THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY: EXTRA-AFRICAN INTERESTS AND AFRICA’S DEVELOPMENT

Adesanya, Olusegun Paul

Department of International Relations

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

E-mail: adepaulsegun@yahoo.ca

ABSTRACT

That Africa is well endowed with mineral resources is no news; neither is the search for such resources, which are considered vital to extra-African powers’ interests. What is news however is the take on how such extra-territorial interests would impact on Africa’s development. On one hand, it is believed that extra-regional interests would impact African development immensely; and this is particularly against the background of the influx of foreign direct investment (FDI), needed machineries and expertise that are necessary for development. On another, it is believed that these ‘flavour’ of external interests notwithstanding, they would serve as the fault lines through which the continent would be negatively impacted. On this note, this study seeks to explain that there is a third paradigm to the argument. As such, the paper, while adopting a desktop research style, seeks to grapple with the problematic of: in what ways are extra-African interests influencing development in Africa? How vital are African resources to major global powers and how are such powers assisting in harnessing African resources to equally benefit the continent? Is Africa permanently consigned to underdevelopment? This study seeks to answer these questions and many more.

COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Akase, Tiav .T

Department of Languages and Linguistics

Nasarawa State University, Keffi

ABSTRACT

In every human society, man has evolved a system by which interaction is ensured. This system of interaction enables man to share his thought and ideas as well as exert control over the wide range of phenomenon and human actions which results into development. This system is known as communication which is attained through the medium of language. Language is so vital in human existence that there is hardly any situation or human function where language is not required. It thus follows that for any idea to be transformed into any global development, it must be sufficiently couched in human communication. This means that the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for sustaining development for the benefits of man must be communicated to him through the medium of language. This paper therefore, aims at discussing communication and language as a vehicle for global sustainable development. To achieve this, effort is made to define the key terms use in the paper and to examine the role(s) communication and language can play in sustaining development.

Key words: Communication, language and development.

THE ROLE OF CHRISTIAN RELIGION IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

PROCESS OF A NATION: NIGERIA SITUATION

Augustine K. Pamu

Department Of Religious Studies

Taraba State University, Jalingo

E-mail: pamuaugustine@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Christian Religion has a significant role to play in sustainable development process of a nation like Nigeria. Events in the near past have centralised the theme of sustainable development at the stage of local, national and international discourses. The struggle to overcome oppressive regimes and to build peaceful communities for sustainable development has continued to grow from strength to strength. This paper attempts to review the present state of the nation, to view Nigerian situation in the context of its problems of sustainable development as derive from poor leadership. It attempts to draw attention to lingering problems and social conditions Nigerians find themselves. The paper goes on to examine the inequalities created by wrongly designed state policies, the religious factors and contributions towards a sustainable development in Nigeria. The paper concludes with suggestions as a gadfly to sustainable national development.

ECHOES OF NATURE: REAPPRAISING THE ECO-RELEVANCE OF NIGERIAN POPULAR MUSIC IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Emmanuel Ebere Uzoji

Department of Theatre and Film Arts

University of Jos, Nigeria

E-mail: emmanuelebere@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Music today in Nigeria has become a universal phenomenon not only for the enrichment of the nation’s expressive cultural index but also a major export product. Over the years we have seen Nigerian popular music undergo several metamorphoses to regain a place of prime in the nation’s entertainment industry enjoying popularity and acceptability that cuts across almost all strata of society. Amidst these high sounding accolades is the big question of how relevant is Nigerian pop music to one of the worst human challenges of the 21^st century – the global ecological crisis. This paper therefore seeks to provide answers to this question by x-raying Nigerian music artistes and their response to the growing need for sustainable development by providing ideals that will engender a safe earth. The paper identifies music as a tool of non-formal education that can be deployed in creating the much needed awareness about a safe environment in which any meaningful sustainable development can thrive.

INFORMAL MUSIC EDUCATION: A CULTURAL RESOURCE FOR SUSTAINING, ENHANCING AND PROMOTING THE INDIGENOUS MUSIC IN AFRICA

Emmanuel Ella Ajefu

Department of Theatre Arts,

Benue State University, Makurdi

E-mail: Ellaflo.ella3@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The most cherished African heritage is the music of Africa. African indigenous music is the pride of Africa, both within the shore of African nations and African people in Diaspora. Unfortunately, this African indigenous cultural music is currently undergoing a state of consistent decline and degeneration. The reasons for this is the disoriented mentality of African people, especially the present generations toward their indigenous culture, and the lost of values, focus and interest on African indigenous music by African elites. It is in response to these fact that this study is undertaken on the belief that, to revive, revitalize sustain, preserve and promote this cherished cultural heritage, informal/indigenous system of music education has been selected as an option that could salvage the fading, declining and degenerating nature of African indigenous music. The paper also determines to look at the place of informal/indigenous music teaching and learning, and how it could be intensified in our schools, homes and social occasions so as to give orientations and familiarization on the values of African indigenous cultural music to African people.

ICT PHOBIA AND ITS SOCIOLOGICAL IMPERATIVES TO AGRICULTURE IN NIGERIA

Omaku M. I. and A. O. Oyigbenu

Department of Agricultural Education

College of Education Akwanga Nassarawa State

E-mail:omakuisa@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Though the importance of information communication technology (ICT) in agriculture is emerging yet, its contribution and the challenges it poses are knocking at the door of the farmers which is ignited by globalization. There is significant shift from agriculture supply driven to demand driven paradigm in new emerging and changing economics typical of ours here in Nigeria. Hence, it is viewed that future agricultural growth would be information driven, as new information unit reach the ultimate user at the fastest speed to harness its potential benefits as enshrined in the national agricultural policy that emphasis on the use of information technology towards rapid development of agriculture. The information communication technology vision 2020 in respect to agriculture has envisage interalia; that extension and advisory services making use of information technology would be available to the farmers on round the clock basis, the tools for information technology will provide networking of agriculture sector not only in the nation but globally, having a reservoir of data base with a long term vision to bring farmers, researchers, scientists and administrators together by establishing agriculture on line through exchange of ideas and or information. Hence, the paper, underlines that the choice of ICTs should be driven by needs not technology and feedback be obtained on an ongoing basis to assess the users’ satisfaction and or otherwise of the technologies impact.

Keywords:

(ICTS), Phobia, Sociology and Agriculture

THE IMPLICATIONS OF HUMILITY IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Bartholomew Chidili

Department of Religious Studies

Kaduna State University, Kaduna

ABSTRACT

At this moment in time when our nation needs to do about-face to attain a desired progressive sustainable development, it becomes necessary for every faculty of human endeavor to contribute its own quota for the desired development. It is against this backdrop that religion as a faculty attempts to suggest the virtue of humility as the source of all enduring development. Accordingly, this paper discusses humility as a virtue that brings about the demeanor that creates a down to earth understanding of oneself that seeks to understand others and God Almighty. It proposes humility as a religious virtue that enables patience, endurance, peace, harmony, negotiated-compromise and peaceful coexistence to sprout, grow and mature enough to empower humans to change their demeanor of pride, arrogance, vainglory, and corruption. It argues that the ultimate change of the mentioned vices gives rise to a sustainable development of any nation. The essay concludes by insisting that by suppressing or completely abrogating the mentioned vices our country will exponentially experience sustainable development. 

BEAD PAINTING AS A CATALYST OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT’S VEHICLE IN NIGERIA VISUAL ARTS SECTOR

Adeyemi, Iranlade Festus

Department of Fine and Applied Arts

Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Yaba – Lagos

E-mail: Fezzyadey@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The development that meets the needs of a Society without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own needs can be said to be sustainable.  In Visual Arts for example bead can no longer be limited for the use of jewelries and personal adornment purpose.  The uniqueness of beads as a creative painting material can unfold its numerous tendencies.  Bead painting as a means of sustainable development is a possibility.  Though presently, few artists defy its traditional usage as craft materials and for body adornment.  The need to therefore expose its possibilities in two and three dimensional works shall be adequately synergized for the much needed sustainable development in Nigeria Visual Arts sector.

Key Word:   Development, tendencies, adornment, synergy