Bible Society tackles Nigeria’s social ills

NIGERIA — The level of corruption in Africa’s most populous country has become “alarmingly disturbing”, according to Vanguard, one of its leading daily newspapers. Regrettably, corruption is just one of a number of social ills which, the newspaper says, “have continuously ravaged the very fabric of our society” since the return to civilian rule in 1999 paved the way for political liberalisation and growing religious and ethnic tension. While the newspaper praises President Olusegun Obasanjo for his efforts to tackle corruption, it particularly congratulates the Bible Society of Nigeria for speaking out openly against “this aberration”.

Corruption

Through a series of 13 television programmes broadcast between April and July, the Bible Society brought the fight against social ills right into the homes of ordinary Nigerians. The series, entitled New Beats, aired on six television stations across the country and used various formats, including documentaries, interviews and drama, to address issues including corruption, cheating in exams, child abuse, religious intolerance and abortion.

“The aim of the programmes,” says the Society’s Information Officer Benjamin Mordi, “is to reorientate the masses, expose the dangers and negative impacts of these social ills on the socio-economic life of this country and to encourage Nigerians to shun them. This will in turn herald a new nation.”

Positive reponse

The response from viewers has been very positive. Mariam Aisha, a student, commended the Society and said, “I really liked the programmes. Of the episodes I watched, the one that struck me most was the one on abortion. I want the Bible Society to continue the programmes and to ensure that they cover all areas of our lives.”