Akwa Journal of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities Education
The Akwa Journal of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities Education (AJASSHE) is a scholarly, peer-reviewed academic journal published by the School of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Education (Formally College of Education), Afaha Nsit. The journal serves as a platform for the dissemination of high-quality research, critical reviews, and theoretical papers in the fields of arts, social sciences, humanities, and education. More Details
School of Arts and Social Sciences College of Education, Afaha Nsit,
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COMMUNITY - SCHOOL POLICING AND SCHOOL CLIMATE AMONG PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN AKWA IBOM NORTH EAST SENATORIAL DISTRICT IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA JANE MICHAEL ESSIEN
School violence, indiscipline, and insecurity continue to affect learning outcomes in many public secondary schools in Nigeria. This study investigates the relationship between community-school policing and school climate among public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study adoptes a descriptive survey research design. The population comprises all teachers and students in public secondary schools in the Senatorial District. The population of the study comprised 3904 teachers in the nine Local Government Areas in 89 public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District. The sample size of this study comprised 423 teachers representing 11% of teachers’ population. The study adopted multi stage sampling approach. The Local Government Areas were grouped into clusters (Nine Local Government Areas); Proportionate approach was used to select 45 schools (50%), and 423 teachers (11%) selected from each Local Government Area in the District. Simple random sampling technique of Hat and Draw method is use for the selection of teachers from the 45 schools earmarks for the study. The questionnaire was entitled “School Climate Questionnaire (SCQ) having fifteen items and Community and School Policing Questionnaire (CSPQ) having ten items”. Four point rating scale was adopted for both questionnaires. The options in the questions were; Strongly Agree (SA)-4, Agree (A)- 3, Disagree(D) - 2,Strongly Disagree(SD) - 1. The instrument (SCQ) and (CSPQ) were subjected to face validation by two experts in the department of Curriculum studies, Educational Management and Planning, Faculty of Education, and one expert from the Department of Criminology, Faculty of Social Sciences both in the University of Uyo. Cronbach’s Alpha Analysis was used to test the reliability coefficient indices which yielded 0.923 for Community and School Policing Questionnaire (CSPQ) and 0.822 for School Climate Questionnaire (SCQ). The instrument were administered to the school teachers (respondents) using two research assistants. Mean and standard deviation (SD) was used to answer the research questions, while the independent t- test was used in testing all the three null hypotheses at 0.5 level of significant. When the accompanying P- value of the t- calculated values are less than the significance level of 0.05, the null hypotheses were rejected while the alternate hypotheses were accepted. The result showed that there is a significant influence of community and school policing on school climate among public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District. That is, community and school policing positively influence school climate. In summary the study reveals that collaboration between schools, community police, vigilante groups, and other stakeholders enhances safety, discipline, and a positive learning environment. Based on the above findings the study recommends that, the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Education, in partnership with the Nigeria Police Force and community leaders, should institutionalize community-school policing frameworks and train school personnel on security management to sustain a safe and supportive school climate.
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PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF WORKERS IN THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, AFAHA NSIT
Sedentary Life Style is commonly associated with a lot of lost. The effects cut across financial and social cost. This study was designed to determine the Economic benefits of physical activities of workers in the College of Education, Afaha Nsit using theoretical approach. Literatures relevant to the study were reviewed. The findings of the study revealed that physical activities help in promoting and maintaining healthy lifestyle, keep a person energetically sound and vibrant till old age. Physical activity helps in the prevention of some health conditions, improve mental wellness which improves the quality of life and productivity of workers. The economic benefits of physical activity which bothers on materials and financial enhancement, have been reflected in many studies. The economic realities in terms of general price level have made this findings imperative. Among other recommendations, is that physical activities and programmes be revitalized and improved among the workers in The College of Education, since it is a panacea for improved economic productivity and wellbeing of members of the society.
HUMAN RESOURCES PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
The recent economic recession in Nigeria manifested in the form of high rate of inflation, Naira devaluation, under employment, unemployment and inequitable distribution of resources among others called for collective concern. In the light of this, the paper discussed the concept of sustainable development, roles of human-resources planning in the various sectors of the economy, approach to human resources planning, human resources development, human resources planning for sustainable development in. Nigeria and Nigerian sustainable development in the future. There is an urgent need for sustainable development and human resources planning in economics, social, political and educational interventions aiming at emancipation of Nigeria teeming population. One of such intervention is through human resources planning. Recommendations and conclusion were made among which was that government should revitalize the agricultural sector to reduce the level of poverty and improve food security.
Human Resources Planning and Environment
ROMOTION AND JOB SATISFACTION OF ACADEMIC STAFF OF UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF UNIVERSITY OF UYO
The study investigated promotion and job satisfaction of academic staff of universities in Nigeria: a case study of University of Uyo. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 30 respondents for the study while data was collected using a researcher developed instrument. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation. The study revealed that University of Uyo follow a similar pattern or rationale for promoting academic staff as obtained in other Universities in Nigeria. Furthermore, the study found that non-promotion of academic staff or promoting academic staff without due benefits and entitlements affects academic staff negatively. Non-promotion of academic staff or promotion of academic staff without benefits was Jound to demotivate the staff which rubs off on the students and quality of education in Nigeria. Generally, promotion problems lower the job satisfaction of academic staffs in Nigerian universities. Thus, the study recommended amongst others that University management in Nigeria should take staff, especially academic staff promotion seriously and pay all benefits and entitlements to promoted academic staff to increase academic staff's job satisfaction and boost academic staffs' morale and commitment to work.
PEACE, CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND NIGERIA'S SUSTAINABILITY
Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa is faced with social contradictions, and requires peace and conflict resolution among her citizenry. The search for peace and conflict resolution process cannot be achieved in a vacuum. In view of the current challenges confronting the social, political, religious and economic fabrics of the country, there is need to adopt new strategies to confront them. This paper focused on peace and conflict resolution and Nigeria's sustainability. It was of the view that the persistent violence and insecurity, which are heavily caused by illiteracy, poverty, excessive corrupt practices among others, could be reversed through the instrument of education, as an apparatus for change and development. The paper recommended that Peace-education culture needs to be integrated into the Nigerian education curriculum to address the identifiable issues that are threatening the sustainability of Nigeria. It equally advocated for aggressive or massive education as an antidote for illiteracy and poverty, which are some of the causes of conflicts and insecurity. Youths should be properly developed while conflicts resolution strategies should be used to ensure peace building in the country. Also youth development centers in all the local government areas should be part of the youth development initiative to empower the youths and drive development in communities for promotion of peace and conflict resolutions among the citizens for achievement of Nigeria's sustainability.
WORK CONDITIONS AND STRESS AMONG EMPLOYEES IN ORGANIZATIONS: IMPLICATIONS FOR PRODUCTIVITY
The paper examined work conditions and stress among employees in organizations and their implications for productivity. It observed that work conditions in organizations are the major determinants of productivity level as they are also core sources of stress, especially when an employee performs a boring and monotonous job. The paper delved into various sources of stress and noted that work related stress has serious negative effects on a person's health. It observed also, that it is not good for a person to stay without stress, but should not be at the highest level. A challenging job can make a person to experience eustress which act as a motivator to perform well. The study further observed that poor conditions of work, stress and noisy environment was capable of making workers to become sick. Good working conditions, the paper observed has thé capacity of stimulating workers to higher productivity. The Nigerian environment is full of stress, some of which are man-made. The paper made particular reference to the currency redesign policy of the Nigerian Central Bank which placed everybody on stress due to unavailability of cash in the country. Some recommendations were made among which were that employers should create good working environment for employees and ensure that salaries and allowances are paid as at when due to help in reducing workers stress. It concluded that organizations should cater for the welfare of employees to reduce stress in the work place.
RURAL-URBAN DRIFT OF TEACHERS AND STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN SOCIAL STUDIES IN UYO LOCAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE, AKWA IBOM STATE
The study investigated rural-urban drift of teachers and students academic achievement. in Social Studies in Uyo Local Education Committee. Two research questions were raised and two hypotheses were formulated and tested at .05 level of significance. The descriptive survey design was adopted while the population of the study comprised 6,819 Junior Secondary Two (JS2) students in the fifteen (15) public secondary schools in Uyo Local Education Committee. A sample size of 378 Junior Secondary Two (JS2) was selected for the study using Taro Yamane sampling formulae. In order to get an appropriate sampled schools and students, a simple random sampling technique (hat and draw method) was used in the selection of nine (9) sampled schools as well as 42 students from each of the sampled schools for data collection. A self-structured questionnaire titled “Rural-urban Drift of Teachers and Students Academic Achievement in Social Studies Questionnaire (RDTSAASSQ)”’ was used for data collection. Mean and standard deviation statistics were used to answer the research questions while independent t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at .05 level of significance. Findings of the study revealed a significant difference in students’ academic achievement in social studies based on staff strength andelassroom size due to rural-urban drift of teachers in the study area. Based on the study findings, it was concluded that low staff strength and overcrowded classroom instigated by rural-urban drift of teachers can impede positive academic achievement of students in school subjects. The researcher recommended among other things that, more social studies teachers should be employed particularly in rural schools in other to balance the number of teachers in urban schools.
EDUCATION FINANCING, ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
The impact of education financing on economic growth and development in Nigeria was investigated in this study using data from 1980 to 2018. Specifically, the trend and relationship of education financing, economic growth and development were examined. The low and decreasing trend of education financing as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was observed throughout the study period. Alhough school enrolment at all levels increased steadily, school infrastructures and resources were grossly inadequate. The Auto Regressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) methods were employed as analytical tools. The results indicated a positive and significant relationship between education financing, economic growth and development in Nigeria. This notwithstanding, the country did not pay adequate attention to education as revealed by the stylized facts. To enhance greater economic advancement, the researchers recommended among others, an increase in Total Government Expenditure in Education (TGEE) to 10% of the GDP.
FEDERALISM AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY IN NIGERIA
The study was carried out to ascertain if federalism guaranteed local government autonomy, and to find out if Nigeria's local government system enjoyed some level of autonomy for effective service delivery. The study found out that federalism as practiced in Nigeria did guarantee local government autonomy as Nigeria variant of democracy is strange and does not conform to the standards and tenets recommended by world respected scholars in the field of federalism. Local governments are infact appendages of the state governments as they are inextricably tied to the umbilical cord of their respective state governments through which they derive their financial and political nourishment to remain alive. The study recommended that more finds should be made available to local governments in the country to enable them carry out their functions effectively as well as abrogation of the state-local government’s joint account. It equally recommended that the state government should remit the mandatory 10% of their internally generated revenue as directed by the Nigerian constitution to local governments. The study concluded that local government autonomy in Nigeria is indeed not a reality and accounts for the poor state of local governments in the country.
REFOCUSING SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION IN NIGERIA FOR EFFECTIVE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
This paper revealed social studies as a subject of relevance which assist learners to acquire basic knowledge, skills and positive attitudes needed to be responsible citizens and capable of contributing effectively to the society. Having known the capacity of Social Studies education towards the development of good citizens, the paper therefore examines Social Studies as a concept of needs, its objectives in citizenship development and the analysis of the objectives of Social Studies. The paper also considered social studies education as a sure way for national development and how Social Studies education should be refocused for effective national development. It also identified the roles of social studies education towards realizing national development; the manner and approach of refocusing social studies education for national development in Nigeria. This paper therefore concluded that the quest for national development should begin with having responsible citizens who are capable of contributing to the growth of the society and the paper also recommended that Social Studies education should be strengthen by repositioning of curriculum contents, method of teaching and training of teachers to provide the students with basic knowledge and ways of thinking that will prepare them to participate in civic and community life as active and informed citizens. These attributes will proffer national development in Nigeria.
EFFECTS OF GOVERNMENT RECURRENT AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ON HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
The study evaluated the impact of government recurrent and capital expenditure on human capital development in Nigeria between 1980 and 2023. This study was conducted to find out how recurrent and capital expenditures by government in Nigeria have affected human capital development. This study adopted the multiple linear regression method of analysis to link the variables in the study and Ordinary Least Squares method was adopted to analyze the specified model. This study used secondary data from Central Bank of Nigeria statistical bulletin of various years and other periodicals. The study also used Human Development Index as proxy for human capital development as dependent variable while government capital and recurrent expenditure, corruption index and inflation rate are used as independent variables. The findings from the study revealed that government capital expenditure and inflation have affected human capital development more than recurrent expenditure and it is equally observed that there is no positive effect of corruption on human capital development in Nigeria. The study further revealed that, government recurrent expenditure has a significant positive effect on Human capital Development. From the findings of the study we conclude that since recurrent expenditure does not have much impact on human capital development as capital expenditure, government should spend more on capital projects than recurrent projects as this will provide more opportunities for human capital to be developed in Nigeria.
CORRUPTION AND THE CHALLENGES OF SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA
Corruption is a hydra-headed monster. It is the most single and difficult problem that has defiled various solutions, and has tended to overwhelm Nigeria and Nigerians. Its effects are immeasurable. Corruption damages development. It is a cancer which inhibits progress in a number of ways. It weakens governments and lessens their ability to fight poverty. It reduces tax revenue and the resources available for public services. The paper viewed unitary economic system, superimposed on the Nigerian state, as one of the core reasons for corruption. It recommended among others, the restructuring of the public service, including the security forces, to reflect true federal character and the practice of true federalism; also that the Nigerian society could restore the traditional values of respecting people based on their good character and positive achievements instead of giving people recognitions based on questionable wealth. Moreso, Political leaders must be national examples of probity, integrity and have self-esteem in order to give decent moral tone to government a all levels.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORMS IN NIGERIA: A HISTORICAL REVIEW
The paper reviewed the history of local government reforms in Nigeria from pre-independence to the fourth republic. It observed that the Nigerian government has profound interest in making the third tier government effective and efficient to provide social services to the people. But very shockingly and surprisingly too, people from the local areas in the country have not reaped the dividends of these reforms. The 1976 local government reform and the Babangida reform of 1991 provided ample recommendations for local governments to be self-sustaining for growth and development, but the opposite has continued to be the case. The paper discovered that local governments in Nigeria have experienced series of constraints, some of which are administrative, constitutional and corruption on the part of local government staff as well as state control of local governments, especially funds allocated to it from the federal account. Following the puppet status of local government and inability to fulfill its mandate of being an agent of development of the local areas, the paper concluded that Nigerian leaders and makers of local government reforms are not altruistic especially in matters affecting local governments in the country. Some recommendations were made among which were that local governments should be made autonomous especially in financial matters by amending the 1999 constitution to remove it from the apron-string of state governments and granting it a full tier status like the state and federal governments.
A BOUND TEST ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: EVIDENCE FROM NIGERIA
Nigeria with a current population of 223.8 million people is faced with only 21 commercial banks, 860 Microfinance banks, 5 discount houses, 64 finance companies, and 5 development finance banks to care for all these people. The introduction of a universal banking system in Nigeria which enables the commercial banks in the country to offer all-inclusive financial services other than commercial banking brought a remarkable reform in the financial sector. However, the challenge of these 223.8 million people accessing these financial services at an affordable rate is a problem of concern in Nigeria. This study examined the relationship between financial inclusion and economic growth in Nigeria using annual time series data of some selected financial inclusion indicators in the Nigerian financial sector. It adopted the Granger causality test and an autoregressive distributed lagged model otherwise known as the Bound test to examine,both the short and long-run impacts of financial inclusion on economic growth in Nigeria. The causality results revealed that there is a unidirectional causal relationship flowing from loan to small and medium-scale enterprise to economic growth in Nigeria while loan of rural bank branches has a bidirectional causal relationship with economic growth in Nigeria. The result of the co-integration analysis revealed that there is a long-run relationship between financial inclusion and economic growth in Nigeria. Also, for the short-run impacts, deposits of rural bank branches, the number of bank branches, and loans to the agricultural sector have a significant positive impact on economic growth in Nigeria. Therefore, to achieve rapid economic growth in Nigeria, government and monetary authorities should ensure the promotion of banking services and the establishment of bank branches deeper in the rural areas to increase financial inclusiveness in the economy.
UNDERDEVELOPMENT AND MARGINALIZATION OF NIGER DELTA: A CASE OF DISCRIMINATION IN THE CHOICE OF MANAGERS IN PETROLEUM SECTOR, PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA
Underdevelopment and Marginalization of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria: A case of discrimination in the choice of managers in the petroleum sector and office of president was examined. The examination revealed a paradoxical situation as the crude oil wealth of Niger Delta, instead of being a blessing to the people of the region has become a curse. The paper frowned at the poor treatment of the Niger Delta by the Federal government of Nigeria for over two decades, despite its position as the major income earner for the country. The study discovered with dissatisfaction the negative tendency of the northern hegemonic forces to frustrate the development of the Niger Delta region in the provision of infrastructure, social amenities, choice of indigenes of the region to managerial positions in the petroleum sector, and president of the country as well as manipulation of population census figures in their favour during national population census exercises to enable them benefit more, from resource allocation to the northern states. Recommendations were made that the federal government of Nigeria should take the overall development of Niger Delta as a priority, provide infrastructural facilities in the region, choose indigenes of the region to managerial positions in the petroleum sector, provide opportunity for them to ascend to the office of president of the country from time to time and compensate fishermen and farmers for loss of land and fishing waters due to oil spillage. In conclusion, the Nigerian government should not concentrate only on exploiting the regions natural resources but provide commensurate developments in the interest of peace in the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole.
TACKLING EMERGING SOCIETAL CHALLENGES FOR NIGERIA'S SUSTAINABILITY: THE HUMAN CAPITAL CONNECTION: A LEAD PAPER
The need to deal with the challenges confronting Nigeria in the quest to achieve sustainable growth and development informs this paper. Through re-designing the framework on the workings of the economy, the paper exposes that attention needs to be focused on human capital development, which is the core resource in realizing any desired level of change. The paper believes that this is achievable through a re-designing of the training system to include the contribution of all stakeholders in the training from the family system to the conventional school system.
EMERGING SOCIETAL CHALLENGES AND NIGERIA'S SUSTAINABILITY: THE GOVERNANCE PERSPECTIVE A KEYNOTE ADDRESS
I feel highly honoured and privileged to have been invited to this intellectual workshop to share my thinking with you. I want to thank the School of Arts and Social Sciences very deeply in my heart for believing in me. The first letter of invitation was dated October 14, 2019, and then it was scheduled to hold in February 11, 2020. I admired the long term planning skill of the men and women of that School for the long notification. Then the unexpected happened, the usual character of the Nigerian university system often caused by the proprietors of the University, ‘strike’ since that is the only language they understand very sluggishly. At that time, I captioned my address to you as ‘Nigeria, the failed State Posture: The Nation-State building Paradigm’, to elongate the strike, Mr. COVID 19, arrived from China and locked everyone in. In January 20, 2021, another letter from the College arrived in my office, informing me that I will be the 'Keynote address presenter’ in today's intellectual convention to speak on ‘Emerging Societal Challenges and Nigeria's Sustainability’, I decided to stay within the theme of the conference, but to address it through the ‘Governance’ perspective or perceptual prism. Beyond this invitation, they also appointed me into the Board of their journal. To all of you who sat to pick me from the many that abound, let it be known to you that I am now a friend of the School of Arts and Social Sciences of this College. To whom much is given, much is expected. ] consider all these a great honour.
STAFF PERCEPTION OF PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL EFFICIENCY: A CASE STUDY OF AKWA IBOM STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, AFAHA NSIT
This study was designed to investigate the staff perception of performance appraisal as an administrative strategy for Organizational Efficiency in Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit. The study adopted a survey design. The study made used of cluster sampling method to select a sample of 340 from the population of 643 staff of the college. A researcher made questionnaire was the tool for data collection. Data generated from the instrument were analyzed using inferential statistics-chi-square. The findings of this study show that staff of the College, (both academic and non academic), do not significantly perceive the tools adopted for appraisal to be fair and objective but that job efficiency in the college relates to the right use of staff appraisal methods. A review of the performance appraisal too] in use was essential to achieving organizational efficiency. As such the degree of fairness should be improved upon and the staff rewarded accordingly, to allow for higher organizational efficiency.
PLAY MATERIALS AND PUPILS' SOCIAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN PRE-PRIMARY LEVEL OF EDUCATION IN URUAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
This study investigated the availability of play materials and their impact on the development of social skills in preschool children in Uruan local government area. Descriptive survey design was used in the study. Cluster sampling technique was used to select 12 schools (6 private and 6 public) from the area for the study. Simple random sampling was used to select 24 preschool teachers and 120 preschool children from the selected schools to form the sample size. The teachers also served as research assistants. A researcher made questionnaire and an observation schedule were the instruments used by the researchers to obtain data to answer the three research questions of the study. Descriptive statistics of percentages mean and standard deviation was used to analyze data obtained. Findings showed that private schools had more and quality play material than public schools. Preschool children were found to develop social skills of cooperation and communication when playing with play materials. It was recommended that government invest in play materials for preschool children as it is their laboratory and that teachers should encourage the children to interact with play materials and their peers so as to develop good social skills.
CRUDE OIL EXPLOITATION AND POLITICAL INSTABILITY IN NIGERIA'S NIGER DELTA: THE POLITICAL ECONOMY PERSPECTIVE
Oil exploitation in the Niger Delta appeared as a blessing that later turned out to be a curse due to the environmental degradation which results in poverty of the indigenous people of the region and the unfair resources allocation to the region by successive governments. This study noted that, oil which has become the major source of Nigerian income has emerged as a destabilizing mechanism in the Niger Delta Region. The conclusion is drawn from the intensity in the slope of violence that has remained a consistent paradigm in the oil-rich Niger Delta Region; which has kept the country on the fringe of collapse. Highlights on interventions by government have been made and their impacts on conflicts resolution. The latest aspect of ensuring equity, the much awaited Petroleum Industry Bill is also identified as a source of hope. The study recommends that for Nigeria to enjoy the oil wealth under the condition of stability, it is imperative for the multinational Companies (MNCS) and the Federal Government (FG) to discard the use of force and intimidation but resort to negotiating with the host Communities and States to determine their needs and be ready to honestly implement their proposal in the interest of peace and stability.
SHADOW DIRECTORS: RECOGNITION, LIABILITIES AND DUTIES
There are different categories of persons involved in the execution of the company's affairs, however the capacity to bind the company as the embodiment of the company itself is limited to a few. Those who exercise acts of management and control over the company's business are usually referred to as the directors. Where persons who satisfy the statutorily prescribed qualification standard and are duly appointed by the shareholders to exercise control and manage the affairs of the company function in that capacity, they are de jure directors. However, the law in protecting individuals who are dealing with the company recognises persons who act as directors even where there is no such appointment, or irregular appointment, not duly appointed as de facto directors. It is difficult to identify a defacto director where the subject company's director is a corporate body. This paper examines the concept of shadow directors who are defacto directors under Nigerian company law the doctrinal methodology is used in this research. The main objective of this study is to analyse the duties and the legal principles for identifying a shadow director it is recommended amongst others that these principles be adopted as used in other jurisdictions.
SELF-CONCEPT AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE
This study examines the effect of self-concept on academic performance of students of University of Calabar. A total of 396 students were sampled using stratified sampling technique. Data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while hypotheses were tested using the Chi-square statistic. Result showed that self-concept has significant effect on academic performance of students in the University of Calabar. Specifically, result showed that academic self-concept, physical self-concept and moral self-concept have significant influence on test and examination scores of students in the University of Calabar. Based on the result, it is recommended that students should be motivated, encouraged and appreciated to raise the level of their self-concept for academic pursuit.
BUHARI'S ADMINISTRATION AND FEDERAL CHARACTER
This paper highlighted Federal Character principle as a desired integrative principle needed to cast away fear of dominance and ensure equity and fairness in the distribution of national resources, opportunities, appointments, positions and amenities in a federation. President Buhari was swor into office as president to uphold the constitution of Nigeria which the Act establishing the Federal Character principle is a part. However, the paper has examined the appointments made by the regime and has found that it is lopsided and against the principle of federal character. Appointments made within the first hundred days in office have been used as a yardstick to buttress the basis of this paper. Enshrining rotational presidency in the constitution and granting autonomy to the Federal Character Commission are among the recommendations made.
POWER OF INCUMBENCY AND THE ELECTORAL PROCESS IN NIGERIA: AN ASSESSMENT
One of the discerning features of the Nigerian political system is the “sit-tight” or “second-term” svndrome”. It express the degree to which public office holders often mop up the resources in their possession to win more terms in office. This study seeks to establish the influence of power of incumbency on the electoral process in Nigeria. The study found out that power of incumbency is used to perpetuate electoral malpractices and this increases political apathy in the country. The study recommends an amendment of the constitution to allow for only a single term in office for elected officers while the electoral commission should be given an independent source of funding to free it from an executive manipulation.
LIMITATIONS TO THE USE OF LAND AS SECURITY
The nature of the title vested in the Right of Occupancy has always been a topic for debate these debates have been framed on determining whether it is a lease, a licence, or an absolute right. In Street v. Mountford it was held that for a lease to be valid there must be exclusive possession at a rent and for a term. But a holder of right of occupancy under the Act does not enjoy exclusive possession against the Governor. The Governor or any public officer authorised by him has unfettered access to the land comprised in any statutory right of occupancy or any improvements effected thereon for inspection at any reasonable hours in the day time. The easy revocability and the lack of prospective certainty of duration which are characteristics of a license are absent in the right of occupancy as such it is not a licence because, unlike a licence, it is alienable, transferable and transmissible. The right of occupancy has also been thought of as a freehold; but it is not a freehold because, as already stated above, the Right holder has no exclusive right to possession, and in the case of actual grant of statutory right, it is not indefinite in duration but rather it is for a term of years certain and is subject to the payment of rent to the Landlord (Governor). The intention of the lawmakers in introducing the Right of Occupancy system was to establish an entirely new interest in land.As part of the Right of occupancy system the Act introduced the issuance of a certificate of Occupancy by the Governor of a State. A certificate of occupancy is merely an evidence of a Right of Occupancy and does not on its own confer a title or interest in land. The Act has not provided any conclusive means of proving ones entitlement to a Right of Occupancy.The certificate raises a presumption of title. In Aziv. Registered Trustees of The Evangelical Churches,the court held that the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy in respect of any land would not validate defects, if any in the title of the holder. It, therefore, held that a Certificate of Occupancy granted to one of the claimants who had not proved a better title was invalid.As such a Certificate of Occupancy may be set aside if it turns out that the holder had no right to the land; or in favour of a pre-1978 conveyance or deemed grantee of Right of Occupancy under Section 34 of the Act. Thus a Certificate of Occupancy issued pursuant to the Act only gives the right to use and occupy land, it neither confers nor is it necessarily an evidence of title. The horror and hellish implication of this is that where the Certificate of Occupancy is set aside for any reason, the mortgagee who has accepted it as security realises that the certificate he is holding automatically becomes “a piece of paper having no value.” Thus, where it is shown that another person has a better right to the grant, the court will if asked to do so set aside the grant. In Ogunleye v. Oni, the Supreme Court held that a certificate of occupancy issued pursuant to the Land Use Act only gives right to use and occupy land.
RAPE AS A SOCIAL VICE: THE TRAUMA AND IMPLICATIONS
The paper focused on the issue of rape as one of the social vices in our society. It addresses the causes and effects of rape and the position of the law on rape. The paper also examined rape as an instrument of revenge and highlights the efforts made by the Nigerian Government, United Nations and Humanitarian bodies to reduce or better still stamp out the menace from our society. A conclusion was drawn and recommendations made as to how rape issues should be handled by the victims, the government and the society, having known that rape is both physically and emotionally damaging. There is a call for the public to be enlightened and to be made aware of the laws of the land concerning this issue of rape.
BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY: EMERGING CHALLENGE IN PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION-AND NIGERIA'S SUSTAINABILITY
This paper examines the Boko Haram insurgency and its emerging challenge in peace and conflict resolution and Nigeria's sustainability. The paper x-rays the Boko Haram insurgency, its historical origin, and attacks since inception and the effects of such attacks in Nigeria. From the study it was discovered that the Boko Haram insurgency has compounded the developmental challenges of Nigeria through destruction of lives and properties, destruction of schools which have led to the closure of so many schools in the North-east geopolitical zone, disruption of businesses, reduction in government revenue, fear of foreign investors to live and do business in Nigeria, political instability, among others. Consequently, the study recommends that government should intensify its counter terrorism fight against the insurgents, upgrade the equipment of the military and other security agencies to effectively and decisively defeat the insurgency, embark on an aggressive enlightenment and re-orientation campaign to mobilize the citizenry in support of the armed forces campaign against the terrorists, collaborate with the international community in the fight against Boko Haram, pragmatically create new employment opportunities for jobless youths, impose stiffer penalties on terrorists, and concertedly work towards the eradication of poverty and corruption in Nigeria.
ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN SOCIAL STUDIES IN ABAK LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, AKWA IBOM STATE
The study determined the difference in academic performance of students in Social Studies based on the adoption of asynchronous instruction in Abak Local Government Area, Akwa lbom State.Three research questions and hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. Thepopulation of the study comprised of all the 2,501 Junior Secondary Two (JSI) students in the ten (10) public secondary schools that make up the study area.A sample of 250 JSII students which represents 10 percent of the study population was selected for the study. Also, a systematic random sampling technique was used to select 5 public secondary schools out of which 50 JSII students were randomly selected from each of the 5 sampled schools. The researcher developed questionnaire titled “Adoption of Asynchronous Instruction and Social Studies Performance Questionnaire(AAISSPQ)" was used for data collection. Mean and standard deviation Statistics was used in answering the research questions, while Independent t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance and at 248 degree of freedom. Findings of the study showed a significant difference in students’ academic performance in social studies based on availability, accessibility and utilization of e-learning technologies. Conclusion was drawn from the findings and the study recommended among other things that, efforts should be made by the governments at all levels and other stakeholders in education to make adequate provision of computers and other e-learning facilities required for effective asynchronous learning in secondary schools. This will help to improve students' performance in school subjects including social studies.
THE RELIGION AND SECULARIZATION DEBATE: A PROPOSED FUSION - FOR SOCIAL ADVANCEMENTS IN NIGERIA
Man, especially the African, has been described as being incurably religious. The expressions and intensity of man’s religious flavours have been both historical and legendary. But of late religion has become a suspect standing trial in the court of public suspicion and potential rejection, thereby warranting the view that religion should be expunged from public space. In this paper both sides of the coin have been viewed. The paper proposes that a fusion of religion and society rather than secularization of society should be the way forward for Nigerian society.
TEACHING ETHICS AND GENDER AS DETERMINANTS OF TEACHERS' ATTITUDE TOWARDS TEACHING OF CLIMATE CHANGE
The attitude of teachers towards teaching climate change issues especially in Colleges of Education is very important for enhancing future teachers' learning experiences and satisfaction in the knowledge of climate change and the various issues that come with it. This study investigated teaching ethics and gender as determinants of teachers' attitude towards teaching of climate change issues in Colleges of Education in South-South Region of Nigeria. The aim was to determine the nexus between teaching ethics, gender and teachers’ attitude towards teaching concepts of climate change embedded in the curricula of their respective courses. Two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A total of 300 (three hundred) teachers (lecturers) of were selected using multi-stage sampling technique for this study. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire titled: Teaching ethics, Gender and teachers' attitude towards teaching of climate change issues questionnaire (TEGTATTCCIQ). Data obtained were analyzed using the multiple regression analysis tested at 0.05 level of significance. Findings showed that that only teaching ethics with the regression coefficient (b) of 0.516 and a beta weight of 0.592 was significantly responsible for teachers' attitude towards teaching climate change while gender was not significant in predicting teachers’ attitude towards teaching climate change. Professionalism of teaching and adequate supervision are among the recommendations made to improve ethical responsibility of teachers.