Religion, Politics and Governor Jolly Nyame’s 49th Birthday Party

By

Murtala Bala Habu

Cleveland, Tennessee, United States

murtala_habu@lycos.com

Religion and politics are two most influential, dangerous and strongest forces on the political and or religion’s markets. Together, they generate some of the strongest emotions possible. Religion is particularly potent, and takes hold of people in a way that prompt them to make life--- altering decisions. If a monarch, oligarch, or “whatever-arch” uses the catching phrase(s) of religion, the control of ‘populace is almost a given’ (Editorial, The Black Press, April 9, 2005).

This possibly lie behind why Governor Jolly Nyame attended ‘Theological Seminary School’ for future endeavors in Nigeria politics, as such visionary tactics paying-off by creating illegal wealth, more so, creating a poor vacuum and equally leaving Taraba state at large. The attempting spiritual governor is exacerbating in politics, religion of Christianity as a disguised to control Tarabans while continuing to forge recognitions for thieving public funds from political sector for private ownership.

More exactly, Jolly Nyame’s political affairs conflicts with his godly attributes, as Tarabans witnessed during his 49th birthday party with numerous musical artists and in which Nyame claimed to have concise with the birth of Jesus Christ (December 25th?). As part of the lavish occasion, Jolly Nyame organized ‘State Christian Youths Quiz Competition’ and awarded prizes to winners; in addition, promised to sponsor winners to the United States of America for Conflict and Resolutions Management study. Upon graduation return home as managers to help with conflicts that do rock the state especially the communal clashes---what an excellent gesture for the state, at same token, will the sponsorship help in solving ethnics conflicts or just a pass-by-way to spend the little Naira to further have poor accountability? Further, why would Nyame’s administration weight options only on Christians because of their so-called performance in the contest? By a chance, who are Governor Nyame’s advisers that can’t envision and advice on serious projects without fair of loosing their jobs (Kwararafa Heritage News Magazine, February/March 2005; vol.2, no 9, p.38, Jos, Plateau State)?

Next up, as Reverend Nyame publicly displaced affiliation with Christianity, not bad, right…? However, does Nyame’s obsession for leadership displaying qualities of a good Christians? And does genuine Tarabans expect Nyame to be a good soldier of Christianity as history said about Jesus Christ? Is it all that Nyame could do assist youths in the state as a prophet? Does Nyame have to promote Christianity with funds promised under oath to use or spend evenly on the public? What if a Muslim as predecessor, wills s/he carry the message of Prophet Muhammad to government affairs, while ignoring other denominations? Why can’t Jolly Nyame make use of his salaries to promote such occasions, while making proper use of the public funds on appropriate projects?

Now, back to one of the previous questions, does genuine Tarabans expect Nyame be a good soldier of Christianity as Jesus Christ? This writer does not expect Nyame to be exactly, however it must be similar, because he (Nyame) claimed to have divinity knowledge of governance and for the reason must lead to assist all irrespective of affiliation. As leader, Nyame must make sure that the congregation of the state, which sworn under oath---with the ‘Holy Bible’ is free from religious affairs. Elected or selected leaders therefore must stay away from financing their religion(s)’ activities, so as to deter other denominations from psychologically snapping their fingers to have an opportunity promote theirs. Dividing populace’s attentions, instead of visualizing, challenging citizens’ mind on ideals to develop the state and the nation.

On singular point of view, for any government supporting theism, such government must deucedly enterprise other denominations. But, in applying the concept of ethics, religious sponsorships by the government must be discarded; thus, Nyame’s administration must stay clear from religion of politics and or politics of religion.

Happy 49th Birthday, Reverend Jolly Nyame…!