Yesterday I was thrilled with a video clip posted on one of my old boy’s platforms. The guy on white that stole my heart with his gift of persuasive eloquence was a “deadly guy”. Selling ice water to the Eskimo wouldn’t be a challenge to him. He could possibly tell one to go to hell, gingerly one would, even with a thank you sir. That is how good he is.
He was telling his community about the proposed coming of Zion Ministry to his community and the raging propaganda around it. He took his time to diffuse such insinuation of government giving a large expanse of land to one man for church and how the traditional rulers had collected money to facilitate such.
With an art of mastery in word crafting, he brought them to the point of clapping. Even though there was any hidden thing, which I seriously doubt, he was able to convince them. Zion Ministry was not given such land to build church alone. According to him, Zion Ministry is coming with schools, hospitals, cottage industries, youth empowerment etc. The summary of the coming of Zion Ministry to their community is to bring development which has eluded them for years. Development in his words is not “gbu tuo Ngwu donye Ngwu”( Uproot palm trees and replant them) It is an Igbo adage that makes a caricature of something of minion value over the real deal in development.
Congratulations to the entire Ngor Okpala, like wide fire development would spread in that region. To those who know where Zion Ministry is in Lagos and how that place was ten years ago and what it has turned into now, would perhaps have a quick and exciting mental assessment of what would happen to the entire Ngor Okpala axis in the next five years. Land that would amount to nothing last year would have become hotcakes now.
As much as many people may have their reservations over the ministry and its operations, though their rights and views, however, what all these personal criticisms wouldn’t take away is the leopard spot of Zion Ministry of “Laudato Si” dimensions. It is not hidden, very obvious, denying it is making a jest of oneself.
Pope Francis wrote an encyclical letter called “Laudato Si'” which focuses on caring for the environment, the poor, and social justice. In this letter, he emphasizes the importance of addressing poverty, inequality, and the need for practical Christianity that involves taking care of both people and the planet. It’s a powerful document that highlights the interconnectedness of social, environmental, and economic issues in the context of Christian teachings.
Juxtapose the above with what Zion is doing through the lenses of what is presently happening in Lagos, denying it would be mischievous. When Catholics came to Africa and Nigeria in particular, the spirit that those missionaries came with was in simple word without “Dogwo turenchi”( long grammar) The spirit of “Laudato Si”. They came with schools, hospitals, etc. They didn’t just preach the Gospel. Up till today that spirit has not left the Catholic Church. If you want a place to develop with the rapidity of a whirlwind take Catholic Church there.
As I write this piece In my imagination I have crisscrossed the entire village of Eziama, Amala ntu etc and their environs, hmmmm with a speed of lightening, in five years those places would have turned into behives of commercial activities. I schooled there. I know the level of development there and what it would turn into. To my classmates Charles, Paul, Christain, Columbus, Casmir, Issac etc rejoice for salvation and development have eventually come to your place on a platter of gold.
Though I am not a member of Zion Ministry, but this Mathew 25 . 36 – 40 angle of his ministry makes my heart glow and glint with happiness. Let us stop these unnecessary criticisms. Any church or life that is not built on Mathew 25. 36-40 is more or less a one-winged life or church, can’t even fly.
I need a land around that place fast fast !!
Jarlath Uche Opara
Jarlathuche@gmail.com
