Kidnapping in the South eastern States of contemporary Nigeria: An empirical investigation into the social and demographic characteristics of offenders

The study empirically investigate salient social and demographic  characteristics as determinants of kidnapping in the South-eastern States of contemporary Nigeria using inmates detained on the grounds of  kidnapping in Abakaliki and Umuahia Prisons as a unit of analysis. The  study adopted a cross-sectional research design. A specific non-probability sampling technique known as the „respondent-driven-sampling. was used in selecting a sample of 86 from a total population of 123 inmates in the two prisons. Data collected from in-depth oral interview were analyzed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that certain social and demographic characteristics such as age, occupation, gender, social backgrounds, marital status, and the like are responsible for kidnapping in Nigeria; kidnapping  enterprise is dominated by men in their youthful age; and weak/lack of  strong religious attachment exerts undue pressure on some people,  thereby luring them into kidnapping. The study recommends that youth  empowerment should be vigorously pursued and earnestly considered in  the national development plans; conscientious efforts should be made by all levels of Government in Nigeria to combat social inequality and  exclusion; and provision of social security for the teeming unemployed  youths and the disadvantaged in the country pending when they will be  gainfully employed. Keywords: Empirical Investigation, Kidnapping, Social and Demographic Characteristics, Contemporary Nigeria, Offenders

Conflict and conflict management: A springboard for success and progress in organisations in Nigeria

This paper investigates conflict and conflict management as a springboard for success and progress in organisations in Nigeria. In this paper, which is basically a literature review, the writer undertook a critical analysis of the causes and consequences of organisational conflict. He further attempted to review various scholars’ opinions on conflict management strategies. The study reveals that conflict could yield both positive and negative results, but the former outweighs the latter when juxtaposed. This is no gainsaying that effective conflict management results in minimising disruptions arising from the existence of a conflict and proffers a solution that is satisfactory and acceptable for an organisation’s progress. The policy implication of this paper is that conflict is indispensable, inevitable, normal, and an integral aspect of social life in any organisation; andadministrators should be well trained and equipped in conflict  management procedures with a view to stimulating and handlingproactive and ideal-based conflicts, since it is a prime-mover of (positive) social change in organisations.Keywords: Causes, Conflict, Conflict Management, Strategies, Organisation

Library as a vehicle to individual and societal transformation in Nigeria: features of library

This paper on library as a vehicle to individual and societal transformation highlights the importance of library to an individual and the society in general. It shows that library establishment and individual utilization cannot be ignored. If ignored the society will be heading to developing ignorant human existence. It highlights what quality the modern library should be, and the extent to which library has transformed the place of man. It exudes intelligence to build and manage the society. It brings in various skills that grow and develop the society. Library is unavoidably founded to be instrumental to the height a society attains. Development of science and technology begins with is the utilization of library for the society and individuals. The research concluded on how far the library has transformed the society through the institution of high learning. The use of library has ever influenced the making of high profile of man-power through university research findings and many more. The types of libraries and their locations are also highlighted to draw home the exact picture of the article

Restorative justice as a community response to drug/substance use: Why not adopt this policy option in Nigeria?

There exists observable shortcomings in the drug policies/laws and futility in the war on drugs. This is because, despite the efforts of  drug policymakers in State and non-State agencies such as schools, religious bodies, and families to combat drug use and its ensuing problems using various strategies, the phenomenon is still on the increase in Nigeria. This has necessitated the introduction of  restorative justice as a policy option/alternative that could successfully address the problem. The predictions of social bonds and re-integrative shaming theories supported the promise and roles of this community-based psycho-sociolegal framework. Its official use in  both formal and informal settings has a significant end in view which is that drug offenders are made to mend fences with individuals  and institutions affected by their conduct. Instead of being in the traditional criminal justice system, they are treated and corrected in the community where the offensive behaviour originated. The programme stands to create a practical pathway and framework for  handling the changing patterns of substance abuse in the local communities and neighbourhoods. It is a strong driving force and construct for achieving the long sought for drugs-source-control and treatment plans, and a plausible, reliable and accurate scale-of-justice-balancing measure that can direct the path to effective drug policy in Nigeria. Keywords: Community Response, Drug/Substance Use, Nigeria, Policy Option, Restorative Justice.&nbsp

Informational privacy and security amid growing activities on electronic platforms in Nigeria: A case for data protection law

Data protection is a fundamental approach created to provide security and protection over information that are personal to individuals and are capable of identifying or leading towards the identification of individuals. Informational privacy in this context connotes the protection accorded to individuals in the processing, storage and dissemination of private information. Put differently, it suggests the misuse or unwanted use of private information. This mechanism is extremely crucial to Nigeria in today’s growing trends in information and communication technology. Essentially, this paper seeks to re-echo and underpin the importance of adopting a formidable regulation(s) towards the way and manner personal information of people are being processed, stored and disseminated. This is having regards to Nigeria’s growing interests in electronic approach to citizen’s identity management, education, business and social activities, and governance at all levels. This paper further answers questions on how porous Nigeria has become in the overall management of people’s personal information compared to other countries with effective data protection regulations. It also highlights the importance of a data protection regulation to the nation’s economy. Furthermore, unprotected use of personal information on internet has prompted another side of reservation about right to privacy. This paper equally looks at how data protection legislation will advance the right to privacy in the use of internet and information technology.Keywords: Personal Data, Human Right, Privacy, Information Technolog

Predictors and Risk Factors of Armed Robbery Victimisation in Nigeria: An Integrated Theoretical Perspective

The rapidly increasing rate of armed robbery victimisation in Nigeria necessitated the integration of five relevant victimological and sociological/criminological theories in this paper to provide a detailed account of the causal processes and conditions that predict this offending behaviour. The paper is essentially theoretical, relying mainly on library research and review of relevant literature to obtain necessary data and information. It was found that armed robbery, as a social problem, is caused by many factors and the associated risk factors are countless and destructive. Issues raised suggest a policy direction that will ensure a timely and objective incorporation of the global best practices—as enshrined in the Victims’ Bill of Right (VBR), among others, into the Nigerian legal system, so as to effectively combat armed robbery victimisation and related offences. The official introduction of victim impact statements, victim-offender reconciliation, crisis interventions and restorative justice into the Nigerian criminal justice system is also advocated for. Additionally, it is suggested that social service agencies and/or providers should extend their caring services beyond victims of disaster/disease and terrorism to include armed robbery victims, given the alarming nature and extent of this phenomenon in the country

A Country in the Throes of Crime: A Theoretical Focus on the Complexities of Kidnapping in Nigeria

Relying mainly on review of relevant literature to obtain necessary data and information, this research theoretically explored the intricacies of kidnapping in Nigeria. Relative deprivation, frustration-aggression and routine activities theories were integrated to dissect the problem. We found evidence to justify the fact that the crime is on the increase because of the general porous security network and systemic poor economic situation, such as high poverty, unemployment and underemployment rates and their resultant frustration and aggression. Empirical evidence further revealed that politicians equip many jobless, deprived and frustrated youths with lethal weapons during electioneering against their opponents. And many of them were neither disarmed nor engaged in life-improving legitimate livelihood after elections. Thus, availability of arms and ammunition, exposure to aggression and violent behavior, coupled with untold hardship, idleness and lack of capable guardianship, become predisposing factors to kidnapping. It is on this premised that we reached the conclusion that there is a dire need to develop a strong pathway and comprehensive, informative lead/reference material that can assist the government and its policymakers, security agencies and even members of the public in grappling with the complexities of kidnapping. Issues raised suggest a policy direction: that improved general standard of living, particularly meaningful youth socioeconomic empowerment and prosocial political engagements of youths, will suffice in curbing the menace

Effects of cassia tora leaf extracts on blood glucose and lipid profile of alloxan - induced diabetic Rats.

Background: Many leafy vegetables and their extracts have been found to be effective in the management of many non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Objective: The study investigated the effect of methanol extract of Cassia tora leaf on blood glucose and lipid profile of alloxan – induced diabetic rats. Materials and methods: Two kilogramme of fresh Cassia tora leaves (tabsa) was bought from Mubi daily market, Adamawa state Nigeria. The vegetables were picked, cleaned and pulverized using gallenkamp mixer kenwood – MPR 201. Methanol (extracting solvent) was used to produce the leaf extracts. A half of the vegetable extracts were used to determine the proximate, some minerals, vitamins, antinutrients and phytochemical compositions of the leaves using standard methods. The other half of the extracts was used with rat chow for feeding rats to ascertain the effect of the compositions on blood glucose and lipid profile of alloxan - induced diabetic rats using standard methods.A standard antidiabetic drug served as the standard control. Rat chow and Water was given adlibitum. Means and standard deviation of the triplicate determinations of all the data were calculated with Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS) version 20. Results: The results revealed high amounts of proximate components, minerals, vitamins, phytochemicals and low levels of antinutrients in the Cassia tora leaf extracts. The animal studies showed that the rats fed with 1000mg / kg BW of Cassia tora leaf extract had reduced blood glucose concentration (23.92%) more than the group fed with standard antidiabetic drug used (17.23 %) (p<0.05). It also improved the lipid profile. Conclusion: The methanol extracts of Cassia tora leaf have antidiabetic potentials

The Right to Participate in Political and Decision-Making Process under the Maputo Protocol: Normative Masculinity and Nigerian Women

The birth of the Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa otherwise known as Maputo Protocol was meant to overcome the shortcomings of the African Charter on Human Rights. Despite Nigeria’s ratification of the protocol, little concrete achievements have been recorded. This study situates the right of Nigerian women to participate in political and decision-making process under the Maputo Protocol in the context of normative and hegemonic barriers in the country. Using analytical methodology, the paper argues that the underrepresentation of Nigerian women in public governance is a negation of human rights. The domestication of the Protocol is recommended

Knowledge, attitudes and health seeking behaviour of university students towards tuberculosis: a case study of UKZN Howard College.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.In 2015, South Africa recorded an alarming TB incidence cases of 454 000, having 834 cases per 100 000, which accounted for 60% of the global TB burden. A shift from this trend requires the understanding of the knowledge, attitude, and practices of TB amongst young South Africans, who are at high risk, in order to properly inform the prevention strategies and to reduce infection rate. Although several studies have been conducted on the knowledge attitude and practices of TB in South Africa, only few have been conducted amongst South African university students. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, practices and behaviour among university students in UKZN Howard college, using a quantitative method with structured questionnaire. The study, consisting of 221 post graduate and undergraduate students, showed that students were aware of the symptoms, causes and mode of TB transmission. It showed that most (90%) of the participants had positive attitude towards TB. Although there was evidence of low (female: 29%, Male: 53%) screening practices, all the participants agreed they would go to the health facilities if they had TB. The study found that level of education was statistically (p < 0.01) associated with knowledge of the duration of TB treatment while gender was significantly (p < 0.001) associated with practice of testing for TB. Based on participants’ responses, the study suggests that the social media should be utilized in the dissemination of TB knowledge to the public to promote prevention and treatment of TB disease