Social Justice and the Common Good, in Prophet Amos and Nigeria

The book, Social Justice and the Principle of the Common Good in Prophet Amos and in Nigeria: A Comparative and Evaluative Study, is being published at this critical period, in global and national history, when the concept of Social Justice and concern for the Common Good, do not really seem to exist. Our present political imbroglio coupled with nepotistic appointments of personnel at different levels of national leadership, has created a fertile ground for questioning the reason for the collective existence of this entity called Nigeria. Relying on the immense wealth of the Church’s documents on social justice and the common good, and the numerous chilling reports from our national dailies, the author has been able to juxtapose the terrible experiences of social justice at the time of Prophet Amos and our experiences in the present day Nigeria. Amos was a prophet of social justice. It is unfortunate that we have to compare and contrast the situation on ground in Nigeria of the 21st century with that of Israel of the 8th century, B.C. Yet, his unequivocal prophetic message resounds through all generations, and challenges us to be sensitive to equity and the Common Good.