RELIGION

Here is an abstract based on your title, using Trade, Religion, and Intergroup relations as the core keywords to structure the study's scope, methodology, and findings.

Abstract
This study examines the intersection of economic activities and religious dynamics in shaping intergroup relations in Nigeria, using a historical case study of Auchi before 1894. Prior to British colonial imposition, indigenous communities in the Niger-Benue confluence and the northern fringes of Edoland engaged in complex socio-political and economic interactions. Adopting a historical and analytical methodology—drawing on qualitative primary sources, including oral traditions, and secondary historical literature—this research explores how commerce and belief systems served as dual engines of integration and friction.

The findings reveal that trade functioned as a primary vehicle for initial intergroup contact, establishing vibrant market networks that linked Auchi with neighboring Nupe, Hausa, and various Etsako communities. Concurrently, the introduction and expansion of Islam during the nineteenth century fundamentally altered the socio-cultural landscape, redefining local identities and restructuring external diplomatic ties.

The study demonstrates that rather than acting in isolation, trade and religion mutually reinforced one another; trade routes facilitated religious diffusion, while shared religious networks subsequently secured and expanded commercial frontiers. Ultimately, this work underscores that pre-colonial intergroup relations in Auchi were characterized by a sophisticated degree of interdependence, offering vital historical insights into the peaceful coexistence and structural adaptations of pre-colonial Nigerian societies.

This study examines the concept of lexical relations in Ibibio, a Lower Cross language spoken in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It explores the semantic interconnections that exist among lexical items in the language, focusing on the relationships of synonymy, antonymy, polysemy, hyponymy, and meronymy. The study is anchored on the structuralist theoretical framework, which posits that meaning is relational and that words derive significance from their place within a linguistic system. Data were gathered through descriptive and analytic methods, drawing from native speakers’ intuitions and examples found in natural Ibibio usage. The analysis reveals that lexical relations in Ibibio are context-dependent and culturally motivated rather than absolute, reflecting deep connections between linguistic structures and sociocultural realities. For instance, synonymous words in Ibibio are often differentiated by pragmatic and situational nuances, while antonyms may display complementary or gradable features. The study further shows that polysemy in Ibibio is influenced by metaphorical and metonymic extensions, and that hierarchical relations like hyponymy and meronymy play a crucial role in lexical categorization and meaning organization. Overall, the research contributes to the understanding of Ibibio semantics, highlighting the interdependence between language, thought, and culture. It also underscores the need for more descriptive studies of African languages to enrich the global body of linguistic knowledge

Religion has been a powerful force shaping world politics throughout history.1 Whether through the influence of religious institutions, the actions of religious leaders, the great influence which religion has on man’s thought process or the beliefs and
practices of ordinary individuals, it has played a central role in shaping political systems, conflicts, and alliances.2 From the ancient world to the present day, religion has been used to justify wars and conquests, to mobilize social movements, and to define cultural identity.3 At times, religion has been a source of division and conflict, fueling sectarian violence and intolerance.4 At other times, it has been a force for peace and reconciliation, inspiring social justice movements and promoting interfaith dialogue.5 However, some are of the view that politics and religion should be separated. Thus, Milliard Fillmore, the
13 th President of the United States, stated that, “Church and State should be separate, not only in form, but fact- religion and politics should not be mingled”.6