies they made, as well as, fulfil their campaign promises. I read in one of the newspapers some days ago, that even with the recession, some governors are still buying bulletproof cars for themselves and their wives. And they are saying people are revolting, why won’t they revolt? Workers are not paid and the person that is supposed to pay them is buying bulletproof cars for himself and his wife. Where is the anti-graft war and when is it going to end?
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