The System of Slavery in Bakor, South-Eastern Nigeria, 1850-1960 (Published)
The subject of slavery, especially the status of slaves in African societies, has understandably attracted scholarly attention. Using Bakor society in south-eastern Nigeria as a case study, this paper seeks to contribute to existing knowledge about slave systems in Nigeria. On the basis of fieldwork carried out in Mfom, an Ekajuk community in Bakor area, in conjunction with relevant written sources, it has been established that a sizable percentage of Bakor population is of slave origin. These slaves were originally recruited from outside Bakorland and the primary reason for the purchase of slaves was to augment the population of matrilineages which appeared to be declining during the period covered by this study. It was for this reason that female slaves were preferred. The study also shows that there existed an efficient traditional method of intergrating slaves into the society. This, in addition to the fact that slaves never suffered any form of discrimination made it difficult to distinguish between slave and free born.
Keywords: Bansara, Cross River, Mfom, Nigeria, Slavery
Re-Orientation of Value System in Nigeria: A Critic (Published)
The re-orientation of value system in our society is a search for national culture that would reshape national character and image. The study revealed that when national life is taken over by social sins, the citizens pursue wealth without knowledge, without character, pleasure without conscience, commerce without morality, worship without sacrifice, science without humanity and politics without principles. The study adopted historical research method. The research provided that re-orientation of value system would promote national image, respect for human life and corporate values. The youth would imbibe the culture of hard work and productivity, wealth creation, employment generation, entrepreneurship, intangible wealth and competition. The writer is optimistic that educated and uniformed youths would gain better understanding of the subject matter while leadership, education, religion and home remain the fulcrum of value re-orientation for now and the future.
Keywords: National Culture, Nigeria, Re-orientation, Society, Value System
Visual Documentation of Traditional Nigerian Hair Styles and Designs as a means of expressing Social and Cultural Heritage through Photography (Published)
The evolving hair styles in Nigeria today are endangering some traditional hair styles. Many of the beautiful traditional hair styles which identify Nigerians as a people are gradually being eroded, giving way to Western or other foreign styles. As a culture evolves, there is always a need to preserve it. If precautions are not taken to preserve a cultural heritage, it will be lost. This paper explores the use of photography as a tool for documenting traditional Nigerian hair styles and discusses the preservation of those photographs in museums.
Keywords: Documentation, Hair style, Museum, Nigeria, Photography
NOMADIC EDUCATION IN NIGERIA: USING ENGLISH TO FOSTER COMMUNAL PEACE AND ENHANCE THE EDUCATION OF THE HERDSMEN (Published)
The importance of nomadic education cannot be over-emphasized. The neglect of any segment of the population as experience has shown in the Niger Delta Region of the country is a potential time bomb. If they contribute significantly to the nation’s economy, only time can fuel discontent and ignite their agitation. Education is the birth right of any Nigerian child and this right has been enshrined in the nation’s constitution. This paper address the importance of the nomadic education in the country, their contributions to the nation’s economy, the importance of English language in the promotion of mutual understanding, reduction of communal clashes between nomads and their host communities and the enhancement of the National Policy on Nomadic Education.
Keywords: : Nomadic Education, Education, Herdsmen, Nigeria
ENVIRONMENTAL BARRIERS AND JOB PLACEMENT OF THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED IN ORGANIZATIONS IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA. (Published)
This work focused on “Environmental Barriers and Job Placement of the Physically Challenged in Work Organizations in Rivers State, Nigeria”. The purpose was to investigate the extent to which the physical environment of work organizations posses as a challenged for the inclusion to the physically challenged in work organizations six selected organizations in Rivers State, Nigeria. The pilot survey, simple random sampling techniques, questionnaires were employed to select respondents. Primary and secondary data were used in the collection of data. Five research questions were raised. In analyzing data that addressed the research questions the descriptive method of analysis was used. The findings of the study includes: lack of policies and practices; Negative public perception; barriers of physical environment; discrimination; lack of records and on the job challenge. Based on these findings the study recommends among others that there should be domestic policies backed by appropriate legislation which will favour employment of the physically challenged; elaborate elimination of physical environmental barriers to enhance access to employment; promotion and sensitization of advocacy groups to enhance the protection of the rights and privileges of the physically challenged.
Keywords: Barriers, Environment, Job Placement, Nigeria, Physically Challenged, Rivers State, Workplace
INTRA URBAN PATTERN AND ACCEPTABILITY OF BUS STATION IN ILORIN, NIGERIA (Published)
The study appraises the intra-urban pattern of bus-stops in Ilorin Metropolis, Nigeria. The inventory of existing bus-stops was taken, the spatial distribution analysis was evaluated, and adequacy and performance of bus-stops was also examined. Roads were stratified into three hierarchies (Trunks A, B and C). From each road category, 10% was sampled. A structured questionnaire was administered to 500 road users using the stratified random sampling techniques. Global positioning system (GPS) and google earth software were used to take coordinates and generate rasta images of the bus-stops. This study employed nearest neighbor analysis to determine the pattern of distribution of bus-stops in the study area. In this wise, the first order, second order and then order nearest neighbor analysis were compared to give the levels of distribution. Likert scaling was used to summarize the ordinal data. The study thus recommends a land use sensitive bus-stations and meaningful spacing of bus-stations
Keywords: Bus-Stops, Intra-Urban, Nigeria, Spatial Distribution
NIGERIA:THE PROSPECTS OF AN “ARAB SPRING”. (Published)
The phrase “Arab Spring” has now gained recognition in political lexicon and I believe it simply means sudden mass uprising aimed at the overthrow of existing Government which is effected by massive and unrelenting mass demonstrations, which suddenly paralyses the operations of Government of the day. Such actions amounts to a revolution defined as “violent civil disturbances that cause the displacement of one ruling group by another that has a broader popular base” (Davis 1962, p6).The aim of this paper is to explore the possibilities of such “Arab Spring” translating into a Nigerian Summer. The position of this paper is that the condition for a revolution already exists in Nigeria. The Government should avoid things that would ignite the dormant forces into action that would be injurious to the safety of the nation.
Keywords: Arab Spring, Nigeria
Opposition Parties and Democratization in Nigeria, 2007-2013: A Diagnostic Assessment (Review Completed - Accepted)
Politics is a struggle of contending ideological viewpoints for the allocation and distribution of resources. Political parties are at the center of politics as modern democracy is unthinkable in the absence of viable political parties and the interplay of party politics that characterize the polity. This paper therefore examines the role of opposition political parties in political re-engineering of Nigerian state and the impact of absence of internal democracy on the electoral performance of the opposition parties in Nigeria. An attempt is also made to analyze the recent merger between the opposition political parties. The study adopts qualitative method of data gathering and uses theory of the post-colonial state. Hence, this paper argues that the opposition parties’ inability to offer itself as alternative government in Nigeria today lies in their weak institutionalization and ideology drought, which results in an increasing disconnect between citizens and their elected leaders, and a decline in political activism. It recommends that the formation and merger of future opposition political parties should follow a micro natural evolution and patriotic commitment; and that opposition politics in the context of inter party relations in Nigeria needs a total overhaul through proactive and agenda setting governance policy engagement and commitments.
Keywords: Democracy, Election, Inter-Party Politics, Nigeria, Political Parties
LANGUAGE, USE COMMUNICATION AND TERRORISM IN NIGERIA: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE (Published)
It is a fact that no other issue has occupied the centre stage of global discourses in recent times more than terrorism and its attendant counter. It is also a fact that the dominant strategy adopted against terrorism so far, and in the recent times is military action. Surprisingly however, just as terrorism has caused severe destruction to lives and property, just as it has dangerously threatened global peace and security, it is an observable fact that the adoption of military action against terrorism has always led to almost equal level of devastation within the affected territories. Thus, the search for an alternative strategy that can address the scourge, with minimal devastative consequences has become very necessary. The aim of this paper is to examine how effective use of language and other communication tools could be harnessed in this regard. The paper holds that terrorism is a product of loss of trust, mutual suspicion, betrayal, deceit among other factors. It is a reactionary mechanism for settling scores. The paper therefore, asserts that effective use of language holds great panacea towards engendering mutual trust and peaceful co-existence, and by extension, also, holds the potential to forestalling terrorism. The paper has adopted as its theoretical background, Critical Discourse Analyses. It is a relevant linguistic framework that seeks to analyse how language captures the power play in human co-existence. Furthermore, the paper has been segmented into internally related sub-headings for clarity and orderly presentation. The paper in its conclusion does not rule out the need for military action as option to counter terrorism. It however submits that there is need to look beyond military action for further solution, especially from the point of view of avoiding terrorism instead of fighting terrorism
Keywords: Critical Discourse, Language, Nigeria, Terrorism, communication
HOW THE ISSUES OF SECESSION AND CONFEDERATION COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE NIGERIA – Biafra War: A Review of Achebe’s There Was A Country (Published)
The book There Was a Country by Chinua Achebe published shortly before he died has taken a central place in the list of political literature of Nigeria. Written in lucid prose and boldly addressing the gargantuan issues that brought down the nation’s first republic, Achebe pointed accusing fingers at those actors who brought untold hardship on his people, Ndigbo for which he has been severely criticized. Carefully crafted and well researched, the book is not one to be wished away. The book challenges the West, particularly Great Britain for the ugly roles they played during the war. This article takes a different look at the unfortunate event and other ways that could have prevented the civil war
Keywords: Achebe, Biafra War, Confederation, Nigeria, Secession