THE IMPACT OF POST-COLONIAL CULTURE AND SELECTED TRADITIONAL PRACTICES ON LIFELONG LEARNING IN CONTEMPORARY NIGERIA

A post-colonial situation like Nigeria cannot entirely be disentangled from its past. Lifelong Learning in Nigeria had been significantly influenced by post-colonialism and selected traditional practices peculiar to indigenous African communities. This is a modest effort at examining the impact of post-colonial culture on policies and practices related to lifelong learning in Nigeria. Attempts are also made to examine the influences of selected traditional practices like: Osu outcast system in eastern Nigeria, the nomadic education in northern Nigeria and the extended family system in western Nigeria. A generic traditional practice among all Nigerians is the celebration of Age and Life characteristic of all cultures in Nigeria. Lifelong learning is in agreement with all cultures in Nigeria as no culture terminates learning that is why life and death are causes of extensive celebration in any culture in Nigeria.  Article visualizations

Human Immunodeficiency Virus And The Nervous System: An Update With Emphasis On Developing Countries

Ten percent of patients that are diagnosed with AIDS also have some neurological complaint, 40% present neurological signs or symptoms during the course of the infection, and 80% of the autopsies present neurological alterations. Although much is known about the neuropathology of HIV infection, many important questions on its neuropathogenesis remain unanswered

THE IMPACT OF POST-COLONIAL CULTURE AND SELECTED TRADITIONAL PRACTICES ON LIFELONG LEARNING IN CONTEMPORARY NIGERIA

A post-colonial situation like Nigeria cannot entirely be disentangled from its past. Lifelong Learning in Nigeria had been significantly influenced by post-colonialism and selected traditional practices peculiar to indigenous African communities. This is a modest effort at examining the impact of post-colonial culture on policies and practices related to lifelong learning in Nigeria. Attempts are also made to examine the influences of selected traditional practices like: Osu outcast system in eastern Nigeria, the nomadic education in northern Nigeria and the extended family system in western Nigeria. A generic traditional practice among all Nigerians is the celebration of Age and Life characteristic of all cultures in Nigeria. Lifelong learning is in agreement with all cultures in Nigeria as no culture terminates learning that is why life and death are causes of extensive celebration in any culture in Nigeria.  Article visualizations

Women, Community Education and Rural Transformation in Nigeria: A Synergy

Women have always been relevant in any development process either at home or in their various communities. They are the key actors in bringing about real changes positively given their population statistics and their active roles in the community. They are often at the grassroots level and are seen to be important in decision making processes though in most cases this is not acknowledged or appreciated given the patriarchal nature of the communities and also at higher levels of human socialisation. This paper seeks to bring to discourse the crucial importance of women and how the transformation process of their communities may not be worthwhile if they are not actively involved. The popular notion that if you train a woman you train a community is the underlying factor guiding this paper. The paper is also premised on the fact that if women are giving the right atmosphere and environment to operate then, a strong synergy is expected to bring about positive rural transformation for the betterment of all the stakeholders. Keywords: Women, Community Education, Rural transformation DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-25-05 Publication date:September 30th 202

Preparing Citizens for Peaceful Living: An Evaluation of Obafemi Awolowo University Curriculum for Peace Education

This article evaluated Obafemi Awolowo University’s special electives and faculty general courses to determine their peace education contents and their potentials to build the capacity of undergraduates for peace living in the society. Using a peace education evaluative framework specifically designed for the study, 60 courses were evaluated for their peace contents. Results were qualitatively described in words and with the use of simple frequency tables and graphs.Findings showed that Obafemi Awolowo University offers 24 special electives consisting of 201 topics with 20.3% of peace education diet while 15 courses have peace education diet, 9 courses have none.1.4% of the contents of the special elective curriculum reflect elements of education for peace. Human right education 1.4%, Gender education 0.4%, Environmental education 2.9%, Futures education 7.4%,Global citizenship education 0.4% and multi-cultural education 6.4%. Of the general courses of the 13 faculties in the university, only 5 faculties have peace education contents. Faculty of Administration 7.1%, Faculty of Agriculture 21.7%,Faculty of Education 12.5%,Faculty of Law 5%, and Faculty of Social Sciences 57.1%. The two most frequent peace education elements in Obafemi Awolowo University curriculum are Futures Education and Environmental Education.There are therefore convincing empirical evidence suggesting that Obafemi Awolowo University curriculum has low peace content.The term peace is frequently and liberally used in the media the public and the private sector as well as in the International arena. Peace is a key term for education because it pertains to the basic condition of human existence and societal as well as political embedding. Defining peace is a difficult task as it encompasses not only a concept but also a plethora of behaviours and conditions that could be necessary to obtain peace. The most common definition of peace states that peace is the absence of war or protracted conflict. Peace can also be seen as an attitude, behaviour, specific relation among people or quality of relations (Waterkamp 2006).  The concept of peace has evolved throughout history as a result of changes in the world order and modifications in a state of existence. Moreover, in the modern world, understanding of peace varies significantly within cultural and geographical contexts.Galtung (1969), one of the best known theorists of modern peace research, defines peace through social goals as a major part of a scientific strategy. The terms peace and violence are closely linked to each other. Harris and Morrison (2003) elaborate that peace is concerned with different forms of violence and it functions at multiple levels of human existence. Traditionally, peace is associated to nations and their ability to settle disagreements. Peace is a concept that motivates and inspires imagination indicating more than the absence of violence. It implies co-operation, respect for life and human rights and the dignity of each human being without discrimination or prejudice (Burns and Aspeslagh 1983, Bajaj 2008).Since independence, Nigeria has not escaped a season that was free of crises both at community level and within ethnic groups in the country.  There were political crises as well 1.0can count up to fifty or more religious crises from 1977 till 2000 (Alabi 2010). In spite of the conflict prone situation in Nigeria, her desire for peace is evident in her national anthem and the pledge. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-25-04 Publication date:September 30th 202

Servicom policy intervention: Improving service quality in Nigerian public sector

In this case study we examine the raison d’être and implementation of a policy intervention, which was promulgated in 2005 for the purpose of eradicating inefficiency and corruption, and inculcating customer orientation in the Nigerian public sector. The policy goes by the acronym ‘SERVICOM’ -‘service compact with all Nigerians’. We draw on existing information in describing workplace behaviours in the Nigerian public sector that necessitated this policy intervention, the extent of its implementation, and in enumerating related interventions that are being implemented concurrently with SERVICOM. Our findings suggest that the objectives and delivery mechanisms of SERVICOM are appropriate remedies for poor service delivery in the Nigerian public sector.  SERVICOM units are being established in government departments, workers are being trained, among other strategies for achieving the aims of the intervention. Other actions, however, must be taken to achieve the desired improvements. For instance, improvements in physical infrastructure must be undertaken, since changed work attitudes cannot substitute for inadequate infrastructure. A properly functioning public service is indispensable to good governance, institutional capacity building, and private sector development. SERVICOM policy must be sustained, alongside other related initiatives, until Nigerian public life is truly transformed. Continued support of the international community will really help

Usefulness of the HIV dementia scale in nigerian patients with HIV/AIDS

Objective. Information on the cognitive complications of HIV/AIDS from sub-Saharan Africa, where statistics on HIV are alarming, is sparse because of lack of validated cognitive tools. This study assessed the usefulness and predictive validity of the HIV Dementia Scale (HDS) as a screening tool in HIV-positive Nigerians. Design. HIV-positive patients were randomly selected over a period of 2 months. Setting. The HIV/AIDS outpatient clinic at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City,  Nigeria. Subjects. Asymptomatic and symptomatic HIV-positive patients were compared with controls matched with regard to age, gender and level of education. Outcome measures. Cognitive performances on the modified HDS. Results. Performances on the HDS of 160 HIV-positive subjects (80  asymptomatic and 80 symptomatic) were compared with those of 80 HIV-negative controls. The mean HDS scores (maximum 12) were 10.78 (significant deviation (SD) 1.18) (HIV-negative subjects), 8.85 (SD 1.38) (HIV, asymptomatic) and 5.2 (SD 1.13) (HIV, symptomatic);

Servicom policy intervention: Improving service quality in Nigerian public sector

In this case study we examine the raison d’être and implementation of a policy intervention, which was promulgated in 2005 for the purpose of eradicating inefficiency and corruption, and inculcating customer orientation in the Nigerian public sector. The policy goes by the acronym ‘SERVICOM’ -‘service compact with all Nigerians’. We draw on existing information in describing workplace behaviours in the Nigerian public sector that necessitated this policy intervention, the extent of its implementation, and in enumerating related interventions that are being implemented concurrently with SERVICOM. Our findings suggest that the objectives and delivery mechanisms of SERVICOM are appropriate remedies for poorservice delivery in the Nigerian public sector. SERVICOM units are being established in government departments, workers are being trained, among other strategies for achieving the aims of the intervention. Other actions, however, must be taken to achieve the desired improvements. For instance, improvements in physical infrastructure must be undertaken, since changed work attitudes cannot substitute for inadequate infrastructure. A properly functioning public service is indispensable to good governance, institutional capacity building, and private sector  development. SERVICOM policy must be sustained, alongside other related initiatives, until Nigerian public life is truly transformed. Continued support of the international community will really help

Decent Work and Poverty Eradication Among Micro-Entrepreneur Recharge-Card Vendors

It is believed that most micro-entrepreneurial businesses lack decency, and unable to provide for the entrepreneurs and their relations/dependants satisfactorily with the income earned. This study was therefore designed to investigate whether or not recharge-card retailing provides enough income to permit the vendors live above United Nations (UN) poverty benchmark of $1.25; and whether recharge-card retailing qualifies as decent work as conceived by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The population of the study comprised vendors of mobile-phone recharge-cards in Benin City. Cochran’s formula was used to determine the sample size. A sample of one hundred and five (105) vendors was taken in specific locations such as the main campus of the University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus; and its environs. This sample was drawn with the aid of convenience sampling technique. Being a descriptive research, the statistical analysis undertaken was also descriptive through the use of frequency distribution and simple percentages. The study found that the vendors’ daily investment in card procurement and average sales per day suggests that the financial commitment by most of the vendors guarantees a daily profit that will be greater than$1.25 UN benchmark and that recharge-card retailing can be considered as a decent work as examined on the basis of the four decent work indicators selected and used in the study. It is recommended that government should support vendors by formulating and implementing social and economic policies that will create a friendly and enabling working environment for them; recharge-card vendors should form associations/unions so as to protect their interests and enhance their wellbeing; and more women should be empowered to venture into the business because it does not require strenuous efforts

You Can’t Give What You Don’t Have: Intervention Agencies and Gender Dynamics in Beneficiary Communities

Interventions are meant to improve people’s lives; however, they can fail to do so and at times even worsen situations. Gender equality is one area that needs improvement in societies, but which interventions can inadvertently impact upon negatively. The study assessed the impact of the Niger Delta Development Commission’s (NDDC) interventions on gender dynamics in Odi Community. A case study design was adopted for the study. Data collection and analyses were iterative. Findings showed that although gender sensitivity is articulated in the mandate of the Commission, however, the NDDC lacks institutional capacity for it. Hence, it did not appropriately mainstream gender in its interventions, and thus, impacted gender relations negatively. This it did by inadvertently entrenching traditional power disequilibrium and gender roles between females and males. Also, it did not include women in its community engagement meetings and unconsciously allocated more financial resources to males. Finally, the Commission did not make provision for women’s needs to encourage women participation and entrenched women’s traditional reproductive activities. It takes more than policy to make intervention agencies to support gender equality: institutional capacity and sensitivity are required