ABU public lecture: Ex-Archbishop of Canterbury urges protection of Nigeria’s sovereignty in deciding future

By Saidu Abubakar

Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rt. Rev and Rt. Hon Justin Welby, GCVO, says the future of Nigeria must be decided by Nigerians themselves, without surrendering its sovereignty.

Speaking at a public lecture organised by Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria as part of activities marking the institution’s 45th Convocation Ceremony, Justin Welby explained that the action was not a matter for government alone.

“That means those in political, economic, spiritual, social, legal, traditional and other leadership must be willing, among many other demands, to take responsibility for guarding the sovereignty of Nigeria”, he said.

‘Building Inter-Ethnic and Religious Harmony in Nigeria: Pathways to National University’ is title of Welby’s lecture.

It took place at Abdullahi Mahadi Conference Centre, Ahmadu Bello University, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.

He said inter-ethnic and religious harmony requires that Nigeria’s sovereignty is committed to face its own weaknesses, to seek support when it needs it, and to inform where that is necessary.

Welby also explained that building inter-ethnic and religious harmony in Nigeria would be vain dreams unless they were built on history, and reflect the political, economic, and physical environments, including internationally.

Essentially, the lecture addressed four areas, namely the foundations for interfaith and ethnic harmony, and for building national unity; global environment; values needed; and what is to be done, taking into account the interaction of social, economic, and political conditions in Nigeria and abroad.

He stated that Nigerians must also embrace honesty in building inter-ethnic and religious harmony.

Justin Welby asserted that in no country could corruption be wiped out, stressing that like weeds in a field it must be fought fiercely if there was to be a good crop.

“Honesty values truth about a problem. Honesty means saying what we mean, clearly and plainly.

“It means being honest about the faults of our own faith community and nation, recognising its weaknesses and standing with the oppressed.

“To act in deceit, without the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth is to sow the seeds of terror”, he also said.

He said transparency was also necessary, saying any action (obviously with the exception of security actions which cannot be revealed in advance) must be explained transparently.

Welby described as “always foolish” hiding the truth of the state of the nation, as transparency requires public accountability.

The religious leader also pointed out that decisive action was equally key to addressing inter-ethnic and religious crisis. Decisive action, according to him, required “firm leadership and a willingness to act, top down, middle out, bottom up”.

He also talked about the need for seeking the common good as a value for building inter-ethnic and religious harmony, saying common good was all about treating everyone equally, without fear or favour.

Justin Welby empathised on the value of theology, saying there must be real theological dialogue, not ‘tea or cake’ meetings where nothing of the essence of faith was considered.

The task for each religious leader, according to him, was not to make himself famous, but to glorify God.

“More than that it is to do everything possible to have a stable, peaceful, and law abiding society, and to work with secular rulers to that end”, he said.

Welby also stressed that there would be no political peace in Nigeria without religious peace and that no justice in society without religious teaching and justice.

He stated that it was religious leaders who could demonstrate national unity, saying he did not mean unanimity as no nation has national total agreement.

“Unity is the quality of learning to disagree agreeably, to care for the man who is hungry, for the girl or boy who is uneducated, for the woman who is ignored and whose skills are not valued. They must be cared for not because they are Muslim or Christian, but because they are human”, he stressed.