Relevance of Microfinance Banks in Financing of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs in Nigeria

This study investigated the relevance of microfinance banks in the financing of small and medium entrepreneurs in Sabon Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Survey research design was used in conducting the study. The study had two null hypotheses. Questionnaire was used to obtain data from twenty four small and medium entrepreneurs. Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistic was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that microfinance banks had no significant relevance in the financing of both small and medium entrepreneurs in Sabon Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. The study concluded that microfinance banks had not impacted on the finances of small and medium entrepreneurs in Sabon Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Based on the findings, two recommendations were made; microfinance banks should be more involved in the financing of small entrepreneurs in Sabon Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State; microfinance banks should be more involved in the financing of medium entrepreneurs in Sabon Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Keywords: Microfinance Banks, Entrepreneurs, Financin

Exploring Non-formal Political Education Programme for Addressing Political Apathy and Irrational Voting Behaviour in Nigeria’s 4th Republic.

Democracy is under serious threats in a political system with significant level of political apathy and irrational voting behaviour. The formal political education focused curriculum in the school system is addressing this challenge. However, the illiterate population outside the school system constitutes the greater majority among Nigerian voters. This paper explores and proposes non-formal political education agencies and platforms as well as contents for addressing rising trend of political apathy and irrational voting behaviour among Nigerian voters. Five major interrelated themes are proposed for packaging political education messages in domesticated formats using the non-formal political education platforms revolving around the kingship of voters and subservience of elected politicians as well as appointees to the expressed wishes of voters in their political manifestoes

Mediation: A Viable Mechanism for Sustainable Development and Promoting Amicable Settlement of Litigated Disputes in Nigeria

The various problems associated with litigation like delay, enmity and acrimony prompted the desire for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms. Mediation is a certified mechanism that encourages peaceful resolution of dispute between parties and still preserves future harmonious relationship. Litigation defeats this purpose, thus mediation has the advantages of being a faster, cheaper and consensual process but the challenges lie in the lack of uniformity in practice, lack of adequate training and generally, lack of proper administration. The paper adopts the qualitative and quantitative methodology to address the challenges. It is shown that mediation deserves to be fully embedded in the system for sustainable development. It is found that the use of mediation in resolving dispute in Nigeria is faster, cheaper, consensual and removes acrimony between parties, taking a cue from the result of the pilot programmes in some states of the Federation. Key Words: ADR, Mediation, Traditional Mediation, Court-Annexed Mediation and Nigeria

Feminists’ Body Sensitivity: An Overview of the Western and Nigerian Perspectives

Feminism is the bedrock of the campaign for the guarantee of women’s right to choose abortion. Consequently, the radical feminists continuously canvassed for equality between men and women and felt that in order for women to be able to stand on equal footing with their male counter parts, women should be given the right to choose whatever they want to do with her body. Women, the so-called radical feminists, want to possess the right to determine whether or not to carry a pregnancy to term. A right which they claim ought to be free from any intervention. Radical feminists, since the 1960s have fought vigorously to ensure that, the right to choose whether or not to have an abortion, is left to the women, and they are sensitizing women all around the globe to be aware of the existence of such right. This research therefore set out to know whether this idea of western notion of body sensitivity fit into the Nigerian notion of body sensitivity. Consequently, a case study was carried out in Nigeria, wherein interview and focus group discussion was carried out in order to know the exact meaning of body sensitivity as it applies to women in Nigeria. The result shows that, body sensitivity to Nigerian women does not extend to abortion. Keywords: Feminism, body sensitivity, abortion, autonomous, cultur

Historical Analysis of Nomadic Education Programme in Kwara State, Nigeria: 1988-2011

In a bid to enhance the access of nomads to education and to translate into action the philosophy of equality of educational opportunities, the Federal Government of Nigeria introduced a special education programme called Nomadic Education in 1986. Following this, all the states of the federation with large concentration of nomadic Fulani were directed by the Federal Government to launch the programme in their respective states. Kwara state government hence, launched the programme in the state 1988. This study, therefore, traced the trends in the historical development of nomadic education in North Central Nigeria: 1988-2011. This study adopted the historical research method, relying on both primary and secondary sources. The population of the study comprised all relevant stakeholders in nomadic education programme: the officials, head teachers and nomads. A total number of 420 respondents were sampled in the study using the multi-stage sampling techniques. Challenges of Nomadic Education Questionnaire (CNEQ) was used to gather data for the study. It was revealed that students’ enrolment figures were fluctuating within the period covered by this study. It was also found out that there was an upward trend in the number of Nomadic Schools in Kwara state, Nigeria from 1988-2011. Based on the findings, it was recommended that government should also embark on constant awareness campaign to encourage and sustain enrolment in nomadic school. Keywords: Nomadic, Nomadic Education, Historical Analysis

Impact of Intrapreneurship on the Corporate Goal Achievement of Selected Food and Beverage Firms in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Globalization has changed the world’s economic order, bringing with it new challenges and opportunities. Food and beverage firms cannot compete in this new environment unless it becomes more innovative and responds more effectively to consumers’ needs and preferences. This study examines the impact of intrapreneurship on the corporate goal achievement of food and beverage firms in Lagos state, Nigeria. The specific objectives of this study are to investigate the impact of management support for intrapreneurial dimension  on corporate goals achievement of the selected food and beverages firms in Lagos state; and to assess the organizational factors for intrapreneurship that affect innovative performance of the selected food and beverages firms in Lagos state. The study develops and tests a theoretical research model where the management support for intrapreneurial dimensions and organizational factors for intrapreneurship are the independent variables; corporate goal achievement and innovative performance are the dependent variable via a questionnaire study covering 361 respondents from five (4) food and beverage firms in Lagos State in Nigeria, using purposive sampling techniques. The study therefore revealed that management support for intrapreneurship contribute significantly to corporate goal achievement, and this contribution is captured under the paradigm of three dimensions: innovativeness (beta =.253, t=2.246, p<0.05), risk-taking (beta =.794, t=6.296, p<0.05), and pro-activeness (beta =.211, t=1.932, p>0.05). The study also shows that internal supportive environment especially management support for innovation (beta =.358, t=5.352, p>0.05), tolerance for risk taking (beta =.149, t=2.246, p>0.05), performance-based reward system (beta =.382, t=15.752, p>0.05), allocation of free time (beta =.284, t=4.226, p>0.05) and work discretion to their intrapreneurs (beta =.329, t=4.835, p>0.05), have positive impact on innovative performance. The study  therefore recommended that management should be cognizant of the fact that they should concentrate more on empowerment, flexibility in drafting organizational policies, provide necessary support and act positively to the innovative activities by encouraging risk taking initiatives among the employees and also management should design appropriate reward system such as financial reward, recognition and appraisal on significant achievements and organization should ensure the availability of resources such as time, materials and funds in supporting new ideas

Power Infrastructure and Electricity in Nigeria: Policy Considerations for Economic Welfare

Regular, adequate and affordable power supply, which are key indicators of improvements in economic welfare and by extension economic growth, are missing from Nigeria’s clime hence the country faces a lot of developmental challenges including the risk of losing potential investors. This paper examined power infrastructure and electricity in Nigeria using descriptive demonstrations. Tables, charts and figures were used to provide evidences which support the huge gulf between electricity produced by the various power infrastructures and electricity demand in Nigeria. Electric power production, transmission and distribution capacities of 3,600MW, 5,838MW and 8,425MVA respectively are grossly inadequate to meet power demand of 10,000MW in Nigeria. This leaves estimated power generation, transmission and distribution deficits of 6,400MW, 3,502MVA and 6,740MW respectively. This study emphasizes that the  infrastructure deficits requires about 8.1 trillion naira to finance and therefore recommends that the Nigerian government, the generating companies and the distribution companies should all make concerted efforts towards growing and developing the power infrastructure in the country. The government should also create a secure and enabling environment, free from corruption and undue interference, for the power sector to thrive and contribute positively towards improving the welfare of electricity consumers in the country. Key words: economic welfare, electricity demand, electricity supply, Nigeria, power infrastructur

Employment Creation and Poverty Reduction in Nigeria: A Case of Farmers’ Cooperative Societies in Kano State, Nigeria.

This study examines the role of employment creation on poverty reduction among members of farmers’ cooperative societies in Kano State Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted. Primary data collection method was used in which self-administered questionnaire were distributed to a total sample of 217 respondents selected from the target population of 498 members of farmers’ multi-purpose cooperative societies. Pearson correlation and binary logistic regression model were used to determine the influence of employment creation on poverty reduction among the respondents. The mean per capita expenditure was used as a dependent variable, while employment creation as the independent variable. The findings indicated that female were more affected by poverty than their male counterparts. Gender was not a significant factor that determined poverty level in this research. Young and middle age were the majority of the respondents and these age groups were more affected by poverty. Age was found as a significant factor that determined poverty level in this research. Majority of the respondents had household size of 7 to above 12, and the respondents with large family size were more affected by poverty than those with small ones. The household size was found as a significant factor that determined poverty level in this research. Majority of the respondents had low educational qualifications, and the respondents with low educational qualifications were more affected by poverty than those with higher educational qualifications. The educational qualification was found as a significant factor that determined poverty level in this research. The results further showed that employment was found as statistically significant factors that contributed towards poverty reduction among members of farmers’ cooperative societies in this study, and the study recommended that age, family size, educational qualifications, and given adequate soft loans should be considered when designing employment creation programmes for poverty reduction.   Key Words: Employment Creation, poverty, Farmers’ cooperative societies

Welcome Notes from the Editor-In-Chief

My Dear Colleagues and Friends:  I am very delighted to bring you this edition of KIU Journal of Social Sciences. Many African countries are facing tremendous economic pressures as globalization continues to be an important factor to contend with in the modern world. The integration of the economic, environmental and socio-cultural systems of the countries of the world is a reality that must be taken seriously.  African countries are scrambling to partner with each other and with other countries around the world in order to achieve significant economic development.  In this issue, the authors of the articles focus on a number of concerns germane to economic development. Some of these include health psychology, social psychology, entrepreneurship studies, governance, development, creative writing, legal studies and educational administration. Human behaviour plays a significant role in most of the leading causes of death. Psychological science has the potential to enhance health outcomes through a better understanding of health promoting and health damaging behaviours. This is why some of the papers dwell on health and social psychology.  It must also be mentioned that in the search for an economic development agenda/program that empowers people, entrepreneurial education is very important in order to achieve a sustainable development. Against this backdrop, some of the papers in this issue amplify that central tenet. Economic transformation is enhanced by investment in technology and industrialization. Many African countries are investing in infrastructures that connect the rural and urban areas and they are diversifying their economic bases. The countries that depend on one resource such as raw material or commodity for their foreign exchange are experiencing a great deal of set-back in their development attempts. Oil rich nations around the world are experiencing economic problems and African countries can learn something from the case of Venezuela in South America. Countries such as Nigeria, Gabon and the Congo should embank on macro-economic reforms for financial sustainability. Solid planning which embraces the findings of comparative and entrepreneurial analysis must become part and parcel of sustainable development across Africa. Sustainable development is impossible without investment in capacity building of citizens. Having a workforce grounded in the understanding of critical thinking and with skills and competencies necessary in the management of companies and businesses is very significant in sustainable development. A few papers in this issue highlight ideas which focus on Africa's "Achilles Heel" and that is the question of leadership. African Countries are inundated with a lot of corrupt leaders and if sustainable development is to be achieved, committed leadership is an imperative. On behalf of the editorial board of the journal, I would like to thank our readership and most all the authors who have worked so hard with us to get the articles to the academic and scholarly communities across the globe. We look forward to your continued support. Sincerely, Oyetola O. Oniwide, Ph.D. Professor of Public Administration, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Kampala International University, P.O. Box 20000, Kampala, Uganda. [email protected] March, 2017