“HAKIYA YA MUNGU”- BETWEEN FACTS AND FICTION: AFRICAN BRAND OF DICTATORSHIP, NGUGI WA THIONG’O’S STEREOTYPE IN WIZARD OF THE CROW

Asika, Ikechukwu Emmanuel

Department of English and Literary Studies

Anambra State University, Igbariam Campus

 Email: excellency4life@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Ngugi Wa Thiong’o remains undoubtedly one of the most widely read African writers. He has shown through his writings what it takes for a writer to be bold, fearless and patriotic even against the threats of his life in order to salvage and liberate the humanity of his people. More than any African writer, Ngugi is best known for his literature of revolution and resistance; a literature that injects fire, thunder and burning anger in his readers to stand up in the face of oppression, tyranny, corruption, exploitation and join in the struggle to dethrone political dictators and imperialist governments. His writings have in no doubt contributed to several positive changes and adjustment in the political situation in Kenya. But in his most recent novel, we witness a departure from the common Kenyan course of revolution and emancipation to a writing that articulates the problems of power, neo-colonialism, imperialism, dictatorship and corruption that have become the bane of the African continent. Africa is a country plagued by uncountable stories of poverty, war, dictatorship, exploitation among other sort of tragedies. Ngugi in his Wizard of the Crow abandoned the cause of his Kenyan people to address a larger theme of the problems of his African continent. The major problem as he located, is the leadership problem of many African states in the hands of dictators. This paper studied how Ngugi in the course of his bizarre and magical tale, created a stereotype of African brand of dictatorship from which all other dictators could be viewed and from which viewpoint we could collectively seek a solution, a gradual but steady war to end dictatorships and not just to enthrone genuine democracy but an African devoid of Western dependency but on the real personality and pride of the continent.

THE CROSS: A UNIVERSAL SYMBOL OF CHRISTIANITY AND ITS SIGNIFICANT TO THE CHRISTIANS.

 Abodunrin, Adeniyi Olufemi

Department Religious Studies

Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji_Arakeji, Osun State

E mail: femiabodunrin93@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Every religion and ideology has its visual symbol which illustrates   a significant feature of its   history or believes. Christianity then is no exception in having a visual symbol. Cross   is an instrument for execution consisting of an upright beam left permanently in the ground surmounted by a cross- beam, Which might  also  be attached a little below the top of the  upright .The condemned prisoner himself  carried the   platinum to  the  place of  execution , where he  was  stripped naked. , his arms were bound to the cross beam and his legs left suspended until   he died of thirst or starvation.  crucifixion  was  unknown  in  Israel during  Old  Testament  times , it was normally used by  the  Persia. from where  the Greeks  and Romans adopted it .The work or the paper  will feature, the  importance of   the symbol .though it was initially associated with the accused person , The  paper will as  well  look  into  the facts  that  surrounded  Jesus  crucifixion ,for instance the medical knowledge  was not very advanced at that time ;even that , the disciples were ignorant, which it  was  said that resurrection was claimed instead of  resuscitation from the  dead ;Though, the cross  was  initially rejected or avoided due to its direct association with the execution of a common criminal.

THE NIGERIAN STATE AND DEMOCRATIZATION OF VIOLENCE: ISSUES AND PROSPECTS

¹Nwanolue, B.O.G, and ²Victor Chidubem Iwuoha

¹Department of Political Science, Anambra State University, Igbariam Campus,

²Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

 princenwanoluebog@yahoo.com; tchydubevick@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The mischievous modification of the object of democracy to compulsorily conform to the perversive character of the state in Nigeria is one of the important undoing of democracy. Core indicators of democracy such as human rights, social welfare and human security are either forgotten or overlooked entirely. These failures constantly spawn cheap mobilization of less privileged youths for violence in the country. The study seeks to establish a linkage between the contaminated type of democracy in Nigeria, exemplified by the culture of impunity, and the rising culture of violence in the country. We adopt qualitative method of data collection and analyses. We conclude that the perversive character of the state in Nigeria, which infected the acquired democracy, thereafter, conspires to democratize violence within itself. Hence, there is need for deepening democracy and good governance, to deliver popular public goods, such as provision of employment opportunities and social facilities.

DISCOURSE TECHNIQUES IN ASIKA EMMANUEL IKECHUKWU’S OMEILE

Ofoegbu Cyril Okechukwu

Department of English

Anambra State University, Igbariam Campus, Nigeria

ofoegbucyril@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The use of language has remained a very important issue in the analysis of any discourse. Discourse here involves language plus context according to some discourse analysts. It looks at how language can be used to achieve objective aims in human development. This paper focuses on the discourse techniques evident in Omeile, a poetic piece put together by Asika, Emmanuel Ikechukwu. It explores his mastery and poetic use of some language features in his poem. This paper focuses mainly on his creative blend of African proverbs in the lines of his poetry, it looks at his conscious use of code mixing to convey the desired ideas, and it looks at his diction and placement of words that stands him out as a descriptive writer. Finally we shall journey through his use of figures of speech, placed strategically to travel through the mind and thinking of a man really caught in chains and captivity of civilization. Our most important aim in this discourse analysis is the discourse techniques employed by the poet, to present to us this poetic ballad of an uncivilized man.

THE YOUTH AS A FACTOR IN THE NIGERIAN THEATRE

Austin Chibueze Okeke

Department of Theatre and Film Studies

University of Nigeria, Nsukka

E-mail:austinchibueze@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This essay puts forward the view that the frequently condemned behaviour of the Nigerian youth stems from a background of psychological or mental anarchy, as they are easily inclined to an attitude informed by a feeling of rejection and its attendant paranoia.  Unfortunately this often leads them into trying their hands on various manners of vices in the bid to survive. Their beclouded state of mind makes them readily erupt at the slightest provocation, and there is no end to what they can do to, as it where, ‘rise to the occasion’ of their challenges. The study however, advances that what the youths of Nigeria seriously need is a form of theatre which will match their vigour in entertainment as well as involve them in a solution-seeking routine.  

THE IMPEDIMENTS OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION PLANNING IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: A CASE STUDY OF NIGERIA

Solomon S. Ntukekpo

Department of Communication and Media Studies

Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo

Email: ntukekpo@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

In the practice of development communication today, there is awareness that careful planning is all-important if objectives are to be attained. Furthermore, there are a realization that extant factors in the environment of development communication action are able to facilitates or frustrate the attainment of planning objective. B while the available literature provides informed guidance to the communication planner on the processes of planning, it is critically silent on the extant factors the communication environment which may negate or boost planning. This paper attempts to fill the gap. The paper analyses the relevant extant factors in the environment of development communication action into “active” and “passive” groups, showing how they both affect planning. Specifically, the paper focuses on the “active” (i.e. policy) group of factors and identifies five major ones extant in the rural sector. The values these policy factors are presented and their implications for communication planning discussed.

Keywords: Communication, Media Study, Planning, active and passive