Browsing by Author "Tama, Suleiman Samuel"

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    African Healing Shrines & Migration
    (Department of Philosophy Ethics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2019-01-05) Tama, Suleiman Samuel
    African healing shrines are intimately related to African traditional religion as important sacred places for the provision of healing or for prayers for a specific cause. At many of them illness - both physical and mental health problems are taken care of. There is a complex and changing relations between religion and migration. Religion not only inspires, manages and benefits from migration, but the experience of migration affects religious beliefs and practices. This paper provides an analysis of the connection between African healing shrines and migration. The paper argues that because African religion and healing are closely related, there will be migration associated with healing wherever people of Africa or African descent dwell. The paper argues that both external and internal migrations play vital roles in the recreation of healing shrines in their new destinations or the visits to the shrines usually located where their religion originated from. The consideration of the relationship between migration and location of African healing shrines is a major contribution to the growing body of work on the African Healing Shrines. Both internal migration and international migrations are widespread in Nigeria and other African countries. However, their link with the African Healing Shrines has had little attention. In this work, we argue that migration whether forced or voluntary has contributed to the recreation of healing shrines.
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    African Healing Shrines, the Trans-Border Dialogues and Modern Migrations
    (Department of Philosophy and Ethics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2020-01-02) Tama, Suleiman Samuel
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    BIBLICAL MODELS OF LEADERSHIP: LESSONS FOR NIGERIAN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE IN THE 21ST CENTURY
    (Department of Philosophy and Ethics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2020-03-06) Makpu, Mallo Ishaya; Tama, Suleiman Samuel
    Nigeria has experienced had leadership which has affected governance over the years. This has also contributed to poor development of the country. The Church or Christians have failed to provide exemplary leadership and influence good governance in Nigeria. Some Christians who have occupied leadership positions at various levels of governance in Nigeria have not provided good examples to emulate. Yet. the Bible presents some models of good leaders. Drawingf rom the Bible this paper analyses the concept ofl eadership styles and qualities that were demonstrated by some leaders in the Old Testament with focus on Joseph and King David. The study adopts a comparative study method, partly historical, religio-contextual and analytical and is related to the Christian perspective. Secondary sources, like Bible commentaries, books, journals and newspaper articles both print and online have been made use of in the study. The paper identifies some leadership qualities demonstrated by these models which include the fear of God, possession of vision and strategy, courage, humility, skills, selflessness and integrity. These models provided good leadership and were successful. The paper recommends that for Nigeria and her people to experience a positive turn around; all political and religious leaders at the national, state, and local government levels must learn and emulate the good qualities of biblical leaders such as Moses, King David and Joseph. They were courageous, humble, skilful, and had no personal ambitions. They led by example exhibiting thef ear of God.
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    CHURCH RESPONSE TO THE CORONA VIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) PANDEMIC IN NIGERIA
    (Department of Philosophy and Ethics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2020-09-09) Tama, Suleiman Samuel
    This study investigates the response of the Church in Nigeria to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Nigeria beginning with the index case announced on 27 February 2020 in Lagos. Since then the disease has rapidly spread across the different states of the nation. Both the federal and state governments have responded with _ restrictions on freedoms such as movement, travel and assembly, the latter particularly exercise of religion, as churches are jaccustomed to meeting regularly and worshipping in groups. The church has adopted and innovated some ways to respond and cope with the impact of these restrictions. This paper uses field survey, oral interviews as well as critical analysis of observable events within the church in Nigeria and other publications to examine the responses of the Christians to the situation. These responses include compliance with government directives, different coping methods and strategies that the church adopted to survive during the pandemic and beyond. Some of these responses include survival strategies, promotion of unity, church support of government, and adoption of virtual services using some online platforms among others. The paper argues that COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of the church in Nigeria. The church has innovated new ways to survive during the COVID-19 period and beyond.
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    The Contribution of Ethnicity to National Integration and Development in Nigeria
    (Department of Philosophy and Ethics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2019-12-12) Tama, Suleiman Samuel; Paul, Chandumi
    The multi-ethnic nature of Nigeria has often been cited as one of the factors responsible for its lack of unity and underdevelopment. This has been the case because ethnic consid-erations and affinities have often been used to determine who has access to or benefit from government facilities or appointments. Competitive ethnicity is the cause for bad governance, conflicts and lack of positive development in some African countries including Nigeria. The paper argues that multi-ethnic nature of most African nations has rich resources which could contribute to good governance if properly harnessed. It examines some of the good aspects of ethnicity that can be encouraged for national development. It concludes that ethnicity is natural and that there are some positive aspects that are profit-able for national development.
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    Election Rigging and Vote-Buying: A Challenge to the Nigerian Democratic Process
    (Department of Philosophy and Ethics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2020-01-05) Tama, Suleiman Samuel
    ract Election rigging and vote buying have taken new dimensions in the current electoral process in Nigeria. Election rigging and vote buying have now become sophisticated interventions in the Nigerian democratic process with the politicians, political thugs, party officials and other interest groups involved in the acts. What is particularly worrisome is the brazen nature election rigging and vote buying have assumed in recent times and the grave danger it poses to democracy. These political factors have threatened the stability and good governance of Nigeria. This paper examines the challenges election rigging and vote buying pose to the democratic process in Nigeria. It discusses the different mechanisms of election rigging and vote buying with focus on the 2015 and 2019 elections. It concludes with recommendations on ways of checking these election difficulties.
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    Ethnicity: The Challenge to Good Governance and Development In Africa
    (Department of Philosophy and Ethics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2018-11-11) Tama, Suleiman Samuel
    Different reasons have been given by scholars for the underdevelopment of African countries. One of such reasons is colonialism and the related style of governance. It has been argued that the colonizers were only interested in siphoning the resources of Africa to develop their home nations. They therefore adopted styles of governance that enabled them to achieve their purposes. However, associating the poor state of development of African countries to reasons of colonialism is no more plausible. This is because almost all of these countries have gained political independence and are self-governing. Like African countries, China, Hong Kong, India and South Korea were colonized. But after their independence, because of purposeful leadership, sheer determination and forthrightness, today, they have recorded discernable developments. While colonialism might have militated against the development of African nations in the past, this paper identifies ethnicity as a key factor today impacting negatively on good governance with resultant underdevelopment. The paper argues that multi-ethnic nature of most African nations has rich resources which could contribute to good governance if properly harnessed. The paper recognizes that today competitive ethnicity is the bane for bad governance and conflicts in some African countries. Drawing a lot from historical antecedents of ethnic challenges in Africa, the paper hinges arguments and analysis from examples and illustrations from some African countries. It also examines ways the multiple talents and capabilities that abound in multi-ethnic Africa could be utilized for its development through good governance.
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    IMPACT OF THE 2019-20 CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC ON THE CHURCH IN NIGERIA
    (Department of Philosophy and Ethics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2020-01-01) Tama, Suleiman Samuel; Jacob, Danboyi Kauna
    The Corona vims Disease (COWD-19) that started out as an epidemic in Wuhan, China in December 2019 has become a pandemic, affecting the whole world. The first confirmed case of the disease in Nigeria was announced on 27 February 2020, when an Italian citizen in Lagos tested positive for the viral infection. Since then, Nigeria has witnessed the spread of this disease across the different states of the country. The pandemic has impacted both global and local economies in several ways along with other implications. In Nigeria the disease has impacted areas such as economy, health, social, religion, and others. This paper using critical analysis of observations of events within the church in Nigeria and other publications from written and online sources, examines the effects of COVID-19 on the Christians and their churches in Nigeria. It at'gues that the pandemic has impact on the church. It highlights the negative and positive impact ofthe pandemic on the church. The negative impacts include loss of human lives, church closure, trauma, and decline in church finance. The positive impacts include survival strategies, promotion of unity, enhanced church/govemment co-operation, and spiritual revival. The paper recommends that the church should innovate ways for survival such as virtual services, collection of church funds through modern banking transactions. These strategies will help the church during the COVID-19 infection period and beyond.
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    IMPACT OF VIOLENT CONFLICTS ON THE CHURCH IN NORTHERN NIGERIA FROM 1980 TO 2019
    (Department of Philosophy and Ethics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2019-01-05) Tama, Suleiman Samuel
    For over two decades now Northern Nigeria has witnessed an escalation of different kinds of violent conflicts. These conflicts often take a religious dimension. They include communal, political, ethnic, and religious conflicts. Other forms of conflicts experienced in Northern Nigeria include ethno­ religious conflicts, herdsmen-farmers crisis, and Boko Haram attacks. This paper based on research on Baptist Churches in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria, examines the effects of these conflicts on the Christians and their churches in Northern Nigeria. It argues that the violent conflicts have impact on the church. It highlights the negative and positive impact of the conflicts on the church. It is predicted that in spite of (he challenges, the church will not die in Northern Nigeria
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    INTERROGATING RELIGION AND HUMAN SECURITY IN NIGERIA
    (DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES FACULTY OF ARTS NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI, 2021-06-14) Tama, Suleiman Samuel; Utsua, Terzungwe Peter
    There is a close relationship between religion and human security; that is, issues related to human well being. This is different from security provided by the state. Whereas much attention has been given to violence associated with religious revival, not much has been done in interrogating the relationship between religion and human welfare in Nigeria. Yet religion is a powerful tool that can contribute to human well being and dignity. This work explores the different ways religious groups in Nigeria engage in activities that advance human welfare. This study argues that Nigeria should not underestimate the power of religious organizations as purveyors of human security. Governments overlook both the importance of human security for their populations and the religious groups who could act as allies in securing the welfare of their people. The study offers a variety of theoretical perspectives on the nuanced relationship between religion and human security. With focus on Christianity, the study provides important suggestions to policy makers of how to begin factoring the influence of religion into their evaluation of a population's human security and into programs designed to improve human security in Nigeria.
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    MIGRATION AND MISSION IN NIGERIA
    (Department of Philosophy and Ethics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2018-09-09) Tama, Suleiman Samuel
    This article provides an historical analysis of the connection between migration and mission or the spread of Christianity in Nigeria using the Yoruba people group as a case study. The paper argues that both external and internal migrations played vital roles in the introduction and spread of Christianity in Nigeria. The consideration of the influence of migration on the spread of Christianity in Nigeria is a major contribution to the growing body of work on the role of migration on mission. Internal migration is widespread in Nigeria but its link with the spread of Christianity has had little attention. In this work, I argue that migration whether forced or voluntary has contributed to the spread of Christianity in Nigeria. Although slavery and other events such as famine and conflicts have forced Nigerians to move out of their dwelling places to new locations, they have provided major opportunities by which many people have encountered Christianity. Migration remains an important agency and non- formal method for the mission endeavour of the contemporary church.
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    Migration, Indigeneship, and Citizenship in Nigeria
    (Department of Philosophy Ethics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2020-11-02) Tama, Suleiman Samuel
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    Negative Ethnicity and Its Impact on Good Governance and Development in Africa
    (Department of Philosophy and Ethics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2019-12-12) Tama, Suleiman Samuel
    Associating the poor state of development of African countries to reasons of colonialism is no more plausible. This is because almost all of these countries have gained political independence and are self-governing. Like African countries, China, Hong Kong, India and South Korea were colonized. But after their independence, because of purposeful leadership, sheer determination and forthrightness, today, they have recorded discernable developments. While colonialism might have militated against the development of African nations in the past, this paper argues that the negative ethnicity is a key factor today impacting negatively on good governance with resultant underdevelopment. The paper argues that multi-ethnic nature of most African nations has rich resources which could contribute to good governance if properly harnessed. The paper recognizes that today competitive ethnicity is the bane for bad governance and conflicts in some African countries. By employing a descriptive-historical approach the paper draws a lot from historical antecedents of ethnic challenges in Africa from available literature. It also examines ways the multiple talents and capabilities that abound in multi-ethnic Africa could be utilized for its development through good governance.
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    Religion as a Tool for National Integration and Development in Nigeria
    (Department of Philosophy and Ethics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2019-01-01) Tama, Suleiman Samuel
    Nigeria is a country of much diversity the most prominent of which are religious and ethnic diversities. Religious diversity has the potentials if properly harnessed can contribute immensely to the integration and development of the country. Unfortunately this is not the case. Today this factor is not only threatening the foundation of the unity of Nigeria achieved at independence, but is contributing to the underdevelopment of the country. This paper examines the intrinsic role and connection between religion and national integration and development. It argues that under normal circumstances, religion can play a far reaching role in social and economic transformation of societies. Economic activi-ties are often driven by people who for the most part are controlled by religious attitudes, beliefs, participations, practices, rituals, behaviors, etc. The paper also opines that the three main religions in Nigeria- African Traditional Religion, Islam and Christianity have some good aspects and qualities in them that can contribute to the development of Nigeria. It recommends that these good aspects can be used to enhance national integration and development.
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    Survival strategies of Internal Diaspora Churches in Northern Nigeria
    (Department of Philosophy and Ethics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2017-11-11) Tama, Suleiman Samuel
    This study investigates the survival strategies of Yoruba-speaking Baptist congregations in Northern Nigeria for over a century. The Yoruba members and their churches in Kaduna represent a double minority- in terms both of their ethnicity and also of their religious affiliation as Christians in the region. Yet, they stay where they are and have been able to uphold their Christian identity in an environment that seems to be hostile. The paper analyses the different coping methods and strategies that these Yoruba Baptist churches have adopted in order to survive in the northern region since their founding beginning from 1911. The recent rise of religious tensions in Northern Nigeria has forced the migration of Yoruba and other non-indigenous northerners to other places in southern Nigeria considered to be safe. This is threatening the existence of these churches. The paper argues that one way of ensuring their survival and continuous existence is for the congregations to draw their membership from a broad spectrum of Nigerian ethnic communities. This may require them to change the language of worship; a change of identity which itself may not be easy to navigate.