STUDIES IN RELIGION, SOCIETY AND HUMAN RELATIONS
The volume is rich in content regarding religion, society, and human relations. The exciting aspect is that the theme was approached from different scholarly perspectives and fields of study. It should be a vade mecum, particularly for scholars of religion, arts, humanities, and social sciences. The quantum of research in each paper is reflected in their references and lines of thought. It befits the personality of Rev. Fr. B.A.C Obiefuna, in whose honour the festschrift is written. He is a versatile academician who believes in probing into issues with rigours of intellectual perspicuity, irresistible patience, and humility. As he retires from active service in the university, it is hoped that the thoughts expressed in this volume will continue to be testimonies of his wide range of connections with the intellectual community and their love for his contributions to the literary world. May the thoughts expressed herein continue to feed him and make him relish his active years, which will not be easily forgotten.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, AND THE FUTURE OF AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT
ENTREPRENEURSHIP, INNOVATION, AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION
It is with profound joy and a deep sense of responsibility that I present this volume of the Proceedings of the 2025 International Conference of the Association for the Promotion of African Studies (APAS), held from Tuesday, 27th May to Thursday, 29th May, 2025, at the Chisco Institute for Transportation Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. The theme of the conference, Shaping Africa's Future: The Impacts of Artificial Intelligence and Entrepreneurship in a Globalised Society, could not have been more timely. It reflects both the anxieties and the aspirations of a continent at the crossroads of technological innovation, cultural preservation, and socio-economic transformation.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, ETHICS, AND INDIGENOUS WISDOM
RETHINKING AFRICA'S CULTURAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL FUTURE
This book brings together chapters that interrogate the intersection of AI with indigenous wisdom, cultural identity, and moral philosophy. It begins with Ndubisi's exploration of African ontogenesis in dialogue with AI, offering a dialectical framework that highlights both the perils of digital colonialism and the promise of cultural resilience. Tasie's study of the Evo Indigenous Religion and governance ethics in Rivers State demonstrates how traditional systems of accountability can enrich the discourse on responsible AI in governance.
SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES
BRINGING THE DIVIDE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
This book brings together scholars, researchers, and practitioners from both domains, showcasing innovative approaches and collaborative efforts that illustrate the power of interdisciplinary synergy. Each contribution serves as a testament to the idea that science and humanities, far from being in opposition, are complementary forces driving human progress.
LEADERSHIP, EDUCATION AND INNOVATION
SHAPING AFRICA'S ROLE IN GLOBAL STABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT
This book is more than a collection of academic papers; it is a call to action for African leaders, educators, and innovators to rise to the occasion and lead the continent toward a future of stability, prosperity, and global relevance. The diverse perspectives and solutions offered within these pages are intended to inspire both thought and action, contributing to a broader discourse on Africa's place in the world and its potential to influence global stability and development.
RELIGION, ETHICS AND SOCIOPOLITICAL DYNAMICS
PERSPECTIVES ON CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN CHALLENGES
This book, Religion, Ethics and Socio-political Dynamics: Perspectives on Contemporary African Challenges, is a vital contribution to the discourse on the complex interrelations between religion, ethics, and socio-political realities in Africa. It is a direct outcome of the 2024 International Conference of the Association for the Promotion of African Studies (APAS), held at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria, from May 22 to 25, 2024. The conference, under the theme "African Heritage and Sustainability in the Global Future," was generously sponsored by the Emmanuel Kanu Educational Foundation.
AFRICAN HERITAGE, IDENTITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
NAVIGATING GLOBALIZATION AND POST-COLONIAL REALITIES
This book is one of the products of the 2024 International Conference of the Association for the Promotion of African Studies (APAS), held at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria, 22 – 25 May, 2024. Immense thanks to the Emmanuel Kanu Educational Foundation for their generous support, which made this conference possible. This work of several chapters by scholars of the Association for the Promotion of African studies, seeks to reclaim, rediscover, and celebrate the beauty, diversity, and complexity of African heritage, culture, and identity. Through the voices, stories, and experiences of Africans across the diaspora sounding in this work, it aims at weaving a tapestry of our shared humanity. It explores the intricate threads of tradition and modernity, the struggles and triumphs, the pain and the joy. It delves into the nuances of identity, belonging, and citizenship, and examines the ways in which our heritage informs our present and shapes our future.
THE HUMANITIES, IDENTITY CONTESTATIONS, SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES IN THE 21ST CENTURY AFRICA
This is the edited Conference Proceedings of the maiden Faculty of Arts National Conference held in May 2023. The Conference which attracted many academic colossus was a milestone turn-around in the academic and administrative leadership of the Faculty under the former Dean; Prof. Okpeh O. Okpeh Jnr. It is a manifestation of the Faculty's engagement with the blueprint of the 3rd Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Shehu Abdul Rahman; the action, service and progressive leader and mentor of the academics and administrators of Fulafia.
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF AUCHI AT TWENTY
GROWTH AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
This book, Auchi Diocese at 20: Growth and Future Directions, published to mark the twentieth anniversary of the Diocese, the twentieth Episcopal anniversary of the Bishop, and the dedication of the Cathedral, is the brainchild of His Lordship, Most Revd. (Dr.) Gabriel G. Dunia. It is a souvenir, which diagnoses and prognoses the growth of the Diocese in her works of evangelization. We are particularly thankful to God Almighty, who is the author of the Diocese and the Bishop whose anniversary we celebrate. We are also grateful to the Bishop: Most Revd. (Dr.) Gabriel G. Dunia for his scholarly inclination in sowing and allowing the idea of a book at the twentieth anniversary of the Diocese to fly. Without him, and of course the grace of God, this monumental piece of literature would have remained an idea in the mind. Worthy of note is the unflinching impart of the 20th anniversary committee headed by Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Peter Egielewa, who ensured the vision of the Diocese and the plans of the Bishop concerning the 20th anniversary became a reality.
DYNAMISM IN ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
This book in your hand is one of the ways to manifest the imperishability of Prof. Eugene Okoye Nwadialor who is currently the Vice Chancellor of Tansian University, Umunya. No doubt, his good and exemplary leadership styles will never be forgotten in human history. It is very important to note that the chapters of this book were not written basically to praise Prof. Nwadialor but purely to state the facts as they are because res ipsalocutor (the matter speaks for itself). The facts about Prof. Nwadialor's leadership styles and human development projects span through Tansian University, Umunya; Federal Polytechnic, Oko; Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam; Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu; Ichi (his home town) and beyond. It is the expected desire of the contributors of this book that as you go through the pages of this book, you will be richly inspired by the person and personality of Prof. Nwadialor. For sure, we can make our society a better place by emulating the excellent qualities of Prof. Nwadialor especially as discussed in this book. Prof. Eugene Okoye Nwadialor is truly a gift to humanity and I cannot but ask God, at least for the sake of the younger generation, to keep him in good health of mind and body so that we can continue to tap from his wealth of experience and knowledge.
HUMANISM, PARANORMALS AND THE AFRICAN IN A CHANGING WORLD
IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CONTEMPORARY NIGERIAN SOCIETY
I am very much elated, humbled and honoured to deliver this inaugural lecture today, 8th November, 2023. Mr. Vice Chancellor, Sir, permit me to recall that on Thursday, 25th May, 2023, while I was at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, attending the 7th International Conference of the Association for the Promotion of African Studies, a colleague of mine called me on phone and exclaimed: "Congratulations, Prof!" While I was still trying to understand the reason for the phone call, he went further to say: "Few minutes ago at the floor of the Senate, the Vice Chancellor announced your promotion to the rank of Professor." I was very dumbfounded and felt like dancing Ikorodo (the native dance of Nsukka culture area). Few minutes later, I started receiving series of congratulatory messages and phone calls from friends and associates. While still at the conference, with congratulatory messages trooping in, the first thought that came to my mind was: "Ejikemeuwa, when are you presenting your inaugural lecture?" And so, I replied to the thought: "Let me collect my promotion letter first." I came back from the conference on Saturday, 27 May, 2023 and on Thursday, 1st June, 2023, I went to the office of the Registrar to collect my letter of promotion. Immediately I collected my letter, I said to myself that the only way to truly congratulate myself is to choose a date to deliver my inaugural lecture. On Tuesday, 6th June, 2023, I wrote a letter to the Chairman of Inaugural Lecture Committee, Prof. C. C. Onochie, JP, requesting to be scheduled to present my inaugural lecture. But since he was not in his office at the time, I went to the office of the Vice Chancellor to give him an advance copy of the letter. To my greatest surprise, immediately the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eugene Okoye Nwadialor, glanced through my letter, he quickly stood up from his seat, shook my hand and exclaimed: "Thank you for making me proud."
THE ECONOMY of LEADERSHIP AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION IN CONTEMPORARY AFRICA
In this festshrift in honour of Very Rev. Prof. Hyacinth Ementa Ichoku, the editors attempted to accommodate the Professor's tremendous fans who meant to honour him with article contributions, but it must be acknowledged that it is not possible to accommodate all. In this historical piece, the contributions reflect the labours of Prof. Ichoku in the areas Economics, Higher Education and Sustainable Development in 21st Century Africa.
ECONOMICS, HIGHER EDUCATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN 21ST CENTURY AFRICA
At the wake of the year 2023, a college of those who have benefited from the goodwill, tutelage and friendship of Very Rev. Prof. Hyacinth Ementa Ichoku came together and decided on a worthwhile venture, that is, doing a Festshrift in his honour. This led to the publication of a call for papers across the nation. Several papers came in from across Nigeria and beyond, such that even after the expiration of the date for the acceptance of papers several others came in. This is apropos and not surprising given the broad nature of the personality of Very Rev. Prof. Hyacinth Ementa Ichoku whose university of goodwill, tutelage and friendship cuts across several boundaries and resides in unanticipated venues.
AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS IN A GLOBAL COMMUNITY
The 2023 international conference of the Association for the Promotion of African Studies was held at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, with the theme: Africa In The Global Community: Landmark Achievements, Setbacks And Future Developments. The conference focused on the relationship between Africa and the global community. The conference aimed to retell the African story in a unique African manner. This is very important as the African continent has been presented and described in the global space, most times negatively and by non-Africans. This APAS conference, therefore, told the story of Africa from within Africa and in rare African voices - to counter erroneous ideas and projections about Africa. At this conference, African progressive visionaries across the continent reflected critically and discussed theoretical and empirical perspectives on African landmark achievements, setbacks and future developments. The multidisciplinary conference facilitated conversations across a broad spectrum of disciplines, including pure science and technology, management, humanities, social sciences, and arts, among others. This multidisciplinary approach generated robust engagements and enabled the forging of ambitious but concrete paths that will catalyse Africa’s prosperity. The present work on African Philosophy And Religious Traditions In a Global Community is a collection of papers presented at the conference bordering on African philosophy and religious traditions. Through this piece, the Conference shares the fruits of her research with the rest of the academic community.
AFRICAN THEOLOGY AND CULTURAL IDENTITY IN A GLOBAL COMMUNITY
The 2023 international conference of the Association for the Promotion of African Studies was held at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, with the theme: Africa In The Global Community: Landmark Achievements, Setbacks And Future Developments. The conference focused on the relationship between Africa and the global community. The conference aimed to retell the African story in a unique African manner. This is very important as the African continent has been presented and described in the global space, most times negatively and by non-Africans. This APAS conference, therefore, told the story of Africa from within Africa and in rare African voices - to counter erroneous ideas and projections about Africa. At this conference, African progressive visionaries across the continent reflected critically and discussed theoretical and empirical perspectives on African landmark achievements, setbacks and future developments. The multidisciplinary conference facilitated conversations across a broad spectrum of disciplines, including pure science and technology, management, humanities, social sciences, and arts, among others. This multidisciplinary approach generated robust engagements and enabled the forging of ambitious but concrete paths that will catalyse Africa’s prosperity. The present work on African Theology And Cultural Identity In a Global Community is a collection of papers presented at the conference bordering on African theology and cultural identity. Through this piece, the Conference shares the fruits of her research with the rest of the academic community.
GENDER, HUMAN RIGHTS AND EDUCATION IN AFRICA
he 2023 international conference of the Association for the Promotion of African Studies was held at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, with the theme: Africa In The Global Community: Landmark Achievements, Setbacks And Future Developments. The conference focused on the relationship between Africa and the global community. The conference aimed to retell the African story in a unique African manner. This is very important as the African continent has been presented and described in the global space, most times negatively and by non-Africans. This APAS conference, therefore, told the story of Africa from within Africa and in rare African voices - to counter erroneous ideas and projections about Africa. At this conference, African progressive visionaries across the continent reflected critically and discussed theoretical and empirical perspectives on African landmark achievements, setbacks and future developments. The multidisciplinary conference facilitated conversations across a broad spectrum of disciplines, including pure science and technology, management, humanities, social sciences, and arts, among others. This multidisciplinary approach generated robust engagements and enabled the forging of ambitious but concrete paths that will catalyse Africa’s prosperity. The present work on Gender, Human Rights And Education In Africa is a collection of papers presented at the conference bordering on gender, human rights and education in Africa. Through this piece, the Conference shares the fruits of her research with the rest of the academic community.
POLITICS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA
The 2023 international conference of the Association for the Promotion of African Studies was held at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, with the theme: Africa In The Global Community: Landmark Achievements, Setbacks And Future Developments. The conference focused on the relationship between Africa and the global community. The conference aimed to retell the African story in a unique African manner. This is very important as the African continent has been presented and described in the global space, most times negatively and by non-Africans. This APAS conference, therefore, told the story of Africa from within Africa and in rare African voices - to counter erroneous ideas and projections about Africa. At this conference, African progressive visionaries across the continent reflected critically and discussed theoretical and empirical perspectives on African landmark achievements, setbacks and future developments. The multidisciplinary conference facilitated conversations across a broad spectrum of disciplines, including pure science and technology, management, humanities, social sciences, and arts, among others. This multidisciplinary approach generated robust engagements and enabled the forging of ambitious but concrete paths that will catalyse Africa’s prosperity. The present work on Politics And Economic Development In Africa is a collection of papers presented at the conference bordering on politics and economic development. Through this piece, the Conference shares the fruits of her research with the rest of the academic community
THEOLOGY, PHILOSOPHY AND EDUCATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY
At the wake of the year 2022, a college of those who have benefited from th goodwill, tutelage and friendship of Rt. Rev. Msgr. Prof. Cletus Tanimu Gotan came together and decided on a worthwhile venture, that is, doing a Festshrift in his honour. In this book of readings in honour of Rt. Rev. Msgr. Prof. Cletus Tanimu Gotan, the editors have tried to accommodate the Msgr's tremendous fans who meant to honour him with article contributions, but it must be acknowledged that it is not possible to accommodate all. In this historical piece, his contributions in the areas Religion, Theology and Education in the 21st Century.
IGWEBUIKE: An Operative Condition of African Philosophy Religion and Culture
Towards a Thermodynamic Transformative Ontology
The present lecture on Igwebuike: The Operative Condition of African Philosophy, Religion and Culture- Towards a Thermodynamic Transformative Ontology is the researcher's contribution to the ongoing discourse on the operative conditions of reality. Igwebuike, in the researcher's perspective, is the moving spirit and the pivot upon which African philosophy, religion and culture revolve, thus, the key to the understanding of African Traditional religion, culture and philosophy. It is thermodynamic because of the interdependence and complementarity of the elements of the African universe, which characterizes the African way of thinking, feeling, talking and responding to various human conditions. Igwebuike which is an Igbo proverb and proper name forms the 'tool box', the trajectory system and the practical art for the development of this inaugural lecture.
AFRICAN INDIGENOUS ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS
RELIGION, PHILOSOPHY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Scholars such as Udodora (2011), Mbiti (1976), Thompson (1970), Calder (1968), Gbenga (2006) had observed that all religious traditions whether elementary, pre-literate or advanced, are environmental friendly and teaches environmental preservation and protection. African eco-theology, therefore, stands to articulate in a theological manner African earth-based spiritual traditions and innovative spiritual practices that are emerging in response to the painful realities of climate change, mass extinction, biodiversity loss, and the disruption of local and global ecosystems which have for long not received the attention that it deserves. It is in this sense that this Book of Readings titled African Eco-Theology: Meaning, Forms and Expressions will become one of the greatest ornaments and lights in the world of ecotheology as it responds to fundamental questions looming at the corridors of ecological discourses.
AFRICAN ECO-THEOLOGY
MEANING, FORMS AND EXPRESSIONS
Scholars such as Udodora (2011), Mbiti (1976), Thompson (1970), Calder (1968), Gbenga (2006) had observed that all religious traditions whether elementary, pre-literate or advanced, are environmental friendly and teaches environmental preservation and protection. African eco-theology, therefore, stands to articulate in a theological manner African earth-based spiritual traditions and innovative spiritual practices that are emerging in response to the painful realities of climate change, mass extinction, biodiversity loss, and the disruption of local and global ecosystems which have for long not received the attention that it deserves. It is in this sense that this Book of Readings titled African Eco-Theology: Meaning, Forms and Expressions will become one of the greatest ornaments and lights in the world of ecotheology as it responds to fundamental questions looming at the corridors of ecological discourses.
AFRICAN ECOLOGICAL SPIRITUALITY
PERSPECTIVES IN ANTHROPOSOPHY AND ENVIRONMENTALISM - A HYBRID OF APPROACHES
A cursory glance at the historical development of African anthroposophy, reveals that African earth-based spiritual traditions and innovative spiritual practices that are emerging in response to the painful realities of climate change, mass extinction, biodiversity loss, and the disruption of local and global ecosystems have for long not received the attention that it deserves. This work, therefore, would become one of the greatest ornaments and lights in the world of African eco-spirituality as it responds to questions that are long overdue from the world of African spirituality.
AFRICAN ECO-PHILOSOPHY
COSMOLOGY, CONSCIOUSNESS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The need for the African people to relate to their environment within their categories is very important as Africa is today united by the consciousness that individual destinies are caught up with the health of natural systems at the national, regional and continental levels. This Book of Readings on African EcoPhilosophy: Cosmology, Consciousness and the Environment focuses on philosophical reflections regarding the issue of ecology in Africa. These reflections spring from the African earth-based spiritual traditions and innovative spiritual practices. This book, therefore, would become one of the greatest ornaments and lights in the world of African eco-philosophy.
TRENDS AND ADVANCES IN EDUCATION AND MANAGEMENT IN AFRICA
The 2021 International Conference did not only highlight the triumphs of past years but focused on strategies for tackling forthcoming challenges in the African continent. The collective action of the members of the association as scholars in discussing innovative trends and advances within Africa is representative of the shared energy and excitement around Africa’s academic potential. The present piece titled: Trends and Advances in Education and Management in Africa: Proceedings of the International Conference of the Association for the Promotion of African Studies on African Ideologies and Innovative Trends and Advances: Honoring the Past and Shaping the Future, 25th May, 2021 is part of the outcome of the conference.
AFRICAN RELIGION AND CULTURE
HONOURING THE PAST AND SHAPING THE FUTURE
The 2021 International Conference did not only highlight the triumphs of past years but focused on strategies for tackling forthcoming challenges in the African continent. The collective action of the members of the association as scholars in discussing innovative trends and advances within Africa is representative of the shared energy and excitement around Africa’s academic potential. The present piece titled: African Religion and Culture: Honoring the Past and Shaping the Future: Proceedings of the International Conference of the Association for the Promotion of African Studies on African Ideologies and Innovative Trends and Advances: Honouring the Past and Shaping the Future, 25th May, 2021 is part of the outcome of the conference.
AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AND PERSPECTIVES
The present piece, titled: African Philosophy: Contemporary Issues and Perspectives: Proceedings of the International Conference of the Association for the Promotion of African Studies on African Ideologies and Innovative Trends and Advances: Honoring the Past and Shaping the Future, 25th May, 2021, is part of the outcome of the conference.
AFRICAN IDEOLOGIES AND SOCIOPOLITICAL ISSUES
INNOVATIVE TRENDS AND ADVANCES
The present piece titled: African Ideologies and Socio-Political Issues: Innovative Trends and Advances- Proceedings of the International Conference of the Association for the Promotion of African Studies on African Ideologies and Innovative Trends and Advances: Honouring the Past and Shaping the Future, 25th May, 2021 is part of the outcome of the conference.
NEW TRENDS IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES IN AFRICA
This proceedings captures a three-day program of presentations, panel discussions and interactive dialogue at the Third International Conference of Villanova on New Trends in Science, Technology, Management and Social Sciences in Africa, which took place from 2nd to 4th of June 2021. The event was a multidisciplinary conference that brought together some academics, researchers and scholars from various academic institutions from within and outside the state as well as the academic staff of Villanova Polytechnic to review new trends virtually in all fields of learning. It also provided a valuable networking opportunity and set the stage for further cooperation among academics, researchers and scholars in the state and beyond.
NEW TRENDS IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES IN AFRICA
This maiden conference featured lead paper presentation by Prof. Benjamin Ekundayo Olufemi, JP, FCVSN of University of Ibadan, Nigeria. We are thankful to the conference committee and regular program committee members and reviewers, without whose expert input this conference would not be possible. Finally, we thank the entire organizing team and all authors who submitted their work. We hope that you will enjoy this collection of high quality papers, research notes and abstracts from a cast of international researchers in the fascinating field of Science, Technology, Management and Social Sciences.
FORMATION OF THE HUMAN PERSON IN THE 21ST CENTURY
The 21st Century is markedly identified by great discoveries in science and technology that it has christened as the age of information technology. Regardless of the advancement of knowledge in this century with mind-blowing discoveries like electric, driverless cars, cryptocurrency, 3D technologies and e-technologies like e-readers and e-cigarettes, the human person instead of advancing, is palpably and grossly undermined. While there is so much advancement in human reason which is meant to bring about a better place and dignity for the human person, paradoxically, the cost of the human person is more cheapened more than ever. The scandal of technological advancement is that, the rise in human knowledge has not brought about a better quality of life and a more secured world of the human person. Rather, the world has become more perilous. More and more, the purpose of man is diminished.
FORMATION, THE CATHOLIC PRIESTHOOD AND THE MODERN AGE
FORMATION, THE CATHOLIC PRIESTHOOD AND THE MODERN AGE – Festschrift in Honour of Rev. Fr. Anselm Jimoh. Formation is indisputably a critical variable in the preparation and eventual ordination of priests. The Catholic Priesthood has been the spotlight of many conversations in recent times from the good to the ugly. Although the priest or priest-to be is called to be set apart, this is first a call from the people. As a man called from the people, he is not completely immune from the challenges of society. The formation then helps to shape, prepare and dispose of the priest-to-be to the gospel he is called to embrace. The Church invests richly in the formation of seminarians and priests because of this critical importance. The formation covers four essential aspects of the priest, namely, the Spiritual, Human, Social, Intellectual and Pastoral Life. Hence, it becomes expedient, to have a rich resource on formation, granted many factors influence it today, consequent on the signs of the modern age. This demands that new approaches and perspectives are evolved to make the priest of today as relevant as ever.
COVID-19 PANDEMIC, ICT AND EDUCATION SYSTEM IN AFRICA
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
It is in the face of Covid-19 impacts that scholars of the Association of the Promotion of African Studies have undertaken to study the Covid-19 pandemic from an African perspective and to draw out the economic and health challenges on the African people. This piece, is a major contribution to knowledge not only relevant for scholars but also policy makers and None Governmental Organization workers.
THE SOCIO-RELIGIOUS DYNAMICS OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN AFRICA
The advent of COVID-19 drastically disrupted the socioreligious order in the African world. Sequel to the deadly and fastspreading nature of COVID-19, different measures were put in place by various governments and health agencies to curb the spread. Among the precautionary measures is: Social Distancing. Human beings were strongly advised to avoid each other, desist from any form of physical contact and also to stop or minimise social gatherings, namely, religious gathering, wedding, markets, burials/funerals/ etc. This new way of life was seen by some Africans as un-African and unnatural.
COVID-19 AND AFROCENTRIC PERSPECTIVES
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS
The book in your hands is one of the proceeds of the said APAS conference. As Africans, APAS scholars believe that there are Afrocentric perspectives to the health and economic challenges posed by the dreaded COVID-19. Arguably, from varied points of view, individual authors outlined some health and economic implications of COVID-19 on African nations. Some solutions and recommendations are also made in this regard. It is strongly believed that this book will bring a turnaround in African health and economic sectors especially in a period of pandemic such as COVID-19.
THEMES IN IGWEBUIKE PHILOSOPHY AND THEOLOGY
The concept Igwebuike began first as a methodology and philosophy. Gradually, its philosophical elements began to have serious implications for theological discourse, especially with the increasing need to do theology that arises from the philosophy of the African people. Such a theology would always have an inescapable element of philosophy, speaking to people in their own native context, because it is expressed in categories of thought that arises out of the philosophy of the African people. This affirms the reality of the link between philosophy and theology, especially regarding the links between the great philosophical questions and the mysteries of salvation which are studied in theology under the guidance of the higher light of faith. In Igwebuike theology, theology takes on the form of a bridge that connects the human person who lives within the context of a changing culture to God who is beyond the law of change.
IGWEBUIKE PHILOSOPHY AND COMPLEMENTARY RELATIONS
In this work, Igwebuike is employed as a unifying concept of African thought, especially, that aspect concerning the human person’s conception of the spiritual and material universe in which he or she lives. It is an explanatory theory or principle that interprets the puzzle of our complex relationship with the non-corporal world and human social life, that is, major social institutions that ensure social continuity and group identity, and further, underpins the epistemological manifestations of the human person’s universe.
