CHURCH OF GOD AND THE EDUCATED ELITE: THE CASE OF IDAKHO COMMUNITY KENYA, 1919-1953 (Published)
The basic aim of this research is to investigate the role of the Church of God educated elite in the social transformation among the Idakho of Kakamega County in Kenya. It is based on the analysis of local written sources, oral sources and archival materials. With the establishment of Christianity in Idakho, Church of God Missionaries quickly realized that in order for Christianity to gain acceptance there was need for social transformation among the Idakho. Their culture had to be transformed through imparting western cultural attributes to the converts in an attempt to undermine their culture. Consequently Church of God missionaries employed a secular policy through the provision of education as an approach to reinforce evangelization and to win converts. The church’s secular policy led to the emergence of pioneer teacher evangelists and educated elite which had comparatively well paid jobs as professional teachers, clerks, local administrators and members of the local councils. These pioneer educated elite and their children consolidated their social and economic power, both in the church and the Kenyan Government and used their leadership positions to harness economic influence in Idakho.
Keywords: Christianity, Church of God, Educated Elite, Education, Idakho
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
Knowledge Of Infant Nutritional Needs Among Residents Of Nsukka Cultural Zone Of Enugu State, Nigeria (Review Completed - Accepted)
Most children in Nigeria fall sick as a result of eating inappropriate food for a long period of time. Studies have shown that poor nutrition prevents children and communities from participating fully in social and economic life. In view of the above, the study examined the knowledge of infant nutritional needs among residents of Nsukka cultural zone in Enugu State, Nigeria.. Ten focus group discussions (FGDS) were held with 6 groups of mothers and 4 groups of fathers comprising young and old groups. The data were processed and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (Spss). The study found that many families are not aware that they can mash carrot, potato and cucumber and mix with meat broth and spoon feed their children. The findings highlighted the need to employ education to correct many of these cultural practices in infant feeding practices mostly found in rural Nigeria.
Keywords: Child health, Education, Knowledge, Malnutrition, Nutritional needs, The Nigeria, infant mortality