Religion and Nation Building

In this book, Centenary Priests reflect on the theme Religion and Nation building in Nigeria. We choose this theme because the year 2010 marked the silver jubilee of our ordination and by God s special design also the golden Jubilee of Nigeria s independence. What the various contributors have articulated in this book is an attempt to voice out their opinions, frustrations, suggestions and possibilities open to us as individuals and a nation in the years ahead. All agree, without a doubt that the phenomenon of religion does play a major role in nation building, especially if positively charged. Experience and examples from other countries like Poland and South Africa point to the fact that when properly channeled, religion can be a tool for mobilization for the overthrow of dictatorships and institutionalization of democracy. There could be enduring lessons from all these to show the limitations or otherwise of religion in nation building. Whichever way one looks at it, suffice it to say that as a Class, the Centenary Priests of Bigard Memorial Seminary Class of 1985, feel excited to be part of the discourse that borders on plotting new and viable pathways for our future.