Protecting non-heterosexual rights in Africa: reformed universalism, the African Charter and domestic constitutions in Africa

The right of non-heterosexual people to dignity, liberty and equality is an inviolable right that has gained momentum globally and has become a cornerstone of human rights movements around the world. But for non-heterosexual people in a majority of African states, freedom from discrimination, violence and prejudice is still a luxury that they cannot currently afford owing to deeply entrenched resistance to the recognition and protection of non-heterosexual rights in Africa. Developing effective legal frameworks for enshrining the rights of non-heterosexual people in Africa is, therefore, imperative to ensure the roll-back of oppressive homophobic laws, practices and policies in these African states.This thesis proposes and develops the reformed universalism legal paradigm for protecting and advancing the rights of non-heterosexual people in Africa by addressing the resistance of African states to the imposition of ‘foreign’ values on them through international legal instruments. The reformed universalism paradigm embeds the universalism of the human rights of non-heterosexual people but utilises domestic and regional legal instruments in African states to protect these rights, thus ensuring that the rights are not considered as ‘foreign’ or internationally imposed by western powers. The thesis argues that the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the domestic constitutions of African states have adequate provisions from which derivative human rights of sexual minorities can be founded and espoused by the regional and domestic Courts in African states, notwithstanding the conservative leanings of the judiciaries in these states. The thesis further examines the implementation mechanisms necessary to institutionalise legal protection frameworks for non-heterosexual people in African states, focusing on the regulatory and policy imperatives required for the enforcement of non-heterosexual rights in these states.The thesis adopts a blend of doctrinal and socio-legal research methodologies with a transnational study of the constitutions of all 54 African states to examine the amenability of these domestic constitutions to incorporating non-heterosexual rights. The thesis argues that despite staunch objections of African states, there are sufficient legal instruments within their domestic jurisdictions and at the regional level that can be utilised to protect non-heterosexual rights and these instruments can be effective to halt the pervasive homophobia in these African states if dutifully applied by the domestic and regional Courts

Globalization, migration and underdevelopment in West Africa

Migration is not a new phenomenon. However, globalization has put a new spin on  igration, which results in greater economic opportunities for the developed nations to the disadvantage of developing nations of Africa. Globalization implies and does entail free movement of goods and ideas between and across borders, trade liberalization, movement of capital for greater and speedier returns and repatriation of profits from quick yielding investments from the developing to the developed nations. The consequence is that, globalization exacerbates inequality between the developed and the developing nations. This paper demonstrates the various ways by which globalization impacts on migration and in the process engenders underdevelopment in West Africa. In the first place, the unencumbered movement of capital, trade and technology accompanied by capitalists “experts” from the developed nations into Africa has led not only to disruptions in African economies but also contributed to the high level of unemployment especially of the youth, wage decline, job insecurity and general poverty in the continent. In West Africa, agriculture is rendered purposeless on account of the massive agricultural subsidies enjoyed by the developed nations thereby increasing the tendency to dump their agricultural products in the sub-region. The migration of the disadvantaged and economically displaced peoples of Africa to the developed nations is a natural response to the severe pains and plunder inflicted on the continent by the forces of globalization and capitalism. In an attempt to address the imbalance created by globalization and to prevent Africans seeking economic refuge by migrating to their countries, the developed nations dangle such palliatives as debt relief and development aid that provide only cosmetic solutions to the problems of underdevelopment in West Africa that generates migration in the first place. The question is: What are West African leaders doing to contend with the challenges posed by globalization and migration in the West African sub-region? Finally, the paper examines policy contradictions within the global system towards migration and recommends a more integrated approach

Framework for Management of Post-Conflict Waste in Libya

An important aspect of the Libyan conflict since the 2011 Arab Spring is the generation and management of huge volumes of construction and demolition (C&D) type waste, arising from conflict-related damage to the built environment. Estimates put the amount of Post-Conflict Waste (PCW) at about 82 million tonnes, much of which comprises potentially useful materials that could be reused or further processed and used in construction and other sectors of the economy. This paper presents and discusses the challenges that affect the use, reuse and recycling of such materials. To validate findings from literature, a pilot questionnaire survey of 70 professionals working in the waste management sector was carried out to identify the barriers constraining sustainable management of solid waste stream in three major Libyan cities. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 20.0. Based on the identified barriers, a framework for sustainable management of post-conflict waste arising in Libya has been designed in line with the medium-term infrastructure development objectives of the Libyan government. The paper recommends an urgent revision of applicable legislation and the formulation of new ones to address identified gaps in sustainable waste management. It is envisaged that results from this study will help underpin post-conflict sustainable development goals in Libya

Fuel Subsidy Removal Strike in Nigeria: A study of Selected National Newspaper Reports

The Nigerian Government reviews the prices of petroleum products upwards from time to time. Early in 2012, it removed the fuel subsidy, resulting in fierce protests by many citizens. The objection to the resultant pump price hike by many Nigerians led to a somewhat downward review of the prices. The unfolding events featured prominently in the media. This study presents the coverage of the fuel subsidy removal saga by some selected national newspapers. Findings from the contents analyzed show that all the newspapers investigated gave significant coverage to the fuel subsidy removal demonstrations across the country. However, certain newspapers were found to be subjective in their reportage, thus raising ethical questions. The study recommends, amongst others, that some editors should consider public interest as paramount in crisis reporting.Keywords: Newspaper coverage, fuel subsidy, Nigeria, Daily Sun, The Punch, Daily Trust, Strike action

The roles of leadership and good governance in the security of Anambra state

Leadership as a process involves the interaction between the leader and the followers such that the leader influences the actions of the followers towards the achievement of certain objectives. It is in this light that leadership will be appreciated as a function of followership. There is always a synergy between purposeful leadership and good governance. Security of lives and property is often times a product of good governance. This paper examined the roles of leadership and good governance in the provision of security in Anambra state. The cross sectional survey design was adopted using the multi stage sampling technique for selection of study participants. 900 participants were drawn from the three senatorial zones of the state using the multistage sampling procedure and collated data were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages. However, relationships between variables were determined by the application of inferential statistics (chi square and regression analysis). The study found significant relationship between leadership roles and security of lives and property in Anambra state. Furthermore, good governance as a predictor of security was also found to be significant at p=.033. The study therefore recommended among others that leaders should be accountable, transparent, selfless and patriotic in the discharge of their duties.Key Words: Leadership, Governance, Security, Corruption and Anambra state

Assessing the Effectiveness of Illustrations in Print Media Advert of Home Appliances

In this study, attempts were made to ascertain the attention getting power of illustrations in print media advert of home appliances, the interrelatedness of the illustrations to the advert messages, clarity and the ability to create buying interest. Survey research design method was adopted for the study and questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. In this study it was discovered that, though, the illustrations attract attention to an advert they are not too related to the message of the advert and very difficult for the audience to decode at the first contact and at the same time does not propel buying interest in the audience. As a result, it was recommended that relevant illustrations should be used or be entirely left out. The illustrations should bring out the benefit of the product as the case may be. Simplicity should also be employed for clarity purposes. Keywords: Illustrations, Advertising, Print Media, Home Appliance

Human-Machine Communication and the Burden of Reaching Internal Publics: Does Technology Acceptance Model Play a Role?

The objective of this study was to examine how variablesss from Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) play a role in determining the use of digital interfaces for internal communication in public service institutions. The researchers also examined the most preferred digital interface for internal communication among employees of public service institutions as well as the relationship between internal communication and public service delivery. A total of 385 respondents working in a public service institution took part in the study. The questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. To analyse the results, the researcher used both descriptive and inferential statistics. The result showed that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and attitudes to digital interfaces significantly correlate actual use. It was also found that social media was the most preferred digital interface for internal communication among employees of public service institutions. Our result also suggested a significant association between effective internal communication and public service delivery. The theoretical, scholarly and practical implications of the results have been explored

Analysis of barriers and success factors affecting the adoption of sustainable management of municipal solid waste in Abuja, Nigeria

The state of solid waste management in cities of most developing countries is fast assuming the scale of a major social and environmental challenge. In Sub-Saharan Africa in particular, the combined influence of poverty, population growth and rapid urbanization has tended to worsen the situation. The gravity of this problem is perhaps best reflected in the level of attention given to it in the United Nations (UN) Millennium Declaration. Three of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) outlined in the declaration have waste or resource efficiency implications. In response to the waste challenge many developed countries have embarked upon ambitious environmental reforms, recording remarkable advances in best practises and sustainable management of their Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). However, many developing countries such as Nigeria have fared less well in this regard as a result of several barriers militating against sustainable management of MSW. The principal aim of this research is therefore to carry out a critical analysis of the various barriers as well as success factors that affect the sustainable management of MSW using Abuja, Nigeria, as a case study. The study adopts a largely quantitative methodological approach, employing waste composition analysis of samples from the case study area, questionnaire survey and focus group interviews of stakeholders in MSW management as key methods for generation of data. Results from analysis of data, using the Statistical Programme for the Social Sciences (SPSS), indicate that between 65-70% of MSW samples from Abuja is biodegradable, mostly comprising of high wet weight and high moisture content kitchen wastes. On the other hand between 11%-30% of MSW samples from the City comprises mostly of non-degradable but recyclable materials such as glass, metals and cans, non-ferrous metals and waste electrical and electronic equipment. The implication of the high levels of moisture content in the biodegradable components is that samples are not suitable for incineration but are ideal for composting and other mechanical and biological management options. Data analysis also reveals that the main barriers to sustainable MSW management in the City include low public awareness/education on MSW management, obsolete and insufficient equipment and funding limitations. On the other hand, the most important success factor affecting sustainable MSW management in Abuja was found to be the bourgeoning City population which has a huge potential for uptake of recycled products. In summary, this research concludes that the factors affecting MSW management in Abuja are typical of many tropical urban environments. Fundamental shifts in current practises towards waste prevention; driven by a structured public education programme in MSW management is recommended, so as to bring about a more sustainable management regime. As a result of resource and time limitations, it was not possible to complete several potential lines of investigation related to this study. To fully understand the character of the Abuja waste stream however, further chemical characterization including proximate and ultimate analysis is required. Future research in this genre must endeavour to collect data from a larger sample to increase the precision of the analysis and to enable firmer conclusions to be drawn.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

The effect of Mondia Whitei on the Histology of the brain of Wistar rat

This study was designed to investigate the effect of Mondia whitei on the histology of the brain. 20 adult male Wister rats were involved in the study.The animals were assigned into four groups: a control (group A) and three test groups (B, C and D). Animal weights were measured before and after acclimatization (2 weeks); and after three weeksof dosage administration. At the end of three weeks, the animals were sacrificed to harvest the brain for histological study. The results showed that while normal brain cells were presented in the control (group A), group B presented cellular pyknosis, necrosis, degenerative vacoulations, and mild infarction without gliosis. Group C showed cellular degeneration, pyknosis, gliosis/astrocytosis, vacoulation, while group D showed cellular degeneration,  pyknosis and parenchymal erosion. The observed histological changes were duration dependent and suggest that Mondia whitei is toxic to the brain and may induce neurotoxic damages in a duration dependent manner. Hence, there is a need for further research on the effects of Mondia whitei on other organs and system.Key words: brain, mondia whitei, neurotoxic effects, histolog

The Histological effects of microwave oven on bone decalcification using gooding and stewart fluid at varying temperatures and concentrations

This study evaluates the histological preservation of bone tissue architecture at varying temperatures and concentrations of Gooding and Stewart (GS) decalcifying fluid as the preservation of tissue architecture depends on the quality and velocity of the decalcification processes. In the present study, a decalcification methodology was adopted using household microwave oven to induce the decalcification rate of rabbit compact bone sample for microscopic analysis. Bone biopsy was obtained from rabbit limb and fixed immediately for 24hrs in 10% formalin. Traditional decalcification was carried out at RT (Room Temperature) with 5%-GS as control while microwave oven decalcification was conducted with 5%-GS and 10%-GS at 300C, 400C and 500C respectively. The results showed that 5%-GS and 10%-GS gave excellent histological architecture at 300C while at 400C, the histological architectures were comparable to RT decalcification. But at 500C, bone tissue architecture was completely destroyed being ghost-like in appearance. Of particular interest is the fact that the bone tissue treated with 5%-GS irrespective of the temperature presented excellent tissue architecture than that of 10%-GS. Thus 5%-GS gave the best result in this study.Key Words: Microwave Oven, Decalcification, Decalcifying fluid, Tissue architecture