As an ambassador of peace, he runs a peace advocacy media
programme which focuses on different religions, as part of his organization's
efforts to make the world more peaceful.
In this interview with Elo Edremoda and Rita Ossai, he
shares his thoughts on the similarities between Isoko historical practices and
Islamic religion, the calls for local government autonomy and state of peace in
Nigeria.
Excerpts:
You have just
concluded Eid el Fitr celebration. What is the purpose of the celebration?
Ramadan is the month of fasting which is the ninth month,
because its greater than any other period in the year but when you are not
informed how would you know? That's why the Quran lets us know what needs to be
done.
You mentioned that
there are similarities between old Isoko practices and Islamic religion. Can
you tell us?
The fact is that the movement of the sun, moon and stars are
what we use for timing purposes. The Sun is for daily calculations, while the
moon is for monthly calculations. This is how God made it right from creation,
even to the knowledge of the Isoko people, the Bible and the Quran.
The time and calculations which our forefathers were using
are in agreement with the Bible and Quran but they have been changed by the
solar calendar which was introduced by the Romans. Before the change, the Isoko
people were using the sun and moon to live naturally.
I remember when my grandmother was still alive, each time
that the new moon appears, she always made a prayer. Today, because of
civilization, nobody knows the value of the sun, moon and stars, again.
Is there anything
people, especially our young, can do to understand how these heavenly bodies
work, like it was in the olden days?
I am passing information. These things have been there, but
people are not interested in seeking knowledge. Even most of our old ones are
going without transferring it (knowledge) to the young ones. Fortunately, we
have the Bible and the Quran which have been in existence.
Most of the cultures in the Bible and Quran are also found
in Isoko culture. For example, before the Bible and Quran came, Isoko people
have been circumcising their children, so we had a perfect way of living in Isoko.
The Bible and the Quran agree that the Lunar Calendar which
the Isoko people know is 12 months. Each month has its influence on human
beings.
Even the Lunar Calendar has four months that are sacred
naturally and nobody is supposed to go to war, but we have decided to violate
the rules of God and that is why we are lacking peace.
Is there a clash
between culture and religion?
No. God created the whole world and all cultures are to
promote peace and harmony among people. The same thing goes for religion.
The Quran was sent down in the month of Ramadan and
Christianity, Islam and Judaism have come to play in uniting people from different
ethnic backgrounds. We should put our differences apart because that's the only
way to attain peace, truth and justice. We must make sure that the sun, moon
and stars are utilized so that we can get the maximum benefit like the Muslims
have.
Abraham came 600 years before Moses was born. Judaism came
1,200 years before Christianity and Islam came last, about 570 years after
Jesus Christ, so when prophet Mohammed was born there was Christianity.
Does it mean that a
new month starts at the sight of a new moon?
Yes. It is the anti Christ that brought in solar calendar.
According to Daniel 7: 8-25, one of his (anti Christ) major target is to change
time and festival and we have been following it (calendar) like blind people.
Don't you think that
the oil exploration and other human activities which have caused climate change
have in a way affected the natural order of things?
No, the development is only proving nature because there is
no development that is not found in nature. The moon and sun have been moving
since God created it but we went for 12 hours timing. That is how we have
disconnected ourselves from nature, then problems arise as we are having today.
How would you
describe the level of peace in the past
four years of President Muhammadu Buhari's reign?
Nigeria has been defaced and the constitution has problems.
Except corrected, Nigeria will keep on having problems.
When Nigeria started, it only had three regions and each
were taking care of themselves and paying tax to the federal. There was
progressive competition. Now, it is only to go to Abuja and collect money and
not to contribute anything.
Tribalism has almost killed Nigerians, so the only thing
that can help us is Christianity and Islam because both religions have cut
through so many tribes.
What are your
thoughts on local government autonomy?
If local governments are fighting so that they can get more
allocations and manage same themselves and the state governments say 'no,' that
they will collect the allocations and put it in their pockets, this will be
transgressing on all people.
However, if the local government autonomy is approved, then
government will realize that the allocations must go down to the grassroots, in
terms of development. That is why it should be approved.
Do you think the
available resources for the local governments are used judiciously?
There is no government that can do without taxation so they
should think of investing. I have never seen a difficult people like our
people. We should use our time wisely and its enough reason why we must make
use of nature.
What message do you
have for the president of Nigeria and also the state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa
on the comments of the new dispensation?
They have taken bigger responsibilities, so for every man
who suffers injustice, it shall be on them. They should be able to recognize
the rights of every Nigeria. The killing of human beings are getting out of
control, so they should think about welfare of the citizens. If they do it, God
will help them in their administration and they will be blessed by God and men.
Is there any other
word you will like to encourage Nigerians with?
I want to urge everyone to get a copy of the
Bible and Quran and read it.
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