Department of Religion Studies

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https://keffi.nsuk.edu.ng/handle/20.500.14448/2027

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Browsing Department of Religion Studies by Author "Ahmed, Elfaruk Ali"

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    AFRICAN VALUES ON ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION: SOME CHALLENGES TODAY.
    (Department of Religion Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, 2013-07-17) Ahmed, Elfaruk Ali
    Environmental crisis has today become a serious phenomenon and a major concern and challenge to modern nations of Africa. This paper is intended to examine how African values can help in preserving the environment of man. This work discovered that African indigenous values are at variants with western views and practices. The West sees nature as a secular resource to be exploited for personal profit and use. African indigenous values in contrast see nature wholistically, something to be venerated and used for the good of the community. Indigenous values see God as the source and preserver of creation. This is one of the reasons for the veneration of nature. There is strong relationship and harmony between God, Man and nature. God gave mother nature to man for food, health, shelter, protection and where man will finally return. Africans have some values and practices that can help preserve nature and the ecosystem. Some animals and birds are totemic; there are myths and taboos to preserve them. In most societies, there are myths and taboos in handling certain natural features like land, plants, forests, animals, soil, water etc. Values and practices like collective land ownership, subsistence agriculture, land-tenure system, shifting cultivation, terracing, mixed cropping and mixed farming are all healthy practices for protecting the environment. In spite of the challenges of secularization and globalization, a more lasting solution to the environmental crisis in Africa today should be sourced primarily from within Africa. And a blend of good traditional and modern values will help in preserving the environment.
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    HISTORY OF THE MANIPULATION OF RELIGION IN NIGERIA AND THE ANTIDOTE FOR UNITY AND PROGRESS
    (Department of Religion Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, 2017-03-10) Ahmed, Elfaruk Ali
    The history and the relationship between religion and the Nigeria State has been an old one. The pre-colonial, colonial and post colonial governments: whether military or democratic systems, had their experiences of religious abuses and manipulations in the nation. The problem of religious manipulation is as serious as that of corruption in the nation. Religious manipulators used the potency of religion in the nation on critical national issues and problems to carry out their activities for political and economic interests to the detriment of collective good. It was discovered that cases of religious manipulation were prone in places where there is illiteracy, ignorance, corruption, poverty and other socioeconomic and political challenges. Manipulation of Religion in Nigeria is fuelled mainly by religious and ethnic differences. The intensity and complexity of religious manipulation has increased over the years. It started more aggressively from the jihad of Uthman Dan Fodio, the colonial era and into the civilian and military regimes after independence. In the process, the rule of law, power sharing, distribution of resources, equity, policies and actions were manipulated. This brought about poverty, corruption, mediocrity, competition, mistrust, agitations and crises. It has helped in making the goal of national cohesion, collective security and welfare impossible. Therefore, there is the need for government and citizens to be informed, responsible and accountable, to rise to the challenge of coming together and build a nation that is just an egalitarian.