Dr.(Mrs.) EGWUANIKWU MARY IFECHUKWUDE
Publication Title Reformation of the Almajiri through Formal Education: A Pathway to Countering Religious Conflicts in Nigeria
Publication Type journal
Publisher International Journal of Religious and Cultural Practice E-ISSN 2579-0501 P-ISSN 2695-219X,
Publication Authors Egwuanikwu Mary Ifechukwude, Ph.D, Egwuanikwu Ifeanyi Gibson, Ph.D
Year Published 2021-02-02
Abstract Religious conflicts have become very rampant in Nigeria, especially in Northern part of the
country. A large proportion of these crises have been traced to religious bigotry, intolerant
attitude of some religious fundamentalists towards adherents of other religion, as well as
some politicians who exploit religious sentiments for their selfish interest. Unfortunately, the
vulnerable Almajirai have become easy tools for such misguided mission. The main thrust of
this paper therefore, is to examine formal education as a catalyst for reforming the Almajirai
as a means of countering religious conflicts in Nigeria. The study employed historical
analytical method and considered formal educations to have the capacity to reorient ate and
enlighten the Almajirai to be morally sound, tolerant, and productive in order to promote
peace and stability in Nigeria. It also examined Government strategies for the rehabilitation
of these vulnerable children, and identified persistent cultural and religious challenges
coupled with poor funding as major impediments to the policy. The paper therefore
recommended that Government should collaborate with non-Governmental agencies to
properly supervise the policy, embark on public enlightenment to disabuse the minds of the
Almajirai on erroneous cultural beliefs; employ qualified teachers, provide adequate funding
for the programme, and equally include religious education in the school curriculum for moral instructions.
Publication Title THE INTERFACE BETWEEN SECULARISM AND RELIGIOUS PLURALISM IN NIGERIAN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Publication Type journal
Publisher International Journal of Theology and Reformed Tradition
Publication Authors Ofili, Mary Ifechukwude
Year Published 2021-03-03
Abstract Nigeria is a heterogeneous society comprising people of different
religious and cultural affiliations. It is the most populous black nation
with a constitution which portrays it as a secular state. Ideally,
secularism depicts the separation of politics from religion for effective
governance. Ironically, the three principal religious groups in Nigeria:
African Traditional Religion (ATR), Christianity, and Islam tend to
meddle with the political affairs of the country due to their dogged
nature. Obviously, as a faith-based process, religion has the capacity to
influence its adherents, but that precludes violation of stipulated
regulation. This article therefore explores how religious pluralism
constitutes an impediment to effective operation of secularism in
Nigeria, which in consequence impedes the development of the nation.
The significance of the study is to enhance unity in diversity through
religious tolerance, for economic, political and all-round development
in the country. The research adopted historical and descriptive method.
It discovered that the collaboration between state and religious groups
have often resulted in the domination of state affairs by religious
sycophants. Consequently, there has been the emergence of religious
fundamentalist groups fermenting religious crises and indiscriminate
destruction of lives and properties. The study advocates the amendment
of the constitution and the removal of the ambiguities that obstruct the
full implementation of secularism in Nigeria. Also, effort should be
made to dissociate religion from politics for effective governance,
peaceful coexistence and growth of the nation.
Publication Title Nehemiah’s Leadership Strategies in Reconstructing Jerusalem: An Indispensable Clue for Restructuring Nigeria for Sustainable Development
Publication Type journal
Publisher OCRES : Journal of Christian Religious Studies. A Publication of the Department of Christian Religious Studies, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Lagos – Nigeria. ISSN : 2276- 7231
Publication Authors Ofili, Mary Ifechukwude
Year Published 2021-03-03
Abstract Effective leadership is very essential in every society because it ignites and entrenches sustainable development. The concept of leadership as exemplified by Nehemiah is so vital that it emphasizes the essence of leadership. Political leaders in contemporary Nigeria tend to invert or subvert leadership thereby denying its positive principles. Leadership is one of the greatest challenges of mankind, and in recent times in Nigeria, issues that pertain to leadership have engendered a National discourse and clamour for restructuring. There is a general consensus that Nigeria, an acclaimed Federal State has not attained true Federalism since its inception in 1954 due to bad leadership. The greatest challenge to restructuring in Nigeria is lack of patriotic and dogged leaders like Nehemiah who will mobilize as well as motivate the political juggernauts and the entire masses to rebuild this great nation irrespective of stiff opposition from dissident elements. It is therefore, the aim of this paper to scrutinize the leadership strategies of Nehemiah in reconstructing Jerusalem and obtain clues for restructuring Nigeria for sustainable development. The paper adopts historical approach and highlights the outstanding leadership qualities of Nehemiah with which he transformed Jerusalem such as participatory leadership and selfless service. Thus, the paper proposes that Nigerian political leaders should appoint men of impeccable characters to oversee the affairs of the nation and engage in dialogue with the masses to assuage their grievances. Also, issues pertaining to restructuring such as devolution of power, resource control; rearrangement of local government, states to appease the minorities’ and other aspects should be considered. A careful application of these facts will enhance great achievement of good leadership, unity and sustainable development in Nigeria.
Publication Title Contextualization of Matthew 8:17 as a Therapeutic Response to Covid-19 Pandemic in Nigeria
Publication Type journal
Publisher • Abraka Humanities Review : Journal of the Faculty of Arts. ISSN 0795 – 1639, EISSN:2795-3726
Publication Authors Egwuanikwu, Mary Ifechukwude & Okoh Blessing Uenosen
Year Published 2021-03-03
Abstract COVID–19 pandemic overwhelmed the entire world, and consequently created panic in the
social space. This disease which originated in Wuhan, China, stretched its tentacles across the
globe, including Nigeria which is one of the most vulnerable African nations due to the low
standard of her healthcare system. The havoc wreaked on humanity worldwide and the
plausibility of its spread posed great insecurity to human existence and restricted relationships.
At the moment, there is no known cure for this pandemic, caused by the Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome Virus. It is a very contagious disease that is transmitted through contact
with droplets from an infected person. Sadly, vaccination cannot completely eradicate the
coronavirus. The study aims to assess the socio-religious implications of COVID–19 Pandemic
and to apply Matthew 8:17 as a panacea for this disease. The research employed historical,
descriptive, analytical, and exegetical methods. The paper concludes that the virus is still in
existence, hence the possibility of a new stream of eruption. Thus, by connecting Jesus' healing
authority to Isaiah's prophecy, Matthew shows that Jesus, the sovereign king, has the power of
God to overcome all plagues, pains and struggles of man. Through his sacrificial death, he
addressed the root problem, which is sin, so that man can be free from its consequences. The
paper, therefore, recommends reliance on the spiritual cum faith remedy that Christianity
offers, as buttressed in Matthew 8:17 to checkmate further outbreaks of the disease. In addition,
Government should ensure that individuals comply with the vaccination exercise to curtail the
spread of the virus.
Publication Title Students and Teachers Perception on the Efficacy of Christian Religious Education in Curbing Examination Malpractice
Publication Type journal
Publisher Journal of Academics: A Multidisciplinary Journal. ISSN 1597 – 9083
Publication Authors Okafor Mary Ifechukwude
Year Published 2012-12-12
Abstract Examination malpractice is a national malady that poses great threat to contemporary Nigerian Education; hence it requires a drastic solution. The paper examined the causes and consequences of examination malpractice as well as the roles of religion in curbing this social malaise. Three research questions were generated. The sample consisted of two hundred and twenty (220) respondents from four secondary schools in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State randomly selected to complete a six (6) item questionnaire on Students and Teachers Perceptions on the Efficacy of Christian Religious Education in Curbing Examination Malpractice. The data was analyzed and discussed using frequency counts and chi-square (X2) statistical analysis. Findings indicated that moral decadence in the society is a major factor that contributes to examination fraud and that Government effort to curb the vice has not had any meaningful effect. It was also revealed that inculcation of moral values to the youths through Christian Religious Instruction is a possible solution to this problem. Several recommendations were projected with emphasis on making Christian Religious Studies compulsory in Secondary Schools and exposure of students to enlightenment campaign on the implications of examination malpractice.