Authors:Venkatesh Seshamani Abstract: Zambia has registered impressive economic growth rates since the beginning of this millennium. The question is whether this has resulted in commensurate impacts on reduction in deprivation suffered by a significant percentage of the Zambian population. Has the growth been pro-poor and pro-vulnerable' This paper explored this question by examining the changes in the levels of deprivation during the period 2006-2015. The methodology involved the construction of indices of deprivation based on 15 selected variables and the construction of an aggregate measure of deprivation using these indices. The data used are obtained from the Zambia Living Conditions Monitoring Survey reports for 2006, 2010 and 2015. Based on the results obtained, some key conclusions and policy suggestions have been made.Keywords: Economic growth, poverty, vulnerability, deprivation index, inequality PubDate: 2018-03-20 Issue No:Vol. 12, No. 1 (2018)
Authors:Adeniji Abiodun Adeyeni Abstract: This study examined the dynamic interactions among ownership structure, corporate governance, risk management and performance of Nigerian banks. Secondary data were sourced from 20 out of 22 post-consolidation Deposit Money Banks listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange for a period of seven years from 2005-2011. The data were on Return on Equity (Bank Performance); Capital Adequacy Ratio (Corporate governance); proportion of the board members’ share capital to total bank capital (Ownership structure) and Bank Risk Behaviour (Risk Management Practices). The data were regressed firstly without interaction with ownership structure and later with ownership structure. The results of the analysis showed that without interacting ownership structure with corporate governance and bank risk behaviour, corporate governance has positive and significant effect on bank performance (p < 0.05), but bank risk behaviour has negative but insignificant effect on bank performance (p > 0.05). Ownership structure has positive and significant effect like corporate governance (p < 0.05). However when the ownership structure was interacted with corporate governance and risk behaviour, the results and significance of the variable changed remarkably. The study concluded that good risk management policies and proper ownership structure enhance improved corporate performance.Keywords: Ownership Structure, Corporate Governance, Risk Management, Performance, Dynamic Relationship PubDate: 2018-03-20 Issue No:Vol. 12, No. 1 (2018)
Authors:Richard A. Aborisade, Sunday S. Adedayo Abstract: Globally, the successes of millennium development goals in a number of development areas have been acknowledged, especially as regards poverty reduction. However, there is a consensus that the millennium development agenda failed in a critical target of ensuring justice and security. Hence, the African Union grew in confidence to define its own development goal, by highlighting its vision of structural changes that are essential to achieving economic transformation, social protection, peace and security. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s initial concerns of achieving MDGs centred on tackling corruption, dwindling standard of education, low agricultural yields, and perennial epileptic power supply, were overtaken by the need to address the recurring spate of hapless killings among other violent crimes in different parts of the country. This paper examined Nigeria’s bid to meet with the goal of attaining sustainable peace and security as part of the 2063 Agenda for sustainable development in Africa. The study drew on literature on security and development as well as secondary data on security situation in Nigeria to make projections into Nigeria’s strategic positioning to realise the Agenda. It concluded that the challenges posed to sustainable development from a peace and security perspective will require a more nuanced approach that takes into account governance, rule of law and human rights compliance in security and justice sector institutions in a conflict, postconflict and peaceful Nigerian society.Keywords: Millennium Development Goals, Security, Sustainable Development Goals PubDate: 2018-03-20 Issue No:Vol. 12, No. 1 (2018)
Authors:S.I. Okoroafor Abstract: Foreseeable challenges or needs or potentials involved in anthropological studies especially archaeology stand to help us in planning and effecting better development in the different areas of our environment. The problems of such environmental issue as desertification and the effect especially on humans in the areas of its occurrence particularly on the KelAdrarTuareg community in Northern Mali is prospectively and inferentially evaluated. This is a cautionary study aimed at turning the attention of the people and government to a more responsive dealing with the environment and to be rightly focused on the research endeavours in the place. PubDate: 2018-03-20 Issue No:Vol. 12, No. 1 (2018)
Authors:Peter Alawa Abstract: Phenomenology and Existentialism represent an attitude or qualities that emphasize human existence, that is, the distinctive qualities of individual persons rather than man in the abstract or nature and the world in general. Phenomenology and Existentialism are closely related movements; this is because they revolt against the methods of traditional African society. However, we have a problem and the problem is that Phenomenology and Existentialism are personal and individualistic philosophy. How can it be relevant to the African society that is communal' In this work, we tried to make Phenomenology and Existentialism relevant to the African society, especially Nigeria judging from the fact that individual persons make up the community. Our method is a critical look at the works written on phenomenology and existentialism and also on Africa in order to discover the relevance in Nigeria.Keywords: Phenomenology, Existentialism, Africa, Nigeria PubDate: 2018-03-20 Issue No:Vol. 12, No. 1 (2018)
Authors:Ngozi Chukwu Abstract: Nigeria will still make effective use of capital punishment in the 21st century, at least to satisfy the principle of double effect. Better capital punishment than the violence of capital crime. More than the better of two evils, this paper argued that the death penalty is crucial for those facing trails for capital crimes in Nigeria achieving authenticity in Soren Kierkegaard’s view. Such criminals are among the ‘defenseless selves’, those whose individuality has been lost due to external influences. The institution of capital punishment by a criminal justice system that does not jeopardize the ingredients of justice, especially, proper apprehension suspected criminals, competent representation of the prosecuted, prompt prosecution and execution, of those found guilty, could rescue condemned criminals and enable them become ‘individuals’ or achieve authenticity. Moreover, it will reduce the spate of capital crime in the county, as well as economic loss due to amnesty bargains between governments and suspected criminals or due to ransom being paid kidnappers.Thus, even as speculations on abolition of capital punishment continues, the Nigerian legal profession should encourage competent and adequate representation of criminals facing the death sentence for the country to realize more through capital punishment.Keywords: ‘Defenseless Selves’, Criminal Justice System, Capital Crime, Capital Punishment PubDate: 2018-03-20 Issue No:Vol. 12, No. 1 (2018)
Authors:Emily O. Akintoye, Sunday Okungbowa Uhunmwuangho Abstract: The history of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)’s strike can be traced back to 1978, the period of the beginning of the decline in the oil boom, when the country faced the consequences of the failure by its rulers to use the oil wealth to generate production and a social welfare system. Military dictatorship had eroded deeply the basic freedoms in the society. Academic freedom and university autonomy were casualties of military dictatorship. The funding of education, and so of universities, became poorer. The factors required a changed orientation of the union of academics. However, questionnaires were administered to seek the opinions of the students in University of Benin (UNIBEN) and in Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Edo States and one thousand and fifty four staff and students were randomly selected. Nine hundred and seventy one respondents validly returned their questionnaire. From the analyzed data, it was observed that frequent strikes had adverse effects on the academic performance of students. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations were made that adequate measures should be put in place by government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) etc to check incessant strike in the educational system; and conclusively that government owned Universities should emulated private school owners by avoiding strikes and intensify efforts to convince ASUU on the evils of strikes to see that students would have enough time to study so that they can be able to face challenges in the Labour Market. This paper painstakingly appraised several of these issues and concluded that all stakeholders in the education sector and federal polity should thread softly, be objective, rational, altruistic and magnanimous in order not to make the existence of true federalism (social, political, educational and economic cohesive existence of the people, peace and tranquillity) a fleeting illusion and a mirage.Keywords: ASUU, strikes, Academic performance, economic downturn, National Universities Commission PubDate: 2018-03-20 Issue No:Vol. 12, No. 1 (2018)
Authors:Chika Madu Ile, Chinyere Genevive Odimmega Abstract: This study investigated the extent of use of forensic accounting techniques in the detection of fraud in tertiary institutions in Anambra State, Nigeria. One research question guided the study and one null hypothesis was tested. Related literature pertinent to the study was reviewed which exposed the need for the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted and a population of 280 accounting officers in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in Anambra State were studied without sampling. Questionnaire developed by the researcher was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Mean was used to answer the research question and standard deviation was used to explain how the responses of the accounting officers varied. ANOVA was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze data collected. The results showed that accounting officers in tertiary institutions in Anambra State use forensic accounting techniques to a high extent in the detection of fraud. The results also showed that the accounting officers in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education differed significantly in their mean ratings on the use of forensic accounting techniques in the detection of management fraud in tertiary institutions in Anambra State. Scheffe post hoc test of multiple comparisons was conducted to determine the direction of the difference. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended, among others, that accounting officers should be aware of the benefits of forensic accounting techniques in detecting fraud in their establishments and the severity of financial fraud as well as susceptibility of their organizations to fraud.Keywords: Forensic accounting, techniques, fraud detection and management fraud PubDate: 2018-03-20 Issue No:Vol. 12, No. 1 (2018)
Authors:Chinyere N. Alimba, Peter B. Abu Abstract: This study investigated the relationship between conflict management styles and teachers’ productivity in public secondary schools in Adamawa state, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 1,528 teachers from public secondary schools situated in the five educational zones in the state. A self structured instrument entitled “Conflict Management Styles and Teachers’ Productivity” (CMSTP) was used to gather data for the study. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Teachers most frequently used collaborating style (X̄ =3.1) during conflict situations. Accommodating (r = 0.07; p < 0.05), collaborating (r = 0.32; p < 0.05) and compromising (r = 0.10; p < 0.05) styles were significantly related to teachers’ productivity. Competing style (r = -0.01; p > 0.05) and avoiding style (r = 0.04; p > 0.05) were not significantly related to teachers’ productivity. Thus, teachers should be adequately exposed to conflict dynamics and its management approaches so as to make them more proactive in handling conflicts for better performance in their schools.Keywords: conflict, conflict management styles, teachers productivity, public secondary school PubDate: 2018-03-20 Issue No:Vol. 12, No. 1 (2018)
Authors:P.C. Ifegbo, A.O. Afurobi, A.C. Izuagba, C.A. Obiefuna Abstract: The study sought to determine teacher educators’ preference of cognitive technologies in the teaching and learning process. Five research questions and four hypotheses guided the study. Descriptive survey design was adopted and it sought information from teacher educators in the south-east geo-political zone of Nigeria. The simple random sampling with nonreplacement balloting technique was used to select 351 teacher educators. Instrument was a 15 item questionnaire with a reliability index of 0.87. Data generated were analysed using mean, percentages and chi-square. The results show that teacher educators prefer the use of the following cognitive technologies: Google, Yahoo, Ms Power Point, Ms Word and Ms Excel. Preference in the use of these cognitive technologies differed significantly based on years of experience and educational qualification. Recommendations made include the need for colleges of education to mount in-school seminars and workshop to equip teacher educators on appropriate use of more of these cognitive tools in teaching and learning to facilitate deep learning in student teachers.Keywords: Cognitive Technologies, Preference, Teacher Educators, Behaviourism, Cognitivism and Constructivism PubDate: 2018-03-20 Issue No:Vol. 12, No. 1 (2018)
Authors:D.U. Osakpa, Dyke. A.R. Okonkwo, Stella I. Ejiogu Abstract: The objective of this research was to investigate the difference in the teaching effectiveness of lecturers who obtained basic business education from polytechnics and universities in Nigeria before acquiring higher degrees. The study adopted a survey-descriptive design. One research question and one null hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. Two thousand five hundred and forty-six students and one hundred and four lecturers of Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka constituted the population from which stratified random samples of seventy-two (72) students and eighteen (18) lecturers were identified for data gathering. Teaching Effectiveness Evaluation Scale (TEES) instrument was constructed with which students rated the teaching effectiveness of lecturers. Data were analyzed with the Spearman’s Rank Order. Results showed R = 0.56, coefficient of determination = 31% and coefficient of regression = 0.72. It was found that lecturers who ND/HND from polytechnics before getting higher degrees from universities taught more effectively than their colleagues who obtained B.Ed, B.Sc or B.B.Ed before getting higher degrees. Three recommendations were made one of which was that both Polytechnics and Universities should organize regular seminars and workshops for lecturers who lacked effective teaching skills.Keywords: Teaching Effectiveness Lecturers Basic Education Polytechnics Universities PubDate: 2018-03-20 Issue No:Vol. 12, No. 1 (2018)
Authors:Henry Igiebor Oghoator, Akonbgowa Bramwell Amadasun Abstract: The focus of this article is on the non representative nature of the tax system in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) and the consequent immeasurable imbalance that this has created in the social contract relations between the tax payer and the government; and the retrogressive development effects in the ability of taxation as a development instrument in the economies of the SSA. For the theoretical framework, the social contract theory and the doctrine of democratic representation were employed. To measure the level of citizens’ participation in the process and the consequences of the citizen non participation, the paper adopted the questioning approach (with rigorous analysis of the status quo as a precursor to producing the desired findings and policy prescriptions). It was discovered that there is no doubt that tax revenues are necessary for the state in the SSA to meet the basic needs of the citizens in the fulfilment of the social contract and to lift millions out of poverty amongst others. The paper posited that the present tax architecture (formulation and legislative process) is dictatorial in its ramification, fuelling unemployment and de-industrialization due to its bureaucratic origination and packaging that is lacking in inputs from citizens or taxpayers among other reasons. The paper also posited that there is almost a complete absence of dialogue between the bureaucrats and the legislature on one hand and the taxpayer on the other hand in formulating, legislating and implementing tax legislatures and policies. Based on other findings, the paper opined in its ramifications should be guided by tax payers’ public opinion or perception of national development transformation and not national tax authorities’ fiscal rascality as task masters.Keywords: Taxation, Legislature, Citizens, Bureaucracy and Development PubDate: 2018-03-20 Issue No:Vol. 12, No. 1 (2018)
Authors:Johnson Olaosebikan Aremu, Lateef Oluwafemi Buhari Abstract: This paper examined the boundary discord between Ethiopia and Eritrea over the region around Badme which started as a result of artificial boundaries created by the Italian imperialists. The study depicts the evolution of Italian colonialism in Ethiopia between 1936 and 1941. It exposes the differentials existing between the Muslim lowlanders and Christian highlanders. This paper further showcased the activities of armed resistance movements that emerged such as Eritrean Liberation Front (EFL) and Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). The paper discussed the root causes of the war, unlawful expulsion and destruction of houses of Eritreans. The paper concluded with the quest for peace to bring an end to the border discord between Ethiopia and Eritrea.Keywords: Ethiopia, Eritrea, Border Politics, Colonialism, Conflict Resolution PubDate: 2018-03-20 Issue No:Vol. 12, No. 1 (2018)
Authors:Arinze Agbanusi, Basil Sunday Nnamdi Abstract: Colonialism provided the West the opportunity to introduce their culture into Africa. In Nigeria, the British introduced their culture through education and religion. The resultant interplay between the existing Nigerian indigenous culture and the British imposed Western culture is what is referred to as the conflict of cultures. The culture of a people lives with the people. Like every living thing, culture changes. The changing of culture or cultural dynamism is either negative or positive. Nigerian culture faces negative dynamism in many spheres of life. Using analytic and hermeneutic methods, this paper stressed the need to check negative cultural dynamism in Nigeria. The thesis of this paper is that not only has it become fashionable in Nigeria to do things the European or American way, but worse still, it has become fashionable not to do things the African way. The paper concluded that Africans or Nigerians should retain aspects of their culture that are good and change only those aspects that are bad. In other words, they should imbibe the spirit of positive cultural dynamism and eschew the negative. PubDate: 2018-03-20 Issue No:Vol. 12, No. 1 (2018)
Authors:F.C. Onuoha, I.C. Okonkwo, P Okoro, Kingsley Okere Abstract: This study examined the long run and short run dynamic relationships between macroeconomic variables and FDI in West Africa using recent econometric techniques for Granger non-causality and PMG/ARDL for period of 1990 to 2016. Controlling for the influence of trade openness and exchange rate, the long-run effect of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on economic growth and gds are found to be positive and statistically significant. FDI is found to be negative and statistically significant on unemployment indicating that an increase in FDI would significantly reduce unemployment in the selected West African nations in the long-run. The coefficient of error correction model in all the specifications is negative and significant indicating that the short-run disequilibrium is corrected in the long-run. Panel Granger causality tests result indicates that causality do not run from any direction in the short run which could be attributed to poor economic activities among this developing countries and an important revelation for policy implication.Keywords/Phrases: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), West Africa, PMG/ARDL, cointegration, Granger causality, macroeconomic variables PubDate: 2018-03-20 Issue No:Vol. 12, No. 1 (2018)
Authors:Kunle Sehinde Benson, Isiaka Kolawol Egbewole Abstract: The study examined the structure and mode of administration in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex Ile-Ife Nigeria; and also assessed the impact of the structure and mode of administration on the service delivery in the hospital. These were with a view to assessing the administration of healthcare service delivery in Nigeria. Primary and secondary data were used for the study. The primary data were collected through administration of questionnaire and in-depth interviews on the staff of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, The study population of 779 consisted senior staff members on levels 07 and above in OAUTHC, (a federal tertiary hospital) and SERVICOM office in the hospital. Stratified and random sampling techniques were used in selecting respondents with a sample fraction of 20% bringing the sample size to 155 out of 779 population frame. Interviews were conducted with 9 respondents including two (2) purposively selected Directors in the hospital, two (2) servicom officers and five patients, who were randomly selected in the tertiary healthcare institution. Secondary data were collected from books, journals, reports, documents, official publications, and internet sources. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (t test). The study concluded that the structure and mode of administration impacted negatively on the service delivery, efficiency and running of tertiary healthcare in OAUTHC Ile-Ife Nigeria.Keywords: Efficiency and Effectiveness, Health and Healthcare, Health Expenditure, Hospital Management, Hospital Administration PubDate: 2018-03-20 Issue No:Vol. 12, No. 1 (2018)
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