Nnamdi Azikiwe University Journals
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THE PERSISTENCE OF ARCHAIC LANGUAGE NORMS IN A DIGITALLY EVOLVING WORLD: A LINGUISTIC PERSPECTIVE ON CULTURAL LAG
No full textIn an era of rapid technological innovation and increasingly digitized communication, language use is undergoing significant transformation. Yet, many societal institutions, particularly within education, governance, and formal communication, continue to uphold archaic linguistic norms rooted in prescriptive traditions. This study investigates this phenomenon through the lens of cultural lag, a concept introduced by Ogburn (1922) to describe the delayed adaptation of cultural norms in response to technological and societal change. The primary objectives of the study are twofold: (1) to examine the factors that sustain the use of archaic language norms in formal and institutional communication despite the rise of digital linguistic practices; and (2) to analyse the sociolinguistic implications of cultural lag in language, particularly how institutional resistance affects language adaptation in digital contexts. To achieve these aims, the study employs a comparative qualitative discourse analysis grounded in sociolinguistic theory and the cultural lag framework. A purposive sample of 100 texts comprising 50 digital discourse samples (e.g., social media posts, blogs, online comments, institutional web content) and 50 traditional or formal texts (e.g., academic papers, legal/government documents, and official correspondences) ensures thematic relevance and domain diversity. Texts are analysed for archaic linguistic features, including outdated vocabulary, obsolete syntax, and formal registers, to trace patterns of retention, adaptation, or avoidance across communicative domains. Findings highlight key sites of linguistic tension such as formal education, public discourse, and workplace communication where rigid adherence to outdated norms reinforces hierarchies, marginalizes non-standard varieties, and alienates digitally fluent speakers. Conversely, the study underscores the legitimacy and expressive capacity of digital language practices, such as code-switching, emojis, and vernacular innovations, as dynamic responses to evolving communicative needs. The paper concludes by advocating for inclusive and adaptive language policies that reflect the realities of a digitally mediated, multilingual world. 
INTERCONNECTED ROLES OF LANGUAGE, ARTS, AND CULTURE IN FOSTERING CULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY
No full textLanguage, arts, and culture play a vital role in expressing and preserving collective identity, especially as globalisation threatens local traditions. In Africa and globally, these elements serve as powerful tools for maintaining heritage, transmitting values, and shaping cultural perspectives. This study addresses the declining presence of indigenous cultural expressions caused by global influences and weak policy frameworks. While previous research often treats language, arts, and culture separately, this work bridges that gap by offering an integrated, interdisciplinary perspective. This paper examines the interaction of language, arts, and culture in supporting identity and resilience, using African and global case studies, employing qualitative methods such as literature reviews and case study analysis, also grounded in theoretical framework of George Herbert Mead’s Cultural Symbolic Interactionism to analyse meaning through social interaction and shared symbols. The findings highlight that grassroots efforts preserve heritage, and inclusive policies are vital for safeguarding indigenous languages and arts. Furthermore, the thesis asserts that integrating language, arts, and culture in development strategies is the key to combating cultural erosion and fostering sustainable identities. However, to address these challenges, the study recommends that: Governments and Policy Makers should adopt inclusive cultural and language policies to protect indigenous traditions, Educational Institutions should embed local languages and arts in curricula, Creative Industry Stakeholders should support and promote culturally rooted content, and Local Communities and Cultural Practitioners should engage in preserving and sharing traditions through digital and local initiatives. These recommendations benefit governments, schools, creative sectors, and communities involved in preserving culture
REMOVAL OF SOME ORGANIC POLLUTANTS FROM AQUEOUS ENVIRONMENT USING PEROVSKITE NANOPARTICLES
No full textThe toxic effects of some organic pollutants on human and the aquatic life are of serious concern. The need for removal of these pollutants from aqueous environment led to the use of adsorption techniques as a cheap and efficient treatment method. In this research, mixed metal oxide (Perovskite) was synthesised through coprecipitation method. It was characterised by FTIR and XRD analysis, further characterisation was done for bulk density, particle density, pore volume, % pore space, % solid space and surface area. Batch adsorption was conducted using the synthesised adsorbent for the removal of tartrazine, BHT and dioxane from aqueous environment. Various parameters such as contact time, adsorbent dosage, initial concentration, pH and temperature were studied to observe their effect in the adsorption process. FTIR spectra showed eleven absorptions at 693.28484 cm-1, 838.65101 cm-1, 1021.29057 cm-1, 1148.02005 cm-1, 1401.47903 cm-1, 1561.75455 cm-1, 1871.12359 cm-1, 2109.67322 cm-1, 2366.85953 cm-1, 3186.87385 cm-1, 3548.42562 cm-1 indicating the presence of aromatic derivatives, halo compound, vinyl ether, aliphatic ether, sulfone, nitro compound, anhydride, isothiocyanate, carbondioxide, carboxylic acid and alcohol respectively. XRD spectra showed no peak revealing that the synthesized perovskite is not a crystal. The experimental equilibrium adsorption data fitted better to the freundlich isotherm model than the Langmuir isotherm model. The kinetic data conformed better to pseudo second order model than the pseudo-first order model. The adsorption of tartrazine, BHT and dioxane were non spontaneous for all the adsorption at the temperatures under investigation. The result of this study shows that this mixed metal oxide can be used as effective adsorbent for the removal of contaminants from aqueous environment
PERCEPTION OF TEACHERS ON THE IMPACT OF QUALITY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF PUPILS IN AWKA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT EDUCATION ZONE
No full textThe study investigated the perception of teachers on the impact of quality learning environment on academic performance of Awka South L.G.A of Anambra State. The study was guided with three (3) research questions and three (3) hypotheses. The research adopted the descriptive survey design. The population for the study comprised of 627 public primary school teachers (265 male and 362 female teachers) in Awka South L.G.A. 109 teachers (35 male 74 female) primary five teachers were randomly selected through Simple random sampling and purposive sampling. A Questionnaire titled “Impact of Quality Learning Environment on Academic Performance of Pupils Questionnaire” was used as instrument for data collection. The instrument was validated by three education experts. Reliability of the instrument was determined with Cronbach alpha. The reliability test yielded reliability coefficients of 0.89, 0.83 and 0.90 were obtained for each of the clusters respectively with an over-all co-efficient value of 0.87. Mean and standard deviation were used as data analysis instrument while t-test was used to test the hypothesis at .05 level of significance. Findings revealed that primary school teachers perceive that the nature of the physical infrastructure such as the classroom dilapidated buildings, lack of computer laboratory and nature of the school playground had impacts on pupils academic performances. It also reveal that quality social learning environment such as cordial relationship among teachers, cordial relationship between teachers & instructional materials and socialization of pupils through play has meaningful impacts of pupils academic performances. There is a significant mean difference in the perception of male and female teachers on impact of quality physical learning environment on academic performance of primary five pupils. However, there was not significance difference in the perception of male and female teachers on quality social learning and quality temporal learning environment on pupils academic performances. The study recommends among others that entire head teachers should pay more attention in renovations of dilapidated physical infrastructures and procurement of instructional materials in schools to maximize pupil’s activeness to lessons which should contribute to their academic performances
MOTHER TONGUE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION AS CORRELATE OF PUPILS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN BASIC SCIENCE IN AWKA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT EDUCATION AUTHORITY
No full textThis study explored mother tongue medium of instruction as correlate of pupil’s academic achievement in basic science in Awka South Local Government Education Authority of Anambra State. Two purpose of the study, two research questions and two null hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance guided the study. Correlational research design was adopted for the study. The population consisted of 665 public primary school teachers in the 45 public primary schools in the area. Using simple random sampling technique of balloting without replacement, 200 teachers were selected as the sample for the study. Mother Tongue Medium of Instruction as a Correlate of Pupils Academic Achievement in Basic Science in Primary Schools (MTMICPAABSPS) Questionnaire was used to collect data on pupils’ use of mother tongue in basic science, while data for academic achievement was collected from the annual result record sheets (pupils’ annual cumulative result of 2022/2023 academic session) in each of the sampled schools. Face and content validity of the instrument was determined by three experts; one in the Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education and one in Measurement and Evaluation in the Department of Educational Foundations both from the Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and a Basic Science classroom teacher in Awka South. Cronbach Alpha was employed for the reliability of the instrument and reliability coefficient of 0.81 was obtained. Data collected with the aid of three research assistants who were basic science classroom teachers were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient for the research questions while the hypotheses were tested also using significance of the correlation at 0.05 alpha level. Findings of the study revealed among others that there is a high positive relationship between mother tongue and pupils’ academic achievement in basic science in primary schools. there is no significant relationship between male and female pupils’ use of mother tongue and their academic achievement in basic science in primary schools in Awka South Local Government Education Authority. It was concluded that the use of mother tongue as a medium of instruction has the potential to improve understanding and knowledge impartation in the classroom, and, by extension, improve academic achievement since mother tongue is the language with which the pupils use to create their own knowledge. The study recommended that Federal government should further re-enforce the use of mother tongue as recommended in National policy of Education as a medium of instruction at the lower level of basic education for effective and efficient teaching and learning to take place among others
EXTENT OF UTILIZATION OF TECHNOLOGICAL FACILITIES IN TEACHING AND LEARNING IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN ANAMBRA STATE.
No full textThe aim of this study is to ascertain the extent of utilization of Technological facilities in teaching and learning in public primary schools Anambra State. Four research questions guided the study. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprises of 8078 teachers in pubic primary schools in Anambra State. The sample size for the study is 807 using simple random sampling technique. A four point rating scale containing 30 items was used for data collection. This instrument was validated by three experts. Technological Facilities Utilization Questionnaire (BTIQ) was used to collect data. Cronbach Alpha method was used to establish the reliability of the instrument which yielded coefficients of 0.67, 0.62, 0.73 and 0.72 for the four clusters respectively with an overall reliability coefficient of 0.86. Mean and Standard Deviation were used for data analysis. The finding of the study indicates that public primary school teachers in Anambra State utilizes technological facilities in their teaching to a moderate extent. Based on the finding, it was recommended that appropriate technology items which supports teaching and enhances learning should be provided and made easily accessible to teachers so as to foster better academic performance for pupils, among others. Futher findings reveals that retraining of staff on digital skills, provision of ICT knowledge for digital skills, access to computers among others are the possible solutions to the constraints affecting the utilization of technological facilities in teaching
ÉTUDE CONTRASTIVE DES PRÉPOSITIONS SIMPLES EN FRANÇAIS ET EN ANGLAIS : CAS DE « EN » ET « À »
No full textPrepositions play a central role in sentence structure in both French and English, but learning them is complex, especially when the two languages differ syntactically and semantically. In French, the simple prepositions "à" and "en" serve various functions (place, direction, time, manner), which do not always correspond to their English equivalents (to, in, at, into, on). This divergence causes interference errors among English-speaking learners. This study adopts a contrastive approach to analyse these difficulties and identify similarities, differences, and sources of errors. It combines contrastive linguistics and error analysis (Corder), applied to a sample of 60 students from two Nigerian universities. The results show that many learners, including graduates, encounter persistent difficulties, mainly due to linguistic interference (transfer of English structures into French). The most common confusions concern the use of "en" (for places and means of transport) and "à" (for destination, time, or belonging). To address these difficulties, the study proposes pedagogical solutions: use of authentic materials (dialogues, songs), roleplaying, mind maps, error correction in class, and integration of interactive digital tools. Teacher training in contrastive linguistics is also recommended to improve the teaching of prepositions.
Résumé Les prépositions jouent un rôle central dans la structure des phrases en français et en anglais, mais leur apprentissage est complexe, surtout lorsque les deux langues diffèrent sur les plans syntaxique et sémantique. En français, les prépositions simples « à » et « en » remplissent diverses fonctions (lieu, direction, temps, manière), qui ne correspondent pas toujours à leurs équivalents anglais (to, in, at, into, on). Cette divergence provoque des erreurs d’interférence chez les apprenants anglophones. L’étude adopte une approche contrastive pour analyser ces difficultés et identifier les similitudes, différences et sources d’erreurs. Elle combine la linguistique contrastive et l’analyse des erreurs (Corder), appliquées à un échantillon de 60 étudiants issus de deux universités nigérianes. Les résultats montrent que de nombreux apprenants, y compris des diplômés, rencontrent des difficultés persistantes, dues principalement à l’interférence linguistique (transfert des structures anglaises en français). Les confusions les plus fréquentes concernent l’usage de « en » (pour les lieux et moyens de transport) et « à » (pour la destination, le temps ou l’appartenance). Pour remédier à ces difficultés, l’étude propose des solutions pédagogiques : utilisation de supports authentiques (dialogues, chansons), jeux de rôle, cartes mentales, correction d’erreurs en classe, et intégration des outils numériques interactifs. Une formation des enseignants à la linguistique contrastive est également recommandée pour améliorer l’enseignement des prépositions. 
RE-THINKING PRESS AND MEDIA FREEDOM UNDER PRESIDENT BOLAAHMED TINUBU ADMINISTRATION IN THE LIGHT OF A FAILINGDEMOCRATIC CULTURE
No full textFreedom of the Press and the Media is the fundamental principle that allows for free communication and expression through various medium, including printed and electronic means.The press and the media play very crucial role in informing citizens about current events, government actions and policies, social issues and the likes without which citizens would lack the requisite information to make informed decisions to call their leaders to account. It plays a veryimportant role in shaping the public agenda and forming public opinion which is central to democratic participation. In this article, the authors examine the practice of press freedom and media independence under the president Tinubu administration and contends that the press andmedia are under severe attack under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, noting the weaponization of the cybercrime Act to stifle dissenting voices and concludes that such actions of the administration are pushing it to the abyss
LEGAL ANALYSIS OF TRUST IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF COMMUNAL LAND IN NIGERIA
No full textCommunal ownership of land is one of the fundamental principles of customary land law in Nigeria. Under customary law, the communal land is held and managed by the head on behalf of the members, and no member has right to alienate a part of the land without the consent of the head. Unfortunately, the problem of insecurity of customary land title has become perennial despite the enactment of the Land Use Act, 1978.This article therefore, analysed the application of trust in the administration of customary land in Nigeria, and also utilised the doctrinal research methodology to address the challenges posed by insecurity of communal land ownership. The article found that it is rarely difficult for the community to alienate a part of the communal land which belongs to entire members of the community. More so, the rule that alienation of land by community head is subject to the concurrence of principal members has caused untold hardship and injustice to innocent purchasers of community land even though the rule is no longer suitable and effective to guarantee security to title to land. Thus, it is recommended that the rule governing alienation of communal land should be jettisoned, and trustee(s) of the village or community be appointed or constituted in accordance with the provisions of Companies and Allied Matters Act to administer the communal property with power to alienate the communal land or portion of it on behalf of the community
HEALING UNDER FIRE: NAVIGATING HEALTHCARE CHALLENGES AMID TERRORISM IN NIGERIA
No full textIt is often said that health is wealth. Health is foundational to livelihood in any country. However, healthcare provision in Nigeria is under pressure due to the mounting terrorist threat which has destabilised the medical system, availability of services and health personnel. In this paper, theconnection between terrorism and healthcare will be explored as insecurity undermines the resilience of the healthcare system and the provision of services. The study is multi-disciplinary and qualitative, including systematic literature reviews and evaluation of legal framework on counter terrorism and healthcare in Nigeria. The results show that policies are badly broken, hospitals are not well-prepared, and procedure for enforcement of laws are either non-existent or poorly carried out. The paper recommends an overall approach that includes healthcare policy reforms, targeted capacity-building initiatives, and enhanced security measures to protect medical services in conflict-affected areas. It alsoemphasizes the importance of a community-based model for delivering healthcare to internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups. The paper concludes with practical strategies to strengthen healthcare resilience in terrorism-prone regions of Nigeria, aiming to contributemeaningfully to the global discourse on healthcare in conflict settings