JORAS - Nigerian Journal of Religion and Society

Inordinate racial and tribal identity has long been a source of division, conflict, and underdevelopment in Africa. Its impact in every facet of life in African has been enormous. The enormity has engendered growing levels of underdevelopment on the continent that has resulted in clarion calls for steps and modalities to revamp the ugly situation on the continent. This paper joins in such calls by exploring the implications of excessive racial and tribal affiliations. Employing a close reading of Ezra 9?12, the paper warns against the entanglements that lead to spiritual and social decay. The paper achieves this by drawing parallels between the warnings in Ezra and the experiences in contemporary Africa to contend that an overemphasis on ethnic identity can hinder national unity, economic development, and social harmony.

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