Only Heavens Know
A Touch of Nokoko by Kofi Akumanyi
"I happened to be reading the 12th March issue of the Talking Drums which was my second time of reading the magazine since I recently discovered its availability in Los Angeles. First of all, I would like to congratulate you on the effective coverage and comments on activities in the sub-region.Just as I thought I had effectively nailed down this Rev. (Dr) Ola Akande business with Angel Gabriel's comprehensive analysis of the whole unfortunate affair, Mr Eke of Los Angeles goes to wake the sleeping dog. Whatever did I say to warrant the charge that I had toyed with the name of God?
But what has prompted me into writing this letter is a sarcastic article in the column (A Touch of Nokoko) by Kofi Akumanyi. The question is: who is fooling who? Is it Reverend (Dr) S. T. Ola Akande who is soliciting punish- ment with God's support for those who have ruined Nigeria's economy or Kofi Akumanyi who claims to have had a direct contact with God over the issue through Angel Gabriel?
I would not like to go into religious jingoism but I would advise Kofi that God's name is not to be toyed with for it is written "thou shalt not use the name of God in vain." In conclusion, I think all those responsible for the present chaos deserved to be punished.
Stanley Eke, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
There are many who know me who would stand up and defend me to high heaven that I believe in the church; I have Sunday best clothes that I wear to attend services as regularly as possible and, whenever I am mentally and spiritually prepared, I communicate with God directly with the assistance and intervention of priests.
Mr Eke would be the first to admit that there are many people who hold very strong views - jingoists - about the church. There is, for instance, the issue of religion and politics. But opposers of the view that the two cannot mix point out that the church being part of the society and its members are affected by what goes on around, cannot sit unconcerned while their flocks are buffeted by degenerate habits and tendencies around them.
In an effort to make the most of this transient life on earth at the risk of losing the everlasting life in heaven above, therefore, many christians have followed their priests into improving their circumstances materially all over the continent of Africa and, particularly, in West Africa known and certified crooks with bulging bank accounts are prominent church elders who occupy front seats and donate large sums of money to the church.
I quite remember a conversation I had with Reverend Paul Oko recently when he flew into London for a 'business transaction.' The brief conversation did throw some light on the other side of the issue.
"Reverend Oko", I asked, "What do you say to the assertion in certain quarters that priests shouldn't meddle in politics? One Rev. Dr. Akande raised a furore when he commented on the Nigerian coup"?
"As Jesus said "Give to Caesar what is due to Caesar and to God what is God's," he quoted in a deep voice, as solemnly and impressively as he could, while adjusting his collar.
"Quite right, Rev, but you'll also agree that it should be a two-way street. While God caters for our overall needs, Caesar's contract with the people must be fulfilled. What must the people do if he doesn't?"
"Then, I'm afraid the people would have to give everything to God".
"O.K., take bread, for instance. In Ghana this commodity is in very short supply, the price is high and already the people cannot wait for the intervention of God before they eat" I said.
"Remember, my dear friend," he said flipping through the Bible, "it is written that man shall not live by bread alone."
"You've hit the bull's eye again, except that meat, rice and other basic commodities are also not easily available and most of the people engaged in the retail trade and sell at extremely high prices belong to one religion or the other," I said heatedly.
"O.K., don't get so excited. You see the churches know that this is going on and that is why we preach against social economic and political vices."
"How do you reconcile this attitude with accepting money from obvious big time sinners".
“You mean if Idris Konate, a filthy rich man who employs unorthodox methods in his business, donates money to the church we should reject it? You know that gift horses are usually not examined in the mouth," he said smiling broadly.
"I wonder how this offer effects the relationship?"
"The relationship between the horse and the church?"
"No, between Idris Konate and God."
"Not much as far as I can see from my side of the pulpit. You see, the church cannot survive without these donations and offertory from all and sundry. We cannot scrutinise every gift. But we have a way of cleaning (laundering?) the monies to make it wholesome in the sight of God".
"How?" I asked. I couldn't hide my curiosity.
"Simple. You would have noticed that these gifts of money and materials are often mentioned openly in the church and by the priest and a prayer is said over and about them. The idea is to beg God to clean the contaminated money and make it wholesome for use in His holy work."
"Do you think Idris Konate, after his great contributions to the church, would ever be welcomed into the Kingdom of God where the holy are promised everlasting life?" I asked.
Reverend Oko considered this question for sometime, flipped through the pages of the Bible as if looking for the answer which apparently was eluding him. "Well, that's hard for us mere mortals to know exactly what God would do in such circumstances but God, we all know, moves in mysterious ways, his wonders to perform…”
