A Crazy Cyber World: Construction of a Composite Index for Measuring Child Online Protection (COP)

On 17th November 2010, the international telecommunications union (ITU) launched a new Child Online Protection (COP) phase. Years after setting up these guidelines, it is important to develop a composite measure that provides an intuitive understanding of the gaps in child online protection system, creates cross national comparisons for advocacy and action. The enquiry proposes an objective assessment of where each country stands in child online protection across four critical priority areas. These areas include: nationally recognized child online protection strategy/ legislations; Collaboration, cooperation and partnerships; information sharing/reporting mechanism; and capacity building/institutional support. The four areas are reflected in the Child Online Protection Index (COPI) structure which comprises four sub-indexes. Each sub index is in turn measured by five categorical indicators. The indicators are derived or adapted from key institutions active in the information and communications technologies (ICT) sector and in child online safety issues

Application of ICT to Agriculture as a Panacea to Unemployment in Nigeria

This study looked at the relevance of agriculture in the Nigeria society and the need for employment and application of information and communication technology into agricultural sector as a solution to unemployment problems in Nigeria. As information and communication technology is a booming sector of the economy which presently engaged the younger generations of Nigerians, it can as well be used to improve the economic development of Nigeria and Nigerians. Data was gathered through qualitative method with focus group and individual in-depth interview as tools. Participants were selected randomly from a group of students, farmers and traders in Ogun and Lagos States of Nigeria. Findings revealed that although government support was essential in improving the agricultural sector in Nigeria, it was also important for citadels of learning and the private sectors to join hands in creating the much needed awareness amongst the youths on the significance of the agricultures and application of ICT as a veritable but untapped employment opportunity. The study also revealed that there is need to include agricultural studies into present day school curricular as well as create massive awareness through the mass media, especially Nollywood industry to portray the agricultural sector in a good light in order to ensure economic growth and uptake by the younger generations

Women Entrepreneurs in Nigeria:Where Is the Mass Media?

For ages, the African culture has limited the activities of women and conditioned, to a large extent,the mentality of most African countries about the place and positioning of women in the society. The mass media have been used as a tool in this. Promoting the abilities and achievements of women in the society is one of the important roles of the media in reducing the rate of gender discrimination. These achievements are becoming noticeable in politics and entrepreneurship; thus, setting a standard for other women in the society to build on. This chapter will explore the role of the media in promoting the woman entrepreneur in Nigeria. The study employed the survey research method for data gathering. Findings showed that women have equal opportunity to grow their businesses. Data shows that this growth is slow as there are no significant differences between respondents who agree or disagree with the availability of enabling environment for women to grow their business as compared to their male counterpart. The study recommends that the mass media need to give more voice to their businesses and activities to paveway and encourage the younger women in the society

Behavioural Practices and Climate Change Awareness in Ado Odo/Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria: Implications for Communication and Development Agenda

The Earth's climate pattern has faced its greatest alteration in recent times. The burning of fossils fuels and clearing of land has resulted in the highest levels of greenhouse pollution in our atmosphere, global warming which has led to destruction of lives and property world over. This challenge call for drastic reduction in the amount of pollution we create. It is against this background that this study investigates the practices surrounding climate change and its awareness in Ota local government of Ogun State. Through survey, interview and observation, 970 residents of the local government were be interrogated, as well as key opinion leaders The findings show the current behaviour surrounding climate change in Ota includes burning of waste and bush, indiscriminate disposal of waste, and the use of kerosene, fire wood and coal for domestic purposes, among others. The study recommends urgent communication intervention and the use of television for climate change awareness effective campaign for behaviour modification

DIABETES AND LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION AWARENESS AMONG NIGERIANS

Health they say is wealth. This statement is responsible for the importance of well-being to the individual in question and the development of a society at large. Therefore, health communication is becoming an area all over the world that cannot be neglected. The numerous problems related to health issues have been fully identified mostly with developing countries ranging from the continent of Asia, and Sub-Sahara Africa. World Bank group affirms that heart disease, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory conditions and other noncommunicable diseases increasingly threaten the health and economic security of many low-and middleincome countries. According to Africa Development Bank, this is creating a double disease burden which Africa health systems are ill equipped to handle. In Nigeria, the figure may likely rise by almost 1.0% in the next 10 years considering the nonchalant attitude of Nigerian generally to health (Osain, 2011). The High rate of diabetes that exists in Nigeria will also raise the rate of obesity in those affected. This study examined the awareness trend of diabetes and its associated lifestyle against the backdrop of increase in the rate of the disease. The rate of increase in diabetes in Africa is predicted to witness a rise from 10m to 20m by 2015. Using survey method, 50 respondents were interrogated. The study reveals that media information are not sufficient in few cases and are not available in most cases on diabetes and has no relationship with a healthy lifestyle. Also, respondents believe bad diet lifestyle is not a determinant for diabetes which is hereditary. Aside promoting communication campaign through edutainment programmes on the mass media, this study suggest other ways of communicating with the public to provide the knowledge needed in order to reduce the outbreak of diabetes in Nigeri

REGULATING THE SOCIAL MEDIA FOR GLOBAL RELATIONSHIPS

The emergence of ICT has opened a global platform for communication to exist locally, nationally and internationally among nations further widening globalisation. This further encourages lots of changes in culture, relationships among nations and global interactions especially changes that involves redefining the identity of many nations across borders. The presence of western power is becoming prominent while values and general way of life are being globally defined by the western culture. Of all the forms of communication platforms provided by the internet, the social media networks are the most used by all ages and category of persons with the fast growing pace at which diverse applications are developed and made available to the public for free. In light of this, there is proof that the social media in this age are driving these changes faster than imagined. This is probably because it is one of the widely used platforms for fast and immediate communication online. Consequently, the social media poses lots of challenges on a global level because of the differences that exist especially amongst cultures and them among countries. Also the platform has been used to take advantage of another user for evil purposes. There is therefore a pressing need for some forms of protection on the social media to shield the identity of nations, ensure security across borders and prevent nation to nation harassment and discrimination. This paper therefore using Blake‘s (1997) prototype proposes ways to ensure social media regulations and also identified the possible challenges that could be faced in regulating social media network

Indigenous Communication and Women Politics in Ado-Odo Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria

The relevance of women in the society and in politics cannot be undermined. Indigenous communication offers opportunities for local participation in development efforts. Its channel allows the local people to communicate among themselves and with development professionals, using forms with which they are familiar. This study therefore sought to explore the possibility of indigenous communication playing the role of facilitating women’s participation in politics. Survey design was used as the research method. Questionnaire and interview were the tools of data collection. 394 copies of the questionnaire were useful for data analysis out of the 400 copies administered. Percentages and chi Square were used for data analysis. Also, 6 interviewees were purposively selected. The findings therefore revealed that a higher percentage of respondents (60.2%) are of the view that indigenous communication provides them knowledge on election activities. The result further revealed that only 10% of the respondents have ever contested for elective positions. The study therefore recommends, among others that elected women should come together, regardless of their political party affiliation, to work on issues of common concern to women. Women’s caucuses can also be focal points for training, communication, and other logistic support to women parliamentarians. This group can make women more effective, individually as legislators, and collectively in order to act on women’s issues

The Place of the Nigerian Family Values in Social Media Usage

African family values are fast changing considering diverse societal factors such as globalisation replicated western government policies and information communication technology. These surrounding factors neutralize the sustainability of historical heritage and identity of the African citizen. While examining the existence of the Nigerian culture within the family setting, this study investigates the role of Facebook, an ICT enabled communication platform, in changing, modifying or building the Nigerian family values. The sample size was drawn from Lagos, a cosmopolitan state in Nigeria. A total number of 289 copies of the questionnaire were randomly administered to Lagos residents from the three senatorial districts. Results showed that respondents strongly believe that Facebook does not impede the values of Nigerians, as it serves as a medium for enhancing Nigerian fashion, information dissemination and creating new forms of relationships. Also, respondents agreed that social media generally have changed or modified diverse aspects of the Nigerian culture. However, westernization, technology, bad family upbringing and globalization were identified as other factors responsible for the changes in Nigerian family values in this era. It recommends that stakeholders maximize social media platforms in reinforcing Nigerian family values, especially amongst the younger generation who are avid users of social media

Behavioural Practices and Climate Change Awareness in Ado Odo/Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria: Implications for Communication and Development Agenda

The Earth's climate pattern has faced its greatest alteration in recent times. The burning of fossils fuels and clearing of land has resulted in the highest levels of greenhouse pollution in our atmosphere, global warming which has led to destruction of lives and property world over. This challenge call for drastic reduction in the amount of pollution we create. It is against this background that this study investigates the practices surrounding climate change and its awareness in Ota local government of Ogun State. Through survey, interview and observation, 970 residents of the local government were be interrogated, as well as key opinion leaders The findings show the current behaviour surrounding climate change in Ota includes burning of waste and bush, indiscriminate disposal of waste, and the use of kerosene, fire wood and coal for domestic purposes, among others. The study recommends urgent communication intervention and the use of television for climate change awareness effective campaign for behaviour modification