Internal problems of women: A force militating against overcoming women's subordination

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Perspectives of Syncretism and its Modern Trend: A Case of Christian and African Traditions

One of the major goals of the western missionaries was to plant the kernel of the Christian message within a given indigenous historical tradition without losing the essence of the gospel traditions. However, Christian churches initially failed to remove the aspects of the western culture that constitute stumbling blocks for the desired integration in the indigenous soil or to assimilate the aspect of indigenous properties that are essential for its survival. The result of this raises some theological problems. In the attempt to ascertain a balance, most times, the Christian missions in Africa for instance, find themselves oscillating between protecting the redeeming gospel of Christ with its superiority tendency and the astringent African traditions, often in contrast to the other. Thus, African Christianity is characterized by syncretism whereby African and western theologies mixed to the point that both systems seem to lose their basic structures and identities. Within this observed situation, what is the trend of this syncretism and its implications? This is the main question this paper intends to answer. Using evidence from the literature, this paper exposes and examines the modern trends of syncretism. Accordingly, it further identifies the major implications of syncretism on sustainable spiritual developments and concludes with some strategic choices that would hopefully improve the existing situation. Keywords: syncretism, perspectives, Christian, African, tradition

Heavy Metal Contamination of Foods by Refuse Dump Sites in Awka, Southeastern Nigeria

The impact of heavy metals from refuse dumps on soil, food, and water qualities in Awka, Nigeria was studied. Soil samples (top and 1.35 m deep) were collected from five refuse dumps digested with conc. HNO3 and HClO4. The heavy metals (lead, manganese, arsenic, chromium, cadmium, and nickel) in vegetables (spinach, fluted pumpkin), root crop (cocoyam), and surface and ground water were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Chemical properties of the soil and bacteria were determined. Heavy metals were found to be more concentrated at a depth of 1.35 m. Manganese was high in shallow wells and borehole water samples with the highest levels as 0.538 and 0.325 mg/l, respectively. Nickel levels in the borehole sample ranged from 0.001 to 0.227 mg/l, whereas the highest level of lead was 0.01 mg/l. The Obibia stream had the highest levels of manganese and lead. Linear regression analyses showed that the relationship between soil heavy metals and farm produce heavy metals was strong. Taken together, we may conclude that the consumption of leafy vegetables and crops produced on contaminated soils may pose a health risk to those that reside around the refuse dumps

Acid rain phenomenon in Niger Delta region of Nigeria: Economic, biodiversity, and public health concern, The Scientific World

. Awka, a "non-oil" city was used as control. Samples were collected from three points, using clean plastic basins fastened to a table, 2 m above ground level and 115 m away from tall buildings and trees. Water samples were filtered and acidity determined using digital pH meter. The results show that the rain samples were acidic. The pH values for the 2 years under study show that the rainfall in Warri was more acidic than that of Port Harcourt. Oil exploration and other anthropogenic sources may be responsible for the acid rain in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria

‘There is anointing everywhere': An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the role of religion in the recovery of black African service users in England

Introduction Religion is an important impetus for recovery. However, there has been little work examining the role of religion in recovery for black African service users (BASUs) in England. Aim The aim of this study is to explore how religion influences recovery from mental illness for BASUs in England. Method 12 black African service users were purposively selected and interviewed using face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews. Data was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Results The study generates fascinating insights that BASUs views about mental illness and recovery are influenced by Pentecostalism and traditional African healing systems. Discussion The participants' perceptions of their mental illness experiences and recovery which are characterised by the pragmatism of Pentecostalism and cultural beliefs are consistent with what is reported in the literature. Implications for Practice The findings of the study show that broad changes are needed to accommodate the religious coping of BASUs in their recovery journey