Combating the Scourge of Security Challenges in Nigeria through Religious Education for Sustainable National Development

Insecurity is the cankerworm that is eating deep into the fabric of this nation. It is a national problem with certain destructive tendencies, hence the need for the enthronement of religious education to save the nation from destruction. Religion, which teaches morality, plays a vital role in the social lives of individuals and society at large. This is because it deals with values, behaviours and attitude exhibited and encouraged by members of the society which enhances national development. Therefore, religion is essential for curbing insecurity because security challenge is always accompanied with tension and  anxiety which hinder development. The paper revealed that insecurity is the product of moral decadence in the society, because lack of moral values in the lives of individuals lead to all the vices that result to insecurity in Nigeria. Therefore, government should lay more emphasis on the teaching of religious education at all levels of education in order to inculcate good morals into the youths, curb insecurity in the society and enhance national development. Employment opportunities should be created so as to eradicate poverty, since a hungry man is an angry man. Keywords: Security Challenges, Religious Education, Sustainable National Developmen

Reactivating Nigerian norms and values through religious studies for national transformation

Reactivating Nigerian norms and values are essential ingredients in the transformation of the nation, because it is a missing link that is breeding moral decadence in the society. Therefore religious education which inculcates good moral values such as honesty, fidelity to one’s duty, love for one’s neighbour and self-discipline should be given a prominent position in the schools. Moral decadence is a pervasive evil that poses great challenge to Nigerians. It is also a national problem with certain destructive tendencies, hence the need for the entrenchment of moral values to salvage the nation from decay. Societal norms and values play important roles in the social lives of individuals and society at large. This is because they deal with values, behaviours and attitudes exhibited and encouraged by members of the society. Thus Religious Education is essential for activating Nigerian moral values in order to infuse sanity into the fast decaying Nigerian’s value system. Morality is an integral part of societal progress and transformation. It is also the life wire of any successful society. In fact a society that is experiencing moral decadence is not only being inactive but indeed sick. The knowledge gotten from religious education will enable one to conform to the societal norms and values, so that he will not be a social deviant. This paper therefore examines the concept of reactivating Nigerian norms and values through religious education for national transformation. A number of recommendations are made which include the inclusion of religious education at all levels of Education and students should be taught the Nigerian norms and values and encourage them to conform to it to avoid being sanctioned or labeled social deviants

Religion: A Vital Element for Curbing the Menace of Kidnapping in Nigeria for Human Development

Human capital development has been the most powerful tool for national development; however, Nigeria has been weighed down by the menace of kidnapping which is militating against human development. Kidnapping of people for ritual or extortive or ransom purposes cut across all classes of people - children, foreign workers, traditional rulers government officials, religious leaders medical practitioners, lecturers, politicians and some commoners. This phenomenon has enriched the perpetrators who now contend with the nation in the arena of legitimate use of force and monopoly of violence. The menace of kidnapping is a reflection of moral decadence in Nigeria hence the need for religious studies which inculcate the right moral values such as honesty, hard work, value for life and good human relations which generate peace in the society. It also infuse sanity into the fast decaying nation, prevent the citizens from being social deviant, curb kidnapping and enhance human development. The aim of this paper is to emphasize on the importance of religious studies in curbing the menace of kidnapping. The method used in gathering information concerning this work is the secondary source such as text books, newspapers and electronic media. Findings show that poverty, social; deprivation, frustration – aggression unemployment, lack of youth empowerment and lack of moral values in the lives of many youth led to the menace of kidnapping there should be provision of employment and empowerment opportunities for youth and Religious bodies and the government should educate the masses on the sanctity of life and good human relations.Keywords: Religion, Human development and kidnappin