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Contemporary Visual Arts in Africa in the Age of Regeneration and Transformation
Get PDFThis study aims at examining contemporary visual arts of Africa vis-à-vis the tendencies of renewal and hybridization of concepts, perspectives and creative energies on the continent. Contemporary visual arts of Africa have been making headway into global prominence through a number of avenues which include exhibitions, critical discourses, auctions and publications, so much unlike in the past when only the traditional arts enjoyed such visibility. Initially, modern/contemporary visual arts of Africa were derided, with aspersions cast on the authenticity of works produced after contact with the West. The notion that modern/contemporary African arts had dissolved into artistic practices and philosophy of the West and consequently, no longer authentic but an appendage, appears to have given way to the realization that artistic practices all over the world are not static or impermeably exclusive. That it is expected that contemporary visual arts anywhere is receptive and dynamic, capable of being reinvented and influenced by practices locally and elsewhere due to interconnectivity of cultures occasioned by globalization. The recent new expressions in contemporary African arts therefore attest to the rebirth and repackaging of the traditional models and viewpoints on the continent. Contemporary visual arts in Africa comprise of a vast range of practices and products out of which notable ones and their artists are studied. Data are obtained through library research, interview and observation and are presented through verbal and pictorial descriptions.
Keywords and Phrases: contemporary visual arts of Africa, renewal, hybridization, global prominence, globalization
Self-Esteem and Social Comparison: A Study of Body Dysmorphic Symptoms among Private University Students in Nigeria
Get PDFBody Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a growing concern globally, particularly among university students. In Nigeria, there is a need for further investigation into how self-esteem and social comparison specifically contribute to BDD symptoms in private universities that face unique social and cultural pressures. This study adopted a cross-sectional design involving 222 participants selected through convenience sampling. Data collection utilized standardized questionnaires that covered demographic details, the Body Image Survey by Lindgren & Pauly (1975), Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale by Morris Rosenberg (1965), and the Social Comparison Scale by Allen & Gilbert (1995). Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and multiple regression analyses were employed to analyze the data, indicating that 47.7% of participants exhibited high tendencies toward body dysmorphia (BD), slightly more prevalent in males than in females. Furthermore, the study identified a positive correlation between self-esteem and tendencies toward body dysmorphia (r = .32, p < .05). The results indicated that self-esteem and social comparison significantly influence tendencies toward body dysmorphia, with self-esteem emerging as a robust predictor (R² = .11, F (1, 219) = 13.47, p < .05, β = 1.58, p < .05). There were no significant differences based on gender in the study (t (219) = -0.43, p > .05). The findings suggest that BD in this group may not be specific to any gender, indicating a potential gender-neutral nature. Additionally, students with higher self-esteem may significantly impact body image concerns through self-perception. Furthermore, the absence of strong social comparison underscores the critical role of factors such as media literacy and resilience. Programs promoting authentic self-worth through mindfulness and self-comparison, as well as teaching media literacy, are recommended. Subsequent studies should investigate the components of self-esteem and how they contribute to addressing body image challenges.
Keywords: Self-esteem, social comparison, body dysmorphic disorder, body image, gender, undergraduate
The History of Christianity in Rumuolumeni: Origin, Growth, Development, Challenges and Prospects 1912-2024
Get PDFThis paper is the examination of the history of Christianity in Rumuolumeni kingdom. Rumuolumeni is a community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State Nigeria. The paper further explores the historical development of Christianity its contribution to the development of the Kingdom. The introduction of Christianity by European colonizers revolutionized African religious perspectives, influencing indigenous thought patterns and cultural practices. Initially perceived as a tool of colonization, the church's presence facilitated cultural exchange, introduced new ideas, and promoted materialism. Over time, as society evolved, the church experienced dynamic growth, expansion, and increased attendance, transforming the once underdeveloped landscape of Rumuolumeni into a more developed and structured community. This paper examines the historical antecedents of church origin, growth, development, challenges, and prospects in Rumuolumeni, providing insights into the complex interplay between Christianity, culture, and societal transformation. This paper adopts the multidimensional approach drawing insights from the historical and phenomenological methods. The Phenomenological approach gave room for the proper understanding of the phenomena so encountered, and assisted in making a pure objective analysis of data, while the historical approach gave us, the opportunity to give a factual descriptive analysis to data so collected. These methods have been chosen because they help in providing answers to the various questions raised as to why Christian spirituality is holding sway within the existing traditional spirituality. These situations were also studied from available materials and sources of information both formal and informal, Synod reports, conference materials, panel reports and Church bulletins, as well as seminar papers which have been found useful in course of data collection for this work. However, in order to establish as concrete and authentic our findings, interviews were conducted and facts received were used in the work
Job Performance of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun State: A Perception of Commercial Drivers
Get PDFRoad traffic accidents have been a menace worldwide than any other form of epidemic diseases and its occurrence is still trending till date. The measures and means to reduce and curb this surge are to knowledge of road traffic safety consciousness within the society and this has not received adequate attention in transport research. Hence, this study aimed the perception of the commercial drivers on the job performance of FRSC personnel with the challenges confronting the FRSC personnel, attitude of commercial drivers towards the compliance of FRSC rules. The study observed that, the responses of the FRSC personnel on Lack of adequate funding were as follow 72%, the overall percentage of lack of adequate man power showed that 64% of the personnel affirmed with this assertion that the Agency lacks adequate manpower. Drivers’ attitude towards traffic safety reflected that, 22.9% of the drivers do routine check on the vehicles before embarking on any journey while 77.1%, 69.2% of the drivers from proportion don’t observe traffic regulations during course of operation, 77.2% do not fasten seatbelt when driving. In conclusion, despite effort made by Nigeria government in reducing rate of crashes on our roads, the law enforcement agents failed to achieve their purpose of establishment according to drivers’ perception. But the trend of crashes between 2011 – 2020 dwindling negates the claim of drivers. Therefore, study recommended that, government at all level in the state speed up actions on traffic engineering exercise and legislate law to develop and improve existing safety education techniques in the state in general.
Keywords: Job Performance, Perception, Commercial drivers, Road safety, Road acciden
Bridging the AI Talent Gap in Supply Chain Management: Opportunities for Collaboration
Get PDFThe integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into supply chain management has become a key driver of operational efficiency, optimization, and innovation. However, the effective deployment of AI technologies is constrained by a significant talent gap, as the demand for AI-skilled professionals far exceeds the current supply. This gap is particularly pronounced in the supply chain sector, where specialized knowledge in both AI and supply chain operations is essential. Bridging this talent gap is crucial for industries aiming to leverage AI for competitive advantage, yet achieving this requires a collaborative approach involving multiple stakeholders. This explores the opportunities for collaboration between industry, academia, and public-private partnerships to address the AI talent shortage in supply chain management. By examining the challenges faced by organizations in recruiting and retaining AI professionals, this highlights the critical need for educational initiatives that focus on the intersection of AI and supply chain management. Industry-academia partnerships play a pivotal role in developing curricula that prepare the next generation of talent, while also fostering internship and mentorship programs to facilitate hands-on experience. Public-private collaborations can further enhance workforce development through funding and policy support aimed at AI education and training. Additionally, this discusses the importance of upskilling and reskilling existing employees, providing accessible training programs to build AI expertise within the current workforce. It also explores the potential of cross-industry knowledge sharing, global talent pool access, and promoting diversity and inclusion in AI roles. The review concludes by emphasizing the need for strategic investment in AI talent development and the importance of creating an inclusive and sustainable ecosystem to bridge the AI talent gap and accelerate the adoption of AI in supply chain management.
Keyword: Bridging, AI, Talent gap, Supply chain management, Revie
Housing Poverty Reduction through the Trader and Market Moni Scheme of Osa Market Beneficiaries in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
Get PDFThe increasing poverty rate prompted by the housing poverty deficit and the high cost of building materials whereby a large chunk of the Nigerian population struggles to afford decent housing and the need to determine the extent to which the Trader and MarketMoni loan scheme hosted by the immediate regime of President Muhammadu Buhari compelled this study. The objective of the study was to examine how the Trader and Moni loan scheme worked to reduce housing poverty among Osa-Market recipients of Oredo Local Government Area in Benin City. The study deployed social welfare theory. The population of the study cut across the Trader and MarketMoni recipients in the above-mentioned market. To gain a better insight into the subject matter of discourse. The paper reviewed related literature and applied both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. Taro Yamani's scientific approach was used to obtain an optimal sample size of 220 and 110 for Trader and Marketmoni respectively. The hypotheses were tested with the Pearson Correlation statistical method. Findings established a positive correlation between the micro-credit loan scheme and the housing poverty reduction of recipients over non-recipients in the Osa market. The study concluded that the micro-credit loan scheme has contributed largely to reducing the housing poverty of recipients in Osa Market in Oredo Local Government Area, in Benin City. Consequently, the study recommended that the Trader and Moni loan scheme be overhauled for better functioning, and increased the loan amount to match the reality in the economy of today among others.
Keywords: Housing Poverty Reduction, Trader and MarketMoni Loan, Osa Market Beneficiaries, Benin City, Edo State
Medical Waste Management in Public and Private Health Care Facilities in Nigeria
Get PDFHealth care facilities are established to provide treatment and safeguard the health of the people against conditions that pose risk or threat to health care providers, patients, waste handlers and the entire community. Health care activities are carried out to protect, restore health and save lives but paradoxically, they are known to generate wastes that poses obvious health risks either by direct infection or through exposure to dangerous chemicals and radiation materials. The purpose of the study was to determine the medical waste management practice in health care facilities in Edo State. Eight research questions were raised to guide the study while six hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The population for the study comprised the 1,383 health care facilities in Edo State. A sample size of 276 respondents was selected using the multi-stage sampling technique. The instrument used was a validated Dichotomous scale format questionnaire with 29 items. The instrument’s reliability was established using the test-retest method of estimating reliability and a co-efficient value of 0.68 was obtained. Data generated from the study were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency count, percentage and inferential statistics of binomial test and chi-square. The findings revealed that some health care facilities still do not fully comply with the dictates of approved practices specifically in the areas of segregation, incineration method, use of water proof floor with good drainage, treatment modalities and that there was no absolute difference in the urban and rural settings in terms of medical waste management. It was concluded that the immense benefits of proper waste management should be fully utilized in compliance with the approved practices to avert the possibility of accidents and disease outbreak that could result in loss of life and property. It was recommended that health care facilities should improve practices at all the stages of waste management. Therefore, all health care facilities owe a duty to protect the public and the environment and should have peculiar responsibilities as regard the waste they produce in a sanitary manner to reduce infection and illness
Impact of Leader-Member Exchange and Job Satisfaction on Employees’ Organisational Commitment in Public Organization in Nigeria
No full textThis study investigates the effects of leader-member exchange, job satisfaction and motivation on organizational commitment in public service with major focus on National Examinations Council Offices in Nigerian North-Central States of Niger, Benue and Nasarawa. This study strengthened the understanding of three important variables that affect organizational commitment—Leader-Member Exchange, job satisfaction, and motivation among personnel at the National Examinations Council. A total of 4011 and a sample of 400 randomly selected responses were collected and analyzed to assess the impact of these factors on organizational commitment. The validity of the research instrument was confirmed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation, while internal consistency was demonstrated with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.592 to 0.743, indicating reliability. The mean score for LMX was 2.87, suggesting a generally low level of leader-member exchange among NECO personnel. However, specific indicators, such as “confidence in leader” and “characterization of working relationship,” scored above 4, indicating some positive interactions between leaders and followers. Job satisfaction yielded a mean score of 3.43, suggesting moderate satisfaction, with high satisfaction levels for items related to role importance, but low scores for recognition and health support. Motivation results showed that intrinsic motivation, particularly “consistent promotion” (mean = 4.94), was highly valued, and extrinsic motivation was strongly influenced by “good pay” and “loyalty to employees.” However, statistical analysis using the F-test yielded significance values of 0.000 for each variable (LMX, job satisfaction, and motivation), all below the alpha level of 0.05, indicating that each variable has a significant positive effect on organizational commitment. These findings highlight the importance of positive leader-member relationships, meaningful job roles, and both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in fostering strong organizational commitment.
Keywords: Leader-Member Exchange, Job Satisfaction, Organizational Commitment, Federal Agency
Socioeconomic Background Influence on Youth Participation in Internet Crime: The Benin Evidence
No full textCharity begins at home, a parlance which suggest that social experience is never developed in isolation. However contestable, an individual disposition remains a function of his/her background. This paper therefore investigates the relationship between parental socioeconomic background and youth participation in internet crime in Benin City, Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional survey of 1,093 young adults, and in-depth interview with key personalities, the study explores how parental income, education, and family structure influences youth behaviour, propensity and predisposition to internet crime. Anchored on Relative Deprivation Theory, the study finds that although youths engage in internet crime, socio-economic conditions and family dysfunction are an indirectly influence that shapes such behavioural tendencies while pointing that deprivation and societal glorification of wealth act as motivating factors. The study concludes that addressing youth unemployment, improving parenting quality, and reshaping societal values are crucial in mitigating internet crime in Benin City.
Keywords: Youth, Background, Socio-economic, Internet Crime
The Architecture of Insecurity: A Sociological Analysis of Kidnapping and Banditry in Etsako West LGA, Edo State, Nigeria
No full textEtsako West Local Government Area (LGA) in Edo North Senatorial District has, in recent years, experienced rising incidence of kidnapping and banditry, particularly along major transit corridors. This study investigates the prevalence and impacts of the insecurity between February 2022 and August 2025, using purposive sampling. The study used secondary and primary source of data collection. Data were gathered through key informant interviews with community leaders and traditional rulers as well as unstructured in-depth interviews with farmers, traders, students, civil servants, religious leaders, vigilante groups, local hunters, youth groups, and transport workers union in Auchi, South Ibie, Agbede, Jattu, and Aviele. Findings reveal recurrent abductions, ransom payments, and community protests. Major hotspots identified include Auchi–Afuze–Agbede road, Auchi–Benin highway, Auchi–Okpella road, and Auchi–Okene–Abuja highway. The insecurity has disrupted farming, education, trade, and social life of the people. The state response through the police, DSS, and military interventions remain inadequate thereby giving rise to community policing involving vigilantes, local hunters, youth groups, and transport workers union. Yet, the insecurity persisted due to the rugged and forest terrains along the major transit routes to the neighbouring Benin, Ondo, Ekiti and Okene-Kogi State forests corridor, where the kidnappers and bandits have their forest camp/hideouts. The study recommends permanent checkpoints, sustained patrols, publicized hotlines, and combined land and aerial surveillance to effectively curb kidnapping and banditry in Etsako West LGA.
Keywords: Architecture of Insecurity, Sociological Analysis, Kidnapping and Banditry, Etsako West LGA, Edo State Nigeria