The author of the book Soldiers of Fortune, Max Siollun wrote “Babangida was the first Nigerian ruler to come to power by design rather than by chance. He was, at that time, the only Nigerian military leader that actively sought political power prior to coming to office, prepared for it and waited patiently for it to come his way. All of Nigeria's previous leaders had power inadvertently thrust on them. Balewa became Prime Minister due to the Sardauna of Sokoto’s lack of interest in the job and even shed tears when re-appointed in 1964; Aguiyi-Ironsi, Gowon and Murtala Muhammed had power bestowed on them after coups they did not take part in. Obasanjo became Head of State after the assassination of Murtala and Major-General Buhari was nominated as head of state by the faction which planned and executed the December 1983 coup. Even the elected President Shagari originally had no interest in becoming President but was nominated as NPN's Presidential candidate despite his being un-interested in becoming President. In contrast, Babangida's rise to power was no twist of fate, but occurred by deliberate planning and design. He was, probably, the most prepared military ruler in Nigeria's history.”

Islamic Fundamentalism

Islam is the world’s second largest religion and its fastest growing. There are between 1.3 and 1.5 billion Muslims in the world today, roughly a fifth of the world’s population, spread over more than seventy countries. The strength of Islam is concentrated geographically in Asia and Africa; it is estimated, for example, that over half of the population of Africa will soon be Muslim. However, it has also spread into Europe and elsewhere. Islam is certainly not, and never has been, just a ‘religion’.

We bring greetings and best wishes to all Nigerians, both at home and abroad, in the name of the Almighty God. It is our prayer that this nation shall continue to experience peace, unity, and prosperity for all the citizens. Our history as a nation, though not too long in comparison with other nations in the world, has been turbulent and at times full of uncertainty. Nevertheless, God in His mercy has granted us the grace to survive and remain united.

LET PEACE REIGN

The National Christian Elders Forum  wishes to express grave regret and great sadness at the recurring decimal of violence and destruction that seem to, presently,define the northern region of Nigeria. Rather than diminish, this cycle of violence and destruction escalates and expresses itself in differing modes and formats.

National Christian Elders Forum

Motto: Watch & Pray that we may be one ...
National Christian Centre, CAN Headquarters,
Central Area, Garki, Abuja
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The National Christian Elders Forum at its meeting in Jos, Plateau State, on Monday 29th November, 2015, expressed concern over the state of the Nigerian Church and the nation. The Elders observe that critical indices in the nation point to the need that all stakeholders in Nigeria should take stock and review the evolving situation in the country.

NATIONAL CHRISTIAN ELDERS FORUM

(A Committee of Christian Association of Nigeria)

Motto: Watch & Pray that we may be one …

National Christian Centre, CAN Headquarters,

Central Area, Garki, Abuja

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

FOSTERING “KINDRED SPIRIT” IN THE NIGERIAN CHURCH

Today, the Nigerian nation is embroiled in a myriad of crisis ranging from poverty to insecurity, economic dysfunction, unemployment figures of titanic proportion, broken down public infrastructure and institutions, lethargic sense of nationalism amongst the citizens, basic distrust and suspicion amongst the federating units, terrible international image, and so on and so forth. Nigeria is fast becoming a failed state but it would be unfair to hold Nigerians wholly responsible for the mess in which the nation has found itself. A good understanding of the Nigerian chaos would start from the foundation of the nation.

This presenter has deliberately changed the title Nigeria any Hope for an Industrial Revolution to There is Hope for an Industrial Revolution in Nigeria to reflect a positive state of mind about Nigeria. However this would depend on the immediate ending of the ideological war – i.e. between Liberal Democracy and Sharia now going on in Nigeria.

1. Introduction The amalgamation of 1914 meant at that time, different things to different people. To the ordinary Nigerian, white rule was preferred to rule by traditional institutions. To the few educated Nigerians and they were very few at the time except in Lagos with a inumber of professionals; they saw amalgamation as opportunity to aspire to the whiteman’s positions. The educated standard six holders looked forward then, to be employed as artisans, clerks, police officers, prison warders etc.