Religious Tolerance And National Integration

According to Albert Einstein, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” The above statement reveals the underlying fact that majority of the problems faced by Nigeria

are brought about by our own mistakes. Hence, to put an end to all these problems once and for all, we would have to look at things from another perspective.

Getting started with empirical facts, a survey carried out by the Africa Development Fund revealed that economic growth will decelerate from 2022 to 2023 due to persistent low oil production. This survey revealed how much more the masses who are at the grass roots will be greatly affected in this pandemonium. Obviously, there is no need to ask a young Nigerian why he is eager to migrate to another country when the answer is right here staring at us. In the past years, commodities including quality foodstuffs were sold at cheaper rates for everyone to have access them, but all of a sudden, prices doubled up.

Imagine a mudu* of beans which was sold at between N130 and N180 about five years  back, now being sold at between N500 and N700.

Apparently, the problem we face in today’s Nigeria didn’t just emerge, they have been breeding over the years.

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In addition, we have national insecurity as another major problem Nigeria  is facing. The killing of people in Nigeria is so rampant. A Nigerian print media known as ‘Premium Times’ revealed that from June 5 to June 11, 2022, one hundred and thirteen (113) people were killed in various attacks across Nigeria. Imagine that someone killed 113 goats within a duration of seven days, what would be the first thought that would come to your mind? Ritual, of course. How much more 113 people within seven days.

Aside the obvious factors highlighted above that are preventing the Nigeria we want from becoming a reality, another essential factor is hypocritical religious practices and lack of national Integration. Nigerians are very religious people but how many truly practice the tenets of their faith? Metuah (1994) says, “there are three major religions in Nigeria: Christianity, Islam and the Traditional religion.” In 1960, the country was divided along religious zones of influence, notably the Muslims in the North and the Christians in the south. The traditional religion appears to be unproselytised religion because it does not go forth seeking converts neither

does it pick offence when deserted by its adherents nor assume that his object of worship is superior. It has the rare quality of accommodation and tolerance to other religions (Kukah, 1996:16).  In a bid to take a look at the contributions of religion towards national integration, some questions may arise such as, “To what extent has religion promoted national integration? Has religion been used as a tool for national integration in Nigeria?” Invariably, attempts should be made to answer these questions.

So, what then do we propose to stop the several challenges bedeviling the nation? The government should stop borrowing money from the World Bank and other developed countries  to save us from future embarrassment. They should sensitise the entire populace on the need to always reasonably reduce the cost of items in  order to pave way for conveniences.

On national security, the government should establish more security agencies to help put an end to criminality by apprehending and putting lawbreakers behind bars. They will certainly stop these irrational killings if they are not left to keep doing their wishes. The government should also try to be stricter in their bid to end insurgency. I feel that if the government stops becoming passive and start taking actions, we can actually put an end to this recycled killing and enjoy the prospects of a better Nigeria.

Therefore, to promote national integration, the government should aptly respond to religious crises on time in order to arrest the situation. Fanaticism in religion must be minimised in order to pave way for redesigning the Nigerian society. Leaders should strengthen existing policies that promote tolerance of other people’s religion. The knowledge of Nigerian nation and its citizens in terms of geography, history, sociology and anthropological set ups and other basic information that can nurture the spirit of empathy are grossly deficient. This is why, nowadays, mere arguments on general issues of governance are easily ethnicised or religionised to the detriment of the collective good. Nigerians must learn to love one another and imbibe the spirit of patriotism and nationalism. The ‘federal character’ principle which encourages discrimination and indigenisation should be de-emphasised by the government and all. Since Nigeria is a multi-religious, multi-ethnic and heterogeneous nation, secularity should be the best option in order to promote national integration and development.

To draw the curtain to this discourse, I would like us to visualise a Nigeria of our dreams: A Nigeria where a naira equals a dollar; a Nigeria where democracy is practiced freely and fairly; a Nigeria where we can walk on the streets or travel to any state without being scared for our lives.

We yearn for a time when we can actually boast about our citizenship. This is the Nigeria we desire. Let us know that, a better country is essential for us all. What we all desire can be achieved if we are accountable and determined. Giving adequate support to the government is also necessary for religious tolerance, national integration as well as political and socio-economic development. Therefore, we should as individuals, private establishments and religious organisations come together and push for development and growth as a nation. Only then can we sit with crossed  legs giving thumbs-up to a new Nigeria; not the Nigeria of present, but the Nigeria of our dreams – the Nigeria we want.

*Mudu: A measuring vessel in Nigeria that contains about nine milk cups of grains.

Toluwani writes from Lagos.