Nigeria : The Church and the Nation in Conflict The Presbyterian

Nigeria : The Church and the Nation in Conflict The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN) and the Church of Scotland have a historical relationship that dates back to 1846, when the mission was established in Calabar. Since then, the PCN has witnessed the ministries of Scottish missionaries like Hope Waddell, Mary Slessor, Hugh Goldie and many others, whose graves in Calabar and other parts of Nigeria serve as visible reminder of the relationship. The legacy of those missionaries has left a deep and abiding affection for the Church of Scotland among Nigerians. The PCN has remained steadfast in its missionary endeavours, despite the growing insecurity, unemployment, corruption, ethnic and religious tensions and a wobbling economy in Nigeria. The federal government has acknowledged the difficulties; but believes that the removal of fuel subsidy will resolve the economic problems. The partial removal of the fuel subsidy grounded Nigeria’s economy for more than two weeks in January 2012, and has resulted in high inflation and the downsizing of many organisations. Currently, Nigerians are struggling to adjust to these new realities. In addition, to the social problems there is a growing fear of the Boko Haram group within the churches and society. The activities of the Boko Harm have resulted in rising agitation for the splitting of the country across religious and ethnic lines. These problems have continued to impact negatively both the church’s mission and society. The Boko Haram group (‘Western / non‐Islamic education is forbidden’) was founded in 2002 in Maiduguri by Ustaz Mohammad Yusuf. They aim to impose Sharia law throughout Nigeria. In 2004 the group moved to Kanamma, Yobe state, where they set up a base called ‘Afghanistan,’ from which they launched an attack against a nearby police station, killing law enforcement officers. The group is hostile to the secular education system, western culture and modern science. Boko Haram has been involved in numerous high profile attacks, in Bauchi, Yobe, Jos and Abuja. On July 30, 2009, it was reported that Yusuf had been killed by security forces attempting to escape from Maiduguri. On February 26, 2012 the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) headquarters in Jos was attacked, claiming the life of at least 6 persons. The COCIN’s headquarters has been hosting Christians displaced from Yobe State since January as a result of Boko Haram attacks. On Sunday, March 4, the group announced a "war" on Christians and said it would launch a series of "coordinated" attacks in order to annihilate the entire Christian community living in the northern parts of the country. On Wednesday, March 7, Boko Haram's attack on Konduga, a community in Borno state, reportedly lasted over three hours. The attack destroyed a police station, government buildings, and two churches: a Roman Catholic Church and the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (Ekilisaya Yan'uwa a Nigeria). As a result of the activities of Boko Haram, the PCN congregations are not currently holding worship services at Damaturu and Potiskum missions in Yobe state as well as at Biu mission in Borno state. Members of these mission stations have relocated to other parts of the country. Worship at Zamfara mission may soon be suspended, because members are relocating too. Many PCN missionary ministers serving in northern Nigeria have applied for relocation and the General Assembly, Board of Personnel and Training (BPT) has granted some of the requests. This ongoing situation appears to be rendering futile the PCN’s ongoing efforts to establish congregations in northern Nigeria because of all the relocation. It also means that the PCN might have to start from scratch when and if the situation is addressed. Furthermore, many PCN indigenous donors are increasingly becoming unwilling to fund projects in the north; because they consider such efforts a waste. Thus, the PCN has temporarily suspended every church and school building project in its mission fields in the north. The Boko Haram crisis has continued to generate fears, insecurity and uncertainty among Nigerians. It has an adverse effect on the mission of the PCN, especially on its congregations in northern Nigeria. More than ever, the Church of Scotland needs to stand with its sisters and brothers in prayers and through other possible means as they seek to serve God under such difficult circumstances. If twinning represents the best way to strengthen and develop relationships, the PCN is enthusiastic to partner with Church of Scotland congregations, and also to work with the Church of Scotland in Scotland to return the seed planted in Nigeria by many people from Scotland.