Development

ACCELERATING THE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE WELFARE COMMUNITY IN THE LAND OF PAPUA (Published)

Papua like “beautiful flower garden” in the east of Indonesia, filled with all the work and the creator of universe creation, people often dubbed as “little heaven fell to the earth” (land of paradise). Soil rich with a variety of natural resources, both living, growing and contained therein, although it has been exploited in such a way, along with the development of modern human civilization, but because of the large reserves of natural resources on earth Papua keep it beautiful like a bird of Cenderawasih. However the ironic by the fact that there is in Papua today. Called ironic because so many policies imposed in Papua to overcome the existing problems but the reality is far from what is expected. This paper focuses on how the accelerated development for the welfare of society in Papua. This paper consists of three sections: the first section Introduction, discussed the general overview of Papua, Images reality of people’s lives in Papua, and the problems faced by the people in Papua. The second part of the discussion, discuss How accelerated development for the welfare of society in Papua, and the third part of the conclusion. Hopefully what is presented in this paper can be brought into a better understanding of the accelerated development for the welfare of society in Papua

Keywords: Development, Papua

THE LEGISLATURE AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE (Published)

Controversy shrouds the role of Nigerian Legislature in national development. Though some believe that the legislature has contributed significantly to the development of the nation, many others are of the view that since from its inception as a sovereign state legislature in Nigeria has not shown a significant and genuine commitment to the social, economic and political wellbeing of the country. This work assesses the role of Nigerian legislature in national development. The work is of the view that legislature is a veritable instrument and institution for national development whose effectiveness is determined by some local variables. The descriptive-diachronic methodology was used in comprehending and interpreting the role of the legislature in national development. For Nigerian legislature to be instrument of national development, the work suggests among others the need for moral politicians.

Keywords: Corruption, Development, Legislature, Morality

RELIGION AND HUMAN RIGHTS: SEARCHING FOR A MUTUAL GROUND FOR DEVELOPMENT (Published)

In practical terms, religion and human rights are understood to be performing similar functions in respect of human development. The relationship between religion and human rights is on one side problematic and on the other, unavoidable in all parts of the world (as religion is a universal phenomenon). Broadly defined, religion involves what is sacred and transcends human knowledge. Human rights which seek to provide assorts of protection has also developed to received global attention. Human rights norms are inherently abstract ideals which depend on the visions and values of human communities to get its content and coherence. Traditional African concept of man emphasizes the spiritual dimension of human rights that must be heeded to. Western thought of ‘human rights’ seems to emphasise the ‘rights’ rather’ than the ‘human’. Human rights consist of two categories (human and rights) which need equal concentration. In view of this the paper explores the interaction of religious ideas and institutions in the wake to promote the rights of humans for sustainable development. Wherever religion appears to be a guiding principle in the lives of individuals and communities, it seems of obvious relevance to consider how it might be employed to further the course of equal rights for all. The paper objectively purports religion as an inherent condition of human lives which invariably provides the sources and scales of dignity and responsibility, respect and restitution that human rights need to survive and flourish

Keywords: Development, Dignity, Human Rights, Human Society, Religion.

REVOLUTIONARY AESTHETICS IN SEMBENE OUSMANE’S GOD’S BITS OF WOOD (Published)

Literature is not just a piece of writing, which only entertains. It also performs some other functions such as teaching moral lessons and healing souls. Literature has turned out to be a medium of appending contemporary or conventional realities through the exposition of the socio-cultural and political experiences of a given society; since it (literature) is a product of a particular human society. A creative art is designed to x-ray life, with a view to display human experiences, feelings, imaginations, observations, predictions and suggestions for realistic purposes. Literature is one of the major weapons for class and/or societal struggles. This paper focuses on societal issues raised in Sembène Ousmane’s God’s bits of wood Marxist theory of violence is our theoretical framework in evaluating the writer’s preoccupations. As its purpose, the paper makes it bold to validate the fact that art and society are two interlocking entities. It is obvious that the oppressed in Sembène Ousmane’s God’s bits of wood are well mobilized and they behave as true agents of positive social transformation. They are very effective in the reconstruction agenda demonstrated in the novel. The paper ends by identifying the fundamental systemic challenges, which confront African societies during the colonial period and even now in the perceived global village and the writer is seen as one who embraces his environment and time very religiously in his artistic creation with a view to solving some common societal problems. Literature, therefore, is capable of activating and promoting the expected development in human societies.

Keywords: Art, Capitalism, Colonialism, Development, Protest

EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN CHRISTIAN MISSIONS AND NIGERIA’S NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (1840-1960) (Review Completed - Accepted)

The socio-economic conditions of Africa during the advent of the European and American Christian missions were deplorable and piteous. This was particularly the case with that part of the continent that was later named Nigeria by the British colonial authority. To help or not to help the people economically therefore became one of the greatest problems of the missionaries owing to the vastness of the area and the large population of the people occupying it. Nevertheless, the missionaries saw the socio-economic assistance to the less-privileged and poor natives as a missionary imperative. The solution was found in the system of indirect socio-economic assistance of the converts. This was inherent in the works of all the missionary groups that brought the Christian gospel to Africa. Thus, the Christian missions laboured to develop the Nigerian nation since the 19th century. The main thrust of this paper is to objectively evaluate the general impacts of the establishment of Christian missions in Nigeria on her people and nationhood. It is aimed at challenging the Christian leaders of today to re-appraise their commitment to the social aspect of the Church’s call. While using an analytical and descriptive historical approach to the study of the activities of the Christian missions in Nigeria between the 19th and the 20th centuries, this research has discovered that the contributions of the European and American missionaries who undertook pioneer missionary work in the country have been under-estimated in earlier historical records. The missionaries actually contributed immensely to the development of Nigerians individually and corporately in many areas including Education, Medicare, Agriculture and Commerce.

Keywords: Christian, Development, Education, Missions, National

THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDIGENOUS MUSICAL STYLE IN THE METHODIST CHURCH-GHANA (1835-PRESENT) (Published)

The paper defines the primary influences on the body of music used in the Methodist Church-Ghana currently. This definition traces the historical and musical developments of a number of musical styles that have become indigenous to the church. These styles include the vernacular translations of the Western hymns used by missionaries as early as 1835, the Ebibindwom (Akan Sacred lyrics), the body of music that allowed hand clapping and the use of traditional music instruments, as well as the highlife-influenced praise and worship songs. Other styles are the choir and singing band music, which have emerged from many sources. The writer draws his conclusions based on visits to various cathedrals and his own experience as a born and bred Methodist chorister. Inferences are drawn from the major influences on the music of the church and the developments that have culminated in the different musical styles that currently constitute the musical picture of the Ghanaian Methodist Church.

Keywords: Development, Ebibindwom (Akan Sacred Lyrics), Ghana, Indigenous, Methodist Church, Musical Style

The Development of an Indigenous Musical Style in the Methodist Church-Ghana (1835-Present) (Review Completed - Accepted)

The paper defines the primary influences on the body of music used in the Methodist Church-Ghana currently. This definition traces the historical and musical developments of a number of musical styles that have become indigenous to the church. These styles include the vernacular translations of the Western hymns used by missionaries as early as 1835, the Ebibindwom (Akan Sacred lyrics), the body of music that allowed hand clapping and the use of traditional music instruments, as well as the highlife-influenced praise and worship songs. Other styles are the choir and singing band music, which have emerged from many sources. The writer draws his conclusions based on visits to various cathedrals and his own experience as a born and bred Methodist chorister. Inferences are drawn from the major influences on the music of the church and the developments that have culminated in the different musical styles that currently constitute the musical picture of the Ghanaian Methodist Church.

Keywords: Development, Ebibindwom (Akan Sacred Lyrics), Ghana, Indigenous, Methodist Church, Musical Style

Perspectives on Community Media and Rural Development in Nigeria (Published)

This paper takes a look on perspectives on community media and rural development in Nigeria. It espouses the view that community media are well appreciated by the people because they are well ‘bonded’ with them. Anchored on the agenda setting and agenda building theories, the paper articulates the view that community media are well suited to the needs and aspirations of the communities they serve, thereby promoting development in various aspects. In achieving their objectives, community media are constrained by financial inadequacy, political interference, illiteracy and low patronage, among others. In order to ameliorate some of the difficulties, it is recommended that prospective investors come together and invest in community media; community media should and endeavour to effectively cover their areas while ensuring that they are run professionally. Government, it was also suggested, should intervene in the economic affairs of the rural dwellers so as to empower them for greater participation in the affairs of their environment.

Keywords: Community Media, Development, Development Communication

Theoretical Approaches to the Understanding of African Politics and the Challenges of Development (Published)

The paper discusses conceptual and theoretical approaches to African politics such as the Modernization School; Marxian School; and the Statist School of thought vis-à-vis development and underdevelopment paradigm. The paper uncovers critical argument in various schools of thought, the variables that have caused relative development and severe-underdevelopment in African society at present and in the past respectively. Using Nigeria as a point of departure and melting-point, it will critically and objectively identify the problems and challenges of development in Africa and offer suggestions that will move Africa further along the path of development. However, the paper concluded with statist school of thought attributing underdevelopment (poverty, unemployment, communal clashes, the rise of ethnic militia and militancy and so no) due to the problem of corruption and failure of governmental policies implementation in African, in a phrase bad leadership.

Keywords: Development, Marxian, Modernization, Statist And Corruption, Underdevelopment