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The aim of this paper is to further understanding on the ethical and conceptual challenges associated with researching human trafficking in Edo state, Nigeria. The contribution addresses perceptions of these phenomena among some local actors in the state. Based on five years' research on human trafficking from Nigeria to Europe, this paper puts into perspective local perceptions, and some dynamics of data collection. Also considered here are ethical challenges bordering on trust and suspicion of the researcher's intent, informed consent and suspicion of researcher's motive especially those linked to funding. The paper concludes by recommending ways of navigating as well as overcoming the associated challenges in researching human trafficking in Edo state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring poverty reduction requires frequent microdata on household welfare that can be compared over time. Such data are unavailable in many countries, given limited statistical capacity, shocks that prevent data collection, and regular improvements to survey methodology. This paper demonstrates how jointly deploying backcasting and survey-to-survey imputations can help to overcome this in a setting where estimating a poverty trend is badly needed, given the scale of the poverty-reduction challenge, but where survey-to-survey imputations are more likely to succeed and can be directly tested. In Nigeria, the most recent official survey that can be used to construct an imputation model was collected through the same methodology and in the same year as the target survey. This data landscape could arise in other settings where the methodology for smaller, interstitial surveys is updated more quickly than for larger, official consumption surveys. Naively comparing Nigeria's last two official consumption surveys would suggest that the poverty rate fell by 17 percentage points between 2009 and 2019. Yet the methods presented in this paper both suggest a much smaller reduction in poverty of between 3 and 7 percentage points, echoing Nigeria's performance on nonmonetary welfare indicators over the same period. The paper therefore provides guidance on when and how backcasting and survey-to-survey imputation techniques can be most valuable for monitoring poverty reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a compelling need to address the protracted and recurring multidimensional insecurity in Nigeria. The prevalence of insecurity in the country is multipronged and caught in a cyclic web. Insecurity in Nigeria comprises insurgency, killer herdsmen, extrajudicial killings, ethnoreligious conflict, armed robbery, militancy, banditry, cybercrime and attacks by unknown gunmen, among other things. The incidence of attacks by unknown gunmen is pervasive and symptomatic of a fragile state where the government's monopoly of force is challenged and where marginalisation, crises and contested spaces are ubiquitous. The thrust of this paper is that the menace of unknown gunmen is pervasive and threatens to plunge Nigeria into a cesspit of fragility. The argument is predicated on the conceptual and theoretical suppositions of a fragile state. To this end, the paper adopts the documentary method of data collection and uses qualitative descriptive analysis to expound on the phenomenon. The findings reveal that the words unknown gunmen - terminology that is used to describe the spate of insecurity in the country - are a bane to peaceful coexistence. The paper also shows that the insecurity caused by these armed attacks and other forms of threat is emblematic of a fragile state. Consequently, policy recommendations - state-building and peace-building - are proffered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Health and demographic surveillance systems (HDSS) are community-based platforms that collect longitudinal data on core demographic and socioeconomic indices as well as key health indicators at regular intervals within defined geographical populations. These systems were previously paper-based. However, the advent of electronic data collection and processing with heterogeneous technologies has posed a problem for data validation and integration. This paper describes the development of ETL channels for automated import of HDSS data from ODK to OpenHDS. The setting was the Cross River HDSS, University of Calabar, South-south Nigeria with a surveillance population of 37,808. Data collection by Fieldworkers was done with Android smartphones running the ODK Collect, while the Supervisors used Android tablets devices to review data prior to submission to an intermediate cloud-based ODK Aggregate server. The validated data was serviced by the OpenHDS and resided on MySQL server maintained locally at the Data Centre. Channels were developed in Mirth Connect to read field data from ODK, validate against the OpenHDS repository and insert onto MySQL database, rejecting inconsistent data when found. Twenty-six channels were developed, tested and deployed for import of data onto the OpenHDS. With contextual modification, this tool can be extended to other health and demographic surveillance systems (HDSSs) under the INDEPTH Network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- This paper addresses the pitfalls in conditional cash transfer in Nigeria and suggested the best practices to enhance the performance of the social policy instrument in Nigeria. Research method -- This paper is library research which evaluates the issue at stake using documentary evidence from secondary means of data collection such as textbooks, journal articles, newspapers and so on. Result -- The paper found that conditional cash transfer in Nigeria is characterized with several anomalies. These among others identified in the study include diversion of funds by the beneficiaries for purposes other than investing in what it was originally meant for, the improper definition of exit and entry period (a period of one year is allowed in Nigeria) and this translates to nothing meaningful. It was found that beneficiaries are randomly selected in Nigeria, thus leading to obvious errors of exclusion and inclusion. Recommendations -- This paper recommends among others that a formidable system of entry and exit rules, monitoring and evaluation mechanism, cash disbursement mechanism as well as grievance redress mechanism be put in place as practised in other climes. These systems will no doubt enhance the service quality, value for money, transparency and accountability of the social protection policy, culminating in the social-economic development of the Nigerian states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data quality plays a vital role in the reliability of data for planning and decision making. The methods used for data collection and entry further heightens the concern for data quality. This paper addresses the techniques of double data entry as an efficient and simplified approach designed to improve the quality of paper-based records. Data from implementation of the operations research component of a larger health intervention project in Abia State, South-east, Nigeria, was used for the implementation. Paper-based data were entered independently by two data entry clerks with unique identifiers (IDs) using ODK application. The data was then exported in .csv format into Microsoft Excel application and compared for discordant entries. The algorithm auto-compared all records by the data entry clerks and returned zero and non-zero values for all concordant and discordant entries respectively. This allowed for easy spot checks on the questionnaires and subsequent correction of the erroneous entries. Double data entry is efficient, cost effective and robust in achieving high data quality with paper-based records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper critically examined the exigency of democracy in Nigeria--a cause of tremendous scandal. The concept of democracy has been examined by different scholars throughout the world. In Nigeria, many scholars emphasized much on the positive impact(s) of democracy since its inception till date. However, this work strictly looked at the controversies it brought to the nation. A critical method of data collection was used to carry out the investigation. It was critical in other to draw out some factors that ought to be observed as a democratic nation. Data was collected through existing scholarly works, including journals, textbooks, newspapers, and other useful materials found in the library. The findings revealed that the concept of democracy has been misinterpreted and brought disasters into the vein of the nation due to the inability of the elected aristocratic leaders who have seen this as "cateblanche" (freedom) to scandalize, bully, embezzle, and siphon the milk of the nation. This paper concluded and recommended that since democracy promotes equal rights, then, the concept of democracy must be observed and practiced. Political leaders' immunity should be removed for proper justice against violation. The Constitution must be re-reviewed and the concept of equality spelled out in the Constitution should not be theoretical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to be formidable and great in any given civilization, gender equality is a necessary condition. The fundamental formula for a functioning society calls for partnership and a fair division of labour between the sexes. Yet, a skewed approach has been used in which masculinity has taken precedence over femininity and women have constantly been left out of decision-making throughout history and in various communities. They are routinely discriminated against within political structures. These power structures are to blame for the ongoing underdevelopment, marginalization, and imbalance that they bring about. Recently, the Neo-Pentecostal movement have taken a significant step in the recognition and maximization of the inclusion of women in its religious hierarchy. As such they are giving women an eminent place of equal impetus with men, as such paving positive ways and encouraging gender sensitization in Nigerian society which is highly male oriented. This paper sees this move as a pathway for gender balanced education in Nigeria. The method applied in this research is a literary and descriptive method. It involves a qualitative approach which recruits the use of preliminary and post preliminary sources of data collection. The study found that the inclusiveness of women in the leadership hierarchical order in the neo-Pentecostal movements is a substantial achievement and it is worth emulating. It is a clear pathway to gender balanced education in Nigeria. It was recommended that 50% inclusion of women in all human endeavours will engender sustainable development in Nigeria and promote needed unity and above serve as a role model for other masculine oriented communities where justice and fairness are sorely needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examined rain action on buildings in South-eastern Nigeria where annual rainfall figures range from 1740mm to 2400mm. The aim of the study was to establish the importance of climatic context in building design to ensure resilience to adverse rain action. The study was conducted inside the premises of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri. All the buildings in the institution totalling 116 were assessed based on age, design features, and types and levels of rain damage. Data collection was by physical enumeration and pictorial documentation. Analysis of results was by simple descriptive statistics. The findings identified either mild or severe rain damage on the buildings, traceable to design features, materials, and construction detailing. The study concluded that buildings in the study area should have high-pitched roofs, extensive eave overhangs, rain collection and discharge mechanism through gutters and downspouts, impervious walls, airtight openings, shaded windows, and elevated ground floor levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examined the link between political party financing and the ineffectiveness of the NTYTRA in Nigeria and contends that the poor regulation of party financing, which is one of the features of the post-colonial state of Nigeria, not only led to certain alterations in the age reduction bill but also undermined the purpose of the final act. While our analysis is based on the framework provided by the post-colonial state theory, a mixed method of data collection was adopted for the study. The paper argued that the continuous overbearing influence of party financiers on electoral outcomes is a possible cause of alienation of young political aspirants from electoral positions. We therefore recommend the need for effective regulation of relevant laws on party financing and a review of the identified provisions in the NTYTRA that undermine the fair participation of young political aspirants in electoral contests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examined the effects of public policy discontinuity on the well-being of the citizens. To a very large extent, public policy discontinuity has a great potential to lead to poverty amongst the citizenry which invariably undermines development. Development can hardly be achieved in the midst of acute poverty in the country. The citizens are more likely disposed to contribute to national development when they live above the poverty line and the reverse would be the case when they live below the poverty line. Secondary method of data collection was adopted in this paper in the sense that data for the paper were sourced from documented and archival materials and data gathered were analyzed with the use of historical method. The paper found out that the high level of poverty and low level of citizens well-being is partly as a result of public policy discontinuity and this condition has also greatly undermined national development. The theoretical framework adopted in this paper is the systems theory. The paper recommended among other things that proper planning and analysis should precede public policy-making and implementation to ensure that government make policies they have the capacity in all its ramification to implement so that the citizens can derive the benefits of such policies in order for their well-being to be assured and guaranteed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper attempts to examine some of the challenges facing Islamic education system in Nigeria. The paper highlights what could be the solution to many challenges facing Islamic education, especially in our present/modern day society, ranging from parental negative attitude, societal negligence, external influence particularly European culture, to mention but a few. To tackle some of these challenges, some recommendations were given to parents, teachers, government and the society in general to inculcate in to the Muslim children the basic Islamic knowledge. The paper begins with an introduction, traces briefly history of Islamic education in Nigeria, followed by some of the challenges mentioned earlier, provides certain recommendations and ends with a conclusion. The methodological approach used in this paper is descriptive, prescriptive and annalistic; meanwhile the method of data collection is historical and empirical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Political parties require strong financial backing to operate. Campaign activities require massive spending to convince electorates to accept the candidature of political parties in their locations. Yet, there are financial regulations on how campaigns and related activities should be conducted in Nigeria. This is to ensure transparency and accountability and eschew corrupt practices in the electoral process. However, despite these constitutional regulations and the provision of the Nigerian Electoral Act 2010, there seem to be cases of violations of financial regulations and weak enforcement of penalties. Thus, this paper examines the regulations in political party financing in Nigeria and the measures needed to ensure compliance. The work adopted a particularistic qualitative method of data collection and analysis. It uses primary (obtained from agencies) and secondary (government's document and laws) data. The paper concludes that, while there are well-articulated regulations on political party financing in Nigeria, their implementation, monitoring, and enforcement, as well as the sanction of offenders remain very weak. The paper, therefore, recommends that policy makers, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and civil societies need to ensure compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over a decade, a radical force of creative experimentation and exploration has considerably revolutionized and changed the direction of art development in Nigerian. Art production has been witnessing a dramatic paradigm shift, embracing the postmodern ethos. This is evident in the couching of themes, choice of media and their technical manipulations towards creating highly evocative works by artists in Nsukka School. Critics have expressed fear over its negative implications that they have unequivocally, termed it anti-art, querying the commercial value of the artworks being produced. This paper addresses these issues by engaging the postmodernist works of selected ceramist artists to show that their visual richness and eclectic stylistic diversity attract patronages and significant media attention and expose the artists involved in this creative enterprise to the international scene. The study relied on extant literature, studio visitations and personal interviews with the artists as useful methods of data collection. Data collected were analyzed, employing historical, philosophical and analytical methods. Photographs of works as visuals have been included to back up the points being made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that the failure of neoliberal economic policies in Nigeria leads to increasing spate of criminal activities in the country. It explains how such neoliberal economic policies like privatisation, removal of state subsidies and deregulation cripple pre-existing substructure of the Nigerian economy; thereby increasing criminal activities everywhere in Nigeria. While criminal activities are closely associated with neoliberal states, privatisation and deregulation have facilitated the creation of huge unemployed labour by crippling existing industries and local ingenuity which explains the level of economic marginalisation and the stagnant pool characterised by abject poverty in Nigeria. While the state and its allies struggle to maintain their unpopular economic policies by all means, the victims and the unemployed find expression in criminal activities. The study uses mixed methods of data collection and analysis made up of descriptive statistics and content analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there is growing awareness of the issue of food losses at the political level, official post-harvest loss data for informing policymaking and reporting on SDG Indicator 12.3.1. (a) Food Loss Index is scarce. Representative sample-based surveys are necessary to obtain information on on-farm losses at the country level, but due to the issue's complexity, a loss module covering several key questions is needed. One main strategy proposed by the 50x2030 Initiative for optimizing data collection is sub-sampling for some of the survey modules. This paper examines whether modelling approaches can be combined with sub-sampling to improve harvest and post-harvest loss estimates and allow for further sample and cost reduction. The paper first presents the loss models generated on four selected surveys conducted in Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria, which were built using the Classification and Regression Tree (CART) method. The performance of each model is assessed for different sizes of sub-samples to improve the sample-based estimates, either by model-based estimates or by model-based imputation. The research concludes that the model-based estimates improve the loss estimates of the sub-samples due to post-stratification implied in the CART method, whereby they can constitute a cost-effective complement to sub-sampling strategies, while model-based imputations should only be used on a reduced number of missing observations. The models perform best when the survey invests in obtaining more detailed on-farm loss data and considers some key variables identified as relevant for on-farm loss models. Sub-sampling allows for investment in more detailed questionnaires and some considerations are derived for its design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The culture of children begging for alms in Northern Nigeria is long-established and is propelled by poverty, 'parentlessness', the absence of parental care and, most importantly, the Islamic doctrines of 'giving' to children who are made to seek for qur'anic education outside their parents' homes. The prevalence of these 'almajirai' in Northern Nigeria has begun to create new security dimensions as a result of their mobility given the context of their recruitment into terrorist sects such as Boko Haram and ISWAP. Almajirai have also indulged in drug addiction, street pickpocketing, and other urban crimes. Their mobility has constituted threats for transmission of dangerous communicable diseases such as Corona Virus-19 or what is known as COVID-19. This paper examines the non-military security dimensions associated with the mobility of wandering children beggars or what are often regarded as the Almajiris in Nigeria's northern states. It examines the level of security threat that the Almajirai pose to the Nigerian state and what implications their mobility has for Nigeria's internal security, especially in the age of international migration and globalisation. Further, the article analyses the dynamic ways in which the mobility of the Almajiris has threatened the security of the neighbouring states of Chad and Niger as well as West Africa's regional security in general given its proximity and socio-cultural linkages. The paper employed secondary sources of data collection. It concludes that the mobility of Almajirai poses serious internal security challenges for Nigeria as it serves as a fertile ground for terrorist breeding and radicalization. Disease contraction and transmission, urban crimes such as car-hijacking tactics, pickpocketing, and criminal surveillance of potential innocent targets have become associated with their mobility; hence, regional security is endangered as a result of their increasing crossing of the loosely guarded Nigerian border to the Lake Chad area and West Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the importance of applying open-source technologies for mobile-based data collection for real-time tracking of seed yam (Dioscorea rotundata and Dioscorea alata) production. In the past, seed yam data in Nigeria have been predominantly collected using field notebooks, which were subsequently entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet or Access database for analysis and reposition. Relevant areas of weakness within the current data systems include time delay in providing feedback and non-availability of data upon demand. As a result, this has hampered direct tracking of seeds at various stages of crop production and management. The study provided data collectors with a pre-installed yam seed tracking app for use on an Android device for data collection and management. The system architecture is based on the Open Data Kit (ODK) framework and a custom design based on requirements and lessons learned from literature. The ODK (Aggregate) made data easily accessible in minimum time possible from the point of data collection. The yam seed tracking application was developed as a result, which was field tested. The results indicated that this method improved efficiency, speed, and convenience in data collection and visualization, showing that this type of system can be used in crop management and research. The ODK was helpful to farmers in making their management decisions and ultimately boosting crop productivity. Stakeholders were able to visualize trends in yam production, which helps with marketing decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social and linguistic environments influence proficiency in English. Hence, proficiency in the English language is a product of contextual factors. The significance of these environmental factors is palpable in the learning and teaching of the English language in schools. This paper, therefore, examined the extent to which social and linguistic factors influenced language proficiency in selected secondary schools in Owerri, Nigeria. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire employed in getting effective response from English teachers in the schools. The correlation analysis using Pearson Product moment and normal P-P plot for regression standard residual was employed for the analysis of variables in the questionnaire. Results indicated that social and linguistic factors were highly significant in relation to proficiency in English. Thus, predicators variables influenced proficiency in English. Based on the findings, the researchers conclude that social and linguistic factors play crucial roles in proficiency in the English language at the secondary school level. Therefore, a conducive environment can help students to overcome major challenges in learning English. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thrust of this paper is to find out how literate and illiterate drivers are able to identify and act accordingly to unworded traffic sings on Nigerian roads. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 20 private (seemed literate) drivers and 20 commercials (believed to be illiterate) drivers at Jabi lorry park, Abuja, Nigeria. 20-item-road traffic signs with no inscriptions were used as instrument for the respondents to orally state what those signs stand for when found on high ways. The instrument was given to two road safety personnel (FRSC) and two vehicle inspection officers (VIO) upon whose advice the final draft of the instrument was done and administered. The reliability index was determined via test re-test method using Pearson r statistics at 0.05 level of significance, thus producing 0.79 reliability index. The data collected were analysed using Mean and Standard deviation statistics for research questions 1 and 2, while Pearson r was used to test the 2 null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Results of the findings indicated that the Mean score of 78.68 and Standard deviation of 1.38 by the literate drivers was very high, and the Mean score of 99.89 and Standard deviation of 0.99 by the illiterate drivers was also high, but higher than that of literate drivers. The calculated r value of 6.153 is greater than the critical r value of .711 thus, rejecting the null about relationship between literacy and identification of road signs. The findings also revealed that inability to read and write was no barrier to identifying road signs by illiterate drivers as the calculated r value of 6.153 is greater than the critical r value of 0.011 thus, rejecting the hypothesis. Based on the findings, it was concluded that being educated should not be seen that one will automatically be able to identify, describe and state how and what some road signs stand for, and also one's inability to read and write is not an impediment to being able to identify, describe and understand how and what a symbol stands for, this could be probably be due to many years of driving experience on most major roads in Nigeria by the illiterate drivers. It is therefore recommended that Diver Licensing Unit of the Nigerian Road Safety should thoroughly interview and drivetest any-would-be driver's license applicants in that education is important though, it must not be assumed that all educated driver's license applicants are conversant with all road traffic signs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Applied & Theoretical Social Sciences is the property of Journal of Applied & Theoretical Social Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper examined the phenomenon of hate speech and foul language on social media platforms in Nigeria, and assessed their moral and legal consequences in the society and to journalism practice. It used both quantitative and qualitative methodology to investigate the phenomenon. In the first place, the paper employed the survey research methodology to sample 384 respondents using questionnaire and focus group discussion as instruments for data collection. Findings from the research indicate that promoting hate speech and foul language on social media have moral and legal consequences in the society and to journalism practice. Findings also show that although, the respondents understand that hate speech and foul language attract legal consequences, they do not know what obligations are created by law against perpetrators of hate speech and foul language in Nigeria. The paper therefore, adopted the qualitative, doctrinal and analytical methodology to discuss the legal consequences and obligations created against perpetrators of hate speech and foul language in Nigeria. The paper concluded based on the findings that hate speech and foul language is prevalent on social media platforms in Nigeria and that there are adequate legal provisions to curb the phenomenon in Nigeria. It recommends among others things that the Nigerian government and NGOs should sponsor monitoring projects like the UMATI in Kenya to better understand the use of hate speech and that monitoring agencies set up under the legal regime should adopt mechanisms to identify and remove hate speech content on social media platforms in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on international development partners' assistance to electoral management bodies (EMBs) in the conduct of elections in the world have demonstrated that it is characterised by a myriad of constraints and impacts. This phenomenon has only received a broad-brush overview in the literature, leaving unscratched, unexplored areas in the body of literature, especially in developing countries like Nigeria. This paper analysed these areas of the international development partners'assistance to Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the 2011 and 2015 elections. The paper made an important contribution to the literature on international development partners'assistance to electoral management bodies, particularly Nigeria's INEC as it demonstrated that the modusoperandi of these supports to INEC has not manifested in a highly effective electoral management institution. Some of the unexplored areas that constitute problems are the international agencies' support to only INEC, with less emphasis on other stakeholders, and their inability to control corruption within the electoral commission. Furthermore, the assistance is yet to improve the INEC's handling of transportation, technological and language difficulties that the commission is confronted withduring elections in Nigeria. The paper employed a secondary source of data collection and used a qualitative method of data analysis. For a free and fair electoral administration in the country, the paper proposed a more expanded role for the donor agencies in the course of their support to INEC to assuage the yearnings of grassroots citizens and other non-INEC stakeholders in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Islamic Studies or Islamic Education has become one of major subjects learnt by Muslim students in various secondary schools in Nigeria in general and North-Central Nigeria in particular. Less attention is given to empowering students' academic performance in Islamic Studies specifically through parental involvements in secondary schools in North-Central part of Nigeria. This paper primarily aims at examining an empowerment of students' academic performance in Islamic Studies specifically through parental involvement in the North-Central Nigeria. The paper uses quantitative research and questionnaire is being used as instrument for data collection. The population is drawn among secondary school students while a sample 100 respondents was conveniently selected. The validity and reliability of the instrument is also established through the opinions of experts and the report of Cronbach'Alpha for internal consistency of the instrument is also established respectively. For data analysis, SPSS version 23.0 is being used. The findings of the paper anticipate that the majority of the respondents strongly believe that their parental involvements especially in the aspects of education, occupation and income are culminated factors towards empowering students on their academic performances in Islamic Studies. In conclusion, it is vitally paramount that for better performance in Islamic Studies by the students of various secondary schools in the North-Central Nigeria, the parents' involvement should not be underrated. It is thereby recommended that both the schools and home should play a collaborative effort towards helping the students to maximally perform well in Islamic Studies in particular and other subjects in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study is to examine educators' perception of accreditation processes in university-based library and information science schools in south-east, Nigeria. The survey research design was adopted. The sample size comprises 38 library and information science educators working in the selected university-based library schools in South-east, Nigeria. The questionnaire was used for data collection. The generated data were analyzed using mean rating. Inadequacy of funds, shortage of qualified personnel, poorly equipped laboratory, shortage of teaching staff at the professorial cadre, lack of well equipped practical laboratory and non-participation of LRCN in accreditation process affect the accreditation of universitybased library schools in the south-east zone. The paper concludes that state of accreditation process in university-based library schools is worrisome. There is a dire need to restructure the accreditation processes of university-based library schools and bring various stakeholders in librarianship into the streamline. Adequate funding of library schools, involvement of LRCN in accreditation of library schools, recruitment of qualified lecturers and engaging in exchange/collaboration programme were recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper applied boundary critique to identify, structure and address operational issues in an intervention process. A commercial livestock was used as case study. The research addressed identified issues from the perspectives of the affected stakeholders, i.e. participants who were either involved or affected by the operations of the case study firm. Workshop and boundary critique were used for data collection in the research process. Findings from the research show that the application of boundary critique established a foundation for interactions in the research process. Also highlighted in the research were factors that influenced the establishment of common ground that underpinned the application of boundary critique in the research. Key issues identified and addressed in the research were inadequate water supply and poor sales management in the operations of the case study organisation, via effective deployment of boundary critique and workshop in the research. The research wound up with the suggestion for researchers to pay attention to the willingness of the control stakeholders, and decisions makers to implement suggested changes in an intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper looks at protecting copyright owners in Nigeria: a panacea for intellectual development. A descriptive survey design was adopted in carrying out the study. The sample size for the study was 112. Three research objectives guided the study. The study utilized a self-developed questionnaire for data collection. A total of 112 copies of the questionnaire were distributed to librarian and lecturers, out of which 108 copies were duly filled and returned, representing 96.4%. The collected data was arranged in frequency and analyzed using percentage and mean score. The findings revealed that protection of copyright will encourage creators of intellectual works, and that if authors are well remunerated there is likelihood of adequate availability of various publications to meet information needs of Nigerians. The result showed that the right to intellectual properties is one of the ways to encourage intellectual development. The finding revealed that copyright protection provides security for intellectual product and does not negatively affect the availability of intellectual materials. Based on the research findings, it was recommended that owners of intellectual property deserve good earnings for their intellectual works in order to promote Knowledge proliferation and availability so as to meet the reading needs of the citizens at the various levels. The study also recommended that all cases relating to copyright violation in our courts should be summarily dealt with. The study advocated that the provision on the punishment should be reviewed such that it could deter people from infringing on authors rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is aimed at identifying fingerprint pattern of major ethnic groups among the students of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) Lapai, which can be helpful in resource management for Niger State of Nigeria. The students were grouped into Nupe, Gwari, Kambari and Non-Nigerlites. Occasions for specific ethnic groups were target for data collection which exclude exclusion criteria. The types of finger print patterns considered include Ulnar Loop, Radial Loop, Plain Arch, Tented Arch and Accidental Whorl, Plain Whorl, Double Loop Whorl and Central Pocket Whorl. The respondents' fingerprints were collected using inked stamp pad, printed onto designated potions on coded paper. The data collected were represented in percentage occurrence of the fingerprint patterns for each group. Ulnar Loop was the commonest fingerprint pattern among the students of IBBU Lapai. Also common to the groups of the students are absence of Double Loop Whorl on the right ring finger, left and right little fingers as well as Tented Arch not on the right Thumb of the students. The finger print marker for the groups were absence of Double Loop Whorl on the right ring finger and absence of Tented Arch on the left Thumb of Nupe, absence of Double Loop Whorl on the left index fingers of Gwari, Tented Arch not on left and right little fingers of Kambari speaking people studying in IBBU Lapai, those of the Non-Nigerlite students of IBBU Lapai lack Tented Arch on all their fingers and Double Loop Whorl not on the right index finger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the impact of community radio as a cheap, accessible medium of communication to mobilize people for development, taking Kakaki Ondo 100.1 FM, a community-owned and operated radio station in Nigeria, as a case study. The paper adopted a quantitative and qualitative data collection method using questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Findings reveal that community radio plays a vital role in facilitating change in the community, especially when it is participatory. Through the community radio, the people educate themselves on their communities' development problems and find solutions to those problems. This articles recommends the inclusion of community radio in government development plans to enhance cooperation and collaboration among the people, which is necessary to achieve development. The study concludes that community radio can be employed to promote the culture and development of communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The socioeconomic benefits of having good roads is hardly realized in most developing countries, due to the fact that most constructed roads tend to deteriorate very rapidly before their expected life span. Several factors have been identified by different researchers to be the cause of this problem. This paper tried to find solutions to some of these factors using three phases of route survey and design of roadways, namely; route location, data acquisition, and geometric design. The results showed that most of the factors that facilitate early deterioration of constructed roads could be solved through the processes involved in the three phases of route survey and design of roadways. The paper concluded that route survey and design of roadways thoroughly addresses and solves most of the factors that facilitate early deterioration of constructed roads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Divorce seems to be more socially accepted nowadays and it is the most won issue in the modern world. Divorce in the family always signals dangers and insecurity in the society. Findings have indicated that divorce has negative impact on spouses as well as the development of children in the society, and it leads to number of social problems such as prostitution by young ladies. It will be difficult for a woman to cater for all the basic needs of the child single handedly. It will grow up demoralized. He suffers different types of deprivations including parental love, care and affection. Such children grow up humiliated and heartless. They resort to various crimes such as robbery, rope, arson and other related wrong doings. It is also observed that, divorce has a negative impact on man too, men cannot really make their feelings vocal. The stress involved in the divorce can cause lack of sleep, depression, fatigue and listlessness; a divorce can have numerous psychological implications as well. The methodological approach used in this paper is descriptive, prescriptive and annalistic; meanwhile the method of data collection is historical and empirical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify the challenges affecting disaster training in federal and state university libraries in Southwest Nigeria with a view to finding ways of overcoming them. Design/methodology/approach: Having adopted the descriptive research design, 14 university libraries (seven each of federal and state) were selected from the Southwest geo-political zone of Nigeria. The total enumeration sampling technique was employed. Questionnaire and interview methods were used for data collection. The three research questions that guided the study were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation and ranking. Judgments were drawn using real limit of numbers and 2.50 as criterion mean. Findings: Results emanated from the study showed that university libraries in the studied region are more equipped to fight fire disaster than any other emergency which is why fire drills and exercises are the prevailing disaster training received by library staff. It was also found that inadequate disaster facilities and equipment as well as poor funding were the greatest challenges confronting disaster training. The provision of adequate disaster facilities and equipment with the constitution of disaster prevention and response team was found as the most potent strategy for addressing the identified challenges. Originality/value: The study lends strong empirical evidence for the underlining factors affecting disaster training in federal and state university libraries as well as academic libraries in general. The strategies for addressing the identified challenges are of more significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to appraise the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of their role in tackling systemic corruptions and to associate how institutional and organizational factors influence the performance of the EFCC.Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered through in-depth interviews, non-participatory observations and documentary analysis.Findings The results of the integrative analysis show that the EFCC has apparently been ineffective, and further improvization of the organization is needed. Poor performance of the EFCC was associated with factors such as lack of commitment, inefficient judiciary, insufficient budgets and incompetent personnel.Practical implications This study recommends further improvements in the form of a greater political will, improved legal process and also elevated budgetary funds and recruitment of personnel to the EFCC.Originality/value The study adopted a descriptive, qualitative case study approach to describe the current state of the EFCC in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the formulation and implementation of several Social Investment Programmes (SIPs) in Nigeria, poverty and unemployment are still recurring decimals in the country. Over 80 million Nigerians are living in poverty, making the country the poverty capital of the world, while 50% of the youths are unemployed, which is among the highest rates in the world. No doubt, billions of naira has been spent on SIPs recently in the country but there are no commensurate tangible results. Although concerted intellectual efforts have been invested in extant studies on how corruption, insufficient funding, inadequate implementation, among others, undermine SIPs in Nigeria, there is scanty intellectual inquiries into how they serve as means of siphoning state resources and rewarding political associates in the country, especially during the years 2011 and 2021. Adopting the Marxian Class Analysis (MCA) and relying on the qualitative method of data collection and analysis, this study uncovers that the inability of SIPs to solve the hydra-headed problems of poverty and youth unemployment in Nigeria is rooted in the underlying ideology guiding the various SIPs, which is to enrich few persons and control many others. To this end, the article argues that SIPs are, to a considerable extent, a means or a tool for rewarding political cronies and controlling dissatisfied youths. Hence, the article recommends, among others, that future SIPs should imbibe the characteristics of good governance in order to actualise their purposes, and that SIPs should be monitored by civil society organisations, anti-graft agencies and the general masses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the need for securitisation and counterterrorism cooperation among states is consistently re-echoed in the previous studies on security, the role (or complicity) of the neo-liberal state in distorting and undermining these arrangements has been neglected. The objective of this article is to examine how state actors are implicated in the weakening of counterterrorism engagements in the Lake Chad region. Based on qualitative methods of data collection and analysis, the study identified three thresholds of state complicity undermining the fight against Boko Haram: (i) information compromise (ii) amnesty programme complicity (rehabilitation of Boko Haram members) and (iii) intelligence complicity. These are primarily underpinned by the rehabilitation of 'unrepentant' Boko Haram terrorists, fragmentation of military institutions, and complicity in cross-border arms movements. These acts do not only undermine internal peace and security but also perpetuate transnational terrorism in the Lake Chad region. The article, therefore, recommends a new peace agenda hinged on a hybrid of regional partnership on peace education and security cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The success of any open and distance learning (ODL) programme depends on how well it is evaluated. In the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), students are assessed and evaluated through continuous assessment as well as end of semester examinations. This paper focuses on Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA), which forms part of continuous assessment process. TMA plays an important role in providing useful feedback to learners. Students are required to work alone on their TMA and the marked TMA scripts returned to students with tutors’ comments serving as a means for feedback. Research evidence indicates that timely/continuous feedback is essential to facilitate learning. In this context and considering the nature of distance learners believed to be physically, temporally and spatially separated from their tutors, this paper seeks to assess how TMA is implemented in NOUN with a view to determining the extent to which the intended purpose is achieved. 320 students, 60 tutorial facilitators, and 180 copies of TMA marked scripts formed the sample for this study. Adopting the descriptive survey design with both qualitative and quantitative approaches in data collection and analysis, the study addressed the following fundamental questions: What type of tutor comment is written on TMA marked scripts What is the time interval between students’ submission of TMA response and receipt of the marked scripts What is the level of TMA cheating among students To what extent does TMA contribute to students learning Findings revealed a wide gap between the intended purpose of TMA and the reality on ground. Suggestions are made on measures to be taken to minimize the gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper seeks to adopt an investigative approach to post-occupancy evaluation using major technical and functional criteria of performance on the facilities of a postgraduate hostel at the campus of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach - Data collection was based on a survey through self-administered questionnaires in which users of the building were asked to report on their perceptions and experience of the facility. The user satisfaction survey was developed based on the students' feedback on their experience with 29 identified performance criteria obtained from a review of the literature and an interview with a member of the university's hall management committee. Data at the organizational level were collected by personal interviews with the facilities manager and co-ordinator of hostels of the university. Findings - The user satisfaction survey identified areas of deficiency, particularly in maintenance, and facilitated the assessment of the overall performance of the building. Originality/value - This study demonstrates how universities in Nigeria can assess the management of hostel facilities by hostel administrators and facilities managers. Apart from the results of the user satisfaction survey being useful as evidence to access funds for the improvement of student hostel facilities, the feedback will be helpful in the design and management of new hostel facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The aim of this research is to identify the factors responsible for the inability of authorities in rapidly growing megacities in developing countries to integrate disaster risk vulnerability reduction strategies effectively with their development plans. Design/methodology/approach - The study followed a qualitative research strategy. A survey research approach with pre-tested questionnaires as key data collection instrument was used in eliciting responses from 135 randomly selected built environment professionals in academics and disaster management practitioners in government and non-governmental organizations in Lagos Megacity Area, Nigeria. Findings - A number of factors militating against the adoption of effective disaster vulnerability reduction strategies in the area were identified. The most critical were faltering institutions and governance, weak infrastructure base and a low level of disaster education. Research limitations/implications - The sample population comprised mainly built environment professionals in academics and disaster managers across the city. Therefore, the views presented in the paper may not be considered generalizable within the context of multiplicity of stakeholders in disaster studies. However, the research presents the perception of experts and key stakeholders in disaster vulnerability reduction in the study area. Practical implications - The findings can form the basis for addressing these challenges, most particularly in generating and adopting new approaches to policy formulation and implementation by the public and private sectors. Originality/value - Research on this subject-matter is very limited in Nigeria. It is, however, very relevant in efforts at addressing the challenges of sustainable development in developing countries from the human and policy dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nigerian tertiary educational system has been ravaged by incessant strike action, which appears to defy all attempts to find solutions. This paper reports on a study that examines the impact of job satisfaction and burnout on attitudes towards strike actions among employees of a Nigerian university. A total of 576 employees participated in the study, 263 men and 313 women, with a mean age of 38.49 years. The Attitude to Strike Scale, Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form, and Teacher’s Burnout Scale were used to collect data. Findings showed that employees with low job satisfaction and high burnout reported significantly a more positive attitude towards strike action than those with higher job satisfaction and lower burnout. It was suggested that governments and administrators of Nigerian tertiary institutions should device strategies to improve workers’ job satisfaction and reduce burnout as ways of reducing the workers’ likelihood to embark on strike actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine benchmarking barriers among Nigerian facilities management (FM) practitioners.Design/methodology/approach Data collection were through semi-structured interviews with 34 FM heads from three selected cities in Nigeria. Out of this number, 16 were from Lagos, ten from Abuja while eight managers were from Port Harcourt, respectively. These managers were selected using purposive sampling based on their experience in the field of FM across the various sectors of the economy. The interviews were analysed with Nvivo 10 software qualitative computer software.Findings Those that do informal benchmarking face challenges with data, employees lack of confidence in new initiatives and poor support of senior management, the companies that use best practice benchmarking face constraints of access to information and employees unwillingness to change and comply to company set standards, unwillingness of benchmarking partners to understand the usefulness of the project, and problems that emanate from the quality of data obtained.Practical implications The results therefore suggest that to improve the practice of best practice benchmarking there is need to improve both quantity and quality of data for the exercise and enhance standard practice.Originality/value The study established a new category of benchmarking barriers called the market category of benchmarking barriers and further distinguished benchmarking barriers based on two forms of benchmarking which is informal and formal benchmarking. Also there are limited studies on benchmarking barriers in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context and background: This study explored the relevance of smart land governance (SLG) for sustainable development in Nigeria. Generally, land governance plays a critical role in land accessibility, security, economic growth, social equity, and environmental preservation. In fairness, Nigeria has recorded numerous successes in the land governance system. Yet, various deficiencies in the land sector are yet to be addressed, disrupting the system effectiveness. These deficiencies impose insecurity on stakeholders while gradually depreciating national values. Reforming the land sector in a smart way is a recent practice that addresses land governance deficiencies using newly developed technological innovations, which are important to accomplish traditional, political, and social goals. This helps to create an inclusive society through equal and accessible land distribution by reshaping policy instruments, financing mechanisms, rules, protocols, and guidelines that govern land matters using technology tools for sustainable development to prevent harm from the present and future generations. Goal and Objectives: The relevance of smart land governance (SLG) in the study area was examined to enhance stakeholders’ proper decision-making in the land sector to promote sustainable development in Nigeria. The objectives examined; a. how smart land governance could enhance the proper decision making of stakeholders in the land sector; b. the ways smart land governance could promote sustainable development for the present and future generations in Nigeria; and c. develop a framework that could enhance smart land governance. Methodology: The study used quantitative research methods to obtain meaningful and useful information. Purposive, systematic, and stratified research sampling techniques, i.e., mixed methods of data collection and analysis, were used. Primary and secondary data were sourced. 120 questionnaires were distributed, and 108 were retrieved. Key stakeholders who are in strategic positions in both the formal and informal land sector were surveyed. Results: The study revealed that smart land governance (SLG) system in Nigeria is possible but require full stakeholder support to maximize their workability and effectiveness, as it will promote transparency and boast an inclusive society for the benefit of present and future generations. Also, an insight into the benefits of smart land governance (SLG) was presented. A framework to enhance stakeholder and policy-maker decision-making was developed. Hence, it was concluded that an investment in advanced technological implements is necessary to stimulate strategic principles with respect to the principal multidimensional mechanisms of SLG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the innovation and employability of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members for sustainable development in south-east Nigeria. The research design employed for this study was a descriptive survey. The population for this study comprises all NYSC members serving in southeast Nigeria. A purposive sampling technique was used to sample all 2019 Batch "C" who participated in the Post Mobilisation Workshop held on 27th - 29th January 2020. Also, a simple random sampling technique was used to select 400 NYSC members from each state of south-east Nigeria. In all, 2000 NYSC members participated in this study. The questionnaire that was used to collect data in this study was titled "Influence of Innovation on Employability of NYSC Members for Sustainable Development Questionnaire". Percentages were used in describing the demographic characteristics of the respondents, and mean ratings were used to answer the research questions. The findings revealed that influence of innovation on employability of NYSC members for sustainable development in south-east Nigeria was positive. The main new innovation to enhance employability of NYSC members for sustainable development in south-east Nigeria was agro-allied. The main employability skills of NYSC members for sustainable development in south-east Nigeria were confidence skills. It was concluded that innovation positively influences employability of NYSC members. It was recommended that the NYSC commission should embark on introducing more innovative skills to NYSC members for them to be able to stand on their own after the NYSC programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age, as a variable, represents a critical basis for demographic classification; thus, its misrepresentations or misreporting alter the accuracy of demographic estimates. This paper examines the extent and pattern of age heaping in the age data for adults, collected in the Nigerian Demographic Health Survey (NDHS). The study used the NDHS data for 2003, 2008, and 2013 to compute a Whipple's and Meyers' blended index for each survey year, by gender, geopolitical zones, states and place of residence. The analysis shows that age heaping was higher than the acceptable levels in all three data sets. The Whipple's index puts the rate of age heaping in the 2003 dataset at 271.3, whilst the rates declined slightly in the 2008 and 2013 datasets to reach 204.2 and 202.5 respectively. Similarly, the Myers' blended index portrayed that age heaping in the 2003 data was highest at 47.0 while the subsequent years were lower at 38.60 and 38.66, respectively. Digits ending in 0 and 5 were mostly reported in all three surveys and higher rates of age heaping were observed among males, the uneducated and rural dwellers. Age heaping was prominent in all three surveys, thus affecting the data quality gathered at these surveys. Thus, future studies should assess the extent to which age misreporting could bias the estimate of fertility rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) interventions demand diverse services, encompassing medical, social and psychological care to ensure the overall wellbeing of service users. In the absence of multidisciplinary response to SRH interventions, service users could be deprived of crucial SRH services, which could undermine their safety and wellbeing. Based on this knowledge, our study was designed to map the interprofessional space in primary healthcare (PHC) facilities in Ebonyi State, Nigeria that deliver SRH services. Design/methodology/approach: Interviews with 20 health workers and group discussions with 72 young people aged 15–24 years provided the data for the study. We analyzed data deductively, focusing on the assessments of the presence or absence of specific professionals that are typically expected to provide different aspects of SRH services. Findings: We found conspicuous absence of laboratory diagnostic, social care, psycho-cognitive and some medical services expected of primary care. These absences necessitated unnecessary referrals, encouraged breaches in confidentiality, undermined social care and justice, increased cost of care and discouraged young clients from utilizing SRH services provided in PHCs. Our study, therefore, emphasizes the need for integrated care in the delivery of SRH services, which would involve relevant diverse professionals contributing their expertise toward comprehensive care for SRH service users. Originality/value: The study provides human resource insights toward strengthening primary healthcare in Nigeria vis-à-vis efficient delivery of SRH services to guarantee the health security of service users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the records management practices in Nigerian courts as they affect the administration of justice in Nigeria. Focusing particularly on the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the population of the study comprised 634 records personnel out of which 160 were purposively sampled. The descriptive survey research method was adopted with questionnaire, interview and observation as the instruments for data collection. The study established that courts in Nigeria generated huge volumes of records predominantly in paper format but the management of the records did not follow the critical elements of records life cycle model. This had some adverse implication for efficient administration of justice in the country. Based on the findings, the paper made a case for the formulation of a comprehensive records management policy for court records and the implementation of an integrated records management programme in Nigerian courts to facilitate efficient administration of justice in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful companies at all levels have one thing in common, they are strongly customer focused and heavily committed to marketing. This paper seeks to evaluate the effects of marketing techniques on the quality of service of quantity surveying firms in Nigeria. Primary data were collected through the administration of questionnaires to quantity surveying firms. The data obtained were analyzed using various statistical tools such as frequency tables, percentages and mean item score. The study revealed that professional reputation is the most important marketing technique adopted by quantity surveying firms in Nigeria. It also revealed that the level of experience of professional personnel in the firm greatly affects the quality of service rendered by quantity surveying firms to their clients. The study recommends that quantity surveying firms move towards the use of more customized software while also encouraging more electronic transactions in project management activities in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to explore the role of manufacturing firms' investments in the development of their absorptive capacity on their innovative capabilities. Data were collected from 225 firms through reliable-tested structured questionnaires and were analysed principally by testing association and predictions relating to firms' investment in absorptive capacity to innovative capabilities. In a composite manner, the study found that investments in exclusive innovation and R&D activities are the main drivers of innovative capabilities with subsidiaries exhibiting more pronounced capabilities than indigenous firms. This outcome raises hope for further progress in the condition of Nigeria's innovation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined how social cohesion variables, SCV are associated with effective crime control strategies, CCS in Nigeria's rural areas. With mixed‐methods, we collected data from 3408 participants and 12 interviewees in 48 rural areas; the results showed that strong SCV indirectly hindered an effective CCS. Significant correlation was found between SCV and CCS. The SCV are shared emotions, strong‐family and religious‐ties, mutual‐trust, communal cohesion, well‐articulated common information network, and longstanding age‐group bond. The CCS adopted by the law enforcement agents were largely ineffective; these strategies are indiscriminate arrest or search with/without warrant, secret deployment of informants, liaising with local security guards and prompt documentation of cases. Other strategies include monitoring crime black‐spots, collaboration among different security agencies, awareness programs and strong community‐police relationship. There is a need for public awareness about the negative effects of communal bond on crime control to have a crime‐free society in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]