That they may be one (Jn 17:11) : mending the seamless coat of Christ in assemblies of God Nigeria

Assemblies of God church in Nigeria, which has for over 40 years now, experienced various crises that have led to sucession and factionalism in that church. The once giant of spirituality and the mother of Pentecostalism has grappled with the problem of administration, leadership tussle and bigotry. This study is a review of previous and current crises that AG Nigeria has gone through at the General Council level in a bid to mend what seems to have torn asunder the seamless coat of Christ in line with the prayer of Jesus, ‘that they may be one’. The study uses historical-critical method and phenomenological design to analyse the depth of the crack in the church in order to predict the future of Pentecostalism in Nigeria.http://www.hts.org.zaNew Testament Studie

Religious fanaticism and thugocracy : catalysts to the brain drain in Nigeria

Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multicultural society, and therefore, Nigeria’s religious inclinations differ broadly. There are currently three religions dominant in Nigeria, namely Christianity, Islam and African Traditional Religion (ATR). These three religions, especially the first two, have demonstrated varying levels of fanaticism in the past leading to many recounted crises and jungle justice incidents in Nigeria. Because of Nigerian politics, we have witnessed the use of armed thugs by politicians to harass and even kill party opponents and displace their families. These two factors have caused many young, highly skilled persons to flee Nigeria for a safer haven. This study therefore tries to review current religious fanaticism and electioneering thuggery leading to loss of lives and property, which consequently sees to the fall of the Nigerian economy and the subsequent enthronement of insecurity in the country. It suggests that these factors are foundational problems consequent to the amalgamation of 1914 and are leading causes for the rapid rate of migration of Nigerian experts out of the country. CONTRIBUTION : At a time when Nigeria is in dire need of great brains to help in its developmental struggle, politicians and religious bigots have constituted a serious blockade to this ambition. This article is a review of recent political and religious turmoil in Nigeria with a view to call the attention of all warring religious and political stakeholders to the damage their extremism has already caused and to also bring the attention of Nigerians to the foundation of these problems, namely the amalgamation and the need to address it.http://www.hts.org.zaam2023New Testament Studie

GONGRONEMA LATIFOLIUM DELAYS GASTRIC EMPTYING OF SEMI-SOLID MEALS IN DIABETIC DOGS.

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to investigate sonographically the effect of Gonogronema latifolium on gastric emptying of semi-solid meals in diabetic dogs. Twenty-five alloxan-induced diabetic dogs were randomly allotted into five groups of five dogs each in a randomized placebo-controlled study. These are placebo, prokinetic dose, low dose, moderate dose and high dose groups. The placebo group served as the control. The low, moderate and high dose groups ingested methanolic leaf extract of G. latifolium at 100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg respectively while the prokinetic group ingested 0.5 mg/kg of metoclopramide. After a 12- hour fast, each group ingested its treatment capsules 30 minutes before the administration of test meal. Measurements of gastric emptying and blood glucose levels were obtained from each dog 30 minutes before and immediately after the ingestion of a test meal, every 15 minutes for another 4 hours and then every 30 minutes for further 2 hours. Gastric emptying of the moderate and high dose groups were 227.8 ± 9.9 min and 261.3 ± 19.3 min respectively and significantly (p 0.05). A strong inverse relationship between gastric emptying and the incremental blood glucose levels was noted in the diabetic dogs after the ingestion of Gonogronema latifolium (r = - 0.90; p < 0.0001). Gonogronema latifolium delayed gastric emptying in diabetic dogs

Holy Praiseco: Negotiating Sacred and Popular Music and dance in African Pentecostalism

One of the biggest attractions of the Pentecostal movement is its liturgy, which is partly expressed through music and dance. The growth of the popularity of Pentecostal music in Africa has been phenomenal. Its impact on the general music scene and the society in general is seen in the number of high-profile secular or "juju" musicians who have become gospel singers, evangelists and pastors. It has also affected politicians andthe celebrants of rites of passage who borrow freely from gospel music and dance. Focusing on this aspect of the movement this article explores how Pentecostal music and dance traditions have attempted to supplant the "disco" music and dance of discotheques. It traces how the new musical tradition or gospel music originated and developed and how the Pentecostals who were initially wary of popular cultures negotiated between sacred and popular music and dance