society
We Keep Calling on God While We Do Nothing: Prayer Without Pausing for Action Is a Kind of Cowardice
We Keep Calling on God While We Do Nothing: Prayer Without Pausing for Action Is a Kind of Cowardice.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com
“The tragic cost of outsourcing national duty to heaven while corruption destroys institutions on earth.”
For too long Nigerians have been trapped in a pious loop: Pray, Petition, Post a prayer request, then return to business as usual. Prayer is not the enemy (it has comforted and sustained millions through grief and crisis) but when prayer becomes the substitute for responsibility, it is not FAITH, it is ABDICATION. A nation that kneels every morning yet allows its hospitals to run out of basic supplies, its youths to sit idle, its farmlands to be washed away by floods or seized by violence, cannot plausibly claim divine protection while it reflexively refuses the hard, mundane labour that secures the common good. Faith without works is hollow; petitions without policy are theater; supplication without sacrifice is moral window-dressing.
The facts that confront Nigeria demand more than incense and hashtags. Since 2018–19 an estimated tens of millions more Nigerians have been pushed into extreme poverty; recent World Bank analyses show the share of Nigerians in extreme poverty increased substantially in the aftermath of multiple shocks (economic, climate and security) reversing prior gains and leaving nearly half of Nigerians living at or below poverty lines in the most recent assessments. This is a national emergency that cannot be excused by piety.
Consider the everyday metrics of national life. Official labour surveys and analyses reveal a labour market riddled with underemployment and precarious work even when headline unemployment figures appear low or inconsistent due to methodological changes. In 2024 the National labour survey recorded unemployment upticks and youth joblessness that mask a deeper reality: millions eke out an existence on tiny, irregular incomes in the informal economy, with very few pathways to dignified, stable employment. When citizens face chronic insecurity, inflationary shocks and mass displacement, the impulse to pray is understandable, but the cure is not a prayer meeting, it is organized civic effort, systemic reform and sustained public pressure.
Security and displacement expose how prayer without practical response becomes a moral sleight of hand. In 2024 Nigeria hosted millions of internally displaced people fleeing insurgency, banditry and communal violence; families were uprooted, entire communities rendered vulnerable and dependent on intermittent humanitarian relief. Meanwhile, climate shocks (catastrophic floods in recent seasons) destroyed crops and livelihoods for millions more. These are problems that require government planning, investment in resilient infrastructure, accountable security policy and an energized citizenry that demands these things and not just petitions. When citizens believe their role is only to pray, they allow corruption, negligence and incompetence to calcify into institutions.
Corruption and impunity are not neutral bystanders; they are active enablers of national decline. Nigeria’s position in global indices of public-sector integrity remains troubling: persistent low scores and middling ranks in anti-corruption indexes reflect weak institutions and a culture of impunity that feeds mismanagement and theft of public resources. The moral language of prayer becomes particularly hollow when public funds meant for schools, hospitals and roads are diverted or squandered and yet too often the response from ordinary citizens is another round of spiritual ritual, not a mobilized demand for transparency, accountability and justice.
To be clear: THIS IS NOT AN ATTACK ON FAITH. It is a call to reconcile belief with belonging. The great Nigerian voices of conscience have long insisted that silence is not innocence. Wole Soyinka warned that “the man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny” a line that speaks directly to our time: a nation that shrinks from collective action is a nation that dies a little each day. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie reminds us that “people make culture,” which means the ideas and habits that have allowed our civic life to atrophy are changeable, but only if we stop excusing inaction with devotion and start building new habits of responsibility and protest.
What does responsible citizenship look like in practice? It begins with the mundane but essential acts that sustain civic life: registering to vote and voting smartly; holding elected officials to account through sustained oversight and constituency pressure; joining or founding community organizations that repair roads, mentor youth and deliver local health and education services when the state fails; supporting independent media that uncovers mismanagement; and refusing to normalise impunity by demanding transparent procurement, audits and prosecutions when corruption is exposed. It is not about abandoning spiritual life, it is about demanding that our faith translate into ethical behaviour, public service and sacrifice. When congregations demand improved local schools or insist a community health clinic be properly staffed, that is devotion translated into duty.
Leadership matters; and leadership can be exercised without waiting for official sanction. Across Nigeria’s history, ordinary citizens have risen to extraordinary challenges by organizing cooperatives, vigilante groups (subject to rule of law), community security watches and grassroots advocacy movements. But those efforts must be anchored to law and human rights, not to vigilantism or sectarian reprisals. A Christian, Muslim, or traditional leader who prays on Sunday or Friday and on Monday tolerates vote-buying, contractor fraud, or the denial of basic services is not virtuous, they are complicit. Faith communities should be incubators for civic courage: places where moral conviction is channeled into civic projects, electoral integrity campaigns and social accountability.
Practical reform requires three simultaneous strands: INSTITUTIONAL REFORM, SOCIAL MOBILISATION and ETHICAL RENEWAL. Institutionally, Nigerians require robust public financial management, independent anti-corruption agencies with real teeth, reliable social safety nets, and a justice system that functions impartially. Social mobilisation requires sustained civic education, professionalized civil society and cross-cutting coalitions that put pressure on elites. Ethical renewal (the most intimate and hardest) calls for a cultural shift where excuses like “WE PRAYED ABOUT IT” are recognised for what they are: a way to avoid the costs of change. Scholarly and policy voices across Nigeria and the world have shown that poverty, insecurity and poor governance are solvable when there is political will, coherent policy and an organised public that refuses complacency.
Finally, let us be blunt: God does not answer for our laziness. Many clergy and faith teachers affirm that prayer is strengthened, not replaced, by action. Prayer without effort is not piety; it is a convenience that comforts those unwilling to risk for the common good. We cannot pray our way out of BROKEN SYSTEMS if we will not also build the ladders of reform, accountability and civic solidarity that allow others to climb. The test of our faith will not be how fervently we pray when the lights go out; the test will be whether we volunteer at the nearest clinic, stand up for a neighbour who was cheated by a contractor, attend a town-hall meeting, vote with conscience, or help a displaced family replant their crops.
Nigeria’s future will be forged by citizens who combine prayer with persistence, lament with labor and devotion with duty. If we continue to outsource our responsibilities to the heavens while allowing our public institutions to wither, we will deserve whatever fate befalls us. But if we recover the courage to act (to ORGANIZE, DEMAND, REFORM and SERVE) then our prayers will be accompanied by the kind of work that makes blessings plausible. As Wole Soyinka and a long lineage of Nigerian thinkers insist: silence in the face of tyranny is death. Let us stop dying on our knees and start living in the daring posture of responsible citizenship.
Old Students Association rejects alleged commercialisation of Unity School land
By Ifeoma Ikem
The Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) has rejected the alleged commercialisation of any unity schools land under the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) initiative.
The association made its displeasure known during their awareness walk to protest the concession of the 33 hectares of land belonging to Federal Government College (FGC) Kano yesterday in Lagos.
The members were carrying placards, some of which read “PPP: Save the Future”, “Protect Unity Schools”, “PPP must serve Education not land conversion” and “Schools are not for Real Estate”.
President-General of the Unity Schools Old Students Association USOSA Michael Magaji says Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) was designed to improve public institutions, and not strip them of assets or reduce their land.
Over 60 Unity schools members were drawn from across the nation for the awareness walk to protest against the alleged sale of the school lands.
The P-G said the association was advocating for a sustainable funding model that would preserve educational assets while improving infrastructure, manpower and learning conditions.
“Our coming together is to restore the lost glory of Unity Schools and strengthen Nigeria’s education system. Unity schools are nation-building institutions that have produced leaders across various sectors.
“Unity Schools were not just about education, they were about integration built not by spectators but by active citizens that believe in one nation.
“ The alumni support PPP but oppose the sale of educational assets. Unity never happens by chance but designed, nurtured and protected,’’ he added.
He added that the awareness walk brought about by the alumni across the nation was also to have a stronger network to revive the vision of the Unity Schools.
Mr Humphrey Nwafor, Lagos Chapter President, Federal Government College, Kano Old Students Association said that they are pushing back against the alleged commercialisation of Unity School lands.
Nwafor pointed out that the 33 hectares of land belonging to FGC Kano was concessioned without adequate consultation with stakeholders.
“We are saying there is a better option. Instead of selling our lands and assets, we would rather fund the schools ourselves.
“If the government says it does not have enough money to run the schools, the old students can provide support without taking one inch of the land,” he said.
According to him, the concession arrangement involving the school’s land will undermine the future of unity schools, which were established in the first place to promote national integration.
“These schools were established to unite Nigerians from different ethnic and religious backgrounds and we are appealing to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure that public educational assets are protected,” he added.
He called on the Federal Government to leverage alumni networks in addressing funding challenges confronting unity schools.
“We are in solution mode and impact mode and we believe alumni associations should be integrated into the process of repositioning these schools.
“We recently met with officials of the Federal Ministry of Education and discussions are ongoing toward finding mutually beneficial solutions,” he said.
Mr Alex Akindumila, President of FGC Idoani Alumni Association said the concession controversy was a national test of how public assets and educational institutions are being managed.
He said that they are concerned that reducing lands allocated to unity schools could limit future expansion, agricultural projects, sports facilities, technical workshops and staff accommodation.
“The lands allocated to unity schools were deliberate and visionary.“They were designed to ensure that the schools remain self-sustaining and adaptable to future needs.
According to him, when you shrink the land of a unity school, you do not just reduce space, but reduce possibility , reduce ability to run agricultural programs that can feed students and teach enterprise, even the space required for sports facilities that build discipline, health and national pride.
Also, Mrs Ifeoma Okeke, an alumna of FGC Nsukka, called for transparency, due process and stakeholder engagement in any PPP arrangement involving educational institutions.
She said PPP agreements should align with the public purpose of the schools and not diminish their long-term capacity.
“There must be transparency, competitiveness and proper stakeholder engagement in any concession process involving public educational assets,” she said.
society
NAPS Southwest Condemns Delay in Passage of HND,/B.SC Dichotomy Bill, Issues 30 Days Ultimatum to Nigeria Senate and Federal House of Representative
NAPS Southwest Condemns Delay in Passage of HND,/B.SC Dichotomy Bill, Issues 30 Days Ultimatum to Nigeria Senate and Federal House of Representative
The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) Southwest has strongly condemned the continued delay in the passage of the bill aimed at ending the long-standing disparity between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) qualifications in Nigeria. The association has described the delay as unjust, discriminatory, and harmful to the future of polytechnic education in the country.
The NAPS Southwest expressed deep frustration over what it called the unacceptable silence and inaction from the Nigerian Senate and Federal House of Representatives regarding the bill. The proposed legislation seeks to abolish the dichotomy between HND and B.Sc holders, a divide that has for years limited career progression opportunities for polytechnic graduates, particularly in the public sector.
This ongoing delay represents a significant policy gap that must be urgently addressed. The continued discrimination against HND holders contradicts the principles of equity, fairness, and meritocracy that should define Nigeria’s public service.
For years, polytechnic students and graduates have faced systemic discrimination in employment opportunities, career progression, and societal recognition an injustice that undermines the value of technical and vocational education in national development. The proposed bill represents a critical step toward equity, fairness, and the full recognition of polytechnic education in Nigeria.
We therefore call on the current administration and the National Assembly to prioritize the reintroduction and immediate passage of this critical legislation. Nigeria cannot afford to sideline a significant segment of its skilled workforce due to outdated and discriminatory policies.
It is therefore disheartening that the Nigeria Senate and House of Representatives has yet to act decisively on this matter of urgent national importance. The continued delay raises serious questions about the commitment of lawmakers to addressing the challenges faced by millions of Nigerian youths in the polytechnic system.
The NAPS southwest unequivocally calls on the Senate and House of Representatives to, without further delay, deliberate on and pass the bill to end the HND/B.Sc dichotomy. The future of countless students and graduates depends on this decisive action.
The continued delay in passing this bill is a direct attack on the dignity and future of millions of Nigerian students and graduates, the statement read. We cannot continue to tolerate a system that places artificial barriers on capable individuals simply because of the institution they attended.
Failure to meet this demand will leave NAPS Southwest with no choice but to mobilize Nigerian Polytechnic Students and Graduates across the country for peaceful but firm actions to press home our demands. We are prepared to take all legitimate steps necessary to ensure that justice is served.
NAPS Southwest has therefore issued a strong warning to the Senate and House of Representatives, urging lawmakers to prioritize and immediately pass the bill without further delay. The association made it clear that failure to act promptly would trigger nationwide protests and coordinated actions by Nigerian polytechnic students and graduates.
We urge all relevant stakeholders to initiate comprehensive reforms that will harmonize qualification frameworks, ensure equal opportunities for career advancement, and restore confidence in the civil service system.
NAPS Southwest remains committed to advocating for the rights and dignity of polytechnic students and graduates across Nigeria. We will continue to engage constructively with policymakers and mobilize support until justice is achieved.
Signed
Comr Ogunsola Adewale John
NAPS Southwest Coordinator
+234 704 720 2907
society
African Focus Historic Royal Visit of Olúkòyí of Ìkòyí Ọba Iyiola Akande Morenigbade in Los Angeles, CA —
African Focus Historic Royal Visit of Olúkòyí of Ìkòyí Ọba Iyiola Akande Morenigbade in Los Angeles, CA —
African Focus Inc. its 20th Anniversary with Goodwill Awards and Induction Ceremony in April, 2026, held at the Renaissance LAX in Los Angeles, California.
The landmark event brought together distinguished guests, cultural leaders, and members of the African diaspora for an evening of recognition, reconnection, and celebration.
The ceremony honored outstanding community leaders and cultural champions whose contributions have strengthened African heritage and unity across generations.
The evening featured an elegant dinner, and an inspiring awards presentation, commemorating two decades of impactful service.
Highlight of the event was the African Family Induction, a signature tradition of African Focus.
18 Diaspora Africans were formally welcomed into native African families for a meaningful cultural experience.
The Inductees received certificates bearing their native names, along with cultural artifacts symbolizing their new lineage.
This initiative continues to foster cultural identity, bridge generational and geographical divides, and encourage deeper engagement with the African continent.
Many past inductees have gone on to travel to Africa with their host families, strengthening cultural bonds and understanding.
This year’s event was graced by a Yorùbà monarch His Royal Majesty, Oba Iyiola Akande Morenigbade, the Olukoyi of Ikoyi in Osun State, Nigeria who doubled as special guest of honour and historically served as Royal Father of the Day.
His royal presence brought cultural significance to the celebration.
The event was hosted by Uchenna Nworgu, Founder and Director of African Focus Inc, alongside a distinguished team of Cultural Ambassadors and leaders, including Paul Babatunde, Director of Cultural Initiatives; Dominique DiPrima, Cultural Ambassador; Wole Nipede; Ojise Isedale (also known as Olubunmi Olukanni); Ade James; and other notable contributors.
The event was concluded with vibrant music and dance, reflecting the spirit of unity and cultural pride that has defined African Focus for the past 20 years.
African Focus is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reconnecting the African diaspora with their cultural roots through education, cultural exchange, and community engagement initiatives.
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