LWATI: A JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH, Volume 5, June 2008.

2008-09-19T03:26:00.000-07:00

Education
Compulsory School Attendance in Nigeria: What
are the Reasons for Wastage amongst Pupils?
V.O. Igbineweka
Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Nigeria.
And
J.K. Adeyemi
University Of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
Abstract
The study investigated reasons for wastage amongst primary and secondary school
pupils in Nigeria, where free and compulsory school attendance policy is
implemented. Five questions (four (4) answered and one (1) hypothesized) were
raised to direct the thrust of study whose population comprised all the students in
1,831 schools (1516 primary schools and 315 junior secondary schools) in Edo
State. Edo State was used as a case study because it is a typical microcosm of
Nigeria. Collection of data for the study was done with a questionnaire named
“School Children Reasons for Constituting Wastage to Schools Questionnaire,
REDROQUE” administered on all the school pupils that constituted the study
sample. Administration of the questionnaire lasted for thirteen (13) weeks (the entire
first term of 2005/2006 school year) after which 27,054 pupils’ responses (or 91.07
percent) out of 29,707 were found useable for analysis. The results of analysis show
that the problems of inadequate teachers; teachers’ poor attitude to work; poverty;
bullying unstable school calendar; poor supervision of teaching and learning
including parents’ wish are the significant reasons for wastage. The findings
revealed further that male, old, poor and urban - resident pupils rate the reasons for
wastage significantly higher than other categories of pupils. Based on the findings, it
was concluded that the problems of unstable school calendar; poor supervision of
teaching and learning; inadequate teachers and facilities make the enforcement of
free and compulsory school attendance policy in Nigeria to be impossible. It was
therefore recommended among others that adequate teachers and learning facilities
be provided in schools. Scholarships and bursary awards should also be provided to
identify indigent students to mitigate their private cost of schooling.

The Impact of Hostel Conditions on the Learning
and Reading Ability of Khoe Children
Eureka B. Mokibelo & T.V. Moumakwa
University of Botswana, Gaborone – Botswana.
Abstract
This paper is an extract from the main study that explored the challenges Khoe
children encounter in reading texts in English at Motshegaletau Primary School in
Botswana. The paper focuses on the influence hostel conditions can have directly or
indirectly on the Khoe learners’ learning and reading ability. As the education
system aspires to eradicate illiteracy and offer quality education for all starting at
primary school level the reading skill should be central to this. Reading enhances
learning and therefore the two cannot be separated. Indeed there are challenges in
trying to achieve the educational goals set forth. Therefore, this study investigated
the hostel conditions where Khoe children reside during the school term to see how
the condition and status of the hostel affect their learning and reading ability. It is
important to highlight the importance of the reading skill across the curricula and as
such learners should acquire and master it for successful academic life and the world
of work. Teacher questionnaires, teacher and student semi- structured interviews and
hostel inspections were done for data collection. The findings indicated that there is
violence, poor maintenance status of hostel and irregular monitoring of students by
authorities. These unbecoming conditions indirectly cripple the acquisition of the
reading skill as there is barely any practice of learning at the hostel. The study
therefore, recommends a review of the hostel situation so that instead of being a
brooding place for reckless behaviour, it can be conducive for reading and learning.

The Empowerment of Persons with Special Needs
for Independent Living in a Developing Nation
Mark M. Lere,
University of Jos, Nigeria
ABSTRACT:
Over the years, exceptional persons have contributed immensely to national
development. Their inputs have been felt or noticed in the areas of education, health,
commerce, community service, music, industry, sports and social development, law
and diplomacy, politics and the like. This paper discusses the concept and nature of
empowerment, goals and strategies for empowering persons with special needs, and
factors militating against their empowerment in Nigeria. Finally, some fundamental
recommendations for effective empowerment of persons with special needs for
independent living are suggested. Developing nations should adopt the strategies
towards the improvement of the lot of persons with special needs as obtains in
advanced countries of the world.

Male Colleagues’ Attitudes and Professional
Women’s Adjustment Patterns in their Work
Setting
Nonso N. Bisong, Abang J. Isangedighi and Florence B. Obi
University of Calabar, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
This study is a survey design set to determine the adjustment patterns of professional
women to their male colleagues’ attitude in their work setting. Data was collected
from 450 respondents in Rivers state, using the stratified random sampling, and four
variables were used to test the hypothesis. Results showed that there is no significant
difference in the women’s adjustment patterns to their male colleagues’ attitude in
their work place. However one of the variables (sexual advances) was significant,
showing that women in the public sector adjust better than their counterparts in the
private sector. Further analysis of the result in simple percentage show the
adjustment patterns of professional women. It reveals that a higher percentage of
professional women caution their male colleagues when they spite their authority,
persuade them not to undermine their decisions, avoid their profane jokes and object
strongly to their sexual advances.

From Needs Analysis to Course Design: A Case of
Hotel English in Nigeria
Nneka P. Umera-Okeke
Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
Abstract:
The aim of this study is to find out the English language needs of workers in
Nigerian hotels so that appropriate language structures could be developed to enable
them perform well in their job specific situations. This researcher went out to find
how language is used in hotel situation. A total of hundred questionnaires were
distributed in 15 hotels and 96 people responded and returned the questionnaires. In
the course of the distribution of the questionnaire, the members of staff were
observed while on duty and the managers were also interviewed. From the findings,
it was discovered that most hotel staff are untrained for the job and that there is need
for in-service training for all the staff from time to time. There is also need to
emphasize the listening and speaking skills for effective communication in the
tourism and hospitality industry as visitors in Nigeria hotels are from different
linguistic background and the nation is also a multi-lingual one with English as its
official language.

The Role of Social Support and Age in Emotional
Life Adaptation among Widows in the University
Setting in Nigeria.
Augustina Izadi Anakwe,
University Of Jos.
Abstract
The study investigated the role of social support and age in emotional life
adaptation among widows. Two hundred and eighty two subjects comprising 137
widows and 145 non-widows (control group) all drawn from Nigerian Universities
participated in the study. The widowed subjects consisted of younger widows (18 –
37 years old) and older widows (40 – 50 years old). They were further classified
into high and low social support groups. Based on their scores and the social
support questionnaire and the emotional adaptation questionnaire, the hypotheses
were tested, non-widows reported significantly superior or have higher level of
emotional adaptation than widows. Widows that are low in social support reported
significantly showed lower level of emotional adaptation than widows high in
social support. And younger widows reported significantly poorer or showed lower
level of emotional adaptation than older widows. The findings were discussed
some implications of the finding were highlighted and suggestions made.

Forms and Practices of Slave Trade in Swaziland
in the 19th Century
Bonginkosi Azariah Bhutana Sikhondze
University of Swaziland, Kwaluseni
Abstract
Trade in slaves was a response to market forces in the world. A culture that
developed from trade in slaves extended to future generations whose lives were
degraded. Cases of slaves who rose above their social stations in the slave trade era
are non-existent. In Swaziland Mswati II used his military to raid for captives
whom he sold as slaves to Boers of the Transvaal. When the demand for slaves
expanded his soldiers raided on his non-cooperative chiefdoms for captives to be
sold to slave traders as punishment for recalcitrance. Such trade was camouflaged
to avoid attacks from aggrieved communities.

How Did Europe Rule Africa? Dialectics of
Colonialism and African Political Consciousness
in the Matabeleland Region of Zimbabwe
Sabelo J. Ndlovu-Gatsheni,
The Open University, United Kingdom.
Abstract
The question of how Europe ruled Africa relates to the crucial issues of settlernative
identity as constructions of colonialism as well as political consciousness
formation and development among the colonized as well as the colonizers.
Because colonialism operated ambiguously throughout its life to the extent of
hiding its adverse contours of epistemological and mental invasion that have come
to haunt during the post-colonial era, it deserve to be subjected to systematic
theorization and historicization. This article deploys various conceptual tools
culled from post-colonial theories to delve deeper into the dialectics and ontology
of colonial governance in Zimbabwe and it simultaneously historicize the
phenomenon of colonial governance on the basis of how white Rhodesians
inscribed themselves in Matabeleland in the early twentieth century. It also
systematically interrogates the development of Ndebele political consciousness
under the alienating influences of settler colonialism up to the mid-twentieth
century. The article contributes to the broader debates on colonial encounters and
colonial governance that have left an indelible mark on ex-colonies across the
world. Colonialism was not just a footnote in African history. It had long term
pervasive impact of altering everyone and everything that it found in Africa.

LANGUAGE STUDY
Naming in Nguni Languages: The Case of Ngoni
in Northern Malawi
Lupenga Mphande,
Ohio State University, Columbus - Ohio, USA
And
Themba Moyo,
University of Zululand,
Kwandlangezwa - Republic of South Africa.
1An earlier version of this article was presented at the African Languages Conference
(ALASA) held at the University of Lesotho from 5-8 July 2004.
Abstract
Shakespeare once asked, ‘What is in a name?’ The answer to this age-old question
depends on the particular culture from which the term name is framed. In Nguni
and other Southern African languages, for example, a name tells a lot about the
individual that it identifies the linguistic matrix from which it is drawn, and the
society that ascribes to it. A name may indicate the morphological structures and
phonological processes found in the language, the position of the name’s bearer in
society, and the collective history and life experiences of the people surrounding
the individual. In this paper we will explore the morphology, semantic import, and
function of first names among the Ngoni of northern Malawi, an offshoot of the
Nguni that left South Africa during the Shaka wars in the 1820s. We will do this
by addressing some of the questions, .e.g. How do Ngoni people name their
children, how are names deployed, and how important are names in the discourse
and interlocution among members of that society? What does a name tell us about
social change and people’s beliefs? How does the naming system among the Ngoni
compare with those of the Nguni they left behind in South Africa, such as the
Zulu? These are some of the questions that we will be discussing in this paper by
analyzing data collected from northern Malawi and Zululand.

The Diminished Use of Tamil in South Africa
Elliot Mthembeni Mncwango
University of Zululand,
Kwandlangezwa
Abstract
South Africa has eleven official languages: isiZulu, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, Sepedi,
seSotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, English and Afrikaans. These
are not the only languages spoken in South Africa. As a result of this fact, the
South African constitution (1996) promotes and ensures respect for all languages
spoken by minority groups. These include German, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi,
Portuguese, Tamil, Telegu and Urdu, as well as languages used for religious
purposes in South Africa, like Arabic, Hebrew, Sanskrit and others.
The article argues that, while Tamil is a minority language, it serves very
important functions among Tamil speakers and should, therefore, be preserved. A
language identifies one with one’s culture and roots.
Twenty people (of Indian origin) from the Tugela area (north of Durban in
KwaZulu-Natal), and five schools in the Tugela, Darnall and Stanger areas were
interviewed, and their responses are discussed. These confirm that some Asian
languages are not used by the majority among Indian communities. In fact many
cannot even greet using these languages. The languages are no longer taught in the
schools where they used to be taught, for various reasons. This state of affairs, the
article argues, is perilous and likely to bring about the demise of the language. It is
clearly the case that speakers of Tamil are much fewer than there are of this ethnocultural
and linguistic group

French in Zimbabwean Schools: How to Save an
“Endangered Species”
Andrew Tichaenzana Manyawu
National University of Lesotho, Roma – Lesotho
Abstract
The state of French in Zimbabwean government schools is examined in light of the
concepts practical utility (Bogaards, 1991) and foreignness (Dabène, 1994). Given
the closure of numerous French departments in schools across the country as well
as the sustained reduction over the years in the rate of registration for the French
‘O’ Level examination, the subject may be termed an “endangered species”. This
state of affairs does not seem to bother authorities within the Ministry of Education
where motivation to support, if not promote, the teaching of French appears to be
at its lowest since independence. A number of possible reasons for governmental
stakeholders’ attitude are identified. It, however, goes without saying that foreign
languages are promoted by their countries of origin. It is argued French’s loss of
popularity may be correlated to the reduction of European influence in
Zimbabwe’s educational system as a whole. In this context, misalignment of
French Embassy language education strategies to the current state of affairs in
Zimbabwe is suspected. The concept of local “ownership” of French (Manyawu,
2007b) is proposed as a strategy to resolve the current crisis in Zimbabwe and preempt
it in fellow former British colonies.

Using a Language-Literature Approach to
Teaching Reading and Writing in First-Year
English Classes at the University of Botswana
A. E. Arua, Ph.D.
Department of English, University of Botswana
Gaborone - BOTSWANA
and
M. S. Lederer, Ph.D.
P O Box 70401
Gaborone - BOTSWANA
Abstract
The paper contributes to the discussion on how to improve university students’ reading
and writing skills. Thirty-nine University of Botswana (UB) first-year English
language students were taught English language description and usage and.
subsequently, how to read and write literary and non-literacy genres. It was hoped that
the grammar component would make them more aware of their language use and that
this would, in addition to the issues discussed in the literary and non-literary genres
classes, enable them to improve on their reading and writing skills beyond what
traditionally obtains in first year classes. In particular, the class of thirty-nine cotaught
by the researchers was sufficiently small to enable the lecturers teach
better and the students learn more. The project produced limited results, as there was
no significant improvement in the students' reading and writing abilities.
Nevertheless, the results were instructive in that they reconfirmed existing problems
in students' writing, especially vagueness and an unwillingness to apply learnt
skills across disciplines, and revealed the students" love for the narrative genre
which many of them imposed on their writing, regardless of the genre they were
supposed to write.

The Use of Coherence and Cohesion in
Composition Writing Among Botswana Primary
School Pupils
Golebamang Galegane
University of Botswana,
Gaborone – Botswana.
Abstract
The researcher analyzed selected pupils’ compositions which they wrote as a class
exercise. The study aimed at investigating the use of coherence and cohesion in
composition writing among Botswana primary school pupils. The purpose of the
study was to find out the extent to which the pupils could produce a coherent text.
Twenty scripts were chosen through purposive sampling from standard seven
pupils of two primary schools: school A and school B. Data were collected by
visiting the schools and asking the class teachers to select 10 scripts from each
class. The data were then analyzed using a taxonomy that reflected organization in
a text in terms of tense and aspect.
The findings of the study reveal that some of the pupils do not produce or write a
coherent text at all. The study further reveals that there is a problem of not using
the right tenses and a failure to sequence events. It was noted that incoherent
paragraphs contributed to the students’ inability to produce good texts. The failure
to write coherent paragraphs is a result of their inability to sequence events
chronologically. It is therefore recommended that the use of tense be taught before
writing a composition in class. Further, pupils should be exposed to sequencing
events logically as this will help them in the use of aspect.

Language and Gender: Communication in the
Professional Setting
Stella I. Ekpe & Dele Orisawayi
University of Calabar, Calabar – Nigeria
Abstract
Differences in the linguistic styles of male and female doctors engaged in
professional interaction as a form of public communication were examined in the
work setting. Linguistic and non-linguistic styles of subjects were observed
through overt video recording in their roles as participants, both as leaders and as
members of the audience, in seminar and lecture settings. It was found that female
doctors tended to be more detailed, elaborate and conversational in their
presentations than males, who focused more on the cogency of the facts they were
presenting; question consistently ranked highest among the linguistic features
employed both by male and by female doctors; only female doctors engaged in
collaborative efforts to build another female speakers presentation, and adopted a
conversational tone as a part of their rhetorical style. Although these gender-linked
patterns emerged, professionalism appeared to be a more influential factor in
determining the linguistic choices of the group of professionals studied.

Literature
‘Wonder Women’: Towards a Feminization of
Heroism in the African Fiction: A Study of the
Heroines in Buchi Emecheta’s Second Class
Citizen and Sembene Ousmane’s God’s Bits of
Wood
Jude Agho and Francis Oseghale
Ambrose Alli University,
Ekpoma - Nigeria.
Abstract
Feminism, especially the womanist brand, has been a very popular critical tool that
most critics, men and women alike, have employed in their critical appraisal of
African literary works. This is decidedly a very fertile area of contemporary
scholarship. The emergence of this critical methodology in the African context
stems from the perceived relegation of African women to the background, whether
at the home front or in the domain of governance in the larger society. Essentially,
feminism preaches equality of the sexes and frowns at the domination of women
by men.
Paradoxically, African literary works, being products and reflections of the stresses
and tensions of the African society, have replicated this scenario. African
literature, consequently, is male-dominated. This has and is still engendering
reactions from concerned female and male writers who are re-writing the history of
the emergent literature, countering and challenging male chauvinism by presenting
conscious, active, resilient and courageous female characters in their novels. It is
this anti-male domination crusade that has given concreteness to the feminization
of heroism in African fiction as exemplified, in this study, by Nigeria’s Buchi
Emecheta and Senegalese Ousmane Sembene, reflecting in the process, the
singleness of purpose of female and male African writers in their collective fight
against discrimination against women.

The Theme of Marriage in Dear Ramatoulaye as a
Response to Mariama Ba’s So Long A Letter
Gloria E.Worugji, Ph.D.
University of Calabar, Calabar- Nigeria
and
Eton Dien Simon, Ph.D
Cross River University of Technology, Calabar- Nigeria
Abstract
In this present modern society, it is noted that women writers world over, use their
works to expose the ills of patriarchy to womanhood thereby raising gender
consciousness in the people. The African women writers are particularly noted for
this since the African society generally is gender bias. African male writers project
this image of subservient on the woman. This image, the woman writer tries to
correct by exposing the experiences of the woman through their works in such
society. Mariama Ba in her So Long a Letter written from a Senegalese/Muslim
socio-cultural milieu has triggered off this campaign although not very much
welcome by masculinist or gender bias sexist like Umunnakwe in Dear
Ramatoulaye. This lively debate between Mariama Ba and Umunnakwe is what is
termed gender war, a war of words. An attempt to moderate the powers of
patriarchy which is strongly resisted by Umunnakwe is seen through his utterances
in his characters in the novel. This paper highlights issues raised in both novels
and the response of the masculinist to such issues as polygamy, wife’s battering,
mental touchor in words and actions etc. Analysis of words and interpretation of
their useage is also made.

Writing of Mythical Proportions: Myths and
Intertextuality Revisited in Amélie Nothomb’s
Oeuvre.
Karen Ferreira-Meyers
University of Swaziland,
Kwaluseni – Swaziland.
Abstract:
The myth of Orpheus has been re-written several times by Amélie Nothomb,
Belgian author of the 20th and 21st centuries. Intertextuality as described by Julia
Kristeva involves re-writing based on readings by an author. Postmodern writing,
largely based on intertextuality, gives us a better insight in the reasons for the socalled
‘theft’. Palimpsests (Genette, Derrida, Barthes) provide a model for the
function of writing. The palimpsest foregrounds the fact that all writing takes place
in the presence of other writings: “palimpsests subvert the concept of the author as
the sole originary source of her work, and thus defer the "meaning" of a work
down an endless chain of signification”. Dictionary definitions often include
“something having diverse layers or aspects apparent beneath the surface” when
defining palimpsest.
In view of the foregoing, can Amelie Nothomb’s writing then still be qualified as
original and as genuine creative writing? From Hygiène de l’Assassin (1992) to
Acide Sulfurique (2005) and Journal d’Hirondelle (2006), Nothomb’s oeuvre has
used myths to re-write her story. Autobiographical or auto fictional/factional, the
main thrust of her writing lies in re-writing, be it of myths or other literary tools. In
this article, an overview of the myths used by Amélie Nothomb, Belgian
Francophone author, will be analyzed using the main components of her 15-year
old literary career.

POLITICS AND DEVELOPMENT
Challenges of Local Government
Administration in Edo State of Nigeria
J. U. Azelama, Ph.D., P. O. Oviasuyi And M. K. O. Alimi
Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma - Nigeria.
Abstract
This paper examined the fundamental problems that envelope local government
administration in Edo State, and discovered that the challenges are constitutional
issues. It also identified problems of graft, poor revenue generation by local
authorities, and poor revenue allocation cum fiscal transfer to local governments.
Besides, the paper identified erosion of fiscal autonomy and failure of local
governments to be responsible for their inability to impact positively on the
citizenry. Primarily, information was sourced through the interviews of
purposively selected Local Government Officials of Edo State origin, while
secondary information was collected through the instrumentality of official
publications, records of political associations; relevant books, journals as well as
Edo State Local Government Law (2000) and the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Constitution of 1999. To stimulate harmonious Inter Governmental Relation
(IGR), the Presidency should set up Advisory Commission on Inter governmental
relations (ACIR) to be located at the Presidency with any arm of it in the State and
Local Government levels, and there should be the complete re-orientation and selfpurgation
of the rank and file of Local Government functionaries in order to
promote high degree of transparency, probity, responsiveness and accountability.
Also, some degree of autonomy in operations and resources for local governments
should be guaranteed. It is expedient to amend the 1999 constitution to remove the
preposterous super-ordinate/subordinate pattern of relationship between state and
Local Governments. We strongly feel that if the forgoing ugly situation is
pragmatically arrested, local government administration will enhance meaningful
national development in Nigeria

Mitigating Gender Inequality, Sexual
Exploitation and Risk of Contacting Hiv/Aids: the
Need for Gender Protection Practice and
Enforcement in Nigeria
Emeka E. Obioha,
National University of Lesotho,
Lesotho - Southern Africa
Abstract
Some feminist studies on women reveal that male supremacy over women and
consequent sexual exploitation has continued for centuries due to many factors,
which include patriarchal idea that obscures the history of women. This is an idea
that affects women’s potentials by limiting them mainly to reproductive and
nurturing roles. There are various cultural practices that may be regarded as
deliberate sexual violence and exploitation against women, which are not classified
as violence like and other criminal acts such as rape. Nigerian society, like most
patriarchal societies continues to ignore and refused to address properly, these
important issues that hinges on overall development of the society. These practices
have existed since considerable age long, with various health implications in the
society. Against this background, this paper focuses on examining the interface
between gender inequality, sexual violence practices and the corresponding high
risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Specific issues discussed in the paper are, overview
of Gender inequality and patriarchy; plethora of sexual violence against women;
sexual violence and the risk of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria; and various strategies for
mitigating the challenges of sexual violence on HIV/AIDS. The paper also
highlighted the option of domesticating gender protection in the laws of Nigeria. In
conclusion, there is a strong conviction that promoting a culture of rights and
gender equality; responsibility and choice in relation to HIV/AIDS can end
women’s over-whelming, biological, social and economic susceptibility to HIV
and affirm the right of all people to life and dignity.

An Assessment of Petroleum Technology
Development Fund (Ptdf)
Sam. O. Uniamikogbo,
Ambrose Alli University,
Ekpoma - Nigeria
And
Stanley Aibieyi
University Of Benin,
Benin City - Nigeria
Abstract
The importance of indigenous technological training and skill development in
Nigeria cannot be over-emphasized. Several reforms and institutions have been
established in this direction. The institutions include Petroleum Training Institute
(PTI) and the Petroleum Technology and Development Fund (PTDF) established
for the purpose of providing scholarships, bursaries, training or education in
petroleum in any of the higher institutions in Nigeria and abroad. The objectives
of the study include: to analyse the functions of PTDF in Nigeria; to find out
whether the establishment of PTDF has helped in bringing technical development
to oil industry; to find out if the funds for scholarships/bursaries and training have
been judiciously utilized amongst others. The method adopted for the study is the
historical method. In doing this, relevant documents, newspapers, internet and
other related literature were utilized to elicit information for the research. The
major findings are that inadequate numbers of human resources have been trained
with requisite knowledge to cope with our technological problem in our oil
industry and that some of those trained lack the technical know-how to manage the
refineries. It is recommended that in order to enhance productivity and efficiency
in our petroleum industry, technological and professional training in a real
practical form should be encouraged. The number of persons offered training and
scholarship award should be increased so as to enable more workers and students
benefit from the fund.

Constitutional Matrix of the Evolution of the
Nigerian Political Party System, 1914 – 1960
Dr. Simon Peter I. Agi
University Of Calabar, Calabar - Nigeria
ABSTRACT
One can say without fear of contradiction that no political parties were discernible
in the Nigerian traditional set-up. This is true, whether one thinks of the relatively
decentralized and consensual societies of the TIV or IGBO, in which political
matters are discussed at length before reaching decision binding on all; or whether,
as among the BINIS and HAUSAS one recalls highly centralized, authoritarian
social systems. What is said of the Nigerian ethnic groups, applies mutatis
mutandis, to the British colonial system in early Nigeria. Though the British had
evolved a highly sophisticated political system complete with parties before they
colonized Nigeria, the colonial system until the 1920s was devoid of political
parties. This being so, the question may be asked, how did political parties
become part and parcel of the Nigerian political system? Did the parties develop
in response to constitutionally provided opportunities, or did they owe their origin
to other sources? What part did they play or not in forcing the pace of
constitutional change? These are some of the questions the paper sets out to
explore. To facilitate such exploration, this author will take the major parties one
after the other, and examine their origins, structure and aims, as well as their
position vis-à-vis constitutional change from the time of the 1914 amalgamation
until 1960, more or less. Some of the parties, small in adherence and influence will
not be considered as nothing worthwhile will be gained from the exercise.

A Critical Appraisal of Exchange Rate Policies and the
Value of Domestic Currency in Nigeria, 1970 – 2002
Iyeli I. Iyeli,
Cross River University of Technology
Ogoja Campus, Nigeria,
Ezi Chukwugoziem Tom,
Delta State University, Abraka - Nigeria
And
Eyong I. Ogbala,
Kogi State University, Ayingba - Nigeria
Abstract
This paper critically appraised exchange rate policies and its influence on the value
of the domestic currency (i.e. Naira) in Nigeria for the period 1970 through 2002
within the framework of tabular approach. Exchange rate theories and the
exchange rate policies prior to SAP, during SAP and after SAP were reviewed.
The relationship between exchange rate theories and exchange rate policies as it
affects the value of the domestic currency was equally reviewed. It was discovered
in this study that the exchange rate policies adopted within this period has either
caused the value of the domestic currency to appreciate or depreciate due to a
number of factors or practices in the foreign exchange market which is determined
by the forces of demand and supply. For instance, in the pre-SAP era (1970-
1986), the value of the currency appreciated in 1970 through to 1975 due to the
operation of an independent exchange rate system when the Pound Sterling ceased
to serve as a direct external anchor for the Nigerian currency. While there was a
depreciation in the value of the Naira in 1976 and 1977 as a result of the
introduction of US dollar as one of the reference currencies. Between 1986 and
2002, the floating exchange rate policy was introduced and the value of the Naira
steadily depreciated between 1986 and 2001 due to some factors among which are
over valuation of the Naira; excess demand of foreign exchange over supply,
excess liquidity in the economy, capital flight from the economy; round-tripping
etc. But in 2002, the Naira appreciated due to the introduction of Dutch auction
system which emphasizes on market-oriented approach to price determination of
which the economic implication resulted to stability in the exchange rate, a boost
on non oil export and growth in the economy due to improved credit worthiness.
This paper concludes that SAP had failed the nation in many ways and that to
achieve stable value of the naira, the current exchange rate policy, the Dutch
Auction System should be maintained with the enforcement of two-quote system
in the IFEM. Firstly, the CBN should monitor the use of foreign exchange
resources to ensure that foreign exchange disbursement and utilization are in
consonance with the predetermined economic preferences and also with the
purview of the yearly foreign exchange budget.

Democracy and the Dialectics of Mass Poverty:
the Nigerian Experience (1999 – 2006)
Ugumanim Bassey Obo and Moses A. Abua
University Of Calabar
Calabar – Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
It is generally agreed that democracy remains the best system of governance, and
that it has the attributes of promoting human rights and engendering social
development. This paper argues that this “conventional wisdom” about democracy
can be challenged if the performance of the regime in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic is
critically assessed. It is posited that “democracy” as practised during this period
has not brought about the much-desired development and progress. The point is
made that the policies and programmes of the regime have led to increased poverty
and misery among the Nigerian masses. It is also reasoned that the overall
performance of any administration can be better assessed through the evaluation of
the consequences or outcomes of the policies and programmes of such
administration and not by relying on the assertions of the administration’s
spokespersons.

Post-Saddam Iraq and the Challenges of Peace
Philip E. Agbebaku, Ph.D And William .E. Odion
Ambrose Alli University,
Ekpoma - Nigeria.
Abstract
The Iraq / United States (US) differences have lasted for quite some time. Iraq,
having been branded as one of the three axis-of-evils, is considered a threat to
international stability and global security. Within this context, its activities must be
regulated to ensure stability and international peace. The irony is that efforts at
resolving the Iraqi crisis including the sentence and subsequent execution of
Saddam Hussein has not stopped violence and restore peace to the war torn Iraq.
This paper therefore examines the causes of Iraq conflict from a theoretical
perspective and the challenges posed by the execution of Saddam Hussein,
centering on endless violence. The sources of materials and data include textbooks,
journals, magazines, newspapers and the internet. The conclusion is that the
execution of Saddam has not reduced the level of violence in Iraq but has rather
escalated it as efforts made by US and its allies have failed to restore peace to Iraq.

Community Development: A Veritable Tool for
Achieving National Development in Nigeria.
Felix Chaba
University of Jos,
Jos – Nigeria
ABSTRACT
No doubt, no any government world over can be able to provide all necessary
needs of life to its communities. The aims and objectives of this paper is to stress
the importance of encouraging communities to embark on Community
Development projects in other words, self-help projects. Government (Federal,
state and Local) seriously mount enlightenment campaign through their various
organs to enlighten its communities to embark upon self-help projects in order to
enhance or to complement government efforts in providing social amenities to
their communities.
In this paper, efforts and attempts were made to identify the criteria for selecting
community projects and some underlying problems affecting the success of
community projects were discussed. Consequently, the efforts of women in
community development programmes were also intensified.
The writer was also able to analyze the role of community development in the
National Planning Policy and suggest the way forward in achieving this strategy.

Religion and Philosophy
Christian Missions and the Challenge of Leprosy
Patients in Northern Nigeria between 1928 and
1988
Pauline M. Lere
University of Jos, Jos – Nigeria.
Abstract
Christian Missionary activities have often been criticised by scholars in different
fields of study. More often than not, the missionaries were considered as
imperialists who aided and abated the colonization of Nigeria. However, few other
scholars considered them as those who contributed to the socio- economic and
political development of Nigeria. This paper airs the views of those who argued
that the Christian missionaries contributed to the development of Nigeria. The
paper discusses briefly the contributions of the missionaries to the wellbeing of the
leprosy patients in Northern Nigeria. They were able to set up leprosy settlements,
established wards, villages, laboratories, vocational services, physiotherapy
services for the treatment and socialization of the patients. Several of these
patients who availed themselves at the settlements were not only healed and
discharged, but were reinstated to their societies.

Sandel’s Critique of Rawls’ Deontological
Doctrine
Louis Manyeli
National University of Lesotho
Abstract
This paper examines Sandel’s critique of Rawls’ deontological doctrine. Rawls’
response has led the present author to discover inconsistencies in Rawls’ relation
of the good and the right. These inconsistencies have led me to conclude that the
self and its ends are inseparable, and that the right and the good must be viewed
equally. I conclude by showing that Sandel neither accords priority to the right nor
to the good, and that he is unfairly classified as a communitarian.

Philosophical Justification for Fundamental
Human Rights
Paul Sunday Omoyefa,
National University of Lesotho
Roma – Lesotho
Abstract
We are brought face to face with one of those singularly lamentable lacunae in
nearly the whole of philosophy: there just does not seem to be any reasoned
accounting for why and on what grounds we human beings can properly be said to
have rights or duties 1
People the world over often lay claims to fundamental human rights without giving
thought to the justification for them. They forget that the assertion of one’s right
without justification would not be enough. Thus, it is not enough for man to assert
his rights; he must justify them in some way. For example a liquor dealer must be
able to exhibit a license obtained from the state in order to vindicate his right to
practise his trade. Whenever the legitimacy of his practice is questioned he
immediately refers to the law that establishes and supports it. Also, it is common to
see people laying claim to one form of right or the other. They are quick to tell
you all the rights they have as human beings. In most cases, they would let you
know how the constitution of the land has justified these rights. They are oblivious
of the fact that the justification for fundamental human rights goes beyond the
mere expression of it in the constitution of any nation. For if we are to accept the
constitution of any country as the justification for fundamental human right it
means that the moment the constitution ceases to exist, the rights of man
automatically cease to exist. In essence, there is a need for justification for
fundamental human rights. So our intention in this paper is to fill that lacuna by
providing a philosophical justification for fundamental human rights. The
philosophical justification would be a radical departure from the erroneous notion
that the constitution of a country guarantees the fundamental human rights of its
citizenries.

A Contagious Malady: The Human Quest for
Truth through Religion
Ogunkoya, Jolley Oladotun,
University of Lagos,
Lagos, Nigeria.
*This paper was first delivered in 1999 at a conference on “The Threshold of the
New Millennium” at the Institute of African Studies, Russian Academy of Science,
Moscow. This is the revised edition.
ABSTRACT
A unique characteristic of mankind is rationality, an element which distinguishes
man from animals, and which enables man to think intelligently and reach
conclusions. It manifests itself in human cognitive potency and gives room for
diverse views among men on the objects of knowledge and beliefs – both of which
are efforts to pin down truth. This paper, therefore, seeks to discuss the problems
associated with man’s efforts to pin down truth through religion and to hold a
thesis that religion is a “contagious madness” which has created chaos instead of
happiness, confusion instead of truth, and disunity and polarity instead of peaceful
co-existence and harmony among all persons in the world. This is what I choose to
call the general psychosis of mankind. The phrase “contagious malady” is used
here not in the sense of medical science, but figuratively to show the effect of
religion on man and the society in which he lives. Perhaps, my views concerning
religion, as expressed in this paper, represent my own share of the global madness.
It is expected that contrary or even complementary views will be expressed by
individual critics or admirers of my views respectively, to exhibit their own
portions of the general psychosis among human race.
However, our task here is not to destroy religious truth a la Marx or Feuerbach, but
to create an awareness needed to foster tolerance among different religious beliefs
in the society. The need for religious tolerance in the world becomes imperative in
the face of religious insurgences and problems all over the world. These problems
are so enormous that they, at times, assume political, social and economic
dimensions. Therefore, medication for the epidemic must not exclude
consideration of the purpose of man and his religion.

Geography and Regional Planning
Frequency and Distribution of Intense Rainfall in
Uyo, South Eastern Nigeria.
Eze Bassey Eze
University Of Calabar, Calabar - Nigeria
And
Charles Udosen
University Of Uyo, Uyo - Nigeria.
Abstract
Estimates were made of the magnitude, frequency and distribution of extreme
rainfall events in a humid tropical environment. Some of the parameters include
the infrequent occurrence of maximum rainstorms, % of total annual rainfall
>25mm, >50mm and >100mm as well as the probable maximum precipitation
based on the Chow’s general frequency formula.
The probable maximum precipitation was calculated for Uyo using the formula
P.M.P. =Y +sd. K
Where P.M.P. – probable maximum precipitation
Y = mean maximum daily rainfall
Sd.=standard deviation of maximum daily rainfall and K is frequency factor
assumed to be 15
The computed value was 586.4mm. This value is slightly higher than those of
Port Harcourt[463.5mm] Calabar[480.3mm] Benin City [453.9mm] and
Enugu[322.3mm], but certainly not as high as that of Warri. The return period for
the computed value for Uyo is 30 years. Since floods [particularly seasonal are
primarily due to intense and prolonged rainstorms, the data for extreme rainfall in
an area are needed for design purposes such as bridges, culverts, storm drains and
design of flood control structures, particularly in large cities.

The Challenges of Waste Disposal in a Secondary
City: Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State,
Nigeria.
Aniah, Eugene J. and Obong, Linus Beba
University of Calabar, Calabar
Abstract
Waste disposal is a major aspect in environmental preservation for healthy living.
If neglected could constitute a nuisance and force people to leave rather than live
in a city and ultimately despoiling the environment. This paper focuses on the
challenges of waste disposal in a secondary city, using Calabar Metropolis as a
case study. Data for the study were gathered from field observations and semistructured
interviews (SSI) and reviewed literature of journals, periodicals and
other published articles. Findings revealed principally that two major parastatals
(CUDA and ESU) currently collaborate in this venture to collate, collect and
dispose waste in the metropolis; that although the city is noted nationwide as the
cleanest in terms of waste disposal, there are still pockets of the city that are still
having problems, such as insufficient refuse dump points and, insufficient transport
trucks, bad road network, irregular collection and evacuation of waste materials
and lack of funds. It is recommended that the government should upgrade roads for
easy access by trucks to these areas, develop a comprehensive taxing system that
will make all stakeholders in waste generation to pay for the services of collection
and disposal, create more refuse dump points and provide more bins, encourage
private agencies to partner in waste disposal, create awareness on waste disposal,
institute a body to monitor and punish defaulters who fail to comply with
regulations, and provide funds for appropriate agencies for prompt and effective
waste disposal in the metropolis. With this in place, the environment will be
preserved for posterity.

Implication of Climate Variability for Latex
Exudates F Rubber Tree (Hevea Brasilliensis) in
the Humid Tropics of South Eastern Nigeria.
Imoh J. Ekpoh and Francis I. Okpiliya
University of Calabar,
Calabar – Nigeria
And
Pius B. Utang
Cross River University of Technology
Calabar – Nigeria.
Abstract
The study aimed at: assessing the relationship between latex exudates and climate
variability; identifying the most critical climate element(s) in the yield variability of
rubber; and examining the predictability of rubber yield based on climate variability.
Fifteen years data was collected from documented, but unpublished, sources and
analyzed using multiple step-wise regressions. Two models were developed and all
suggested that variable rubber yield was significantly related to the joint influence of
climate elements. The most significant variables identified however were rainfall,
temperature and sunshine hours. These three elements had significantly negative
effects on rubber yield. Analysis of residual and standard error however suggested
that these models did not provide good and reliable prediction hence the data
generated may have been by chance occurrence. This was suggested to be possible
at the intra-annual scale because of multicollinearity that existed between the
independent variables. It was therefore recommended that further studies be
conducted with a more robust model be developed to incorporate as many
independent variables as possible and factor analysis carried out as a reduction tool.
Finally, that agro forestry planner should also consider the implications of climate
variability for other tree crops.

ITC and Mass Communication
News Agencies and Global Communication:
Development Implications for Third World
Nations
Nicholas S. Iwokwagh
Benue State University, Makurdi - Nigeria
and
Godwin E. Akogwu
Independent Television, Abuja – Nigeria
Abstract
This paper is fundamentally, an overview of western news agencies and the roles
they play in international communication. It argues that most of these roles have
some consequences undesirable to the Third World Nations. Instead of facilitating
the development of the poor nations of the world, the study reveals that the major
news agencies by their worldwide operations are impeding the development of the
under-developed counties. The study therefore, indicts the major news agencies
for being a clog in the developmental wheel of Third World Nations, pointing out
that they conspire with other impeding factors to render fruitless, the collective
developmental efforts of most of the developing countries of Africa, Asia and
Latin America. It attributes to the news agencies such global issues as: the
reduction of the world to a “global village”, cultural imperialism, ethnocentrism,
media imperialism, media dependency, global agenda-setting and the imbalance in
world information order. It concludes on a crying call with developing nations
(including Nigeria) to look inward for their re-birth, re-generation, re-discovery
and development.

Swazi Journalism and the ‘Muslim Threat’
Richard Rooney,
University of Swaziland,
Kwaluseni - Swaziland.
Abstract
This paper reports the findings of a research project undertaken in Swaziland (a
small kingdom in southern Africa) that interrogates the way in which the press
frames Muslims and Islam as a threat to the state and to ordinary people. It begins
with the misidentifying of a Muslim prayer group as a group of ‘cannibals’ and
then examines three major stories regarding Muslims: i) the perception that
Muslims were to blame for the changing of the Swaziland constitution; (ii) a report
that Muslims were enticing university students to convert to Islam in return for
scholarships; and (iii) a public symposium run on the subject of Islam. It concludes
that Swazi newspapers frame Muslims as warlike people who are plotting against
the kingdom and who pose a threat to Swazi culture. Islam is also depicted as a
religion inferior to Christianity.

Communication and the Environment: Nigeria’s
Image and Reputation Communication for
Sustainable Development
Vincent M. Mogu
Cross River University of Technology,
Calabar - Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Currently, nations globally are very worried about sustainable development. As a
result, three major gatherings were held for international dialogue and co–
operation. The first was the Rio Earth Summit on Environmental Degradation in
1992. A decade later, in August and September 2002, Johannesburg, South Africa
hosted the world summit on sustainable development. Then, we had the 2006 event
in Saudi Arabia. However, the inter–relationship between nations of the world on
the concept of development has not been smooth, considering some nations’ image
and reputation problems. In Nigeria, internal and external diplomatic relations have
dwindled since 1970. The nation’s image is poor and her reputation low. Economic
development has been slow or retarded. Yet, Nigeria finds herself amongst other
nations grappling with the tenets of sustainable development. This work introduces
Nigeria’s image and reputation problems both domestically and internationally and
defines key concepts in the study. It also discusses the domestic and foreign
conceptions, perceptions and communication of Nigeria’s image and reputation. It
further observes the implication of the nation’s battered image and reputation
communication with regard to sustainable development. The essay then advocates
a theoretical formula for Nigeria and suggests alternatives for more result–oriented
developments based on fresh image and reputation management. Finally, some
recommendations are suggested and a conclusion drawn.

The Coverage of Environmental Degradation in
the Niger Delta by Nigerian Newspapers
Aniefiok Udoudo,
Cross River University of Technology,
Calabar - Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
The Niger Delta with all its economic importance faces constant environmental
degradation. A cursory observation suggests that adequate attention has not been
paid to the region’s environment, in terms of improving it. This lack of attention
could be attributable to lack of awareness of the environmental degradation in the
region among Nigerians. As one of the media of mass communication in the
country, newspapers have the ability of informing the general public of the
devastating environmental situation in the region. As a result, the main objective of
the study was to find out the extent to which newspapers in the country have
contributed to public awareness of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta.
Five newspapers were studied, three of which were privately-owned dailies while
the others were dailies owned by the Niger Delta States. The research techniques
used in the study were content analysis and survey. Simple percentages were used.
The study revealed that the five newspapers collectively published 0.56 item on
environmental degradation in the Niger Delta, representing one such item in two
days. This is incapable of creating awareness on environmental degradation in the
region among Nigerians. It also revealed that newspapers in the country lack the
ability of investigating on their own, cases of environmental degradation in the
Niger Delta. Among others, the study recommended that journalists working with
newspapers in the country should be given special training in Environmental
Science while reporters should embark on investigating environmental situation in
the region.

Mass Media and the Sustenance of Democracy in
Nigeria’s Multi-Ethnic and Multiparty Society
Etim Anim,
Cross River University of Technology,
Calabar – Nigeria.
Abstract
In the process of national development, Nigeria has made several attempts at
establishing democratic governance. It accepts a multiparty system as one of the
requisites of democracy. But as a political entity, the country also has to grapple
with the problems associated with its multi-ethnic structure. The purpose of this
article is to examine how the mass media can help in the sustenance of multiparty
democracy within the country’s multi-ethnic structure.

Francis Ibe MOGU

My Son, Simon Ijing MOGU, Jr.

FIMogu in Seattle, WA 2006

Pictures

LWATI: A JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH, Volume 5, June 2008.