Table of Contents

Harmful Tax Practices and Reforms in Africa

Umeora C.E.                                                                       1-10

Individualism as a Predictor of Workplace Cooperation

Ejike O.                                                                                                11-19

Government’s Legitimacy a Catalyst to Sustainable Development

Hongie G.N.                                                                                                 20-29

Is Bad Governance/Corruption the Major Source of Conflict in Nigeria?

Usman I., Kyari G.A., Hajja A.M.S. and Goni U.A.                                                                     30-43

The Diaspora Question and Nigeria’s Foreign Policy

Nwogbaga, D.M.E.                                                                                                   44-55

Implementing African Union Charter and Poverty Reduction in Nigeria

Christie, O.O.                                                                                                        56-69

Comparison of Laboratory Administration and Policy in the Medical Laboratory

Sciences Department

Udeajah, V.N., Ibiam, G.A., Azi, S.O, Okereke, E.C., Nworie, A.  and Oti-Wilberforce, R.          70-76

The African Union and Public Sector Reforms, Under the New Partnership for

Africa’s Development (NEPAD)’S African Pair-Reviewed Mechanism

Odeh M.A. and Mailafia M.D.                                                                                                  77-98

THE IMPLICATION OF DIVORCE ON AFRICAN YOUTHS

1Bem, V. N, 2Robert .B. and 3A.O. Olayiwola
1Registry Department Federal University of Agriculture
2Policy and Research Unit, Centre for Research and Innovation, Minna
3Department of Political Science, Lagos State University, Ojo
E-mail: nusramurana@yahoo.co.uk

ABSTRACT:

Over the past years, the society has witnessed an alarming rate of separation, divorce, marital dissatisfaction, lost of affection between couples and cases of marital violence, even in Africa and its damn implications on the life of the African youths.
Everywhere today, people are searching for lasting and meaningful relationships. The myth of romance continues to be taken for granted by millions, and a new generation of young men
and women has accepted the belief that sexual freedom is the key to fulfillment. But as desperately as people want to believe in the sexual revolution of the last few decades, it is
clear to many of them that something has gone terribly wrong. Instead of bringing freedom, the sexual revolution has left countless wounded and isolated. As we face the great anguish
around us, it is more important than ever for all of us, young and old, to consider the direction of our lives and ask ourselves where we are headed. There is tremendous pain among broken families. This lead to battered wives, neglected and abused children, and sinful relationships. Yet instead of an outcry, there is indifference. When will we wake up and realize that our apathy is destroying us? There is need for readily available and versatile goal-directed
counseling. Goal-directed counseling is counseling which identified discrete divorce related problems and fashions a treatment programme.

DEVELOPMENT PLANNING IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: THE MISSING LINK IN THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE

Akims, K.A. and Kromtit, M.J.
Department of Economics
University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
E-mail: akimskb@yahoo.com, kromtitm@unijos.edu.ng

Abstract:

Despite the prolonged history of development planning in developing countries, economic outcomes emanating from various plans over the years have not been quite impressive. This forms the main motivation for this study which attempts to unveil the
missing link in the Nigerian experience. Careful development planning could help improve the economy by mobilizing the funds required for financing development, closing the
infrastructure gap, smoothing the path to industrialization and reducing unemployment and poverty in the country. By using deductive reasoning and descriptive method of analyzing
secondary literature, the study reveals that development planning in Nigeria could not achieve tremendous results due to weak institutions, inconsistencies in planning strategies,
inadequate reliable statistics and corruption in governance, lack of commitment to plan implementation, lack of effective control over private sector planning and the failure to
appraise and avoid the pitfalls of past development plans by the government. The studyrecommends mainly the improvement of institutions that would provide supportive role to
planning, a sincere fight against corruption and ensuring consistency in planning strategy, plan appraisal and monitoring. This would enable development planning to deliver the
expected development outcomes in the country.

FEATURES OF INFORMAL LAND MARKET IN PERI-URBAN AREAS OF BAUCHI:

A STUDY OF JANRUWA SETTLEMENT BAUCHI STATE NIGERIA
1Singhry I.M. and 2Umar .W.
1Estate Management Programme, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.
2Surveying and Geoinformatics, Programme, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.
Email: singhry1968@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This paper examined some features of informal land market especially in the provision of services in Janruwa. The head of households served as the sample of the study. Simple random
sampling technique was used in administering the questionnaires, while in analyzing the data obtained from the respondents descriptive statistics is employed. Most of the information
gathered was from the residents of the study area. Informal interviews were also held with some staff of state Urban Development Board and Ministry of Lands and environment. It was
found that, since the market operated outside any regulatory framework of the government, transactions in the markets were unrecorded; land purchases were exclusively funded through
personal savings; plots were subdivided which were below official standards set for even the low density residential areas; proliferation of informal settlements and there are little or even
non provision of basic services. A machinery for recording transaction in the market for the purpose of creating a cadastral data base for the area was recommended; activities of the
informal land market should be regulated by government to check the dubious activities of land agents, formal lending institutions should be encouraged to fund the market, Bauchi
State Urban Development Board should re-enforce planning and building regulations in Janruwa and Bauchi metropolis in general. Bauchi state government should also provide basic
services in the study area.

HOUSING PROBLEMS OF LOW INCOME GROUP IN WARRI METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

1Clarke, T. and 2Digha, O.N.
Department of Geography
1&2Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education, Sagbama, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
E-mail: digbaopaminola@yahoo.com

Abstract:

This study examined housing problems of low income group in Warri metropolis, Nigeria. To achieve this study, the study generated data from field survey using questionnaires was adopted. The data generated were analysed using bivariate
correlation analysis. From the study, it was observed that the low income earners in the metropolis are spread across areas of Okumagba Layout, Lower Eredjuwa, Enerhen road,
Delta Steel town, Enerhen village, and Orhowhorun. Housing demand is high as a result of the increasing population and most of the occupants spend about 35-45% of their
monthly income on accommodation in contrast to the 20% monthly income recommended by the United Nation. However, the quality of houses for low income
group in Warri metropolis is poor and below standard. Slums are found in the high density (Jakpa road, Okumagba layout, Airport Road, Upper/Lower Erejuwa, Enerhen/Udu Road) areas of Warri metropolis. The standard dwelling units correlated
significantly with household income at R = 0.913. It is anticipated that as the size of household income increases, the access standard dwelling units also increases. Therefore, the cost of houses should be reduced through the provision of low cost housing near
public transport routes, infrastructure and community facilities. The need to improve the housing delivery mechanism via policy measures geared towards encouraging low income
group should be strongly advocated by the National Housing Federation.

AN EVALUATION OF WOMEN’S HEALTH STATUS IN AFRICA: PROGRESS, CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Nenpominyi S.A.
Department of Political Science
University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
E-mail: nenpipi@yahoo.com

Abstract:

The promotion of women’s health rights is also imperative for Africa’s development. This is evident in its inclusion as one of the millennium development goals and the commitment of the African Union in the implementation of existing gender related
principles, goals and actions set out in regional, continental and international instruments on women’s rights and women’s health in Africa. Despite the progress that Africa has made in
this regard, many women do not have access to reproductive and health care resulting to complications and death from pregnancy and childbirth or other lifelong health problems.
This work assesses the socio-economic implication of maternal health problems on Africa’s development. It also evaluates the role of African Union in alleviating women’s health issues.
The secondary method of data analysis is employed though the review of reports, policy documents and books related to women’s health in Africa. It identifies illiteracy, continual
conflicts, harmful socio cultural practices and governance crisis as some of the challenges the African Union needs to overcome to improve women’s health in Africa. It establishes that
when women stay healthy, they are productive, have more opportunities for education, training and employment which in turn benefit their families, their communities and
ultimately their nations. Political commitment and financial support to implement replicate and scale up successful policies and programs by government, civil society and the private
sector is suggested to improve maternal rights in Africa.