| 1 |
Author(s):
Afolabi Mojirayo, Adeyemo Oladapo.
Page No : 1-13
|
Information Literacy and Women Empowerment for National Development: The Role of First Ladies in Nigeria
Abstract
nformation literacy, the ability to access and utilize essential information empower women’s participation in national development and helps them to gain control over their lives. It is key to development and it promotes social inclusion by empowering people to seek and use the information to achieve their goals. It helps women to utilize available resources at their disposal to the best of their ability to achieve optimum results. Women economic empowerment and information literacy cannot be assessed without considering the economic inequality in Nigeria. Women empowerment is the means of reducing women's vulnerability and dependency in all areas of life. Women in Nigeria especially in the rural areas have been neglected, subjected and exposed to poverty with no means of supporting themselves. This paper looks at how information literacy and empowerment can raise the standard of living of women and the role and impact first ladies have played in empowering these women and going forward, how information literacy and women empowerment programmes can be better structured and sustained to further improve their living conditions and the socio-economic development of the nation.
| 2 |
Author(s):
Mustapha Salihu.
Page No : 14-32
|
The Relevance of Community Involvement in Military Counter-Insurgency Operations in North Eastern Nigeria
Abstract
The paper highlights the increasing in-practicability of post-conflict peace-building in the context of emerging unconventional intra-state wars. It however ascertains the viability of a community-referent peace-building intervention as part of wider efforts to counter the influence of Boko Haram, while tending to humanitarian needs of affected communities. To do so, it employs textual analysis of qualitative secondary data, and builds on the submission of civil-military-relations theory as its framework for analysis. The result of the textual analysis of prior literature suggests counter insurgency operations in the northeast remain highly militarized, with inconsequential attention being paid to the humanitarian needs of affected communities. Despite its relevance, the use of military force has proven to be counterproductive given its state-referent orientation. Further to which sustained use of force has heightens the effect of the conflict on millions of civilians who have fled their communities in fear of Boko Haram and military highhandedness. To address the deficiencies of the pre-existing framework for countering insurgency, the paper proposes the implementation of a community centric, bottom-up approach which emphasizes the security, reconstruction and reintegration needs of civilians and defecting combatants. By prioritizing the inclusive needs of affected communities, the state is likely to win over the population, drawing on the combined expertise and resources of military and civilian actors. The implementation of such an approach will require in amongst others a reorientation of the military roles, a renewed relation of mutual assistance between civilian and military actors in the northeast.
| 3 |
Author(s):
Akande Adeyemi.
Page No : 33-43
|
Introduction of Glass as Fenestration in 19th Century Lagos, Nigeria: A Brief History
Abstract
While glass as a material has been known to the people of western Nigerian for hundreds of years, it was only in the late 19th century that it became integrated into building and construction practice in Lagos. For the most part, early local architecture made little effort, if any at all, at covering window spaces with any material of permanence as the primary purpose of these orifices was more to let air in rather than light. Early European missionaries and colonial agents saw the situation differently. Their horrid fear for tropical bugs and matters of security and privacy necessitated a response and modification to the philosophy of tropical architecture. Using qualitative methods and visual analysis of archival images, this study takes a historical look at the beginnings of the integration and use of glass as fenestration and argues that so significant was the introduction in the late 19th and early 20th century in Lagos, that the innovation re-engineered the culture of architecture and living as we know it. The study identified the first building in Lagos to use glass as fenestration and discusses the role of missionaries in the development of innovation. It argues that missionary activity in the coastal city of Lagos, created a broad new industry and trade opportunities and concludes that the introduction of glass as a building material in 19th century Lagos, was not a mere development, but a significant innovation, both in construction and creativity.
| 4 |
Author(s):
Newton Ochieng Mitoko .
Page No : 44-55
|
An Assessment of the Legal Framework Safeguarding Academic Staff: A Factor in the Declining Quality of Higher Education in Kenya
Abstract
A paper that seeks to investigate the legal framework safeguarding academic staff; whether or not, it has an impact on the declining quality of higher education in Kenya. Due to globalization and privatization of higher education, the field has been open to forces, which have seen institutions, become the centers of exploitation. Incidents in which university staff have threatened to strike or put down their tools have become the norm. Such situations have denied youth the right to access education. To remedy the foregoing problems, the parliament of Kenya enacted various legislation as part of reform efforts aimed at enhancing the efficiency, integrity and equity of Kenya's higher education system. Thus, purpose of the paper is to clearly analyze the legal framework and safeguards that relate to academic staff with the view to understand it's impact on Higher Education. Hence, quantitative research using a survey questionnaire to collect data from respondents was conducted. The end results of the study revealed that the current structured legal framework and safeguards for academic staff had a positive impact thus not a push factor in declining quality of higher education in Kenya.
| 5 |
Author(s):
Raymond Minini, Selem-Amachree Ibiyingibo.
Page No : 56-64
|
Designing a Rational and Optimal Fiscal Federalism for Nigeria
Abstract
Nigeria, because of its peculiar evolution—the Federal system, tends to emphasize not cooperation but competition between the constituent units and the centre, and among the constituent units themselves. Especially with the discovery of oil, bad governance and the non-performance of the public sector has re-echoed the problem of intergovernmental fiscal arrangement among the different levels of government to the front burner, which has remained dominant and most contentious in Nigeria’s polity. It is upon this background, that it becomes necessary to lend a voice in designing a rational and optimal fiscal federalism for our dear nation, Nigeria, because the nature and conditions of the financial relations in any federal system are crucial to its continued existence. This paper explores revenue allocation formulas through a descriptive historical analysis, and by taking cognizance of the main issues and challenges of fiscal federalism recommended that derivation principle should be encouraged—but not relegating the national unity to the background—and corruption should be fought to a standstill without sentiment.
| 6 |
Author(s):
James W. Ellis.
Page No : 65-80
|
A Harmony of Judeo-Christian Eschatology and Messianic Prophecy
Abstract
This essay presents a selective overview of the main themes of Judeo-Christian eschatological prophecy. Particular attention is paid to the significance of successive biblical covenants, prophecies of the “day of the Lord,” differences between personal and collective resurrection, and expectations of the Messianic era. Although the prophets of the Hebrew Bible and Christian New Testament lived and wrote in diverse historical and social contexts, their foresights were remarkably consistent and collectively offered a coherent picture of the earth’s last days, the culmination of human history, and the prospects of the afterlife. This coherence reflects the interrelated character of Judaic and Christian theology and the unity of the Judeo-Christian faith.
| 7 |
Author(s):
Ige Kehinde Moses.
Page No : 81-89
|
The China Syndrome: The Impact of China’s Growing Economic and Political Influence in the South Pacific
Abstract
The People's Republic of China in the past decades has experienced dynamic and accelerative growth. Its activities the world over, particularly in the South Pacific is a projection of its foreign policy as well as its economic and political ambition. While its growing power remains progressive, the dominant explanation for this trend is its desire to attain the hegemonic status that is unrivalled.
| 8 |
Author(s):
Ezeabasili Ifeoma Ethel (Ph.D).
Page No : 90-104
|
Cross Border Migration and the Spread of Infectious Diseases (HIV & TB): A Comparative Analysis of Nigeria and Benin Republic, 1999-2017
Abstract
Cross border migration is the movement of people across their national boundaries, it is a phenomenon that cuts across tribes, religions, and status, it is a universal phenomenon, the quest for individuals to meet their basic requirements which will enable them to live a life free from fear and wants, engenders these phenomena. This paper examines the relationship between cross-border migration and the spread of infectious diseases: HIV and Tuberculosis in Nigeria and the Benin Republic. This study utilized a secondary method of data collection. Classical migration theory was the theoretical framework on which the study was anchored. Using descriptive statistics and Pearson Correlation Coefficient, as a method of data analysis, the findings revealed that cross-border migration contributed to HIV transmission among women in Nigeria and the Benin Republic; and Tuberculosis incidence in the Benin Republic. This study concludes that cross-border migration plays an essential role in the spread of HIV in women in Nigeria and Benin Republic respectively; and Tuberculosis in the Benin Republic. Based on the findings the study recommends; that governments of both Nigeria and Benin Republic should establish mechanisms for the screening of migrants and returnees at the point of entry to know their health status and improve health facilities by; providing rapid testing equipment, mobile laboratories, and clinics, formulate policies that will address the rights of migrants, provide health workers with adequate protective machines.
| 9 |
Author(s):
Anetoh Bonaventure Chike (Ph.D) .
Page No : 105-115
|
Karl Popper’s Critique of Thomas Kuhn’s Concept of Normal Science: An Evaluation
Abstract
This article focuses on an evaluation of Karl Popper’s critique of Thomas Kuhn’s concept of normal science. Kuhn describes normal science as paradigm-based research in which scientists conduct their research within the theoretical and conceptual provisions of the accepted paradigm. His idea of normal science is very controversial, and as such was criticized by many philosophers of science, especially Karl Popper. The basic questions are: What actually does Kuhn mean by normal science? What are the major occupations of scientists during normal scientific research? What are the major criticisms Popper made against Kuhn’s normal science? Is Popper right in his assessment of Kuhn’s idea of normal science? This article, employing analytical and critical methods of inquiry, examines Popper’s critique of Kuhn’s normal science. The researcher observes that Popper’s major problems with Kuhn’s idea revolve around the issues of uncriticality and dogmatism. However, this article argues that Kuhnian normal scientists seem not to be as ‘dogmatic’ and ‘not-too-critical’ as Popper claims. Popper’s fundamental problem in his assessment of Kuhnian normal science is that he assessed Kuhn’s normal science in isolation without taking adequate cognizance of its proper context. Nevertheless, Popper’s non-dogmatic approach to the scientific investigation could be said to be very necessary for the development of science in general.
| 10 |
Author(s):
Dr. Kwaku Boamah, Isaac Boaheng.
Page No : 116-131
|
There is Nothing New Under the Sun: A Comparative Study of the Politics at the Time of Jesus to the Ghanaian Politics
Abstract
Generally, it is often said that change is the only constant thing in the world. In other words, as time changes, people’s ways of doing things equally changes. This paper seeks to compare the political culture of first century Palestine (in which Jesus lived and ministered) to the political culture of contemporary Ghana. To this end, the study compares and contrasts the reign of Herod in the first century Jerusalem with Political actors in Ghana’s Fourth Republic. It is a literature-based research that draws from both primary and secondary sources. The study found that, there is not much difference between the politics of today and that of Jesus’ day. It, therefore, makes Solomon`s statement there is nothing new under the sun still relevant today.
