Religion in the service of mass mobilization

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Periodical article

Title:	Religion in the service of mass mobilization
Author:	Mala, Sam Babs
Year:	1993
Periodical:	Orita: Ibadan Journal of Religious Studies
Volume:	25
Issue:	1-2
Pages:	1-11
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	religion political education
Abstract:	Nigeria's social mobilization programme was launched by President Ibrahim Babangida on 25 July 1987 as a signal for rational reawakening. At the same time the National Directorate for Social Mobilization (Mamser) was established by the promulgation of Decree 31 of 1987. Its objectives are to be executed under three key programmes, viz. mass mobilization for self-reliance, social justice and economic recovery, political education, and mass education. After a brief recapitulation of the main criticisms levelled at Mamser so far, the author discusses the question of why religion should be used as a mobilizing agent, the role of religion in mobilizing the citizenry, and the measures and methods at the disposal of religion in achieving the stated objectives of mass mobilization. The article serves as an introduction to subsequent articles in the same issue of 'Orita' which deal with these issues from the varying perspectives of African traditional religion and values, Christianity, Islam, and the history, philosophy and sociology of religion.