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AN APPRAISAL OF MARRIAGE RITUALS IN IHYAREV OF TIV: IMPLICATIONS FOR FAMILY STABILITY IN MODERN TIMES
No full textThe Ihyarev subculture is holistically religious; marriage among them is therefore, not merely social, but it is especially a religious institution. Accordingly, all forms of traditional Ihyarev marriage involve some rituals which are performed at virtually all the stages of the marriage process. The rituals serve to spiritually validate the marriage; but they also have many social implications. These very important socio-religious benefits of the marriage rituals among the Ihyarev are however, little known by most people who come into contact with the subculture. The lack of this knowledge is seriously threatening the complete disappearance of this highly valuable culture in the nearest future if nothing is done to save the situation. This study set out to investigate the rituals associated with marriage in the Ihyarev subculture with the specific objectives of unveiling the essential character, meaning, religious and social-cultural values of marriage among the Ihyarev subculture, clarifying their conceptual and utility values, with the view to revealing the importance and relevance of those rituals to contemporary society. The thesis therefore explored in literature and interviews the essential nature, functions, and implications of Ihyarev marriage customs and their associated rituals on their socioeconomic and religious worlds. It revealed that by their essential nature and social objective function according to their types, Ihyarev marriage rituals are essentially symbolic cultural practices of the people which are governed by their religious beliefs. They are the means by which an Ihyarev person negotiates responsible relationships with other members of the community. Above all, they have a rich layer of social-religious values which the society benefits from when the rituals are observed. The study therefore recommends that the leadership of the Ihyarev subculture should reinvigorate these rituals in order to restore the land to its fast losing glory before it becomes completely extinct. This can be achieved by revitalising the Ihyarev religion through its teaching in homes and other means like theatre where marriage will be highlighted as a religious institution whose rituals are highly useful for lineage propagation and inter-group cooperation.Marriage rituals in Ihyarev of Ti
EFFECT OF ORGANIC PRESERVATIVES ON POSTHARVEST SHELF LIFE AND QUALITY OF TOMATO FRUITS DURING STORAGE IN MAKURDI
No full textEffect of organic preservatives on postharvest shelf life and quality of tomato fruits during storage in Makurdi was determined. Healthy tomato fruits of three varieties; Roma, Riogrande and Tropimech were obtained from the experimental farm at breaker stage. They were coated with Moringa, Neem and bitter leaf powders and stored at room temperature. Data obtained from the study were analyzed using analysis of variance and T- test. The beta-carotene content (mg/100g), lycopene content (mg/100g), marketability, shelf life (days), titratable acidity (%) and vitamin C (mg/100ml) content of the tomato fruits increased from 0.076 to 0.389, 0.002 to 0.105, 1.0 to 8.5, 1 to 25 days, 0.401 to 0.708 and 1.04 to 16.00 respectively while firmness (N/cm), pH, total soluble solids (°brix) and weight (g) decreased from 3.22 to 0.32, 6.93 to 4.65, 5.00 to 4.10 and 40.1 to 11.3 respectively. Temperature of the storage room ranged from 23.0°C to 36.0°C while relative humidity ranged from 45% to 93% during the storage duration. In another set of experiments, a total of five fungi namely Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium waksmanii, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Fusarium oxysporum and Colletotrichum asianum were isolated from decaying tomato fruits during storage. Tomato fruits inoculated with A. flavus, P. waksmanii, B. theobromae, F. oxysporum and C. asianum showed 100 % incidence of decay respectively for all the fungal isolates. Severity of decay on tomato fruits inoculated with the fungal isolates ranged from 51-53 % while fruits which served as control showed 0% severity. In another set of experiments, the overall interaction effect of leaf extract and concentration on growth inhibition of organisms 1 (Aspergillus flavus), 2 (Penicillium waksmanii), 3 (Botryodiplodia theobromae), 4 (Fusarium oxysporum) in vitro revealed that at concentration of 100%w/v, Moringa leaf extract (MLE) gave the highest growth inhibition (%) of 59.14, 50.49, 57.00 and 54.02 respectively followed by Neem leaf extract (NLE) 49.70, 49.01, 52.71, 49.62 and Bitter leaf extract (BLE) 45.84, 36.72, 50.15 and 44.41 respectively. The highest overall inhibitory effect of extract concentration on growth inhibition of organism 5 (Colletotrichum asianum) in vitro was shown by NLE at 100%w/v (53.68) followed by MLE at 100%w/v (51.51) and BLE at 100%w/v (40.94). There was significantly higher interaction in the effect of leaf extract and concentration on growth inhibition of all fungal isolates in vitro. In another set of experiments, the in vivo potential of aqueous leaf extracts to retard postharvest decay on tomato fruits after artificial inoculation revealed an increase in marketability, postharvest decay (%) in control fruits and shelf life (days) respectively from 1.00 to 8.40, 0.00 to 5.67 and 1.00 to 25.00 while weight decreased from 44.3 to 20.27 across all treatments. Treated tomato fruits showed significantly lower postharvest decay (%) (0.00 - 1.02) compared to the control. Temperature of the storage room ranged from 24.0°C to 35.2°C while relative humidity ranged from 49% to 91% respectively during the storage duration. In another set of experiments, leaf extracts of Moringa, Neem and bitter leaf screened for the presence of carbohydrates, glycosides and cardiac glycosides, saponins, steroids, triterpenes, tannins and flavonoids indicated present (+) respectively for each plant leaf extract while alkaloids indicated present (+) for bitter leaf extract and anthraquinones were absent (-) in each extract. Cost effectiveness analysis revealed that N10 was incurred per kilogram of tomato preserved using Moringa, Neem and bitter leaf while the sum of N106, N115, and N96 were incurred per kilogram using salicylic acid, potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate respectively. Cost per shelf life of each organic preservative was N360 while that of each inorganic preservative was N500 respectively. Plant powders and their extracts possess antifungal potential and can increase the shelf life and maintain the physicochemical quality of tomato fruits during storage. Standardization of methods of coating and amount of additives should be enhanced as this can affect the film barrier properties and overall quality of the food product during storage.Preservation Quality of Stored Tomato Fruit
PRINCIPAL-TEACHERS’ CONFLICT AND TEACHERS’ JOB PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NORTH CENTRAL ZONE OF NIGERIA
Full text linkThis study investigated principal-teachers’ conflict and teachers’ job performance in public senior secondary schools in North Central Zone of Nigeria. The purpose of this study was to find out the influence of principal-teachers’ conflict on teachers’ job performance in areas of teacher’ teaching methods, communication, use of instructional materials, planning of lesson notes, school discipline and supervision of instruction in public senior secondary schools in North Central Zone of Nigeria. The study was guided by six research questions and six null hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance. The review of related literature was done under various subheadings, namely, the theoretical framework, conceptual framework, empirical studies and summary. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The population comprised 34,473 teachers from 1,949 public senior secondary schools in the area of study. A sample of 1034 teachers were used as respondents for the questionnaire and 100 principals for the interview schedule all from 148 public senior secondary schools using multi stage procedure. Principal-teachers’ conflict questionnaire (PTCQ) having reliability coefficient of 0.88 and Principals’ interview schedule on principal-teachers’ conflict (TISPTC) were used for data collection. Four experts validated the instrument, two from measurement and evaluation and two from educational management. They used A 4 point-rating scales as tools for validation of the instrument. Principals’ interview schedule was also validated by the same experts. Mean and standard deviations were used to answer the twenty-four research questions. Chi-square test of goodness of fit was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The result showed that principal-teachers’ conflict in the areas of teachers’ teaching methods, communication, use of instructional materials, planning of lesson notes, willingness to discipline students and supervision of instruction have significant influence on teachers’ job performance in public senior secondary schools in the North-Central Zone of Nigeria. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among other things that principals and teachers should be tolerant of one another and they should make conscious efforts to foster a peaceful working relationship.SEL
A HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF YAM ECONOMY IN TIV LAND OF CENTRAL NIGERIA, 1960-2000
Full text linkThe present study, A History of the Development of Yam Economy in Tiv land of Central Nigeria between 1960 and 2000, historicizes yam production and trade in Tiv land from the colonial to the post-colonial Tiv land. The study is a critical examination of the origin of yam production, methods of production, as well as trade within and outside Tiv land during the study period. It also examines the impact of the colonial economy as well as post independent Nigerian government policies on yam production and trade during the period. The study further examines the socio-political and economic impact of yam production and trade in Tiv land to include the emergence and expansion of market centres, entrepreneur class, population movements, promotion of Western education and the socio-economic development of Tiv land, among others. The analysis used historical methodology of narrative analysis to obtain information from oral, archival, written as well as internet sources. The study further demonstrates how yam production and trade caused land conflicts, soil degradation and land exhaustion in Tiv land. It further argues that in spite of the seeming positive impact of yam production and marketing in Tiv land, several challenges inhibited the realization of maximum benefits of yam production and trade in Tiv land within the period of the analysis. This includes lack of modern scientific knowledge and technologies that would have boosted yam production, hence the continuous use of the traditional methods of cultivation, especially the use of cutlasses and hoes, as well as the absence of modern methods of yam processing and storage facilities. Based on the findings, the study suggests, among other things, that both the Federal and Centre State governments should create an enabling environment to ensure socio-economic security that would guarantee adequate access to both social and economic infrastructures to transform yam production and its marketing in Tiv land and outside Benue State. Also, domestic monetary policies, such as giving loans at subsidized rate to yam farmers should be provided. On the whole, the study generates new knowledge on the specificity of yam production and trade as it relates to Tiv land and beyond, from 1915-2000
GEOLINGUISTIC SURVEY OF MINORITY LANGUAGES IN THE BENUE VALLEY
Full text linkNigeria is a pluralistic society. The extent of linguistic pluralism is so overtly pronounced across the nation that linguistic heterogeneity is the most appropriate term used to describe a multilingual speech community like Nigeria. This is a sociolinguistic truism that is prevalent most especially in the Benue valley, the area under study. A proactive attempt to know their number entails taking a demographic data of these languages periodically. It is in a bid to try to ascertain the number of languages in the Benue valley and their statuses that the researcher has embarked on this study. The study has found out how many languages in the region are used for pedagogical purposes and how many are not. The language attitude of speakers of the minority languages in the Benue valley was also studied and a centrifugal attitude discovered. The motivating factor for undertaking this research was the problem of language endangerment and the plight of the Nigerian minority languages. The methods of data collection were both secondary and primary for the primary method, the researcher used a set of unstructured questions to interview respondents. Secondary information were got from books written by CAPRO, N.B.T.T., SIL, CONAECDA and other prominent bodies working on Nigerian languages. Data is presented using maps and tables and analysis is done sententially. All these were embarked upon using two theories, namely, Ethnolinguistic Vitality Theory (ELVT), Ethnolinguistic Identity Theory (ELIT). The study found out seven (7) macro-minority languages one hundred and four micro-minority languages, totaling up to one hundred and twelve (112) languages in the Benue valley. In addition to the above, the study made some recommendations such as the establishment of a minority languages commission and provision of a viable, workable and functional National language policy which will serve as a document to assign roles to Nigerian languages especially minority ones to make them functional. The ascertaining of the number of languages in the Benue valley is a major contribution of this work to knowledge.Minority Languages in the Benue Valle
ORIGIN, FORM AND AESTHETICS OF SELECTED TIV TRADITIONAL PERFORMANCES
No full textThis study critically examined the origin, form and aesthetics of three Tiv traditional performances namely: Ingyough, Nyamtswam and Kwagh-alom. The main objective was to address the threat to the survival and existence of these performances in order to record and document them for the purpose of preservation so as to save them from total extinction. Anchored on Plato’s Ethical Social Idealism Theory, oral interviews and observations were used as methods of gathering data. Digital cameras were also used to record live performances as well as to snap still photographs for the visual interpretation and analysis of the performances. The study found among others that: the origins of most Tiv traditional performances are not easily traceable; that historical epochs are largely responsible for many secular artistic performances of the Tiv race and that the sacred performances have been created out of the religious practices of the people. The study therefore concluded that traditional performances as agents and forces that transmit and sustain cultural values are still desirable and as such should be preserved for posterity. It recommended amongst others that: cultural education should be made an integral part of the Nigerian child’s education; that there should be attitudinal change by Nigerian elites towards indigenous and cultural performances and that there should be remuneration for renowned artistes as well as partnership of Tiv scholars with government and other related agencies to undertake researches on various aspects of Tiv religion, arts, language and culture.Tiv Tradition Performance
INFLUENCE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL OWNERSHIP, LOCUS OF CONTROL AND LEADERSHIP STYLES ON DEVIANT BEHAVIOUR AMONG STAFF OF BENUE STATE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
Full text linkThis study examined the influence of psychological ownership, work-locus of control,
and leadership styles on workplace deviant behaviour among Staff of Benue State Internal
Revenue Service. The cross sectional survey design was adopted in the study. Simple
random sampling technique was used in selecting 239 employees of Benue State Internal
Revenue Service (BIRS) who participated in the study. They were within the age range of
20 – 50 years with mean age of 32 years (SD=5.86), comprising of 144(60.3%) males,
85(35.6%) females, and 10(4.2%) who did not indicate their sex. Data were collected
using the Workplace Deviance Questionnaire, the Psychological Ownership
Questionnaire, the Work Locus of Control Scale (WLCS), and the Multifactor Leadership
Questionnaire (MLQ). Four hypotheses were tested using simple and standard multiple
linear regression. The results revealed that both preventive and promotive dimensions of
psychological ownership did not significantly influence workplace deviant behaviour
among staff of Benue State Internal Revenue Service. It was also found that locus of
control had significant influence on workplace deviant behaviour where people with
external locus of control are less likely to engage in workplace deviant behaviours while
those with internal locus of control are more likely to engage in workplace deviant
behaviours. The findings further indicated that leadership styles had significant joint
influence on workplace deviant behaviour among staff of Benue State Internal Revenue
Service. Specifically, transformational leadership style had significant positive influence
on workplace deviant behaviour, laissez-faire leadership style also had significant
positive influence on workplace deviant behaviour, and transactional leadership style
significantly and negatively influenced workplace deviant behaviour among staff of
Benue State Internal Revenue Service. Finally, it was found that psychological ownership,
work locus of control and leadership styles had no significant joint influence on
workplace deviant behaviour among staff of Benue State Internal Revenue Service. Based
on the findings of this study, it was concluded that psychological ownership did not have
much influence on deviant workplace behaviour while locus of control and leadership
styles are significant determinants of deviant workplace behaviour. The study
recommends that the management of Benue State Internal Revenue Service should,
instead of giving permanent employment especially to the field staff, give employment on
contract basis, among other recommendations
ABAKWARIGA-JUKUN RELATIONS IN THE BENUE VALLEY IN 19TH AND 20TH CENTURIES
No full textThis research work entitled "Abakwariga- Jukun Relations in the Benue Valley in the 19th and 20th Centuries" provides some historical insights into their origins and migration, and economic, political and socio-cultural relations. Many scholars are aware of Jukun history, but few have some knowledge of Abakwariga. Abakwariga is a term coined by Jukun referring to the settler Hausa migrant communities in Jukunland one century or two ago. The Tiv ethnic group in the eastern part of Tivland also referred to these Hausa as Abakpa. The area of study covers places like Wukari, Talcum, Awei, Katsina-Ala and Abakpa village in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State where concentrations of Jukun, Abakwariga and Tiv are found today. Two theories are used in this work that is the Theory of Inter-group Relations and the Theory of Commodity Production. The theory of inter-group relations is applied on economic, political and socio-cultural relations, whereas the theory of commodity production is applied on Abakwariga-Jukun Cottage Industries. The methodology used in carrying out the research was mainly based on the critical consultation and evaluation of primary and secondary sources. The aim and objectives of the study are to trace the nature of early contact of these ethnic groups, as well as their economic, political and socio-cultural relations. The history of Abakwariga-Jukun cottage industries like traditional textile technology, blacksmithing, and other auxiliary occupations, have been thoroughly examined in this study. Other major themes of the study which include economic relations, examined some essential imports and exports between the peoples of the Benue Valley and that of the Hausaland. In the area of political relations, including the administrative roles of the Aku Uka and that of Sangari were also analysed. One of the major breakthroughs of this study is that it reveals extensive buying and selling between the peoples of the Benue Valley and the Hausa of Hausaland since the 15th century. It has been established that intergroup relations alternate between peace and conflicts. Thus, in spite of the centuries of peaceful reciprocal economic and political relations, in the early decades of the 21st Century violent conflicts arose between the Abakwariga and Jukun more especially in Wukari and in some neighbouring villages.HISTORY, Abakpariga/Jukun, 19th and 20th CenturySEL
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AMNESTY PROGRAMME AND THE RESOLUTION OF THE NIGER DELTA CONFLICT IN NIGERIA
No full textThis study on the Federal Government Amnesty Programme and the resolution of the Niger Delta conflict in Nigeria examines the extent to which the amnesty programme as a mechanism for ending hostilities and resolving conflicts has been effective in the Niger Delta conflict. Employing both primary and secondary data for analysis, the study made use of qualitative research design. Focus group discussions and Key Informant Interviews were employed to generate information while Jack Hirshleifer’s economic theory of conflict as the theoretical framework. The study found that, the amnesty programme was responsible for halting hostilities in the Niger Delta region, particularly between June 2009 to November 2015. The study also found that, the immediate outcome of the amnesty programme was the sharp decline in violence and militant activities that had characterised the region. This, the study established, was because the amnesty programme provided economic and other incentives which surpassed the benefits of continuing in militancy. This was a departure from the usual use of force by previous governments. Consequently, the hitherto dwindling oil production and revenues were revitalised to an all-time high of 2.6million barrels per day by 2012. The study also revealed that of 30,000 ex-militants enlisted in the amnesty programme, 28,498 went through the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) process; were disarmed and removed from their military status to civilian while 1,502 were non - militant youth who were randomly selected from ‘impacted communities’ and were all empowered in the reintegration process through capacity building as well as engaging them in formal employment or micro businesses. The aim of this, as the study found was to give the ex-militants a ‘new life’ and source of livelihood having taken them out of the creeks and to keep them from returning to the creeks. The study concludes that, the amnesty programme was successful to the extent that, it brought a sharp decline in the hostilities and militant activities, therefore, restoring peace and relative security in the region. The study therefore recommends among others that, the various government agencies in the Niger Delta should be strengthened in a way and manner that they can effectively institute transformation in the region. Each of the government agencies must continue to strive to contribute its own quota to development and poverty reduction in the region through capacity building such as education and disbursement of zero – interest loans.TEDFUN
EFFECT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MECHANISMS ON EARNINGS MANAGEMENT OF LISTED PETROLEUM COMPANIES IN NIGERIA
No full textThe study examined the effect of corporate governance mechanisms on earnings management of listed petroleum companies in Nigeria. Five out of the eight petroleum companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange were selected for study. Data were collected from the audited annual reports and accounts of the selected companies for the period of eleven years from 2007-2017. The research design adopted for this study is the Ex-post facto (After-the-fact) research. The data were analyzed using multiple regression statistical tools with Ordinary Least Square (OLS) framework on Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 21.0). The results indicate that real earnings management is insignificant but negatively driven by board size and board composition while ownership concentration is significant and negatively related with real earnings management with management equity ownership showing an insignificant positive relationship. It is recommended that shareholders with a substantial amount of shares in the companies in which they invest should not only demand compliance with the principles and provisions of the Code of Corporate Governance but also seek explanations whenever they observe non-compliance. Also, insiders and directors in particular should be precluded from buying and selling any security in breach of their fiduciary duty and other relationship of trust and confidence while in possession of material, privileged, non-public, and price-sensitive information in order to restrain their opportunistic tendencies to guide against creative accounting and earnings manipulations which could lead to going concern problems.SEL