THE CHALLENGES OF ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION IN AFRICA:

THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE

¹Arinze Ngwube and ²Uche Nebo

¹General Studies Unit, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.

²Student Affairs Unit, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.

E-mail: arinze.ngwube@fuoye.edu.ng, uchechukwu.nebo@fuoye.edu.ng

Abstract: Previous  administration have laid plans, programmes, and visions to guarantee Nigeria’s economic development by altering the model of economic structure of production and consumption pattern, reduce dependence on oil, diversify the economic base, generate employment, create a globally competitive and stable economy. The economy has not been able to perform to its full potential particularly in the face of its rising population. The Nigerian economy has grossly underperformed relative to her enormous resource endowment and the achievements of her peers/other developing nations with similar characteristics. Nigeria has made modest progress in its transformation to democracy and a market economy, but there have also been serious setbacks; the political system still struggle with state coherence, improving government institutional efficiency, internal security, democratic representation and attitudes enforcement of the rule of law and economic reforms. Economically, Nigeria suffers from major shortcomings in all but two areas: economic growth due to large profits from crude oil and natural gas exports and the large and rapidly growing market for private mobile phone services. This paper examines the challenges of economic transformation in Nigeria and recommended solutions.

WOMEN EDUCATION AS IMPETUS FOR PEACE AND NATIONAL UNITY

Adamu M., Hamidu M.Y. and Ibrahim A.I.

Federal College of Education Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria.

E-mail: link2mohammed@gmail.com, hamidu2011@gmail.com, ibrahiminwa2013@gmail.com

Abstract: A state is a political entity that is in many cases made of more than one nationality group. This reality imposes the need to integrate the distinct ethnic groups to become a monolithic whole that shares a common identity and destiny. Essentially therefore, peace and national unity is achieved through the breakdown of ethnic barriers, the elimination of primordial ethnic loyalties, and the development of a sense of common identity. This paper looked at women education as an impetus for peace and national unity. It examined the contribution of women education to peace and national unity, why women in peace and national unity. It also highlighted some of the challenges facing women education in Nigeria. The paper recommend among others; the need for policy formulation of the National Unity and Peace Commission so as to ensure a strong focus interventions aimed at strengthening women’s participation and contribution in peace building and unity processes, the government should put in place a system of working with women councils and women NGOs  to disseminate the message of peace and unity to the community in a practical approach such as functional adult literacy and other integrated community development initiatives.

INFLUENCE OF MARITAL STRESS AND COPING STRATEGIES ON DEPRESSION AMONG SINGLE PARENTS IN SOUTH-EASTERN NIGERIA

Mgbenkemdi, Ejike Hyacinth

Department of Psychology

Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu State, Nigeria.

E-mail: iamejike@yahoo.co.uk

Abstract: This study investigated the influence of marital stress and coping strategies on depression among single parents in South-Eastern Nigeria. It comprised a cross-sectional survey of 13 single parents drawn from Enugu South in Enugu State, Nigeria. Application of 2×2 Analysis of Variance F-test as statistical test revealed no significant influence of marital stress on depression, F (1, 9) = 0.80 at P>0.05. In addition, coping strategies did not influence depression, P (1, 9) = 0.02 at P>0.05. It was concluded that marital stress and coping strategies were not determinants of depression among these sample of single parents.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY AND THE NIGERIA LEGAL SYSTEM: AN APPRAISAL 

Francis, N. Mbuba

Department of Public Administration

Anambra State University, Igbariam Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

E-mail: fn.mbuba@yahoo.com

Abstract: The autonomy of Local Government in Nigeria has remained a subject of controversy since the pre-colonial times. This has made Local Governments to remain a pawn in the hands of politicians ever since. As such subsequent governments in Nigeria since the colonial times have toyed with the faith of the common people at the grass roots by the way they manipulate the structure, rules and the operations of this supposed third tier of government in Nigeria. The most manipulated aspect of the local government system is the rules that have guided the conduct of local government in Nigeria. This state of affairs has not allowed local government administration to thrive in the area of providing good governance to the people at local levels. This paper therefore seeks to examine the autonomy of local governments under the Nigerian legal system. In the face of the erosion of the autonomy of local governments in Nigeria by the 1999 constitution, local government seem to be lagging behind in carrying out the duties allotted to it by the constitution, statutes and other legal precedents. A critical look has been taken at the laws and customs guiding the conduct of local governments from the pre-colonial, colonial and post-independence Nigeria with a view to discovering the malady and it’s curative. The researcher has made use of the secondary source of research with due reference to the travails of the local governments, the paper has suggested that some of the provisions in the 1999 constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria should be amended to allay the fears of domination of local governments by the state governments and indeed stem the tide of political inactivity and underdevelopment at the grass roots.

THE IMPACT OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) ON ECONOMIC GROWTH: EVIDENCE FROM NIGERIA

¹Olawepo, G.T. and ²Joseph, A.I.

¹Department of Business Administration, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Oyo State.

²Department of Economics, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Oyo State.

E-mail: tejuolawepo@yahoo.com, toy4kuns@yahoo.com

Abstract: Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has become a major tool for gaining competitive advantage in the corporate world and as such it has become integrated into the operations of most high performing organizations in every economy. This paper examined the impact of ICT on economic development in Nigeria. Time series data for the period of 1970 to 2010 was employed. The study employs the use of Ordinary Least Square techniques in estimating the impact on economic growth. Result reveals that ICT has not only created an avenue for economic growth in the country but also stand as an important factor that determines economic growth in Nigeria. The paper therefore recommends that if the country must have to compete with other developed countries of the world, government should provide more funds for the development of ICT, diversification of the productive structure of the economy away from oil/natural resources to ICT in a bid to increase employment and technical know-how.                         

GOOD POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONSHIP: AN ANTIDOTE TO CRIME CONTROL IN CONTEMPORARY NIGERIAN SOCIETY

¹Aver, T.T., ²Adoko, E.O. and ³Ogah, I.A.

^1&2Department of Sociology, Kwararafa University Wukari, Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.

³Department of Mass Communication, Kwararafa University Wukari, Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria

E-mail: theophilusaver@yahoo.com, abari.ogah@yahoo.com

Abstract: The Nigerian police interact with all members of the public at different levels; individually, groups, organizations among others. The police represent the government official agents of crime control by setting in motion the criminal justice system. When they represent the interests of the public in which they serve; there is general harmony and gratitude from members of the public. But when they act in otherwise they received insults and condemnations from members of the public. This paper has made a useful contribution that will enable the Nigerian police to have a good relationship with members of public in order to fight crime in Nigeria. Structural functionalism was adopted as a theoretical perspective to guide the paper. It was positioned that without good police public relationship, the role of crime detection, prevention and apprehension of criminals cannot be achieved by the police in Nigeria. It was recommended that for effective policing in Nigeria the police should cooperate with members of public in order to illicit information about criminal hideouts in their localities; this will go a long way in reducing criminals in the society. The police should treat every citizens of the country according to the rule of law. All human beings are equal in the sight of the law. If a rich man/woman commits crime he/she should be treated like when a poor man/woman commits the same crime. The paper concluded that lack of communication between the police and the public is envisaged as the widespread lopsided relationship. Police depends on safe public relationship that is more trans‐parent as public engagement in police affairs is crucial in tackling the problem of crime in contemporary society.

FROM THE SHADOWS: A RE-INTEGRATION OF AFRICA INTO GLOBAL ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT MAP

Adesanya, O.P.

Department of Political Science and International Studies,

Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

E-mail: segunpaul11@gmail.com

Abstract: Granted the simultaneous existence of socio-economic challenges and life threatening security problems of militancy and piracy, Africa, particularly after the Cold War, was regarded as fallen off the global map. Unfolding events within the international system are presently impelling a re-sewing of the continent into global economic landscape. As Africa is currently being repositioned for a rebirth in a highly globalizing and competitive world, it becomes important to understand the underlying factors for its re-emergence. This study, through its four sections of Africa’s dossier, gives brief insight into past scrambles for the continent, the drivers of continental resurgence, new hopes and challenges, and suggestions for shaping the future. Overall, this paper seeks to unearth the hidden transcripts of the importance currently alluded to Africa.

THE “MONDAY EFFECT” IN NIGERIAN STOCK MARKET: EVIDENCE AND IMPLICATION

¹Osazevbaru, H.O. and ²Oboreh, J.

¹Department of Accounting & Finance, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria

²Department of Business Administration, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria

E-mail: henryosas@yahoo.com

Abstract: The tendency for financial asset returns to display systematic patterns at certain times of the calendar year has not been well discussed in the empirical of African markets. This study addressed the Monday effect in the Nigerian stock market using price data from January, 1995 to December, 2009. The methodological approach involves using OLS regression with dummies. To overcome the misspecification effect that could result from assuming homoscedasticity in OLS, the GARCH model was implemented. It was found that the anomaly exists in the Nigerian stock market. This implies returns predictability which an astute investor can exploit without assuming a commensurate level of risk and capable of accentuating high cost of capital in the market. It is recommended that aggressive trading on different types of securities be encouraged so as to increase the depth of the market.