ORALITY AND OJAIDE’S GLOBAL VISION: A STUDY OF I WANT TO DANCE

Akano Kehinde

Department of English

University of Ilorin, Ilorin Nigeria

 e-mail: omotwins@gmail.com, akanoken@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

No art work emanates from a vacuum as artists harp on happenings around them to produce their works. As such, creative writers often engage social reality in order to project their understanding of the society through reconstruction of artistic materials. Oral art forms which encapsulate a people’s way of life provide the aesthetic residue which is transposed by artists to make comment on contemporary social practices.This paper considers Ojaide’s transposition of oral traditions in projecting a universal vision in his poetic collection, I want to Dance. The poet is seen as an ideologue whose work bears imprint of a revolutionary as anchored on the theory of dialectical materialism. The paper concludes that there is a symbiosis between art and society as art seeks to rid the society of social doldrums.


THE CONCEPT OF ‘SUPREME GOD’ AND URHOBO THEOLOGY

 Emusi, Samson Ikuvwe Ariegbe

Department of Religion

Delta State University, Abraka

E-mail: revemusi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates the Urhobo concept of God. It addresses two key Western misconceptions  about African (Urhobo) theology: (i) That the Urhobos (and other Africans in general)  had no clear concept of God prior to the advent o Christianity; (ii) that  the Urhobo concept of God is that of a withdrawn high God. The investigator examines data drawn from the socio-cultural beliefs and practices of the Urhobo, and concludes that the people had a clear concept of God prior to the advent of Christianity, and that the Urhobo people do not conceive of God as a withdrawn high God. 


BEWARE OF CULTISM – THE GATHERING OF DEMONS

Sola Fosudo

Department of Theatre Arts and Music

Lagos State University, Ojo

INTRODUCTION

The play Beware of Cultism…. is an expose on the horrific, dreadful and bloodcurdling activities of Cult organizations in our institutions of learning. It is a tragic enactment of how new and innocent University students are lured, coerced and oftentimes compelled to join cult groups even when it is against their wish to do so. Cult is described by the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (2005:398) as an extreme religious group that is not part of an established religion, interested in a particular thing, with certain beliefs and ideas that influence its members’ lives in particular ways. From the definition above, it is clear that Cultism is a system of religious beliefs and practices. It has affinity with witchcraft, according to Awake (Watchtower Bible and Track Society) of February 8th 2002, and it is adduced to “Satanism”. Commenting on the origin of Confraternities and Cultism in Nigerian Universities, Professor Muyiwa Awe, himself a founding member of the first ever – Pirates confraternity confesses in an interview with Akin Okunowo (2010:xv), that:

Anyone with spiritual insight will not fail to agree that the seed of evil and the descent into decay and violence had been planted even when the benign confraternities were being founded, (in the 50’s).


EUTHANASIA: AN ACT OF MERCY OR MURDER?

Dr. Adefarasin V.O.

Department of Philosophy

Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria

E-mail: adefarasinvo@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

A moral discussion on Euthanasia is not a newly emerging issue. Rather, it has been an age-long problematic in ethical theory that has occupied scholars and non-scholars. In contemporary times however, it is an issue that is debated with a new intensity. Thus, this paper sets out to examine the general conceptual and ethical issues involved in Euthanasia. Euthanasia is the practice or act of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy. An act of Euthanasia may involve killing someone or it may involve refraining from trying to prev

ent death (permitting someone to die). However, the condition of the person undergoing Euthanasia and the intensions of the person(s) performing it are crucial for distinguishing between euthanasia and other forms of killing, such as murder or self-defense. In order to be considered an act of euthanasia, an act must be done in the interest of the person who undergoes it and the goal must be to prevent, reduce or end a patient’s suffering to preserve a patient’s dignity, or to respect a patient’s autonomy. A lot of moral and legal issues are involved in euthanasia. The argument of pro-euthanasia is that the act is meant to end the agony of patients. How valid is this reason? Life, it should be noted could be in pain or pleasure. As Bentham noted, nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure. Is it possible to abolish pain entirely? Does it follow that any life that is associated with pain should be terminated? However some pains are tolerable and some beyond human tolerance. Thus, human life can be associated with a considerable amount of pain and still be worth-living, also there is a level below which pain and suffering become simply unbearable as well. In this paper, we shall discuss meaning and definition of euthanasia, methods of euthanasia, forms of euthanasia, kinds of euthanasia, euthanasia: an act of mercy or an act of murder. An attempt shall also be made to discuss the problem that arises in euthanasia. The paper concludes that euthanasia is not an act of murder, but rather, it is an act of mercy.

Keywords: Euthanasia, mercy, murder, persons, life.


STANDARDIZED RESEARCH: THE IMPERATIVE OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Ndubuisi Ogbonna Ahamefula

Department of Linguistics

University of Nigeria, Nsukka

E-mail: ndaham2000@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

It is generally believed that Research Hypothesis poses a great challenge to student researchers especially those in the Arts or humanities. This paper is an attempt to present in simple and easily understandable terms what research hypothesis is all about. The paper also looks at the classification of research hypothesis, the need for research hypothesis and also the paper looks at a brief guide in research hypothesis formation. The paper sees Research Hypothesis as a veritable research tool for doing highly rated researches that meets the ethical standards for research works.


THE ECONOMIC ROLE OF WOMEN IN PRE-COLONIAL OR TRADITIONAL AFRICAN SOCIETIES

Nasiru Joseph Gimba

Department of History

University of Ibadan, Ibadan

Email: josephnasiru@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Women in pre-colonial African setting, as it is today suffered discriminations. This will continue into the future if no active grand strategies to expunge the misconception that women are weaker sex. In the discussion of strategic issues, women should be considered relevant like men in the societies. To find out about gender discrimination today, it is therefore, important to trace the root for a better understanding of the present. This is why, to discuss the genesis of gender discrimination from the angle of pre-colonial African setting, the role of women in economic development at that period and how they tried to assert their freedom are significant factors in gender school of thought. These will form the bases of my discussion.

Keywords: Women, economy, development traditional Africa, discrimination, freedom, trade, Politics, Norms, and craft.      


Table of Contents

Category : Uncategorized

Environmental Issues and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Nigeria

Niger Delta Region: The Need for a Pragmatic Approach

Kelly Ejumudo; Zephaniah Osuyi Edo; Lucky Avweromre

and Jonathan Sagay …………………………………………………………………………………………………………       1- 21

Law of Armed Conflicts and Regulation of Weapons of Mass Destruction:

A Subject of Controversy

Nwanolue, Bonn Obiekwe Godwin and Victor Chidubem Iwuoha.…………………………………..  22-32

An Analysis of Trip Generation and Vehicular Traffic Pattern in Akure Metropolis Ondo

State, Nigeria

Awoyemi, O. K.; Ita, A. E;  Oke, M. O., Abdulkarim, I. A. and Awotayo, G. P………………………      33-43

Urban Transportation Challenges: The Impact of the Lagos Brt-Lite

Yaqub J.O.; A.O. Olateju and B. Aina.,…………………………………………………………………………….             44-51

Language, Literature and Communication: Challenges for National Integration

and Globalization

Ayaka Rigima Obadiah……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..      52-57

Nigerian Environment and the Challenges of Implementing the Child Rights Law:

 A Case Study of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States

 Ukpong J. Sunday; Ayo S. Ikpan; Ekong A. Edet, and 4Isong, H. Emmah …………………………..     58-64

Good Governance and Credible Elections in Nigeria

Beetseh, kwaghga,………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….                65-72

Theoretical and Conceptual Perspectives of Federalism: The Possible Contribution

of Federal Structures to a Resolution of Contemporary Political Problems and

Contending Issues in Nigeria

Abdur-Rahman Olalekan Olayiwola…………………………………………………………………………………………     73-103


THEORETICAL AND CONCEPTUAL PERSPECTIVES OF FEDERALISM: THE POSSIBLE

Category : Uncategorized

CONTRIBUTION OF FEDERAL STRUCTURES TO A RESOLUTION OF CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL PROBLEMS AND CONTENDING ISSUES IN NIGERIA

Abdur-Rahman Olalekan Olayiwola

Department of Political Science

Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria

E-mail: nusramurana@yahoo .co.uk

ABSTRACT

The debate on Minorities, Federalism and Politics in Nigeria has continued unabated. The result of many disputes about Nigerian Federalism, ethnic minority-majority contradictions, possible solutions to inclusive state and sustainable national development, is, arguably, what the French call a ‘dialogue of the deaf, where nobody hears the other side’s argument. This paper examines the theoretical and conceptual perspectives of Federalism and the possible contributions of Federal structures to a resolution of contemporary political problems and contending issues in Nigeria as far as minorities-majorities relations are concerned. The paper begins with a theoretical exploration of the Federal Government conceptualization and practice generally and particularly in Nigeria. It examines the contending issues in Nigeria and notes that minorities have not been treated fairly under the Nigerian Federal Structure, The paper notes that since 1954 when the minorities in the country first bombarded the colonial government with an avalanche of requests for the creation of autonomous divisions in order to ensure equity and justice in an unfolding Nigerian Federal Structure, the demands for the creation of additional states and localities have become a fad. Yet, empirical indications abound to confirm that minorities in Nigerian federalism have suffered tremendously from structural imbalance, political power, economic development, domination, distribution of power and resources, participation in nation’s affairs, allocation of development projects, provision of amenities, and appointment into key political offices to mention just a few. Attempts have been made by successive governments – both civilian and military to address the minorities question, fear, dissatisfaction and agitations. Such attempts have included Federal Character or quota system provided for by the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions as amended. The experience of ethnic minorities world wide has also shown that several approaches can be adopted to manage the problem. These include assimilation, ethnocide, genocide, constitutional safeguards, reversal of status and territorial solution, which otherwise is known as, state and locality creation. How best can the minorities-majorities issues be addressed in Nigerian Federal Structure? What are the contending issues relating to minorities-majorities relations in Nigeria and how best can they be tackled? This paper attempts some answers. The paper concludes by making recommendations including;

  1. That the Nigerian Constitution should be further amended to guarantee a stronger constitutional provisions that will protect the rights of minorities and majorities.
  2. That the Federal Character principle, quota system, rotation of political power among a
    host of other attempts to address the issue of minorities-majorities relations in Nigerian
    Federal Structure should be made justiciable so that rights provided for are capable of being enforced in courts of law.

That Nigeria must convene a National Constitutional Conference on the National
Question of minorities-majorities relations and make a collective national resolve to
make Nigeria work and decide once and for all either to live together or sink together.

  • That the issues of religion, ethnicity, minorities within minorities, majority monopoly of
    power-political, economic, military, census manipulation, political intimidation, creation
    of more States and more Local Governments, and Revenue Allocation to mention just a
    few should be resolved.
  • That we are running against time and time is of the essence. We need to move fast and now to avert terrible horrible ethnic cleansing incidents the type that occurred in Rftwanda and Bosnia and are currently happening in the Middle East and Palestine to mention just a few parts of the world.

GOOD GOVERNANCE AND CREDIBLE ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA

Category : Uncategorized

Beetseh, Kwaghga

Department of Library

Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi

beetsekwaghga@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The electoral process is an ideal and integral part of the democratic process, whether in developed or developing societies. A mat-functioning of electoral system inadvertently produces mat-administration. The mal-function of electoral system is caused by the incident of leadership failure and political violence. In most developing countries, crisis of governance is usually the major problem because of the kind of people chosen into elective position. This paper however examines good governance and credible elections in Nigeria using relative deprivative rising expectation model and frustration aggression mode as it theoretical framework of analysis. The paper also examines credible elections as a determinant factor for good governance in any society. Critical analyses of African countries have clearly shows elections as selective and carry go process which in turn produces bad governance across all levels of government. The paper also recommended some remedies for credible elections such as review the structure, compositions operations and finding of INEC so that it can attain autonomy. INEC shoul develop a code of conduct for political parties and institutionalize continuous voter’s registration and make review at the local government level, INEC should develop and popularize a code of conduct for the security agencies’ security sector transformation is a vital component of democratic reform and is crucial to guaranteeing respect for civil rights. New standards of behavior should be set for all members of the security services, including an end to impunity and institutional cover-up. This could necessitate that the National Assembly make changes to existing statues. The government should provide security sector officials with contiuonous training in democratic values, while civil society should develop the capacity to monitor effectively the security agencies and their operations .For any credible elections; those mentioned above remedies must be implemented. 


NIGERIAN ENVIRONMENT AND THE CHALLENGES OF IMPLEMENTING THE CHILD RIGHTS LAW: A CASE STUDY OF AKWA IBOM AND CROSS RIVER STATES

1Ukpong Johnsoh Sunday, 2Ayo Samuel Ikpan, 3Ekong Ame Edet, and 4Isong, Helen Emmah

1Department of Curriculum and Teaching, University of Calabar, Nigeria

2,3Department of Social Studies, Geography and Environment Science, University of Calabar, Nigeria

4Akwa Ibom State Judiciary, University Akwa Ibom, Akwa Ibom

E-mail: ukpongette2006 @yahoo.Com, samayo39 @ yahoo. Com


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