Assessment Of Religious Practices In Selected Banks
(A Case Study Of Port Harcourt)
The evaluation of religious practices within selected banks involves a comprehensive analysis of the integration of religious observances and customs into the operational frameworks of financial institutions. This examination encompasses various facets, including accommodation of religious holidays, provision of prayer spaces, adherence to ethical banking principles consistent with religious teachings, and the development of financial products compliant with Sharia law for Islamic banking institutions. By assessing the extent to which banks accommodate diverse religious needs while upholding financial integrity and inclusivity, this study aims to elucidate the impact of religious considerations on banking operations and customer satisfaction, thereby informing strategies for enhanced religious inclusivity and cultural sensitivity in the banking sector.
TITLE PAGE
CERTIFICATION
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
CHAPTER ONE:
INTRODUCTION
1.0 Introduction
1.2 Background to the Study
1.3 Purpose of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.4 Significance of the Study
1.5 Limitations of the Study
1.6 Definitions of Terms
CHAPTER TWO:
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Theoretical Framework
2.2 Conceptual Review
2.2.1 Origin of Religious Practices
2.3. Types of Religious Practices
2.4 The effect of religious practices in the banking sectors
2.5 Challenges of Religious Practices
2.5.1 The role of religious practices in the banking sector
2.6 Empirical Review
CHAPTER THREE:
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Area of Study
3.3 Population of Study
3.4 Method of Data Collection
3.5 Data Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR:
DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
4.1 The Origin of Religious practices
4.2 types of religious practices
4.3 Effects of religious practices on the banking sectors
4.4 Challenges of religious practices
4.5 solutions of religious practices
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY
CONCLUSION
RECOMMENDATIONS
BIBLOGRAPHY
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
The Nigeria banking industry has witnessed several transformations, ranging from the consolidation of banks by mergers & acquisition, the N25bn recapitalization exercise in 2004, the sack of CEO’s & directors of various banks and the N620B injected funds for intervention by Sanusi Lamido in 2010, (National mirror, 2015). These are in a bit to increase customer confidence and service delivery, since it is the financial hub store of the economy, providing employment, income and significantly contributing about 5% to GDP (Adewoye, 2007).
Similarly, Choba as a town was found in the USA in 1920. There was a Choba family living in Pennsylvania and the name represents clan affiliation, patronage, parentage and adoption. Also, Rumuokoro is a town in the heart of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. It is the meeting point of five major roads in Nigeria economy and the gateway to and from the city of Port Harcourt. It consists of five communities and these town host major banks considering the busy nature of the towns.
Furthermore, Religion which is a matter of belief and practice is a universal social phenomenon which seriously concerns almost every living man (Agbikimi, 2014). Generally, religion is understood by many as a belief in the Supernatural power or the Supreme Being and their relationship with the nature that surrounds them. Man, being a social animal, is also, therefore, considered a religious being. Religion is also accepted as one of the strongest sources and means of social control. It is considered as one of the earliest institutions of mankind and is found in all the societies of the past and present. Scholars from the different disciplines of Sociology, Anthropology, Ethnology, Theology and Philosophy conceptualize the elements of religion in their own context; as a result there is no single uniform theory or definition on religion. Besides, religion being one of the earliest institutions is also one of the oldest subjects in human history that is taught and is most widely spread and universally discussed at many levels. Numerous scholars have explained the origin of religion from different perspectives and some of the approaches are discussed below, but let us first look into the definitions given by these scholars (Agha, 1999).
The term religion carries a different meaning for different people. Ronald (1961) puts it in this way, “The English word „Religion‟ has a Latin root, i.e. „Religare‟ meaning to bind together‟ (suggesting the concept of a group or fellowship)”.
Therefore, because of the richness and variety of the subject matter, opinion and understanding differ in theoretical conceptualization. The ElementaryForms of the Religious Life conceptualized religion as a dichotomy on the basis of social facts by studying of the indigenous Aborigines of Australia and arrives saying that religious phenomena are naturally arranged in two fundamental categories of beliefs and practices, the first being the states of opinion in the representation of the mind; the second „determined modes of action which is the practical side of life (Durkheim, 1915).
Despite such changes in religious life, it is still essential to understand the phenomenon, for it touches almost every facet of life, from themes in popular culture to perceptions of wellbeing and motivations for global terrorism. It is also important to understand the history of religions and their spread across the world. Christianity, for example, began as an obscure movement in a tiny place outside Jerusalem some 2,000 years ago. It then spread to the Roman Empire, where it was adopted as the state religion in 380. This accelerated its growth, and it extended throughout Europe, eventually following European movement into the New World. Christianity has now spread to virtually every part of the earth. By the late 20th century, reform movements, such as that of the Korean evangelist Sun Myung Moon (1920–2012), had emerged in countries outside Christianity’s traditional homes, challenging conventional Christian ideas and practices. Meanwhile, Christians in emerging countries were urging Western nations to push back at secular influences and become religious once again.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Religion as a belief can affects every phase of human lives (Hodson, 2004). People tend to be skeptical about new religion especially to ascertain the source and origin. Some practices of religion has in one way or the other affected the banking system as most people would not want to patronize a bank they know has a religious affiliation with a total different religious source beside theirs. Although religious practices has a gained momentum in Port Harcourt and other parts of Nigeria. Most tend to criticize the religion even before have a good knowledge about it. For instance, lack of proper religious education has impedes the understanding of individuals and prevents them from patronizing most especially the Christians against the Islamic bank; choosing the right religious path and also made most individuals to fall into the wrong doctrine in the quest of searching for a true religion. This keep yielding low submission to a prospective believer and yet most religious leaders careless as to salvage the situation.
Attempts to solve the above problems have been left unattended to because while it lingers it can cause a religious conflict. Therefore, this among other reasons informed the creation of religious practices in selected banks in Choba and Rumuokoro towns in Rivers State.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The major purpose of this study is to examine religious practices in selected banks in Choba and Rumuokoro towns in Rivers State. The specific objectives are to:
i. Examine the different religious practices in Rivers State.
ii. Ascertain the challenges of religious practices in Rivers State.
iii. Ascertain the effect of religious practices on some selected banks in Choba and Rumuokoro towns of Rivers State.
iv. Proffer possible solutions to the challenges of religious practices as it affects some selected banks in Choba and Rumuokoro towns of Rivers State.
1.4 Research Questions
The following research questions were answered in the course of the study.
i. What are the different religious practices?
ii. What are the challenges of some religious practices in Rivers State?
iii. What are the effects of religious practices on some selected banks in Choba and Rumuokro towns of Rivers State?
iv. What are the possible solutions to the challenges of religious practices as it affects some selected banks in Choba and Rumuokoro towns of Rivers State?
1.5 Significance of the Study
This work can be used for s tool for enlightenment against misconception of the general public. Also, it can be used by religious leader in order to justify and falsify their religious belief. Finally, it can also be used as a reference to the students and lecturers of the department of Religious and Cultural Studies.
1.6 Scope of the Study
In the light of broad coverage, the study is restricted on constraints to religious practices in selected banks in Choba and Rumuokoro towns in Rivers State. Religious leaders and students will be studied to ascertain the extent to which religious practices affect some selected banks in Choba and rumuokro towns in Rivers State.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
This study is limited by lots of variables which include
Respondent’s bias: respondents are not being sincere with their response because of their emotional attachment to their belief and religion.
Respondents Corporation: the level of cooperation by some respondents was poor because of fear of being victimized for giving information.
Inability to access the major respondents: The handicap of this work was also on the collection of data and my inability to access some of the religious leaders in Rivers State.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Religious Practices: The activities of worshippers with regard to their spiritual being
Religion: The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.
Bank: A safe house where money and other valuable items are kept
Choba and Rumuokoro: A town in Rivers State where people reside and major industrial activities are carried out.
SHARE PROJECT MATERIALS ON:
Assessment Of Religious Practices In Selected Banks:
Assessing religious practices in selected banks typically involves evaluating how these financial institutions accommodate the religious beliefs and needs of both their employees and customers. Here are some key aspects to consider when conducting such an assessment:
- Diversity and Inclusion Policies: Start by examining the bank’s diversity and inclusion policies. Look for statements and initiatives that demonstrate a commitment to accommodating employees of different religious backgrounds and creating an inclusive workplace.
- Workplace Accommodations: Assess whether the bank provides reasonable accommodations for religious practices. This might include flexible scheduling, dress code adjustments, and designated prayer or meditation spaces.
- Employee Resource Groups: Determine if the bank has employee resource groups or affinity groups dedicated to specific religious communities. These groups can provide support and foster a sense of belonging among employees.
- Holiday Observance: Investigate how the bank handles religious holidays. Do they provide paid time off or flexible work arrangements for employees who observe religious holidays that are not part of the official company holiday calendar?
- Dress Code Policies: Analyze the bank’s dress code policies to see if they are inclusive and allow for religious attire such as headscarves, turbans, or religious symbols.
- Training and Sensitivity: Evaluate whether the bank conducts training programs to educate employees about religious diversity and sensitivity. This can help create a more respectful and inclusive work environment.
- Customer Services: Assess how the bank accommodates the religious needs of its customers. This might include offering Sharia-compliant banking services for Muslim customers or recognizing specific religious holidays in their operations.
- Community Engagement: Investigate the bank’s involvement in the local community, especially in areas where they have a significant presence. Banks that support local religious and cultural events may be seen as more inclusive and respectful.
- Non-Discrimination Policies: Ensure that the bank has clear non-discrimination policies in place that protect employees and customers from religious discrimination.
- Feedback Mechanisms: Look for mechanisms that allow employees and customers to provide feedback on the bank’s religious accommodation efforts. This can help the bank make necessary improvements.
- Legal Compliance: Verify that the bank complies with all relevant laws and regulations regarding religious accommodation, such as the U.S. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act or similar laws in other countries.
- Case Studies and Examples: Collect case studies and examples of how the bank has successfully accommodated religious practices in the past. This can provide insights into their approach and commitment.
When assessing religious practices in banks, it’s important to consider both the internal (employee-focused) and external (customer-focused) aspects. Additionally, keep in mind that the level of religious accommodation may vary from one bank to another, so comparisons should be made within the context of the specific institutions being evaluated.