Public Perceptions on the Impacts of Proliferation of Churches on Corruption in Benue State, Nigeria: an Insight of Makurdi Metropolis of Benue State, Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue VIII, August 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

Public Perceptions on the Impacts of Proliferation of Churches on Corruption in Benue State, Nigeria: an Insight of Makurdi Metropolis of Benue State, Nigeria

Iorkosu, Tyover Samuel^1*, Emmanuel Verem Orjime², Donald, Tarfa Ende³, Benedict, Terkaa Iornyagh⁴, Iyorwuese, Salem I^5
1Ph.D Student, Department of Sociology, Federal University, Lafia, Nigeria
^2,3,4Department of Sociology, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria
⁵PhD Student, Nasarrawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author

Abstract : The proliferation of churches that accompanied by the high level of corruption in Nigeria has attracted a good level of attention. Statistics show that about 72.3 million Nigerian are Christians. Going by this figure, the church indeed wields enormous potential in its followers and in turn stems corruption across the nation. The tenacious preference of corruption, however, suggests that it has not played its responsibility in this regard effectively. In other to investigate this fact; the oral interview and questionnaire were used. A sample size of 400 respondents was drawn from Makurdi town following the Yamane’s formula. The analysis of the data revealed that the proliferation of churches in Benue state, has, seemingly, not translated to a drastic reduction of corruption. Additionally, despite the proliferation of churches in Makurdi metropolis, corruption and other deviant behaviour were relatively high. Based on these findings, it was recommended among others that corruption in the churches should be checked and those leaders involved in corrupt activities should be prosecuted accordingly. Church leaders should not focus their preaching on prosperity but on hard work and corrupt-free society.

Keywords: Corruption, Proliferation of churches, Makurdi metropolis.

I. INTRODUCTION

The proliferation of churches in Nigeria recently is one issue that has attracted reasonable attention. A stroll down the average Nigeria Street will reveal the widespread presence of churches (Efe, 2012; Morgan, 2015). And with thousands of registered churches within its domain; this is also applicable in Makurdi the capital of Benue State.

It is pertinent to ask what factors account for the proliferation of churches in Nigeria. In reaction to this question, Ajiki (2008), Efe (2012), Olukayode (2013), observed that the proliferation of churches in Nigeria is to a certain extent the result of schisms and break-away. This was significantly fuelled by Martin Luther’s revolution that laid the foundation for the proliferation of churches.

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