Professor Jacob Olupona, an indigene of Ute in Ondo State, is a world-renowned international researcher in the field of Comparative Religions. In 2006, he joined the faculty of Harvard University as Professor of African and African American Studies, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and as Professor of African Religious Traditions, Harvard Divinity School. He spoke to Dawn-To-Dusk News' Chief Editor KIKELOMO IWAJOMO on his background, his experiences, religion, Nigeria, and Nigerians in Diaspora.


How do you think the government can utilize Nigerians in the diaspora?

We have to make it very clear that the Diaspora has something to contribute to the development of Nigeria. This is what China and India did. I`ve been to China several times and one of the things that interests me in China especially is that they are building institutions, research centers and they are bringing people from the Diaspora to come and help them. The same applies to India and other Asian countries. Some of these scholars are still working in American universities. The world has changed and Nigerians need to know that.


The world has become a global village and Nigeria will need the help and support of her diaspora. The case of Nigeria is unfortunate and pathetic because there are so many of these young ones in the Diaspora who are making waves in academic and professional fields. All you have to do is come to Harvard here and see them. The very bright undergraduates who are leading the world are very passionate about Nigeria, but what they don’t have and what they don’t know is how they can get involved in the development of Nigeria. They want to get involved. Nigeria does not respond to this and does not have a plan that will enable them bring all these resources and all the knowledge into helping the country.

Nigeria's wealthy see the acquisition of money as a form of oppressing others

I have been to many countries, not just for conferences alone but also where I spend my sabbatical leaves, and what I always think about is… what can I do to improve things at home in Nigeria? What can my people learn from this place that I am in: China, Israel, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, etc.? The problem is that our people, especially the elites, they don`t know what to do with their wealth and influence. They don`t know how to be relevant to their society and their culture. The wealthy see the acquisition of money as a form of oppressing others particularly those who don`t have it and they maintain a degree of ignorance and illiteracy.


It is one thing to be schooled and to acquire certificates, it`s another thing to be educated and literate. This is what I am talking about. Also, Nigeria’s structure that concentrates power and authority in the center constrains growth and development. The regions, states, and local government councils cannot grow efficiently with these kinds of top-down control from the seat of power at the centre. That is not the meaning of federalism that the founding fathers of this nation intended for Nigeria. It is also not what makes America great as the model of our pluralism and federalism.



As the son of a priest now a professor of comparative religion, how has your personal religion evolved over the years?

I`m a Christian and I go to church regularly. I’m an Anglican through and through. We have two Anglican churches here in Boston. One is here on campus. The other is in Roxbury district. The whole thing started from my house, in my sitting room as a fellowship: just meeting, talking and having Bible studies and so on. The Nigerian churches are growing in America and all over the world.

I am very religious and I am not the kind of professor who will be deceiving you that I don`t believe in the power of prophets, of the priests, or recognize the potency of the power of indigenous traditions.

Back to your question, what you`re trying to say is that the practice of religion doesn`t mean that you should begin to see others as outsiders. Because of course, my field is comparative of religion, I have studied Islam, Christianity and African religion and so I know what is going on in all these traditions. I know what they are professing. I have no problem with that. I am very religious and I am not the kind of professor who will be deceiving you that I don`t believe in the power of prophets, of the priests, or recognize the potency of the power of indigenous traditions.



Religion has today become a big issue in Nigeria. Would you say religion is now an identity for Nigerians?

Religion should never define our national identity. Take for instance there is no Yoruba Christian family that does not have Muslims, and vice versa. Look at the South-West Nigerian governors, the majority of them are Muslims. In the past nobody complained about any religious outsiders governing them. But now, you hear complaints about the religious identity of the governors. Why? Because we are pursuing unnecessary problems in the name of religion when we know very well that these issues do not bring about any good thing. There is a lot of ignorance and religious illiteracy is killing Nigeria. Don`t bring your problem as if you have an answer and religion is going to solve all of your problems. Where things are in Nigeria as we speak, religion can’t solve the nation’s problems. We need to act as citizens and demand that our leaders are honest, just, and hardworking. Our people too should be disciplined, ethical, and socially engaged in matters of governance and social welfare.



http://dawntodusknews.com/2-hours-with-harvard-professor-jacob-olupona/

Good talk.

I hope we are listening and hearing...