The role of the church in promoting peace and good governance in Nigeria
In recent years, Nigeria have experienced the worst form of governance. She has been at the receiving end of political tyranny, thuggery, rigging of elections, injustice, assassinations, one conflict or the other and so on.
However, the church which is the United body of Christ, has a sacred duty to provide the moral foundation and be the conscience of our nation, Nigeria. It is an established fact that ' Religion and Governance ' have over the years remain two inseparable twins. As such, the church which is a religious body has an important contribution to make to the moral strength, political unity, tranquility as well as good governance in Nigeria.
Before I proceed, I deem it necessary to demystify the important terms . The word ' Role ' is a noun that demonstrate the part that someone or something has in a particular activity. ' Church 'which is translated from the Greek word ' Ekklesia ' simply refers to a building used for public Christian worship. ' Promoting ' is a process of supporting or actively encourage a venture or further the progress of something. ' Peace ' can be described as a state or period in which there is no war. ' Good Governance ' is a phrase which implies that the exercise of the vested authority is accountable, transparent, predictable, participative and dynamic.
Having understood the basic terms, I will proceed to explicate the role of the church in promoting peace and good governance in Nigeria.
The church set up numerous mechanisms for peace and development work. This groups help to sought ways to help communities honour and dignify victims, provide sanctuary, engage in actions for peace and promote truth, justice and reconciliation.
The church engages in prayers and fasting. One of the most important things the church can do to bring in good governance in Nigeria is to continually pray for those involved in governance. This prayers are mostly focused on the need for transparency, honesty, accountability and peaceful co-existence.
Further more, the church through her sound teachings and biblical doctrines breed citizens with integrity. A person of integrity is someone who can be trusted, accountable and transparent. If such person is involved in governance, there will be transparency and accountability which will therefore lead to good governance.
In addition, the church through her sound teachings and doctrines also breed disciplined citizens as well as citizens who are morally upright. There will be no cause for such citizens to be involved in conflicts that may lead to war, rather they will ensure that there is tranquility at every time wherever they are found.
In conclusion, the church through; setting up groups for peace and development work; fervent prayers for those in authority; her sound teachings; providing legal, psychological, physical and spiritual accompaniment to victims, especially to the displaced and the most vulnerable; engaging in pastoral dialogues and advocating for humanitarian relief will help to promote peace as well as good governance in Nigeria.
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