Igbo Numerical System and Mathematics: Towards Harnessing Potential for Business, Governance, Science and Technology

This study explored the nature of Igbo numerical system and mathematics towards harnessing its potential for business, governance and science and technology. Like other civilizations, Igbo mathematics evolved from its numerical system which is aboriginally vegesimal number system (of base 20). The Igbo number system was advanced because it has number names for all the numbers within its vegesimal system although the numerals were not symbolized. Outside its general and conventional use, the Igbo numbers do have social and religious implied meaning which influenced the use of the numbers and the people. The cultural influence of this number system to a large extent determined the utility and application of same in mathematical principles and later in its outcome as human development. Some humanistic aspects were implicated such as business enterprise, governance and science and technology as areas where the application potentials of indigenous numerical system and mathematical expressions in daily usage and science can be harnessed for greater benefits

“Oriaku Vs Okpataku”: The Changing Roles of Femininity within The Patriarchal Igbo Tradition in Nigeria

Over time, the ease of access has been to the advantage of men and the disadvantage of women, especially in a traditional society like Nigeria. However, despite the marginalization, it appears that women are beginning to challenge norms, traditions, cultures, and stereotypes by breaking free from the shackles of patriarchy. Hence, this study examines the current perception of femininity concerning employment and income. Specifically, it aimed at understanding how the clamor for gender equality and equity has changed one of the characteristics of femininity from “Oriaku” to “Okpataku” in a typical patriarchal society like Anambra State, Nigeria. Using the Constructionist Theory of representation as a framework, the study adopts in-depth interviews as a qualitative approach. Findings reveal that both men and women are more comfortable with being Okpataku than Oriaku, owing to the recent harsh economic reality in the country. Recommendations were made based on the findings

Kolanut and Symbolismic Universe: Towards the Creation and Constitution of Igbo Science and Arts

The versatility of the Igbo kola nut (cola acuminata - Oji Igbo) perhaps till date exudes universal symbolismic appeal which is unrivaled throughout the Igbo socio-religious cosmology. In many respects, considering that the contributions of many civilizations as can still be found in many ways in today’s evolutionary science and art were products of peoples’ life and culture; the Igbo kola nut perhaps portends an untapped potential capable of influencing and inventing her own science and arts. Against this backdrop, this study explored the cosmology of the communion of the Igbo kola nut as a valuable symbolismic substance towards the creation and constitution of the Igbo science and arts. The study considered the associated cultural embedded values in the communion of the Igbo kola nut as true of a distinct science and of an evolutionary art. Its (Oji Igbo) universal symbolismic appeal especially in understanding the interrelatedness of physical, psychological and spiritual principles that govern the material and the immaterial world can help man’s daily communal living and adaptation to his prevailing physical and spiritual environment. If further exploited to the fullest, the communion of Oji Igbo can engineer indigenous science and art capable of utilizing its humanistic essence to restore value to a fast degenerating evolution of our society.

SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORKS AND ASSOCIATED VULNERABILITY TO SEXUAL RISK BEHAVIOURS AMONG UNDERGRADUATES

This study explored web 2.0 popularly called Social media network and the associated vulnerability of sexual risk behaviours of undergraduates. 422 undergraduates served as participants in the study. The participants; 199 males and 223 females were drawn from the population of undergraduates in Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Imo State University. The age of the participants ranged from 17 to 26 years, with a mean age of 22.50yrs and standard deviation of 1.30yrs. The participants were selected through simple random sampling technique. Two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study while correlation design and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was the adopted design and statistics for the study. Two instruments: Social Media Use/Abuse Scale and Associated Vulnerability to Sexual Risk Behaviour Scale both developed by Ifeakandu (2011) were used to collate data. After analysis, the result confirmed that there is a significant correlation between use/abuse of social media networks and associated vulnerability to sexual risk behaviours of undergraduates at r = .62, p < .05 (n = 422). Also, the study confirmed that females had more associated vulnerability to sexual risk behaviours than their male counterparts at mean score of 73.44 with standard deviation of 1.106 for females and M = 71.29 and SD =1.859 for males. The study therefore recommended that stakeholders should sensitize and regulate the youths on the positive use of the social media networks while all hands must be on deck to discourage youths from abuse of social media keeping in mind that there are associated sexual risk behaviours with explicit social media consumption.  Article visualizations

BURIAL RITES IN IGBOLAND: PSYCHO-COMMUNICATION CHANNELS OF GENDER DISCRIMINATION

Achieving gender equality requires socio-cultural transformation; unfortunately, this has not happened in the socio-cultural lives of most Nigerians. The cultural excesses have remained her bane as mirrored by the title of this current scholarly effort. This current study explored the burial rites in Igboland as psycho-communicating channels of gender discrimination between man and a woman with a view of ascertaining the psycho-social cum theoretical underpinning of differences in the widowhood and widower-hood practices and its personal, religious and cultural implications on the bereaved using the Igbos of South-Eastern Nigeria as our case study. After conceptual and theoretical appraisal of their cultural reality, there is evidence that a wide range of discrepancies abound in the burial rites with male gender at an advantage. The authors are of the opinion that without practical gain in promoting equitable socio-cultural practices, the national legislative efforts towards the abolishment of all forms of gender discrimination and the promotion of gender affirmative will remain a mirage; the very reason for various discrimination against women in many cultures across Nigeria are unfounded.  Article visualizations