ORAL FORMS AS A VEHICLE FOR THE ARTICULATION OF URHOBO COSMOLOGY

Emusi, Samson Ikuvwe Ariegbe

Department of Religion

Delta State University, Abraka

Email: revemusi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This paper presents aspects of the cosmology of Urhobo people, as articulated in Urhobo oral forms. The paper examines five poems (Texts I – V) for their thematic contents which exemplify aspects of the cosmology of the Urhobo poetry. Aspects of the cosmology identified include: the essence of life, the uniqueness of the individual, the efficacy of paternal blessings, objectivity in assessing situations and attitude to physical prowess. To these, the paper strongly posits that they bear semblance to other cultural elements in Africa.

SYNERGY BETWEEN RACIAL DIFFERENTIATION AND SOCIAL INEQUALITY IN HUMAN SOCIETIES

Rasak Bamidele

Department of Sociology and Psychology

Fountain University Osogbo,Osun State.

E-mail: delerasak@yahoo.co.uk

ABSTRACT

It is impossible in the present environment to ignore the role of ideas about Skin colour in shaping and determining the social and political relations of societies all over the globe. During the past two decades theoretical and political debates have raged over the status of race and racism as social and analytical concepts. There has been much debate about why the notion of race is still widely used in both popular and social scientific discourses when it is widely accepted that ‘races’ as such do not exist. This has reached the stage when some writers argue vehemently that the notion of ‘race’ must be bracket every time it appears in social scientific discussion. This paper examines skin colour and social differentiation in human society. The analysis is intended to provide the basis of a theoretical framework for analyzing contemporary form of racism and the social relations that arises on the basis of racial categorization.

Key words: Race, Minority group, Social Stratification, Social Differentiation, Skin Colour and Social Inequality.

THE ARAB SPRING AND THE ASCENDANCE OF THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD IN THE MIDDLE EAST: AN ANALYSIS OF CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA

George I.J. Obuoforibo

Department of Political Sciences and Administrative Studies

University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt

ABSTRACT

We found out in the course of this paper that the Arab Spring and the ascendance of Muslim Brotherhood in the Middle-East was due to a reaction to the modernizing instincts of post-colonial leaders of the Muslim dominated Arab countries. After independence the modernizing elites of virtually all predominantly Muslim countries undertook radical reforms of family law, notably to empower women. They targeted inter-alia the aspects of Islamic family law relating to polyandry, unilateral repudiation distribution of inheritance. A host of new laws were adopted to promote women’s right including the criminalization of polygamy. This however, did not go on without some level of opposition and resistance. To achieve the goal of re-Islamizing post-colonial Muslim societies, they adopted diverse strategies, from peaceful proselyzation to armed opposition. Their ultimate ambition is to capture political power. It is true that the Islamists ascendance through the ballot box is the most visible outcome of the Arab Spring. There is however, more to it than what meets the eye. Of particular importance is their strong opposition to secular ethos in favour of fundamentalist Muslim ethos that would not be in the interest of non Muslims and other secular minded Muslims. It is against the background of the above scenario that one have to appreciate the ascendance of Muslim Brotherhood in the Middle-East and the contemporary challenges in Nigeria being made visible by a Muslim Sect the Boko Haram. It would therefore not be out of place for one to say that Boko Haram sect and its heinous crimes against the people and nation was more of a dangerous diversion of real issues that impinges on the national project. It is the fuel subsidy crises that one could say tend to strike a code with the Arab Spring in the Middle-East and North Africa. A popular disenchantment and demonstrations against the Nigerian government on removal of fuel subsidy with the subsequent revelation of the rot that has engulfed the entire fabric of the Nigerian state structures at all level, have unfortunately ended whatever legitimacy the Nigerian project might be said to have had in the past. In actual sense the Boko Haram’s major preoccupation is to Islamize the entire northern region and make its states to be governed in accordance with Islamic laws and injunctions which is very much in line with the fundamentalist struggle in the Middle East and North Africa.

SOCIETY, MEDIA AND CHARACTER- FORMATION: A FOCUS ON THE NIGERIAN YOUTH

Austin Chibueze Okeke

Department of Theatre and Film Studies

University of Nigeria, Nsukka

E-mail:austinchibueze@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This essay examines and categorizes certain influences often encountered by today’s Nigerian youths and which have also helped to largely affect their decisions and actions. These youths are logically innocent but also highly impressionable as they readily get excited over experiences that are potentially adventurous. They have an innate desire to explore and conquer challenges, and whatever seems to fascinate them in this regard easily wins them over. The study establishes that the Nigerian youths are victims of circumstances, as they have emerged as products of inimical environmental factors which have wrongly shaped their universal worldview. The study therefore proposes a great and consistent measure of adult supervision over the affairs of the youth. It also recommends governments’ censorship of media contents in order to curb the flagrant influence of such, and float programmes which will occupy and or engage the youths in meaningful vocations. Above all, the study submits that the vehicle of the theatre art could also be explored in order to detract and refocus the effort and attention of these young minds.

DEVELOPMENT THEORIES: FROM MODERNIZATION TO GLOBALIZATION AND IT’S IMPACT ON AFRICA

Nduonofit, Larry-love Effiong and Udochu, Eke

Department of Sociology, University of Port Harcourt

School of General Studies, Michael Okpara, University of Agriculture, Umudike

E-mail: aminoacid395@yahoo.com, ek­_boy4good@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Development theories are all focused especially on the development of Africa. Changing times and tides show that it is now a global world, perhaps, village. The thrust of modernization theory is just about Africa supplanting her values and norms with modern ones so as to leap-frog, perhaps to the age of “high mass consumption”. Thus, dependency theory however stands as a contradiction to modernization theory and emphasizes the underdevelopment of Africa on the basis of her social relations with the West. Thus, the work is particularly focused on the impact of the new age on Africa’s development. The work questions the era or stage of imperialism, and argues that globalization as the highest stage of imperialism is particularly concern with further undermining the development of Africa. It is thus concluded here that Africa as a matter of fact must re-evaluate and re-assess her social cum economic relationship with the West in this new age, even as globalization advances to a full moon before she loses her soul as well as her spirit.

Keywords: Globalization, Modernization, Dependency, Capitalism, Colonialism, Underdevelopment, Development, Africa.

TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE HERITAGE SITE MANAGEMENT: CASE STUDY OF INIKPI SITE

¹Orga, D. Y & ²Gana, J. N

¹Department of Tourism, Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Nigeria

²Department of General Studies, Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, Nigeria

E-mail: yinaorga@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Sustainable heritage management implies an approach that is aimed at balancing cultural objectives with sound management practices of cultural assets.  The evaluation research design using reconnaissance survey and oral interviews generated data which revealed that Inikpi site is the grave of the daughter of Attah Igala, Ayegba Omo-Idoko who volunteered to be buried alive to save her father kingdom from deracination. The Inikpi site is a heritage site associated with Igala legend that has historical and tourism values.  The stakeholders that are responsible for the site include Attah Igala, Traditional Chiefs in Council and Idah Local Government Council. To promote the site, the study suggested provision of site guides, regulatory signs, monitoring of the site and management committee members should include traditional Chiefs in the Attah Council, Idah local Government Council and representative(s) from the Kogi State Tourism Board and Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation. The Committee should also work toward listing of the site as United Nation Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Site (WHS).

Keywords: Heritage, Site, Management, Sustainable

KORANIC VERSUS CHRISTIAN MISSION EDUCATION SYSTEMS AND UNEVEN EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA, 1842-1977: NATIONAL POLICY ON EDUCATION TO THE RESCUE

 A.I. Ajayi and M.S. Jayeola-Omoyeni

Department of History, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Nigeria

Department of Continuing Education, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo,

E-mail: ajayi­­_gboyega@yahoo.com, jayeomoyeni5@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This paper discusses the extent to which Koranic and Christian mission education systems have interfaced since 1842 in the provision of education to citizens of Nigeria.  It would be recalled that Koranic education predated the Christian missionary education in the Northern part of Nigeria.  It was in 1842 precisely, that the Christian Missionary education referred to as “western education” or “formal education”, came into existence in the southern part of the country.  The acceptability of western-education and its influences were restricted by the powerful Emirs in the North.  One of the reasons for the western education blockade was the fear that Muslim children might be converted into Christianity and thus up-turn revered Muslim traditions and cultures.  But by 1914, the Northern and Southern Protectorates of Nigeria were amalgamated to become a united Nigeria and English language (the language of the colonial masters) was adopted as the medium of communication to transact government business and other official communications.  The North thereby reluctantly accepted western education to a severely limited extent in a bid to have a say in the administration of the new Nigeria being midwived by the British.  These two religions created an unending educational gulf between the predominantly Muslim North and the predominantly Christian South in Nigeria.  Many educational policies, the most far-reaching being the National Policy on Education (1977), were made to bridge this education gulf, with varying degrees of success, as we have established in this paper.   

Keywords: Koranic, Education, Islam and Christianity

NEW TESTAMENT ENVIRONMENTAL ETHIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN THE NIGER DELTA

Isiorhovoja, U. Osbert and Banwune Ejime .D

Department of Religious Studies, Delta State University, Abraka

Department of Religious and Moral Education College of Education, Agbor

E-mail:evanosbert@yahoo.com; ejimebanwune@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the biblical background of creation that is traceable to God as the creator. The Genesis account established the primary assignment of man as given by God; that of tending the garden (environment) under His instruction as steward. Also, the New Testament background is likewise examined, considering the fall and the anticipated literature closely likened to the manifestation of the sons of men. The present wanton exploration of the environment without adequate care negates the order given by God. Thus, sustainability of the environment becomes the sure way out to bringing redemption to the environment at the manifestation of the sons of men as stewards of God, rested with such responsibility. The paper strongly recommend the biblical paradigm of nature, care and perseverance (sustainability) and the Traditional perspective (Operation Noah) to rescue certain species of creatures from extinction.

CLASSICAL ARABIC AND ISLAMIC CULTURAL STUDIES IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES: REFLECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Abdur-Rahman Olalekan Olayiwola

Department of Political Science

Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria

E-mail: nusramurana@yahoo.co.uk

ABSTRACT

The efficacious utility of Classical Arabic and Islamic Cultural Studies in the Social Sciences, is indubitable. It makes us to realize that society is an all-inclusive entity, a composite system whose component parts (or sub-systems) are closely related. The utilization of Classical Arabic Language in international relations, international politics, foreign policies and World Congresses of United Nations, Regional Organisations and Non-Governmental Agencies means that Classical Arabic is now equally an important Linguistic Communicative International Language like English and French. Also, intifada, an Arabic word meaning ‘a shaking off’ has entered international political debate in which many social scientists and Human Rights Lawyers have condemned Israel for using its heavy military equipment, tanks, helicopters, missiles  and aircrafts as well as snipers to destroy towns, houses, people and properties including lives of men, women and children in the Middle East. In the same vein, the mantra, there is no separation between religion and politics in Islam. Islam din wa dawla (Islam is religion and state) is not a recent vintage in the multidisciplinary analysis, data collection and comparative methodological approach in the study of man as a social being, as a member of society; the concern with moral ends of the state as well as the legal, economic, social, political and formal structures of government, the origins of the state, nationally and internationally; processes, institutions and groups, the relationships among them and the behavioural revolution.