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Governors’ powers of revocation in the Land Use Act 1978: obstacle to sustainable land administration in Nigerian context
No full textAim of this study is to determine if Governors’ powers of revocation under the Land Use Act 1978 (LUA) hinder sustainable land administration in Nigeria. LUA provides the legal framework for land administration systems in Nigeria. Section 1 of LUA vested absolute land ownership in Governors to hold in trust and administer for use and common benefit of all Nigerians. However, LUA is often depicted as the most contentious and fractious enactment in Nigeria’s legal history as it nationalised land ownership in Nigeria, expropriated allodial interests from people, and gave to Governors. It made fixed-term or finite occupancy rights as maximum interest available to people over land. Being imbued in militarism, it gave Governors wide and almost unrestrainable revocation powers.Section 28 of LUA gave Governors revocation powers for both public and punitive purposes.Done properly, revocations or compulsory purchase can be beneficial to communities. Even then, they are disruptive to those dispossessed, and can infringe on fundamental human rights. FAO (2008), thus, advises nation states to protect the dispossessed by complying with best practices in revocation procedures, which must include just compensation payments. Viitanen (2010) explains that use of revocation powers is part of land administration function. Sustainable land administration aims at optimising human land needs with environmental protection.Sustainability, therefore, entails balancing People, Planet and Profit (Slaper and Hall, 2011).LUA has authoritarian imprints of its military architects as it preserved Governors’ revocation powers in all circumstances. It ousted Courts’ jurisdiction in matters questioning legitimacy of revocations. It was made part of Nigerian Constitution, which makes its amendment difficult due to onerous modification requirements. Literature revealed that LUA bears extraordinary resemblance to Islamic Land Law (Harper, 2016; Facchini, 2007; and Siddiqi, 1978). There are justifiable suggestions that LUA’s promulgation was ostensibly part of wider domination and Islamisation agenda of Northern Hegemons, who control Nigeria’s military formation and its bureaucratic governance (Nwatu, 2013 and Nwaorgu, 2016). With these perceived imperfections, it may not deliver fair revocation processes needed for sustainable land administration. To achieve its aim, study set out three objectives namely: to determine and rank cultural themes that underpinned LUA, to establish if revocation powers under LUA comply with best practices, and to determine if Governors’ uses of revocation powers have acceptable sustainability credentials. Cultural themes here refer to factors that might have influenced promulgation of LUA by the Military, like reducing land cost, making land easily accessible to Government for development, curtailing inflation, making land available to all citizens, unification of land laws, religious considerations, domination agenda, and resources control.Operating from pragmatic philosophical worldview, study engaged its logical affiliate Mixed Methods Research (MMR). MMR is mixing of quantitative and qualitative paradigms in a study.It takes the strengths and offsets the disadvantages of each paradigm. Study used its Follow-up Explanatory Sequential Variant. This prioritises quantitative over qualitative data in timing, data collection, and weighting ascribed to findings. Here, initial quantitative phase provides broad understanding of research problems and aides the design of its qualitative stage, while ensuing qualitative leg validates achieved quantitative results. Study added Hegemonic Conflict Theoretical Framework to provide enriched and advanced explanations of findings.Quantitative dataset was collected from 526 closed-ended questionnaires administered on stratified quota-cum-purposive sampling bases and dispensed by face-to-face and delivery and collection methods. Responses were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analyses with aid of Microsoft Excel® and SPSS® , respectively. Qualitative dataset was collected by means of 36 semi-structured interviews purposively and electronically sourced with WhatsApp® Video Call Application. Verbatim recording of interviews was done with aid of Call Recorder® for WhatsApp® and automatic transcription with Google Docs® for Android. Sorting, coding, and content analysis of transcriptions done with NVivo® software.Study engaged syllogistic abductive reasoning to extract best-fit conclusions from findings.Determinately, study found that propriety of LUA’s enactment is questionable, its promulgation parochial, and its enterprise underlyingly tendentious; and established domination agenda of Northern Hegemony as main driving force behind LUA’s enactment. Study determined that revocation powers under LUA are incompatible with recommended best practices and Governors’ use of these powers have low sustainability credentials. Thus, study justifiably concluded that Governors’ revocation powers hinder sustainable land administration.Standing on Dewey’s Reflective Cycle Model that rejects absolutism and advances constructive revisionism, study recommends that for LUA to be capability of promoting sustainable land administration; it should be reviewed, made reflective as well as flexible. Study, therefore, prescribes use of its Triple-F Theory of Formation, Framework and Function in LUA’s overhaul.Triple-F proffers that if LUA is formatted, it should generate best practice framework that would engenders optimal functionality in the application of revocation powers. This would in turn promote and boost sustainable land administration
Exploring the experience of mental health in childhood and adolescence
No full textThe research aim for this dissertation is to explore the impact that mental health can have on individuals in terms of emotional and social wellbeing. In order to achieve this a library based secondary study was conducted exploring sixteen research articles. Each of the sixteen articles was reviewed in order to discover: the main aim, methodology, methods and the main findings. The main findings of this study are brought together into five key themes: funding, the experience of parents, vulnerable groups, transitioning from child and adolescent services to adult services and the links to social media and screen time. Each theme represents a common issue in the research of mental health in childhood and adolescence
The impact of caregiving on the caregivers of people with dementia
No full textIn the UK, approximately 850,000 people are living with dementia, and 2/3 is been care for my informal caregivers. Caring for people with dementia can be burdensome and the caregivers experience physical, psychological, and financial burdens including social isolation, which negatively influences their quality of life.The dissertation aims to investigate the impact of dementia caring on the quality of life of people with dementia caregivers. The aim was broken down into three (3) objectives:(i) To identify the various challenges which affect the caregiver's quality of life.(ii) To explore factors that can alleviate caregivers' burden and improve quality of life.(iii) To investigate how collaboration and access to services can influence caregiver's resilience.A systematic computerised literature search was done that resulted in 15 peer-review papers (14 qualitative and 1 quantitative methodology) published between 2012- 2019 concerning caregivers of people with dementia. A thematic analysis was used to identify 5 themes (i) resilience, (ii) Services, (iii) quality of life, (iv) access, and (v) collaboration.The study reveals that factors such as inadequate information and how to access care services, lack of key personnel to facilitate services support and insufficient social support cause the caregivers to experience negative wellbeing. Combine with physical and psychological challenges and lack of social networks create a negative quality of life for dementia caregivers
Still worlds apart: flourishing in people with mental health problems
No full textPurpose The purpose of this paper is to compare a group of service users with mental health problems with a community comparison group of gym attenders. Design/methodology/approach Cross-sectional questionnaire surveys were conducted at a large gym (n = 181) and two community mental health facilities (n = 127) in the Greater Manchester area using a convenience sample approach. All participants completed the PERMA Scale, a measure of flourishing. Findings Gym attenders scored significantly higher on the five elements of PERMA. Their physical health ratings were almost double. They also had significantly lower levels of negative emotions and loneliness and higher levels of overall happiness. Research limitations/implications This study only considered levels of flourishing. Previous studies of quality of life have shown similar disparities between people with mental health problems and others. Practical implications Professor Seligman has claimed that improving levels of flourishing is the main aim of positive psychology. The present study suggests this may be especially challenging for people with mental health problems. Social implications The concept of flourishing could provide a more positive non-medical focus for mental health services, in the development of what some have called positive psychiatry. This complements the current recovery model. Originality/value To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is one of the first studies to compare flourishing levels between individuals with mental health problems and a community comparison group using the PERMA Scale
Peukert effects on domestic energy storage in virtual power plants
No full textIn residential homes, domestic energy storage in batteries have been proposed by many to support the grid. To foster its integration into the grid, virtual power plant (VPP) technology is used. In this paper, we evaluate Peukert condition of domestic battery storage within a given distribution level market. An evolutionary algorithm is applied to optimize the social welfare of stakeholders in a community VPP at different levels of Peukert conditions. The dynamic load performance of the VPP with respect to the grid requirements for demand-side management (DSM) is also presented to evaluate the impact of the Peukert effect on DSM. The results show that the social welfare of the VPP stakeholders decreases as Peukert effects increase
The experiences of research fellows seeking independence in multiple communities of practice
No full textPurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the lived experiences of current or recent research fellows holding a prestigious research fellowship, and are based in a research-intensive university in the UK. The authors of this study explored the challenges and opportunities that come with the transition of these individuals from a postdoctoral position to a fellowship.Design/methodology/approach Using a qualitative research method and through semi-structured interviews with a purposively selected sample, this research attempts to interpret the lived experiences of four research fellows by making sense of their narratives and reflections on their roles through their career development and the pursuit of research independence in their field.Findings Three themes were identified following the analysis of the data collected, namely, the freedom to explore, managing relationships and serendipity. The emphasis on achieving research independence, with the first signs of independence appearing from their postdoctoral years, was stated as an important factor in the career development of the research fellow. Gaining legitimacy and membership to multiple communities of practice simultaneously appeared to be a productive yet challenging developmental experience.Originality/value While attention in recently published output has been given to the professional development of research students and postdoctoral staff, exploring the views of research fellows remains an under-researched area in the field of researcher development. This qualitative study aims to start a discussion by exploring the lived experiences of this select group as they explain their identity-trajectory in research and pursue their aspirations towards achieving an academic post
‘Relaxing way to spend a day’ or ‘Best way to keep fit and healthy’. Comparison of leisure experiences in rambling and Nordic walking and their contributions to well-being
No full textThe increasing academic interest in walking for heath has paid limited attention to Nordic walking. This paper investigates the growing popularity of Nordic walking as a leisure activity in the United Kingdom and its contribution to well-being. It investigates the similarities and differences in leisure experiences between Nordic walking and rambling. Twelve Nordic walkers and thirteen Ramblers partook in semi-structured interviews at various locations in the United Kingdom. The interviews were analysed thematically. Using Seligman’s PERMA model and Stebbins’ concept of serious leisure, it was found that leisure experiences in rambling related to well-being by creating a strong emotional bond between the members and the natural environments, developing and maintaining friendships, and facilitating mobility and vitality. In contrast the leisure experience of Nordic walking involved developing physical activity skills and fitness, encouraging leadership, and promoting positive emotions through the participation in the activity. The contribution of this research lies in addressing this significant gap in knowledge by diversifying the concept of leisure walking and identifying the potential social and environmental influences in the leisure walking activities that contribute to well-being
Moving forward with learning analytics: expert views
No full textLearning analytics involve the measurement, collection, analysis, and reporting of data about learners and their contexts, in order to understand and optimise learning and the environments in which it occurs. Since emerging as a distinct field in 2011, learning analytics has grown rapidly, and early adopters around the world are already developing and deploying these new tools. This paper reports on a study that investigated how the field is likely to develop by 2025, in order to make recommendations for action to those concerned with the implementation of learning analytics. The study used a Policy Delphi approach, presenting a range of future scenarios to international experts in the field and asking for responses related to the desirability and feasibility of these scenarios, as well as actions that would be required. Responses were received from 103 people from 21 countries. Responses were coded thematically, inter-rater reliability was checked using Cohen’s kappa coefficient, and data were recoded if kappa was below 0.6. The seven major themes that were identified within the data were power, pedagogy, validity, regulation, complexity, ethics, and affect. The paper considers in detail each of these themes and its implications for the implementation of learning analytics
Life skills development and enjoyment in youth soccer: The importance of parental behaviours
No full textThis study investigated the relationships between parental behaviours and players’ life skills development and enjoyment within youth soccer. In total, 317 players (Mage = 12.83, SD = 1.70, age range = 10–16 years) completed a survey assessing parental behaviours (praise and understanding, directive behaviour, and pressure), perceived life skills development (teamwork, goal setting, time management, emotional skills, interpersonal communication, social skills, leadership, and problem solving and decision making), and enjoyment of soccer. Multiple regression analyses found that praise and understanding was the key contributor to the outcome variables, making the largest unique contribution to teamwork, goal setting, leadership, and total life skills. Directive behaviour made the largest unique contribution to emotional skills, and problem solving and decision making; whereas pressure made the largest unique contribution to participants’ time management and social skills. In practice, the results suggest that parents should display praise and understanding behaviours, which were the main contributor to players’ development of life skills within soccer
Stigma towards non-suicidal self-harm: evaluating a brief educational intervention.
No full textHealth professionals' attitudes towards self-harming behaviour are predominantly negative. Research examining educational interventions to change negative attitudes is limited. This study aimed to provide an educational intervention for student nurses to change negative attitudes around self-harm. attitudes around self-harm and mental health in general were assessed through the Self-Harm Antipathy Scale and the Mental Health Attitude Scale. Fifty-five adult nursing students took part in the 45-minute intervention. This included facts and figures, celebrity stories and personal stories regarding self-harm, all intended to increase understanding. After the intervention, attitudes measured by the Self-Harm Antipathy Scale had improved significantly. patients who self-harm will without doubt continue to experience negative attitudes from health professionals. This study shows an educational intervention can change attitudes towards those who self-harm