Headedness in Igbo derivational morphology

Until the 80s, the term ‘head’ was only used in syntax to describe types of phrase (endocentric phrases). It served as a central element distributionally equivalent to the phrase as a whole. During this period, little or no attention was paid to the study of complex words which themselves should also have heads, given their structure. Even on the eventual extension of the term to morphology, different scholars, as well as languages have differing assumptions about which of the affixes in a complex word should be the head. Thus, while some scholars generalised that the head would be consistently be located on the right hand side, others argue that in some languages, both left-handed and right-handed head occur. The apparent confusion generated by these arguments motivated many scholars, hence this study to determine to determine headedness in the Igbo derivational morphology. To account for the derivation of nominals and adjectives from the cognate verb sources in Igbo, the study adopted the projection principles as theoretical framework. It was finally discovered, among other things, that the Igbo verb is the most prolific lexical category in word formation in the language. Again, the study discovered and therefore posited that Igbo adopts the left-hand-head rule as a strategy in derivational morphology, contrary to the hitherto held and generalised notion of right-hand-head rule

The Place Of Criminology In The Study Of Terrorism: Implications For Homeland Security

In this article, I intend to describe the history of terrorism, provide an explanation of some aspects of criminological theories related to the study of terrorism, and briefly articulate the link between criminology, terrorism, and homeland security. While criminology has made significant contributions in the understanding of crime in general, the literature on terrorism and homeland security by criminologists is still emerging. Arguably, this treatise calls for this void to be filled by criminologists, because terrorism and homeland security appropriately belong within the perimeters of criminology. This article employs the methodology of content analysis as used in social science research. It does not claim to settle all the budding and unsettled issues about criminology, terrorism, and homeland security today. The events of September 11, 2001 have proliferated different writings and theorizing about terrorism. Society has witnessed a surge in criminological interests in the area of the phenomenon of terrorism. However, prior to the tragedy of 2001, only some notable criminologists have examined the problem of terrorism (Georges-Abeyie 1980; White 1998; Smith 1994; Stohl 1988. While terrorism has been part of recorded humanity, and while it falls within the purview of criminology, academic criminology, prior to September 11, 2001, has not made the issue apposite to the components of criminology and criminal justice pedagogy. Today, scholars and social thinkers are awakened to focus on the phenomenon because terrorism can no longer escape criminological inquiry. Realizing this imperative theme, LaFree (2005) indicates recently that the literature on terrorism has significantly increased since the 1970s, but he insists that these studies have not been executed by criminologists or published in criminological journals. Indeed, terrorism has become such an irritant in the annals of governments and the academy that criminologists can no longer overlook it (Crenshaw 2001; 2003). As a result, many criminology programs are currently instituting and developing new courses on terrorism and homeland security. I firmly argue in this article that regardless of whether a distinction is made between terrorism and crime, terrorism, rooted in an ideology or not, should constitute an essential component of the discipline of criminology. After all, criminologists study white-collar crimes (Sutherland 1983), state crimes (Ross 2000; 2003), environmental crimes (Lynch et al. 2004a), the classics of American criminology (Gabbidon 1999b; Taylor-Greene and Gabbidon 2000; Young and Taylor-Greene 1995), counter-colonial criminology (Agozino 2003) and crimes of violence, such as serial and mass murders (Jenkins 1988). In order for criminology to make contributions to the knowledge of terrorism, the discipline ought to incorporate terrorism as part of the criminological enterprise. Although I will examine the important issue of homeland security and its connections to terrorism, I must first review the history of terrorism and the criminological theories that have been relevant in the understanding of terrorism and its deadly impact on society. This is important because with no theories as guides, then research might be conducted haphazardly and policies would have less credibility. However, before one can adequately articulate and formulate new ideas about the occurrence of terrorism, he or she must be sufficiently knowledgeable about its history. Additionally, a comprehension and application of the existing theoretical perspectives in the discipline necessitates—and augments—new dimensions and proper areas of explorations and theoretical rationalizations. It is important that criminologists develop theories that will explain terrorism. The good news is that some scholars have been avidly tackling the issue (see Crenshaw 2001; 2003; Mueller 2002; Abrams 2003; Rudasil and Moyer 2004; Weinzierl 2004; Gurr 1970; 1988; Onwudiwe 2001), utilizing different theoretical and methodological approaches

Socio cum linguistic interplay in language choice and performance in a multiligual milieu

Language ordinarily serves as a tool for communication. Communication is made effective by the individual‟s competence and ability in using any language. The reverse will, however be the case. Similarly, some other variables can enhance or mar communication. The variables which may aid or abate communication include those norms of the society that uses a particular language. These norms go a long way in regulating the choice one makes of diction, structure, pronunciation and even accent. Furthermore, the context where language is used equally determines what is to be said and how to say it. This paper therefore investigates the interplay of socio and linguistic variables in determining one‟s choice of code or language using the city of Awka and the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, one of the federal universities in the south eastern part of Nigeria as the setting. The data for the study were randomly collected from people, including students, artisans, businessmen, traders and other civil populace in the city. The result of the study indicates that the language that most people speak and the extent of their performance is a consequence of two variables: the linguistic knowledge of the individual and the society where the individual operates. The findings of this study will help effective communication to take place and enable people of all walks of life to interact well with others

The fading phase of Igbo language and culture: path to its revitalisation

In recent times, some concerned linguists, lovers of the Igbo language and indeed, owners of the language have been asking questions about possible strategies to be adopted in resuscitating the Igbo language and culture which critics and observers have warned are depreciating in value and usage. The Igbo of South East Nigeria, as well as various governments in the Igbo region have in their own various ways jumped into action to revive and save the situation through the organisation of cultural activities and forums for the promotion of Igbo language and culture and legislations. Commendable as these attempts may be, the issue which does not yet appear properly addressed is the need to identify the factors responsible for the present state of Igbo language and culture and the possibilities of workable strategies to remedy the situation. This paper therefore, is an attempt to interrogate the receding utilization of Igbo language and culture using UNESCO’s 2002 and 2003 nine-point criteria of the Ad Hoc Expert Group on Endangered Languages as bases for our study and recommendations. The study has attempted to get at the root of what the author considers the crux of the matter through the study of the philosophy of the Igbo man towards himself, his environment and his personal effects, and has discovered that the bane of Igbo language and culture is the Igbo man’s attitude towards that which is his, and his easy enchantment with foreign cultures. The paper then recommends a total reorientation of the Igbo man’s core philosophy as a panacea to the problem, among others. The revelations of this paper will benefit linguists, the Igbo, and indeed scholars

The approach of the independent corrupt practices and other related offences commission (ICPC) in curbing corruption in Nigeria’s education system: a critical analysis

Nigeria is ranked as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Since it regained democratic status in 1999, successive governments have made several attempts to ameliorate corruption. One such attempt is the establishment of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), in 2000. This study examined the manner in which the ICPC conceptualises corruption, including its forms and consequences. It also examined what measures it proposes to combat corruption. The ICPC’s approach to corruption is evaluated in relation to the way corruption is understood in scholarly literature, especially within the education sector. The rationale for the study is that the potential effectiveness of anti-corruption activities is based, in part, on the appropriacy of the understanding of corruption that informs such activities. To carry out this study, the annual reports of the ICPC for the period from 2009 to 2013 were analysed. These documents describe all the activities of the Commission for these years. A rigorous textual analysis was conducted, focusing on descriptions of activities of the Commission that applied across sectors, as well as descriptions of activities related to education, specifically. The strongest conclusion reached is that the approach of the ICPC could potentially be strengthened considerably if it were to be informed by engagement with scholarship relating to corruption. However, this engagement is itself subject to political will. Where there is no such engagement, or where political will is not strong, it is unlikely that the strategies that are adopted would be effective

Isolation, Characterization and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Seed Extract of Jatropha gossypifolia

Powdered seed of J. gossypifolia was macerated using methanol as extracting solvent. The seed extract of Jatropha gossypifolia was subjected to phytochemical and antimicrobial investigation using standard screening procedures. The phytochemical studies revealed the presence of some secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, saponins, tannins. There was no activity against the bacteria (Gram positive and negative organisms at 2.5-100mg/ml). The seed extract showed significant antifungal activity. The spectroscopic analysis (1D and 2DNMR) of the colourless oil gave 9-acetoxynerolidol.Keywords: Extraction, characterization, Jatropha gossipyfolia, antimicrobial  evaluatio

Temperature Controlled Evolution of Pure Phase Cu9S5 Nanoparticles by Solvothermal Process

Copper sulphides are one of the most explored semiconductor metal sulphides because of their stoichiometric and morphological dependent optical and electrical properties, which makes them tunable for numerous optoelectronic applications. Stoichiometrically, copper sulphides exist in numerous structures which varies from the copper-rich phase (Cu2S) to the copper-deficient phase (CuS). Within these extreme stoichiometric phases lies numerous non-stoichiometric phases with interesting optical properties. Different solvothermal techniques have been explored for the synthesis of copper sulphides; however, the thermal decomposition of single source precursors provides a facile and tunable route to the synthesis of pure phase copper sulphides of different stoichiometries. In this study, copper (II) dithiocarbamate have been explored as a single source precursor compound to study the evolution of pure phase Cu9S5. Below 240°C, mixed phase of CuS and Cu9S5 were obtained, and as the temperature was increased beyond 240°C, keeping other reaction condition unchanged, the precursor yielded pure phase of Cu9S5. This phase selectivity at high temperature was attributed to the increased reducing ability of oleylamine (used as solvent) which enhance the evolution of the copper rich phase at high temperature. Optical and morphological studies of the pure phase Cu9S5, showed properties that varied considerably with the temperature of synthesis