Deforestation in Nigeria: a critical assessment of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) community development programme (CCDP) on ecology in Panyam district, Mangu Local Government Council, Plateau State.
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Date
2018
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Abstract
This research has investigated the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) Community
Development Programme (CCDP’s) theology on ecology. The reason for doing this
research was that ecological problems pose a global danger to humanity and the
environment. In Nigeria, where the research is situated, one of the common ecological
problems is deforestation. Nigeria is critically affected by deforestation as a result of the
negative human impacts on the ecosystem, such as relying on firewood as one of the
major sources of energy in many rural and urban areas. This research starts with the
argument that anthropogenic activities, such as mining, urban development, slash and
burn agricultural practices and the felling of trees for the production of charcoal as a
source of energy, are the main causes of deforestation in Nigeria. These human
activities have resulted in other environmental crises such as soil erosion, loss of
biodiversity, the extinction of some indigenous and medicinal plant species and even
desertification in some regions in the country.
The research found that the COCIN, as one of the main church denominations in
Nigeria, does not have any specific document that contains its beliefs and teachings on
ecology. However, a careful study of the church’s liturgy on the dedication of the
farming season and the thanksgiving service in the COCIN Service Handbook indicates
that both human and non-human creation belong to God. From this stand point, it was
deduced that one of the beliefs of COCIN on ecology is that God has given to
humankind the mandate to care for other creatures.
In order to further investigate the issue of deforestation in Nigeria, the research applied
Nick Spencer’s theory on “The Biblical Vision of Care for the Environment” as a
justifiable framework. Through the application of Nick Spencer’s theory, this research
assessed the activities of COCIN’s Community Development Programme (CCDP) as a
development arm of the COCIN. This was to ascertain whether their activities, such as
raising tree seedlings and organising workshops in some schools and communities and
to COCIN’s pastors, help in reducing deforestation in Panyam district and its environs.
The research discovered that, despite the awareness created by CCDP for the COCIN’s
pastors on climate change and the importance of tree planting, virtually all the sermon
notes examined during this study did not reflect any theme on ecology or environmental
degradation. To this end, Sallie McFague’s “Planetary Theology” was used to show that
humankind needs to embrace the ecological worldview. This idea is based on
sustainability, distributive justice and the fair allocation of resources among people in
the community. Following the investigation, it is suggested that ecology as a course
should be introduced into the curriculum of the Bible Schools and Seminaries that are
owned and controlled by COCIN and by so doing, the church will fulfil its prophetic role
to the environment.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.