OWO TERRORISTS BLACK SUNDAY MASACRE

Religious and non-commercial organisations basically survive on corporate social responsibility (CSR) from the public and cause-driven institutions. Whenever there is assault/attack on these group, it may not be for their worth but for other ulterior motives not unconnected with political influence and power. I am aware that Catholic Church is the largest organization in the world. I am also aware that political power do flow from the pulpit, especially when you make reference to the theology of liberation that reigned in South America in the ‘80s. Prior to St. Francis Catholic Church terrorist attack on Sunday, 5th June, 2022 the Prelate of Methodist Church, Dr Samuel Uche and two of his members were kidnapped and later abandoned. And you start to wonder what quarrel terrorists have with these helpless group whose lives depend on the generous acts of CSR. The Owo incident was more dastardly because the terrorist came not to bargain for money but to gruesomely, mercilessly and in most cold-blooded way commit mass murder in a Cathedral. Churches, Mosques, Charitable organisations and non-commercial ventures are registered under Part III CAMA as voluntary non-governmental organisations with trustees to administer them. The implications are numerous, but prominent among them is tax exemption. Probably the next in order of importance is non-interference by government or any one else, until recently in Nigeria with the coming into effect of CAMA amendment 2020 requiring religious CEOs to end tenure at a certain time. And during crisis when allegation of ‘fraud’ or ‘mismanagement’ are raised interim administrator would be imposed by “Non-governmental Organization Regulatory Commission” for supervision and monitoring, established under the amendment. Section 831, 839, 842, 843, and 849 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 which got presidential assent on August 7, 2020 have provoked protests/apprehension from many religious leaders, activists and lawyers in Nigeria. “Association” provided in the above sections includes religious organizations (churches/Christian ministries, mosques/Islamic societies, traditional religion sects), universities and other schools registered by trustees, research institutions, social clubs, development foundations, cultural groups, sports clubs, CSOs, charity organizations and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Since the economic lives of religious organizations and other “associations” are supported by acts of Corporate Social Responsibility by worshippers, members and the public, it behoves the associations to extrapolate by extending acts of CSR to assistance-needy members, identified groups or segment of the public in a multiplier fashion. Quite predictably prominent Nigerians, business and political leaders were on ground to sympathise with the Church, victims and families. Some of the early Monday sympathisers included the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo, SAN and former governor of Lagos state, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Both could be said to represent Federal Government of Nigeria in their official capacities as well as their ambition to occupy the office of the president. Senator Tinubu was reported to have donated N50 million to the victims and N25 million to the church. Other donations may have been pouring in because of the ‘work of the devil’? Jesus wept! Ikechukwu Odoemelam Esq Corporate Attorney/Consultant IKECHUKWU O. ODOEMELAM & CO Legal Practitioners https://tapestri.io/members/join/now/ideaworkshop http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0075RXXLE COMPANY SECRETARIES HANDBOOK http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005783S6SDIRECTORS http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MKCESY MEETINGS: Dynamics and Legality