Violence against Women in Africa: A Case Study of Nkerefi in Nkanu East Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria

This work focused on violence against women in Africa: A case study ofNkerefi, Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. The rate of gender-based violence in Nigeria has moved from an alarming state to a fatal stage. Worst still, the culture of gender-based violence is ingrained in the socio-cultural and traditional practices of many African societies. This paper examined that in Eastern Nigeria, there are various traditional rites that foster the abuse of women. Some of which are the widowhood rites and practices and female genital mutilation. The paper finds out that, women are dehumanised by society if they are found childless or are unable to give birth to male offspring. The paper, thus argues that economic factor adds to the varying reasons for gender-based violence. And that in rural-urban areas located in Enugu state, this phenomenon is obvious, as the rate of poverty encouraged abuses. Various forms of abuse include beating, assault, rape and sex without consent, economic deprivation and threats, unequal distribution of household power, and so on. Relying on both primary and secondary sources, this study further argues that gender-based violence is becoming rampant in an environment bedeviled with a high level of poverty, low literacy level, and conservative practice of ancient socio-cultural norms. This paper is historical; hence, it adopts a qualitative method of analysis. A useful piece of information was obtained from important relevant documents, reports, and an array of secondary sources

Role of Women in the Growth of the Traditional Igbo Economy

The dynamism of women in the growth and development of the traditional Igbo economy would appear to have been obscured by negative and erroneous ideas of two groups of people. The first was the opinion expressed by some European writers such as David Hume, George Hegel and Trevor–Roper about Africa and Africans generally. According to these writers, Africa lacked the ingenuity to develop any form of civilization, science or arts1. Thus Africa was given a blanket condemnation as a dark corner of the globe. The second biased opinion stemmed from the Igbo culture which was chauvinistic in favour of men, and thus played down on women values and their contributions to the socio-economic development of the Igbo economy. Until recently, the activities of women in the growth of Igbo traditional economy lacked the right attention by scholars; hence the need for this essay to highlight areas the Igbo women had contributed immensely to the growth of the traditional Igbo economy from the pre –colonial times up to the present

Challenges Faced by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Towards Nuclear Non-Proliferation

This work focused on challenges faced by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Towards Nuclear Non-Proliferation. Nuclear weapons were used for the first time in battle at the tail end of the Second World War in 1945. It has succeeded in preventing other countries except for those that have already tested and acquired nuclear weapons from obtaining and proliferating nuclear weapons and the technology to assemble one. This paper examined that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)is the sole international organisation charged with preventing nuclear proliferation. Focusing on the challenges of the IAEA, the paper finds out that it has not been easy as the IAEA is confronted yearly with dynamic challenges, some of which have threatened the security and stability of the world. The paper, thus, argues that efforts at safeguarding and monitoring the use of radioactive materials by the IAEA are inadequate as some radioactive materials are unaccounted for. The IAEA experiences a lack of cooperation from some countries which have refused access to its nuclear facilities for inspection. Also, the failure by some countries especially the US and Russia, to fully disarm or eliminate their nuclear weapon stockpiles has inadvertently increased the risk of nuclear proliferation and has encouraged some other countries to develop and stockpile their own weapons for defensive purposes. This paper is historical; hence, it adopts a qualitative method of analysis. A useful piece of information was obtained from important relevant documents, reports, and array of secondary sources

Granite Mining at Eluogwu Land, Amata-Ishiagu By Crush Stones Industries Ltd 1993 -2008.

Most of the granite mining activities that took place at Amata village, Ishiagu were within parcels of land belonging to a particular kindred called Umuelema. Individual and private company miners at various times operated there after reaching agreements with the members of the Umuelema family. Conversely, Eluogwu land was communally owned by the entire Amata village. Crush Stones Industries Ltd happened to be the only company that had carried out mining operations on this communal land. Conditions for granting permission to the company to operate there were clearly set out in the land-owner/Tenant lease agreements. The company made use of paid labourers and some modern mining equipment in the course of its mining operations. The company ultimately benefited from the enterprise, while the land owners apparently lost out with very little remuneration from the company for their resources tapped and pollutions suffered. Keywords: GRANITE MINING, NIGERIA DOI: 10.7176/HRL/53-04 Publication date: April 30th 2021

Traditional Igbo Humane Character: Nature and Application

One of the identities of the Igbo is their humane character ably expressed in their kindness to their immediate and distant neighbours. This traditional Igbo culture spans across their social, political and economic lives. It is this singular sterling quality of the Igbo that informs the basis and reasons for Igbo adaptability and near ubiquity at virtually every corner of the globe, where they reside and freely interact with people of different nationalities, making their contributions to the socio-political and economic developments of whichever community they find themselves. This has been the trend over the centuries, from the pre-colonial period up to the present

Traditional Igbo Economy: Challenges to Growth and Development

The Igbo had at various times demonstrated the strong will to develop their society and economy. Her economy was practically anchored on the three main pivotal sectors namely, agriculture, non-agricultural production and trade. These sectors had over the years faced some challenges from within and outside the society. Since the pre-colonial period, the challenges, to a large extent, had threatened and rocked the very basic foundation of the traditional Igbo economy. Each of the sectors of the economy was indeed a victim of this circumstance at one time or the other from the pre-colonial up to the post-colonial eras

Traditional Igbo Building Architecture: An Historical Perspective

Some European writers like David Hume, George Hegel and Hugh Trevor – Roper, among others have in their respective works presented a poor picture about the Africans.  According to them Africans lacked any ingenious indigenous industry, arts and science.  As a result of this Africa lacked development, culture and thus was no historical part of the globe.  This view point is punctured by the work “traditional Igbo building architecture”, which reveals a gradual but steady growth and development of the shelter needs of the Igbo from the pre-colonial to the post-colonial era.  The major influences that acted as catalysts in the development of this basic need of man, the change and continuity in this aspect of Igbo tradition are discussed.  Finally, the general impact of this cultural development is highlighted

Boko Haram Insurgency and its Implications on National Integration in Nigeria

Issues bordering on national integration are very critical for the collective interest of any nation. History has demonstrated the difficult, complex and varied developments needed to integrate people under a government and to create a stable cultural, economic, political, and social community among them. The process is even more strenuous especially where the people to be integrated comprise large groups distinguished by their own customs, language, religion, or separate identity. The phenomenon of militancy is not new to Nigeria. The history of past independent Nigeria is replete with cases of militarised groups threatening the very existence of the Nigerian state. The emergence of the militant sect, Boko Haram and all it represents started like any other protest, but it seems to have been the most enigmatic in terms of raison d’e’tre, the most violent in terms of modus operandi and the most destructive. It is arguably second to none in terms of brutality, savagery, wanton destruction, callousness and its scope of operation. It is on this background that this work examines the historical evolution of Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. The paper also highlights the instances of Boko Haram activities in Nigeria. The study also evaluates, the implications of Boko Haram activities on national integration. Finally, the paper proffers solution by way of recommendation to this ugly phenomenon and thereafter. This work adopts diverse secondary sources such as books, journal articles, newspapers, magazines, internet sources and unpublished works using analytical and thematic approaches. Data obtained from secondary sources formed the bulk of this research’s tool of assessment. Keywords: Boko Haram, Insurgency, National Integration, Nigeria

Granite Mining Operations in Umuelema Land, Amata-Village, Community, Ishiagu 1950-2010

Granite mining operations took place in some parts of Ishiagu community in the colonial and part of the post-colonial eras before the Nigerian civil war 1967-1970. The villages involved were Amonye and Amaeze village communities. The agencies of government that carried out the operation were the Nigeria Railway Corporation and the Nigeria Army Engineers. Mining activities commenced in the large expanse of land belonging to Umuelema kindred, Amata village, Ishiagu in the 1950s but increased in tempo in the 1970s following the end of the Nigeria civil war in 1970s. The war had some devastating effects on parts of the Nigerian nation, particularly Igboland which was a war theatre where virtually the entire infrastructural developments of the pre-civil war society came to the ruins. Availability of granite stones in our area of study attracted various categories of miners to the land. Labour was sourced from within and outside Ishiagu. Land lease agreements were entered into by each miner or groups of miners (leasee) and (the land owner leasers). Each party benefitted from the enterprise due to its lucrative nature. DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/11-10-04 Publication date:May 31st 202

Traditional Method of Checking Corruption in the Pre-Colonial Igbo Society

Corruption is possibly as old as the human society. Infact. It can be traced to the biblical story of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. According to this story these first man and woman while in the garden fell to temptation and thus became evil in nature.2 This affirms that corruption is perhaps inherent in human beings. A psychologist, J.T. U Nwala has observed that the level of corruption or moral values of any society is a function of the level and character of its social development3. On the other hand, the social development of a society very much depends on the occupational skills and the way and manner the society produces, distributes and exchanges its wealth4. These basic components of any economy are indeed the fertile grounds for corrupt practices. For instance the cancerous disease nicknamed corruption can be found among all the religions of the world, government officials, private and public organizations, politicians, businessmen and academics. A corrupt trader would sell inferior items in place of superior ones and pocket the money. A corrupt contractor would supply inferior items to companies and governments as superior items and clain the money. In the academic circle, corruption include plagiarism, sale of hand-outs to students, examination leakage, fake result, corrupt marking and collection of money from students for favour (extortion). Even corrupt farmers would devise ways of confiscating people’s land for farming without adequate compensation.  The list is inexhaustible.  These vices take place in our society today because of a relatively high level of social development without a corresponding level of moral backing in the society. In this essay the pre-colonial Igbo society is the focus.  Efforts will be made to discuss the nature of corrupt practices prevalent at the time and the traditional method of checking or controlling the social vices.  To do this, the pre-colonial Igbo society has been split into two-the period before the Trans-Atlantic trade and the period of Trans-Atlantic trade between 1600 and 1900.  This split into two broad eras will enable us perceive and understand the nature of corruption at these periods, how they were controlled as well as the obstacles involved in the control of the social monster