Charismatic Renewal and Pentecostalism: The Renewal of the Nigerian Catholic Church

This project is using Charismatic and Pentecostal theology and praxes to argue for the renewal of the Nigerian Catholic church. It avers that the praxis-oriented and experiential theology of the Charismatics and Pentecostals, which characterize them as Spirit-filled groups and churches are enabling the Nigerian Catholic church to realize the potentials of a Spirit-driven church through the renewal of her pneumatological, ecclesiological, and liturgical doctrines and practice

Microfinance, women’s entrepreneurial development and empowerment in Nigeria

The literature and applied studies report that microfinance is an effective tool to tackle poverty, gender inequality, female disempowerment and financial dependency issues. Earlier studies on microfinance reported successes in Bangladesh (Pitt and Khandker,1998) and some Latin American countries (Bolivia) (Velasco & Marconi, 2004). However, the findings of these studies have been overshadowed by recent studies that have reported weak (Ganle, et al., 2015) and sometimes negative microfinance outcomes in other regions (Salia et al., 2018; Karim, 2011). These mixed results have raised doubts about the effectiveness of microfinance and its relevance to promoting women development, especially when donor funding is declining. This empirical study investigates the impact of microfinance intervention on women’s empowerment and entrepreneurial development by analysing microfinance interventions and the perspectives of women service users in Nigeria. I drew data for the study from secondary sources, 350 questionnaire responses, 11 focus groups interviews with the women clients, 28 one-to-one interviews with loan officers and heads of a Non-government organisation (NGO) microfinance. Using qualitative, Chi-square, Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Ordinal regression. The analysis found that access to microcredit, training and mentoring services supports women microenterprises: increased awareness and use of formal financial services and increased business assets and the development of critical soft business skills. This further leads to enhancing the contribution to household decision-making, autonomy in decision-making and decreases in family dispute often triggered by lack of money. Evidence shows that women’s social capital development was realised through taking part in group meetings which encouraged social solidarity, mutual support and business networking amongst women entrepreneurs. However, control of spending on household assets (land, building) remains the exclusive prerogative of the male household heads. The results of the study support the previous literature (Swain & Wallentin, 2017; Kabeer, 2010) mainly based on South Asian economies that microfinance support for women positively affects their entrepreneurial development, raises equality levels and reduces their dependency on male household heads. Finally, the study suggests that microfinance efforts at promoting women’s empowerment may produce better outcomes within a larger framework that includes the cultural acceptance of women ownership and the control of family assets

Benefits and Challenges of Model-based Software Engineering: Lessons Learned based on Qualitative and Quantitative Findings

Even though Model-based Software Engineering (MBSwE) techniques and Autogenerated Code (AGC) have been increasingly used to produce complex software systems, there is only anecdotal knowledge about the state-of-thepractice. Furthermore, there is a lack of empirical studies that explore the potential quality improvements due to the use of these techniques. This paper presents in-depth qualitative findings about development and Software Assurance (SWA) practices and detailed quantitative analysis of software bug reports of a NASA mission that used MBSwE and AGC. The missions flight software is a combination of handwritten code and AGC developed by two different approaches: one based on state chart models (AGC-M) and another on specification dictionaries (AGC-D). The empirical analysis of fault proneness is based on 380 closed bug reports created by software developers. Our main findings include: (1) MBSwE and AGC provide some benefits, but also impose challenges. (2) SWA done only at a model level is not sufficient. AGC code should also be tested and the models and AGC should always be kept in-sync. AGC must not be changed manually. (3) Fixes made to address an individual bug report were spread both across multiple modules and across multiple files. On average, for each bug report 1.4 modules, that is, 3.4 files were fixed. (4) Most bug reports led to changes in more than one type of file. The majority of changes to auto-generated source code files were made in conjunction to changes in either file with state chart models or XML files derived from dictionaries. (5) For newly developed files, AGC-M and handwritten code were of similar quality, while AGC-D files were the least fault prone

Neo-colonialism and the Scandal of African Poverty: A Review

This paper argues that Neo-colonialism is an essential factor for the survival of Western capitalist countries since it demonstrates permanent exploitative relationship between the rich industrialized nations of Europe and North America and the poor dependent Third World countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America. It rejects the views of liberal economists who are of the opinion that global economic policies based on trade liberalization and price control system have been fair to all nations of the world both rich and poor since it is predicated on comparative cost advantage. This paper submits that the dependency syndrome occasioned by unequal trading relationship that exists between the industrialized countries of the world and nonindustrialized countries of Africa results in economic stagnation and inflation thus paving the way for poverty across the continent. Finally, it suggest that Africa's economic transformation must be a function of internal dynamics through sustained political stability, exemplary and visionary leadership, adequate mobilization of abundant natural and human resources as well as marked improvement in indigenous technology. Key words: Neo-colonialism, African Poverty, Economic Developmen

Re-inventing the living past from the utilitarian values of pre-historic archaeology: a case for inter-disciplinary approach

This paper argues that the past material culture of any human society should always be subjected to criticisms and interpretive analysis based on archaeological evidence. It opines that in the interest of historical scholarship, certain inherent distortions that characterize oral and written histories should be re-evaluated, through the scientific research efforts of archaeology, to pave the way for more objective historical research. This paper submits that pre-historic archaeology can be very relevant to historical studies through its memorable artifacts which help the historian to dig deep into the dust heap of ancient cultures and civilization. Finally, this paper recommends that the archaeology curriculum should be overhauled to suit the needs of our eodern time while Ministries of CulturE afd Tourism at all levels of governmenp should exploit the rich heritage of ar#haeological sites like Nok, @aima, Ig`o-Ekwu, the styhistic terracotta of Ife and Benin Ivory mask cultures. Key Words: T`e living past histnry, Utilitarian values, PrE-history, Archaeolog

Eucharistic Hospitality: A Bi-directional Dynamic

Levi Nkwocha explains eucharistic hospitality in two ways, as an act of communion by which we become like Christ through God’s hospitality, and also as an act that commands us to share Christ’s love with all people. As Nkwocha writes, “worship itself is hospitality” and “include[s] the living out or sharing of the faith-based experience.” Nkwocha contends that this community aspect of the eucharist is often lost. He uses the Igbo people’s practice of sharing the kola nut to illustrate eucharistic hospitality. This sharing “celebrates the oneness of those who partake of it, among themselves, and their unity with the spiritual world”; it is “a covenant meal.” He describes the layers of meaning in this ritual in detail. Nkwocha also acknowledges the limitations of this illustration from a Christian perspective. For example, eucharistic hospitality requires equality and reciprocity in the sense that we reciprocate God’s love for us by loving others, even enemies or strangers (whom the kola nut ritual excludes). The ramifications of these two components of eucharistic hospitality are discussed

Play in Place: The Role of Site-Specific Playgrounds in Community Space

Playgrounds do not have to be static sites, but safety standards should not be the only force that guides their evolution over time. Just as the ongoing transformation of any city is a product of many interwoven factors, the collection of smaller sites that delineates one city from another should reflect the same holistic influences. This is not an argument for the abandonment of the safety standards that influence playground design. Instead, it is an argument for the adoption of and stronger adherence to community standards that influence city design. This paper argues that a park area (and more generally, any public space) that is relevant and unique to a community will be well-used by the community and, thus, a successful space; it is in a city’s best interest to create such spaces where they are lacking and protect them where they already exist. The first chapter provides a land-centric history of the growth and development of the Los Angeles region, which is especially deficient in public green space. I argue that transportation technology and infrastructure was the great shaping force of the urban environment during the 19th and 20th centuries, and discuss the Olmsted-Bartholomew “Parks, Playgrounds, and Beaches for the Los Angeles Region” report that was presented to the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce in 1930. The second chapter covers the design communication of American playgrounds since their beginnings in the late 19th century. I also analyze the parallel between Progressive Era playground supervision and the present-day safety standard obsession that has created an equally rigid playscape. The third chapter is a case study of the ongoing historical preservation treatment of La Laguna playground at Vincent Lugo Park in San Gabriel, CA and a discussion of the value of site-specificity

Street littering in Nigerian towns: towards framework for sustainable urban cleanliness

An aspect of solid waste management that has become almost intractable to local authorities in Nigeria is street littering. In a study carried out across the country in April/May 2008, this paper tried to expose some of the major factors that contribute to street littering. Six thousand subjects living along 120 streets (6 streets per town) were interviewed in 20 towns in the six geopolitical zones of the country. Data was collected for a period of five days and were focused on several questions bordering on street littering (why they littered, what they littered, where they littered, etc.), and their personal information (age, sex, income status, educational levels etc.). Data was analysed using univariate and multivariate models. Results showed that the litter problem was quite intense in all the streets surveyed. The level of education, age and income of subjects were major determinants of their littering habit. We also found that subjects littered the streets for several reasons (absence of bins, inefficiencies of local authorities, ignorance, weak legislation, anger, stress, etc). Finally, the study presented a framework for a sustainable urban cleanliness in the country.Key Words: attitude, behaviour, cleanliness, littering, street, sustainable

Assessment of the distribution of aquatic macrophytes in Lafia and Doma Metropolis, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

The ecological distribution and taxonomy of aquatic macrophytes were assessed in Lafia and Doma, Nasarawa state Nigeria. Sixteen sampling sites were visited in each metropolis. The different wetlands and macrophytes were categorized based on their attributes. The relative frequencies of the macrophytes were determined in each town. Results showed that in Lafia, 62% are streams, 25% are swamps and only 13% are ponds. This shows that majority of water bodies in Lafia metropolis are streams because of the highest frequency and only few swamps and ponds are present in the study site. In Doma 94% are streams and only 6% are ponds. Nineteen (19) aquatic macrophytes were encountered during the study which belongs to eighteen (18) families. Ludwigia abyssinica was found to be the most highly distributed aquatic macrophyte in Lafia metropolis with a relative frequency of 68%. While in Doma, Mariscus longibracteatus was found to be the most highly distributed aquatic macrophyte as it was observed in twelve (12) locations visited with a relative frequency of 75%. Conclusively Lafia has more aquatic macrophyte than Doma which could be attributed to the differences in the nutrient status and human disturbances of the wetlands.Keywords: Aquatic macrophytes, Doma, Lafia, Wetland