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THE INFALLIBILITY OF THE SUPREME COURT AND THE CHALLENGES OF DEMOCRATIC CONSOLIDATION IN NIGERIA, 1999 - 2019
Get PDFThe Supreme Court of Nigeria (SCN) is the highest appellate court in the country. The decision of the court and its actions are not only final but are seen as infallible and sacrosanct. The Supreme Court and its application in various electoral cases have generated mixed feelings and raised questions on the credibility of the Nigerian judiciary and its capability of ensuring sustainable democracy in the country. This study examines the infallibility status of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and the challenges of democratic consolidation in the country, from 1999 to 2019. The study is anchored on the doctrine of absolute political theory. The secondary data used in this study were drawn from documentary facts generated from an array of both published and unpublished materials such as textbooks, journals, magazines, newspapers, conference and seminar papers, internet materials, reports of electoral tribunals of the election, and many more. Primary data was generated using the interview method, which combines key informants’ interviews and focused group discussions. In interpreting the data, the relationship was established between the infallible status of the Supreme Court on electoral issues and its implication on Nigerian Democracy. Empirically, the study used a qualitative and historical method that is critical and analytical in providing descriptive and historical details. This was complemented by descriptive quantitative analysis. In doing that, the information gathered was summarized and processed through a statistical package for social science (SPSS). The study found that the infallibility of the Supreme Court verdicts on electoral issues has a significant effect on sustainable democracy in Nigeria. The study recommends among others that there is a need for radical reform and overhaul in the judiciary and judicial process, independence of INEC, and many others
GEOGRAPHICAL DETERMINANTS OF ESAN ONTOLOGY AND THE IMPLIED MORAL CARE FOR THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Get PDFThis study argues that the natural environment impinges on the metaphysical worldview of the Esan people and the interplay between geography and ontology influences human moral obligations to the natural environment. Existing literature focuses on how metaphysical worldview influences the life of people and how people manipulate their environment. Without denying this fact, this study engages in the reverse of this dominant view by focusing on how this worldview itself is influenced or dictated by the environment and how the natural environment dictates the life pattern of people. It argues that an ontological understanding of the world is crucial in determining how people meaningfully organize their lives and societies. It then analyses in some detail how the geographical features in Esan land determine the ontology of the Esan people, and in consequence, influence their basic metaphysical beliefs about nature, religion, culture, and the totality of reality. The study argues that since people’s metaphysical worldview is intertwined with their everyday living, the interface between nature and ontology draws some affinities between humans and nature. It argues further that nature, or some parts of it, have some relevance in themselves, and play some unique roles such as complementarity, and physical and psycho-spiritual satisfaction, amongst others, which ensure the moral and socio-spiritual harmony of the people, and which would be a veritable foundation upon which human moral obligation to nature can be established. The study adopts the expository, conceptual, and critical methods of philosophical inquiry
TRADE POLICIES, INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Get PDFThe nature of the international Political Economic system is such that reflects interactions between and amongst states. These relationships are precipitated by the need to promote, protect and project their national interest. It is also important to note that the uneven distribution of natural resources has ensured that no state is a state of autarky. Hence, the need for trade relations. International trade is an integral aspect of international economic relations and there are contending perspectives as to whether or not international trade is a driver of economic growth and development. This paper, therefore, is an attempt to interrogate contending perspectives on trade policies and the nexus between international trade and economic development. Methodologically, this paper is a product of desk research that relied basically on secondary data. It identified the increasing role of Transnational Corporations (TNCs) in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), globalization and the quest for states to meet up with basic economic needs as major drivers of international trade. It also examined the impact and influence of competitiveness and regional trade agreements, pandemics and diseases, capital flows and exchange rates, politics, policies and state of nations as factors affecting international trade. It is the position of this paper that international trade is an inevitable venture by states and this venture contributes to the economic growth and development of countries. It recommends amongst others the need for states to maximise their trade relations by enhancing the technical and technological capacities as far as production processes are concerned
INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION, NIGERIAN RETURNEE MIGRANTS, AND CHALLENGES OF REINTEGRATION INTO LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Get PDFThe main objective of this article is to examine the complexity of international migration, particularly irregular migration, and challenges of reintegration of returnees into their communities, specifically, in the context of Nigerian returnees. It adopted a qualitative and descriptive approach, and, content analysis of data obtained from secondary sources. Findings reveal that developed countries of Europe and America are increasingly becoming apprehensive of the inflow of migrants from Africa. Unemployment, lack of opportunities, urbanization, insecurity, or the forced movement of people fleeing from violent conflict or national disaster drive people to migrate. Due to a lack of coherent strategy to provide more legal avenues for migration, people are pushed to travel irregularly through the sea and deserts, with the attendant risk of exploitation from a complex mix of black markets, smugglers, robbers, and slavers, resulting in many deaths. The situation, involving many African migrants, particularly from Nigeria trapped in Libya, attracted the global community’s attention. This necessitated the International Organization for Migration (IOM), supported by the European Union (EU), to initiate a program of Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) of migrants to communities of origin, of which, more than 8000 have returned to Nigeria. The article examines the diverse challenges experienced by Nigerian returnee migrants due to a lack of proper reintegration into their communities. Findings reveal that the challenges experienced by Nigerian returnees stem from poorly conceived economic and social reintegration programs, stigmatization, difficulties in securing sustainable employment, threats from traffickers, and in some cases outright abandonment by the government. The article concludes by recommending that the Nigerian government and stakeholders should address the root causes of irregular migration and also work closely with the Nigerian returnee migrants to ensure that they are properly reintegrated into their communities
NIGERIA’S LONG ROAD TO STEEL DEVELOPMENT: THE PRICE FOR POOR PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION
Get PDFAs far back as 1958 the Nigerian government tried to establish an iron steel Industry knowing how very important this sector is for industrialization. This article critically reviews Nigeria’s tortuous road to developing a viable steel industry. At the dawn of independence, the founding fathers were aware that steel is the backbone of industrialization, economic growth, and the much-desired national development. They engaged the then USSR and this resulted in the birth of the National Steel Council Decree No.60 of the 18th of September 1979. Section 2(2) of the Decree, set up the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL)/NIOMCO, Delta Steel Company (DSC), and others, all incorporated as Limited Liability companies. Unfortunately, the vision of the founding fathers is still far from materialising. Nigeria cannot be said to be a steel-producing country, rather it depends largely on imported steel, which is a very expensive habit. Meanwhile, Nigeria has most of the required natural resources needed and all it has to do is make up for deficiencies in the quality of available raw materials so that good-quality steel is produced. The question is – why has Nigeria been unable to attain success in steel development and production, knowing fully well what it stands to gain? What are the immediate steps to be taken to address the state of affairs in the Nigerian steel industry, especially with the emergence of alternative forms of cleaner energy that will most likely drive down global oil prices and diminish revenue from crude oil sales
NIGERIAN TEACHERS, FOREIGN PUBLISHERS AND THE PRODUCTION OF SCHOOL BOOKS IN SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIA OF THE 1950s
Get PDFThe colonial state paid attention to school administration in Nigeria in various ways. In the early 1950s, school resources were significant for foreign publishers and producers of learning materials. Several primary and secondary schools had been in existence and owned by missionaries, communities and individuals. The colonial state introduced new initiatives to centralize and consolidate an African school culture within the context of the international capitalist system. Hence, the interests of foreign publishers influenced school book supply and subjects taught in schools. This work analyses these nuances. Specifically, Nigerian teachers evolved textbook writing culture to take advantage of the internal self-rule era in the Nigerian polity but they were entangled in the politics of book publishing. However, the Nigerian teachers were challenged by the market forces and monopoly of foreign publishers, reinforced by the capitalists’ notions of the colonial state. The work adopts the historical method. Mainly, correspondence letters from files of the Ibadan Ministry of Education (IbMinEd), at the National Archives, Ibadan were utilized
THE AFRICAN PEACE AND SECURITY ARCHITECTURE: REVISITING THE MANAGEMENT OF NON-MILITARY THREATS IN WEST AFRICA
Get PDFThis paper attempts to point at certain gaps in Africa’s Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), particularly because of challenges from and responses to the emergence of non-military security threats on the continent. It argues, using West Africa as a case, that it has become imperative to rethink the ECOWAS security architecture. In this regard, there is much to be said about the key lessons that some instances of the Nigerian security imbroglio have to offer, specifically the notion of widening the public space for the resolution of those threats to national security that have festered and are costing lives and properties and inflicting untold hardships on the citizenry. There appears to be a positive correlation between the adoption of such forms of ‘democratized’ security strategies - the opening up of the conflict management space as it were - and the recent relative success achieved in the containment of security threats from both conventional and non-conventional military sources. Consequently, the paper holds that the efficacy of this particular form of security defence democratization should be creatively introduced into the budding call for the establishment of a standby militia force not just nationally but regionally as well
CURRENCY SCARCITY AND CIVIL UNREST IN NIGERIA
Get PDFThe study investigated currency scarcity and civil unrest in Nigeria, using the following specific objectives which include examining how the currency shortage will reduce civil unrest in Nigeria, finding out if the currency shortage would cause civil unrest in Nigeria, finding out the effect of the scarcity of currency and finally discuss how the Central Bank of Nigeria has circulated the redesigned currency to reduce the suffering of Nigerians, especially the poor. The study adopted the historical research method, which is a qualitative research design that aims to reveal the vitality of past events in current situations because it accepts not only primary data but also secondary data such as historical newspapers, magazines, and books. and magazines. Records, notes, documents, etc. The results show that there is no way that the current challenges of the cash crunch will reduce civil unrest rather than increase civil unrest in Nigeria, where there is a financial crisis and chaos across the country. The study revealed that new naira notes are in short supply, prompting citizens to take to the streets, destroy property including banks, and even burn and block major roads. Once again, the work has found that the effects of currency shortages are manifold, with citizens finding it difficult to feed their families and loved ones, obtain medical care, finance their children's education, and equip their ways of life, work and go to work. The study also found that the CBN does not have a clear position on how to distribute the newly redesigned banknotes, as the nation is still struggling with currency shortages, pointing to the fact that the civil unrest in Nigeria is not over yet. The study recommended, among other things, that the Central Bank of Nigeria should investigate new ways to make new naira notes available. Old and new naira notes should be allowed to be used side by side until the old notes are completely removed from circulation. The Central Bank of Nigeria should establish community banks to help small and medium-sized businesses and individuals in rural areas. Finally, the Central Bank of Nigeria should invest more in public education and reorientation on the benefits of the government's current non-monetary policy so that it is not seen as harsh on the public
THE ROLE OF NIGERIA SECURITY AND CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS IN NIGERIA’S INTERNAL SECURITY
Get PDFThe trend of internal security challenges in Nigeria has continued to bedevil its political, economic and social stability as well as its sustainable development. The activities of Boko Haram insurgency, armed banditry, farmer/herder conflict, ethno-religious conflict, electoral violence, cybercrimes, pipeline vandalism, Niger-Delta Militancy, agitation for secession, and the activities of unknown are some of the various challenges that threaten Nigeria’s internal security. The failure of the Nigeria Police Force to address these negative vices is instrumental to the establishment of other security outfits such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) which has been mandated to assist the military and other paramilitary agencies in managing threats to internal security in the country. This paper using secondary data analysis has identified the various roles played by the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps in fighting insecurity within the Nigeria Context. The paper established that despite their effort they were faced with various challenges that needed urgent attention from the government of the federation. The paper equally proffers various ways through which some of the challenges can be addressed some of which include personnel training, intelligence gathering, and increased funding for the security agency