Metro
Sermon: Religion: A Maligned Concept
By Babatunde Jose
Religion is an omnipresent and seamless part of daily life, taking an infinite variety of forms that are part of the distinctive quality of each community. Religion could thus not be seen as something apart and personal. It is, rather, a dimension of life that suffuses whatever people do. Religion has an effect on many people’s attitudes to everything, including such matters as savings, investment and a host of economic decisions. It influences area we had come to see as vital for successful development, like schooling, gender quality, and approaches to health care. In short, religion could be an important driver of change, even as it could be a break to progress…
James D. Wolfensohn former President of the World Bank
Religion provides the unifying power that grounds the socio-political, economic, technological, cultural and moral dynamics of a culture. This is particularly true of Africans for whom life is an intricate web of the sacred and the secular.
Our daily lives revolves around work, play, eat, recreation, spiritual fulfillment and obeying the calls of nature. It is when one aspect of our life dominates our lives to the exclusion and detriment of others that we become slaves to that aspect of our life. As Easter celebrations ended last Monday, we are looking forward to the holy month of Ramadan next week and people are beginning to question the role of religion in our lives. They claim that we are too religious; a state of affairs that has been termed the unprogressive effect of religion and a hindrance to development.
True enough, political leaders are known to exploit the religiosity of the people in their intra-elite competitions; however, the role of religion in society goes deeper than that. In fact, this might not be the whole truth as research in the developmental sciences are increasingly beginning to recognize the positive role religion could have in development.
Throughout its long history, the Church and Islam have been major sources of social services like schooling and medical care; inspiration for art, culture and philosophy; and influential player in politics. From the 11th to 13th centuries, medieval Europe absorbed information and ideas from Islamic civilization, which was then at its peak: Such as in astronomy, mathematics, medicine and science. The Islamic world also influenced other aspects of medieval European culture, including the arts, agriculture, music, technology, and textiles.
However, this is also true for the negative effects of religion, such as the conflicts that result in war and bloodshed, the separation of social classes, and the corruption throughout God’s kingdom, especially the unending sex scandal in the Catholic Church; or the radicalization of faith as witnessed by today’s Islamic insurgence. There is also the horrible events of the slave trade and colonization and the decimation of the cultures of non-European peoples, particularly Africa. It is these perceived negative effects of religion that has prompted many social scientists to condemn religion as irrelevant to socio economic development. However, Despite the general hostility among social science and professionals, the empirical evidence shows religion to be a very powerful and positive part of everyday life – Patrick McNamara, professor of sociology at the University of New Mexico.
Christianity, Traditional Religion and Islam, promotes integral development that goes beyond mere economic globalization, one could posit the thesis that religion if properly harnessed, could play a very important role in sustainable development despite conflicts, (at times violent), arising from religious intolerance.
No doubt, religion particularly in this clime commands the followership of millions. In social change theory, one of the most effective medium of change is diffusion of ideas and innovations; and religious bodies are most suited for this role. How great would it be, if our churches and mosques were to channel their weekly homilies (52 sermons a year from each church, mosque and other religious gatherings) to that great effort at bringing about social change in their followers; with a view to bringing about attitudinal dispositions that are amenable to socio economic betterment of the people? There is no doubt religion, if well channeled, could be made a veritable instrument of change and development.
“The paradox of growth in the face of poverty and inequality is a result of the inequity and injustice in Nigeria’s socio-politico-economic distribution, with 1% of the population, (politicians and bureaucrats) cornering the national resources to themselves while the rest of the populace wallow in abject poverty.
The role of religion for the sustainable development of Nigeria has been both positive and negative. Positively, religion stands as a reliable institution providing stepping stones to sustainable development; “from the days of the missionaries to the present, the church in Africa has focused its development strategy in two areas: education and healthcare.” And they have done remarkably well: Ditto for Islamic organizations, which have a proliferation of mission schools all over the country. They provide health and educational services through their hospitals, clinics and maternities, schools and colleges, vocational training centers, seminaries and universities. Some even, promote small scale businesses by granting loans to individuals and cooperative societies.
However, in spite of their laudable involvement in promoting progress and sustainable development, religions in Nigeria have in some ways been inhibiting sustainable development. Christianity and Islam are often antagonists, leading to religious conflicts resulting in loss of lives and destruction of properties. This has been intensified by the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad, better known as Boko Haram; which, since 2009, has caused the loss of thousands of lives and valuable government and business properties. Its terrorist activities in Nigeria have crippled the economy of North-Eastern Nigeria, creating insecurity in the country, driving away investors, foreign and local, and resulting in much government spending on security instead of on infrastructures.
It should be noted, however, that as the Council on Foreign Relations in a symposium,
“Religious Conflict in Nigeria,” (2007) discovered, most religious conflicts in Nigeria also have ethnic and political nuances. Yes!!! Politicians have hijacked religion to fight their wars.
Another reason for the upsurge of religious intolerance and violence is economic. The concomitant decline of investment in the education and economic well-being of people, especially the young, makes the latter a veritable reservoir and recruiting ground for religious fanatics or lunatics.
Religion also impedes sustainable development by tacit collaboration in corruption and mismanagement of the economy; mainly because religious leaders have failed to challenge the unjust structures that give rise to bad governance, corruption and social malaise: They have not spoken with one voice against the cycles of injustice; greed and self-aggrandizement of the political class that confiscates the state resources for personal use, thus dehumanizing ordinary Nigerians.
On the contrary, various religious groups have sought to benefit from the corruption and nepotism of the Nigerian system. As we enter another phase of religious activity with the coming Ramadan, religious leaders in Nigeria must figure out a way to honestly embrace peace and promote mutual coexistence by understanding one another’s religious beliefs. They must become the conscience of the people and speak up against the excesses of our corrupt and thieving leaders: And stop receiving the proceeds of corruption in the form of offerings, tithe and Zakat. Only then would religion become a veritable change agent.
Barka Juma’at and a happy weekend
The Cotps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, has expressed deep concern over to a viral video circulating on social media showing an altercation between some FRSC officers and a driver along Abudu, Edo State, Nigeria, on Saturday, 25th October, 2025. and has ordered an immediate investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.
Corps Marshal Mohammed emphasized, in a statement made available to National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), that the Corps does not condone any form of unprofessional conduct or behavior that undermines the integrity and discipline for which the FRSC is known. He further assured members of the public that appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken against any officer found culpable, in line with the Corps’ operational guidelines and public service rules.
He also appealed to the motoring public to remain calm and continue to show cooperation and respect towards FRSC personnel, who are committed to ensuring safer roads and protecting lives across the nation.
While the FRSC remains steadfast in its mission to promote road safety, maintain order, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism in service delivery, the Corps marshal will also not tolerate any form of assault or violence against its personnel from members of the public in the course of duty.
By Tolulope A. Adegoke, PhD
“True leadership is not the exercise of one’s own power, but the stewardship of a power that is divinely bestowed. We do not conquer by our own hand, but through a grace that guides it. I therefore pause to say thank You, God Almighty: My Source, My Owner, My Helper, and My All in all” – Tolulope A. Adegoke, PhD
In the grand theater of human endeavor—from the halls of global corporations to the quiet labs of research scientists, from the strategic command centers of nations to the intimate classrooms shaping young minds—we are conditioned to celebrate the visible. We laud the innovative strategy, the decisive action, the brilliant intellect, and the relentless work ethic. These are the pillars upon which we believe success is built.
Yet, this focus on the tangible is to admire the grand facade of a cathedral while remaining oblivious to its unseen foundation. Today, we must pause to acknowledge the bedrock upon which all human achievement truly rests: the sovereign and sufficient grace of God Almighty. It is a profound and humbling truth that cuts across every culture, sector, and stratum of society: We lead, innovate, heal, govern, and ultimately conquer, not primarily because of our own merit, but because of the divine grace that empowers our efforts and crowns them with favor.
- The Universal Law of Received Power
The principle of grace dismantles the modern myth of the “self-made” leader. In physics, no system creates its own energy; it merely transforms energy from an external source. So it is with human achievement. Our skills, our intelligence, and even our very breath are not self-generated; they are gifts bestowed.
- In Business and Innovation: A CEO may possess sharp acumen, but it is grace that orchestrates a chance meeting with a pivotal partner, sparks a moment of breakthrough innovation when logic has failed, and grants the wisdom to navigate an unforeseen market collapse. The idea that became a billion-dollar company did not emerge from a vacuum; it was a spark of insight granted to a prepared mind—a mind that itself was a gift.
- In Science and Medicine: A researcher dedicates decades to a problem, yet the final, elegant solution often appears as a flash of intuition—a “Eureka!” moment that feels less like a construction and more like a revelation. The healing of a patient, despite the most advanced protocols, often involves an inexplicable, supernatural turn toward recovery that humbles the most brilliant physicians. This is grace in the laboratory and the clinic.
- In Governance and Nation-Building: A political leader may craft a perfect policy, but its success depends on a thousand uncontrollable variables: the public’s reception, global economic tides, and the collective will of a people. When a nation avoids a crisis or emerges from disaster with renewed unity, it is not merely a political victory; it is a national testament to divine providence and restraining grace.
Our role is to diligently till the soil and sow the seeds. But the germination, the growth, and the harvest are miracles of grace. To claim otherwise is like a farmer boasting that he created the rain and the sun.
- Grace as the Antidote to Leadership’s Twin Poisons
Understanding this universal law is the most powerful strategic and psychological advantage a leader can possess. It serves as the definitive antidote to the two toxins that corrupt leadership: pride and despair.
- It Eradicates Destructive Pride: When success is internalized as a personal creation, it breeds an arrogance that isolates a leader. They begin to believe their own press, seeing subordinates as instruments and competitors as enemies. This pride inevitably leads to a fall. Conversely, the leader who sees success as a stewardship of God’s grace remains humble. They lead with a sense of awe and responsibility, knowing they are managing assets they did not create. This humility fosters collaboration, attracts loyalty, and enables course correction.
- It Prevents Paralyzing Despair: The weight of leadership can be crushing. Failure, criticism, and unforeseen crises can lead to burnout and cynicism. If a leader believes they are the sole author of success, then they must also be the sole bearer of failure. But when a leader is anchored in grace, setbacks are re-framed. They are not definitive indictments of their ability, but rather part of a larger, divine curriculum. This perspective fosters resilience, allowing a leader to get up after a fall, learn the lesson, and continue with renewed hope, trusting that the same grace that opened past doors can redeem present failures.
III. The Evidence of Grace in the Tapestry of Life
This is not abstract theology; it is observable reality. Let us trace the fingerprints of grace across the facets of our collective experience:
- The Wisdom We Claim: That moment of perfect clarity in a tense negotiation or a complex coding problem—was it not a gift that arrived precisely when needed? That was the grace of divine insight.
- The Doors That Opened: Consider the promotion that came from a departing superior you didn’t orchestrate, the investor who believed in your vision against conventional wisdom, the visa that was granted against all odds. These are not coincidences; they are the grace of divine favor.
- The Strength We Found: In our moments of profound exhaustion, grieving a loss, or facing immense pressure, did we not discover a well of fortitude we did not know we possessed? That was the grace of divine sustenance.
- The People We Encounter: The mentor who guided us, the team member whose unique talent complemented our weakness, the spouse who offered unwavering support—these individuals are not random occurrences. They are living, breathing manifestations of God’s grace in our lives.
- The Restraint We Experienced: The catastrophic mistake we were unknowingly prevented from making, the harsh word we were restrained from speaking, the disastrous partnership we were diverted from—these are evidences of a protective grace, operating silently behind the scenes.
- Cultivating a Posture of Grateful Stewardship
Therefore, the most critical leadership competency is not strategic planning or financial modeling, as vital as those are. It is the cultivation of a heart of gratitude. This is the lens that brings all of life into focus.
A leader grounded in this truth leads not as an owner, but as a steward. They understand that their organization, their nation, their talents, and their platform are on loan from a higher authority. This transforms their entire approach:
- Decision-Making: They seek wisdom beyond their own, praying for guidance and listening for the divine “nudge.”
- Resource Allocation: They manage people and capital with justice and generosity, knowing they are handling resources that belong to God.
- Legacy Building: Their goal shifts from building a personal monument to fulfilling a divine purpose, leaving a legacy that benefits humanity and glorifies the Giver.
Conclusion: The Conduit of Conquest
Let us then move forward with a renewed paradigm. Let us work with impeccable excellence, as if everything depends on us. But let us pray, trust, and give thanks, knowing that everything ultimately depends on Him.
Our skills are the conduit; His grace is the current. Our plans are the vessel; His providence is the ocean.
We are the conduits of effort, but grace is the current of conquest. To mistake the one for the other is the height of leadership folly.
The most dangerous leader is the one who believes they are the architect of their success. The wisest is the one who knows they are merely a steward, building upon a foundation laid by grace.
Our skill prepares the vessel, but only grace can fill it. Lead accordingly.
I pause to say thank You, To God Almighty—the unseen Architect of our triumphs, the silent Partner in our ventures, and the ultimate Source of every victory across every facet of life—we ascribe all wisdom, power, and glory. For it is by His grace that we are positioned, it is by His might that we persevere, and it is for His purpose that we ultimately conquer.
In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.
Dr. Tolulope A. Adegoke, AMBP-UN is a Recipient of the Nigerian Role Models Award (2024), and a Distinguished Ambassador For World Peace (AMBP-UN). He has also gained inclusion in the prestigious compendium, “Nigeria @65: Leaders of Distinction”.
Globacom, last weekend, drove home its strong position as Nigeria’s biggest supporter of culture as it registered another superlative showing at this year’s edition of Ofala Festival.
Held at the Ime Obi, Onitsha, this year’s festival featured the Iru Ofala on Friday and the Azu Ofala on Saturday. The two are the major ceremonies that make up the grand Ofala Festival, a time-honoured tradition of the people of Onitsha.
The Iru Ofala was Obi’s first public appearance after spending weeks in spiritual retreat and communion with the ancestors, in propitiation for the good of the land.
The Imperial Majesty’s appearance in his rich traditional attire and dance around the Ime Obi was significant and symbolic of his readiness to lead his people into a new year of prosperity. The Obi later sat resplendent as chiefs, titled men, and subjects paid homage to their king. Other top public figures also paid homage to the Obi at the event. They included the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Benjamin Kalu; former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi; Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Obi Asika, and several others.
The Obi lauded Globacom for its strong support for the Festival over the last 14 years. “We thank them for believing in us, and I trust that the mutual benefit that we all derive from the festival will continue to prevail,” the royal father said.
The Azu Ofala, which was the grand finale of the festival, was a time of thanksgiving, joy, and community festivity. The Obi again graced the occasion in a lighter, festive mood, as he received goodwill messages from dignitaries and visitors, including Globacom, the official sponsor of the festival.
Globacom made this year’s edition of the festival more exciting than ever by presenting prizes to various winners in the Ofala promo, which was specifically introduced for the people of Onitsha. The promo ran for four weeks before the Ofala festival and the eventual winners were presented with various prizes, including a brand new Kia Picanto, two tricycles (Keke), power generating sets, grinding machines and so much more.
The Kia car was won by Chidinma Esther Obi, a businesswoman in 33 area of Onitsha. An elated Obi, who must have been dreaming before the prize presentation came to life once she received the keys to the car from Onitsha royal chief, Chief Albert Ibekwe, the Odu Osodi, and Globacom’s representative at the event, Tochukwu Okechukwu.
For Tricycles, known widely as Keke, the duo of Ibeziakor Onyebuchi Anthony and Ejike Chiememma Gloria emerged winners. Several other winners of power Generating Sets and Grinding Machines also smiled home with their prizes.
