Nigerians are troubled about the capability of political institutions in Nigeria to curb religious threats, thus maintaining security with minimum damage in preventing the occurrence of religious eruptions. The study examines the debate on institutionalizing the Islamic Law referred to as Sharia at the Federal level. The book ascertains the impact of religion (and ethnicity) on the Nigerian political institutions especially the Executive arm of the Government. The study examines the 1977 and 1988 Sharia debates at the Constituent Assemblies. Specific issues were addressed in the book, such as the Organization of Islamic Conference, Federal Government appointments, religious pilgrimages, the use of Arabic on Nigerian currencies, public holidays, work-free Friday, and the religious leaders, which affected the peaceful coexistence among Nigerians since the 1977 Sharia debate at the Constituent Assembly. The findings revealed that Nigerians were discontented with their political leaders over the use of religion in the public places. In addition to that, some Nigerian religious leaders infiltrated intra- and interreligious conflicts in Nigeria. However, the prospect of Nigeria as a nation lies with the leadership and followership. The study concludes that people's mentality determines the type of leaders they want, which is responsible for Nigeria's self-inflicted problems.

Islam in Contemporary Africa: On Violence, Terrorism and Development features essays which are written by scholars, Christians and Muslims, on their experience of Islam and the Muslims in the continent of Africa and how tterrorism and violence have impacted intra-African harmony and cross-cultural understanding in the world today. The authors, most of whom reflect the cultural diversity of the continent particularly in its Eastern, Western and Southern-African contexts, have also tried to grapple with the dynamics which attend the current global war on terror, the Islamic and Christian jurisprudential perspectives to same and the politics of terror in and outside the continent. Perhaps most importantly the essays in this book betray, even though in an eclectic manner, a deep interest in the analyses of the phenomenon of terrorism and its over-all effects on Africa. Specifically the book examines the following as they relate to Violence, Terrorism, Africa's Development and global peace: Jurisprudence Anti-Terrorism Theology History Drugs and Narcotics The Media International Diplomacy Colonialism Intellectual Terrorism Gender and African Value System

This first definitive work on the predomiance of this powerful African deity throughout the ancient world has quickly become a "cult" classic. The evolution of Mami Wata in establishing, shaping and expanding the spiritual and sacerdotal foundation of world religion, reveals also the lost but glorious past of African women's spirituality. Hailed as the new "bible" on the history of African women, this comprehensive well-researched body of work will benefit academics, students, and all who are seeking to fill the missing void in world religious and cultural history. Totaling over 800 pages, it is reccomended that both heavily illustrated (Volumes I & II) be purchased as a set.

First published in 2002. The image of a dragon- magnificent, terrifying, voracious and powerful- is ingrained in our culture. But where di it originate? And how is that people from Africa to China to America picture it the same? An Instinct for Dragons is anthropologist David E. Jones' account of his search for the mysterious birth of this ubiquitous monster. Nit only does virtually every culture in the world have a name for dragons- smok in Polish, tatsu in Japanese, unktena in Cherokee- but dragons everywhere share many of the same characteristics: multiple heads, blazing eyes, earth-shaking roars, fiery breath, and the abduction of princesses. Spanning dragon lore from all paces and periods, Jones scrutinizes sightings and references from dragon inscriptions on cave walls, cliffs and pots to the Loch Ness monster to the Internet. Jones' research is erudite, and his conclusion is stunning; not only is our fear and fascination with dragons a direct result of the predators who threatened our evolution, but humankind is essentially 'hardwired' to believe in the dragon. This book will fascinate any reader interested in the cultural history of this most venerable of monsters.

The African continent is in the midst of a renaissance of monumental proportions... ...As a result, the dawn of the new millennium constitutes an exciting period of change and opportunity for all those interested in the future evolution of the African continent and its peoples (Schraeder, P.J. African Politics and Society (2000: 2) President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, the current Chairman of the African Union, is being associated in a special way with the concept of African renaissance. Mbeki's notion of renaissance is fundamentally "African political renewal and economic regeneration" (Ajulu, R. 2001 in Review of African Political Economy Vol. 24 No. l 87, February: 27-42) The concept of African renaissance, which is in vogue in political and academic circles, encapsulates a vision of rebirth of Africa as the African peoples come to terms with the challenges of the 21st. century. It is a vision that eschews the dictatorships, economic mismanagement, suppression of the civil society and ascendancy of state monopoly of power that have hitherto characterized the operations of post-independence African governments. It is a vision that rejects, according to the Constitutive Act of the African Union, the policy of tolerating in its membership those African leaders who obtain power in their countries undemocratically, unlike the toleration of dictators that characterized the Organization of African Unity, the predecessor of the African Union. This book aims at being part of that vision, and that is why its title is Education for Renaissance in Africa. It aims at showing the centrality of education in the achievement of that vision. Indeed it is obvious to all that African renaissance is primarily a mental achievement or simply an educational achievement. If we are to contribute anything to the political or economic order for the development of Africa we must have acquired certain kinds of knowledge and attitudes that involve commitment to our goals as prerequisites for any action that can change society. However, it is the contention of this book that education for the renaissance of Africa must not be haphazard. It must be conceptualized in a manner that lays foundations for its effective working in the practical order. The philosophy of education envisaged here has to be liberating, characterized by creativity and social commitment, which presupposes social consciousness. Here we define the notions of liberation, creativity and social consciousness, and strives to situate these concepts within a historical trajectory that not only includes Africa but other parts of the world as well. We have tried to show the suppression of African subjectivity during the colonial period with the result that liberation, creativity and social consciousness were inhibited in both the educational and other spheres of life. We argue that humans are radically free and that they need not succumb to this kind of socialization, which has tended to negate their subjectivity. We note in particular that Kenyan educational commissioners have been cognizant of the harm that was done to African subjectivity by the colonial and missionary experience. We also consider to what extent, if any, the philosophy of education as an academic discipline has prepared teachers for the challenging task of making education liberating, creative, and imbued with social consciousness. We suggest ways in which the training of teachers can best fulfill these worthy goals of education. We address the nature of social consciousness, which we consider to be central to the learner's involvement in development of his or her country. We have endeavored to discuss the minimal and heroic forms of consciousness as exemplified in such leaders as Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, and leaders of African liberation struggle. An attempt is made to come to terms with diversity in social consciousness and to seek ways of living on the basis of unity in diversity

Now it’s the monsters’ turn to be scared! The monster hunting continues is the third installment of Monster Hunters Unlimited. This series of tongue-in-cheek handbooks instruct readers on the not-so-deadly art of monster hunting. Complete with comical, full-color art and irreverent narratives based around actual myths, folklore, and legends, Monster Hunters Unlimited: Shape Shifters and Flying Fiends is a must-have book for all young monster hunters.

Like a kaleidoscope, the Caribbean world displays the vibrant colors of its diversity. Ethnic groups from four continents brought their customs and beliefs to this New World. The sheer number of African people brought to the Caribbean islands perpetuated through their spiritual vitality, the central role played by traditional religions in African life. Though they hadn't brought along the material support of their worship, they had buried in their memory other essential supports: memories of gods, of myths, rites, rhythms, tales, legends, proverbs, songs, dances, sculptures, all the fundamental vectors of their religious thought. Through a process of secularization, continuity, adaptation, creation, syncretism and synthesis, these elements helped vitalize the artistic, profane and sacred domains of Caribbean cultures.