Source: Bank Returns ( NDIC 2002 Annual Report & Statement of Accounts)

 

Report of dialogue session with faith based organisations - christians

ATTENDANCE

1. Pastor Patrick Anidi                    2. Pastor Fred Igho                           3. Pastor E A Emmanuel                 4. Nike De Souza                              5. Tokunbo Johnson                         6. Dr Onuzo                                      7. Omooba Olusegun                     8. Olufunmilola Johnson               9. Pst Segun Omotosho                   10.Mrs Segun Omotosho               11. Pastor Isreal Ojo                         12. Rev. Seye Fatilewa                     13. Pst John Ikhidero                       14. Pst John Enelamah                     15. Pastor Wale Adefarasin

Liberty Army Church Lagos The king’s Church International Grace Missions International Christ Church Gbagada The Capstone Four Square Gospel Church Christ Lovers Christian Centre The Capstone Church Heartland Consulting Consulting RCCG Methodist Church Christ Life and Image Church Apostles in the Market Place Guiding Light Assembly/PFN

Dr Christopher Kolade, chairman of Integrity had sent his thoughts on the subject as he was unable to make it for the event. To flag off the session, these were read on his behalf by Ime Enang of CBI. The paper highlighted the following:

1. The effectiveness of the Church in performing the role of helping leaders to attain a clear understanding of their responsibility, and the debt of good performance, probity and accountability that they owe to God and the people of this nation. 2. Whether or not the Church itself is setting a good example in its own performance as a manager of resources and a faithful agent of the divine purpose and the divine agenda for Nigeria. 3. Is the Church giving credible attention to its obligation to be the champion of the people in securing their God-given right to good governance and productive transparency on the part of the leaders.

Dr Okey Onuzo, a renowned teacher on accountability among Christians set the foundation for the discussions. Among other things he emphasized the fact that, 1.  God demanded accountability, 2. That even though there was a presumed honesty, it did not preclude accountability and transparency. 3. References to the life of Paul, Timothy his protégée as models of stewardship, rendering accounts and so on. That Accountability was so much a requirement in the New Testament as it was in the Old.  4. Instances where a deviation from the standard of the bible has become popular were mentioned. 5. The Role of regulatory bodies like the Charity Commission in the UK. 6. That there was a high possibility that if churches do not become self regulatory, there might be need to regulate laws through civil laws. 6. Accountability should be encouraged as it makes one live by faith.

On the way things were presently, contributions from the participants centered around the following:

1. The Foundations of the society are faulty and so the church is not be wholly responsible to provide solutions to the problems that exist
2. There is a perpetuation of the wrong values because people have learnt the wrong things.  
3. There is a deviation from Jesus as the primary focus of any endeavour,
4. Lack  of discipleship and good role models
5. The church is the foundation of the society so if it is wrong, the society will be wrong.
6. Pastors are themselves being pressured by the environment
7. There is a lack of standards in the recruitment, appointment and conduct of pastors
8. There is an absence of structures and systems in place in some organizations leading to abuse of power.

Next Steps
Contributions taken from all those present include the need to recognize that:

1. The Church is the Foundation of the society where people are taught about life, manifest life skills from Mon-Sat,
2. The need to uphold standards in the conduct of pastors with simple concepts like those of BBB Better Business Bureau, the Convention on Business Integrity (CBI tick mark)
3. The need to provide Mentors for Pastors, holding other programs that have relevance to the conduct of the church in its environment e.g Anti-Corruption
4. The need to conduct Discipleship training.
5. The need to Model the Change personally and influence those in our smaller circles.
6. The need to place structures that allowed stakeholders audit the pastors
7. The need to include in the yearly slogan, an annual plan of reformation. Design a program for reforming the nation complete with an implementation plan, monitoring and evaluating the impact of such programs.
8. The need to train people assigned to do dangerous roles, so that they are courageous and well informed about the potentials in the work that they do.
9. The need to train church members to affect the society in which they live.
10. Start a discipleship program
11. The need to integrate the youths and teenagers into these programs
12. The need to sermonize more on the impact of Righteousness and how it exalts a Nation
13. The change can be achieved on diverse, multi-faceted approach.
14. All change will come through concerted prayers.

Call to action:
As background to the happenings, CBI made a call to be joined by those present in the work of ensuring that the change desired for the transformation of Nigeria. Pastor Wale Adefarasin welcomed CBI’s 5-star rating system and is willing to work with CBI to make PFN a reputable body, and in the organization of an anti-corruption program. All those presented indicated their interest to join the Coalition.