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HIGHER EDUCATION AND WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS MAKURDI, BENUE STATE NIGERIA
No full textThis study examined higher education and women participation in politics Makurdi, Benue State. 400 respondents were sampled for the study using Taro Yamane method. Cluster and simple random sampling techniques were used for the quantitative data while purposive sampling was employed for the qualitative study. Data was collected using questionnaires and Key Informant Interview. Data collected for the study was presented and analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The quantitative data was presented in normal distribution tables, simple percentages, frequencies, mean deviation and charts. The findings of the study revealed that there is an increase in the level of women access to HE in Makurdi, the level of women participation in politics in Makurdi, is low. The findings of the study revealed insignificant relationship between HE and women political participation, the major challenges faced by women in participation in politics were monetary politics, poor political education, god fatherism and political violence. The study recommended that efforts should be made by the federal government to bridge the gap between educational and political participation of men and women. For example, by extra budgetary allocations for women’s education and scholarship awards. This is likely to be most effective in areas where scarce resources of poor families affect parents’ abilities to send girls to higher institutions. To promote advocacy concerning the access of women to HE and their participation in politics, government and NGOs should pursue advocacy for gender inclusion and mainstreaming in the politics in decision making positions; Therefore, increasing women’s opportunities in these fields seems to be a rational way of improving women’s access to HE and political participation. Political parties should promote women’s participation more effectively, and should develop accountability mechanisms and seek technical assistance, including from civil society, to meet this objective.SEL
THE LIMITS OF HUMAN KNOWLEDGE IN JOHN LOCKE
No full textOne of the major issues that have troubled the minds of philosophers over the philosophical epochs is the problem of the certainty and extent of human knowledge. Various scholars and proponents have lent their voices to the debate. One of the greatest proponents has been John Locke. Locke was one of the most prominent empirical philosophers. His postulations on epistemology have prompted many arguments. This study seeks to make a critique of this Lockean binary argument in epistemology. The study employed the qualitative research design through the use of primary and secondary sources which include books, journals, scholarly papers and the internet. Thereafter, the study employed the descriptive and analytic methods. The descriptive method describes the structure of human knowledge as postulated by Locke while the analytic method is used to verify and substantiate the claims or propositions made by John Locke and other scholars on human knowledge. The study discovered that various scholars have made criticisms of Locke’s position. However, the study also discovered that some of the criticisms levied against Locke are done without proper consideration of his position. For instance, Mitchell criticizes that Locke’s postulation renders his epistemology confusing and contradictory. Nasrullah equally opines that Locke’s epistemology wobbles between empiricism and rationalism which he set out to debunk. Despite these positions, the implications of Locke’s empiricism are apt in many sectors of society today. The study concludes that it is pertinent to carry out proper study and analysis of Locke empirical arguments so as to derive the knowledge benefits of his position.SEL
AN EXAMINATION OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE IN EARLY JOHN RAWLS: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE NIGERIAN STATE
No full textThe social contract in its premeditation is a hypothetical voluntary agreement revealed to solve the nature of social justice. And in this mutual arrangement, the people willingly transfer their will to a contracted associate who becomes the representative of her subjects in the instituted government, but still believed that when injustices override the treaty, the powers to revolt or withdraw the authority through amicable means resides with the representatives. This conception is associated with classical social thinkers like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Jean-Jacque Rousseau and John Rawls. Rawls in his conjectures opine that the people possess the will power to disobey authority when the justice system of a stable or well ordered egalitarian democratic society is been violated. This work adopted the qualitative research design. Data were sourced from books, journals, periodicals and internet. Methods employed were the historical, expository and the analytic methods. The historical method reviewed the historical development and prior notions of the concept civil disobedience. The expository method examined John Rawls idea of civilly disobedience while the analytic method addressed the implications and limits of John Rawls notion of civil disobedience in Nigerian democratic state. By analyzing the concept of civil disobedience the researcher understood that the challenge of governance in the Nigerian society is due to the lack of transparency in the administration of justice and abuse of power by leaders whose endemic corruption and oppression of the masses has call for disobedience. The researcher thus, recommends that leaders be re-orientated on their responsibility to the people so that democratic sustainability in Nigeria is reach without acrimony. The researcher concludes that John Rawls civil disobedience is morally justifiable when authority seems to be insensitive to the plight of her subjects and when gross injustice is enshrine in democratic state as Nigeria.SEL
NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME AND THE HEALTHCARE NEEDS OF NIGERIA SECURITY AND CIVIL DEFENCE CORP WORKERS IN BENUE STATE COMMAND
No full textInequitable and Unaffordable access to quality healthcare have been of great challenge particularly to workers in public sector of Nigerian economy including workers of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSDC). Consequently, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was established by law towards meeting these needs. Hence, this study focuses on NHIS and the healthcare needs of NSCDC Workers in Benue State Command. It adopted Social System Theory with particular focus on evolutionary views of August Comte and Herbert Spencer to explain the functions of health on Nigerian society particularly as it relates to the healthcare needs of NSCDC Workers in Benue State Command. Focusing on the study location, simple random sampling technique was employed with the use of questionnaire to collect data from three hundred (300) respondents. To achieve this task, the study examined the forms of healthcare services that NHIS offers to the Workers of NSCDC; mode of operation of NHIS in NSCDC; Impact of NHIS on the healthcare needs of NSCDC and identified the challenges that they face with NHIS in Benue State Command. This study was based on assumptions that there is no significant relationship between the forms of healthcare services of NHIS and the healthcare needs of NSCDC Workers in Benue State Command; there is significant relationship between the programmes of NHIS and equitable access to healthcare of NSCDC Workers in Benue State Command; and there is significant relationship between programmes of NHIS and the health burden of NSCDC Workers in Benue State command. Despite the findings of some inevitable challenges, the study observed that NHIS has significantly impacted on the NSCDC Workers in Benue State Command by granting them easy access to quality healthcare, reducing their healthcare cost. NHIS was further viewed as structurally functional to socio-economic growth and social order through productive workforce, increased healthy population, reduced morbidity and mortality rate in the society. To this end, this study recommended that efforts should be intensified towards public awareness and advocacy activities by NHIS; rigorous evaluation and monitoring of operations of Healthcare Facilities (HCFs) as well as those of Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) especially on issues of referrals and refunds of fee – for – services to enhance policy compliance.SEL
INFLUENCE OF EXPOSURE TO RADIO POLITICAL MESSAGES ON VOTER BEHAVIOUR: A STUDY OF LISTENERS’ IN BENUE STATE
No full textABSTRACT
The study assessed the influence of exposure to radio political messages on voter behaviour in Benue State during the 2015 presidential election. The study was anchored on the agenda setting and framing theories respectively. The study employed survey research method and oral interview with questionnaire and oral interview guide as instruments for data collection. The study found that voters were exposed to radio messages about the 2015 presidential election in Benue State through the packaging in form of party related campaign news, interviews and commentaries by radio stations. Also, the interview data found that the messages were centred on awareness creation about voters’ rights to vote; the need to vote, parties’ manifestoes; and education of listeners on voting procedure. Also, findings revealed that audience listened to radio during the period under review in order to gain more information and knowledge about party manifestoes, presidential candidates, update their political knowledge, and as well make informed decision during voting. Furthermore, the study found that radio messages about the 2015 presidential election in Benue State influenced voter behaviour by encouraging citizens to participate in the election; and by changing voters’ orientation about voting a candidate rather than party. The study concluded that prominence given to an issue by radio during elections can have significant influence on the audience who form part of the voting population. Based on the conclusion, the study recommended that radio stations, particularly political programme producers/presenters should expose the audience/electorate to only political messages that can be of positive impact on them during election periods.SEL
THE CONCEPT OF TRUTH IN HANS-GEORG GADAMER’S PHILOSOPHY
No full textThe idea of truth has posed a controversial issue in the philosophical parlance. The problem of truth has a long history and central in epistemology. Gadamer wanted to elucidate the historical and linguistic situatedness of human knowing and to emphasize the necessity and productivity of tradition for human thought and to contend the hubris of the twentieth century positivism by demonstrating that truth is not reducible to a set of criteria. The study made use of qualitative research design where data were sourced from primary and secondary materials obtained from books, journals, periodicals and the internet to present ideas and facts. The data was critically analyzed and presented. The historical, expository and analytical methods were used. The historical method presented the philosophical views of hermeneutics from the ancient to the contemporary times and also traced the concept of truth from the historical perspective. The descriptive method exposed and analysed Gadamer’s notion of truth in detail while the analytical subjected Han-Georg Gadamer’s concept of truth to critical assessment by drawing out the strengths and weaknesses as well as showing the implications this has on the contemporary society. The study found out that, the idea of truth is linked to everyday discourse in the socio-political, religious and cultural sphere in all societies across the world. However, the meaning and applications of the concept as observed by different scholars is relative and tentative depending on the society in which it is used. The work, therefore, concluded that Gadamer’s notion of truth is relevant in evaluating the socio-economic and political upheavals in the contemporary Nigerian society.SEL
COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING AND SIMULATION TECHNNIQUE ON UPPER BASIC II STUDENTS' INTEREST, ACHIEVEMENT AND RETENTION IN SOCIAL STUDIES IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA
No full textABSTRACT
This study investigated the comparative effects of self-directed learning and simulation technique on Upper Basic II students' interest, achievement and retention in Social Studies in Kogi East Education Zone of Kogi State. Twelve research questions and twelve hypotheses were formulated for the study. The study employed quasi-experimental design. The population comprised 18,560 Upper Basic II students from 150 public junior secondary schools for 2018/2019 academic session. The sample consisted of 442 Upper Basic II students from six intact classes using purposive sampling technique. Social Studies Interest Questionnaire (SSIQ) and Social Studies Achievement Test (SSAT) with reliability coefficients of 0.77 and 0.89 respectively were used for data collection. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that there is significant difference in students' mean interest ratings (p=0.00<0.05) and mean achievement scores (p=0.00<0.05) in Social Studies when taught using Self Directed Learning (SDL) strategy. It was also revealed that significant difference exists between the mean retention scores (p = 0.000<0.05) in social Studies when taught using Self Directed Learning (SDL) strategy and simulation technique. Findings further indicated that there is significant difference between the mean interest ratings of male and female students taught Social Studies using Self Directed Learning (SDL) Strategy (p=0.003<0.05) and Simulation technique (p=0.001<0.05) as well as their mean achievement scores (p=0.002<0.05). It was further shown that there is significant interaction effect of methods and gender on students' mean achievement scores (P=<0.05) and mean retention scores (P=0.01<0.05) in Social Studies. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that Social Studies teachers should be encouraged to employ self-directed learning technique in the teaching and learning of Social Studies and that government at national, state and local levels and professional bodies should organize capacity building workshops, seminars, conferences and in-service training on the use and implementation of self-directed learning and simulation techniques in Social Studies.NONESEL
COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CSDA) AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA.
No full textDespite the fact that rural areas in Nigeria are endowed with enormous resources and as a habitat for more than 70 percent of Nigeria population, they are shrouded in poverty, growing inequality, rapid population growth, inadequate infrastructure and basic social amenities. Several attempts have been made to provide development projects in the rural areas by different governments, organizations and agencies, gaps still exist in the knowledge of the contribution of CSDA in development of rural sector. This study examined Community and Social Development Agency and Rural Development in Benue State. The specific objectives include, to examine the activities of community and social development Agency in the rural areas. The study adopted descriptive survey design and Conceptual framework for Cross-Sectoral social policy development as a model to examine the performance of CSDA in rural development in Benue State. A multi-stage sample technique was used to collect data from 399 respondents who participated in CSDPs in selected areas using questionnaire and in-depth interview. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistic, while qualitative data was analysed thematically. The establishments of CSDA have significant impacts on rural development in Benue State, especially, in terms of improved access to healthcare facilities, access to good roads network, economic and social well-being. However, poor funding, administrative inefficiency, poor project management, maintenance and sustainability, inadequate project awareness, non-participation of some community members, inadequate monitoring and evaluation of the projects were the major constraints of implementing CSDPs in the rural areas. In order to improve the implementation of CSDPs proper funding and prompt payment of counterpart contribution by the state government, adoption of effective administration at the local government councils and incorporation of CSDA as a national development policy should be the priority of all stakeholders.SEL
PERCEPTION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN WORKING IN MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA.
No full textGender discrimination is generally held as one of the greatest challenges facing developing countries including Nigeria. The concept of gender discrimination has continued to generate controversy and attention from well-meaning individuals and organizations alike. The fact remains that, women still have relatively little decision making power inside media organizations. Efforts to reduce this malaise seemed to yield very little results. The study investigates the perceived discrimination against women employees of media organizations in Kaduna state, Nigeria. The study employed the survey method using the questionnaire and focus group discussions as research instruments for gathering data for the study. The sample size for the study was 285 as determined by Krejcie and Morgan determination sample size table. The sampling technique adopted for the study was proportionate stratified random sampling. The data are presented in tables and simple percentages and analyzed in the sequence of the questionnaire and focus group discussion. Findings from the study revealed that, gender discrimination manifest mostly in the area of under-representation of women in leadership positions as well as unequal promotional opportunity and organizational bias. Other findings showed that employees in the media organizations studied believe that there is discrimination against women in the media organizations. Their belief were influenced by promotional gap, bias against women, lack of commitment from women as most of them are generally not interested in positions of authority that will involve higher responsibility and commitment as well as socio-cultural factors. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended that organizations under this study should have affirmative action for effective development of women career and should equally provide gender sensitive training programmes so as to promote non-discriminatory working relationships and respect for gender equality.SEL
THE EFFECTS OF RICE VALUE CHAIN PROGRAMME ON RICE PRODUCTION IN CENTRAL RIVER REGION OF THE GAMBIA
No full textThis study on the effects of rice value chain programme on rice farmers’ production was conducted in the Central River Region of the Gambia. The specific objectives of the study include: to assess the nature of the rice value chain programme; the experiences of rice farmers’ under the rice value chain programme; the effects of the rice value chain programme on rice farmers’ production; the challenges faced under the rice value chain programme and to identify ways of improving the Rice Value Chain Programme to increase rice farmers’ production in the study area. The instruments used for data collection was Focus Group Discussion and in-depth interview. Simple random sampling was used to select sixteen (16) villages out of which three hundred and eighty-four (384) farmers were used for the study. The data collected were transcribed for all the focus group comments, the comments were rearranged to have answers grouped together for each interview protocol. The main ideas were organized into themes to generate an idea or ideas and quotations were identified for each theme. The findings were written in narrative to describe the themes with quotations. Regarding the quantitative analysis, simple descriptive statistics including frequency and percentages were used for the surveyed data collected from the rice farmers and key informants. From the findings it was revealed that, farmers from the study area benefitted from the rice value chain programme through interventions such as rehabilitation of rice fields, construction of access roads, crossways, bridges and anti-hippo dikes, available improved seed varieties and fertilizer which has improved production and farmers’ income. However, challenges ranging from inadequate machinery, fertilizer, seeds and market structures were some of the problems reported. From these findings it is recommended that Non-Governmental Organizations and investors should supplement government efforts by providing sufficient and quality inputs (seed/fertilizer/machinery) and credit facilities to the rice farmers at a subsidized rate and on time and strengthen the linkages between farmer groups/cooperatives with buyers (Producer-Buyer linkage) for easy market access.WORLD BAN