Wukari International Studies Journal
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Multinational Corporations and the Socio-Economic Unrest in the Niger-Delta Region of Nigeria
Get PDFThe focus of this study is to address the challenges and impacts of multinational corporations on the socio economic development of the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria. Indeed the region and Nigeria in general has been very much affected by the deleterious activities of the multinational corporations, operating in the country. Their abhorrent acts have affected her economy immensely and has inspired unrest in some parts of the country, particularly the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria which host most of the major multinational corporations from different parts of the world.The activities of multinational corporations have been identified as questionable or even unethical because of the harms they have caused the society. In the oil sector for example, which of course is the economic mainstay in Nigeria, these corporations perpetrate heinous activities such as pollution of the environment, inadequate technology transfer, violation of human rights, blunt refusal to discharge their social responsibilities, gas flaring which destroys wildlife, seafood’s and farmland especially in the Niger-Delta region without adequate compensation
ELECTORAL VIOLENCE IN KADUNA STATE: THE IMPLICATION FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT
Get PDFThe goal of the paper is to examine electoral violence in Nigeria and how it has affected Kaduna State peace and development. By conducting a thorough interview, the study uses a qualitative methodology. The study used the political legitimacy and effectiveness theories. The concept of political legitimacy is inextricably intertwined with the issues of political change, regardless of whether governments, political systems, or institutions comply with the traditional standards of legitimacy as subscribed in a democratic process of free and fair elections. The study found that electoral violence has turned into a predictable occurrence in Nigeria's political system and should therefore not be escalated to destructive levels against people's lives and property, regardless of their ethnic or religious differences.The paper also found that there are a number of variables, such as poverty, unemployment, and inadequate voter education that contribute to election violence in Kaduna State. Loss of life and property, uncertainty, and illegitimacy are only a few of the effects of these circumstances. The paper suggests that the government should focus on the prevention in order to solve election violence in Kaduna State by reducing the number of firearms in the hands of unlicensed people and giving job chances to young people who are unemployed. Despite their disparities in ethnicity and religion, the paper's conclusion argues that Kaduna State's many subpopulations must work together
HISTORICAL ASSESSMENT OF INDUSTRIALISATION IN KOGI STATE AND THE IMPLICATION ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF THE PEOPLE
Get PDFIndustrialisation is sine qua non to development. Development equally rubs off on the socio-economic status of the people. Hence, this paper examined the chronology of industrial efforts in Kogi State and how it impinged on the development of the State and the impact for the socio-economic status of the people. It is observed that an industrialist in the course of directing the industry to maximize his own gains; there infiltrated an invisible hand which promotes an end beneficial to the society which was not part of his intention. Thus, considering the reality of this assertion in the socio[1]economic status of the people of Kogi State with particular reference to where the industries in Kogi State are located, the paper advocated for enabling environment for more industrial efforts as its multiplier effects would go a long way in enhancing the socio[1]economic status of the people, More so, taking into account the fact that the government alone could not solve the problem of teeming unemployed population in the state
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION MECHANISMS AND INTERNAL DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA
Get PDFThe internal democracy of political parties is a vital component of democratic societies, as it ensures the fairness and transparency of political processes. However, internal conflicts and disputes often arise within political parties, leading to an increasing number of pre-election court cases in Nigeria. These court cases have become a burden on the judiciary, given the limited number of courts and judges available to handle them. Recently, the President of the Court of Appeal publicly lamented the volume more than 600 appeals of pre-election court cases relating to the conduct of political parties' primary elections, which reportedly placed significant stress on the judiciary. It was even reported on February 27, 2023 that a judge died in his office while preparing to attend a court session. To end, this study explores the use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in enhancing internal democracy in Nigerian political parties. Using a qualitative research approach, this study analyzes the various alternative dispute resolution mechanisms commonly employed by Nigerian political parties, including mediation, arbitration, and negotiation. The study also examines case studies of successful and unsuccessful use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in Nigerian political parties. The findings indicate that while alternative dispute resolution mechanisms have the potential to enhance internal democracy in Nigerian political parties, their effectiveness is often hindered by factors such as inadequate legal frameworks, godfatherism, excessive power exacted by political office holders especially governors in their state and lack of political will from party leaders. The study concludes with that though political parties do involve in Mediation and negotiation, the third aspect of ADR has not fully been explore which is Arbitration within political party setup. This study thus recommends enhancement in use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in Nigerian political parties, including the need for legal reforms for arbitration, Education and workshops for political parties and the promotion of a culture of dialogue and compromise within political parties to reduce the burden on the judiciary and enhance internal democracy. Therefore the study seeks to contribute to the ongoing discussions on how to strengthen internal democracy in Nigerian political parties and reduce the burden on the judiciary
Kenya’s 2022 General Elections and Nigerian’s 2023 General Elections: Any Lessons for Democratic Consolidation in Africa?
Get PDFUniversally, election is the pillar of representative democracy. The health of any democracy, no matter its type or status, depends on a small technical detail: the conduct of elections. Everything else is secondary. A credible election not only confers legitimacy on political leadership, but it is also crucial to the sustenance of democratic order. Paradoxically, the electoral process in Africa has been characterized by violence. In the 21st century, manifestations of electoral violence have assumed an unprecedented magnitude and changing form and character, with negative implications for democratic stability. The level and magnitude of electoral and political violence has risen and the political elites have often converted their foot-soldiers who undermine the electoral process by perpetrating these violent acts. This paper showcases that Kenyans have carved out a roadmap for themselves and democratic reformers across the continent. It further underscores the defining characteristics of the Nigeria’s 2023 general elections with confidence in elections as means of making political choices through constitutional reforms and independent judiciary signposting the salient similarities between the Kenya’s and Nigeria’s general elections. Therefore, the paper seeks to point some dynamics of Kenya’s 2022 as well as highlighting some features in the 2023 elections in Nigeria, which could help in defining democratic governance and democratic consolidation in Africa
PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF RESCUING THE SHRINKING LAKE CHAD THROUGH THE UNITED NATIONS’ GREEN CLIMATE FUND
Get PDFSince the 1960s the Lake Chad has shrunk by about 90% of its original size primarily because of climate change. Some studies have estimated that if the current trend continued, the Lake could disappear in the next few decades. From the 1980s, attempts have been made by the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) to rescue the shrinking Lake. The most viable plan is the idea of an inter-basin water transfer (IBWT), developed by the Italian Engineering Company Bonfica which involves diverting about 4% of the waters of the tributaries of River Bongi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that discharge into the Atlantic Ocean through a series of canals and dams to River Chari (that feeds the Lake) in the Central African Republic (CAR). The current estimate for the project stands at fourteen billion U.S dollars ($14b). Raising the fund by the LCBC to execute the project has become the major obstacle to the realization of the project. Although there is a new initiative by the Italian government and the Chinese construction company PowerChina in partnership with Bonfica to resurrect the idea, the paper argues that the LCBC has failed to access and utilize the adaptation facilities under the United Nations adaptation funds. Drawing from the argument of the justice for international adaptation framework, the paper assesses the vulnerabilities and opportunities of the Lake Chad countries and conclude that, to bring the IBWT to fruition, the LCBC and the riparian states of the Lake Chad must explore and access all available sources of fund, especially the Green Climate Fund
INTERNATIONAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY ON TRAFFICKERS
Get PDFHuman trafficking involves recruitment, harbouring or transporting people into a situation of exploitation through the use of violence, deception or coercion and forced to work against their will. People can be trafficked for many different forms of exploitation such as forced prostitution, forced labour, forced begging, forced criminality, domestic servitude, forced marriage, and forced organ removal. It has become a serious global problem that despite legal efforts so far put in place to combat, it has continued to persist. This paper aimed at examining the concept of human trafficking as a crime and analyzing the criminal liability on traffickers in order to ensure that it is the perpetrators of does not go unpunished.. This paper buttresses that human trafficking is not limited to areas of conflict and for sex exploitation. Human trafficking can occur anywhere there is demand for labour. The limitations of international frameworks that exists towards the fight against Human Trafficking are also analyzed. Human trafficking, as recognised in the Declaration of the High-level Meeting on the Rule of Law Trafficking in Persons, preys on the vulnerability of victims and can be considered as a premeditated crime. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), as guardian of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and the Protocols thereto, assists States in their efforts to implement the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons (Trafficking in Persons Protocol). This paper adopted the content analysis research method. Data was gathered and analyzed critically from various sources, including Anti[1]Trafficking Review Journals and UNODC reports as well as other writers and reportson human trafficking and criminal liability. This study recommends that states should cooperate in fighting the crime of trafficking in persons through the application of international law and ensure that no trafficker goes unpunished. There should be consistency and consensus around the world on the phenomenon of trafficking in persons. In conclusion, domestic legislation on Human Trafficking does not need to follow the language of the Trafficking in Persons Protocol precisely, but should be adapted in accordance with domestic legal systems to give effect to the concepts contained in the Protocol
CHURCH RESPONSE TO SECURITY CHALLENGES IN THE 21ST CENTURY: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE
Get PDFA progressive and developed nation is measured by its level of security of lives and property of its people as well as attitude to peaceful co-existence among its citizens. In other words, security is the mother of invention and national development. This is because without security, there can hardly be any room for meaningful development and national integration. Several attempts have been channeled on the role of security apparatus with little or no attention giving to Church response to security challenges facing the Nigerian society. The consensus among Nigerians is that insecurity is the biggest threat to everyone. In many parts of the country, people are reported killed, maimed and raped on daily basis. Kidnapping has become a lucrative business in which ransoms running to several billions of naira are being demanded. The emergence of Boko Haram, banditry, and herdsmen altered the already battered image of the country in the comity of nations as one of the countries to abstain from. In similar vein, the near collapse of security architectures in Nigeria has created a Hobbesian state of nature where life is poor, nasty, brutish and short. As a result of this, the intention of this work is to examine the response of the Church to security challenges in Nigeria and how the Church can help the populace in building security consciousness in the Nigerian society. The method adopted was historical. This became imperative so as to be able to trace the genesis of insecurity issues in Nigerian society. The study discovered that no nation can develop where lives and properties are constantly under threat. The paper also recommended that church leaders should use their pulpits to promote awareness among members of the Church on the need for security of their lives and loved ones and the society at large. They should be bold enough to speak out about the ills in governance for peace and national security to be achieved
CHRISTOPANGANISM: A RELIGION IN SEARCH OF RELEVANCE OR A CONTEXTUALIZED CHRISTIANITY IN NIGERIA?
Get PDFThe African belief in ancestral curses and witchcraft/witches constitutes a constant and permanent source of fear and anxiety to most Christians. A passing look at African Christianity suggests a Christopaganism kind of religion – a branded Christianity that is subsumed in African Traditional practices in search of meaning and relevance. This study attempts to study the nature, reasons for its emergence, and manifestation(s) of Christopaganism and its implications on Christianity in Africa. The research adopts conceptual and phenomenal approaches. Sourced data was philosophically and theologically analyzed. The study discovers that while the early missionaries left their converts battling with African traditional mythology. However, some contemporary Christians/pastors have an approach that can best be described as Christopaganism on order to bridge the gap created by western missionary exploit.Hence, while recognizing the existence of generational curses and magic, some Christian bodiesviews Christopaganismboth as a means of contextualizing Christianity and at the same time finding relevance. Thus, to retain the authentic Christianity in Africa that will at the same time have global relevance, African church should harmonize her beliefs and practices in line with the biblical Christianity. She must seek to return to a God-Christ-centered message where the price paid by Jesus Christ is sufficient to be projected at the expense of all human sacrifice, dilemma, and family predicaments
FARMER-HERDERS CONFLICTS IN NIGERIA: ITS CHALLENGES AND INTERVENTIONS
Get PDFClimate change has forced herders to move out of the desert to the forest, searching for a greener posture but not ethnic war. How the address these challenges remains a challenge for this regime and even the next regime. The chapter reveals the role of President Buhari's administration in curbing the farmer-herders conflict. All the attempts at conceptualizing lasting solutions to the crisis faced politicization. This chapter urges states to join the federal government at the center in encouraging all sides to these conflicts to make efforts towards finding a peaceful resolution. As we seek a permanent solution to these unwanted conflicts, efforts must be made to ensure that no innocent person faces any kind of deprivation or loss of rights and freedom under our laws. The fight for peace in the north-central states, the fight against social insecurity and conflicts, must comprise determined action against food security, poverty, inequality, injustice, and against the most extreme and most dependence-inducing form of poverty - being hungry, insecure of today's and tomorrow's food. Access to land is a major cause of conflicts in this region. Central to the discussion in this paper is the need for the State to review the existing laws as they relate to accessibility to land by members of the community. This issue is key to resource sustainability in Nigeria as the majority of its citizens require land for farming and grazing. The government should ensure that there is equity and accessibility to arable and grazing land to avert constant conflict