UNIOS DOYEN OF OLD TESTAMENT LINKS 16TH CENTURY TORAH SCROLL TO NIGERIA''S NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

UNIOS DON LINKS 16^TH CENTURY TORAH SCROLL TO NIGERIA''S NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

In a major surgical examination of 16^th Century Torah Scroll, Professor Philip Asura Nggada, an authority of global renown in Old Testament Textual Criticism and Biblical Languages, has connected the Torah to Nigeria’s governance and national development. Professor Asura made the presentation at the 116^th University of Jos Inaugural Lecture series titled Textual Examination of Sofar Marks of the 16^th Century Torah Scroll: A Quest for National Development, which held on Tuesday 17^th February 2026 at the Aliyu Akwe Doma Indoor Theatre, Naraguta Campus of the University.

Delivering the lecture, Professor Asura explained that the extreme care, meticulousness, and precision adopted by the ancient Jewish scribes in the handling of the Torah provides enduring legacies for contemporary governance and nation building.

In his words “The Torah comprises the first five books of the Bible referred to as the law which Moses received from God on Mount Sinai, which the three major religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) strongly affirm. It is a book of covenant, instruction, guidance and teachings…. The Torah provides foundational framework of profound implications for national development based on the principles of social justice, ethical leadership, human dignity, economic, environmental and moral responsibility.”

Describing the methods used in analyzing ancient religious manuscripts, he stated that these included the descriptive method by Bentley Layton, and the Multi-Spectral Imaging (MSI) which seeks to recover erased texts. In addition, he explained that the Scroll was meticulously copied on treated animal skin and preserved under very strict scribal traditions. This denotes a tradition of responsibility which guaranteed that no letter was unaccounted for.

Explaining the implications of the Torah to national development, Professor Asura stated that it provides a strong base for transformative governance under the rule of law as it stresses equality and promotes constitutionality. Secondly, the Torah stresses governance as a duty to God and underlines accountability, humility and protection of justice. Furthermore, the Torah denounces corrupt practices, promotes social justice and welfare, as well as provides universal education. Lastly, it offers a blue-print of a peaceful society which abhors violence, insurgencies and wanton killings.

In conclusion, Professor Asura recommended to the Vice-Chancellor that the University establishes a programme for M.A and PhD in Biblical Textual Criticism/Ancient Manuscripts. According to him, this will make the University the first in Africa to have unfettered access to ancient manuscripts. Secondly, the University should also establish a Centre for the Study of Biblical Languages; Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic, Coptic, that will house and facilitate research in Ancient Religious Manuscripts.

Copies of the lecture booklet can be obtained at the Information, Publications, Public Relations, and Protocol Division of the University, and at the University Library.