698 research outputs found
Proverbs 4:10–19 and the growing spate of Internet fraud amongst Nigerian youths
Get PDFThis research article examines the increasing spate of youths who engage in fraudulent Internet activities in Nigeria in the light of Proverbs 4:10–19. Nigerian youths are fast becoming impatient with their quest for wealth. This had led many of them to engage in high-level fraudulent Internet activities. It has come to a point where Internet fraudsters opened schools to teach prospecting youths how to make money fast. The circle keeps expanding on a daily basis. Their victims include the rich, the poor and unsuspecting foreigners. The study findings revealed that the spate of Internet fraud has continued to increase because more youths are willing to engage in such activities and other cybercrimes to make fast wealth, so that they can feel pride among other youths and the society. Proverbs 4:10–19 provide a lucid response to this sad development.
Contribution: In the light of Proverbs 4:10–19, Nigerian youths are advised not to join evildoers because their path of wickedness ends in darkness and unhappiness
Patronage and experiences of sexually abused Christian teenagers in “baby factories” in Nigeria
No full textThis study examines the experiences and challenges that Christian teenagers who have been enslaved in baby factories are going through. The interviews for the study were conducted from 2022–2023 in Nigeria. Delta, Port Harcourt, and Enugu were chosen as the study areas because of the various cases of baby factory businesses that have been discovered in these areas. The study consisted of 19 teenagers who served as informants. The informants were between ages 10 and 30. This qualitative study was conducted with a critical discourse analysis (CDA) approach. Findings reveal that the factors that led to increased patronage of baby factories include less stringent requirements at baby factories, barren couples, no monitoring after adoption of the child, Christian teenagers lured under the deception of better lifestyles, and poverty. Also, the findings show that, as part of the experiences and challenges of teenagers in baby factories, some are forced to have sex with the men,their child is forcefully taken away, the teenager looks unhealthy and malnourished, she is not allowed to attend formal education, and she is paid less when she gives birth to a girl child compared to when she gives birth to a boy child. Recommendations were discussed
‘Young people think with their eyes’: Proverbs 1:8–19 and cultism in Warri, Delta State
Get PDFA theological response to the crisis of cult-related activities in Warri is imminent, considering the increasing number of young people joining the group on a daily basis. Proverbs 1:8–19 presents important aphorisms from a wise father to his son, emphasising the importance of avoiding evil company and rejecting the enticement of those who engage in evil behaviour. A literary analysis of the study text reveals three structures: the call to listen (vv. 8–9), peer pressure (vv. 10–16), and consequences for evil-doers and partakers of evil (vv. 17–19). The findings of this study reveal that this thematic analysis forms the basis for young people to join cults and even dropping out of school to practise cultism. The father in the pericope spoke wisely, urging his son not to follow the wrong path and join a bad gang, but to follow the right path that would lead to a happy life, both now and in the future. This study adopted literary criticism. As a recommendation, it is important to conduct mass sensitisation in schools and churches, where young people can be informed about the long and short-term consequences of joining cult groups.
Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: Notwithstanding the father’s counsel, it depends on the son to be wise or foolish. Parents in Warri would be considered wise if they are able to warn their children against cultism and not use their cultists’ children to harass others. Old Testament and Practical Theology were implicated in the study
The Sociology of Oil Bunkering and the Role of Religious Leaders in the Niger Delta, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study examines oil bunkering in the Niger Delta and investigates the potential role of religious leaders in mitigating its environmental impacts in Nigeria. Oil spills from multinational oil companies have generated enormous negative impacts on the environment and vulnerable communities in the Niger Delta region. Most existing literature on climate change in the Niger Delta focuses predominantly on the activities of multinational oil companies, particularly regarding oil spills and gas flaring practices. This study extends the scholarly discourse by examining the negative impacts of illegal oil bunkering on the worsening climate crisis in the Niger Delta and investigating the potential interventional role of religious leaders in mitigating these environmental challenges. Data were obtained from personal and direct observations, key informant interviews (KII), and relevant academic literature. The findings reveal that oil bunkering has polluted streams, rivers, and lakes, degraded farm lands to the point of infertility, led to the death of aquatic animals, and contributed to the rising cases of respiratory and reproductive health problems in the Niger Delta. Religious leaders can influence public perception and discourage oil bunkering by preaching against such illegal activities and highlighting their environmental and societal harm. Additionally, religious leaders should organise workshops and seminars to educate communities about the long-term consequences of oil bunkering, thereby promoting a culture of environmental responsibility and stewardship
Joseph’s Strategic Planning Skills: A Substitution of Family Firm and Opportunism in the Evolution of Governance Mechanism
Get PDFJoseph’s strategic skills saved the Egyptian people from the plight of famine. The model he proposed is an analytical one. Pharaoh and his cabinet members considered his advice to be very productive, so they named him as the leader of the economic team. Over time, Joseph was caught up between paying allegiance to his family and the welfare of Egyptians, who chose him for this position. This paper examines the strategic policy process of Joseph’s leadership. Its results are used as a guide in analysing the problem of policy failure in Nigeria. Nigerian economy continues to dwindle due to the lack of effective strategic planning, improper analysing and implementation of economic plans
Pentecostal church growth in Nigeria amid Roman Catholicism
Get PDFBackground: The Roman Catholic Church is believed to have the largest membership. However, the recent growth in Pentecostalism tends to show the strategies that have been adopted by Pentecostal churches in drawing members from the Roman Catholic Church in Nigeria. Although literature has been written on the growth of Pentecostalism in Nigeria, scholars are yet to explain how the growth of Pentecostalism has been influenced by the inflow of Roman Catholic members in Nigeria.
Objectives: This article examines how Pentecostal churches draw their membership from the Roman Catholic Church in Nigeria.
Method: This study is a qualitative one, with data obtained from secondary literature. This includes journals, textbooks and gazettes. Discourse analysis was used to analyse the data.
Results: Findings show that some of the factors that have led to this exchange include: (1) signs, wonders and testimonials; (2) casting out of demons; (3) preaching against poverty; (4) allowing one’s potential to grow, among others.
Conclusion: The youth, who seem to be overambitious in exercising their talents, seem comfortable with the model that Pentecostal churches provide for self-exhortation and manifestation. This has sustained the upsurge in the number of youths combining both Roman Catholicism and Pentecostalism in Nigeria.
Contribution: The absence of a focus on the prosperity gospel, exorcism of demons, and the presentation of miraculous signs and wonders through publicly broadcasted testimonies within the Roman Catholic Church were found to provide Pentecostal churches with a distinct advantage in attracting members
They have killed your prophets: Roman Catholic Church priests in Nigeria and (non)state actors
Get PDFThis article examines why Roman Catholic priests are targeted by kidnappers and Islamic extremists in Nigeria. Although there have been studies carried out on kidnapping in Nigeria, to the best of the researcher’s knowledge, the literature on why Roman Catholic Church priests are targets of kidnappers in Nigeria is difficult to find. In this study, the literature was extended to this area. Data were collected through classified documents from national and international gazettes and periodicals and analysed using documentary analysis. According to the findings, Roman Catholic priests are heavily involved in citizen education and human rights awareness in Nigeria and command media attention whenever they are attacked. Furthermore, the huge financial returns from the priests and their active participation in politics are other motivating factors for their present victim status. The recommendations are also discussed.
Contribution: Roman Catholic priests of Nigeria are targeted because of their active participation in politics, their efforts to strengthen Christianity in Nigeria, their role in educating citizens about their rights and privileges, and the large ransoms obtained from the relatives of these priests when they are kidnapped. These circumstances have practical implications for theology
‘David found Ziklag burned with fire’: Assessing ecoterrorism in a multireligious Nigeria
Get PDFThis article examines the phenomenon of ecoterrorism in Nigeria and the roles of faith-based communities in curbing ecoterrorism. In Nigeria, there have been numerous cases of ecoterrorism, committed by Fulani herdsmen against the indigenous populations. Literature has laid emphasis on ecoterrorism, with its implications for faith-based organisations (FBOs) sidelined. The phenomenon of ecoterrorism started in the Old Testament, when David and his men burned Ziklag with fire, destroying the houses, farmlands, and other properties there. From the documentary analysis, findings reveal that there are divergent reasons given for the prevalence of ecoterrorism in Nigeria. Firstly, it is believed that the Fulani herdsmen have the ambition of taking over the lands of non-Fulani people. Secondly, it is alleged, especially by Christians, that the ecoterrorism that is being carried out by Fulani herdsmen is an attempt to enforce Islam on the entire populace. Thirdly, a lack of education on pastoralism has sustained ecoterrorism in Nigeria. Also, the results indicate that ecoterrorism affects women, children, and property more than any terrorist attack. Recommendations are discussed.
Contribution: Ecoterrorism is one of the leading factors of poverty, famine, and abuse in Nigeria, and it also affects farmers, especially those in rural areas. Practical theology was implicated in this study
Is the Christian Religion a Conservative Force in the midst of Religious Corruption in Nigeria?
No full textThe paper examines the disadvantages that the activities of Christian leaders in the church are doing to the growth of adherents of the Christian religion. In contemporary Nigerian society, it could be seen that religion is losing its place as a means of ethical control. It was discovered that Christian leaders have in recent times being involved in financial misappropriation of their respective churches funds, and sexual abuse, especially ofchildren. The descriptive phenomenological method of qualitative research was utilized in this paper. As part of the recommendation, it is the job of religious leaders to restore the dignity of religion as a conservative force, such as putting emphasis on the moral aspect of religious practices and avoiding formatting religion to suit their selfish aim at the detriment of their followers. Also, a punishment should be meted out to any erring Christian leader
Where elders cry, the young laugh: Proverbs 3:31–35 and the examining of malpractice in Nigeria
Get PDFThis article examines Proverbs 3:31–35 in the exam malpractice crisis ravaging secondary schools in Nigeria. Proverbs 3:31–35 has the central thesis of the call to avoid the company of evildoers and the blessings of going on the right path. Scholars have approached the issue of examination malpractice from an economic, social and psychological lens. In this study, the Old Testament was used as the lens for tackling the situation. This is a qualitative study using the rhetorical method. The data were obtained from the Bible, Bible commentaries, gazettes, journal articles and other periodicals. Emerged themes include: (1) warning not to join bad people; (2) consequences of the warning and (3) end point of one’s decision. Exam misconduct reflects deeper societal concerns such as corruption, weak regulatory enforcement and the temptation to succeed at any cost.
Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: Proverbs 3:31–35 has shown that the increasing number of graduates who cannot defend their certificates and corruption is caused by the blatant and obscene nature of exam malpractice in Nigeria. Old Testament and Practical Theology were implicated in the study
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