Man, Peace and Peace Education

The essence of education is the development of human potentialities and ultimately, the human self. Since the self is continuously changing, peace education becomes imperative if a planned development of the human self is not achieved. Based on this, this paper attempts to take a cursory look at the nature of man in relation to peace and the role of human development and peace education in contributing to a peaceful environment. This paper argues that peace education will also foster the development of man to live and work in dignity, participate in the development of peace and the establishment of processes for compromise and negotiation. This paper concludes that education for peace will produce assertive humankinds who will individually and collectively be committed to autonomy of thought and action, eradicate the culture of violence and develop sustainable peace

The role of the African Union (AU) in preventing conflicts in African States

The issue of regionalism is today present throughout the international system, and regional organisations are widely considered to play an important role in relation to regional and sub-regional security. With the sub-regional organisations increasingly overburdened, such regional organisations have emerged as one possible solution to problems associated with state fragility and violence perpetrated by non-state actors. Relative to other regional organisations, the AU has received little attention in the literature and it is not generally considered to have much impact on the prevention of conflicts in the African region like sub-regional organisations. This paper, however, argues that the AU does matter and that rules and norms do make a difference in peace and security more generally. The AU, despite its problems, has played important roles that have helped avert violent conflict in a number of cases in Africa.Keywords: African Union (AU), Regionalism, Security, Regional Organisations, African Regio

COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY AND MENTORED SELF-HELP INTERVENTIONS IN FOSTERING SCHOOL CONNECTEDNESS AMONG ACADEMICALLY AT-RISK SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS IN EKITI STATE

This study seeks to employ the psychological interventions of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mentored Self-help Interventions in fostering self-esteem and school connectedness in a cohort of academically at-risk school adolescents in Ekiti State. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that schools can build a sense of connectedness among students. This is done by providing a caring and supportive environment, increasing interactions with positive adults, establishing high expectations, and creating multiple opportunities for youth engagement at home, in schools, and in the community. Also, counselling and psychological intervention programmes should be put in place to help guide academically-at-risk -school students to rediscover their potentials, abilities, and capabilities. A pre-test and post-test control group quasi experimental design with 3x2x2 factorial matrix was adopted for the study. The experimental design and control groups constituted the columns, while the rows comprises of participants, gender, and positive and negative school experiences. The groups were randomly assigned for treatment conditions based on their second terminal academic examination performance of below 50% in three core subject. These subjects are English, Mathematics, and Biology. Furthermore, youth screening survey questionnaire was administered to determine the selection of the participants. The therapies were conducted for eight sessions for one and half hour each. School Connection Scale (Brown and Evans, 2002; Hirschi, 1969; Brown, Leigh, & Barton, 2000) and Psychological Sense of School Membership (PSSM, Goodenow, 1993) were used to obtain data from ninety (90) participants (M=45; F=45) with age range of 13-19 and mean age of 15 years. Analysis of Covariance and t-test for independent samples were used for data analysis. The findings revealed that the two therapies were effective in fostering school connectedness of the participants (F (2/77) = 5.13, P<.05) treated than the control group. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy was found to have superior treatment effect over Mentored Self-Help in fostering school connectedness (F (1/46) = 5.32, P<.05). It was recommended that schools can build a sense of connectedness among students by providing a caring and supportive environment, increasing interactions with positive adults, establishing high expectations, and creating multiple opportunities for youth engagement at home, in schools, and in the community

COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY AND MENTORED SELF-HELP INTERVENTIONS IN FOSTERING SCHOOL CONNECTEDNESS AMONG ACADEMICALLY AT-RISK SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS IN EKITI STATE

This study seeks to employ the psychological interventions of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mentored Self-help Interventions in fostering self-esteem and school connectedness in a cohort of academically at-risk school adolescents in Ekiti State. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that schools can build a sense of connectedness among students. This is done by providing a caring and supportive environment, increasing interactions with positive adults, establishing high expectations, and creating multiple opportunities for youth engagement at home, in schools, and in the community. Also, counselling and psychological intervention programmes should be put in place to help guide academically-at-risk -school students to rediscover their potentials, abilities, and capabilities. A pre-test and post-test control group quasi experimental design with 3x2x2 factorial matrix was adopted for the study. The experimental design and control groups constituted the columns, while the rows comprises of participants, gender, and positive and negative school experiences. The groups were randomly assigned for treatment conditions based on their second terminal academic examination performance of below 50% in three core subject. These subjects are English, Mathematics, and Biology. Furthermore, youth screening survey questionnaire was administered to determine the selection of the participants. The therapies were conducted for eight sessions for one and half hour each. School Connection Scale (Brown and Evans, 2002; Hirschi, 1969; Brown, Leigh, & Barton, 2000) and Psychological Sense of School Membership (PSSM, Goodenow, 1993) were used to obtain data from ninety (90) participants (M=45; F=45) with age range of 13-19 and mean age of 15 years. Analysis of Covariance and t-test for independent samples were used for data analysis. The findings revealed that the two therapies were effective in fostering school connectedness of the participants (F (2/77) = 5.13, P<.05) treated than the control group. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy was found to have superior treatment effect over Mentored Self-Help in fostering school connectedness (F (1/46) = 5.32, P<.05). It was recommended that schools can build a sense of connectedness among students by providing a caring and supportive environment, increasing interactions with positive adults, establishing high expectations, and creating multiple opportunities for youth engagement at home, in schools, and in the community

BOKO HARAM CATASTROPHIC TERRORISM -AN ALBATROSS TO NATIONAL PEACE, SECURITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT The catastrophic terrorism unleashed by the Islamic sect popularly known as "Boko Haram," has become a nation-wide concern in Nigeria in recent years. Almost everyday television broadcast, shows, newspapers, magazines and internet websites run and re-run pictures of dramatic acts of violence carried out by this ferocious sect. It is often hard not to be scared when we see gruesome pictures of people killed or maimed by Boko Haram in office buildings, public buses or trains, and on the streets. The federal government seems weak in maintaining law and order in Nigeria and lacks a viable strategy to contain the Islamic sect from carrying out its atrocities. Nigeria seems to meet the criterion of a "failed states" such as Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Yemen, where terrorist groups are often able to operate freely, plan sophisticated attacks and stockpile weapons-not because the government officials sponsor them but simply because they lack the political will to bring them to book. The federal government, with the support of the international community, has launched many initiatives to combat the threat posed by Boko Haram. Indeed, considerable amount of money and political capital have been invested in new and continuing programmes to enhance security and contain the threat of Boko Haram in Nigeria. Although, these and other efforts are worthy of support, it is not obvious that they reflect any clear ordering of priorities, or that they are being implemented with a sense of urgency. In order to correct this situation, this paper explores the issue of Boko Haram catastrophic terrorism in Nigeria, taking an in depth look at the historical legacy, institutions, conditions and contexts as well as the challenges posed by this trend against sustainable development. This discourse sums up the recommendations motivated by national synergy to effectively address the monstrous threat posed by Boko Haram to national peace, security and sustainable development in the country

RESSURGIMENTO DA MILÍCIA EM OGONILAND: PERSPECTIVA SOCIOECONÔMICA

Militant activities, which are mostly localized in Ogoniland, Nigeria, have remained a threat to the security of the country since the death of Ken Saro-Wiwa and nine Ogoni members when they were hanged during military rule. As a way of drawing attention to itself, the militant Ogoni group initiated violence campaigns which resulted in the massive killing of many multinational oil workers and security forces. To understand how militancy came to be such a Gordian knot in Nigeria’s contemporary security situation, one should have an understanding of Ogoniland’s reality as well as the social and economic history.Atividades paramilitares, que estão na sua maior parte localizadas em Ogoniland, Nigéria, têm constituído uma ameaça à segurança do país desde a morte de Keeen Saro-Wiwa e os nove membros Ogoni, quando os mesmos foram enforcados durante o regime militar. Como meio de atrair atenção para si, o grupo Ogoni iniciou campanhas de violência que resultaram em assassinatos em massa de trabalhadores de petrolíferas e de forças de segurança. Para entender como a milícia tornou-se um nó Górgio de matéria securitária contemporânea da Nigéria, é necessário entender a realidade da Ogoniland assim como sua história socioeconômica

Physicochemical properties and storage stability of mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) cultivated on single (sawdust) and mixed substrates (sawdust and oil palm fibre)

Oyster mushroom nutrients have been rated side by side with proteins in meat and eggs. Oyster mushrooms are high in vitamins and essential amino acids, but their cultivation is poor. Oil palm fibre is being used in making material strength in mechanical engineering with little or no use in the cultivation of food products. This study determined the physicochemical properties and storage stability of mushrooms cultivated on single and mixed substrates (sawdust and oil palm fibre). Oil palm fibre mixed with sawdust at different ratios (95:5, 90:10 and 85:15) was used to grow oyster mushrooms in other to turn waste to wealth. The oyster mushrooms cultivated on both single and mixed substrates were subjected to proximate composition analysis (22.99, 4.54, 6.93, and 6.98%, for crude protein, fat, fibre, and ash), mineral content (5.92 mg/100 g for sodium and 25.76 mg/100 g for potassium), amino acid profile (155.85 mg/g for a total essential amino acid), fatty acid profile (43.82% for linoleic acid), anti-nutritional factor, and storage stability for three months. The mushrooms cultivated on the mixed substrate (oil palm fibre + sawdust) have a higher proximate composition, mineral content, amino acid profile, and fatty acid profiles than mushrooms cultivated on a single substrate (sawdust). Although the peroxide value of the oyster mushroom samples from the mixed substrates increased with storage time, the peroxide value was lower than 10 meq/kg of fat throughout the storage period, which means the samples could still be considered stable during storage. Cultivation of oyster mushrooms on mixed substrates of oil palm fibre and sawdust should be encouraged for highly nutritious oyster mushroom production. Oil palm fibre can also serve as a raw material in mushroom cultivation

Seized by Sleaze: The Siege of Corruption and a Search for Workable Options in Nigeria

The Nigerian state presents a contradictory scenario. It is a country of immense human and material resources, yet it remains poor and grossly underdeveloped. Studies have identified two major obstacles to Nigerian’s development: widespread corruption, and the lingering money laundering scheme. Since gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria has been enduring corruption with little or no serious efforts at combating it. Corruption has become a popular language in Nigerian governance to the extent that an average government political official in Nigeria is generally believed to be corrupt in one way or the other, thereby making Nigeria one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Given the foregoing, this paper examines the phenomenon of corruption in Nigeria. It argues that the prevalence of corruption at every level impedes the prospect of development and growth in the country. It concludes that for Nigeria to make any meaningful growth as a country, corruption must be vehemently opposed and genuinely fought. It then offers workable options on how to combat what has turned out to be a national scourge

Nutritional composition of formulated complementary food produced from blends of malted and unmalted yellow maize (Zea mays), soybean (Glycine max), and tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus) flour

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and micronutrient deficiencies among infants and children in developing countries have been a major concern of the World Health Organization. Formulation of complementary food from local sources of raw materials can be of great help in solving the problems of protein energy malnutrition. This study determined the nutritional composition of four formulated complementary foods from malted yellow maize, pre-gelatinized yellow maize, soybean, and tiger nut flour. The results showed an increase in protein content (17.6, 16.9, 20.4 & 19.7 %), crude fat (14.9, 12.9, 13.0 & 12.9 %) and energy (433.1, 419.4, 421.5 & 426.6 %) when compared with the control sample. The functional properties also competed favourably with the control sample, with the formulated samples having water absorption capacity (171.9, 169.0, 184.1 & 167.4 %), swelling power (27.9, 25.2, 29.8 and 28.1 %), and bulk density at the same level for all the formulated samples (0.5 g/ml). The formulated samples contained a higher amount of iron and magnesium, and the anti-nutritional factors fell below the hazard level. In conclusion, formulated complementary food made from locally sourced raw materials has enough nutritional composition to be able to combat PEM and micronutrient deficiencies among infants and children