Cosmopolitan Democracy: Re-evaluation of Globalization and World Economic System

This thesis examines cosmopolitan democracy theory as a method of addressing the problems of globalization. I begin by introducing the concept of “cosmopolitan democracy.” I then proceed to discuss contemporary political climate and its relation to critiques of globalization. Finally, I conclude by examining the elaborations of cosmopolitan democracy by various theorists as a way of addressing these problems. Chapter 1 introduces the work of David Held who introduced the concept in his book, Cosmopolitan Democracy and the Global Order: Reflections on the 20th Anniversary of Kant’s “Perpetual Peace.” Cosmopolitan democracy refers to global governance through democratic theory. Held illustrates the shortcomings of current global institutions such as the United Nations and Bretton Woods Institutes with regard to addressing problems in a democratic manner caused by globalization. Chapter 2 discusses contemporary political climate through the rebirth of nationalism and the role of the globalization in these matters. Chapter 3 elaborates on the theory of cosmopolitan democracy by examining four major interpretations and elaborations of this theory as alternatives to solving global problems. It ends with my concluding thoughts

Soil Resources Degradation and Conservation Techniques Adopted Among the Small Holder Farmers in Gusau, North-Western Nigeria

Soil degradation is increasingly regarded as a major constraint to food production in the tropics. This problem is primarily caused by soil erosion, which particularly damages the soil surfaces. It is therefore the objectives of this paper to study the types of erosion in Gusau area as well as its effects on selected soil properties including particles size distribution, soil organic carbon, N, pH, P, Na, Ca, Mg and K, and CEC among others. The paper also attempts to unveil some anti-erosion measures practiced by small holder farmers for conserving the soils in the study area. Results showed that sheet erosion type is the most prevalent in the study area, and that erosion has declining effects on the above soil properties especially in bare land than in cultivated soils. Different techniques including mulching, contour farming, cover cropping, terracing and strip cropping are being practiced by the farmers as soil and water conservation techniques for improved crop production

Automated university lecture timetable using Heuristic Approach

There are different approaches used in automating course timetabling problem in tertiary institution. This paper present a combination of genetic algorithm (GA) and simulated annealing (SA) to have a heuristic approach (HA) for solving course timetabling problem in Federal University Wukari (FUW). The heuristic approach was implemented considering the soft and hard constraints and the survival for the fittest. The period and space complexity was observed. This helps in matching the number of rooms with the number of courses. Keywords: Heuristic approach (HA), Genetic algorithm (GA), Course Timetabling, Space Complexity

Selected demographic variables and community policing participation among citizens in Nigeria: a pilot study

In consideration of increase in crime rate and societal ills, Nigeria must improve upon its security architecture and policies to ensure security of live and property in the country. Effective community policing through increases citizens’ participation is of paramount importance.This paper is a pilot research study of the upcoming main study which intends to investigate community policing participation intention among Nigerian citizens. Thus, the paper examines small sample of data on the impact of ethnicity, religion, trust in the police, and attitudes toward the police on intention to participate in community policing program in Nigeria.The study utilizes survey questionnaire to obtain data. The survey questionnaire was at the beginning subjected to content validation.The reviewed version of the survey was distributed to the pilot sample.The returned survey was scrutinized for reliability using SPSS version 16.0. The results indicate that the instrument attained the thresh hold, therefore valid and reliable.Additionally, the data shows evidence of practical consistency

Structural characterization of sulfoborate glasses containing magnesium oxide

Magnesium sulfoborate glasses of different compositions were prepared using melt quenching method with the purpose of using it for optical properties. The Fourier Transform Infra-red (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) have been carried out. Density and molar volume have been evaluated and analysed. From the results of XRD, the absent of discrete and continuous sharp peaks confirmed the amorphous nature of the glass compositions while the results from both FTIR and NMR revealed the existence of BO3, BO4 units. Addition of MgO to sulfoborate influenced the conversion of the dominant BO3 groups to BO4 groups. The BO4 groups are known for creating complex defects that transform into that stable trap good for optical phenomena. It was observed that the density of glass increases while the molar volume is decreases with respect to increase in concentration of alkaline earth oxide in the glass compositions

Ethno-religious identity and the quest for community policing participation in Nigeria

Community policing is an awe-inspiring mechanism for managing crime and social problems. However, ethnic and religious identity and conflicts have lean towards to affect the efficacy and viability of the community policing program in Nigeria. With a strong commitment and plans by the government in addressing crime and other social ills, through community policing, almost no outcomes appear to be imminent because Nigeria is continuously overloaded by ethnic and religious sentiments. This paper investigates the impact of ethnic and religious identity and conflict on Nigerian’s community policing program.The paper contends that ethno-religious identity and conflict not only undermines the viability and efficacy of community policing to foster security, additionally debilitates the unity and stability of the country.The fundamental argument is that unrestrained competition among the various ethnic and religious groups have affected public relations, and endanger the citizens’ participation in community policing program negatively. The paper concludes that, enlightenment campaign, especially among youth on ethno-religious tolerance, citizens’ participation in collective security, inter-religious and ethnic tolerance and harmony, police officers’ effective interaction with the citizens would restore public confidence, thereby enhances citizens’ participation in community policing program

Modelling seagrass blue carbon stock in seagrass-mangrove habitats using remote sensing approach

Modelling seagrass blue carbon stocks are essential to complement the satellitebased remote sensing in detecting the underground seagrass carbon stocks. The green carbon initiatives have for long reported the detailed mapping and estimation procedural as well as the audit protocol of the global terrestrial carbon stocks. Research on the blue carbon mapping and its related modelling and estimation, on the other hand, is rarely if ever published as part of its importance is realised but remained scattered. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating blue carbon stocks in seagrass habitats by estimating the total carbon stored in seagrass using the satellite-based technique. The specific objectives are to : 1) assess and adapt some selected models for deriving seagrass total above-ground carbon (STAGC); 2) formulate new approach based-on selected models to combine with in-situ data, to model and estimate blue carbon stocks from seagrass total below-ground carbon (STBGC); 3) develop a novel technique using the selected models with soil organic carbon (SOC) to model and estimate the blue carbon stocks from seagrass total soil organic carbon (STSOC); and 4) integrate all the models (STAGC, STBGC, and STSOC) to produce a framework for the mapping and estimation of seagrass total blue carbon stock (STBCS). Suitable logistic functions were selected and applied on the satellite images to investigate seagrass, and soil carbon stocks along the seagrass meadows of Peninsular Malaysia (PM) coastline All the Landsat ETM+’s shortwave visible bands (blue, green, red) were employed for detecting and mapping seagrass stocks boundary within the coastline of PM. The derivation of STAGC was adopted from the existing bottom reflectance index (BRI) based technique via establishing a strong relationship between BRI with seagrass total aboveground biomass (STAGB). While for STBGC estimation, the STAGB^ (STAGB obtained from BRI image) were correlated with seagrass total below-ground biomass derived from insitu measurement (STBGB^^ro). Both these STAGB^ and STBGB^.^ro were converted into STAGC and STBGC using a conversion factor. Furthermore, the derivation of seagrass total soil organic carbon derived via laboratory test (STSOCi^b) was achieved through correlating BRI values with corresponding in-situ samples of soil organic carbon (SOC) obtained from the laboratory analysis by the Carbon-Hydrogen Nitrogen Sulphur (CHNS) analyser. These models were generated from the three major sample areas (Johor, Penang, and Terengganu), which were used to estimate the entire seagrass carbon stocks in the coastline of PM. The models revealed a robust correlation results for BRI versus STAGB (R2 = 0.962, p< 0.001), STAGB^, versus STBGB/A,wro (R2 = 0.933, p< 0.001,), and BRI and STSOC (R2 = 0 .989, p< 0.001) respectively. The STBCS for the whole seagrass meadows along the coastline of PM was finally realised, demonstrating a good agreement in accuracy assessment (Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) = +- <1MtC/ha\). It is, therefore, concluded that the new approach introduced by this research on STBGC and STSOC estimation was tested and proved significant on the entire STBCS quantification for the PM coastline. The contributions are critical to fast-track the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) agreement to report the STBCS contents. Hence, this study has managed to propose a new fundamental initiative for estimating STBCS for speedy realisation of 2020 agenda on targets 14.2 and 14.5 of United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 14th (life below the water)

Insolation Levels Using Temperature Model for Sustainable Application of Photovoltaic Technology in Some Selected Locations of Nigeria

The need to balance between energy security, economic development and environmental protection through technology is becoming enormous. Nigerians are experiencing lack of adequate meteorological data such as monthly average of incoming solar radiation and clearness index except for few locations. While, photovoltaic technology applications depends solely on the availability of insolation data and efficient energy appliances. Therefore, twenty one (21) locations were considered within the North-western Nigeria for the estimation of global solar radiation (kWh/m2/day) using sunshine hours based on Angstrom correlation model. It was achieved through derived empirical constants based on the 30 years long term average of ground insolation measurement and 10 years long term average of sunshine hour’s measurement. The measured and estimated values of insolation were tested using coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE) and coefficient of residual mass (CRM) and high percentages of the R2, low value of RMSE and positive value of CRM close to unity shows remarkable agreements. The difference between the monthly variations of average mean daily insolation of the locations was also shown to have no significant difference based on One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). It is concluded that, the insolation data can be used in the design of solar installations for the locations and in locations with similar climatic conditions for sustainable application photovoltaic technology in Nigeria. Key words: Nigeria, Estimation, Insolation, Sunshine hours, Photovoltaic technology

Social synergy sukuk (Double-S Sukuk): a solution for pandemic crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic crisis is projected to plunge over half a billion people (580 million) globally into extreme poverty. This exploratory paper proposes an innovative Social Synergy Sukuk (Double-S Sukuk) for alleviating the alarming upsurge in extreme poverty triggered by the pandemic in the face of limited resources. The Double-S Sukuk is designed with Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs); such as Islamic Development Bank subscribing to the Sukuk at a discounted profit rate, issued by a country facing the pains of the pandemic. The profit will be paid by a charitable Non-Governmental Organization; such as Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as an incentive to the crisis country contingent upon judicious utilization of the funds for the pre-agreed social targets achieved within timely milestones that trickle down to uplift the citizens from the pandemic pains of extreme poverty. The country will only pay the principal component. Furthermore, a suitable MDB; such as Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) will issue a charitable guarantee to enhance the Sukuk rating and cut issuance costs. This enhancement makes the Sukuk an attractive BASEL III High-quality-liquid-asset (HQLA). Instead of begging the public for charity, the Double-S Sukuk will be open to the public to invest alongside MDBs for a discounted profit rate to crowd in the social/ethical conscious private sector to raise cheaper and larger funds for an apt synergistic crisis alleviation. The methodology used in this study is qualitatively based on content analysis of relevant academic journals, industry reports, and policy documents

Structural and luminescence characterization of lithium-borosulfophosphate glasses containing dysprosium ions

Rare earth doped glasses have been a great deal of research interest due to their prominent applications in laser lighting technology. However, achieving highly efficient yellow light emission from these materials require the collective efforts of many researchers across the world. Hence, a series of high optical quality dysprosium doped lithium-borosulfophosphate glasses with chemical composition of 15Li2O-30B2O3-15SO3-(40-x)P2O5-xDy2O3 (where x = 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 in mol%) were prepared by convectional melt quenching technique and characterized by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Photoluminescence (PL) measurements. XRD pattern of the host glass confirms its amorphous nature while the results from FTIR spectra analysis indicates the presence of BO3, BO4, PO4 and SO42- groups in the host network structure. The photoluminescence spectral analysis revealed three emission bands at 494 nm, 585 nm and 673 nm attributed to the electronic transitions of 4F9/2→6H15/2, 4F9/2→6H13/2 and 4F9/2→6H15/2,respectively, under the excitation of 386 nm. Among all the prepared glass samples, 1.0 mol% Dy3+ contained glass sample exhibits an intense yellow emission at 585 nm which specifies its prospective suitability for yellow laser applications.Keywords: Borosulfophosphate glasses, Dysprosium ions, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Photoluminescence analysi