Better Societies

 THE “OTHERNESS” OF THE “OTHER PEOPLE”: HOW “OTHER” IS THEIR “OTHERNESS?” by Zwandien bobai In a typical Nigerian context, especially in a village or semi-city setting, there is quite an existing category of people usually referred to as “other people” in occasions in which meals (Abinci, Hausa) are served. Those of you who are familiar with wedding, funeral and other programmes in contexts like those I have mentioned can bear witness. For instance, during weddings, there are usually assigned eating venues for parents-in-law of the day (referring to parents and relatives of the bride) and special guests (those who belong to the High Table). Often times, places are designated for religious leaders say pastors (now I am talking as a Christian and I am not sure this happens in other religions) and fellowship leaders for meals. Plus, political leaders are usually sent to a political associate’s house for such meals. Traditional leaders ad infinitum are assigned a near-by-traditional-le...

 REBIRTH AND CONSERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGES IN SOUTHERN KADUNA by Zwandien Bobai (zbobai@yahoo.co.uk) This literary piece was first written on April 5 2017. The term ‘Southern Kaduna’ is now anaccepted designation for people groups around the former “Southern Zaria.” The area has long standing history for several reasons. One of these reasons is its cultural diversities. The zone is often creditedby some social researchers to consist of at least 57 ethnic groups. Some ethnic groups have their unique cultural values and norms; while others are closely linked. People who are without traditions face the hazard of extinction. It is little wonder that some researchers have concluded that many of our languages in Southern Kaduna are ‘endangered’ and ‘vanishing.’ Endangered languages are speech communities threatened to the point of extinction except a concerted effort is taken towards their protection. The influence of globalisation and/or modern civilisation on traditional places li...

 Zwandien Bobai zbobai@yahoo.co.uk ABSTRACT This article reviews the “maiden” or first edition of the Kagoro Journal of Theology (KaJoT) which is a multidisciplinary academic journal of ECWA Theological Seminary, Kagoro, Kaduna State, Nigeria. This appraisal of the journal was done with the view of highlighting areas of strengths and weaknesses (if at all there are). The journal contained 13 articles from different writers across Africa. For the benefit of people who do not have access to the journal, the reviewer critiques each article in small paragraphs. General observations and recommendations were given for improvement in subsequent volumes of the journal. INTRODUCTION The Kagoro Journal of Theology (KaJoT) is a multidisciplinary publication of ECWA Theological Seminary, Kagoro, Kaduna State, Nigeria. This is an evangelical institution that believes in being relevant in the society, particularly in theological engagement of issues facing the present African milieu. Under the F...

Dear father, I know you maybe wondering—wondering because I am writing you this today and now; For while you were alive you didn’t even know—a ‘Father’s Day’ ever existed!  A day of celebrating fatherliness the world over. No one celebrated it let alone doing it for you! No one knew you deserved such love;  Your world didn’t consider that worthwhile. Your milieu never warranted such merriments—such remembering eluded you and others alike! You came to a world merely as a bystander! You were just like a football fan who only watched the game—one who watched in screams and desires and aspirations! One who had no power to change things around. If only you had such powers to change things around; I am sure you would have made us greater people than you did! Yet in your nothingness, you sacrificed your all! Your all was never enough to help you accomplish much for us. Your dreams for us were so huge—living realities were nothing but huddles! In your littleness, you struggled to carv...