The Impact of Domestic Violence Legal Regulation and Enforcement Among Nigerian Immigrants in Ireland

The purpose of this study was to appraise the efficacy of law and its enforcement in changing peoples’ perceptions and attitudes toward domestic violence and raising awareness about it. The study explored the role of legal regulation and enforcement in tackling domestic violence by investigating how its regulation and enforcement in Ireland impacted on the Nigerian immigrants’ perceptions and attitudes toward it. It queries if both jurisdictions are protecting human rights adequately within their domains. The universal theory of human rights and the feminist legal theory were used to guide the claim of this thesis that cultural, traditional and religious beliefs and practices in Nigeria impede the understanding of domestic violence, encourage the behaviour and hinder the enacting of emancipatory human rights laws in the country. The study employed a qualitative method of enquiry within a socio-legal approach to obtain empirical data through a semi-structured interview of ten (10) participants. The participants were selected through a heterogeneous or maximum variation sampling technique. The data were analysed using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) method. The study found that legal regulation and enforcement are efficacious in changing perceptions and attitudes toward domestic violence. All the participants (100%) affirmed change of their perceptions and attitudes toward domestic violence since taking up residence in Ireland. The study equally revealed that domestic violence awareness campaign in Ireland as well as law and its effective enforcement contributed in increasing the participants’ knowledge and understanding of domestic violence. The participants affirmed that the legal process in Ireland, especially regarding access to justice and enforcement of laws is more protective of peoples’ human rights than the process in Nigeria. The findings also revealed that Nigerian immigrants in Ireland are supportive of reporting incidences of domestic violence to the authorities. Thus, the findings imply that law is effectual in transforming peoples’ perceptions and attitudes toward domestic violence. Consequently, the study recommends adopting a legal approach to tackling domestic violence. In addition, the study calls on the Nigerian Government (both State and Federal) to ensure the Federal law against domestic violence (VAPP Act 2015) has a nationwide applicability

The Impact of Domestic Violence Legal Regulation and Enforcement Among Nigerian Immigrants in Ireland

The purpose of this study was to appraise the efficacy of law and its enforcement in changing peoples’ perceptions and attitudes toward domestic violence and raising awareness about it. The study explored the role of legal regulation and enforcement in tackling domestic violence by investigating how its regulation and enforcement in Ireland impacted on the Nigerian immigrants’ perceptions and attitudes toward it. It queries if both jurisdictions are protecting human rights adequately within their domains. The universal theory of human rights and the feminist legal theory were used to guide the claim of this thesis that cultural, traditional and religious beliefs and practices in Nigeria impede the understanding of domestic violence, encourage the behaviour and hinder the enacting of emancipatory human rights laws in the country. The study employed a qualitative method of enquiry within a socio-legal approach to obtain empirical data through a semi-structured interview of ten (10) participants. The participants were selected through a heterogeneous or maximum variation sampling technique. The data were analysed using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) method. The study found that legal regulation and enforcement are efficacious in changing perceptions and attitudes toward domestic violence. All the participants (100%) affirmed change of their perceptions and attitudes toward domestic violence since taking up residence in Ireland. The study equally revealed that domestic violence awareness campaign in Ireland as well as law and its effective enforcement contributed in increasing the participants’ knowledge and understanding of domestic violence. The participants affirmed that the legal process in Ireland, especially regarding access to justice and enforcement of laws is more protective of peoples’ human rights than the process in Nigeria. The findings also revealed that Nigerian immigrants in Ireland are supportive of reporting incidences of domestic violence to the authorities. Thus, the findings imply that law is effectual in transforming peoples’ perceptions and attitudes toward domestic violence. Consequently, the study recommends adopting a legal approach to tackling domestic violence. In addition, the study calls on the Nigerian Government (both State and Federal) to ensure the Federal law against domestic violence (VAPP Act 2015) has a nationwide applicability

FOSTERING CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS AMONG NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: GENERAL PRINCIPLES

There is a new policy shift in the Nigerian university educational policy which promotes entrepreneurial education to facilitate entrepreneurial pursuit after graduation. This is in response to the growing rate of unemployment among the young population especially university graduates because governments at various levels cannot provide enough employment for the teeming population of youth who needs jobs. Entering the world of business or entrepreneurship could be challenging especially within the context of the ever-evolving 21st-century business climate. Business success thus becomes a huge concern for entrepreneurs and other stakeholders in the growth and development of the Nigerian society and economy. This apprehension becomes magnified with Nigeria’s myriads of economic challenges. This work aims at contributing to the discourse on consolidating entrepreneurial practices in a developing economy such as Nigeria by targeting students at different levels of study in the university system. While exposing the concepts of creativity and innovation, the work proposes that the preparation of university students for business or entrepreneurial pursuit should include deliberate creativity and innovation through the use of structured tools and deliberate methods and principles for business success in a highly competitive and dynamic business world. This proposal becomes relevant within the context of the sustainability of businesses in the ever-challenging Nigerian economy. Conclusively, the paper avers that the principles and strategies canvassed will facilitate entrepreneurial success when these university students eventually become entrepreneurs. Article visualizations

The Transformative Power of Deliberate Creativity: Reflections of a Priest Creativity Practitioner

The idea of creativity continues to gain global currency as the tool for growth and development, especially in our contemporary world. There is an emerging universal paradigm shift that promotes creativity as something that could be structured and deliberate as against the erstwhile belief that it is restricted and by chance. Nevertheless, some individuals, groups, and climes are yet to fully embrace creativity in all its ramifications. Creativity practice is one of the means to foster and sustain creativity in persons and groups. Consequently, nurturing creativity continues to impact people and contexts. Through four case studies, this project presents a fortuitous journey of an unlikely party which begins from without and ends on a personal discovery which transforms both the subject-facilitator and the various contexts in which deliberate creativity practice is facilitated. A case is made for the espousal of deliberate creativity as a veritable skill for the growth and development of not only organizations but persons thereby touting creativity in a deliberate manner as an indispensable skill for all times and for transformation of all human situations

Predictors of Undergraduates’ Creativity Potentials in Southwestern Nigeria

This study investigated the degree of relationship between eight psychosocial factors and their potential for creativity among undergraduates in southwestern Nigeria. Multistage sampling was used to select 651 respondents who responded to four psycho-social creativity instruments. Risk-taking behavior recorded a mean score of 40.75 (SD of 7.55). Peer pressure threshold mean score was 38.26 (SD of 6.470). Knowledge of creativity mean score was 35.33 (SD of 6.61). Attitude towards creativity revealed a mean score of 41.07 (SD of 6.45). The mean score on the Williams Creativity Test was 72.73 (SD of 7.69). Peer pressure and creativity have a significant correlation of 0.200 (p<0.05). Knowledge/awareness of creativity has a significant correlation of 0.545 (p<0.05). Correlation between attitude and creativity is 0.532 significant at p<0.05. The significant correlation between age and creativity is 0.104 (p<0.05). The correlation between gender and creativity is 0.036 which is not significant (p<0.05). Risk-taking behaviour and creativity have a correlation of 0.007 which is not significant (p<0.005). The correlation between parental influence and creativity is 0.064, and it is not significant (p<0.05), while the course of study and creativity have no significant correlation of -0.047. The results suggest implications for stakeholders in the educational system

MODELING, OPTIMISATION AND ANALYSIS OF RE-ENTRANT FLOWSHOP JOB SCHEDULING WITH FUZZY PROCESSING TIMES

This paper presents a makespan minimization of -jobs -machines re-entrant flow shop scheduling problem (RFSP) under fuzzy uncertainties using Genetic Algorithm. The RFSP objective is formulated as a mathematical programme constrained by number of jobs and resources availability with traditional scheduling policies of First Come First Serve (FCFS) and the First Buffer First Serve (FBFS). Jobs processing times were specified by fuzzy numbers and modelled using triangular membership function representations. The modified centroid defuzzification technique was used at different alpha-cuts to obtain fuzzy processing times (FPT) of jobs to explore the importance of uncertainty. The traditional GA schemes and operators were used together with roulette wheel algorithm without elitism in the selection process based on job fuzzy completion times. A test problem of five jobs with specified Job Processing and Transit Times between service centres, Job Start Times and Job Due times was posed. Results obtained using the deterministic and fuzzy processing times were compared for the two different scheduling policies, FCFS and FBFS. The deterministic optimal makespan for FBFS schedule was 61.2% in excess of the FCFS policy schedule.  The results also show that schedules with fuzzy uncertainty processing times provides shorter makespans than those for deterministic processing times and those under FCFS performing better than those under FBFS policy for early jobs while on the long run the FBFS policy performs better. The results underscore the need to take account of comprehensive fuzzy uncertainties in job processing times as a trade-off between time and costs influenced by production makespan. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v36i3.2

Hydrogeology of Uburu and Environs, Southern Eastern, Nigeria

Communication in Physical Sciences 2018, 3(1):67-75 Authors: Obialo Solomon Onwuka,Elochukwu Pearl Echezona and Chimankpam Kenneth Ezugwu Received 20 November2018/Accepted 26 December 2018 Uburu is a rural settlement bounded within latitudes 6˚ 00’N and 6˚ 05’N, and longitudes 7˚ 40’E and 7˚ 45’E. Water quality in Uburu area of southeastern Nigeria was investigated, applying multivariate Statgraphics Centurion XVII, ArcGIS 10.2.2 and Surfer 10 software on hydrochemical and bacteriological data. 10 water samples, ranging from boreholes, hand dug wells and surface waters were collected, to unravel the major factor controlling water quality in the study area. The study area is underlain by Abakaliki Shale, which comprises bluish grey shales with fine to medium to coarse grained sandstones. Physico-chemical and bacteriological analyses were used to assess the influence of geogenic and anthropogenic processes on the groundwater quality. Results suggest that the groundwater is acidic, hard and salty, due to salt water intrusion in the Uburu area. The water types are mainly Na++K+&nbsp;and S042-&nbsp;Cl–. According to the W.H.O (2017) standards, the levels of the physico-chemical parameters in the groundwater indicate that the water is acceptable for domestic use; but the bacteriological analysis shows high counts of Escherichia coliform (E.coli) bacteria, which indicates poor sanitary conditions in the study area. It will be safe, therefore, to suggest that the water be treated before it is used for drinking and preparation of food, in order to avoid incidences of gastrointestinal diseases caused by the ingestion of water contaminated by faecal matters. The groundwater and surface water cluster analysis unraveled that rock mineral dissolution, sewage and agricultural waste contaminations, are the main factors controlling the water chemistry in the are

Multivariate and Pollution Assessment of Enugu Industrial Layout, Southeastern Nigeria

This research assesses the heavy metals pollution in the soil and water qualities in Emene and its environs, which is well known for its large industrial activities in South-Eastern Nigeria, using multivariate and pollution load assessment techniques. The sampling was conducted in both water and soils. Sixteen water samples were fetched from an industrial effluent (IEF), surface and groundwater (SW and HDW) and control samples (CTR). At different five industrial sites, a collection of soil samples were made, while two samples which serves as a control were collected far away from the industrial site.. The extent of the sediment pollution was assessed; using pollution load index (PLI). A positive correlation was observed with Fe, As, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn and Ni. The extracted results of the correlation matrix suggest that the dominant ions in the water (As and Fe, Pb and Fe, Cr and Fe, Cu and Fe, Pb and As, Cr and As, Cu and As, Cr and Pb, Cd and Zn, Ni and Zn, Cu and Cr) were derived from the same source of enrichment. In addition to this, a cluster analysis depicts a set of three clusters from a 13 sampling locations based on the similarities of water quality features. The pollution load index (PLI), showed that all locations have PLI &gt; 1 and were polluted. The index values of the heavy metals for Igeo values shows a range which indicates that the industrial soils are unpolluted with Cu and Ni, in the degree of unpolluted to moderately polluted, it has Cr, Fe and Zn while unpolluted to highly polluted has; Pb and Mn. As and Cd shows a level from unpolluted to very highly polluted.. Based on the average Igeo values of the heavy metals, the industrial soils of the study area are unpolluted with Cr, Cu, Ni, Fe, Pb and Zn; and highly polluted with As, Fe and Cd. The data also indicate that the degree of enrichment of each of the heavy metal reflects its pollution intensity Keywords: Cluster analysis, Contamination factor, Control samples, Emene Town, Pollution load index, DOI: 10.7176/JEES/13-9-03 Publication date: November 30th 202

Integrated Geoelectrical And Structural Studies For Groundwater Investigation In Parts of Abuja, North Central Nigeria

Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, West Africa, is underlain by Precambrian basement rocks consisting mainly of porphyroblastic gneisses, granitic-gneisses, migmatitic gneisses, amphibolites, Pan-African granites and undifferentiated schists. The geology of Abuja, therefore, makes the groundwater conditions in the area very unpredictable. Geophysical surveys were carried out at 12 locations within and around the Gosa area and the results integrated with 88 lineament (fractures) extracted from hill-shaded Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data. The dominant fracture trend for the area is NNE–SSW and N–S, which corresponds to the Pan-African trends in the basement complex of Nigeria. It is observed that in the Gosa area, whereas fractures exist, they do not possess sufficient interconnectivity; this may have adversely affected the permeability of the fractured zone, resulting in the incidence of dry wells in the area. Moreover, evidence from interpreted two-dimensional (2D) geoelectric sections reveals that in some parts of Abuja, the weathered overburden is not thick enough to support sufficient yield for a viable borehole. Interconnected fractures therefore become the desirable structural feature capable of improving the aquifer potential. This study demonstrates the usefulness of integrating conventional vertical electrical sounding (VES) surveys with structural data derived from enhanced SRTM imagery in a hydrologically complicated terrain

An investigation of the combustion kinetics of coal-microalgae composite

Coal mining and handling generate sizeable quantities of ultra-fine coal particles which are heaped as discard material. Use of the ultra-fine coal for co-firing with microalgae biomass appears to be a promising option that would improve combustion of the discard. There is no available traditional biomass binder that can be used to agglomerate, reclaim, and co-fire the discard ultra-fine coal to generate heat. In a recent research, microalgae biomass was identified as an effective natural binder for discard ultra-fine coal. Biomass is a renewable resource, and many have been co-fired on a large scale except microalgae biomass. Researchers have studied co-firing of dry mixed coal-microalgae, however, the kinetics of a wet mix of microalgae biomass and ultra-fine coal, “Coalgae®” patented recently by the Nelson Mandela University needs to be explored. The study aimed at investigating in some detail the oxidation mechanism of coal-microalgae composites. The objective is to understand the impact of microalgae on the kinetic properties of coal which will inform on the application of “Coalgae®”. It involves correlating the small and large-scale combustion properties that will establish the co-firing option on an industrial scenario. The goal is to utilize all grades of discard ultra-fine resource using microalgae biomass as binder and a renewable component which enhances the combustion of coal to supply heat and electricity. The use of microalgae for fuel preparation and upgrading is on the increase due to its high growth potential, reactivity, and ability to store energy more than other biomasses. This research hypothesized that blending of discard ultra-fine coal with live microalgae biomass would improve the kinetic properties of the coal more than expected from linear combination of the dry materials. Thermogravimetric combustion of “Coalgae®” was studied under non-isothermal conditions from 40 °C to 900°C at a heating rate of 15 °C/min and air flow rate of 20 ml/min. The thermogravimetric combustion properties i.e. small-scale was related to the large-scale, John Thompson’s fixed-bed reactor under the above condition. Thermal profiles were transformed into a differential function to reveal overlapped combustion events. The Coat-Redferns kinetic model was applied on the non-de-Ejesieme, O.V. PhD Chemistry (Research), Nelson Mandela Univ. Email: [email protected] , [email protected] convoluted reactions set to obtain some of kinetic parameters. The Fraser-Suzuki equation was used to de-convolute the overlapped combustion. Then, rate law combined with Arrhenius equation was used to derive the activation energy E a and pre-exponential factor A, while the integral form of solid states reaction model, g (∝) was applied to deduce the oxidation mechanism. The composite formed a strong and partly renewable blend under controlled temperature conditions, unlike assorted dried biomass mixed with coal. Microalgae biomass upgraded the fuel and kinetics properties of ultra-fine coal more than what was expected from a linear combination. It released heat that promoted the oxidation mechanism of the discard coal. The main effect is that the “Coalgae®” is significantly (p = 0.0570) more reactive than the coal. The co-firing approach is partly renewable and contributes to the utilization of high and low-quality available discard ultra-fine coal. It advances the combustion of coal resources and reduces carbon dioxide, CO2 emission attributed to global warming as well as preserves the natural biomass sources. The combustion of “Coalgae® “will improve economy, environment, and health, heat, and electricity supply to the society