By Blessing Ibegbu
Prof. Yusufu Turaki of Bingham University has urged the institution to lead Nigeria’s moral rebuilding by integrating faith, scholarship and community service to promote peace and justice.
Turaki, a professor of Theology and Social Ethics, made the call while delivering the second valedictory lecture of the university on Thursday in Nasarawa State.
The valedictory lecture was titled “Light on the Hill: The Role of a Christian University in Shaping Nigeria’s Moral, Spiritual, and Ethical Future”.
According to him, being the ‘light on the hill’ shows that Christian universities should continue shining their light, illuminating the darkest corners of society by awakening hearts to the ‘One who is the Light of the World’.
He noted that Bingham has to keep burning, enlightening the dark human and social dungeons, and awakening human consciences to turn to the One who is the Light of the World.
“Bingham University is the light and salt of the world, bridging the gap between the school and society, classroom and the social field, humanity and creation, and man and God.
“Certainly, Bingham should be the moral, spiritual and ethical vanguard of rebuilding Nigeria, but I see that she has weak shoulders to carry this beast of burden called Nigeria.
“But if Bingham can successfully integrate faith, scholarship and service for peace and justice in Nigeria, God will definitely turn its weakness into mighty power and strength for His glory and praise,” he prayed.
The professor further reflected on the topic of the valedictory lecture, which was rooted in Matthew 5:14, where Jesus stated that “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
According to him, in view of Nigeria’s current state of ethnic rivalry and tension, religious mistrust and competition, as well as social corruption and violence, Christian universities must truly be ‘a city on a hill.’
He added that such a university should be called upon to provide a clear definition of its role as a Christian institution in Nigeria.
“We are to teach God’s truth, wisdom and goodness in our classrooms. We are to teach honest Nigerian history, the making of Nigeria as a nation-state by the various empire builders.
“The African ancestors, Muslims, British, Christian missionaries and during the post-independence, as well as the nationalists, politicians and soldiers.
“All these empire builders made Nigeria what she is today and Nigeria is a degenerate underdeveloped nation-state,” he said.
Turaki further said it was imperative to create a forum for dialogue in classrooms in order not to repeat the mistakes of the ’empire builders.’
“They need to know how Nigeria was created and run by the various empire builders. The issues, crises and violence that we see today are the long-term consequences of the policies, administrative practices and attitudes of the empire builders.
“We need to establish centres and platforms in the university, which have been listed above, to enable our students, graduates and persons from the general public.
“Those who are in government, public and private institutions that can design policies, administrative practices and attitudes based on justice, not on tribe or religion.
“We do not live in the past, but we learn from it so we can build a different future, a future where ‘justice rolls down like waters’ (Amos 5:24),” he emphasised.
The professor also challenged Bingham University to deepen its engagement with Nigerian society by establishing a Nigerian Contextual Programme focused on the country’s social, cultural, religious, economic and political history.
He also proposed centres for truth, reconciliation, peace and justice, as well as programmes targeting communities affected by poverty and conflict, and advocated an annual national dialogue involving people from different regions and faiths. (NAN)
Edited by Dorcas Jonah
Comments