| 1 |
Author(s):
Hadya Hassen.
Page No : 1-14
|
How Ethiopian Standardized National Examinations Achieve their Goal? 2014/15 University Entrance Examination Exam in Focus
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the items of the 2014/15 university entrance examination of the English language based on the parameters of facility value and discrimination index. The study has used a descriptive research design concerned with the quantitative methods which reveal the statistical result of the exam. The data were collected from the database of the National Educational Assessment and Examination Agency (NEAEA). The study covered all of the 120 items of the Ethiopian University Entrance Examination (EUEE). One-fourth of the examinees’ i.e. 40,400 examinees’ results were taken for analysis. Secondary data was also used in the analysis process. The collected data were analyzed quantitatively. Within the two main parameters of item analysis, namely, item facility value and discrimination index of the study; the items were categorized into four ranges based on their effectiveness. Findings of the study revealed that 33 items were very difficult, and 27 items were not discriminating at all. The findings revealed that high numbers of the EUEE examination items were not functioning as expected, which directs many items to be either discarded or improved. This meant the yearly implementation of post-test item analysis is required for better preparation of functional standardized exam preparation for the next periods.
| 2 |
Author(s):
Akinkunmi A. Akinlabi.
Page No : 15-27
|
Civic Education and Internal Political Efficacy of Students in Oluyole Local Government, Oyo State
Abstract
Internal political efficacy is one of the causal factors for political participation. Nigeria, with low political engagement, on many occasions has developed several approaches aimed at promoting internal political efficacy, which includes the introduction of Civic Education into primary and secondary school curriculum. This is designed to instil political knowledge that enhances the internal political efficacy of the students for future participation in the political process. The study is thus an attempt to ascertain the possibility of improved internal political efficacy of the students through the study of Civic Education in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State using descriptive survey research design. Data were collected through the distribution of questionnaires to two hundred and eighty-two (282) students drawn from ten secondary schools in the local government. The result reveals that the study of Civic Education in school promotes political knowledge and internal political efficacy of the students.
| 3 |
Author(s):
Adebayo Ola Afolaranmi, Akeem Adekunle Amodu.
Page No : 28-43
|
Critical Review of Sustainable Peace, Mediative Dialogue and Social Media
Abstract
This paper attempts a critical review of the interplay between social media, sustainable peace and mediative dialogue. The paper is grounded in efforts to achieve Goal 16 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Peace Justice and Strong Institutions. It is the aim of Goal 16 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, give justice to all and make possible effective, responsible and all-encompassing institutions at all levels. The paper traced the history of the Sustainable Development Goals to the United Nations (UN) Conference on the Human Environment held in 1972 in Stockholm, Sweden. The Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations are developed from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other earlier initiatives of the United Nations. Peace is singled out among these goals, and mediative dialogue is a means to achieving this goal. The advent of the Internet, among other technologies, has significantly changed the ways people communicate globally. Social media in particular is taking a significant role in the ways people, groups and nations resolve conflicts. Through philosophical reflections and qualitative analysis, the paper recommends a framework for deploying mediative dialogue, through social media, for sustainable peace. It is, therefore, concluded that harnessing the strength of the philosophies of the phenomena of social media, sustainable peace and mediative dialogue is a veritable tool for conflict resolution and also for actualizing the aspirations for global peace as inspired by Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
| 4 |
Author(s):
Isaac Boaheng (PhD), Olupinyo O. Samuel (MTh).
Page No : 44-59
|
Translating כֹּהֵן into Okun Mother-Tongue of Nigeria: A Proposal
Abstract
The subject of “priesthood” is not limited to the biblical priesthood as it is evident in the historical accounts of nations, beginning from the Ancient Near East (ANE) to Africa and other parts of the world. Yet, the Hebrew term כֹּהֵן (“priest”) is one of the key biblical terms that pose serious translation challenges to most African translators. The problem has to do with whether or not to render it using the local term for traditional priests. Many translators do not use the local term for “traditional priest” to render “priest of God” because of the fear that such rendering might associate biblical priesthood with idolatry. The Okun community of Nigeria has two options; namely, Aworo (Okun word for traditional priest) or Alufa (Yoruba word for “pastor”). The question of which word to use in the ongoing Okun Bible Translation Project has generated controversies not only among the team of translators but also among religious leaders of the entire Okun community. This research was, therefore, conducted to explore what implications each of the options has and to propose a solution to the problem. A careful analysis of responses from one hundred and fifty (150) selected interviewees revealed that most Okun people consider Aworo as the most appropriate word for כֹּהֵן. However, the fetish connotation of Aworo has the potential of hindering its acceptance among the masses. The paper proposed the use of the compound expression Aworo-Ọlọrun (“priest of God”) to distinguish it from the priest of the idols. The proposed rendering is both socio-religiously appropriate and theologically sound. The use of Aworo-Ọlọrun stands the chance of not only enhancing the Okun mother-tongue theologizing but also facilitating the decolonization of Christianity for the Okun community.
| 5 |
Author(s):
Owolabi Adenike Aarinola (Ph.D), Babalola D. A. (Ph.D), Madukoma Ezinwanye (Ph.D).
Page No : 50-61
|
Factors Influencing Intention to use Family Planning among Ekiti State Female Farmers
Abstract
Background: A substantial body of evidence has revealed that family planning is a cost-effective public health and development intervention. It has also been established that family planning is a means to control population growth towards the achievement of goals 1,2 and 3 of the sustainable development goals. However, the contraceptive prevalence rate of Nigerian women especially remains low with a host of factors militating against the uptake of family planning contraceptives. Objective: This paper investigated the various factors that are limiting the uptake of family planning and is thereby causing a low contraceptive uptake rate among female farmers of reproductive age (15 – 49 ) in Ekiti state Nigeria. Methods: Multiple regression analysis was used to analyse demographic variables and other factors affecting the intention to use family planning among the study population with a sample size of 350 in 16 LGAs/ ADPs of Ekiti State. Result: the result showed that a percentage increase in the level of each of the demographic variables and other factors like family planning perception, attitude, knowledge, and spousal support will increase the level of intention to use family planning. Conclusion: This study concluded that factors like fear of side effects, myths & misconceptions, religious barriers, spousal communication, and education have a significant relationship with the intention to use family planning.
| 6 |
Author(s):
Rachel Kansiime, Milton Mutto, Godfrey Zari Rukundo, Nixon Niyonzima, Jackson Orem, Simon Kizito.
Page No : 62-75
|
Personality and Psychological Well-Being among Cancer Caregivers at the Uganda Cancer Institute and Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital
Abstract
To assess the relationship between personality and psychological wellbeing among caregivers of patients with cancer in central and southwestern Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adult caregivers of patients with cancer at the Uganda Cancer Institute in Kampala and at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in southwestern Uganda. The participants were consecutively recruited until a sample of 436 was reached. Personality was assessed using the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) after structural validation using exploratory factor analysis. On the other hand, psychological wellbeing was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). Data was analyzed using STATA version 14. The composite indices were summarized using measures of central tendency and spread. The relationship between the different subscales and the effect of personality on psychological wellbeing was assessed using multiple linear regression modelling. Results: After controlling for all the covariates, the personality domains of extroversion (P 0.0001, f statistic 4.26), neuroticism (P 0.0001, f statistic 4.31), openness (P 0.0000, f statistic 4.36) and introversion (P 0.0000, f statistic 4.31) influence psychological wellbeing of caregivers of patients with cancer. Conclusion: An individual’s personality is very crucial in cancer caregiving because it affects his/her psychological wellbeing. Therefore it is important that the caregivers’ personality disposition is considered at the beginning and during the caregiving journey.
| 7 |
Author(s):
Oyintonyo Michael-Olomu, Udeh Promise Chukwuedozie2.
Page No : 76-91
|
Covid-19 Pandemic: Institutional Trust and Safety Compliance among Owners of Small and Medium Scale Business in Yenagoa, Nigeria
Abstract
The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has unraveled the level of skepticism between governmental institutions and the governed through breaches of confidence and non-compliance with government safety regulations. Despite this, empirical studies on the degree of confidence and compliance with government rules/guidelines in preventing pandemic transmission are still scarce. This study, therefore, examined the relationship between institutional trust and safety compliance with government directives among owners of Small and Medium Scale Business’ (SMBs) in Yenagoa City, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Institutional theory was used as a framework, and a cross-sectional survey was employed. A sample of 346 SMB owners were surveyed, and a structured questionnaire was administered proportionally to randomly selected respondents using Yamane’s (1967) formula. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi Square at 95% significance level. The respondents’ age was 33.39±6.27 years. Half of the respondents (50.0%) engaged in service providing subsector. A high proportion of SMB owners (65.6%) displayed low trust in government Covid-19 rules/guidelines; and this was significantly related to age (x2=119.47), nature of business (x2=61.33), religion (x2=38.82), monthly profit (x2=55.67), and educational level (x2=55.67). While the majority of SMB owners (59.8%) claimed a high degree of compliance with Covid-19 rules/guidelines, 40.2% did not; and this was significantly related to age (x2=54.79), nature of business (x2=20.34), religion (x2=34.55), monthly profit (x2=31.83), educational level (x2=32.58) and underlying health conditions (x2=92.82) of SMB owners. This finding suggests that there should be a need to enforce stringent compliance rules on SMB owners, while palliatives are provided to cushion the effects of the guidelines.
| 8 |
Author(s):
Deinibiteim M. Harry (Ph.D), Mercy Tamunoiyawuna.
Page No : 92-104
|
Restructuring: A Catholicon for the Stability of Nigerian Federalism
Abstract
Nigeria has, over the last three decades, observed threats to its corporate existence as a federation due to the dissatisfaction of the various ethnic nationalities. This dissatisfaction has necessitated the growth of ethnic and micro-nationalistic groups requesting that the country be restructured. Hence the clamour for “restructuring” is high more than ever in the country, with the different ethnic groups advocating for one form of restructuring of the other; while others are threatening to secede from the union. Successive governments have made efforts to pacify the different ethnic nationalities to keep fate with the Nigerian federation with little success, as the agitations for restructuring and threats to disintegrate remain all times high. Consequently, there is strong political rivalry, among the different ethnic groups, which has substantially created political instability in the nation. Thus, the main objective of this paper is to demonstrate that genuine and sincere restructuring of the Nigerian State will to a large extent dowse the threats to Nigerian federalism. The study adopted the Cooperative Federalism strand of the Modern Approach of Federalism, which is anchored on cooperation and interdependence among component units of governments, to explain the necessity for restructuring the Nigerian State. The study used mainly secondary data related to federalism, restructuring and political stability. The study revealed that there has not been a sincere effort at restructuring the Nigerian State since the collapse of the First Republic through a coup d’état, which to a large extent made the country operate as a unitary state and this has fueled ethnic rivalry as well as underdevelopment in the country. The paper concluded that for Nigerian federalism to be substantially free from stress and strains there must be a concerted effort at sincerely restructuring the polity. The study recommended among other things, that government should expedite action to restructure the Nigerian State, engage the dissatisfied and agitating groups clamouring for self-determination, grant greater autonomy to the sub-units, and allow the states to explore and exploit mineral resources in their domain for maximum productivity and development.
