SOCIAL FACTORS INFLUENCING DECISION-MAKING RELATED TO FERTILITY CONTROL IN NIGERIA.

Anum O.J.¹,Hulugh P.K¹, Dooior D ², & Zawua T.P ³

¹Department of Sociology, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

² Benue State Schools of Nursing and Midwifery Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.

³ Department of Biological Science, College of Science, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue  

E-mail: ornguj@yahoo.com;zawua2014@gmail.com; akpoohulugh@yahoo.com 

Abstract: Control over the timing and number of children continues to be a challenge for many developing countries including Nigeria today. As the population keeps increasing, the level of demand also increases and this brings about inflation of useful agricultural products or resources. The demands of these resources make people sold out their products quickly and share their money on basic human needs like building of houses, educational training of children, clothing and consumables for tackling hunger, thus make acute poverty take over for the cost of these maintenances. There is also  competition on the limited resources available like farm lands for agricultural practices, economic trees, sand for building and construction, gravel sands, etc all resulting from high population experienced. Deforestation is noted due to farm activities or limited spaces for farming and boosting of commercial activities, housing and transportation parks. Because of natural increase in fertility in Nigeria led to born of social vices such as political thuggery, gangsterism, disputes due to uncontrolled population, assassinations, militia exploitations emanating from illiteracy, poverty and drugs addiction, arson, prostitution (commercial sex worker) child labour as hawkers. Much of these problems could be prevented through effective social fertility control strategy. This paper examines the concept of fertility control, empirical evidence of fertility control in Nigeria, Malthusian theory of population growth, social barriers to fertility control in Nigeria and the national population policy in Nigeria. The article also recommends that effort should be intensified on enlightenment campaign in order to remove all barriers affecting decision-making against fertility control. 

THE IMPACT OF FINANCE ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN AKWANGA LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF NASSARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

¹E.I. Dang & ²E.J. Bulus

Department of Social Science Education, Faculty of Education University of Jos.

Government Secondary School Ubbe, Nassarawa Eggon LGA, Nassarawa State.

Email: dange@unijos.edu.ng; josephbulus10@yahoo.com

Abstract: The Nigerian National Policy on Education (2014), recognised education as an expensive social service that requires adequate financial provision from all tiers of government for its successful implementation. The role education play in economic development cannot be overemphasized, hence the need for all hands to be on deck for proper development of the educational system. Finance has been identified as one of the major challenge to educational achievement and development for both individuals and the society at large. This research is conducted to determine the impact of finance on student’s academic performance/achievement in secondary schools. The research design adopted for this study is a survey research design. Three hypotheses are stated, to guide the researchers in reaching the needed conclusion for the study. SS II students in Akwanga LGA, of Nassarawa State, Nigeria made up the population for the study. The instruments adopted for the collection of data are structured questionnaires which were administered to elicit responses from the respondent, with respect to their financial disposition and an achievement test, to determine the students’ academic performance. Chi-square ( ) was used in testing the hypotheses. The study put forward some recommendations, among which are; for government to make provision for adequate infrastructures and facilities needed for smooth operations of the school system, be it boarding house, public and or private so as to create balance among the students, there is need for the provision of scholarship especially for student from low socio-economic background, learners are also encouraged to engage in collaborative studies among their peer so as to enable them tap from the experience of each other not minding their background.

THE ATTACK OF BOKO HARAM SECT THROUGH MEDIA AND PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Franklin Ezeorah

Department of International Communication

St. John’s University, Queens Campus, New York

E-mail: dungabrazil18@yahoo.com  

Abstract: The provision of national security is one of the elemental aspects of good governance. In a country where national security is threatened, the leaders are always view with suspicion. Public diplomacy comes handy as a veritable tool for enhancing good rapport with the public as well as encouraging policy making process. The recent epidemic of violence in Nigeria often coordinated and executed by the Boko Haram movement has left the public with more questions than answers. What necessitated the insurgency? What are the demands of the group? What is the government doing to contain its excesses? What must be done to prevent such insurgency in the future? In the face of such looming questions, this paper tries to examine public diplomacy issues associated with Nigerian national security and to proffer solutions to the menace of the Boko Haram movement in Nigeria.

EUROPEANISATION OF TURKISH CYPRIOT COMMUNITY IN NORTH CYPRUS

Olakunle Olowojolu & Modupe Ake

Department of Political Science & International Relations

PMB 1001, Landmark University Omu-Aran, Nigeria.

E-mail: kunleolowojolu@yahoo.co.uk; akemodupe@gmail.com

Abstract: Cyprus is an Island in the Mediterranean region divided along ethnic lines. The small country that gained independence from Great Britain in 1960 was thrown into chaos after the clamour for Enosis gained currency amongst Greek Cypriots who wanted to become part of mainland Greece. In 1974, the Turkish armed forces intervened in Cyprus in order to stop a coup orchestrated by the Greek government and also to provide a buffer zone for the Turkish Cypriots. Turkey’s incursion led to the displacement of many Cypriots and subsequently the Island was divided into South and North Cyprus. The Southern part is largely occupied by the Greeks, while the North is dominated by Turkish Cypriots. Despite the 1983 declaration of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus, the International community has refused to recognize the state. Meanwhile, the Greek side of Cyprus (South) was given full EU membership status in 2004. Several efforts have been made by international actors to resolve the dispute between the two warring factions with minimal success. Since 2006, EU has maintained an aid programme aimed at bringing the Turkish Cypriot Community closer to EU’s policies, rules and regulations. This paper will attempt to know to what extent has the EU succeeded in integrating Turkish Cypriots into EU through the aid programme. Can we say that Turkish Cypriots are being Europeanized? For the Turkish Cypriots to have a real sense of belonging in Europe, the paper advocates for the recognition of Turkish Republic of North Cyprus by the international community.

AN ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION AND SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Nnamani, Desmond O., Nwachukwu, Tochukwu & Ugwuibe, Amaechi

Department of Public Administration and Local Government

University of Nigeria, Nsukka

E-mail:  dungabrazil8@yahoo.com

Abstract: Local government is a vehicle to drive social service delivery for people in the grassroot; some obstacles undermined these services despite various reforms from military and civilian regimes in Nigeria. The paper will articulate some issues to address the responsive needs of the people in rural areas irrespective of the fat revenue accrued to local government from the federation account. The politics of do-or-die affair, undue interference from state and federal levels, constitutional provisions and unqualified personnel has decline the primary function of local government to the grass root. The paper x-rays some factors derailing socio-economic development to people in the rural areas with special reference to peasants who are at the receiving end of underdevelopment. The Nigerian political arrangement negates the essence of federalism which is decentralization but local level became highly centralized. The gross fiscal practice skewed was in favour of central government couple with unaccountability among political class thwart meaningful development efforts in the grass root. Local governments have refused to perform their constitutional roles, let alone address the social needs of people in the rural area due to emasculation by other tiers of government. An integrated rural development approach is de-factoring in ameliorating the responsive needs of rural populace. Also, the autonomy of local governments will help strengthen fiscal and political reforms to enhance sense of belonging and good governance to Nigerian grass root.

ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE ON ROAD ACCIDENT CASES IN SOKOTO STATE 

Ibrahim Abubakar Zarrumi & Kabiru Malam Yakubu

Department of Mathematics & Statistics

College of Science & Technology, The Polytechnic of Sokoto State, P.M.B 2356, Sokoto. Nigeria.

E-mail: ibrahimabubakarzarumi@gmail.com; Kabeerygat@yahoo.com

Abstract: Road traffic accidents contributed a menace in modern times. Nigeria as a developing nation has suffered from varying degree of road accidents which make it one of the countries with the highest rate of accidents. The paper examines road accident cases in Sokoto State. In view of this data was collected from National Bureau of Statistics over a period of sixteen years from 1992 to 2007. Analysis of variance was carried out on the three categories of cases recorded, and the result shows that over the period Fatal accident (accidents resulting to death) have the highest cases followed by Serious (accidents that results in serious injury such as permanent disorder, amputation, fracture etc.) and lastly followed by the Minor cases (accidents that results to only vehicle damage).