Voters’ Assessment of Social Media Use for 2015 Electioneering Campaigns by the two Leading Political Parties in Nigeria

This paper examined voters’ assessment of social media use for the 2015  electioneering campaigns by the two leading political parties in Nigeria. The major objectives of the study were to determine the extent to which the two leading  political parties in Nigeria (and their candidates) made use of the social media for their electioneering campaign activities and to ascertain the specific activities they purveyed through the social media. The study was anchored on the Agenda-setting theory of the mass media, adopted quantitative research approach, surveyed 105 respondents purposively drawn from Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi (the three main urban towns in Anambra State), and used the questionnaire as instrument of data  collection. The percentage method was also used to analyse data. Findings of the study show that the two leading political parties in Nigeria did not use the social media much in the electioneering campaigns of the 2015 elections, that the candidates of the two leading political parties utilised the social media more than candidates of other political parties in the election, and that the activities they disseminated in the social media bordered mainly on announcement of party flag bearers, accusations and counter accusations of electoral fraud being strategised by the other political party or INEC’s connivance with one party or the other to rig the election. The paper concluded that the two leading political parties scored below average in the use of the social media in the 2015 electioneering campaigns, though, their candidates performed better than candidates of the other political parties. The researchers recommended more proactive use of the social media platforms by the leading political parties and all registered parties in Nigeria.Keywords: Voters, Assessment, Social Media, Use, 2015, Electioneering.  Campaigns, Political parties, Anambra State, Nigeri

Aesthetics in Igbo Video Films: Critique of the Battle of Destiny and the Son of Soil

Video film viewership is common among different classes of Nigerians. Such viewing is sometimes followed with discussions on their contents and appeals. This work is an appraisal of Igbo video films. Using formal criticism approach, the Battle of Destiny and the Son of Soil are evaluated. It is discovered that the serials are culturally rich, artistically designed and aesthetically produced despite some obvious technical deficiencies. Keywords: Aesthetics, Igbo, Video films, Critique, Battle of Destiny, and Son of Soil

Achieving Rural Political Participation through the Radio: A Study of Idemili North and South Local Government Areas in Anambra State, Nigeria

This study entitled Achieving rural political participation through the radio: a study of Idemili North and South local government areas in Anambra State, Nigeria was a survey of 200 rural residents drawn from Ojoto, Alor, Umuoji and Ideani. The study was conducted to ascertain respondents’ opinion on the role of the radio in disseminating political campaign information to rural residents and to assess the kind of political information disseminated to them through the medium of radio. A sixteen-item, multi-choice, close-ended questionnaire was used to collect data and data analysis was done using the percentage method. Findings show that radio has been very effective in mobilising rural residents in Idemili North and South council areas for political participation and radio has been used for disseminating political information such as political campaign schedules of politicians, voter education, election dates, etc. The paper concluded that radio is the most effective available mass medium for mobilising rural residents for political participation and may remain so for a long time to come. We therefore, recommended that political parties and politicians should make more effective use of the many opportunities that the radio provide in communicating political messages to people living in the rural areas of the state. Keywords: Radio, Achievement, Rural, Political participation, Idemili North and South,  Anambra Stat

Corporate Social Responsibility as a Critical Tool in achieving Harmony with Host Communities: The Case of SEPLAT

Sustainability is not just important for people and the planet but also for business success. Business experts will cite everything from strong loyalty programme to a personalised, mobile friendly shopping experience as keys to business success. These offerings are certainly important, but one thing that may tilt the scale in your favour is using your profits to do good in the world. This is where Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) comes in. CSR refers to a business practice that involves participating in initiatives that benefit society. This study therefore appraises the use of cooperate social responsibility in achieving harmonious coexistence with host communities with its ripple effect on the economy and corporate image of an organisation. The study adopts the qualitative analytical technique in evaluating the very essence of corporate social responsibility practice by corporate organisations as an off-shoot of public relations practice vis-à-vis its salient contributions to the health of any organisation. It goes without saying that CSR determines to a large extent the existence, profitability and sustainability of an organisation. The foregoing underscores the particular mention of SEPLAT Petroleum Development Company Plc and its CSR model as an acme of good corporate citizen. The study concludes among others that without CSR, an organisation may find it difficult to operate in a safe environment and may even go into extinction. It recommends among others that organisations operating in Nigeria should take a cue from SEPLAT Petroleum Company Plc in developing a CSR model in tandem with the needs and aspirations of their host communities with an aim to promoting mutual and harmonious relationship with them. Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, Critical tool, Harmony, Host Communities, SEPLAT Plc

Influence of Social Media on the Academic Performance of the Undergraduate Students of Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria

The paper examines the influence of social media on the academic performance of the undergraduate students ofKogi State University. The rationale behind the study is to find out whether the exposure of the students to socialmedia has effect on their academic performance. The paper is anchored on two theories; namely: socialinformation processing theory and media equation theory. The survey research method was adopted, employingthe questionnaire as an instrument of data collection. The findings show that undergraduate students of KogiState University, Anyigba, Nigeria, have access to social media and that their exposure to social media is to avery great extent. Findings also show that exposure to social media has effect on the students and that the effectis negative. Findings also show that facebook is the most used social media by undergraduate students of KogiState University. Based on the findings, the paper concludes that exposure to social media by the undergraduatestudents of Kogi State University has negative effect on their academic performance. To this end, the paperrecommends that the students should pay minimal attention to social media and focus more on their academicactivities.Key Words: Social Media, Academic Performance and Undergraduate Students of Kogi State Universit

Business Advantages of Corporate Social Responsibility Practice: A Critical Review

Corporate social responsibility is the managerial obligation to take actions that protect and improve both the welfare of society as a whole and the interests of the organisation. Thus, the paper is an examination of the business advantages of corporate social responsibility practice. The paper is anchored on two theories; stakeholder’s theory, which states that organisations have constituent groups that need to be taken care of and the iron law of corporate social responsibility, which states that organisations that fail to use their power responsibly will lose it in the long run. Previous studies were reviewed and it was discovered that several benefits abound to organisations that practise corporate social responsibility; several advantages were identified; these among others include: enhanced brand and reputation, reduction in operation costs, attracting new customers, balances power with responsibility, discourages government regulation, improves a company’s public image, promotes long run profit, improved relations with the investment community and better access to capital, enhanced employee relations, productivity and innovation and stronger relations within communities through stakeholder engagement. The paper therefore concludes that organisations that carry out corporate social responsibility activities have a lot to benefit. Thus, it recommends that organisations should endeavour to pay due attention to corporate social responsibility and this practice should be a continuous one. Keywords: Business, advantages, benefits and corporate social responsibilit

Evaluation of Newspaper Reading Habits of Youths in Anambra State, Nigeria

This article examines newspaper reading habits of youths in Anambra State, Nigeria.  The study aims at ascertaining the newspapers that youths in Anambra State read most, the frequency of their readership of newspapers, the type of stories they mostly read and the ways through which they obtain the newspapers they read.  The study uses quantitative research technique.  It adopts a sample size of 300 youths, purposively drawn from Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi.  The survey is anchored on the Uses and Gratification theory of the mass media.  The paper employs the simple percentage method and frequency tables as analytical tools.  Findings of the study show that youths in Anambra State read newspapers a lot and that The Sun, The Guardian, Complete Sports and The Vanguard are the newspapers they mostly read.  Findings also reveal that sports, political and economic news are the major stories the youths read and that they obtain the newspapers  they read mainly by going to newspaper stands (to read without paying) browsing newspapers with their cell phones, borrowing from friends and neighbours and by visiting the public library.  The paper concludes that most youths in Anambra State do not buy newspapers they read and recommends massive empowerment of youths by the government through provision of employment and other poverty alleviation strategies to enable them buy newspapers. Key words: Newspaper, Reading, Habits, Evaluation, Youths, Anambra Stat