Of Maps, Margins and Storylines: Sociologically Imagining Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie\u27s The Thing Around Your Neck and Americanah

This undergraduate senior thesis investigates how Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie conveys the sociological imagination through the fictional characters and plots in Americanah and The Thing Around Your Neck. By conducting an ethnographic content analysis of these books, I investigate the interplay between history and biography, as presented in C. Wright Mills\u27 The Sociological Imagination. The two principal aims of the research are: 1) to explore the historical, structural implications of the current Nigerian diaspora and 2) to illuminate the biographies of contemporary Nigerian women through an intersectional feminist analysis. The theoretical framework is a hybrid of cultural sociology (Griswold) and diaspora studies (Butler). The findings are split into two parts: 1) history, which looks at the structural and diaspora elements of the homeland, hostland, and homeland and 2) biography, which analyzes the intersectionality in the changing positionalities of a diasporic Nigerian female protagonist. Overall, the purpose of this project is 1) to present narrative literature, especially African literature, as sociological knowledge; 2) to understand the contemporary Nigerian diaspora; and 3) to recognize the ability of storytelling to particularize and liberate the marginalized

Hospital Staff Members’ Lived Experiences of Facilitating Yalom Focus Groups with Inpatient Adults in Psychiatric Units

An increase in inpatient psychiatric admissions across the United States with a decrease in funding necessitated a need to investigate clinical and cost-effective interventions to meet the demands. Research indicated that therapeutic group interventions are clinically sound and cost-effective. However, there are few evidence-based group interventions designed for acute and chronically ill psychiatric patients. The objective of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Yalom group facilitators to determine whether the group could be further researched and adopted as a specialized group intervention for this population. Existential theory served as the theoretical framework for this study. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews with nine Yalom group facilitators in an inpatient psychiatric unit to determine their understanding of the clinical impact of the group sessions on group participants after attending two or more sessions. Themes that emerged from coding and thematic analysis included engagement increased therapeutic benefit, patients benefited from sharing common experiences, participating increased social skills, and group structure was important. Findings could inspire positive social change through quantitative analysis that could lead to the restructuring of the Yalom focus group to meet the current need for group intervention for acute and chronically ill psychiatric patients. Findings may also provide insight into selecting appropriate group treatment in inpatient psychiatric units

Effects of global warming on respiratory diseases

Background: Global warming is a consequence of air pollution resulting in climate change due to trapping of excess greenhouse gases in the earth's atmosphere that affects biodiversity and constitutes a serious health hazard, especially to the respiratory system. These greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, ozone and nitrous oxide. They hold heat in the atmosphere thereby creating a greenhouse effect. The sources of these gases include human activities like industrial air pollution, burning of human waste, wood and forests, tobacco, fossil fuels like oil, natural gas and coal, deforestation and the release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Climate change brought about by global warming results in storms, drought, and floods which can be of immediate threat to life, the respiratory system being particularly vulnerable because of the background air pollution. Effects of global warming on the respiratory system include potentially increased incidence (and/or worsening/exacerbations) of the following: bronchial asthma and other allergic diseases, infection (pneumonia and tuberculosis), parasitic lung diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, lung cancer and sudden death.Aim: To create awareness and increase enlightenment about the very important subject of global warming and the lung.Methods: A literature search on global warming and respiratory diseases was carried out through the internet (Google, Medline) and locally. Data synthesis was carried out and synchronized under the following headings: introduction, effects of global warming on respiratory diseases, respiratory diseases, and recommendations.Conclusion: There is urgent need for control measures to be taken to mitigate the effects of global warming on the respiratory system.Keywords: Global warming, respiratory disease

Community social insecurity: An environmental degradation induced problem in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

This study, therefore investigated the effects of NDDC’s programme in alleviation of community social insecurity in the two oil producing states. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study.  In each state, five communities were purposively selected from Edo and Ondo States.  Random sampling procedure was used to select 3212 respondents from the two States.  Data were collected using the Niger Delta Project Community Assessment Scale (NDPCAS), (r=0.82) and NDDC Projects Implementation Scale, (r=0.66).  The survey was complemented with Focus Group Discussions (FGD).Two research questions were answered and data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages and mean analysis.  The FGD results revealed that most of the facilities claimed to have been put in place by the NDDC were non-existent.  Inadequate consultations with beneficiaries of the programmes hindered the NDDC in the delivery of its programmes.  The NDDC programmes were ineffective in the reduction of social tension (69.2%), violence and crime (69.5%).The NDDC programmes and facilities did not contribute significantly to the development of the oil producing communities of Edo and Ondo States. It is recommended that the NDDC should adopt an integrated participatory approach in the design of its projects for the effectiveness of its programmes. Key Words:  Empowerment, Poverty alleviation, insecurity, programme, beneficiaries, environmental- degradatio

A STUDY OF ORGANISATIONAL DECISIONMAKING PROCESS AMONG MIDDLE LEVEL FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS IN IBADAN METROPOLIS OYO STATE

The study investigated the decision-making style of female entrepreneurs (managers /directors of restaurants/event planning centres, home lessons / adult education centres, cyber café and informal daily money collectors). The research was carried out in Ibadan North Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. It observed that Nigeria is undergoing fundamental changes in all spheres where women are increasingly becoming self –employed, owners and managers of enterprises. Also, the decisionmaking style of this sector is different from that of the formal sector. The study thus provided answers to the following research questions: (i) how relevant is networking to the process of female entrepreneurs’ participation in organisational decision-making? (ii) of what significance is mentoring to the participation of female entrepreneurs in organisational decision-making? and (iii) to what extent would a peaceful home and spousal understanding influence female entrepreneurs’ career? Findings revealed among others, that 20(90.9%) of the female entrepreneurs totally utilised the indices of transformative style of decision-making while only 2(9.1%) did not. Transformative style was found to enhance decent work in the organisations. It was therefore, recommended among others that both public and private organisations should inculcate the ethics of decent work

A STUDY OF ORGANISATIONAL DECISIONMAKING PROCESS AMONG MIDDLE LEVEL FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS IN IBADAN METROPOLIS OYO STATE

The study investigated the decision-making style of female entrepreneurs (managers /directors of restaurants/event planning centres, home lessons / adult education centres, cyber café and informal daily money collectors). The research was carried out in Ibadan North Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. It observed that Nigeria is undergoing fundamental changes in all spheres where women are increasingly becoming self –employed, owners and managers of enterprises. Also, the decisionmaking style of this sector is different from that of the formal sector. The study thus provided answers to the following research questions: (i) how relevant is networking to the process of female entrepreneurs’ participation in organisational decision-making? (ii) of what significance is mentoring to the participation of female entrepreneurs in organisational decision-making? and (iii) to what extent would a peaceful home and spousal understanding influence female entrepreneurs’ career? Findings revealed among others, that 20(90.9%) of the female entrepreneurs totally utilised the indices of transformative style of decision-making while only 2(9.1%) did not. Transformative style was found to enhance decent work in the organisations. It was therefore, recommended among others that both public and private organisations should inculcate the ethics of decent work

Influence of Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission on Female Civil Servants in Oyo State, Nigeria

This study examined the impact of ICPC’s ACTUs on female civil servants (FCS) in Oyo state, Nigeria. Corruption has been observed to be the bane of development to many nations of the world. Reports had it that civil servants contribute to corruption in t public offices through corrupt practices. To curb the menace, Nigerian government established ICPC Act, (2000) to educate and enlighten the public on the negative effect of corruption to national development. ICPC then instituted ACTUs in the civil service to monitor activities of civil servants, given the fact that corruption is said to be prevalent among female civil servants. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The purposive and proportional sampling techniques were adopted to select one thousand, one hundred and seventy six (1,176) respondents selected from the 22 core ministries and departments for the study. Data were analysed using percentage, pearson product moment correlation, multiple regression and content analyses. Findings revealed that, there is significant influence of ICPC’s ACTUs on the practice of accountability among female civil servants. Significant relationship existed between ICPC’s ACTUs and the practice of social responsiveness among female civil servants and also, a significant relationship existed between ICPC’s ACTUs and the respect for rule of law among female civil servants. From these findings, it is recommended that more ACTUs should be instituted in the MDAs. Civil servant, mostly female, should be accountable in the delivery of government services. There should be effective monitoring of ICPC’s ACTUs in the MDAs. Freedom of Information Act should be effectively put to practice. And the rule of law should be well respected. Keywords: Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Corruption, Anti-corruption and Transparency Units, Female Civil Servants, Good Governance

Linking Historical Oil Price Volatility and Growth: Investment and Trade Dynamics

This paper investigates the impact of historical crude oil-price fluctuation on diverse economies. It employs the use of Structural Vector Autoregressive (SVAR) and Panel Vector Autoregressive (PVAR) methodologies as innovative paths of investigating oil-shock association. While evidence of linear and non-linear shock specifications hold for developed economies within the SVAR specification, growth patterns for emerging counterpart are only defined by the linear shock. The asymmetric behaviour of growth response along shock specifications and development is predisposed to two main channels: First is the differential systemic and institutional framework in place across economies, making shock vulnerabilities differ. Secondly, identification restrictions imposed within SVAR methodology is perceived to have overruled conditions consistent with the non-linear shock model. Positive oil-price shocks benefits accrue to the global community through investment while negative oil-price shocks are transmitted through interest rate triggered trade cut-backs. Keywords: Oil-price Volatility; Asymmetric Growth; Structural Vector Autoregressive (SVAR); Panel VAR Methodology; Trade; Investment JEL Classifications: C01; O47; Q32; Q4

Socio-economic factors influencing agricultural radio programme FILIN MAINOMA in Kainji area of Niger state, Nigeria

The study examined socio economic factors influencing agricultural radio programme FILIN MAINOMA in Kainji Area of Niger State. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 252 respondents from the study area. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC) and Chi-Square analysis (c 2). Results showed that the mean age of the respondents was 25.50 years while majority (96.60%) was male. Also 63.10% had no formal education while 22.70% had primary school education. Furthermore, most (93.70%) were married, 97.20% were  Muslims and 99.20% engaged in full-time fishing. Mean years of fishing experience was 15.50 years and 65.90% were members of fish farmers’organization. The average household size was 4 persons. Majority  (99.20%) of the respondents was aware of and listened to the radio  programme FILIN MAINOMA. Also, correlation analysis results revealed a significant and positive relationship between the household size (r = 0.21, p<0.05), and year of membership association (r = 0.24, p<0.05),  constraint on fishing practices (r =0.13, p<0.05) and respondents’ perception of the radio programme. The study concluded that FILIN MAINOMA had impact on fisherfolks cash per unit effort. The study  recommended that the programme should be strengthened and sustained while other similar programmes can be initiated in other radio stationsin the area.Key words: Constraint, socio economics factors and perceptio