The Role of Ubuntu in Ethical Decision-Making in Nigeria:Ethical Decision-Making in SMEs

Ubuntu as a traditional African ethic that focused on the interest of the community over that of the individual had been suggested to improve ethical decision-making in businesses in Nigeria. While there had been research done on Ubuntu in Nigeria in the past, it had centred on multinational and large businesses. The impact of Ubuntu on the ethical decision-making of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) had not been an area of focus despite SMEs being more strongly influenced by their local community. Therefore, this thesis sought to discover to what extent Ubuntu could influence Nigerian SMEs' decision-making on ethical issues. To carry out this research, data was collected in Lagos, Nigeria from ten SME supermarkets in the retail industry, which is one of the largest SME sectors in Nigeria. The data were collected mainly through semi-structured interviews and informal conversations with supporting data collected through an observer-as-participant role and documents for data triangulation. The data were analysed using a top-down, theoretical thematic approach which is an analyst-driven approach propelled by the theoretical interest. Data analysis was aided by a theoretical framework based on adding community to Schwartz’s integrated ethical decision-making model. The data analysis showed that while Ubuntu could be considered an influential part of the ethical decision-making of SMEs, its influence was limited by other factors. It also showed that the presence of Ubuntu in the ethical decision-making of the business did not guarantee that the business would make ethical decisions. This research contributed to empirical data on the research of Ubuntu in business ethics in Nigeria and to research of the ethical decision-making process by examining and altering Schwartz’s integrated ethical decision-making model for the theoretical framework

Do Institutions and Social Capital matter in the Economic Development of Nigeria?

Abstract. This paper addresses the impact of institutions and social capital on economic development of Nigeria. It advanced an argument that economic prosperity of a country is embedded in social organizations and transformations of her institutions built from social capital. The methodology adopted was quantitative and qualitative. The results present a declining negative impact of social capital and institutional variables on economic development; affirming the importance of social capital on institutional quality. Therefore, the way forward is taking a tougher stance against abuse of power and employ mechanism of social capital to reconcile conflict among social, political and economic interest groups.Keywords: Institutions, Social capital, Economic development.JEL. D70, H10, O10, O40

Politics of Leadership and Implementation of Educational Policies and Programmes of Tertiary Institutions in Cross River State, Nigeria

This paper examines issues of politics of leadership and implementation of Educational policies and programmes of tertiary institutions in Cross River State with a view to determine the problems are situated and suggest the way forward. It examines the concept of politics of education, concept of leadership, meaning of planning and generation of policy, and the implementation of policies and programmes. It highlights the functions of the various educational bodies responsible for the oversight and implementation of government policies and programmes. The paper discusses issues of politics of leadership, control and management of education and the Federal and State level and Cross River State in particular. The paper suggested the ways forward to include increase in budgeting in the educational sector to meet the UNESCO standard of 26%, training and retraining of teachers and the need for political stability and continuity in governance. Recommendations were made among others to include the need for political leaders to have the political will to implement their programmes as stated during their campaigns and avoid policy summersault and adhere to continuity, adjust as the need arises and avoid wastages in tandem with realities and the needs of the nation and state on ground. Keywords: Politics, Leadership, Implementation, Educational Policies, Programme

Development and Environmental Sustainability in Nigeria: An African Perspective

This research titled “Development and Environment Sustainability in Nigeria: An African Perspective” examines the effect of development on the African environment. Recent trends and tenets of development are accredited to technological advancements infrastructures and industrialization. Thus, development is respected within the light of social and economic productivity and mostly applauded within the ambiance of consumable scientific, architectural, agricultural and engineering, etc. Notably, the afore-mentioned directly affects the environment and this has become a conundrum to both living and non-living organisms within the environment. It is undisputable that development is good and encouraged, but not at the expense of those to whom it’s meant for. This work then is an exposition of the effects and defects of development that infringes on the environment and proposed a possible solution to environmental sustainability. The paper advocates for a religio-cultural relation with the environment; a relationship that is rather personified than objectified, using Nigeria as a case study. This paper employs the methods of exposition, explication and critical analysis

Diversifying the cross river state economy through tourism: opportunities and challenges

Since the early 1970s, when revenue from oil became Nigeria’s major foreign exchange earner and contributor to gross domestic product (GDP), attention has shifted away from other sectors of the economy, especially agriculture and manufacturing, which were once the mainstay of the economy. As a result, all Nigerian states except Lagos have relegated the issue of internally generated revenue to the background, with the resultant effect being the inability of the states to meet their budgetary demands. However, given the peculiar problems associated with oil—its being subject to depletion, unfavourable quota arrangement, international price shocks and other internal problems, such as the inability to maintain effectively the existing refineries for optimal production, there have been agitations on the need to diversify the Nigerian economy, by moving to other sectors. Using descriptive method of analysis, the study proposes the adoption of tourism as a veritable tool for revenue generation and employment creation in Cross River State. The choice of tourism is predicated on the fact that it holds great potentials for actualising the objective of enhanced internally generated revenue (IGR). To achieve this, there is need to reposition the state tourism sector. Recommendations that would help in repositioning the sector for enhanced performance are given. They include among others, the need to scale up funds voted for tourism, need to synergise with the foremost tourism agencies in the country, coming up with a comprehensive compendium of the various tourism sites and attractions in the state, which should be widely publicised and use of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities at all tourism sites.KEYWORDS: Cross River State, diversification, tourism, revenue generation, employment generatio

Emergent trends in the reported incidence of prostate cancer in Nigeria

Godwin O Ifere1, Fisseha Abebe2, Godwin A Ananaba1,31Department of Biological Sciences, 2Department of Mathematical Sciences, 3Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA, USABackground: To date there has not been any nationwide age-standardized incidence data reported for prostate cancer in Nigeria. We examined and integrated diverse trends in the age-specific incidence of prostate cancer into a comprehensive trend for Nigeria, and examined how best the existing data could generate a countrywide age-standardized incidence rate for the disease.Methods: Data were obtained from studies undertaken between 1970 and 2007 in referral hospital-based cancer registries. Records from at least one tertiary hospital in each of the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria were examined retrospectively. Data were also reported for the rural population in cross-sectional prospective studies. Age-standardized incidence rates and the annual incidence of disease were calculated.Results: Higher incidence rates for prostate cancer during this period were recorded for patients aged 60–69 years and 70–79 years, with a lower incidence rate for patients aged younger than 50 years. An exponential annual incidence rate of disease was observed in the 50–79 year age group and peaked at 70–79 years before dropping again at age 80 years. The results showed metastasis in more than half of these hospital-based prostate tumors.Conclusion: Our results suggest that prostate cancer occurs at a relatively young age in Nigerians and that hospital-based registry reports may not appropriately reflect the incidence of the disease in Nigeria. A countrywide screening program is urgently needed. Finally, the difference in reported stages of disease found in Nigerians and African-Americans versus Caucasians suggests biological differences in the prognosis. Nigeria may thus typify one of the ancestral populations that harbor inherited genes predisposing African-Americans to high-risk prostate cancer.Keywords: prostate cancer, annual age-standardized incidence rate, Nigeria cancer registr

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION AND STRATEGIC LEARNING CAPABILITY IN THE SELECTED NIGERIAN PUBLIC SECTOR

This study examines the association between entrepreneurial orientation and strategic learning capability using organic structure, market responsiveness and mode of strategy formation as mediating variable. It explicates how public organisations generate strategic knowledge and use such knowledge to enhance their business operations. Using a survey design, 450 questionnaires were distributed among 12 governmental agencies and 228 questionnaires were retrieved. The data were analyzed using regression analysis. The findings indicate a strong association between entrepreneurial orientation and strategic learning capability. Also, when the mediating variables were simultaneously entered with the independent variable as a predictor of strategic learning capability, they all made the criterion variable stronger and show that the relationships are statistically significant. The study concludes that being entrepreneurially oriented in public organisations will lead to strategic learning capability and recommends that managers consciously and actively encourage policies and actions that are entrepreneurial in order to foster strategic learning capability, strategic change and organisational effectiveness

Can Optimal Digital Innovation and Financial Inclusion Drive Poverty Reduction in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria?

Poverty has remained a stubborn challenge in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria amidst abundant natural resources. The sheer complexity of the Niger Delta with coastal waterways, creeks and islands creates unique challenges that cannot be underestimated.  The study surveyed the extent of poverty using monthly income distribution, and degree of financial inclusion using access and usage of products and services. Findings revealed that women are more financially excluded. Findings also showed that majority of the population are unbanked and highly discouraged using financial products and services especially ATM for fear of debiting without payment, long queues, high interest rates on loans and difficulty in accessing credit from financial institutions. The study suggests that the provisions of optimal digital financial services and products in this rural community with adequate education and advocacy for all the population will broaden financial inclusion, thereby contributing to poverty reduction. Keywords: Financial inclusion, poverty, digital innovation JEL Classifications: G21, O

Non-Technical Losses, Energy Efficiency and Conservative Methodology in the Electricity Sector of Nigeria: The Case of Calabar, Cross River State

Today’s challenge in electricity consumption in Nigeria is on how to use electricity wisely. Nigeria electricity sector is facing abnormal power supply situation, as demand outstrips supply, culminating in electricity supply-cum–demand imbalance. This owes to inefficiency and non technical losses which contributes to incessant power outages resulting in heavy economic losses and poor performance of the economy. This study investigates and identifies non-technical losses in the electricity sector occasioned by illegitimate activities. The methodology is a combination of quantitative and qualitative sample survey. The data set is a simple random sampling of households using electricity, and the number of units chosen was based on statistical power analysis. The result shows that energy wastage is from poor lighting attitudes, and choice of appliances. Implementation of efficient lighting attitudes is encouraged. Findings from the study if replicated will serve as a model for energy efficiency and methodology for the Nigeria Economy. Keywords: Non-Technical Losses; Energy Efficiency; Conservation JEL Classifications: Q43; C42; O5

Human capital and strategic persistence: An examination of underperforming workers in two emerging economies

Despite the considerable research on strategic persistence, there remains a lack of understanding as to why companies persist with underperforming workers. Our study seeks to fill this gap in the literature by integrating the concepts of the paradox of success, external legitimacy, nepotism and the escalation of commitment perspectives to develop an integrated explanation for persistence with underperforming workers. Drawing on insights from two emerging economies in Africa: Ghana and Nigeria, we uncovered that persistence with underperforming workers stem from information hoarding, favouritism through tribalism and externally imposed constraints. Our study also articulates the underlying processes inherent in such persistence. The wider implications for theory and public policy are examined