West African Societies since the Pre-Colonial Era: Studies in the Socio-Political Structures of the Agulu

This paper surveys a unique system of socio-political organisation among the Igbo of south eastern Nigeria, with a particular reference to the Agulu people. Described by various scholars as stateless, non-centralised, village democracy, etc., its conceptualisation sometimes presents fresh problems of interpretation requiring a closer look and deeper understanding of the cultural dynamics that sustains the socio-political system. The paper adopts interdisciplinary approach involving the use of both historical facts and ethnographic evidence in the reconstruction of the nature and significance of the traditional institutions in Agulu. It submits that the Agulu system is uniquely home grown around which the people organised to undertake a number of activities since the pre-colonial period. It typifies a resilient African culture system deserving further systematic studies. Keywords: Society, Politics, Organisation, Agulu, Igbo

Africa and the Ascendancy of Modern China in International System since 1971: A Historical Appraisal

Changes in the 21st century global distribution of economic and political powers clearly suggest that the Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC or China) can no longer be ignored, having emerged as a superpower of substantial significance. Attempts to understand this phenomenon have produced several literatures most of which have often relegated Africa to the margins in spite of the continent’s key contributions to China’s contemporary international profile. This paper historicizes Africa’s socio-cultural and diplomatic capitals as indispensable factors in understanding the phenomenal rise of China within the international system. Based on the research findings, the paper holds that but for the strategic support of many African countries, the rise of China in the international system may have been delayed or frustrated by the West in its attempt to preserve its hegemony in the hitherto prevailing world order. Keywords: Africa, modern China, international system, diplomac

An Appraisal of Humanitarian Intervention under International Law

Humanitarian intervention is a controversial concept in international law. It is not provided for by the United Nations Charter as it neither constitutes a legitimate use of force authorized by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) nor the use of force in self-defence. Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter clearly prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state1. However, since the creation of the United Nations Organization in 1945, there have been many instances of intervention on humanitarian grounds and the practice has vigorously resurged after the cold war2. In this article, we shall consider the meaning of humanitarian intervention as well as the legal basis of the doctrine. We shall also review some cases of humanitarian intervention so as to ascertain whether or not there is presently a right to humanitarian intervention in international law and finally make suggestion for the future of the doctrine

A second large plasmid encodes conjugative transfer and antimicrobial resistance in O119:H2 and some typical O111 enteropathogenic \u3ci\u3eEscherichia coli\u3c/i\u3e strains

A novel and functional conjugative transfer system identified in O119:H2 enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strain MB80 by subtractive hybridization is encoded on a large multidrug resistance plasmid, distinct from the well-described EPEC adherence factor (EAF) plasmid. Variants of the MB80 conjugative resistance plasmid were identified in other EPEC strains, including the prototypical O111:NM strain B171, from which the EAF plasmid has been sequenced. This separate large plasmid and the selective advantage that it confers in the antibiotic era have been overlooked because it comigrates with the virulence plasmid on conventional gels

How university students in South Africa perceive their fathers’ roles in their educational development

The larger study that has influenced this article was designed to explore what influenced rural men’s capabilities to actively participate in children’s early social development and its impact on transition to adulthood among their university-going children. Studies have established an increase in the level at which fathers in South Africa have been found wanting in terms of supporting their children’s development at early stages in their lives. It has been reported that this unacceptable behaviour can be transmitted or carried over from one generation to the next. There is the belief that the majority of the young male children who experienced non-supportive fathers will grow up repeating this behaviour with their children. This calls for a study on the perceptions of young people about what fatherhood is all about, hence this study. This study used a descriptive survey with a sample size of 300 students studying education in one university in the Eastern Cape Province. A 25-item questionnaire titled Perception of Fatherhood by University Students (α = 0.75) was used to collect data that were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The participants perceived that the experience and level of education influence men’s perception of fatherhood positively. Extra‑curricular programmes for proper fatherhood transition of young boys are recommended, commencing from Grade 1 through to Grade 12, to expose them to the kinds of dispositions that will enable them to be responsible fathers. There is also a need for compulsory empowerment programmes such as for designers, artists and sportsmen and other semi-skilled professions for male children who cannot acquire higher education to strengthen them socio-economically to provide education for their children

Transformation and decolonisation of mathematics education for sustainable development: A case study of its learning trend in Nigeria

the quest to contextualise education in Africa has been on-going for a while and many countries have been making efforts towards it. During this time of educational review, conscious efforts should be made to identify problematic levels of some subjects that are dreadful to the learners to pave the way for curriculum re-design for context appropriateness. Mathematics learning in African countries has been a source of concern to all educational stakeholders despite several efforts towards its deconstruction. An examination of performance trend in the subject might reveal at what point the learning started declining and this will suggest intervention towards decolonisation of its content. This study measured the academic performance of pupils from preschool level up to the end of primary education (VI class). A descriptive survey research design was adopted and 720 Primary VI pupils were selected through multi-stage sampling technique in a state in Nigeria. Primary School Mathematics Performance Record Sheet (PSM_PRS) was used to collect mathematics scores from preschool through Primary VI class. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and graphs. Pupils started experiencing major declines in mathematics from Primary III class. Results also indicate no significant difference in the class where male and female pupils’ performances started declining. Therefore, there is the need to review and contextualise mathematics content from third year in primary/elementary school for effective learning. Activity-based and exploratory strategies using contextual experiences and resources to deliver mathematics lessons were recommended for third year in primary/elementary schools and beyond

FORMATION OF TOXIC NITROSAMINE AS A COMPLICATION OF PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA ASSOCIATED WITH URINARY TRACT INFECTION AND URINARY RETENTION.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________ The formation of urinary dimethylinitrosamine [DMN] in male patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH] associated with urinary Tract infection [UTI] was investigated in patients presenting with Klebsiella species infected bladder secondary to [UR]. Specimens from the patients were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively for DMN while blood samples from the same patients were investigated for the activities of common liver enzymes such as alanine transaminase [ALT] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP]. Blood analysis for bilirubin, albumin, total protein content and for creatinine were also carried out. The results obtained in the infected subjects (when compared with those of a healthy group) showed significant mean values of DMN, ALP, AST as 0.12± 0.09mgNO2/L; 36 ± 1.7iu/L; 7i.u/L respectively (P < 0.05). The values obtained for bilirubin, albumin, total protein, creatinine and ALT were not significantly different from those of control subject

Laying Down the Foundations for International Student Journey. Students as Academic Partners Project Report.

The aim of this project was to explore the lived experiences of being an international student studying at a University within the UK and to make recommendations for future provision. There are increasing numbers of international students studying at Universities within the UK. Positive learning environments and arrangements are the responsibility of the host University and international students’ needs should be taken into consideration. This project was led by international students in collaboration with academic staff. It involved a qualitative exploration of international student perspectives and their experiences of studying within the UK. Ten international students completed a questionnaire that was designed by international students. Respondents were asked questions in relation to three areas: coming to the UK, arriving in the UK and studying in the UK