Table of Contents

A Socio-Philosophical Appraisal of the Challenges of Democracy and It’s

Prospects for National Development in Nigeria

Phillips Olubiyi                                                                                                            1-18

Ecological Sustainability and Public Health Education: Environmental

Pollution Problem Remediation in Tertiary Institutions

Chibuzor A. Ekwonye 19-31                                                                                                 

Socio-Economic Aspects of Human Trafficking in Sudan          

Nasreldin Atiya Rahamtalla 32-53                                                                                       

Relationship between Debt Ratio and Financial Performance of Nigerian

Quoted Companies

Adegbola Olubukola Otekunrin, Tony, Ikechukwu Nwanji, Ajayi, Samuel Abiodun,

 Awonusi, Frank Dayo, Eluyela, Damilola Felix,    54-70                                                       

An Overview of the Militarization of the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Fidelis A.E. Paki     71-97                                                                                                       

AN OVERVIEW OF THE MILITARIZATION OF THE NIGER DELTA REGION OF NIGERIA

Fidelis A.E. Paki

Department of Political Science,

Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island 560001, Nigeria

Email: paki_fae@yahoo.com

Abstract

This paper examined the militarization of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. It observed that the Niger Delta region of Nigeria is an over militarized region. This is as a result of the contest for the resources in the region by internal and external forces. In the years before colonialism, it was the consolidation of city-states, the slave trade and later the legitimate trade in palm oil, but today the issue of contest is crude oil and gas resources. This has led to high military presence in the region and confrontation between the armed forces and other para-military units in the Niger Delta with organized militant movements and dissenting element in communities, which has led to the destruction of oil bearing communities. Therefore, the paper suggested that government should address the demands of the people of the resource rich Niger Delta with the aim of demilitarizing the region.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN SUDAN

Nasreldin Atiya Rahamtalla

Department of Economics,

Yobe State University, Damaturu, Nigeria

Email:nasratiya@gmail.com

Abstract

Human trafficking is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights. It is the fastest- growing illicit industry in the world. This paper attempts to shed light on the socio-economic aspects of human trafficking in the Republic of Sudan. The paper relies heavily on secondary data from textbooks, journals, papers, studies conducted by researchers and websites..  The paper finds that common and structural causes of human trafficking include domestic and national violence, lack of human rights, poverty, cultural oppression, lack of opportunity, lawlessness, social instability, military conflict, natural disasters, weak law enforcement and racial and gender biases. Sudan is a source, gateway and destination of human trafficking. As a result of human trafficking, poverty, unemployment, and inequality are all increasing. Trafficking in persons results in loss of human resources and reductions in tax revenue. Further, trafficking in persons redirects the financial benefits of migration from migrants, their families, community and government to traffickers and their associates. Victims of human trafficking are deprived of a family life and cut off from normal social activities for a prolonged period and the stigma the society puts on them tends to delay their progress. It is recommended that, all members of society including native administration should be involved to fight and eliminate human trafficking. It is important to prevent child soldiers and criminalize child prostitution and anti-trafficking law needs to be amended. Capacity of law enforcement authorities should be built and awareness campaigns are to be organized. Intensive poverty programs including provision of basic services such as water, sanitation, health, education, etc. are highly needed.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEBT RATIO AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF NIGERIAN QUOTED COMPANIES

*Adegbola Olubukola Otekunrin, Tony, Ikechukwu Nwanji, Ajayi, Samuel Abiodun, Awonusi, Frank Dayo, Eluyela, Damilola Felix,

Department of Accounting and Finance,

Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria

email: otekunrin.adegbola@lmu.edu.ng, nwanji.tony@lmu.edu.ng, ajayi.abiodun@lmu.edu.ng, awonusi.frank@lmu.edu.ng, eluyela.damilola@lmu.edu.ng

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between debt ratio and financial performance of selected Nigerian quoted. This research work also examined whether asset turnover is related firm financial performance as well as whether asset tangibility is related firm financial performance. Data for the period of five years (2011-2015), sourced from the annual reports of the quoted companies was used in carrying out the analysis. The variable used werey debt ratio , assets turnover, assets tangibility, and financial performance (i.e. profitability) is proxied by return on assets.STATA software was engaged in performing the correlation and regression analysis. The study detected that from the regression analysis that debt ratio and financial performance are positively and significantly related. The result also revealed that asset turnover and financial performance are negaitively and but not significantly related whlie assets tangibility and financial performance are positively and significantly related.

ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION: ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION PROBLEM REMEDIATION IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

Chibuzor A. Ekwonye

Academic Programmes Department

National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Central Area, Abuja

E-mail: annygeorge4sure@yahoo.com

Abstract

Ecological sustainability is one of the phenomena that have ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION: ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION PROBLEM REMEDIATION IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

gained international attention.  Many studies have been reported on the relevance of public health education to its actualization. This study was borne out of the zeal to verify the problems associated with point source pollutants and how they affect the environmental health of inhabitant of academic settings. Thus, studies of all the dumpsites present in Federal College of Education, (FCE) Zaria. Observation and interview were employed for the data collection. Based on the findings, suggestions were made on how to improve on Environmental refuse disposal system for good Environmental health and ecological sustainability in the campus. The suggestions made centered on the prime role of public health education not only being limited to the Zaria local Government Area alone in Kaduna State but also to the tertiary institutions in its domain. These institutions are equally advised to set up public health education department, with the view of sustaining our ecosystem via environmental problem remediation.

A SOCIO-PHILOSOPHICAL APPRAISAL OF THE CHALLENGES OF DEMOCRACY AND IT’S PROSPECTS FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Phillips   Olubiyi

General Studies Department,

Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, Nigeria

Email: telcomasl@yahoo.co.uk

Abstract: After 55 years of political independence, Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenges of democratic transformation and good governance. All efforts by successive civilian governments to entrench true democracy and good governance in the country seem to have met brick walls in which for every gained step: two are lost. The generality of Nigerians had expected that the return of democratic rule to the country in 1999 will usher in a new dawn. These optimism, hope and great expectations were regrettably misplaced. The paper interrogates this state of affair and sheds light on those critical elements in the country’s democratic experiment that tend to frustrate the enthronement of true democracy and good governance. Worried about the future prospects of democracy in Nigeria, the paper concludes with suggestions on the way forward towards the domestication of true democracy and good governance in the country, stressing that the time to act is now.