It is a good thing to note that religious organisations have been
contributing to the socio-economic development of Nigeria since their
inception. Missionaries started with the establishment of the first primary
schools, 1843 in Badagry, and they helped reduce illiteracy at a very fast
rate. Those schools provided qualitative education at affordable prices while
many were even free.
Unfortunately, instead of the government to
establish her schools and make them compete with the privately owned ones, the
government mischievously took over private schools and ran them aground.
Religious organisations in Nigeria watched helplessly how the quality of
education was bastardised by government. It was not until 1990’s when religious
organisations returned into education investment.
Religious organisations also invested in the
provision of health care centres, though they are not as many as the schools
they own, yet their impacts are felt wherever they are located. Some operate
maternity centres in local areas while some offer routine medical check-up.
In 1999, Madonna University was approved as the
first religious organisation owned private university in Nigeria, since then,
other religious groups have been establishing universities all over Nigeria.
However, so much criticism has accompanied the ‘exorbitant’ fees introduced by
them as people claim the poor cannot afford them.
The fact that these universities were established
by religious organisation makes it look ‘exploitative’ to critics because they
believe that services of religious organisations should either be free or cheap
as they were funded by followers’ contributions. Moreover, they have invested
rightly and I believe the fees would be more affordable in the future.
Media (TV and radio) stations of religious
organisations are being operated on various outfits. Some are into real estate,
sports and building of skill acquisition centres. All these are not cheap, they
cost a huge sums. Setting up a standard university is very expensive, some say
it requires a minimum of 10 billion naira to acquire human and physical
resources for the start up.
Taking a look at the operations of religious
organisations in Nigeria, one will observe that they control huge funds in the
economy. Donating/giving for religious purposes is one of the voluntary acts in
Nigeria, but unfortunately, there is so much poverty in the society. Religious
organisations became economic spectators because the government monopolised the
responsibility of developing the economy.
Corruption and cluelessness perpetrated by
successive governments have impoverished the society, therefore the government
could not discharge her obligations to the society. Malnutrition and hunger has
ravaged Nigeria. People with capital would rather import food than to establish
farms. Government officials steal billions of naira in attempt to provide
farming facilities for farmers. Now, the government has resulted to seeking
help from the private organisation, religious organisations inclusive.
Present day agriculture is capital intensive. Much
money is needed to achieve abundant food production as local farmers cannot
afford the required amount. I have not seen any food exporting nation that
keeps using primitive tools for farming. So I don’t believe that we should
continue to encourage primitive farming but to continue to find financially
capable organisations -like the religious organisations- to invest in
agriculture.
I believe that religious organisations must invest
in agriculture because poverty, malnutrition and unemployment are synonymous to
all religious groups in Nigeria. The investment capability of religious
organisations must be optimally harnessed in order to boost food production.
They also do not need to depend on the government for land, fertilizers,
chemicals, irrigation, machines and other facilities needed for production as
they can afford them
The successes recorded in the provision of tertiary
education, mass media and other socio-economic developmental activities of
these religious organisations must be replicated in the agricultural sector.
Successive governments have contributed their efforts (positively or
negatively) toward the agricultural sector, yet food remains scarce. Therefore
religious leaders must not continue to watch hunger ravage our nation but to
convince their followers to join hands towards food production.
Religious organisations (and the government) must
greatly reduce the amount spent on holy pilgrimages and invest in agriculture.
The nations we visit are self sufficient in food production while we suffer
malnutrition. So terrible that the hungry congratulate the pilgrims on successful
pilgrimages, yet pilgrims have noting tangible to offer the hungry. Many went
on holy pilgrimages in the past, but now, they do not even have food on their
tables. Pilgrimages can continue when we all have so much to eat.
Efforts to acquire more private universities and
media stations should be suspended while the money should be diverted into
agriculture. Youths from all religious groups need jobs and food, so let’s
provide for them through this means. The era of acquiring private jets, and expensive
cars for religious leaders should also be suspended as these are the ways funds
can easily be raised for food production.
Only few worshippers benefited from the
universities operated by religious organisations. But If religious
organisations can eventually invest in agriculture, both faithful and
unfaithful follower will benefit directly and indirectly. Agriculture is a very
profitable business, so any religious group intending to invest in agriculture
should know she has nothing to lose.
When we have abundant food, the over $11bn spent
annually on food production will be saved. The value of the naira which has
fallen by over 100 percent since January 2015 will definitely rise as the
demand for foreign currency will reduce. Presently, the government is confused
as far as agricultural development is concerned, therefore let us take
responsibility now (am seeking partnership on a proposal I have on how to make
religious organisation invest in agriculture).
A Chinese proverb says ‘the best time to plant a
tree is ten years ago, the second best time is now’. If we had started ten
years ago we would have gone far, but still not too late to begin massive investment in agriculture.
By: Adeyemo Olajire
Philip
