Feature/OPED
Nigeria: Balancing Religious Persecution, Accommodation, Islamisation, and Evangelism
By Prince Charles Dickson PhD
Narrated by Elijah, the story follows Timi, a young man who excelled academically, spoke 16 languages and became the first African clergyman in the Church of England. After marrying Bridget and having a daughter, he returns to Nigeria, leading a fulfilling life until tragedy strikes. His family falls victim to Baby Fire, a local thug, leading to a series of tragic events that turn Timi into a recluse. The film later introduces Elijah, who changes Timi’s life and helps him rediscover his faith and purpose.
Storylines concerning faith and religion often tread familiar paths in Nollywood, portraying clashes between clergies and witches, misguided pastors exploiting their congregations, or other predictable narratives tailored for the local audience.
Breath of Life, an original Prime Video production written and directed by BB Sasore and produced by Eku Edewor, offers a refreshing departure in its exploration of faith. The result is a visually captivating film featuring award-worthy performances from Wale Ojo, Chimezie Imo, and Genoveva Umeh. Their characters intertwine to create a compelling narrative that captivates viewers until the end.
Released on Prime Video on November 15 by Nemsia Films, co-founded by Derin Adeyokunnu, Breath of Life tells the story through the voice of Elijah. It was the closing film at the 2023 Africa International Film Festival. This faith-based movie revolves around Timi, who, having lost his sense of purpose, encounters Elijah, leading to a transformative journey.
Set in the 1950s, the film unfolds the extraordinary life of young Timi, portrayed by Ademola Adedoyin. Timi’s unique abilities and accomplishments set the stage for his promising future. However, a tragic turn of events in his Nigerian village puts his family in jeopardy, leading to a series of events that shape the man Timi becomes.
As Timi evolves into an older man in the 1980s, played by Wale Ojo, the film delves into his emotional turmoil. Ojo’s portrayal of the older Timi is not only a treat but also his most challenging role to date. The film’s attention to detail, from props to the choice of setting, enhances the immersive experience for the actor and the audience.
Chimezie Imo’s portrayal of Elijah, a young man with a lung disease, adds another layer to the narrative. Elijah’s interactions with Timi and others reveal his vulnerability and determination to make a positive impact.
Breath of Life stands out with its meticulous attention to props and detail, depicting Timi’s secluded life with authenticity. The film effectively uses visuals to convey the emotional depth of the characters and their stories. Scenes such as Elijah pleading for love in the rain or Timi rediscovering faith contribute to the film’s powerful emotional impact.
The inclusion of Anna, played by Genoveva Umeh, as Elijah’s love interest provides a refreshing dynamic to the story. Anna’s boldness and confrontation of challenges contribute to the film’s balance.
Overall, Breath of Life delivers a compelling narrative rarely seen in Nollywood, marked by stunning storytelling and powerful emotional scenes. It’s a movie that comes highly recommended for its unique approach to faith and humanity. And the film itself is the background for my short conversation in this essay about Nigeria and faith.
Nigeria, a country known for its rich tapestry of cultures and religions, faces complex challenges related to religious dynamics. The coexistence of adherents of Islam, Christianity, and various indigenous beliefs within its borders has given rise to intricate discussions around religious persecution, accommodation, Islamisation, and evangelism.
Here, I delve into these multifaceted issues to better understand Nigeria’s religious landscape:
Religious Persecution: Religious persecution in Nigeria takes various forms. It primarily occurs along religious lines, with both Muslims and Christians being victims in different regions. Factors such as ethno-religious tensions, competition for resources, and extremist ideologies have contributed to the persecution of religious minorities. The Boko Haram insurgency in the north and attacks on Christian communities in central Nigeria exemplify these challenges. While in the South generally large pockets of Muslims always in recent times feel undone in the political mix and general conversation.
Religious Accommodation: In contrast, religious accommodation is also evident in Nigeria. The country’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion and the right to worship, providing a framework for religious pluralism. Nigeria’s diverse population necessitates policies that respect and accommodate various religious practices. Examples include state recognition of Islamic and Christian holidays and the allocation of funds for pilgrimages. This again brings conflict without meaning to do so, as many argue that these accommodations in themselves have constituted more problems than solutions.
Islamisation: Accusations of Islamisation often revolve around fears that Islamic principles and laws are being imposed on non-Muslim populations. This perception has led to tensions, particularly when states with predominantly Christian populations introduce Islamic legal systems, such as Sharia law. The concerns about creeping Islamisation continue to have implications for religious coexistence and social cohesion. I intentionally would not discuss its tepid use in the last general elections in the country for this essay.
Evangelism: Evangelism, or the spread of religious beliefs, is a fundamental practice in both Islam and Christianity. While constitutionally protected, aggressive proselytization can create tensions. Christians and Muslims frequently engage in missionary activities, sometimes leading to disputes, conversions, and, on occasion, violence. While we may have passed the Bonke years in the North, we have witnessed killings of adherents of faiths on this singular factor.
Nigeria’s intricate religious landscape requires careful navigation to balance the protection of religious freedoms with the need for social harmony.
Several factors contribute to the ongoing discussions and challenges surrounding religious dynamics in Nigeria:
Political Exploitation: Some politicians exploit religious divisions for electoral gain, further entrenching religious cleavages. As I said earlier, rather than a tepid conversation around its use by politicians in the last elections, I leave this conversation for another day.
Interfaith Initiatives: Civil society organizations and religious leaders often engage in interfaith dialogue to promote understanding and reconciliation.
Legal Framework: The country needs a robust legal framework that safeguards religious freedom, prevents discrimination, and resolves religious disputes. The absence of this is a very big factor.
Counter-extremism Efforts: Addressing the rise of extremist groups is critical to mitigating religious violence and persecution.
It is also intentional that I have done a well-laid-out synopsis of the movie Breath of Life to guide my conversation above, it is the best movie that I have screened this year 2023, and it helps me deliver this Christmas message to my fellow Nigerians, and members of this bar, and those of the bench in attendance of this function of learned persons and civil society, and persons in government.
I conclude that Nigeria’s path forward involves fostering a society where religious coexistence is not merely a response to crises but a proactive commitment. A multi-faceted approach that includes legal protections, interfaith collaboration, and efforts to counter extremist ideologies can help Nigeria navigate the complexities of religious persecution, accommodation, Islamisation, and evangelism while fostering unity and social cohesion—May Nigeria win, and many compliments of the holiday seasons.
By Luke Kyohere
The global payments landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation. New technologies coupled with the rising demand for seamless, secure, and efficient transactions has spurred on an exciting new era of innovation and growth. With 2025 fast approaching, here are important trends that will shape the future of payments:
1. The rise of real-time payments
Until recently, real-time payments have been used in Africa for cross-border mobile money payments, but less so for traditional payments. We are seeing companies like Mastercard investing in this area, as well as central banks in Africa putting focus on this.
2. Cashless payments will increase
In 2025, we will see the continued acceleration of cashless payments across Africa. B2B payments in particular will also increase. Digital payments began between individuals but are now becoming commonplace for larger corporate transactions.
3. Digital currency will hit mainstream
In the cryptocurrency space, we will see an increase in the use of stablecoins like United States Digital Currency (USDC) and Tether (USDT) which are linked to US dollars. These will come to replace traditional cryptocurrencies as their price point is more stable. This year, many countries will begin preparing for Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), government-backed digital currencies which use blockchain.
The increased uptake of digital currencies reflects the maturity of distributed ledger technology and improved API availability.
4. Increased government oversight
As adoption of digital currencies will increase, governments will also put more focus into monitoring these flows. In particular, this will centre on companies and banks rather than individuals. The goal of this will be to control and occasionally curb runaway foreign exchange (FX) rates.
5. Business leaders buy into AI technology
In 2025, we will see many business leaders buying into AI through respected providers relying on well-researched platforms and huge data sets. Most companies don’t have the budget to invest in their own research and development in AI, so many are now opting to ‘buy’ into the technology rather than ‘build’ it themselves. Moreover, many businesses are concerned about the risks associated with data ownership and accuracy so buying software is another way to avoid this risk.
6. Continued AI Adoption in Payments
In payments, the proliferation of AI will continue to improve user experience and increase security. To detect fraud, AI is used to track patterns and payment flows in real-time. If unusual activity is detected, the technology can be used to flag or even block payments which may be fraudulent.
When it comes to user experience, we will also see AI being used to improve the interface design of payment platforms. The technology will also increasingly be used for translation for international payment platforms.
7. Rise of Super Apps
To get more from their platforms, mobile network operators are building comprehensive service platforms, integrating multiple payment experiences into a single app. This reflects the shift of many users moving from text-based services to mobile apps. Rather than offering a single service, super apps are packing many other services into a single app. For example, apps which may have previously been used primarily for lending, now have options for saving and paying bills.
8. Business strategy shift
Recent major technological changes will force business leaders to focus on much shorter prediction and reaction cycles. Because the rate of change has been unprecedented in the past year, this will force decision-makers to adapt quickly, be decisive and nimble.
As the payments space evolves, businesses, banks, and governments must continually embrace innovation, collaboration, and prioritise customer needs. These efforts build a more inclusive, secure, and efficient payment system that supports local to global economic growth – enabling true financial inclusion across borders.
Luke Kyohere is the Group Chief Product and Innovation Officer at Onafriq
In a heartfelt statement released today, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has extended its warmest congratulations to Ghana’s President-Elect, emphasizing the importance of learning from Ghana’s recent electoral success as Nigeria gears up for its 2027 general elections.
In a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, the CNPP highlighted the need for Nigeria to reclaim its status as a leader in democratic governance in Africa.
“The recent victory of Ghana’s President-Elect is a testament to the maturity and resilience of Ghana’s democracy,” the CNPP stated. “As we celebrate this achievement, we must reflect on the lessons that Nigeria can learn from our West African neighbour.”
The CNPP’s message underscored the significance of free, fair, and credible elections, a standard that Ghana has set and one that Nigeria has previously achieved under former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. “It is high time for Nigeria to reclaim its position as a beacon of democracy in Africa,” the CNPP asserted, calling for a renewed commitment to the electoral process.
Central to CNPP’s message is the insistence that “the will of the people must be supreme in Nigeria’s electoral processes.” The umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in Nigeria CNPP emphasized the necessity of an electoral system that genuinely reflects the wishes of the Nigerian populace. “We must strive to create an environment where elections are free from manipulation, violence, and intimidation,” the CNPP urged, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take decisive action to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
The CNPP also expressed concern over premature declarations regarding the 2027 elections, stating, “It is disheartening to note that some individuals are already announcing that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock in 2027. This kind of statement not only undermines the democratic principles that our nation holds dear but also distracts from the pressing need for the current administration to earn the trust of the electorate.”
The CNPP viewed the upcoming elections as a pivotal moment for Nigeria. “The 2027 general elections present a unique opportunity for Nigeria to reclaim its position as a leader in democratic governance in Africa,” it remarked. The body called on all stakeholders — including the executive, legislature, judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and civil society organisations — to collaborate in ensuring that elections are transparent, credible, and reflective of the will of the Nigerian people.
As the most populous African country prepares for the 2027 elections, the CNPP urged all Nigerians to remain vigilant and committed to democratic principles. “We must work together to ensure that our elections are free from violence, intimidation, and manipulation,” the statement stated, reaffirming the CNPP’s commitment to promoting a peaceful and credible electoral process.
In conclusion, the CNPP congratulated the President-Elect of Ghana and the Ghanaian people on their remarkable achievements.
“We look forward to learning from their experience and working together to strengthen democracy in our region,” the CNPP concluded.
By Kenechukwu Aguolu
The proposed tax reform, involving four tax bills introduced by the Federal Government, has received significant criticism. Notably, it was rejected by the Governors’ Forum but was still forwarded to the National Assembly. Unlike the various bold economic decisions made by this government, concessions will likely need to be made on these tax reforms, which involve legislative amendments and therefore cannot be imposed by the executive. This article highlights the purposes of taxation, the qualities of a good tax system, and some of the implications of the proposed tax reforms.
One of the major purposes of taxation is to generate revenue for the government to finance its activities. A good tax system should raise sufficient revenue for the government to fund its operations, and support economic and infrastructural development. For any country to achieve meaningful progress, its tax-to-GDP ratio should be at least 15%. Currently, Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio is less than 11%. The proposed tax reforms aim to increase this ratio to 18% within the next three years.
A good tax system should also promote income redistribution and equality by implementing progressive tax policies. In line with this, the proposed tax reforms favour low-income earners. For example, individuals earning less than one million naira annually are exempted from personal income tax. Additionally, essential goods and services such as food, accommodation, and transportation, which constitute a significant portion of household consumption for low- and middle-income groups, are to be exempted from VAT.
In addition to equality, a good tax system should ensure equity and fairness, a key area of contention surrounding the proposed reforms. If implemented, the amendments to the Value Added Tax could lead to a significant reduction in the federal allocation for some states; impairing their ability to finance government operations and development projects. The VAT amendments should be holistically revisited to promote fairness and national unity.
The establishment of a single agency to collect government taxes, the Nigeria Revenue Service, could reduce loopholes that have previously resulted in revenue losses, provided proper controls are put in place. It is logically easier to monitor revenue collection by one agency than by multiple agencies. However, this is not a magical solution. With automation, revenue collection can be seamless whether it is managed by one agency or several, as long as monitoring and accountability measures are implemented effectively.
The proposed tax reforms by the Federal Government are well-intentioned. However, all concerns raised by Nigerians should be looked into, and concessions should be made where necessary. Policies are more effective when they are adapted to suit the unique characteristics of a nation, rather than adopted wholesale. A good tax system should aim to raise sufficient revenue, ensure equitable income distribution, and promote equality, equity, and fairness.
-
Feature/OPED5 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism8 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz2 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking6 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy2 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking2 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports2 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn
-
Technology4 years agoHow To Link Your MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile Lines to NIN