Africa in Captivity

By Barry Wugale

About the Book

This book is the first in the series on Theology of Development. The author is a consummate Developmental Theologian with over two decades of involvement in advocating for community development, national transformation, environmental and economic justices. Africa in Captivity: It’s Time for Churches to stand up, is a work that does not only explain, but expands the meaning of captivity as it applies to Africa. The author shows that Africa is still held captive politically, legally, socially, economically, environmentally, educationally and in the judicial sphere. It is a book which illustrates how Africa is being held within the claws of retrogressive global and political forces.

The author demonstrates that the constraint to transformation and development are not accidental, and it is not necessarily Satan. The problems of Africa can be fixed, but the churches must stand up and play active roles to bring about transformation and development in their countries. For the churches to be able to do that, they must understand the dynamic nature of the problems they face.

To African Christian preachers, leaders and theologians, this book is a reminder that theology is NOT JUST a special discipline to train the people who dispense spiritual principles, but also that theology can groom agents of change and train great leaders of society. The time for Theology of Development to be expanded in Africa is now. Christian leaders, preachers and theologians should read this book with an open mind. It will assist them to see what area of their community they are called to help transform. To Africans who are concerned about the position of the church on issues of development, for those who are social entrepreneurs, transformers, politicians, activists and agents of change, this book will provide clarity and strengthen their resolve to fight for the common good of their communities.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barry Wugale
• Release date: Jul 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005270322

Book preview

Africa in Captivity

Africa in Captivity

It’s Time for the Church to Stand Up

Barry WUGALE

Copyright © 2021 Barry Wugale

First edition 2021

Published by Barry Wugale Publishing at Smashwords

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the copyright holder.

The Author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity.

Published by Barry Wugale using Reach Publishers’ services,

P O Box 1384, Wandsbeck, South Africa, 3631

Edited by Gil Harper for Reach Publishers

Cover designed by Reach Publishers

Website: www.reachpublishers.org

E-mail: [e-mail]

Barry Wugale

[e-mail]

Dedication

This book is dedicated to Clergies, Activists, Politicians, Social Entrepreneurs, Agents of Change who are determined to liberate Africa from oppression and bad leadership.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abbreviations

Endorsements

Foreword Prof. Egba S. Awo (Jr.)

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1. Understanding of African captivity

2. Biblical Perspectives and Analysis of Captivity

3. Aristocracy is the Foundation of Captivity

4. False Patriotism and Manipulation of Citizens

5. Appropriation and Expropriation of Resources

6. Impacts of Appropriation and Expropriation

7. Siege and Annexation of African Countries

8. The Sovereignty of African Countries Undermined

9. Imperialism and Neocolonialism

10. Collapsed Nationhood: 2 Kings 21-25

11. Prophetic Mandate in National Liberation

About the Author

Abbreviations

AEF Afrique Équatoriale Française

Aids Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

ANC African National Congress

AOF Afrique Occidentale Française

BRICS Brazil, Russia, China, India and South Africa

CEMAC Central African Economic and Monetary Community

EFF Economic Freedom Front

GDP Gross Domestic Product

HIV Human Immune Virus

ILRIG International Labour Research and Information Group

NKJV New King James Version

PAC Pan Africanists Congress

PLC Public Liability Company

SANNC South African Natives National Congress

UDF United Democratic Front

WAEMU West African Economic and Monetary Union

Endorsements

This is an extraordinary book which is bold, thought-provoking and evidence based. Those who read it will most certainly be challenged and compelled to think and act differently as active citizens of Africa. This book also has appeal to those outside the continental borders who will gain insight into the African Church Movement. I enjoyed this edit very much and gained from your wisdom – what a bonus for me as your editor! I feel blessed to have been part of your journey.

- Laura Grey, Editor

In this book, the author has been passionate and frank. In a simple and lucid presentation, Pastor Wugale has led us into God’s plan for raising a just nation. The book is a guide for leaders who wish to inculcate sound national ideology into governance. In addition, this is a well-researched academic postgraduate textbook for Human Development. I, therefore, recommend the book to all Africans and non-Africans alike as a mirror through which anyone can easily see the pathway to transformation and development of a nation.

- Prof. EGBA S. AWO Jr.

Registrar, Wycliffe University & African Theological

Foreword

Prof. Egba S. Awo (Jr.)

Those who are conversant with African society after the Berlin conference that led to the balkanization of the continent in 1884 to date, will have no difficulty in agreeing with the author of this book that the traditional African society has suffered a major decline in all aspects. This decline in our value system and development was primarily due to unfulfilled promises made by leaders and frustration on the part of the people, which led to inter-tribal conflicts and other forms of friction, with all the attendant consequences.

Africa has been stifled by bad leadership and left in constant pain and agony, to the degree that pinpointing any one cause in the myriad would be impossible. Is it the abuse of trust by colonialists and nationalists who appropriate the resources of the people to enrich themselves? What about the avoidable poverty, hunger, disease and unemployment ravaging the entire continent? Let us not forget the cases of unresolved murder and delayed justice... Is it the extent to which African people have been devalued, to a point that they were deemed not qualified to own properties? Is it the ignorant and docile church on the continent; unable to wield her potentials to salvage the pitiable state of the masses? What about the constant robbery attacks on banks and individuals or the cases of bribery and corruption in high and low places? Is there any part of the continent that has not been bruised? These, and many more, are the issues that Pastor Wugale attempts to capture in this book, Africa in Captivity: It’s Time for the Church to Stand Up.

However, more than that, the book calls for a change at all levels. It challenges African leaders to make up to their responsibilities so that future generations can find a more conducive atmosphere for fulfilment. The church should also grow a better understanding of the realities of her existence and take up her duties of leading the people to a progressive salvation.

As we reflect on the future, inspired by this fascinating book, we must revisit and remind ourselves of our numerous errors. Errors such as inter and intra tribal wars, discredited and disputed elections as well as other social injustices that we have been inflicting on ourselves over the years. We must resolve to abandon these and other negative practices that have affected our development as modern nations.

On a personal note, I am extremely pleased to be given the opportunity to write the foreword of this book. I have known Pastor Wugale since 1998. I first met him as a young Christian serving at the Ascension Apostolic Church under Rev. Eko Joe Niwkonzor, who was my student at the bible college. Pastor Barry later became my student at the Christian Ministry Institute, an affiliated programme of the Apostolic Ablaze Bible College, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria.

I have followed his ministry from its cradle. I have seen him grow as a church worker. I was there when he was drinking from all available Christian knowledge. I travelled with Rev. Nwikonzor to the Benin Republic to organise conferences for his ministry. I knew when he travelled to South Africa. I have also visited him in Cape Town, South Africa where I ministered in his church. I hosted him and his team of Christian educators and missionaries when they travelled around Nigeria to organise training on the roles of churches in national transformation. I am not surprised that Pastor Barry has emerged as a Christian intellectual, as he has always been passionate about knowledge and how Christians can take the lead in societal development.

As a Man of God, a teacher, a rights activist, and a deeply modest person, Pastor Wugale does not make a lot of noise about his many activities directed towards the improvement of humanity and African society. Having been a victim of the Ogoni exploitation and suppression by Shell Oil Company and the Federal Government of Nigeria, the author’s in-depth feeling and description of the state of the African continent as despicable and totally unnecessary cannot be disputed.

In this book, the author has been passionate and frank. In a simple and lucid presentation, Pastor Wugale has led us into God’s plan for raising a just nation. The book is a guide for leaders who wish to inculcate sound national ideology into governance. In addition, this is a well-researched academic postgraduate textbook for Human Development. I, therefore, recommend the book to all Africans and non-Africans alike as a mirror through which anyone can easily see the pathway to transformation and development of a nation.

Prof. EGBA S. AWO Jr.

Registrar, Wycliffe University & African Theological Seminary

Nigeria Campus

Acknowledgments

I thank God Almighty for blessing me with the gift of writing, and for the grace to have walked the road of activism for almost twenty-five years. Without God I would not have been alive to share the knowledge contained in this book. I appreciate the Holy Spirit for breathing into my heart and for giving me the ability to articulate the ideas contained in this book.

I cannot appreciate my wife enough, Pastor (Mrs.) Dorathy Leyereue Barry, who has been standing by me in the last twenty-two years despite all our challenges. Without her support I would have possibly abandoned activism. My sincere appreciation goes to Dr. Julie Kopel-Maldonado, my friend and sister. She and her husband Phil Maldonado, made financial contributions over the last several years towards the project of publishing my books. To them, I remain eternally grateful. This couple has proven that neither distance nor colour could diminish sincere love. I remain ever humbled and loyal to my mentor, Evangelist Eko Joe Nwikonzor of the Ascension Apostolic Church and Prof. Egba Sunday Awo, my teacher and mentor in Christian Theology and Discipleship. I thank Elder Lucky Porobe who has consistently kept track with me and my growth in the ministry.

I cannot thank Pastor John Eze adequately for all his support; as my assistant and resident Pastor of Altar of Liberation, he has shown great faith in my ministry. His critical views and support always come in handy for me to plan. His advice and encouragement have helped to make the well brewed structure of this and other books.

In the same vein, my appreciation goes to the team at Reach Publishers. I believe I was destined to publish with Reach Publishers, as we reconnect almost 15 years after my initial manuscripts could not be published by the same company. My sincere thanks go to Warren the CEO, Allison Parle the Sales Manager who ensured that an agreement was reached, and for coordinating this project. Thanks to Colleen McCann the Assistant Marketing Manager for your friendly reminders on my obligations, Sally Veenman, the head of the editorial team for your ever warm encouragement. Also thanks to my editors Laura and Tony. The encouragements, criticisms and corrections of my editors made all the difference. I am eternally indebted to Tonya-Dee and her team for taking time to design and redesign this book. The speed, yet, precision of the design team, and their ability to capture my mind on the covers of my books, is amazing.

I am superbly grateful to the media team, Wendy Swartz, John Eze, Ashley Ramushwana, Barigbome Promise Gibson, Joshua Neeka Ndii, Louis, Justice Legor, Ochure Osaro, Monday Baedee, Humble Baedee, Bebari Bright N-uene, Dummy Warinee, for their time and efforts to ensure that this work gets all the necessary publicity.

I thank the members of Altar of Liberation, particularly Augustine Tebere, Kiisi Womene, Saro Dis Dagbara, Akina Keenam, and Pastor Promise Kumeh, who even though in the Eastern Cape, continues to believe in this vision. Others include Sister Christy Nwigbara and Sister Salome Nwidag. It would be a mistake if I did not mention the prayer team in Benin Republic who has been praying for this project on a daily basis. Their leaders include Alue Barileera, Pastor Barikpoa Deebom, Larry Gbosih, Lebatam Iniah and Barisia Kumeh.

Introduction

This is a Christian book written in heavy political parlance. It is therefore not your everyday Christian motivational literature. It is a book that delves into an unfamiliar terrain. An area that conservative Christianity is still afraid