JOURNAL OF EDUCATION, HUMANITIES, MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (JEHMSS)
Journal of Education, Humanities, Management and Social Sciences (JEHMSS) is an international, open-access journal jointly published every two months (January, March, May, July, September, and November) by Klamidas.com, a notable academic publisher and webhost, and the Division of General Studies, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU). The publishers’ goal is to enhance and encourage cross-fertilization of ideas among educationists, scholars in the humanities, management and social sciences. Other benefits include: life-time archive of published papers on JEHMSS web pages and on Google Scholar, free plagiarism check and paper amendment advisory services, free proof-reading/editing services, and availability of share buttons on every paper contributor’s JEHMSS journal page.
Symbolic Characterisation in Nigerian Folk Narratives
Folk narrative characters make sense to the local audience of folktale narrators primarily because of the social and symbolic values attached to the characters by the indigenous communities whose culture and cosmology gave birth to the tales. Unlike a modern short story, where the events of the story mainly determine how the character is viewed, the folktale utilizes the label placed on each given character by the culture to develop the conflict and unfold the theme or themes of the tale. This researcher undertook a study of one thousand (1000) folktales of Nigeria with a view to classifying them based on how the characters are socially valued and symbolised by their local audiences. The research was necessitated by the fact that the classification classes adopted by the well-known AT and ATU systems were found to be functionally inadequate when applied to folktales emanating from non-Western traditions, including Nigerian folk narrative traditions. Although there are other ways of classifying Nigerian folktales, this study undertook a classification of Nigerian folktales based on their character types. The result is an 8-character type classification of 1000 tales of Nigeria published in the voluminous book, People, Animals, Spirits and Objects: 1000 Folk Stories of Nigeria. This academic paper, adapted from my introductory notes to the book, sheds light on the symbolic values of Nigerian folk characters and why they can inspire a taxonomic distribution of Nigerian folktales.
characterisation, symbols, social values, Nigerian folk narratives
Corporate Governance and the Performance of Quoted Industrial Goods Companies in Nigeria (2012 to 2021)
This study examines the corporate Governance and the Performance of Quoted Industrial Goods Companies in Nigeria from 2012 -2021 using data obtained from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The variables for the study are Board Size (BCIZ), Board Gender Diversity (BGD) and Board Independence (BIN) were used as Independent variables and Return on Assets (ROA) were used as the dependent variables. The findings of the study revealed that Board Size (BSIZ) has a positive and significant effect on return on asset (ROA) of industrial goods firms in Nigeria. Board gender Diversity (BGD) has a negative but insignificant effect on return on asset (ROA) of industrial goods firms in Nigeria. Board independence (BIN) has a positive but significant effect on return on asset (ROA) of industrial goods firms in Nigeria. Based on these results the study concludes that what matters most in the industrial goods firms in Nigeria is the size of the board as more board members will bring diverse ideas which if well harnessed will always lead to higher returns on assets. The study concluded that Boards of various firms in the industry should increase in size as this has shown to boost the performance of the firms. Female board members should be well utilized so as to tap from their moderate nature and improve on the performance of industrial goods firms. Measures should be put in place to prevent the dominance of the executive board members so that the independent board members can freely make good proposals that can be implemented for the success of the firms.
corporate governance, quoted industrial goods companies, corporate board, Nigeria
Consolidating the Impact of African Women in International Relations and Peace Studies
African women make diverse substantial contributions to International Relations and Peace Studies. Their works as peace activists, diplomats, researchers, and advocates have improved our knowledge of conflict resolution and human security. By emphasising individual experiences and viewpoints in our understanding of global challenges, we may create more effective strategies for advancing global peace and equality. This paper’s objective is to raise awareness on the contributions of African women with a view to providing new frameworks for analysis, developing collaborative networks and offering actionable policy recommendations. It argues that although African women's contributions to International Relations (IR) and Peace and Conflict Studies (PCS) are phenomenal, their inputs have received little recognition in recent years. African women have been actively or indirectly involved in conflicts throughout history, serving as combatants, spies, couriers, sex slaves, brides, and mothers. Nonetheless, African women continue to suffer gender hurdles and subjugation, which appear to have belittled or sullied their illustrious achievements. Using a desktop research approach, this work aims to recognise and celebrate the tremendous contributions made by African women researchers in shaping International Relations, Peace Studies, and Conflict Resolution initiatives throughout the world. Despite past gains and developments, African women continue to confront diverse hurdles and impediments. This paper concludes that there is need to continue highlighting and accentuating the plight of women, particularly the predicament of African women, for their utmost liberation and development; and that African women's movements should continue to pressurise national and regional bodies to put a priority on ensuring gender equity, in order to increase and intensify women's participation in the decision-making process and economic development efforts.
African women, consolidation, global peace, international relations, peace studies
Christian Osemuyi Oseghale & Ambesi Polycarp Neba
Locus of Control as a Predictor of Students’ Academic Achievement in Public Secondary Schools in Anambra State
The study sought to examine locus of control as a predictor of students’ academic achievement in public secondary schools in Anambra State. The study was guided by two research questions. Correlational research design was used for the study. Taro Yamane Formula was used to select a sample size of 400 students from a population of 20,922 senior secondary two students in Anambra State public secondary schools. Locus of Control Behaviour Scale (LCBS) was used for data collection. The internal consistency of the instrument yielded coefficient alpha 0.74. The instrument was administered through direct delivery approach. Research questions were answered using simple linear regression. Findings of the study revealed among others that internal and external locus of control positively and significantly predict the academic achievement of students in English language and Mathematics. Based on the findings, the study recommended that teachers should encourage students to work hard in order to achieve success and disabuse them of the notion that fate, chance, luck or powerful others are the predictors of their scholastic accomplishment.
locus of control, academic achievement, public secondary schools
Ngozichukwuka A. Onyeocha, N. J. Obikeze & I. E. Obi
JOURNAL OF EDUCATION, HUMANITIES, MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (JEHMSS), VOL 2 NO 5, 2024
Language, Technology and Democratic Culture: A Sociological Analysis
This paper examines the interplay of language and technology and their collective role in the development of a democratic society, such as Nigeria. The paper argues that language, as a conveyor of meaning, is what enables democracy and technology to make sociological sense, in conceptual and practical terms. It posits that without language, there will be no social understanding and, therefore, no stable environment within which technological innovation and democratic processes can take place. This is because language is the foundation of any socialization process and it takes a largely enlightened population, much more than technological processes, to drive and entrench a democratic culture. Drawing examples from China and Singapore, two of the notable countries that deliver education and development to their people using their local languages, the paper affirms that the more indigenous the language of a social setting, the greater change it delivers. The paper concludes that what makes a developed society work is not necessarily its advanced technology or “advanced” democracy but, essentially, its culturally enlightened and cohesive population.
language, technology, democracy, culture
Odinani: A Discourse in Philosophy of Culture
The main goal of this paper is to examine Odinani, the cultural belief system of Igbo people of south-eastern Nigeria. The spiritual, social and cosmic tenets of Odinani are felt through Omenani, the cultural practices this cultural philosophy generates. This paper is not about the latter; its scope is restricted to Odinani, the indigenous philosophical grail by which the Igbo people live, consciously or unconsciously. This study is an exploration of Odinani, its key components, analysed in terms of their epistemic, ontological and ethno-philosophical implications. A significant outcome of this study is the realization that, contrary to popular belief among a section of the Igbo elite and the media, Odinani is not a corpus of religious practices but the traditional belief system or worldview of the Igbo people.
philosophy of culture, Odinani, metaphysics, ontology, Igbo, eternalism, presentism
Human Rights, Democracy, Development and Cultural Pluralism
Since the end of the Cold War, the world has not known as much instability as it is currently facing. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the conflagrations arising therefrom have brought the world to the brink of a 3rd World War and to the possibilty of a nuclear showdown. The effects are multifarious, ranging from widespread military outbursts to economic, social and political upheavals. While the Russian-Ukraine war seems to be the immediate trigger of the worsening volatility, there are a number of remote causes, not the least of which are unsettled post-Cold War issues bordering on human rights, democracy, development and the quest for a multi-polar world order. This paper asserts, via critical examination of the relevant matters, that politicization of issues of human rights, democracy, development and cultural autonomy has for long posed a threat to global understanding and would continue to do so unless an attitude of mutual respect and impartiality is adopted towards these issues. It asserts that unbiased and principled approach to such matters would enhance their inherent capacity to serve as veritable basis for peaceful co-existence among nations.
human rights, democracy, development, cultural diversity
Medical Negligence in Nigeria: A Critical Analysis
Medical practice encompasses a variety of healthcare practice evolved to maintain and restore health by prevention and treatment of illness in human beings. The basic understanding of prehistoric medical practice is from the study of ancient pictograms that show medical practice procedure, as well as the surgical tools uncovered from anthropological sites of ancient societies while giving answers to whether doctors work within the existing framework guarding their medical practice and the ways of proving negligence against such erring medical practitioners, the difficulty in proving it and the need highlight whether the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009 is reliable in securing a redress in cases of medical negligence other than under tortuous liability, likewise the challenges or difficulties encountered in proving same through tortuous liability. The aim of this study is to establish the origin of medical negligence and to outline the frameworks within which the medical doctors operate and negligence generally as regards medical practice and ways of proving negligence against medical doctors. It goes further to examine the involvement of medical practitioner in medical negligence and the scope of this work is limited to Doctors in Nigeria. This work recommends that proving medical negligence by way of enforcement of fundamental rights is a way forward through the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009 and adopted the doctrinal, descriptive and analytical form of research because the study describes and analyses the state of the law in Nigeria as it relates to the area of focus in this work. In conclusion, a combination of punitive measures and infrastructural improvement of our country’s healthcare system will provide a holistic response to the prevalence of medical malpractice in Nigeria.
medicine, negligence, medical practice, duty of care
Ezinne Vivian Edu & Chidinma Blessing Nwakoby
JOURNAL OF EDUCATION, HUMANITIES, MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (JEHMSS), VOL 1 NO 1, 2023
Drama and Politics in Nigeria: A Study of Chidubem Iweka’s August Inmates and Chukwuma Anyanwu’s Another Weekend Gone
Literature has always mirrored life and its facets. Literature strives to reconcile societal problems, including ethnic and cultural conflicts, injustice, inequality, corruption, class struggle, moral decadence, political disillusionment, eating propensity, marginalization and inequity in any given society. The literature found in Nigeria is strongly rooted in the economic and socio-political whimsies of the Nigerian society. The Nigerian writer strives to be relevant to the society of his time. Through literary writings, the playwrights under study seek avenues to bring about peaceful initiatives in their environment. The writer stands as a peacemaker, an observer and an admonisher. In this course of advocating for peaceful initiatives and good social reforms, the writer should be able to divorce all sentiments and emotional attachments from his writings. Chidubem Iweka’s August Inmates and Chukwuma Anyanwu’s Another Weekend Gone appear to be literary works of art that have their focus on peaceful resolution, corruption, class struggle, moral decadence, political disillusionment, and eating propensity in the Nigerian society. The critical theory employed in this research is sociological criticism. Through dramatic prowess and use of assertive characters, these playwrights have strived to show that in aligning drama with politics, the predominant socio-political problems of the country are brought to light and possible solutions proffered. The paper indicates the average Nigerian playwright’s interest in advocating for peace and positive transformation of his contemporary society.
literature, drama, Nigerian playwright, political disillusionment
Bryan Jachukwuike Udeh & Lena O. Igwenagum
Substance Abuse and Its Devastating Health Effect on the Youths of Onitsha Metropolis, Nigeria
Substance/drug abuse is emerging as a global public health issue that poses a huge concern to everyone world over. The recent world drug report-2021 of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimated that over 275 million people across the globe used drugs, while over 36 million people suffered from drug use disorders. As the 2021 National Drug Use Survey revealed, in Nigeria at that time there were around 17.3 million drug users of which close to 5 million suffered from drug use disorder. This study investigated substance abuse and its devastating health effect on the youths of Onitsha Metropolis, Nigeria. In line with its specific objectives, the study investigated the drugs commonly used or abused by Onitsha youths, examined the factors influencing Onitsha youths to use or abuse drugs, explored the sources of drugs commonly abused by Onitsha youths, and determined the devastating health effect of drug abuse among Onitsha youths. The study used the general strain theory of Agnew Robert (1992) in explaining the social phenomena studied. The study population comprised of 69143 youths in Onitsha aged 16 years and above (both male and female), and a total of four hundred and five (405) respondents were selected using purposive sampling techniques from the five selected districts in Onitsha, purposively selected. Data were collected via questionnaire and In-depth Interview (IDI). Findings revealed that peer pressure, pleasure seeking, curiosity, quest to relieve stress, quest to belong to the social circle of the big boys and girls, amongst others, were reasons for drug use and abuse. Based on the findings, this study recommends thus: Anambra State government should as a matter of urgency enhance the use of task forces and greater collaboration among regulatory bodies responsible for drugs and substances control – NDLEA, NAFDAC and PCN – to stem drug abuse in the state; the state government should provide more educational and employment opportunities to the youths; and there should be greater involvement of parents in the guidance of their children and in strengthening the marriage institution for effective upbringing of children.
abuse, devastating, health, substance, youths, Onitsha
Edward Ukwubile Egwuaba & Sunday Blessing Adeyi
A Lexico-Semantic Analysis of Sefi Atta's Swallow
This study aims to conduct a comprehensive lexico-semantic analysis of Sefi Atta's novel, Swallow. Swallow is a novel that explores the theme of identity, migration and the challenges faced by women in a changing society. Utilizing the combination of corpus linguistic and semantic analysis, this study examines the lexicon and semantic structure employed in Swallow to shed light on the author's linguistic choices and underlying meanings. The key lexico-semantic elements for this study are synonyms, collocation, substitution, reference and linguistic variations. By analyzing the lexical choices, it examines how language is used to construct and convey complex characters, relationships and socio-cultural dynamics within the text. It also investigates the semantic nuances embedded within the text, highlighting their contributions to the overall meaning and themes of the novel. The methodology involves a close reading of the novel combined with a systematic analysis of relevant linguistic features. A quantitative approach will be applied to identify the recurrent lexical patterns and semantic fields used in the text. This study aims to highlight the significance of the lexico-semantic study as a linguistic approach used for demonstrating how linguistic choices can enrich the narrative, deepen messages and offer insight into the socio-cultural fabric of a particular setting.
lexico-semantic, Swallow, dialectal features and linguistic approach
Talent Management and Organizational Performance in Pharmaceutical Companies in Niger Delta, Nigeria
This work examined the effect of talent management and organizational performance in pharmaceutical companies in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. The study reviewed relevant conceptual, theoretical and empirical literature. This study is anchored on Human Capital Theory. Talent retention, training and development, and talent attraction were employed as the explanatory variables while organizational performance is the dependent variable. The study adopted survey research design. The population of the study comprises the staff of the pharmaceutical companies in Niger Delta, Nigeria – 1824. Sample size of 332 respondents was selected for the study using Borg and Gall (1973) formula. Questionnaire was employed as the main instrument of data collection. The data generated were analyzed using frequency, percentage analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The study found that talent retention has a positive significant relationship with organizational performance. Training and development has a positive significant relationship with organizational performance and talent attraction has a positive significant relationship with organizational performance. The study concludes that talent management has a positive significant relationship with organizational performance. The study therefore recommends that management should make retention a priority since an organization’s strength and future success are not only dependent on its financial resources but ultimately depends on effective talent management. Management should not only focus on attracting talented individuals but should do more to retain the most talented among them as it would enhance the growth and sustainability of pharmaceutical companies.
talent retention, training and development, talent attraction, organizational performance
Ifeoma Evangeline Odunukwe & Ifeanyi Victor Okeke
Literary Scholarship, Literary Criticism: What’s in a Name?
The use of the term ‘literary scholarship’ or ‘literary studies’ by workers and researchers in literary phenomena is not always reflexive, and pointing back at the literary as the direct object of the intellectual activity. This is not new, but goes a long way back to the first introduction of modern literature in Anglo-American university studies, and is part of the heritage of humanist philosophy. This paper is an enquiry about theory in literary studies, and therefore will look into a number of philosophical and theoretical accounts of literary phenomena to draw materials to substantiate the argument that at its core, literary scholarship or literary theory has an account of what literature consists of. This knowledge of the essential nature of literature, which is that it is art – of a certain kind, namely mimesis by means of language alone is what should guide the selection of works that are taught and researched in formal studies of literature.
Aristotelianism, English studies, humanism, literary art, literary criticism, literary theory, the novel
JOURNAL OF EDUCATION, HUMANITIES, MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (JEHMSS), VOL 1 NO 2, 2023
Vital Force, Personhood, and Community in African Philosophy: An Ontological Study
Vital force is believed to be a peculiar trait of African philosophy and the cosmology which defines and shapes the framework within which the interwoven concepts of personhood and community, as extensions of Africa’s concept of “being”, are founded and reified. Vital force is at the core of Africa’s understanding of life which is deemed to begin from the creator, from whom all created spring. Vital force permeates all creation, including every aspect of the environment from where the person and the community jointly suck sustenance. Identifying this force as the core of the key differences between African and Western philosophies, the study underpins certain fundamental distinctions, namely: Africa’s dynamic notion of being vs. the static concept of Western philosophy; the inclusive view of community in African philosophy vs. the reductionist notion dominant in Western societies; and Africa’s notion of human rights as a derivative of communal rights vs. Western notion of human rights as individualistic rights.
vital force, personhood, community, African philosophy, Western philosophy, ontology
Impact of Kidnapping on Access to Education in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria
The study was conducted to determine the effect of kidnapping on access to education in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State. The major objective of the study was to determine the extent to which kidnapping activities specifically impact on access to education. The study used a population size of 11,113 and sample of 400 students to analyse the study. The researcher adopted 5 point Likert-Scale, primary data were generated through questionnaires and surveys which were analysed using Spearman’s Rank Correlation analysis to determine the correlation coefficient and strength of the relationship between kidnapping and access to education. The study established that kidnapping exhibited a strong negative correlation coefficient of (-0.844) indicating that 84% of the variation or behaviour of access to education was explained by the autonomous factor (kidnapping) with a P-value of (0.004). The great impact of statistical significance of the impact of kidnapping on access to education in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, as revealed by the result analysis, was thus established. The implication is that a per cent increase in kidnapping will lead to 84% decrease in access to education in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State. The study recommends that government should implement policies to eradicate kidnapping activities through direct actions in the community.
crime, kidnapping, access, education, Etche LGA
Influence Ejirefe & Edward Ukwubile Egwuaba
Drumbeats for the Divine Ofala Festival: A Folkloric-Musical Analysis of Corpus Christi Procession in Nigeria
Festivals are natural to humanity and can be found at various levels of human existence. It has always been part of organized religion. The Catholic liturgy/practice is built around a yearly calendar that features different feasts celebrated at varying levels of solemnity. One of such feasts is the Corpus Christi which centres on the Catholic belief in transubstantiation, that is, the radical transformation of bread and wine into the true body and blood of Christ. This belief gives rise to various manners of devotions, veneration and adoration of the consecrated bread and wine, regarded by Catholics as the Body and Blood of Christ. One of the most distinctive devotions to the Holy Eucharist is the festive procession which follows upon celebration of the Mass of the Corpus Christi. In Nigeria, this procession has acquired much cultural significance that it is now presently viewed as Ofala of Christ, evoking the Igbo concept of perpetual anamnesis of the immortal reign of a traditional ruler. But at a deeper level, over time and in various places, Corpus Christi procession has become such strongly cultural event that it has become a locus of negotiation of multiple cultural identities. A critical observer begins to wonder if the procession is still only or principally about honouring the Body of Christ. The present essay sets out to reconcile such contrarieties by advertence to that phenomenological epoch characteristic of genuine participant-observation approach and concludes with the genuine present and urgent need of enrooting Christian beliefs and practices in the African native genius. There is also a recommendation for a deepening of the various modes and manners of African unique expression of Christian religiosity.
Corpus Christi procession, Ofala of Christ, Catholic, Holy Eucharist, transubstantiation, African, folkloric-musical
Themes and Settings in Nigeria’s Heritage of Folk Narrative
This paper, explores Nigeria’s heritage of folk narrative as elicited from the outcome of the pan-Nigerian folktale-collection research sponsored by the Dr Bukar Usman Foundation in 2013. The nation-wide research lasted for three years and its outcomes have been collated, edited and published in five voluminous books by the author of this paper. The paper, part of the author’s A Selection of Nigerian Folktales: Themes and Settings, is his introductory insight into the nature of themes and settings found in thousands of folktales collected from folktale traditions across Nigeria. The paper is in six parts. In part one, he provides a historical survey of folk literature in Nigeria. In part two, the author states and analyses the significance and defining traits of the folktale genre. The author’s motivations for embarking on the research as well as his research methodology are discussed in part three. The cultural and narrative similarities found in the about 4,000 tales collected from communities across Nigeria are highlighted in part four. Part five discusses issues connected with the classification of the collected tales; it throws light into the author’s decision to classify the 700 tales of his A Selection of Nigerian Folktales: Themes and Settings into 18 classes. The author’s concluding remarks constitute part six. It should be noted that all references to specific folktales, unless otherwise stated, are pointing to folktales published in A Selection of Nigerian Folktales: Themes and Settings, the first published book of the five books that emerged from the author’s momentous nationwide folktales research effort.
folk narratives, folktales, themes, settings, Nigeria, folktale classification
JOURNAL OF EDUCATION, HUMANITIES, MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (JEHMSS), VOL 1 NO 3, 2023
Interrogating the Relationship between WhatsApp Political Use and Active Political Participation among Nigerians: Implication for Online Democracy
Massive use of social media by the citizens has led to a shift from conventional political rally for political mobilization and marketing of candidates to online political advertising. While the masses engage in political discussion online, some politicians take social media discussions of politics for granted claiming that there are no polling units online. The general objective of this study is to examine the relationship between WhatsApp use for political discussion and active participation in real time among residents of Awka metropolis. Specifically, the study examined how often WhatsApp is used for political information; the degree of political education gained by the respondents; the extent to which the use of WhatsApp encouraged physical political participation, and whether the rate of use of WhatsApp for political purposes corresponds to the rate of participation in real life by the respondents. The study used the survey research method in studying 379 WhatsApp users in Awka Metropolis sampled using purposive sampling technique. The study found expression from the theoretical provision of the reasoned action theory of the media. Findings revealed that WhatsApp use for political discussion does not only increase political awareness and knowledge but also heavily encourages real-time political participation among the respondents. It was concluded that WhatsApp use has been a viable means of political mobilization and participation in Nigeria. The study among others recommended that politicians and political parties that want to survive politically should take social media criticisms very seriously or get ready to be voted out in elections.
WhatsApp political use, interrogation, relationship, active political participation, implication, online democracy
Casmir U. Obiakor, Peter C. Ikegbunam & Valentina Chimuanya Ezeaso
Discourse Strategies and Discourse Markers in 2019 Presidential Campaign Advertisements
The use of social media to advertise presidential candidates and to get support for them has increased drastically. However, many research efforts have not been done to critically investigate the discourse strategies and the meanings that text composers try to portray with campaign advertisements. This study, therefore, attempts a critical content analysis of discourse strategies and discourse markers used to garner support in the 2019 presidential campaign advertisements. 14 texts were purposively selected from social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, twitter and other online media, like punch.ng.com, sunnews.com, to mention but a few. The chosen texts featured the two major political candidates in the 2019 presidential campaign advertisements: Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The study adopted Vadijk’s socio cognitive model and his principles of ideological stances for the analysis of texts in this study. The findings revealed that there was a deliberate choice of certain words by text composers to create certain desired meanings. Other notable discourse strategies used were rhetorical questions, repetition, symbolism and the use of emotional appeal. The study also found out that discourse markers were ideologically used to show contrast, consequence and time that an action took place. The study concludes that semantic stratagems were used to show polarity between the out group and the in group.
discourse strategies, discourse markers, advertisements, ideology
Tracing a Conceptual Sketch of African Music
This essay explores the multifaceted landscape of African music, tracing its evolution and diverse forms. The author, using mainly the tools of library research and literature reviews, grapples with the challenge of defining African music, highlighting the terminological and linguistic complexities. The study encompasses traditional, popular, and art forms, offering a comprehensive understanding of a rich musical heritage. The characteristics of African music, including timbre, texture, rhythm, and call-response patterns, are scrutinized, shedding light on the nuanced aspects of its performance. The essay also delves into the classification of African musical instruments, utilizing the Sachs-Hornbostel taxonomy. In conclusion, the importance of approaching African music holistically is given a particular emphasis while a strong advocacy is made for a deeper appreciation of its cultural significance in the global context.
African music, traditional, popular, art forms, characteristics
Fuel Subsidy Removal and Its Negative Impact on Small and Medium Scale Enterprises
Fuel subsidy has been a leverage that has aided SMEs operations in Nigeria as it has helped in reducing the amount of resources spent on fuel by SMEs. Thus, the removal has no doubt negatively affected the activities and operations of SMEs across the country. This study investigated the negative impact of fuel subsidy removal on SMEs in Anambra State. The study adopted a mixed method research that used structured questionnaire and In-depth Interview (IDI) in collecting data from 105 SMEs systematically selected from the 21 Local Government Areas in the state. Data collected for the study was processed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The result of the quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency tables, charts and graphs) while the qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The study hypothesis was tested using Chi-square inferential statistics. The study found that fuel subsidy removal has a very high negative impact on SMEs in Anambra State. The study also found that the negative impact of fuel subsidy removal on SMEs include increase in production cost, reduced profit as a result of high overhead costs, low sales and income resulting from low patronage and financial strain in the general activities of SMEs. The study thus recommends that strategic planning and policies that can combat the negative effect of fuel subsidy removal should be put in place by the Federal Government as this will help SMEs thrive and still carry out their operations without many difficulties irrespective of fuel subsidy removal.
fuel subsidy, fuel subsidy removal, SMEs, negative impact
Analysis of Stylistic Devices in Umar Abubakar Sidi’s The Poet of Dust
This paper is an analysis of stylistic devices in Umar Abubakar Sidi's poetry collection, The Poet of Dust, with the aim of unraveling its intricate layers and exploring its contributions to contemporary Nigerian poetry. The objectives of the study include to examine the lexico-semantic stylistic choices employed by the poet, in order to shed light on their roles in constructing the enigmatic themes and evoking a range of poignant reader emotions; to explore the syntactic stylistic structures utilised by Sidi so as to uncover how his nuanced syntax amplifies the collection's mystic allure and creates a distinctive and engaging poetic experience; and to investigate the use of various rhetorical stylistic devices with the goal of elucidating their significant roles in reinforcing the collection's core mystical motifs and enriching the overall artistic vision. By employing a qualitative research design, the study undertakes meticulous text analysis, drawing upon Schema Theory and Leech and Short's Stylistic Analysis Framework as the theoretical base for examining the complex interplay of stylistic elements within the poetry collection. The study found that the poet employs a diverse range of stylistic features to convey mystical experiences and spiritual insights delving into the transient nature of life and the enigmatic essence of existence. Through an intricate interplay of lexico-semantic stylistic devices such as metaphor, simile, and alliteration; syntactic stylistic devices including enjambment and parallelism; and rhetorical stylistic techniques such as hyperbole, allusion, anaphora, and zeugma, the poet crafts a captivating narrative that leads readers towards profound encounters with the mystical dimensions of human existence, creating a bridge between the earthly and divine realms, and also enhancing persuasion and emotional resonance within the text. The study concludes that the effective utilisation of lexico-semantic stylistic devices, syntactic stylistic elements, and rhetorical stylistic devices within the poetry illuminates its mystic essence, inviting readers to contemplate the profound insights embedded within the transient nature of human existence, underscoring the poet's ability to intertwine figurative language with thematic depth, thus emphasising the transformative power of poetic expression.
analysis, stylistic devices, poet of dust, lexico-semantic, Nigerian poetry
Abdullahi Umar Evuti & Ebenezer Oluseun Ogungbe
JOURNAL OF EDUCATION, HUMANITIES, MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (JEHMSS), VOL 1 NO 4, 2023
Charles Peirce’s Theory of Enquiry: An Epistemological Analysis
This epistemological analysis posits that Charles Peirce’s pragmatism is not confined to the “determination of the meaning of terms” but is also, and more fundamentally, a theory and tool of enquiry. To substantiate this view and distinguish pragmatism from some dominant antithetical viewpoints that predate it, the paper broadly explores the origin, unique features, and practical relevance of Peirce’s classical brand. The study concludes by pointing out the inherent contradictions in the views of John Dewey, Peirce’s contemporary and the first notable philosopher to query the heuristic value of Peirce’s pragmatism.
Charles Peirce, pragmatism, epistemology, meaning
Drug Abuse and Crime among Youths: The Bane of South Eastern Nigeria
Drug abuse and crime among youths are prevalent in South East Nigeria. Drug-related crimes committed in the region include burglary, cultism, murder, armed robbery, arson, rape, kidnapping, vandalism and ritual killing. Social analysts have identified, among others, the general decline in the promotion and observance of high moral and social values, peer pressure, youth unemployment, over-exposure to social media enticements, and sheer idleness, as some of the major reasons why drug abuse and crime among youths are the bane of South Eastern Nigeria. The paper is anchored on the attribution theory developed by Firtz Heider in 1958 and adopted library research as secondary data. The researcher also investigated the factors influencing drug abuse and crime among the youths in the South East. To control the spread of drug abuse among youths in the region, and crimes associated with it, the paper recommends the following: introduction of a massive anti-drug abuse and anti-crime awareness programmes in schools and the media; intensification or introduction of drug education programme in the school system, especially in tertiary institutions, in order to enlighten youths on the adverse effects of drug abuse.
drug abuse, crime, youth, South East Nigeria
Chinonso Chinaemerem Adikuru & Chibugo Judith Okara