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- Title
Exhausted Nationalism, (Mis)Governance and Ascendant Pentecostalism in Nigeria.
- Authors
Okeke Uzodike, Ufo; Whetho, Ayo
- Abstract
The Nigerian state is confronted by tremendous political, social and economic challenges which necessitate considerable individual and collective adjustment. Not surprisingly, the dismal performance of successive governments vis-à-vis dealing with these challenges has engendered a high level of frustration on the part of a majority of the citizens. While quite a number of Nigerians have dealt with this frustration by seeking greener pastures abroad, many others have found solace in religion. The failure of the state to meet even the most basic of human needs (with its attendant possibility of loss of legitimacy by state structures and loss of credibility by politicians) and the recourse to religion has tended to undermine the patriotism of Nigerians. As the government grapples with these challenges, the country has been witnessing astonishing ascendance and explosion of new religious movements, particularly new Christian movements with Pentecostal and charismatic leaning. This paper locates the unprecedented wave of Pentecostalism in Nigeria against the background of declining state capacity, issues of governance, deepening frustration and eschatological expectations. Underpinning the paper's propositions is the assumption that the proliferation of Pentecostal and charismatic churches is best understood within Nigeria's historical and current social, political and economic contexts.
- Publication
Loyola Journal of Social Sciences, 2011, Vol 25, Issue 2, p217
- ISSN
0971-4960
- Publication type
Academic Journal