USA Africa Dialogue Series - A COMMENDABLE EXAMPLE OF THE USE OF RELIGIOUS PODIUM TO PREACH PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY BY A MINISTER IN NIGERIA

I thought I will share this link from facebook where Pastor Tunde Bakare confronts the issue of corruption in his congregation in Nigeria. My goal is not to promote him or his denomination as such but to illustrate how if the leaders of the dominant religions in Africa were to take the issue of social justice and public accountability seriously, it will make a huge difference in the lives of ordinary people. Social justice and public accountability are public goods.

I am not by any means suggesting that this is the only way to attack corruption in Africa, but this is one way to do it. Whether one is religious or not, we have to recognize the powerful role of religion in shaping people's consciousness and sentiments in the continent. We need to have many ministers, Muslim and Christians taking such a public position. 

The viewer will notice that the congregation became silent, as though you can hear a pin drop as the Pastor confronts the issue of corruption directly. Pastor Bakare had to ask them whether they were with him. The point -- those who take such a position on such issues must know that in a country like Nigeria, it is not necessarily a popular position. Just like in the U.S., many people who are poor do not have the courage to confront those that became rich corruptly because they (poor people) too are hoping one day to climb up there. Imagine what he is doing is being done in all parts of the country by all or majority of religious leaders?

Here is the link for those that are interested in the role of religion in general in the public square. It is less than five minutes long. I truly admire Pastor Bakare: 

https://www.facebook.com/TheLatterRainAssembly/videos/1013102288764818/?fref=nf

Samuel

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