Legal and Socio-Ethical Issues in Punishment

The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the legal and socio-ethical implications of punishment. We have reviewed existing literatures on punishment with a view to establish a synthesis of scholarly opinions on punishment. It is appropriate for civil authorities to be properly educated on the functions of punishment. Public policy on punishment should have social dimension. Punishment should be seen as an aspect of social engineering. The study has strongly recommended that the purpose of punishment should ultimately be the reformation of offenders

ISLAMIC JURISPRUDENCE AND THE PRIMACY OF SHARIAH

ABSTRAC

Assessment of Marketing Communications for the Prevention and Control of Malaria in Nigeria

The study was on a critical assessment of marketing communications for the prevention and control of malaria in Nigeria. It was conceived by the desire to identify the effectiveness of marketing communication as a tool for the prevention and control of malaria which kills thousands of innocent Nigerians every year. To objectives were to: determine the extent marketing communication tools helped create awareness on the malaria prevention and control programme in Nigeria; and ascertain the relationship between the marketing communication-mix employed and the reduction in the rate of malaria morbidity and mortality in the country. Survey research design was adopted for the study, where structured questionnaire was the instrument used in data sourcing. Data were analyzed using simple percentage and independent t-test. Results revealed that the use of marketing communication helped create awareness on the prevention and control of malaria and that the use of marketing communications has also reduced malaria related deaths in the country. Based on the findings, it was recommended among other things that research-based marketing communications, founded on people’s culture and tradition should be used more in the health marketing campaigns against malaria in the country. Keywords: Malaria, Prevention, Health Marketing, Marketing Communication

Effects of bonny light crude oil on anti-oxidative enzymes and total proteins in Wistar rats

Crude oil (CO) is a substance trado-medically used within some rural population as an antidote to poisoning and a cure for various gastro-intestinal disturbances among others. The ingestion of crude oil either orally or through polluted marine species represents a pathway for the delivery of potential toxicants to the human system. The study, therefore, analysed the effects of bonny light crude oil on the activities of anti-oxidative enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST)] and the concentration of total proteins (TP). The results show that SOD activity was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the control rats (0.97±0.01) compared to the rats administered 6 ml of crude oil/kg body weight (b.w) (1.31 ± 0.17), and 9 ml of crude oil/kg b.w (1.27 ± 0.03). There was however, no significant difference (p>0.05) between the SOD activity of the rats treated with 3 ml of crude oil/kg b.w (1.25 ± 0.27) and that of the control rats. CAT specific activity in the rats of the control group (5.5 ± 3.2x10-3) was lower than that of the rats administered 3 ml of crude oil/kg b.w (6.2±3.4 x 10-3), 6 ml of crude oil/kg b.w (7.5±4.8 x 10-3) and 9 ml of crude oil/kg b.w (12.5 ± 8.3 x 10-3); although the mean differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). GST specific activity was higher in the rats of the crude oil-untreated group (88.6 ± 136.3 x 10-3) compared to the rats of the group treated with 3 ml of crude oil/kg b.w (82.7 ± 32.3 x 10-3), 6 ml of crude oil/kg b.w (26.0 ± 19.5 x 10-3) and 9 ml of crude oil/kg b.w (25.4 ± 21.2 x 10-3). Nevertheless, the mean differences were still not statistically significant (p>0.05). Total proteins concentration was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the rats given 9 ml of crude oil/kg b.w (0.33±0.08) compared to that of the control rats (0.05±0.02). In connection with the above results, the crude oil at high dose was found to have oxidative stress-inducing potential and hence, warrants that its use be discouraged or replaced with other less or non-toxic agents with similar therapeutic values as it.Key words: Crude oil, trado-medically, bonny light, anti-oxidative enzymes and total proteins

African World-View and the Challenge of Witchcraft

In this paper, we shall study the spiritual and socio-economic implications of witchcraft phenomenon within the framework of traditional African world-view. We shall probe to know whether belief in witchcraft is ontologically rooted in African cosmology, or a mere superstition. The study will expose the destructive impact of witchcraft on human and social development and the need for a reorientation of the psychic-vent of the African. The witchcraft phenomenon constitutes the greatest threat in the life of an African. We cannot continue to argue over the existence or reality of witchcraft when many people have openly confessed involvement in witchcraft. Key words: African worldview; witchcraft in Africa; epistemology of witchcraft; psychology of witchcraft

Critical Reflections on Freudian Theory of Religion

This study is an attempt to examine critically the views of Sigmund Freud on religion, and the socio–cultural milieu in which his thoughts germinated. What is the relevance of Freudian psychology of religion to contemporary scholarship? The study discovered that while the views of Freud on religion may not be altogether correct, his ideas on human nature are relevant to conservative religious thought. Freud was neither an adherent nor a student of religion, but his view on religion has been a subject of debate for many years. The study supports any effort(s) to edit and modify Freudian views on religion to make it more relevant for theistic purposes. We shall compare and contrast contemporary research findings in the social-scientific study of religion with the hypothetical formulation of Freud. Key words: Freudian theory of religion; Sigmund Freud and religion

CRITICAL RE-EXAMINATION OF SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF RELIGION

ABSTRAC

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES Religion and politics in ancient Egypt

ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to examine the pervasive influence of religion on politics in a monarchical ancient African kingdom. After a critical reflection on the mythology and cultus of the Sun-God

Paradigm shift of Nigerian Women Towards Science and Technology Advancement: A case study of Ibibio Socialization patterns.

http://www.gasat-Canada Org./Conference/ cl. html gasat// International Conference. Proceedings of the 11th International GASAT 11 Conference – 6th – 11th July 2003, Mauritius