Nigerian civil religion is derived from one of the nation’s institutional religions the indigenous African religion that was already there when Islamic and Christian missionaries brought their respective religions to this African country. Although the civil religion uses elements that come from institutionalized Yoruban religion, they have been modified so that their spirit also infuses Christians and Muslims. These Civil religion beckons on the traditions and cultures of the peoples. CIVIL RELIGION IN NIGERIA PRESENTED BY: ODAME BENJAMIN, ABE OLUWAFEMI MOSES, AWOLUSI OLUWABUNMI JOHN

civil religion in Nigeria? There are elements of civil religion in Nigeria, but as an independent integrated system it does not work. This is because the people traced their origin from different history and cultures. At one time or the other the north, south or east have attempted to disintegrate from the system. For instance, the Igbo’s are clamoring for a Biafran state. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic country with three majority group of Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo and over 300 ethnic groups with over 500 languages, each group and sub group has its tradition of origin which tends to emphasize ethnic individualism in the country and this has limited the civil religion in building Nigeria into a united country.

OTHERS Although the people have the practices of Christian and Islamic religion but these imported religions compromised to accept the peoples traditions and cultures. For instance, in marriage ceremonies the converts rely on the traditional wedding and cultural rites before proceeding to Christians or Islamic rites, naming ceremonies also follows high elements of traditional rites with the usage of some elements such as Cola nuts, Salts, Honey and Alligator pepper, sugar, and Ethanol during child dedication. Even though they may be Christians or Muslims, it is pertinent to state here, that there is a belief of appeasing the ancestors among these converts by performing some rites because they believe in life after death and that though their ancestors are no more but they hold closed relationship with them. This could be seen in the first stanzas of Nigerian National Anthem “thy labor of our hero’s past shall never be in vein

Religious beliefs and culture

Legislation and cultural co-existence In terms of legislations, laws are drawn from the culture, traditions and the norms of the people, Nigeria operates a written constitution which no religion has criticized so far, the people can seek redress if need be. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria supersedes any other law because the country is a secular entity. There has been mutual cooperation between the state and religious communities in different ways, for instance, the state has always sponsored pilgrimages be it for Christians or Muslims, the state even sponsors many traditional festivals to buttress this point.

Cultural co-existence continue …. The state is seen in different ways before the religious communities, this is because in the North where we have more of Islam’s dominant religion, they enjoy certain benefit that one will not get from other part because you are Christian. Meanwhile, in the south where we have a very mixed religion the state operates fairly to all. There is no part of the constitution that supports any religious dominance. Coat Of Arms

Meaning of some Important symbols The symbolic design of Nigeria state has no atom of religious object, it is a secular country. The only symbolic pillar is a combination of the cultural heritage and natural endowments. The Nigeria Coat- of- Arm is the symbol of the country’s national unity, state power and authority, it was created in line with the National flag in The Nigerian flag is Green White Green. In the Nigerian Coat of Arms, the black Shield represents the fertile soil of Nigeria, the White wavy band that forms a “Y” represents the country’s mainland water ways, the Rivers Niger and Benue (which both meet to form a confluence at Lokoja). The two Horses at the either sides of the shield represent the dignity and pride of Nigeria. The yellow flowers at the base are Coctus Spectabilis, a type of flower that is found in every part of Nigeria. The Eagle represents the strength of Nigeria, while the green and white wreath on which the eagle stands represents the rich agricultural potentials in Nigeria, the national motto “unity and faith, peace and progress” is written on the band around the base. This motto was adopted in 1978, before that time the motto was “Peace Unity and Progress”. To an extent we can agree that the symbols are embedded in Nigeria civil religion

National Activities as sign of cultural unity There are several national holidays in Nigeria, every October 1 st is national day because Nigeria gained independent on October 1 st 1960, and Democracy day is May 29 th which marks the formal end of military rule in 1999 to a civil democratic government. Since Christianity and Islam is the most adopted religion in the country, there are four Christian holidays in the country: Easter Monday 3 rd of April, Good Friday 6 th of April (no fixed date), Boxing Day 26 th December and Christmas Holiday 25 th December while Islamic holidays include Ramadan, Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr June 18 –July 29, 2015, and Mawlid 2 nd January 2015, 1 st of January is the New year day celebration for all. All these holidays gave equity and equality among Nigerians which built in the civil religion expected. The major media system is the Nigeria Television Authority; the media characteristics include display of the different ethnic cultures and traditions

In brief The major symbol that is used to take oath of allegiance into any political office is Quran for Muslim appointment holders and Bible for the Christian appointment holders. This has more to say about our civil religion because there is a synergy of the adoption of both religion meanwhile what is valued most is the culture of the people. In conclusion, we can agree that Nigeria practices a Dual identity of civil tradition or religion. It is clear that irrespective of the ethnic pluralities and divergent religion in Nigeria, the uniting and binding force Nigerians can all a common Civil Religion is the Culture and Traditions

1. Civil religion in Africa and America: A Thanksgiving Meditation religion-in-africa-and-america-a-thanksgiving- meditation/ 2. request/#sthash.DXhCqrEr.dpuf The Nigerian Coat of Arms; Everything you need to know nigerianfinder.com/nigeria-coat-of-arm-arms-nigerian-coat-of-arms 5. Holidays in Nigeria Nigeria public holiday for 2014 and References

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