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
EXPLORING CIVIC EDUCATION FOR VALUE CLARIFICATION AND RE-ORIENTATION IN PROMOTING NATION BUILDING IN NIGERIA (Review Completed - Accepted)
The present Nigerian state has lost her pre-colonial and pre-independence credibility as the country is characterized by selfish, uncaring interpersonal relations as well as materialistic values. This situation has led to serious socio-economic and political upheavals that have hindered development and progress. This paper therefore explored Civic Education with particular reference to value clarification and re-orientation for ensuring nation building in Nigeria. The conceptual framework envisioned the meanings of civic Education, nation building, value clarification and re-orientation. The paper further examined the ideals and values intrinsic in Civic Education before giving justifications for value clarification and re-orientation via Civic Education. Finally, it recommended among others that Nigerians must purify themselves of survival mentality and inculcate value ingredients of Civic Education for nation building.
Keywords: Civic Education, Nation Building, Nigeria, Value Clarification, Value Re-orientation.
Exploring Civic Education for Value Clarification and Re-Orientation in Promoting Nation Building in Nigeria (Review Completed - Accepted)
The present Nigerian state has lost her pre-colonial and pre-independence credibility as the country is characterized by selfish, uncaring interpersonal relations as well as materialistic values. This situation has led to serious socio-economic and political upheavals that have hindered development and progress. This paper therefore explored Civic Education with particular reference to value clarification and re-orientation for ensuring nation building in Nigeria. The conceptual framework envisioned the meanings of civic Education, nation building, value clarification and re-orientation. The paper further examined the ideals and values intrinsic in Civic Education before giving justifications for value clarification and re-orientation via Civic Education. Finally, it recommended among others that Nigerians must purify themselves of survival mentality and inculcate value ingredients of Civic Education for nation building.
Keywords: Civic Education, Nation Building, Nigeria, Value Clarification, Value Re-orientation.
Christianity as a Tool for the Democratization Process in Nigeria (Review Completed - Accepted)
Our major concern in this paper is to periscope Christianity as a tool for the democratization process in Nigeria. We specifically looked at the extent to which Nigeria’s experience of democracy has a far cry for the ideals of democracy. Some literatures on the subject mater were reviewed, while data for analysis is from the secondary sources. The paper reviewed that, they are factors militating against the success of democracy in Nigeria spanning from disregards for the rule of law, political instability, lack of sincerity on the part of the ruling party, lack of true Christians in politics etc. The paper further expound the role of Christianity in promoting democracy; as Christianity cultivate moral and social political habit, inculcate respect for human right in the citizen, fulfills its social ethnical mission in the political arena. The paper recommends that Christians should take it upon themselves as a responsibility to fast and pray for the actualization of our democratic values in Nigeria. The paper draws a conclusion that, the role of Christianity in promoting democracy is essentially considered imperative because of the underlying truth that it can help facilitate development and social order.
Keywords: Christianity, Democratization, Nigeria
The Impact of Globalization and Cultural Imperialism on Socio-Cultural Development in Nigeria (Review Completed - Accepted)
The revolution in communications technology, which gave the west the power to achieve global supremacy, has converted the world into a global village. This was followed by the increasing diffusion (dominance) of western cultural values that tend to destroy the native cultures of developing nations. This article investigates the impact of globalization and cultural imperialism on socio-cultural development in Nigeria. Specifically, the review of related literature was carried out to ascertain whether there are positive and negative impacts in reference to the topic understudy. Globalization theory was incorporated to analyze the study. The data for this study were purposely collected through the secondary sources. The findings revealed that there is higher usage of western media among young people. Nigerians are copying western culture in negligence to their own culture. Western dominated media reduced Nigerian cultural values to zero level. Therefore, the study recommended that government should control massive influx of western movies, electronic games and pornographic materials to protect the Nigerian cultural values. Moreso, government and the local media should promote local artistic works that are congenial with Nigerian environment to eliminate the adverse negative effects associated with globalization and cultural imperialism
Keywords: And Diffusion, Cultural Imperialism, Developed Nations, Developing Nations, Dominance, Globalization, Globalization Theory, Impact, Negative, Nigeria, Positive, Socio-Cultural Development
The “New” Economic Diplomacy of the Nigerian State, 1988-1993: An Evaluation (Published)
The paper examines the doctrine of “economic diplomacy” which formed the bedrock of Nigeria’s foreign policy during the General Ibrahim Babangida’s regime between 1985 and 1993. The paper highlights the major achievements and failures of the policy during the period under review. Based on its findings, the paper concludes that the failure of the Nigerian state in all ramifications and the conspiracy and hostility of the international environment, combined to frustrate the lofty ideas contained in the ‘new’ Nigerian economic diplomacy
Keywords: Diplomacy, Economic, Evaluation, Nigeria, Policy