http://repository.unn.edu.ng/handle/123456789/9200 Wed, 02 Sep 2026 20:15:57 GMT 2026-09-02T20:15:57Z http://repository.unn.edu.ng/handle/123456789/9210 Ajija as Igbo Cosmo-Ontological Agent of Destruction in Achebe’s Arrow of God NKAMA, O. A. Arrow of God, a complex-structure text has enjoyed a lot of critical attention, but several events in it as constructed by Achebe are still seen in new lights. As many critics have studied the work from the view points of African history, cultural conflict, conflict between tradition and modernity, arrogation of excessive power and individual extremism among others. Questions have not specifically been asked about what really ‘beats the drum to which Ezeulu dances’ (132), especially seeking to know what makes the chief character behave/act the way he shouldn’t have acted. Attempts may have been made to answer this question in some ways, however, this paper sets out to address this vital question through the instrumentality of Ajijawhich Opata says, ‘is a force which makes an individual do all the wrong things in a situation where ordinarily the individual would have done all the right things’ (10). It works by carrying away’ a person’s mind and by beclouding one’s reasoning. The stupefaction that Ajija causes is said to range from making one to commit one dishonourable act or another, leading to minor misfortunes and to death. The aim, therefore, is to argue that Ezeulu’s actions and decisions were not ordinarily or self-inspired. A force was behind it, not that of the ultimate power as the leader and Chief Priest of Ulu but something beyond his control. The end of events in the novel truly reveal that Ezeulu and other characters like Akukalia, Obika and even Umuaro as a community are afflicted with the destructive influence of Ajija. This, validates Opata’s suspicion that the Igbo nation might be under the same spell owing to the way we have hastily abandoned our cultural values and traditional practices. Tue, 01 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.unn.edu.ng/handle/123456789/9210 2020-12-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.unn.edu.ng/handle/123456789/9209 Adding Value to Africa-China Relationship: UNIZIK Confucius Institute Communicating China to the World OKUNNA, C. S.; ANAS, E. The Confucius Institutes (CIs), a window into China for many people, have been a major conveyor of Chinese language and culture since 2004 when the first CI was established in Seoul. Before their establishment, the world had little acquaintance with both the Chinese language and Chinese culture. The language was not spoken by the vast majority of non-native speakers who can speak it today. Similarly, general awareness of the culture was limited to things like kung fu and chop sticks. Africa is, perhaps, the region where the existence of the CIs is being felt the most. Due to the aggressiveness of certain CIs in that continent, the Chinese language and culture have become popular with Africans. This paper is about the role of the Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University in communicating China to Nigerians. Established twelve years ago, that CI (popularly known as UNIZIK CI) is the leading purveyor of the Chinese language and culture in Nigeria. Tue, 01 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.unn.edu.ng/handle/123456789/9209 2020-12-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.unn.edu.ng/handle/123456789/9208 Achebe’s Feminist Modernity and the African Postcolonial Dilemma: The Case of Clara in no Longer at Ease EZECHI, O.; EGBUTA, C. O This study adopts Postcolonial feminism to explore the personality and cultural identity of Clara as presented by Achebe in No Longer at Ease. The aim is to establish an interplay between post colonialism and feminism in a novel that has already been described by critics as “a pioneering text of postcolonial criticism.” In this context, the novel is examined as a powerful representation of the crisis of being post colonial and modern, while seeking legitimacy in the moral economy of tradition and culture. For Simon Gikandi, “if the postcolonial condition implies the location of subjects between historical, cultural and temporal spaces, then No Longer at Ease can be considered to have been the first novel to thematize this dilemma.” Apart from Gikandi’s assertion, No Longer at Ease has been reputed as a fictional representation of the complications of a society on the verge of postcolonial modernity, with much of the conversations focused on Obi Okonkwo. It is however discovered that not much, in the above regard, has been written on Clara, the major female character in the work. This study therefore sets out to interrogate the extent to which Clara can be presented as the ultimate portrait of a pioneer modern African woman, from the Achebean narrative oeuvre, particularly in the (post)colonial sense. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations are made after the critical assessment of Clara. Tue, 01 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.unn.edu.ng/handle/123456789/9208 2020-12-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.unn.edu.ng/handle/123456789/9207 A NARRATIVE REVIEW OF ANN- MARGRET: MY STORY Okpala, E. P An autobiography is a compendium of a first-hand account of one's life experiences and achievements in our cosmic space. The essence could be to beam one's existential being from the first-person narrative that subordinates, to a large extent, some conjectured overtures of externally articulated artistry. It is generally perceived as boring owing to its lack of suspense. As permeating from the narrator, it is grossly demurred as subjective in that the narrator tells what she wants the audience to know. The need to debunk this notion motivated this book review. The researcher critiqued Ann Margret's, Ann Margret: My Story, to achieve this objective. Using the Qualitative Content Analysis Approach, the study reviewed the birth and times of a Swedish lady named after a star. The psychological theory was employed to analyze the work cum capture some socio-cultural values and their relationship with contemporary society. The study delved into a critical aspect of these socio-cultural values and practices that characterize a social group or society and how they positively influenced Ann Margret's stepchildren, to encourage a better appreciation and sustenance of culture. The findings revealed that an autobiography, just like fiction, reflects society. It is capable of refining one's social network and as a result, can make a perfect agent of change. In the end, it recommended that the book should be used in both high schools and tertiary institutions. Tue, 01 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.unn.edu.ng/handle/123456789/9207 2020-12-01T00:00:00Z