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Chinese Funding: A Curse to Africa: A Case of Shurugwi Zimbabwe
Get PDFThe role of China in the liberation of Africa from colonial rule cannot be down played as I laid a foundation to Africa today. Most African countries were aided by China militarily and ideologically in the fight against Western colonial rule. Though some scholars would suggest that China`s contribution was as a result of the hostility that was there in the times of the cold war between the self-acclaimed democrats of the Western bloc and the Communist Eastern bloc. Philosophers like Marx Engel, Karl Marx, Lenin and Mao Zedong had a major influence on the liberation of Africa. The purpose of this paper is to show how the relationship that started as sincere has become a curse for the poor and unconnected Africans. In recent years the Chinese has overtaken the Briton hood Institutes of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank as the major lenders of loans to African States. Kwame Nkrumah warned us of the danger of Africa being recolonised in what he termed neo colonialism where the colonisers will come as investors. Neo colonialism is no longer a theory but has become a reality as will be exposed in this article using empirical, qualitative and quantitative research methods to show how a friendship with China has benefited the elite politicians at the cost of citizens affairs. Africa is endowed with natural resources yet it has the poorest population per Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita. The paper will show how it is easy for a Chinese to own a business in Africa compared to the native Africans using the case of Shurugwi in Zimbabwe
Assessment of Roof Tilt and Building Azimuth for Off-Grid Photovoltaic Power for Buildings in Metropolitan Lagos, Nigeria
Get PDFThe study determined optimum roof tilt and building azimuth for rooftop-based distributed photovoltaic (PV) energy generation in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria as strategic technological input to alternative power generation and new housing development in Metropolitan Lagos. The energy planning & foresight analysis methodology was used. The data were obtained via literature, Global Positioning System (GPS) systems, energy models and site visits; and comprised manual and satellite imagery, dimensions, roof angles and coordinates of the building structures in the study area (Rows between 0 – 60o, Columns between 0 – 180o; System sizes: 533 kW, 110 kW and 0.547 kW). The results showed solar array yield varied from 768,944 kWh per annum for a 500 kVA system to 780 kWh per annum for a 500 VA system. A five tier rooftop generation template of 245 MWp was consequently developed. Optimal roof tilt and building azimuth angles for the systems were estimated to be 5o and 180o respectively though combinations of azimuth and tilt angles not exceeding 30o tilt and 90o azimuth gave acceptable yields. The study concluded that the optimum roof tilt and building azimuth for rooftop-based distributed photovoltaic (PV) energy generation in the study area were strategic policy intelligence inputs for the renewable power generation and new housing development programmes of the Federal and Lagos State Governments
Techno-Economic Assessment of Liquefied Petroleum Gas-Powered Alternative Electricity Critical Infrastructure Development in Nigeria’s South-West Geopolitical Zone
No full textThe decentralization of electricity authority in Nigeria has made it expedient for the South-West Geopolitcal Zone to develop strategic power generation infrastructure. This study assessed the techno-economic viability of the liquefied petroleum gas-powered alternative electricity infrastructure option in Southwestern Nigeria as a mitigation strategy to endemic inadequate grid power supply under the region\u27s integrated electric power programmes. An energy project planning and foresight analysis methodology was used. The study showed that a 25 MW stand-alone LPG-based CHP power plant would require 8.567 acres of land, consume approximately 15.459 million kg of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) annually, while generating 210,240 MWh of electricity annually. This power plant initiative was considered to have acceptable risk (Payback Period = 9 years 3 months; Return on Investment = 10.73%) and viability at the minimum tariff of 137.58 million respectively) relative to diesel-based alternative power generation. The study recommended that the viability of the power plant be improved by reductions in operations costs. The study concluded that the LPG plant initiative was technically feasible, economically viable and environmentally friendly, and suitable for deployment in the study area
“First Woman to…” Exceptionalism Discourse: Badge of Honour or Badgering Burden?
Get PDF“First women to…” labels define the ways in which women leaders are characterized as “exceptional”. As already pointed out by some feminist scholars, exceptionalism discourse valorizes women’s achievements to the benefit of institutions and their patriarchal culture. While such valorization might enhance gender representation in spaces previously reserved for men, it also commodifies women’s capabilities. This, I argue, calls for resisting the subtle, less visible, often unintentional, and sometimes patronizing forms of discrimination that sustain the patriarchal culture of institutions such as “the church”. Many feminist theologians have repeatedly named “the cultural-political power at work in our world as patriarchy”. Questions about the relationship between patriarchal institutional culture and the legitimate presence of women leaders are central to the argument presented here. The case of South African feminist theologian, Mary-Anne Plaatjies Van Huffel, is used to illustrate the relentless task women face of having to challenge pervasive gender-bias in the patriarchal institutional culture of the church. I then explore the plausibility of reflective solidarity as a theo-ethical concept and its potential to transform the patriarchal institutional culture of the church
Petites mains féminines, vulnérabilité professionnelle et pratiques conjointes de compensation financières dans l’administration publique universitaire au Cameroun
Get PDFThis article aims to conduct an ethnographic study on small female hands in the administration of the University of Yaoundé II in order to see to what extent the use of the concept of financial resilience makes sense. As a result, located in positions of administrative inferiority, small female hands, temporary administrative contract workers or with default status, seem more exposed to the pressures resulting from the various socio-political, health, economic and management hazards that may be faced the university institution. By taking into account the Covid-19 crisis as a temporal reference point, this study highlights the different financial strategies and practices mobilized by these agents to circumvent and confront the difficulties to which their socio-professional condition predisposes them. As such, it must be considered that these income compensation practices reflect the capacity of this category to adapt to the degrading developments which determine their precarious working conditions. They provide good information about their realities as resilience entrepreneurs. We can therefore link the financial resilience of small hands to legitimate socio-professional conditioning. One that promotes, as a position of action, the compensation of their income through the diversification of income-generating activities and the establishment of mutual aid and solidarity systems within the institution.Résumé
Cet article se propose de mener une étude ethnographique sur des petites mains féminines de l’administration de l’université de Yaoundé II afin de voir dans quelle mesure l’utilisation du concept de résilience financière fait sens. De ce fait, situées à des positions d’infériorité administratives, les petites mains féminines, contractuelles temporaires d’administration ou à statut par défaut, semblent plus exposées aux pressions résultant des différents aléas sociopolitique, sanitaire, économique et de gestion auxquels peut être confrontée l’institution universitaire. En prenant en compte la crise de la Covid-19 comme point de référence temporel, cette étude permet de mettre en lumière les différentes stratégies et pratiques financières mobilisées par ces agents pour contourner et affronter les difficultés auxquelles les prédisposent leur condition socioprofessionnelle. A ce titre, il faut considérer que ces pratiques de compensation de revenu rendent compte de la capacité de cette catégorie à s’adapter aux évolutions dégradantes qui déterminent leur condition précaire de travail. Elles renseignent bien sur leurs réalités d’entrepreneuse de résiliences. On peut dès lors lier la résilience financière des petites mains à un conditionnement socioprofessionnel légitime. Celle qui favorise en tant que positionnement d’action, la compensation de leur revenu par la diversification des activités génératrices de revenus et la mise en place des systèmes d’entraide et de solidarité au sein de l’institution.
Mots clés : vulnérabilité, compensation financière, conditionnement, positionnement
Embracing Plural Curricula Amid Neoliberalism in Contemporary Universities in Africa: Asante’s Afrocentric Idea Revisited
Get PDFThis paper focuses on how Asante’s idea of Afrocentricity could assist in the understanding of the main challenges andopportunities associated with curricula in Africa’s post-colonial universities. In terms of methodology, the paper constitutes a conceptual treatise that draws from previous empirical research that focused on Afrocentricity and a plural programme – the extended curriculum programme within a university context where neoliberalism remains dominant. In this regard, the paper combines an extensive review of empirical cases and the authors’ experiences of the extended curriculum programmes in diverse South African universities. Literature was reviewed from a wide range of sources that included Afrocentricity and curriculum transformation through plurality at individual and institutional pedagogic levels. The paper explores the complex nature of pedagogic transformation mainly due to the persistence of Western ideals under a resurgent neoliberal philosophy that shapes practices in contemporary university spaces. The paper thus highlights how Afrocentricity transcends simplistic notions of intellectual discussions as it highlights seriousand practical realities that shape the identities, ideals, aspirations, and values of students from disadvantaged backgrounds. In the process, ways in which pedagogic educational aspirations of the students could be redefined through an Afrocentric approach together with constraints are discussed. The individualist-oriented complications posed by neoliberal ideals that tend to contradictand, in some instances, hinder the Afrocentric core principle of inclusivity have left African universities at a crossroads with little to show in terms of progress in the transformation agenda. 
Influence of team emotional intelligence on the performance of construction design teams
Get PDFEmotional Intelligence (EI) is an important competence in teamwork settings. Predominantly, previous EI studies on teams have focused on individual-level EI, neglecting the synergy of team members in a team. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the influence of team EI on the performance of construction design teams. A mixed method approach was used to collect data by means of a questionnaire survey and focus group interviews. The questionnaire was used to collect data on team EI and team performance, while the focus group interview was conducted to give insights on team activities based on the results from the questionnaire survey. A total of 50 projects were selected, constituting eight (8) teams through convenience and purposive sampling techniques. The 8 teams consisted of 38 individuals. Thus, the questionnaire was administered to 38 respondents, of whom 17 valid responses were received, while the focus group interview was conducted with members of one team. Means, percentages and correlational analysis were utilised in the analysis of the quantitative data, while content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. The results obtained for team EI and performance were used for correlational analysis, which revealed that team EI has a significant positive association with the team’s self-direction and average (overall) performance, as indicated by the correlation results (τb= .432, p=.046) and (τb= .401, p=.042) respectively. The content analysis revealed that team norms improved with participation in multiple projects. This suggests that TEI contributes significantly to the performance of the construction design teams. This study holds significant practical implications for the training of construction professionals, with the potential to foster the development of high emotional intelligence (EI). Furthermore, it extends its relevance to client organizations seeking to hire design team consultants who possess emotional intelligence. To achieve improved team performance, it is suggested that client organisations consider incorporating a team-based EI assessment alongside the evaluation of technical expertise during the hiring process
Re-use of COVID-19 waste facemasks for modification of Nigeria’s naturally occurring bitumen for road construction
Get PDFNigeria currently imports bitumen for road construction despite the presence of a significant amount of naturally occurring bitumen (NOB) in Ondo state. The use of facemasks during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to environmental challenges due to their non-biodegradable and harmful nature. This study explores the potential of utilising waste facemasks in modifying NOB for road paving in Nigeria. The physiochemical properties of NOB were determined, and tests were conducted to assess its suitability for road construction. The results showed that the neat NOB had high penetration, low softening point, and high viscosity, making it unsuitable for road construction in Nigeria’s tropical region. However, the modified NOB, when blended with waste facemasks, exhibited reduced penetration and increased softening point, aligning with the AC-10 grade bitumen requirements. Further testing using the Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) is recommended to determine the rheological properties of the modified NOB. This study is the first of its kind to explore the use of waste facemasks in modifying naturally occurring bitumen for road construction. It proposes a novel solution that not only addresses the environmental issues associated with waste facemasks but also offers a sustainable alternative to imported bitumen. Future works include long-term performance studies, comparative evaluations, environmental impact assessments, and scaling-up studies to assess the feasibility and practicality of implementing this approach on a larger scale