Assessment of Knowledge Acquisition through Blended Learning among Pre-service Social Studies Teachers

The new normal has increased the call for innovative pedagogies to drive learning outcomes. A structured questionnaire (a = .731) was administered to 339 Social Studies students in Nigeria, four questions were answered using descriptive statistics and findings emphasised the use of digital learning resources, teamwork and flexible study in blended learning. The study revealed that student empowerment on the use of digital learning resources such as Zoom, Google Drive and Meet increase learning habits and promote a proactive engagement. It is however recommended that quantitative studies should be conducted to leverage emerging technologies in cross border interactions amongst Social Studies professionals in pursuing 21st century skills, future studies should include skill assessment

Empirical Study on the Impact of Performance Appraisal on Employee Performance in Kebbi State Ministry of Health

In virtually every organization, the workforce stands as the most critical asset, far outweighing the importance of physical resources. Gauging employee effectiveness is a cornerstone of human resource management. This practice, termed performance appraisal, entails the periodic review of staff behaviors, accomplishments, and contributions to the organization. Its core purpose is to highlight areas for growth and guide choices about promotions and professional development, ultimately enhancing overall productivity. Undoubtedly, an organization’s achievements rest on its employees’ output, underscoring the need for consistent and well-executed appraisals to elevate performance, curb dissatisfaction, and prevent dips in work quality. Against this backdrop, this research examined how performance appraisals affect employee output at the Kebbi State Ministry of Health, zeroing in on three dimensions: task execution, adaptability, and contextual efforts. Using a sample of 333 participants, it adopted a quantitative survey approach, analyzing data with multiple regression. Findings revealed that performance appraisal had a statistically significant positive effect on task performance (β = 0.258, p = 0.000, R² = 0.152), while the effects on adaptive (β = -0.001, p = 0.993) and contextual performance (β = -0.103, p = 0.117) were non- significant. The study is underpinned by equity and expectancy theories, highlighting fairness and motivation in appraisal systems. The findings suggest that while appraisals can enhance task performance, additional strategies such as fostering motivation or workplace spirituality, are needed to improve adaptability and contextual behaviors, given their weak association with appraisals

Nature of Traffic Robbery Victimisation Experience in Lagos

Traffic robbery is a prevalent disturbing social phenomenon in Lagos State, impacting commuters and transport workers, necessitating an examination of victimization experiences and offender- victim dynamics. The research investigated the nature of traffic robbery victimization experiences, strategies employed by offenders, and the extent of the crime as reported in newspapers. Utilizing content analysis, the study examined 167 traffic robbery cases from 2015 to 2023 as reported in five newspapers using the routine activity theory to understand the dynamics between offenders and victims. The research also discussed the victimization experience and convergence of the offenders and victims, it documented the extent of the crime as captured by various newspapers (Vanguard, Punch. Tribune, Sun and Guardian), and also interrogated the strategies or methods deployed by traffic robbers. The study further addressed the nature and extent of traffic robbery victimization experiences, shedding light on the dynamics of the crime over an eight-year period. Consequently, the common method used by offenders is dispossessing victims of their valuables, leading to fear-driven victim experiences, with spikes in incidents observed in June and December, particularly in Vanguard and Punch publications. Findings reveal that incidents like traffic robbery are fear-driven. Commonly used methods by the offenders include the dispossession of victims' phones and other valuables, and the use of guns. Mitigating crime like traffic robbery in Lagos requires government intervention in providing adequate security personnel to deter and apprehend criminals, improving road infrastructure, enhancing street lighting, and creating job opportunities for vulnerable youth to keep them engaged with activities that would shift their attention from crime and make them productive

Taxation and Corporate Performance: Analyzing the Effective Tax Rate, Marginal Tax Rate and Earnings Per Share (EPS) of Listed Industrial Goods Companies in Nigeria

This study evaluates the impact of the effective tax rate (ETR) on the earnings per share (EPS) of listed industrial goods companies in Nigeria from 2019 to 2023. Using a population of thirteen listed industrial companies, the study draws data from firm accounts and annual reports. Panel data analysis, including descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and panel multiple regression were employed to examine the relationship between the independent variables—effective and marginal tax rates—and the dependent variable, net income after taxes and interest, adjusted for the total number of outstanding common shares. The findings reveal that the effective tax rate significantly reduces earnings per share among Nigerian listed industrial companies. The study recommends that these companies adopt legitimate tax planning strategies, such as utilizing tax incentives, optimizing transaction structures, and effectively managing tax risks, to enhance their earnings per share and overall financial performance. These findings have significant implications for corporate management and regulatory bodies in designing tax policies that support industrial growth and shareholder value

Evaluating Balanced Scorecard Adoption in Nigerian Telecommunications: Insights and Implications

The study evaluates the application of balanced scorecard (BSC) in performance measurement in the Nigerian telecommunication companies. The study adopted a quantitative research method. The target population of the study comprised all the Nigerian telecommunication companies in operation for at least 10 years. A census strategy was adopted for the selection. The study used both primary and secondary data collected through questionnaire administration and financial reports and accounts of the companies for six years (2018-2023). To describe the primary data, simple percentages were used, and to test the hypotheses formulated, a one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was conducted utilising Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS). Regression analysis using STATA was used for the analysis of the secondary data. The findings revealed that the application of BSC has a positive and significant effect on Return on Assets (ROA) as a profitability measure, it has a positive and significant effect on liquidity measure, it also has a positive and significant effect on customer satisfaction measure, and it has a positive and significant effect on employee motivation measure in the Nigerian telecommunication companies; and also, BSC has been strongly applied in some companies, and semi strongly applied in others. Therefore, the telecommunication companies experienced significant growth and development by both strongly and semi-strongly applying BSC. It is therefore recommended in the light of our findings that the telecommunication companies in Nigeria should continue to strongly apply BSC on the above measures and other various measures under the BSC in performance measurement

Journalists’ Perceptions on Plea Bargain as an Anti- Corruption Tool in Nigeria

Corruption, a universal challenge and Nigeria's most debilitating problem, continues to dominate national discourse. Among the legal tools available to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), plea bargaining has emerged as a controversial method. This study investigates journalists’ perceptions on the effectiveness of plea bargaining in Nigeria's anti- corruption initiatives. A qualitative approach was utilised to assess whether or not, plea bargain has led to a decrease in criminal activities, including how the political elite manipulate it to influence the judiciary, and its overall impact on the level of corruption in Nigeria. Twenty-five journalists participated through convenience sampling and in-depth interviews. Results indicate that plea bargaining is perceived as unethical and ineffective, primarily benefiting affluent individuals while undermining public interest. Consequently, this practice allows Nigeria's elite to evade accountability from corrupt actions, thereby hampering national progress and retarding anti- corruption efforts. The study advocates for a robust campaign by citizens, labour unions, and civil society against plea bargaining in financial crime prosecutions. Furthermore, it suggests that public officials should receive recognition for integrity while facing repercussions for dishonesty, and the adoption of technology within Nigeria's criminal justice system to enhance efficacy

A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda: on Unethical Practices in Organizations

Unethical practices continue as a negative issue across various sectors, undermining public interest, organizational integrity, and green sustainability. Its impact is felt as a toxic workplace behaviour. Moreover, due to the rise in corporate fraud and scandals has made scholarly literature on the concept remain vague, thereby setting the pace for further inquiry and critical appraisal. Consequently, the current study examined the concept of unethical practices, antecedents, consequences, theories, methodology, contingent variables, and prevention methods to stall their spread. The study used a systematic literature review with the aid of a PRISMA flowchart to arrive at a logical paradigm through a structured approach for academic development. The study identified 20 articles from high-quality journals indexed in Google Scholar, Scopus, EBSCO, Springer, Emerald, and Web of Science. The study journals were analyzed using content analysis, ADO, and TCM. The study findings showed that a toxic workplace environment predicts unethical practices, which prior research failed to expose. The study also found that antecedence relates to the consequences of unethical practices. The study's originality is based on using a distinctive approach in unravelling unethical practices. The study's implication addresses unethical practices, fraud, and scandal, and fosters as a positive prevention measure to caution organizations on how such practices affect lives, careers and families

Impact of Exchange Rate on Foreign Trade in Nigeria

The study assessed the impact of exchange rate on foreign trade in Nigeria from 1981 to 2022, spanning 42 years. Data were obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical Bulletin and the World Bank Indicator. The analysis employed the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) method, because ARDL provides more flexible lag structure than VECM and also makes the interpretation of long-run easier. An ex post facto research design was adopted. This study filled the gap of period left by other scholars. The findings revealed that in the short run, the exchange rate (EXCR) had a negative and significant impact on trade. However, in the long run, EXCR showed a positive and significant effect on trade. The gross domestic product growth rate (GDPGR) had a negative but insignificant impact on exports in the short run, while in the long run, GDPGR had a negative and insignificant impact on trade. The inflation rate (INFL) demonstrated a positive but insignificant impact on foreign trade in both the short and long run. The study recommended in order to remedy the adverse effect of exchange rate in the short run careful measures should be put in place to avert malpractices in the foreign exchange transaction several; to enhance GDP growth rate. Government should encourage local production through tax cuts, grants, subsidies and low-interest loans. Finally, inflation could be curtailed by adopting price control mechanisms to prevent the sharp rise in goods prices, and lowering interest rates to facilitate affordable loans for business expansion and increased productivity

Effect of Green Accounting on Organizational Financial Performances of Listed Companies in Nigeria

Businesses depend on the environment to function and prosper economically. The growth in industrialization has resulted in environmental pollution and increased land use that harmed the natural environment, leading to extinction of some animals and plants. The environmental impact of the organizations made various stakeholders to canvass for green accounting. This study aimed at examined the effect of green accounting on financial performances of listed companies in Nigeria Group exchange (NXG) between the period 2013-2023 using expo facto research design. Secondary data of the selected organization were downloaded from the NXG websites. The dependent variable was financial performances proxy with earnings per share, while independent variable was green accounting.  Using robust regression analysis, the study discovered that green accounting had negative and significant effect on earnings per share; implying that ₦1 increase in green accounting would reduce earnings per share by ₦36. Green accounting also had positive and significant impact on return on equity. This implied that organization expenses on protecting the environment increased which had short time negative effect on the earnings per share, but in the long run increase return on equity. The study recommended that companies should conduct environmental audits on a regular basis to evaluate their compliance with regulations, this would reduce the avoidable cost like compliance cost, restoration cost and it would improve earnings per share

Service Provider Empathy and Responsiveness for Customer Satisfaction in the Telecommunications Sector

Customer satisfaction remains one of the crucial determinants of customer patronage and eventual organizational performance. Exploring service provider empathy and responsiveness for customer satisfaction in the telecommunications sector was the main thrust of this paper. The effects of empathy and responsiveness as dimensions of service quality were examined to establish their effect (if any) on satisfaction of mobile network users in the three major senatorial districts in Edo state. Appropriate research questions in alignment with the objectives of the study were raised, coupled with corresponding hypotheses which were tested to conduct the study. The study employed cross sectional research design executed through a survey using a total of 400 respondents as sample derived from a population of 7.1 million subscribers using the Krecjie and Morgan table for sample size determination. Data was obtained through a well- structured instrument designed in a five form Likert scale. The instrument was established to be reliable by using Cronbach alpha test. The obtained alpha values were over 0.7 for all constructs of the variables studied, indicating a high degree of items consistency. We analyzed the data using regression analysis for hypotheses testing. The results show significant effect of service provider responsiveness and service provider empathy on customer satisfaction. From the findings of the study, it is recommended that the telecommunication companies should boost customer satisfaction