The Task Of Christian Church Leadership And The New Challenges Of Ethnicity In West African Sub-Region

Abstract

Nigeria's typicality includes the fact that Nigerians are more instinctually moved by the forces of ethnicity. Nigeria is a country of surplus ethnic groups. Ethnicity had brought out the best and the worst of Nigeria in human terms. Ethnicity has continually played relevant roles virtually across all economic, social, political, and religious spheres of the nation. But not withstanding the positive contribution of ethnicity, the political and social map of Nigeria had been traced by regicide and primary violence caused by ethnicism. The negative influence of ethnicity is increasing especially in social, economic, religious and political sectors of the nation. As we all know it, ethnicism is a serious national threat challenge, since the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 and the first independence of the country in 1960. Ethnic divisions within the country has turned Nigeria into an ethnic bloodbath and anti-social tendencies. Ethnicism is an affront on human person, and a negation of vocation of Christian Church leadership to build here on earth a Kingdom of truth, justice and neighbourliness. As part of efforts to boost commitment in halting and reversing impact of ethnicism in the country, the article aimed at introducing strategies that would promote Christian Church leadership as an important organ for the overcoming the challenges of ethnicity. A Christian Church leadership is imperative in introducing strategies through effective leadership in individuals, government and private to take initiative to find innovative solutions to the challenge of ethnicity in a culturally manner.

KEY WORDS: CC = Church Leadership, CCC = Catechism of the Catholic Church, CIC = Codex Iuris Canonici (Code of Canon Law), CL = Christian Leadership, ET = Ethnicism, ETN = Ethnocentrism, KG = Kingdom of God, ND = J. Neuner/J. Dupuis, The Christian Faith, NIG = Nigeria, NT = New Testament, OT = Old Testament, PL = Pastoral Letter

Global Journal of Humanities Vol.3(1&2) 2004: 85-92