The issue of tithing and offering caused internet storm in recent times in Nigeria. There were arguments for and against the biblical statement and why Christians ought and ought not to pay to churches and pastors. The tithe imbroglio caused a lot of division amongst christian denominations.
Some argued that these clergymen only exploit members to enrich themselves while leaving members more impoverished. Others opined that it is not compulsory but will pave a way for 'prosperity'. Another school of thought alleged that the churches have schools which members cannot afford for their children. A traditional ruler in Osun state, His Royal Highness, Oba Adedokun Omoniyi Abolarin, setup a boarding school facility which is tuition-free for children of the poor. How he does it is not rocket science but is very bewildering. According to the traditional ruler, as stated on the official website of the college (www.theabolarincollege.com.ng), The school is to empower the young ones of the rural communities in Nigeria through qualitative education that can favourably compete with what obtains in other advanced educational centres of the world.
Our college is beginning to make great and meaningful impact not only in our state, Osun, but also in Nigeria. The population of the college is now ninety-five (95), forty-six boys (46) and forty-nine (49), all indigent students. We do not collect a kobo from any of them.
In this piece, Ayo Akinfe, a journalist based in the United Kingdom, makes salient suggestions about the necessary tithes that Nigerians must pay for them to enjoy better lease of life in 2021. His reason for this is that the Federal government is broke and simply lacks the cash to fund them.
(1) Regional security operations like Amotekun and the Eastern Security Network
(2) Mini power distribution plants in each local government area
(3) Local health centres to offer basic primary care
(4) Funding of local producer cooperatives to enable them process farm goods into semi finished products
(5) Urban tram networks in our state capitals and large metropolitan cities
(6) Adult literacy classes to elevate the non-literate in our midst
(7) Street lights to help provide security
(8) Providing furniture for our woefully under-funded primary schools where children sit on the bare floor
(9) Local low cost housing units
It is delusional to think that the federal government will be able to fund any of these in the post-Covid era.
As it stands, the government has borrowed about $11bn to finance the 2020 budget and allocations to states will be so small in 2021, they will not meet recurrent costs, so any thought of capital investment is an illusion.
Nigeria will be lucky to sell 1.5m barrels of oil in 2021. Will prices ever rise above $50 a barrel? Where do we expect the government to get any money from?
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