Jozac Publishers [JP] (former JFP Publishers) (E-Journals)
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Russia-Ukraine war from a gender perspective
Get PDFThe paper analyses the effects of the Russia-Ukraine War from a gender lens. It analyses the gendered effects of war from a feminist international relations theory perspective, grounded in poststructuralist philosophy. Using a critical theoretical analysis the paper examines the effects of the war on women, men, and children. From a feminist standpoint position, the paper emphasizes the need to deconstruct gender hierarchies to reconstruct and order social change for equality and sustainable peace. Poststructuralist insights are integrated to expose the power relations in social discourse on war-making and peace-building. Arguing that the patriarchy that exists in many societies fosters inequalities and fuels war The paper also discusses the reality of women not just being victims of war, but also as competent actors in decision-making. The paper concludes by emphasizing the role of men in dismantling patriarchal social norms, systems, and structures, thereby contributing to the necessary transformation for sustainable peace and security. It aims to contribute to the understanding of the complex interrelationship between gender, war, peace, and security. It suggests future research should include masculinity
Origins and Migrations of Ukwuani and Ndosumili sub-ethnic group in Southern Nigeria revisited: Accounts and critique
Get PDFThe popular narrative about the origins and migrations of the Ukwuani and Ndosumili, also called the Ukwuani/Ndosumili sub-ethnic group of Southern Nigeria, accentuates Benin (Bini or Edo) links while downplaying Igbo connections. This paper aims to ascertain whether Ukwuani/Ndosumili is Edoid or Igboid in origin. Data used for the study came from both secondary and primary sources. Namely, archival documents, published works, and oral testimonies obtained from the field were used for analysis. A combination of research methods, including critical historical analysis, critical literature review, and personal interviews, was utilised to interrogate the origins and migrations of the Ukwuani/Ndosumili people. Findings from the endeavour highlighted the role of colonial administration in Nigeria in forging a concocted origin for the people. Thus, the historicity of the archived tale of the people’s past is questioned. Historical evidence from differing sources utilised for this study suggests that the pre-eminent migrations to Ukwuani/Ndosumili land came from the Igbo heartland despite the efforts of Ukwuani/Ndosumili elites, i.e., royal houses and other commentators, including the British colonial administration to favour the speculative Benin origins. This study also highlights accounts of migrations and ancestry from Ukwuani/Ndosumili’s neighbouring ethnic groups, such as Ika, Enuani, Ijaw, Isoko, Urhobo, Igala, and Benin. The study concludes that the prominent cultural artifacts of the Ukwuani/Ndosumili people, as exemplified by their language, oral histories, customs, traditions, and local administration, point to the east, to the Igbo heartland, and not westward to Benin to disavow the fabricated accounts of the people’s Benin origins
A systematic literature review on AI voice cloning generator: A game-changer or a threat?
Get PDFAI voice cloning, sometimes referred to as voice synthesis, uses machine learning to mimic the speech of an actual person. This system requires a certain quantity of voice data to assess and include each person\u27s unique vocal characteristics. It can mimic the original voice after being trained to create similar sounds. This systematic literature review presents concrete information on whether AI Voice Cloning Generator is a game-changer or a threat. Collected findings showed that it positively impacts society as a game-changer in 21st-century innovation, but it can also threaten humanity without proper supervision and unethical use for scamming and fraud. AI voice cloning emerges as a potent game-changer with the potential to completely transform connections, entertainment, and interpersonal relationships. However, because technology may be used as a tool for deception and manipulation, it needs a well-rounded strategy that highlights its advantages while putting strict controls in place to deal with the moral and security risks currently facing humanity. Industry executives, legislators, and ethicists must collaborate to create these regulatory structures and guarantee that technological innovation is used to improve society while protecting against potential misuse or damage. These standards must prioritize authorization, confidentiality, and disclosure to ensure fair utilization
Still media as means of cultural documentation: The Ekpoma’s Ihuen visual paradigm
Get PDFThis article explores the cultural documentation of Ekpoma\u27s Ihuen through the lens of still media, specifically photographs. Grounded in media anthropology and the concept of indexicality, the study adopts historical analysis, photographic-content analysis, observational methods, and interviews. Its focus is on understanding the relationship between images, cultural objects, events, and community histories as embodied in Ihuen, an annual religio-cultural ceremony/festival among the Esan-speaking people of Ekpoma in Edo-central senatorial district of Edo State, Nigeria. Through the artistic agency of still media, the study categorizes discernible trends in Ihuen over time and space. These include the conferment of chieftaincy titles, the presence of the king-in-state, ancestral worship, paying homage to the Onojie, sacred objects, and the presence of innovations and syncretic tendencies. The study argues that the materiality and annual observance of Ihuen have become strong cultural indices for the individuals and community engaging with the ceremony. Beyond their potential as acclaimed pieces of art, the photographs documenting Ihuen possess the power to effect change and contribute to a more sustainable cultural future for the Ekpoma people. The festival serves as a hub for cultural solidarity, fostering consciousness, and a renewed sense of community and cultural identity. In conclusion, this study highlights the significance of still media, particularly photographs, in documenting and understanding the cultural dynamics of Ihuen. The engagement with Ihuen serves as a source of cultural solidarity, fostering a sense of community and cultural revitalization
Examining freedom of expression in Bunge la Mwananchi forums in Kenya using the Public Sphere Theory
Get PDFAbstract: For almost twenty years, Bunge la Mwanainchi (BLM) has served as a platform for sharing information and has been used by politicians, activists, and regular people to further their objectives. Despite its presence, researchers have paid little to no attention to BLM preferring to concentrate on messages and information spread through other traditional media like radio, television, and newspapers. For almost twenty years, Bunge la Mwanainchi (BLM) has served as a platform for sharing information and has been used by politicians, activists, and regular people to further their objectives. Despite its presence, researchers have paid little to no attention to BLM preferring to concentrate on messages and information spread through other traditional media like radio, television, and newspapers. This research sought to investigate messages exchanged during the Bunge la Mwanainchi discussions in Kenya using the Public Sphere Theory (PST). Public Sphere Theory was proposed by German philosopher Jurgen Habermas in 1962. The tenets of the theory include disregard for class, popular concern, and inclusivity. A descriptive research design was employed where ten in-depth interviews and fifteen focus group discussions were utilized to gather data. The participants for the FGDs and interviews were chosen using convenience and purposive sampling techniques, respectively. The generated qualitative data was analyzed thematically and presented in narration and verbatim. The study revealed that BLM doesn’t create original content for its members. Instead, the messaging is mostly influenced by what is trending in the mainstream media. The study concluded that although BLM messages and material are mostly influenced by what is popular in mainstream media stories, there are times when BLM produces original content that is covered by the media. However, these are rare occurrences. The results of the study will add to the corpus of knowledge in the fields of political communication, civic participation, and media studies. The results may be utilized as a means of encouraging community mobilization in favor of Kenya\u27s Vision 2030 Plan
Evaluation of free radical scavenging activity, nutritional values and secondary metabolites of Dioscorea dregeana (Kunth) Tuber
Get PDFThe dioecious climber plant Dioscorea dregeana (Kunth.), sometimes referred to as wild yam, has huge underground hairy and fleshy tubers that can reach a diameter of 300 mm. The phytochemical, free radical scavenging activity, proximate composition, and elemental analysis of the wild yam tubers were evaluated. Tannin, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, alkaloids, and steroids were present in the tuber extract while proximate analysis of the tuber showed that it contains carbohydrate 57.24%, protein 7.74%, lipid 9.72%, crude fibre 3.12%, ash 3.07% and moisture 19.11%. The free radical scavenging activity results of the tuber showed moderate antioxidant property even at 1.0 mg/mL (44.82%) when compared with the standard, Vitamin C at 1.0 mg/mL (81.92). The tuber of D. dregeana also had high magnesium content which is essential in human and animal health. Findings from the phytochemical, proximate, and mineral analyses of the tubers of D. dregeana showed that it has good nutritional and medicinal values which can be exploited for use as human and animal feeds as well as in the treatment or management of some diseases.
Grooming teachers in training for the practice of children’s theatre in a digital age
Get PDFTheatre Arts is one of the many fields of study that have maintained relevance to life and living by finding relevance in other fields such as engineering, technology, psychology, sociology, medicine (therapy) education, and others. The purpose of this study is to prepare Theatre Arts student teachers-in-training, in Colleges and Universities of Education to approaches that will equip them to engage the practice of Children’s Theatre in schools. Therefore, This paper accounts for a Children’s Theatre field trip experience involving researchers and NCE Theatre Arts students in Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Oto/Ijanikin. This was done by using technologically based digital gadgets as teaching methodologies for the practice of Children’s Theatre in primary schools. It adopted qualitative methods involving visits to select primary schools within Badagry Local Government Area where pupils were engaged in creative engagements and educative entertainment (Edutainment) of learners which were interactive during this period. Findings revealed that significant changes were noticed in the participatory level of learners at the end of the experiment compared to their attitude at the beginning of the study. It also pointed to the fact that digitalizing approaches to Children’s Theatre are synonymous not only with learners but also with teachers to have a paradigm shift by exploring digitalization in the classroom, especially with young learners. The study concludes that it is high time theatre arts teachers in training diversify, embrace, and provide special creative visuals that will deliver lessons to learners in distinct ways through digital technologies
Liquidity management and financial performance of consumer goods firms in Nigeria
Get PDFThis research aims to study how managing liquidity affects the financial position of consumer goods companies in Nigeria. Using an ex-post-facto design, the study gathered data from secondary sources to examine the correlation between various factors. The population of the study consists of twenty-one consumer goods firms listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) from which thirteen of them were selected as samples. Data covering eight years (2015-2022) from the annual financial statements were analyzed through multiple regression analysis. The outcomes indicated that while the current ratio didn\u27t significantly influence the financial performance of these firms (p<0.720), the cash conversion cycle showed a positive but insignificant effect (p<0.705). Conversely, the quick/acid test ratio demonstrated a significant effect on the financial performance of the listed firms (p>0.002). The study therefore recommends that managers and owners of consumer goods companies in Nigeria should consider the risk-return trade-off between liquidity, represented by current assets, and profitability, as depicted by returns on equity, when making decisions
The effect of the environmental pillar on the financial performance of financial institutions in Cameroon
Get PDFThe global stage in the contemporary era has championed financial performance issues in business policies for the survival of financial institutions. This paper explores the impact of environmental compliance expectations on the financial performance of financial institutions in Cameroon, highlighting the importance of sustainability in business strategies. Consequently, the main objective of this study is concerned with how the Environmental Pillar-EP (Emissions reduction, Resource reduction and Product innovation) influences the financial performance of financial institutions in Cameroon. From 418 registered and accredited financial institutions in Cameroon, 262 observations were selected using the snowball sampling technique based on cross-sectional data from questionnaires. The Cronbach Alpha and test-retest reliability were used to assess the questionnaire\u27s reliability. Data was analyzed using the Maximum Likelihood Estimation Technique of Structural Equation Modeling with Principal Component Analysis as a variable reduction strategy. The findings revealed that the environmental pillar positively and significantly affects the financial performance of financial institutions in Cameroon at a 99% confidence level. Though the emissions reduction, resource reduction, and product innovation all had a positive effect, only the effect of emission reduction was significant at 1%. Therefore, to redefine key elements of the environmental pillar, policy recommendations were put forth with particular attention on meeting emission reduction strategies in the area of containing greenhouse gases and related climate degradation subjects either within the financial institutions or externally through the projects they fund. Therefore, some slack resources should be invested in promoting the emission reduction process either individually or in collaboration with all stakeholders of financial institutions as explained in the slack resource, resource dependency, stakeholder, and modern portfolio theories
Assessment of the role of capacity building on agricultural productivity: A case of Mbozi District, Tanzania
Get PDFVarious studies have investigated on strategies in capacity building and its influence on agricultural productivity. However, such role of capacity building in fostering agricultural productivity in developing countries is relatively underexplored. This instance provided room for this article to investigate on capacity building and its influence on agricultural productivity in Tanzania. Specifically, it examines the role of capacity building in agricultural productivity, and identifies strategies for capacity building in Mbozi District. The study employed qualitative and quantitative techniques to collect and analyse data. Data were collected by interviews; observations and documentary review. Descriptive and inferential statistics were collected from 300 peasants and analysed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. Content analysis approach was used to analyse qualitative data which helped in reasoning and measuring quantitative data. A p-value of 0.000 reveals that capacity building influences agricultural productivity through the use modern farming, harvesting and storage skills. Stakeholders advocate the use of best seeds, skills on edaphic factors, equipment, farm field schools; and researches and workshops as strategies in capacity building. In addition, involvement of academia, researchers, and political leaders increased agricultural productivity. These results imply that raising productivity requires a combination of different individuals, private and public institutions. Therefore, capacity building is inevitable among peasants in order to raise productivity. It is recommended that impact assessment be incorporated because it helps in reviewing and amending land and agricultural policies. Online training is recommended as an alternative to shortage of trainers to build capacity in more peasants