A Comparative Analysis of Juvenile Justice System in the Northern and Southern Part of Nigeria

Prevention of offenses by juveniles is one part of the wider crime reduction strategy of any nation. Northern and Southern regions of Nigeria are components of one entity and the Child’s Right Act is made in such a way that neither of the regions is exempted. The study examined the relatedness of the proceedings among the Juvenile Justice Systems of Northern and Southern Nigeria in handling issues concerning juvenile delinquency. Due to the wide distinguishing feature of the country, Akwa Ibom State and Nasarawa States were selected to represent the two regions. The study was conducted using cluster and quota sampling techniques to select the element for the study. 150 respondents were used, and 4 elements were selected from the population of Uyo metropolis which is settled at 305,961 to conduct the study. The 4 elements are Social Welfare Officers, Remand Home Staff, Nigeria Prison Service staff, and Juvenile Court Staff Primary data were sorted with the use of well constructed questionnaire and interview while Journals, text books and internet were sources of secondary data. The study reveals a dysfunctional Juvenile Justice System in Nigeria. The respective correctional institutions are poorly equipped, hence cannot serve their statutory functions. Also, through civic education juveniles ought to know the penalties attached to delinquent act. This is to prevent reoccurrence of delinquency and not until the offense is committed then the offender is sanctioned. The system should be geared towards reformation, reintegration and education rather than being punishment centered. Key words: Juvenile, Delinquency, Juvenile Courts, Juvenile Justice System, Integration and Reformation

Mitigating Corporate Image Crisis in the Social Media: Focus on some Nigerian Firms

We all live in an entrepreneurial/industrial age just as we live in a digital age. That combination is as challenging, intriguing as it is complex. Corporate organisations have had to grapple with the use of the conventional (old) media to help build their corporate image as well as repair damaged corporate image. However, the advent of the social media makes this challenge more daunting. True, the social media can help bolster a desirable corporate image. They can also generate and escalate corporate image crisis, just as they equally can be deployed to mitigate the effects of corporate image crisis. In this paper, we shall, together examine the following: Corporate image, identity, reputation and brand Corporate crises, types and dimension Forms, advantages, and disadvantages of the social media Managing corporate image crisis in the social media. Before delving into the details of the paper, we need to provide important contexts to understanding the rationale for the topic. Firstly, Pang et al. (2014) see the use of the social media platforms as a two edged sword namely: an effective crisis management tool, and serving as platforms where crises could be triggered. Secondly, the management of corporate identity in the social media context, Kostamo (2013) observes, requires understanding of both the management of corporate identity and management of social media. This is so because social media have altered the consumer’s role from a passive listener to a more active participant, the reason brand owners tell brand stories and re-create the brand by collaborating with the consumers in the social media. Thirdly, Chaher and Spellman (2012), the widespread use of the social media has equal potential to transform corporate agenda. These tools are available for use by directors as much as by disgruntled employees, by consumers both satisfied and aggrieved, by competitors and by share owners in confrontations with the board. Fourthly, the social media are new media technologies which as Pang et al. (2014) say, share at least three defining features: digital, converging, and networked. Digitisation means sharing, accessing, and interfacing multimedia information with other smart devices and users to enable the public to interconnect irrespective of geographical boundaries or time zones. User-generated content leads to increased consumer participation and facilitates the free flow of opinions and the sharing of experiences online. Information and conversations are no longer controlled top-down by governments, mainstream media and organisations. To this end, persons empowered by social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr and Blog, are able to confront giant corporations with ease. Fifthly, evidence is growing higher, as Chaher and Chaher (2012) point out, that social media can increase awareness about a company and its products and services, provide opportunities for more targeted marketing, help gain ideas for new business opportunities, improve communication with partners in the supply chain and help companies learn how existing and potential customers perceive the company’s brand and reputation

Freedom of Information Act 2011 and Press Freedom: Challenges and Prospects for Media Practice in Nigeria

Information flow is not just a fundamental ingredient of democracy but also a sine qua none to the overall development of the society. Journalism plays an important role in ensuring that relevant information of significance is gathered, processed and transmitted to the citizenry. This paper hinged on access to and transmission of information. Specifically, it examined the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 and press freedom vis-a-vis their implications for journalism practice in Nigeria. The paper is a product of descriptive research and document analysis. Findings revealed that Nigeria’s Freedom of Information Act was not enacted exclusively to aid journalism practice, rather for use by the generality of Nigerians. However, if the applicable aspect of Act is properly harnessed by journalists, the contents of Nigerian mass media would be enriched. It is therefore recommended that the Nigerian Press Council should sponsor a bill in the National Assembly for the enactment of Journalism Practice Act in order to enhance professionalism and efficiency in journalism practice. Again, Nigerian journalists should not over-rely on the assurances of the Act as they are nothing far from façade, rather journalists should keep engaging in investigative journalism so as to publish the real truth not what public officers call the truth

Political Advertising and Electioneering in Nigeria: An Analysis of 2015 General Election Newspaper Advertisements

This is content analysis of political advertising during Nigeria’s 2015 general election with a view to ascertaining the following: The extent to which the ads fanned religious sentiments, the scale with which the ads resorted to personal attacks, the level to which the ads employed ethnic/tribal/regional/tendencies, the degree to which the ads adopted hate messages, the magnitude to which the ads embraced issue-based approaches to the campaign and finally, the scope to which the ad copies complied to the APCON code on political advertising. The ad copy constituted the unit of analysis while the period of study covered January to March, 2015. Two newspapers namely: The Guardian and The Punch were studied giving off a total of 240 issues. A census sampling procedure was undertaken while the major parameter for coding was the frequency of occurrence of the identified categorisation scheme. The results of the study showed that 63% of the ads dealt with non-issues. Regarding issue-based ads, socio-cultural issues constituted the majority. Of the non-issues analysed in the study, neutral (celebratory) messages were as high as 44.42% while personal attack ads amounted to 41.04%. However, religious, ethnic and sectional sentiments and violent/hate messages occurred at 6.23%, 3.89% and 1.82% respectively. The conclusion of the study is that political advertising in the two Nigerian newspapers was largely non-issue based and still some marks off compliance with APCON code on political advertising. These findings have serious implications for journalism and political advertising practice in Nigeria necessitating the recommendations made herein

Gender Communication: African Universities and the Empowerment of Women for Leadership

The history of missing, invisible, marginalised and violated women is long in Africa including Nigeria. However, there is no country in the world where women have achieved full equality, thus this paper examines gender issues through gender communication as well as gender disparities in higher education. In addition, the paper examines Africa, gender gaps and the role of universities in narrowing these gaps. Specific recommendations are made in the area of facilitating women’s growth and equality as well as creating awareness that promotes young women academics on a more sustainable basis. Keywords: Gender Communication; Marginalisation; Discrimination; Empowerment; and Leadership

Socio-Cultural Variables and Type of Birth Outcome of Women in Primary Health Care Facilities in Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria

This study determined the influence of socio-cultural variables on type of birth outcome of women in Primary Health Care facilities in Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria. The ex-post-facto design was adopted for the study. Seven research questions were formulated and seven null hypothesis were tested at .05 level of significance. The population of the study comprised 1200 pregnant and nursing mothers in four primary health care facilities in Ikot Ekpene. A simple random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 280 women for the study. A 72-item researcher-designed questionnaire entitled, “Socio-Cultural Variables and Birth Outcome Questionnaire (SCVBOQ)” was the instrument for data collection. Validation was ascertained while reliability was done using Cronbach Alpha Internal Consistency Statistics. Reliability Coefficient of .75 was obtained. Research questions were answered using the Mean Statistics while t-test statistical analysis was used to test the null hypotheses. Results revealed that women’s knowledge of health care services, attitude towards health care services, perception of the treatment methods, beliefs, residential locations and economic status had significant influence on type of birth outcome in Ikot Ekpene. It was recommended that frequent health campaigns should be carried out by health educators on the benefits of using Health Care facilities for delivery to prevent child birth complications and promote positive birth outcome in Ikot Ekpene. Keywords: Socio-cultural Variables, Birth Outcome, Women in Primary Health Care Facilities

E-Health Applications in Healthcare Delivery: Lessons for Africa

Recent developments in digital technology have revolutionised the modes and patterns in which we communicate, collaborate and share information. It has advanced with years, and has changed the way we purchase products, the way we live, the way we travel, the way we learn and the way we receive medical attention or treatment, etc. In the healthcare sector, technological advances have expanded rapidly over the years to a point where consumers and patients are directly reached through information and communication technologies. In this article, we examine how the healthcare systems in Africa can be developed from an e-health perspective. Facts gathered show that digital health technologies can help boost the development of this sector in Africa by providing the needed assistance required in a sector that is in dire need of manpower and equipment. Consequently, it is recommended that there should be promotion of national, political commitment and awareness of e-health and the mobilisation of financial resources for e-health development in Africa. Keywords: Digital Health, Development, Developing Countries

An Appraisal on the Role of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in the Reduction of Vandalism of Oil Pipelines in the Niger Delta Region

Vandalism is an act that disrupts the progress of communities, plays down on the integrity of the people and jeopardize the economy of the nation. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps is a Para-military agency of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Part of its obligations is to protect and prevent vandalism of major government infrastructure including the oil pipelines. The study is geared towards the measures employed and the achievements by the corps in the reduction of oil pipeline vandalism. This paper is solution oriented rather than dealing with causal factors of vandalism. Reviewed literature brought the awareness of various achievements of the Corps in this regard. Statistical analysis of anti-vandalism operation, list of recovered items from the vandals and bunkers make the study most understandable. However, the Corps is considered here as positivist and to backup this claim, exchange theory of George Homan is employed to explain the sacrificial effort of the NSCDC personnel on the one hand, and the security of the good Nigerians, the oil pipelines and the Corps’s alliance to the government of her father land on the other hand. Since vandalism is in itself a crime, liable to 45 years of jail term and it occurs as a result of personal choice, then it can be controlled and eradicated without much enforcement of punishment but through raising the awareness on the danger involved through various government institutions and agencies. By so doing, the perception of wastefulness will be eschewed, while the spirit of reservation and hard work will be inculcated in the people. To stand the taste of time, with regard to her zero tolerance to compromise, the Corps should retain its professional ethics to improve upon her standard of performance. Other measures for the prevention of vandalism are suggested in the main text. Keyword: Vandalism, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Vandal, Professional ethnics, Alliance

Empowering members of a rural southern community in Nigeria to plan to take action to prevent maternal mortality: a participatory action research project

Aims and objectives. To facilitate the empowerment of members of a rural community to plan to take action to prevent maternal mortality. Background. Globally, about 300,000 maternal deaths occur yearly. Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia regions account for almost all the deaths. Within those regions, India and Nigeria account for over a third of the global maternal deaths. Problem of maternal mortality in Nigeria is multifaceted. About 80% of maternal deaths are avoidable, given strategies which include skilled attendants, emergency obstetric care and community mobilization. In Part One of this article presented here, a strategy of community empowerment to plan to take action to prevent maternal mortality is discussed. Part Two examines evaluation of the actions planned in Part One. Design. Participatory action research was utilized. Methods. Volunteers were recruited as co-researchers into the study through purposive and snowball sampling. Following orientation workshop, participatory data collection was undertaken qualitatively with consequent thematic analysis which formed basis of the plan of action. Results. Community members attributed maternal morbidities and deaths to superstitious causes, delayed referrals by traditional birth attendants, poor transportation and poor resourcing of health facilities. Following critical reflection, actions were planned to empower the people to prevent maternal deaths through: community education and 2 advocacy meetings with stakeholders to improve health and transportation infrastructures; training of existing traditional birth attendants in the interim and initiating their collaboration with skilled birth attendants. Conclusion. The community is a resource which if mobilized through the process of participatory action research, can be empowered to plan to take action in collaboration with skilled birth attendants to prevent maternal mortality. Relevance to clinical practice. InterventioAims and objectives. To facilitate the empowerment of members of a rural community to plan to take action to prevent maternal mortality. Background. Globally, about 300,000 maternal deaths occur yearly. Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia regions account for almost all the deaths. Within those regions, India and Nigeria account for over a third of the global maternal deaths. Problem of maternal mortality in Nigeria is multifaceted. About 80% of maternal deaths are avoidable, given strategies which include skilled attendants, emergency obstetric care and community mobilization. In Part One of this article presented here, a strategy of community empowerment to plan to take action to prevent maternal mortality is discussed. Part Two examines evaluation of the actions planned in Part One. Design. Participatory action research was utilized. Methods. Volunteers were recruited as co-researchers into the study through purposive and snowball sampling. Following orientation workshop, participatory data collection was undertaken qualitatively with consequent thematic analysis which formed basis of the plan of action. Results. Community members attributed maternal morbidities and deaths to superstitious causes, delayed referrals by traditional birth attendants, poor transportation and poor resourcing of health facilities. Following critical reflection, actions were planned to empower the people to prevent maternal deaths through: community education and 2 advocacy meetings with stakeholders to improve health and transportation infrastructures; training of existing traditional birth attendants in the interim and initiating their collaboration with skilled birth attendants. Conclusion. The community is a resource which if mobilized through the process of participatory action research, can be empowered to plan to take action in collaboration with skilled birth attendants to prevent maternal mortality. Relevance to clinical practice. InterventioAims and objectives. To facilitate the empowerment of members of a rural community to plan to take action to prevent maternal mortality. Background. Globally, about 300,000 maternal deaths occur yearly. Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia regions account for almost all the deaths. Within those regions, India and Nigeria account for over a third of the global maternal deaths. Problem of maternal mortality in Nigeria is multifaceted. About 80% of maternal deaths are avoidable, given strategies which include skilled attendants, emergency obstetric care and community mobilization. In Part One of this article presented here, a strategy of community empowerment to plan to take action to prevent maternal mortality is discussed. Part Two examines evaluation of the actions planned in Part One. Design. Participatory action research was utilized. Methods. Volunteers were recruited as co-researchers into the study through purposive and snowball sampling. Following orientation workshop, participatory data collection was undertaken qualitatively with consequent thematic analysis which formed basis of the plan of action. Results. Community members attributed maternal morbidities and deaths to superstitious causes, delayed referrals by traditional birth attendants, poor transportation and poor resourcing of health facilities. Following critical reflection, actions were planned to empower the people to prevent maternal deaths through: community education and 2 advocacy meetings with stakeholders to improve health and transportation infrastructures; training of existing traditional birth attendants in the interim and initiating their collaboration with skilled birth attendants. Conclusion. The community is a resource which if mobilized through the process of participatory action research, can be empowered to plan to take action in collaboration with skilled birth attendants to prevent maternal mortality. Relevance to clinical practice. InterventioInterventions to prevent maternal deaths should include community empowerment to have better understanding of their circumstances as well as their collaboration with health professionals

Potato feed for lactating goats

This study investigated the effects of different levels of potato wastes (a readily fermentable high starch feed stuff) on feed intake and digestibility, concentration of the end products of fermentation, milk yield and composition, live-weight changes in lactating goats offered varying quality of grass or chaff as a basal diet. Sixteen mature goats of mixed breeds weighing between 38kg and 62kg liveweight (LW) and each suckling two kids, were blocked by weight and allocated randomly to 4 x 4 Latin square design. For four months sixteen goats were housed in individual pens and fed different levels of potato wastes 0% of L.W, 0.8% of L.W, 1.6% of L.W, 2.4% of L.W. The squares differed in source of roughage fed ("constant quality" basal diet: lucerne and oaten chaff 50:50) versus changing young pasture to mature grass; then lucerne and oaten chaff (40:60 and 10:90) and in the provision of virginiamycin, an antibiotic feed additive said to alleviate rumen hyper-acidity. For indirect determination of feed intake and digestibility, each doe was given a slow 'release chromic oxide capsule (Captec Pty. Ltd, Australia) with a nominal mean release rate of 213mg per day. Large variations in chromium recovery (0 to 322ppm in some cases) in faecal samples led to unrealistic estimates (12 - 55.2kg/day) of faecal output, hence unacceptable intake and digestibility estimates. "Captec chrome" appeared to be of no value for the determination of intake and digestibility in lactating goats under these conditions