• Says churches everywhere, but can’t change culture
By Gilbert Ekezie
Change of culture and lack of human development have been identified as two major problems confronting Nigeria at the moment. In this interview, General Superintendent of Holy Spirit Mission (Happy Family), Bishop Charles Ighele said Nigeria cannot develop without first of all changing some of the cultures that are not healthy, as well as, develop human beings who are the center of God’s creation.
Excerpts
What do you think is the major problem of Nigeria?
Unfortunately, for the past ten years, I have been saying that Nigeria can never develop and people know it. It is not possible. I am not laying a curse on the country, rather, it is a statement of fact. We keep doing the same thing, same way.
Why did you say so?
It is obvious. You could see that an average Nigerian refused to change from the way he or she does things. You cannot continue to do things the same way and expect to get different results. It is painful that the qualities of Nigerians keep getting low and worse every day. So, how do we develop in that manner? It is like saying that two plus two is six. It is not possible. There are some certain principles that make a country develop. We do not need to be a Christian nation to make things work for us.
What are the principles to apply for a better country to be achieved?
We should start doing things that are right, before the nation will be exalted. In the Bible, God looked at those who did not know him, but did things that were right. Former Deputy Managing Director of The Sun Publishing Limited, Dimgba Igwe (late), wrote a book ‘Why Nations Fail’ and sent to me then, after reading the book, I read another book by the Emir of Dubai on “How Dubai was developed,” I also read how Singapore became a nation. After reading all those books, I said that it will be very difficult for Nigeria to develop. Can you imagine that a Minister of Education in Singapore was on break and saw children returning from school, and his heart skipped, and he imagined how the school children will all get jobs, when they are out of school. Do we have such people who reason that way, as our leaders in Nigeria? We don’t.
Our people do not know all the factors that make a country develop. We do not know how to utilize land and labour. Until we change the whole system that every Nigerian has equal access to the best of education, land and capital, not the system where only big companies and individuals are made to get loans. I have finished writing a book: ‘Wealth of Nations.’ What makes a nation get richer, it depends on how they utilize their land, capital and labour force. In Nigeria today, our schools produce more labour force, but where are they? There are no jobs available for them. It is because children of our leaders (the rich)do not attend public schools, so proper attention is not being given to education in Nigeria. You could also see that many of the rich and their families do not patronize hospitals in Nigeria, so, our hospitals are not given the necessary attention. What the so-called leaders failed to know is that development is not about, I built roads, flyovers and all sorts of projects. It is about human beings because we are the centre of creation. So, development should centre on human beings. Look at Nigeria, our prostitutes are the cheapest in Mauritania, Mali and other places. That shows the quality we are made of. The quality of life in Nigeria is so low. With all these, we can never develop, it is not possible. That is what pains me. If at all there should be some cosmetics, so we can defend it, but fundamentals of development is not possible.
Schools, especially those set up by the government, should be made to bring out a quality labour force, that’s what development is all about. We also need to change our culture as a church.
You talked about changing of Culture, what do you mean?
I am not satisfied that a ministry does not change culture. It is unfortunate that churches in the land, but the cultures are not affected at all. God said we are the light of the world and salt of the earth, it is about changing culture. Come to think of it, Jesus raised the disciples and changed the culture of the world into a kingdom culture. That should be our concern today as Christians. It is not about putting up churches, but the effect they have in the culture matters. You could see that in some Christian marriages, they divorce six months after which shows that there is a problem somewhere. Also in the USA for instance, the elderly ones are not properly taken care of. There, when someone is old, the person will be taken to the old people’s home, and will be left there to die. I think such a culture is not healthy. So, you can see the effect of different cultures.
Could you explain the kind of culture you are talking about?
I am talking of a new culture of righteousness, integrity and honesty. We need to change the culture of I don’t care attitude and give our best in all we do. The most powerful component that can drive a man is culture. The Bible says “Seek ye the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and other things shall be added unto you.” That is the power bringing the heavenly culture right here on earth. So, the culture we are building is that of integrity and honesty.
What efforts are you making in your own church to change culture?
Well, we are putting up churches to see how they are going to bring in a new culture that will take care of the people. In a couple of years, we will purchase some properties there and build a room and parlour apartment where the old people will stay as their new home, so they will live among the people, and worship there. The essence is to give the old people a sense of belonging, and they will die in the community, not in the old people’s home as abandoned people. Also, we are already making the move to change the culture of the community where our ministry is located in Lagos by printing fliers to share on the streets.
What is your advice to other churches on the need to start the move of changing culture?
What I am emphasizing is that every church should have a plan to change the culture. We cannot continue to do the unexpected. Church leaders should look inwards to see how they can affect lives by changing some of the cultures that are not good.