MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF LAW, EDUCATION AND HUMANITIES
The Multidisciplinary Journal of Law, Education, and Humanities (ISSN: 3043-6435; E-ISSN: 3043-6486) is a peer-reviewed academic publication dedicated to fostering innovative research and dialogue across interconnected fields. Recognizing the interwoven nature of legal studies, educational advancements, and the rich tapestry of humanistic disciplines, this journal provides a platform for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to share insights, challenge paradigms, and contribute to the evolution of knowledge. Our mission is to bridge the gaps between disciplines, highlighting the relevance of interdisciplinary approaches to addressing contemporary challenges. The journal welcomes a broad spectrum of topics, including but not limited to legal reform, pedagogical innovation, cultural studies, ethics, linguistics, and social justice. MJLEH is a publication of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria.
PROPER CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING PROCESSES IN SCHOOLS
This paper investigates classroom management as a vital factor influencing effective teaching and learning in primary, secondary, and post-secondary educational institutions. The study, which positions the teacher as the principal manager of classroom activities, investigates the responsibilities involved in creating an environment conducive to educational attainment. Data were sourced from library searches and classroom observations. Based on existing management theories and pedagogical literature, the paper explores the conceptual foundations of management, highlighting planning, organisation, direction, and control as critical duties for classroom teachers. It examines how physical classroom arrangement, optimum student positioning, and strategic placement of instructional materials all contribute to effective instruction. The study emphasizes discipline as an essential component of classroom management, detailing ways for maintaining decorum and instilling self-control in students. The study also cites essential characteristics of an effective teacher, including topic competence, pedagogical competency, humility, punctuality, friendliness, and moral uprightness. It also identifies teachers' professional functions such as diagnosing learning issues, encouraging students, evaluating performance, and coordinating activities as critical to effective classroom governance. The paper concludes that the teacher’s teaching and the students’ learning environment should be very conducive and favourable enough in order to engender proper comprehension and possible assimilation of what is taught by the teacher during the lesson. It recommends that diverse instructional resources, consistent discipline, and exceptional teacher leadership are required to achieve desired educational goals.
Classroom management, Effective teaching and learning, Processes, Schools
THE ROLE OF OBSERVATION IN THEORY FORMATION IN SCIENCE
From the last quarter of the twentieth century into the twenty-first century, scientists and philosophers of science have debated the role of observation in theory formation. Specifically, the debate is between two dominant and competing traditions: inductivism and falsificationism. On the one hand, the inductivists argue that observation constitutes the starting point of science and that general laws are derived from repeated empirical observation through inductive reasoning. On the other hand, the falsificationists, associated with Karl Popper, reject inductivism arguing that scientific observations are theory-laden and that general laws are tested deductively with the aim of refuting them. Using library research and logical analysis, this study revisits the inductivist falsificatinist debate on the role of observation in theory formation. The study found that both positions, though influential represent incomplete accounts of scientific practice. The inductivists’ position is undermined by the problem of induction, the theory-laden nature of observation, and the logical impossibility of deriving universal laws from particular instances. Falsificationists' position, though methodologically rigorous, fails to reflect the actual practice of science, where theories are rarely abandoned in the face of anomalies but often protected by ad hoc hypotheses. Based on this, the study argues that observation does not act as a neutral foundation for theory formation but operates within conceptual and theoretical frameworks that shapes its meaning and interpretation. The study concludes that scientific progress is better explained as a dynamic and interactive process involving the interaction of observation, theoretical imagination, hypothesis construction, and critical testing. Therefore, neither pure inductivism nor strict falsificationism adequately explains scientific theory formation. Instead scientific knowledge emerges from the continuous interplay between empirical evidence and theoretical creativity, underscoring the indispensable but non-autonomous role of observation in scientific inquiry.
Observation; theory formation; Inductivism; Falsificationism, Scientific Method; Philosophy of Science
LANGUAGE AND POLITICS: A CASE OF LANGUAGE ABUSE IN NIGERIAN DEMOCRACY
Language is an important instrument in politics; it is used both as an instrument for mobilization and means of governance. In Nigeria, over the years, it has been noted that language has often been abused by political leaders to mislead and manipulate the citizens. This paper examines language and politics: A case study of language abuse in Nigerian democracy. With the use of Critical Discourse Analysis, the paper investigates how political language is abused during public discourse and governance to achieve selfish political ambition rather than national development. It examines the use of propaganda and empty promises as forms of linguistic manipulation in Nigerian politics since the inception of democracy. Using content analysis of media report, political speeches, media posts, the paper reveals that language abuse has contributed to ethnic tension, political violence, lack of trust in the democratic institutions. In addition, the multilingual and multicultural nature of the nation make it vulnerable to linguistic abuse for political gains. The paper concludes that for Nigerian democracy to thrive, there is need for language policy reforms, political education, media literacy and enforcement of laws against language abuse. The responsible use of language is essential for consolidating democracy and promotion of unity
language, politics, language abuse, Democracy, Nigeria, political discourse
TEACHERS' PERCEPTIONS OF CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT PRACTICES IN NIGERIAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS: A QUALITATIVE DESCRIPTIVE STUDY
Continuous assessment (CA) is a key component of Nigeria's educational system, it is intended to provide systematic evidence of students' learning through multiple assessment activities conducted over time, thereby improving instruction and learning outcomes (Nitko & Brookhart, 2014). Despite its recognized value, concerns persist regarding its implementation and effectiveness. This qualitative descriptive study explored teachers' perceptions of continuous assessment in Nigerian secondary schools, focusing on their understanding, implementation experiences, challenges, and suggestions for improvement. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with purposively selected teachers from public and private secondary schools, and the data were analysed thematically. Teachers generally viewed continuous assessment as an effective means of monitoring students' progress, improving instruction, and promoting regular learning. However, its implementation is constrained by inadequate assessment literacy, large class sizes, insufficient instructional resources, administrative pressures, and poor institutional support. The study concludes that although teachers appreciate the pedagogical value of continuous assessment, systemic challenges limit its effectiveness. It recommends regular professional development, improved teacher-student ratios, provision of adequate assessment resources, and strengthened quality assurance mechanisms to enhance the credibility and effectiveness of continuous assessment practices in Nigerian secondary schools.
Continuous assessment, assessment, teachers' perceptions, educational measurement, secondary schools, Nigeria, qualitative descriptive study
INFLUENCE OF PRINCIPALS’ FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES ON EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION OF PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ANAMBRA STATE
This study examined influence of Principals’ Financial Management Strategies on Effective Administration of Private Secondary Schools in Anambra State. Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. The researcher used descriptive research design for this study. The population of this study comprised 913 principals in the 913 private secondary schools Anambra State. Purposive sampling and proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to draw 457 sample size for this study. The instruments for data collection were two sets of questionnaires structured by the researchers tagged; “Principals’ Financial Management Strategies Questionnaire (PFMSQ)” and “Principals’ Effective Administration Questionnaire (PAEQ)’’. The face validity of the instruments was established by three experts; two in Educational Management and one in Measurement and Evaluation. All three experts are lecturers in the Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus, Anambra State. The construct validity of the instruments was explored using Principal Component Analysis approach. Cronbach Alpha procedure was used to determine the internal consistency of the instruments with an average reliability coefficient of 0.80. The collected data was analyzed using mean, standard deviation, simple and multiple regression. The null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of this study indicated that that expenditure control strategy and budgeting strategy have significant influence on effective administration of private secondary schools in Anambra State while inventory management strategy has no significant influence on effective administration of private secondary schools in Anambra. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that; private school owners should organize training for principals on the how to control the school expenditure, budgeting and proper implementation of budgets. This study has contributed to knowledge by empirically establishing that financial management strategies of expenditure control and budgeting significantly influence effective administration of private secondary schools in Anambra State while inventory management strategy does not.
Principal, Finance, Effective Administration, Private, Secondary School
OHAMOBI, IFUNANYA N.; EZEH, NKIRU ANTHONIA
VISUAL ARTS: EXPLORING THE RELEVANCE OF DIGITAL ART USING GRAPHICS, SCULPTURE AND ARCHITECTURE IN MODERN ART EDUCATION
Digital art in the domain of visual arts as a communication vehicle of impacting modern art education in the global world has become one of the most relevant components of modern art education due to its contribution to visual communication, creativity, technological advancement, and digital landscape innovation in teaching and learning. In contemporary society, where communication is largely based on visual arts, digital art served as an ingenious elucidation platform through which actions, ideas, emotions, and information are visually expressed effectively. This paper explores the relevance of digital art using graphics, sculpture and architecture in modern art education by examining its conceptual foundations, historical development, educational relevance, technological influence, challenges, and prospects. This paper adopts historical analytic methods combined with qualitative approach. The primary and secondary sources of information were not left out. The paper reveals that the use of digital art enhances creativity, visual literacy, communication skills, and technological competence amongst educators in graphics, sculpture and architecture in modern art education. It further establishes that the integration of digital art into art education has transformed traditional teaching and learning processes, thereby preparing learners for the demands of the modern creative industry. The paper concludes that effective inclusion of digital art education requires adequate facilities, curriculum development, teacher training, and institutional support.
Visual Arts, Digital Art, Graphics, Sculpture, Architecture, Communication, Modern Art Education
AKHOGBA, Albert Ehi Ph.D; IGHALO, Matthew Osime Ph.D; ISIWELE, A. Joseph Ph.D; OSAWARU, Ilekhuogie Rex Ph.D
TRANSFORMATIVE EMPOWERMENT STRATEGIES AS CORRELATE OF JOB PERFORMANCE OF UNIVERSITY LECTURERS IN SOUTHEAST NIGERIA
This study examined the relationship between transformative empowerment strategies and the job performance of university lecturers in South East Nigeria. The study adopted a correlational survey research design. The sample comprised 333 lecturers drawn from four federal universities in South East Nigeria using a multistage sampling procedure. Data were collected using two researcher-developed questionnaires titled Empowerment Strategies Questionnaire (ESQ) and Lecturers' Job Performance Questionnaire (LJPQ). Pearson's Product Moment Correlation was used to answer the research question, while simple linear regression analysis was employed to test the eight null hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed, among other things, that transformative empowerment strategies had a significant and strong positive relationship with the job performance of university lecturers in South East Nigeria. Based on the findings, the study recommended, among other things, that university rankings should take into account the extent and quality of staff empowerment programmes, particularly those designed for academic staff, as an important indicator of institutional performance.
Empowerment, Strategies, University Lecturers and job performance
Ejike-Onu Monica Nkechinyere, Melody Ndidi Modebelu (PhD) &Anebi Joseph Ngbede Paul (PhD)
TAXATION WITHOUT TRANSFORMATION: PUBLIC PERCEPTION AND THE CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE IN NIGERIA'S NEW TAX LAWS
This paper critically examined the public perception and emerging crisis of confidence surrounding Nigeria's tax reforms enacted through four Acts signed by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the 26th June, 2025, with major provisions effective from the 1st January 2026. The Nigeria Tax Act (NTA) 2025, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act (NRSA) 2025, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act (JRBA) 2025 aimed to consolidate fragmented statutes, introduced progressive revenue structures, broadened the tax base, and enhanced compliance. This paper also interrogated the concept of ‘Taxation without Transformation’ as both a legal and governance problem, examining whether Nigeria's evolving tax statutes and enforcement practices aligned with constitutional principles, administrative law norms, and judicial interpretations of fiscal power. Drawing on statutory provisions, case law, and comparative insights, this paper argued that while Nigeria possesses expansive legal authority to tax, the persistent failure to link taxation to visible socio-economic transformation undermined the normative foundations of tax compliance and threatened the long-term sustainability of fiscal reform. It concluded that the long-term success of Nigeria’s tax reforms would depend not merely on legislative innovation or enforcement mechanisms but on the State’s ability to rebuild public trust through transparent governance, institutional accountability, effective public service delivery, and sustained public engagement. It recommended governance-centered approaches to tax administration that prioritised taxpayer education, revenue transparency, and measurable developmental impacts as essential prerequisites for achieving sustainable tax compliance and strengthening fiscal legitimacy in Nigeria.
Taxation, Social Contract, Fiscal Legitimacy, Tax Laws, Tax Reform, and Public Perception
Dr. Rapuluchukwu Ernest Nduka; Dr. Augustine Orabueze Izuchukwu; Mr. Favour Atueyi Uchechukwu
THE ROLES OF OHANAEZE NDIGBO AND AREWA CONSULTATIVE FORUM ON NATION BUILDING IN NIGERIA, 1976-2019THE ROLES OF OHANAEZE NDIGBO AND AREWA CONSULTATIVE FORUM ON NATION BUILDING IN NIGERIA, 1976-2019
This study examines the roles of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Nigeria’s nation building process from 1976 to 2019. Emerging in the post-Nigerian Civil War era, Ohanaeze Ndigbo evolved from the Igbo Forum around 1976–1979, while the ACF was formally established in 2000. As leading ethno regional socio-cultural organisations, both have served as critical platforms for articulating and defending the collective interests of the Igbo (South-East) and Northern regions within Nigeria’s multi-ethnic federal system.The research adopts a qualitative historical approach, drawing on primary and secondary sources. These include organisational documents, policy papers, media reports, official records, and relevant scholarly literature. Fieldwork involving key informant interviews with leaders and stakeholders from both organisations, as well as content and thematic analysis, was employed to evaluate their activities.The study analyses how these bodies have influenced national politics through policy advocacy, inter-ethnic dialogue, elite consensus-building, and crisis management across periods of military rule, democratic transitions, resource allocation disputes, restructuring debates, and national unity efforts. While both organisations have often promoted equitable power-sharing, regional development, and peaceful coexistence, their actions have simultaneously reflected and sometimes exacerbated the tensions of ethno-regional politics. The findings highlight significant successes in fostering regional solidarity and shaping national policy, alongside limitations arising from zero-sum ethnic competition. The study concludes that Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the ACF remain influential actors whose constructive engagement is essential for sustainable national cohesion, equitable development, and democratic consolidation in Nigeria.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), nation-building, ethnic politics, federalism, Nigeria, inter-regional relations, socio-cultural organisations, national unity, post-civil war politics.
Prof. Nwachukwu Obiakor; Prof. Ezeownuka Franklin; Umeh Henry Chikwado
AN APPRAISAL OF THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE COMPULSORY TREATMENT AND CARE FOR GUNSHOT VICTIMS IN NIGERIA
Many gunshot victims in Nigeria have been reported to have lost their lives after being denied medicare because of their inability to provide police report or inability to pay the initial treatment deposit. The Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017 was enacted to remedy this situation. The Act mandates hospitals and medical facilities to provide immediate medical treatment to victims of gunshot injuries, regardless of the absence of a police report or initial treatment deposit; this is to ensure that gunshot victims receive prompt medical attention, regardless of their financiaal or legal status. The National Health Act 2014 also makes it an offence for health care providers, health care workers, or health establishment to refuse a person emergency treatment. The Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshots Act, 2017 was enacted to specifically protect the rights of gunshot victims in Nigeria. Despite the provisions of the National Health Act 2014 and the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshots Act 2017, most health care facilities and health care practitioners still insist that the requirement of police report and initial treatment deposit are met as pre-condition for treatment of gunshot victims. The Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshots Act 2017 focuses on upholding the sanctity of life by preserving the lives of gunshot victims and removing the obstacles that prevent access to quick medical attention; the rights of gunshot victims and volunteers or helpers of gunshot victims; obligations of hospitals; obligations of the police and penalties for violations under the Act. Despite the beautiful provisions of the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshots Act 2017, which specifically provides for the treatment and care of gunshot victims in Nigeria, hospitals and medical practitioners still make police report or payment of hospital bills a pre-condition for treatment. This article examines some of the impediments and challenges facing the implementation of the existing law. This research attempts to find out why the practice persist, despite the relevant enactments. This research identified some of the impediments and challenges to the implentation of the existing laws on the compulsory treatment and care for gunshot victims in Nigeria and explores the way forward to ensure compliance and implementation of the existing laws.
Compulsory Treatment, Care for Gunshot Victims, Rights of Gunshot Victims, Nigeria
INFORMED CONSENT IN THE AGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: CHALLENGES IN NIGERIAN HEALTHCARE
Artificial Intelligence in healthcare no doubt enables more precise and enhanced diagnostics, enhanced treatment plans, and efficient resource management, and enhanced treatment outcomes. Informed consent is a fundamental principle that ensures patients understand the nature of their treatment, and associated risks; with the introduction of artificial intelligence in healthcare, informed consent extends to patients’ knowledge and understanding of the role of technology in their care. However, the complexity of artificial intelligence algorithms makes the informed consent process difficult, as patients encounter difficulty in understanding how these technologies influence their treatment decisions. This article examines the intersection of informed consent and the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare within the Nigerian context; explores the challenges posed by artificial intelligence in obtaining informed consent and underscores the importance of adapting informed consent processes to meet the challenges posed by emerging technologies in healthcare. This paper explores the challenges in navigating the informed consent systems in the age of artificial intelligence technology, particularly with the limited technological literacy, and regulatory gaps; and highlights the need for clear and specific legal framework that regulate informed consent to reflect the current trend of the use of artificial intelligence technology in healthcare, and as such address the legal and ethical challenges of informed consent in the era of Artificial intelligence in Nigeria. The article makes recommendations to ensure equitable practices in obtaining informed consent in the age of Artificial Intelligence.
Informed Consent, Artificial Intelligence, Healthcare, Nigeria
INTERCULTURAL PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM IN NIGERIA
One of the most serious challenges facing contemporary Nigeria is religious extremism. Conceptually, religious extremism is the use of force or threat of force to enforce compliance with one’s religious creed. It is motivated by the belief that one’s religion is the only true religion. Thus, since the unbelievers are considered infidels, ignorant, or sinful, the religious extremist sees it as his or her duty to help them save their souls by compelling them to accept the true faith. This religious position is not new or restricted to any particular religion. Christianity and Islam, the world’s most populous religions, have had their fair share of the menace. However, Islamic extremism has assumed alarming proportions in Nigeria. The unwholesome activity of these extremists is provoking reciprocal radicalization of Christians and threatening to plunge the entire country into a Christian Islamic conflict. Deploying the library research approach and the analytic method for data collection and interpretation respectively, the study uses the theoretical framework of intercultural philosophy to interrogate the philosophical foundations of religious extremism in Nigeria. The paper finds that the problem of religious extremism in Nigeria is rooted in three fundamental mistakes, namely, misinterpretation of the concept of God, poor understanding of the nature of divine revelation and the adoption of an inappropriate criterion for determining true religion. Based on these findings, the paper argues that God is a mystery of who no religion, no matter how sublime can claim an absolute knowledge. If God has revealed himself to a particular religion, it remains possible that he has also revealed himself to others. This possibility of multiple religious revelations undermines any claim of absolute knowledge of God and the attendant extremism that goes with it. Also, the fact that man is made in the image of God suggests that the measure of every true religion should be its respect for human life. Concluding that any faith that advocates the killing of human beings is antithetical to true religion, the paper recommends promoting intercultural philosophy’s principles of dialogue and respect as a way of pursuing and establishing peaceful coexistence among people of different religions in Nigeria.
Religious extremism, Islamic extremism, Intercultural philosophy, Philosophical dialogue, Polylogue, Creed
TEACHERS’ CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AS CORRELATE OF STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ANAMBRA STATE
This study examined teachers’ classroom management practices as correlates of students’ academic achievement in public secondary schools in Anambra State. Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. A correlational research design was adopted for the study, and the null hypotheses were tested at the 0.05 level of significance. The population of the study consisted of 21,667 SS2 students in 267 public secondary schools across the six education zones of Anambra State. Proportionate stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select a sample of 650 students from the study population. Two instruments developed by the researcher, namely the Teachers’ Classroom Management Practices Questionnaire (TCMPQ) and the Mathematics Test Questions (MTQ), were used for data collection. The face validity of the instruments was established by three experts, while construct validity was determined using the Principal Component Analysis approach. The Cronbach Alpha procedure was used to determine the reliability of the instruments, yielding an average reliability coefficient of 0.765, which indicated that the instruments were reliable for the study. The collected data were analyzed using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC). The findings revealed a significant relationship between teachers’ communication, discipline, and students’ academic achievement, whereas no significant relationship was found between motivation and students’ academic achievement. Based on the findings, it was recommended that teachers should employ effective communication skills in the classroom to enhance classroom management and learning outcomes. Classroom rules should be clearly stated and displayed at strategic locations in the classroom to promote discipline and effective teaching and learning. Principals should also organize periodic training programmes on effective classroom management practices for teachers. The results of this study have added to the existing body of knowledge by affirming the existence of a positive and significant relationship between teachers’ classroom management practices and students’ academic achievement in public secondary schools in Anambra State.
Teachers, Classroom, Management, Students, Academic Performance
OBI ZITA (Ph.D); OKEKE, IFEDIORAH NONYE (Ph.D); OGBUANYA, CHIAMAKA PATIENCE
GRAPHICS TEACHING IN CONTEMPORARY ART EDUCATION: PEDAGOGICAL NAVIGATIONS, PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES
Graphics and art education have become central components of contemporary art and visual communication studies across the globe. In an age characterized by digital communication, branding, rebranding, advertising, publishing, and multimedia interaction, the teaching and learning of graphics have expanded beyond traditional areas such as advertising, printmaking, and illustration into diverse technological and interdisciplinary dimensions. This paper examines the concept of graphics and its teaching within the framework of contemporary art education. It explores the historical evolution of graphics, its significance in education and society, methods of teaching graphics, pedagogical challenges, technological transformations, and prospects for improving graphics education in developing societies such as Nigeria and other parts of the world. The paper adopts qualitative and descriptive approaches through a review of relevant literature, educational practices, and contemporary developments in graphics education. Findings reveal that effective graphics education requires a balance between theoretical understanding, practical studio engagement, technological competence, creativity, and cultural responsiveness. The study also identifies inadequate facilities, insufficient funding, limited technological infrastructure, and a shortage of skilled instructors as major challenges affecting graphics education. The paper concludes that graphics education remains indispensable to teaching and learning, creative development, communication, entrepreneurship, and national development. It therefore recommends curriculum restructuring, technological integration, teacher training, and greater institutional support to strengthen graphics teaching and learning in secondary schools and higher educational institutions in Nigeria and beyond.
Graphics, Art Education, Teaching and Learning, Visual Communication, Pedagogy, Digital Media
Akhogba, Albert Ehi Ph.D ; Ojemekele, Ighodalo Ph.D; IMUMORIN, Monday Omokhoje Ph.D; IMADOJEMU, Ehiarekhian Lucky
EQUITABLE ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AS A PREDICTOR OF STUDENTS’ LEARNING OUTCOMES IN RURAL PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA
Equitable access to educational technology is increasingly recognized as a critical factor influencing students’ learning outcomes, particularly in rural and underserved communities. However, rural public secondary schools in Anambra State, Nigeria, continue to experience challenges related to limited access to digital devices, poor internet connectivity, and inadequate teacher facilitation of technology use. This study examined equitable access to educational technology as a predictor of students’ learning outcomes in rural public secondary schools in Anambra State, Nigeria. Guided by a correlational research design, the study focused on digital device availability, internet access, and teachers’ facilitation of technology use. The population comprised 4,820 senior secondary school students from 134 rural public secondary schools, from which 480 students were selected through a multistage sampling procedure. Data were collected using the Equitable Access to Educational Technology Questionnaire (EAETQ) and the Learning Outcomes Questionnaire (LOQ). The instruments yielded reliability coefficients of 0.84 and 0.85, respectively, using Cronbach’s alpha. Simple linear regression was used to answer the research questions and test the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that the availability of digital devices, internet access, and teachers’ facilitation of technology use significantly and positively predicted students’ learning outcomes. The study concluded that equitable access to educational technology is a significant determinant of students’ learning outcomes in rural secondary schools. The study recommended improved provision of digital infrastructure and continuous teacher training to enhance inclusive and technology-supported learning in rural schools.
Equitable Access to Educational Technology, Students’ Learning Outcomes, Digital Inclusion, Internet Connectivity, Rural Public Secondary Schools.
Ikegbusi, Njideka Gloria, PhD; Ohamobi, Ifunanya Nkechi, PhD; Manafa, Ifeyinwa Frances, PhD; Okafor, Patrick Chinenye, PhD; Onyekwelu, Raphael Azubike, PhD
L'IMPACT DE LA TRADUCTION PAR IA SUR LES RENCONTRES ET RELATIONS INTERCULTURELLES A L'ÉCHELLE MONDIALE
L’intelligence artificielle (IA) a transformé la communication mondiale, notamment grâce aux systèmes de traduction alimentés par l’IA qui surmontent les barrières linguistiques dans divers contextes, comme les rencontres interculturelles et les relations. Ces outils permettent une communication sophistiquée en temps réel, favorisant des connexions plus profondes, une empathie accrue et une meilleure compréhension culturelle. Ils facilitent également les interactions professionnelles et sociales, ouvrant la voie à des collaborations au-delà des frontières linguistiques. Cependant, les limites de la traduction par IA, comme l’incapacité à rendre fidèlement les nuances culturelles et émotionnelles, posent problème. Des questions éthiques liées à la confidentialité des données, la dépendance excessive à la technologie et les biais inhérents aux systèmes d’IA soulignent la nécessité d’une utilisation équilibrée. Cet article explore le potentiel transformateur de l’IA dans la communication mondiale tout en mettant en lumière ses limites, et propose une intégration réfléchie pour améliorer les connexions humaines tout en préservant l’authenticité et la richesse culturelle. Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed worldwide communication, particularly through AI powered translation systems that overcome language barriers in a variety of scenarios, such as cross cultural dating and relationships. These tools facilitate real-time, sophisticated communication, encouraging deeper connections, increasing empathy, and promoting cultural understanding. They also allow for seamless contact in professional and social settings, increasing potential for collaboration across linguistic boundaries. However, the limits of AI translation, such as mistakes in communicating cultural nuances and emotional details, pose issues. Ethical issues about data privacy, over-reliance on technology, and inherent biases in AI systems emphasize the importance of balanced usage. This article examines AI's transformational potential in global communication while acknowledging its limitations, calling for a refined integration that improves human connection while preserving authenticity and cultural richness.
Intelligence artificielle (IA), traduction par IA, communication interculturelle, compréhension culturelle, considérations éthiques
Edith Ruth Iroetugo; Ozioma Siddharta Omedobi Anyawuike
TIME MANAGEMENT AS A PREDICTOR OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN ANAMBRA STATE
This study investigated time management as a predictor of academic dishonesty among undergraduates in public universities in Anambra State. The study was guided by two research questions and two hypotheses. A correlational research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 43,085 undergraduates from two public universities in Anambra State. The sample size consisted of 400 undergraduates (191 males and 209 females) selected using proportionate stratified sampling procedures. Two instruments were used for data collection, namely the Time Management Questionnaire (TMQ) and the Academic Dishonesty Questionnaire (ADQ). The reliability coefficients of the instruments were 0.94 and 0.88 for the TMQ and ADQ respectively. The data collected were analyzed using simple regression statistics to answer the research questions and test the null hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that time management negatively predicted academic dishonesty among undergraduates in public universities in Anambra State. The findings also showed that time management negatively predicted academic dishonesty among both male and female undergraduates in public universities in Anambra State. Based on the findings of the study, conclusions were drawn. In view of the findings, the study recommended, among others, that university administrators should integrate programmes that inculcate adequate time management skills into the academic curriculum and extracurricular activities through regular seminars, workshops, and ethical leadership training aimed at reducing academic dishonesty associated with poor time management among students.
public university, Academic Dishonesty, Time Management, undergraduates
Okeke, Gloria Nneka; Obikeze, N. J.; Obi, I. E.
THE PIDGIN LANGUAGE AS A TOOL FOR POETIC REFLECTIONS IN ECHEZONA IFEJIRIKA'S SONGS OF INITIATION
This work focuses on how Echezona Ifejirika uses Pidgin English in his text, Songs of Initiation, to depict some societal ills and follies in the Nigerian system. These societal ills, such as fraud, joblessness, squandering and misuse of public funds, economic and political instability, poor standards of education, examination malpractice, embezzlement, bribery and corruption, sheer wickedness, and other forms of irregularities, are frowned upon by the poet, primarily to correct them through his work. The poet’s use of an alternative language reflects his opinion that poems can also be written in a manner that can be easily understood by ordinary people and not only by the elites in society. This implies that the research exposes the poet and his poems to a wider audience with a view to sharing the contents and lessons of the poems. The theoretical framework of this work is sociological theory because of the contemporary issues discussed in the text. The data for this study were obtained through literary research from different textbooks, library materials, journals, dictionaries, internet sources, and the primary text, Songs of Initiation. However, this work aims to caution society through Pidgin English poetry, while also advising Nigerian politicians who have taken governance as an avenue for private enrichment to retrace their steps.
Pidgin, Society, Poem, Follies, Alternative, Layman
DIGITAL CONTENT DEVELOPMENT AS CORRELATE OF JOB PERFORMANCE OF UNIVERSITY LECTURERS IN SOUTH EAST, NIGERIA
This study examined digital content development as a correlate of the job performance of university lecturers in South East Nigeria. The study adopted a correlational survey research design. The sample consisted of 333 lecturers drawn from four federal universities in South East Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was adopted for the study. The instruments for data collection were three researcher-developed questionnaires titled: Transformative Professional Development Questionnaire (TPDQ), Empowerment Strategies Questionnaire (ESQ), and Lecturers’ Job Performance Questionnaire (LJPQ). Out of the 333 copies of the three instruments administered, 313 copies, representing approximately 94% return rate, were properly completed by the respondents and used for data analysis. Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to answer the research questions raised for the study, while linear regression analysis was used to test the null hypothesis that guided the study at the 0.05 level of significance. Based on the analysis, it was found, among others, that digital content development significantly related to the job performance of university lecturers to a very high positive extent, while empowerment strategies significantly related to lecturers’ job performance to a high positive extent in South East Nigeria. The regression result revealed a significant probability (p) value of 0.001, which is less than the alpha value of 0.05. The study concluded that lecturers need to be adequately exposed to digital development programmes to enable them acquire the necessary skills required to improve their job performance. It was therefore recommended that university management should ensure that every lecturer demonstrates a very high level of digital competence before appointment.
Digital content development, job performance, university lecturer, Southeast, Nigeria
Ejike-Onu Monica Nkechinyere & Modebelu Melody Ndiddi (PhD)
FARMERS-HERDERS CONFLICT AND MATERNAL HEALTH SERVICE UTILIZATION IN RURAL NIGERIA: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Background: The persistent conflict between farmers and herders in rural Nigeria has emerged as a significant threat to public health, yet its specific impact on maternal health service utilization remains underexplored. This systematic review examines how the Farmers-Herders conflict affects maternal health service utilization in rural Nigeria, with particular focus on the North-Central and Middle Belt regions. Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Literature was retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were synthesized. Results: Findings show that the farmers-herders conflict significantly disrupts maternal health service utilization through both supply-side and demand-side pathways. Supply-side disruptions include destruction of health infrastructure, displacement of healthcare workers, and breakdown of medical supply chains. Demand-side barriers include insecurity-related fear, long travel distances, economic hardship, and restricted mobility. These factors collectively reduce antenatal care attendance, skilled birth delivery, and postnatal care utilization. Displaced populations experience additional barriers, including fragmented continuity of care and limited humanitarian support. Conclusion: The Farmers-Herders conflict constitutes a structural determinant of maternal health service utilization in rural Nigeria. Addressing this crisis requires multi-pronged interventions, including secure healthcare infrastructure, mobile health units, conflict-zone allowances for health workers, community-based support integration, and comprehensive maternal health services within humanitarian responses for displaced populations. Sustainable land governance and effective conflict resolution mechanisms are essential complements to health sector reforms.
Antenatal care, Farmer-herder conflict, Health service utilization, Internal displacement, Maternal health, Rural Nigeria
Ngozi Chinenye Okeke; Leona Adimchi Eke; Bisiola Ekelechi Okoye; Eberechukwu Odichichimma Ogboke
RELIGIOUS TERRORISM IN NIGERIA AND ITS THREAT TO NATIONHOOD
The aim of this paper is to examine the threat posed by religious radicalism—particularly forms associated with extremist interpretations of Islam—to global culture and civilization, and to propose pathways for addressing this challenge. Using the analytical method, the study investigates the ideological foundations of religious fanaticism and its impact on democratic institutions, cultural heritage, and modern secular values. The scope of the study includes conceptual analyses of religion, culture, and civilization; historical instances of religious fanaticism in Christianity, such as the Spanish Inquisition and the persecution of early scientists; as well as an examination of contemporary forms of Islamic extremism within a global context. It also considers the destruction of educational institutions and cultural heritage in regions such as Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, and Afghanistan, alongside a critical evaluation of responses ranging from military coalitions to cultural and ideological countermeasures. The analysis indicates that while religious fanaticism is not confined to any single tradition, extremist movements can pose serious challenges to universal values such as reason, scientific inquiry, individual freedom, and secular governance. In some cases, these movements have contributed to the destruction of cultural memory and historical identity through attacks on monuments, manuscripts, and educational systems. The paper concludes that the international community must respond with coordinated and principled efforts to safeguard cultural heritage, democratic institutions, and human freedom. Such responses should avoid both uncritical generalizations about entire religious traditions and the escalation of reciprocal extremism, while promoting dialogue, education, and inclusive governance as long-term strategies for stability.
Nigeria, religious terrorism, nation, and threat
LEGAL ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF OIL EXPLORATION ON THE ENVIRONMENT OF HOST COMMUNITY IN NIGERIA
It is incontrovertible that oil, christened “black gold”, fuels the global economy. Due to the enormous financial resources that can accrue from this product, the discovery of oil in any location, particularly developing countries, is greeted with great excitement. Although the discovery of oil creates a sense of hope and expectation that the revenue would lead to the development of host communities in particular, and countries as a whole, in most cases, this dream has remained illusory as the exploration of the oil resources has led to the destruction of local host communities in oil-producing developing countries. In the face of this hopelessness, access to environmental justice becomes an indispensable beacon of hope to offer both reprieve and reparation to the citizens, as well as deterrence to the violators. Sadly however, as this research will reveal, accessing environmental justice, even as a last resort, is not an easy ride. The paper aimed at analyzing the impact of oil exploration on the environment of host communities in Nigeria. The doctrinal research methodology was employed to achieve the aim of this paper. The finding of the paper revealed that oil exploration activities do not only have health, environmental and social implications but they reduce life expectancy. This paper therefore recommended that the executive and other relevant agencies should rise to the occasion to enforce all environmental laws to ensure that there is environmental justice in host communities in Nigeria.
Bassey, Ekere Edet; Kenn. Chinemelu Nwogu
FOSTERING MUSIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS THROUGH MUSIC PARTNERSHIP
This paper has demonstrated that music education in schools can be enhanced through strategic partnerships. Schools can collaborate with tertiary institutions, professional bodies, international organizations, and local music groups to nurture pupils’ and students’ musical development. The study explored and highlighted partnerships between several primary schools in Anambra State and the Department of Music, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, over a one-year period (2025–2026), which produced remarkable results. The focus of the partnership was training in cultural dance, conducted by eight members of the renowned Oyoma Dance Troupe of the Department of Music, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka—a group established by the researcher in February 2025. The methodology adopted was practice-based research, which involves generating knowledge through practical engagement. Substantial insights were gained through the various training sessions conducted as part of the partnerships. These trainings culminated in the unveiling of school dance troupes during cultural events organized by the respective schools. The training sessions involved coaching pupils in synchronized dance steps using recorded cultural music. Several challenges were encountered during the study, including the unavailability of traditional musical instruments due to high costs; difficulty in selecting appropriate recorded cultural music; high transportation costs for trainers traveling to and from the schools; time constraints in scheduling rehearsals due to tight school timetables; limited availability of the trainers, who were undergraduate students; challenges in managing pupils effectively during rehearsals; and the financial burden of producing costumes for members of each school’s dance troupe. Despite these challenges, appropriate solutions were implemented, and the outcomes of the partnership were positive.
music education, partnership, cultural/traditional dance
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF POOR MONTHLY ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION EXERCISE IN ONITSHA: A STUDY OF FEGGE, ONITSHA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ANAMBRA STATE
This study explored the environmental impacts of poor monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Onitsha, with a focus on Fegge in Onitsha South Local Government Area, Anambra State. The objectives of the study were to examine the prevalence and major causes of poor participation in monthly environmental sanitation, assess the impact of such poor participation, and proffer solutions for improving participation in Fegge, Onitsha South Local Government Area, Anambra State. The theories used in the study include Nightingale’s Theory, Social Control Theory, and the Health Belief Model (HBM). The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design and was anchored on the Health Belief Model to explain factors influencing public perception and participation in monthly environmental sanitation. The sample size was 200 respondents. A multi-stage sampling technique was used in selecting respondents. The instruments for data collection were a structured questionnaire and an in-depth interview guide. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in frequency tables and simple percentages. The study hypotheses were tested using Chi-square (χ²) inferential statistics. Data from the in-depth interviews were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that respondents are highly aware of monthly environmental sanitation, but they exhibit a negative attitude toward participation. The study recommends intensified public awareness campaigns on the health risks associated with poor environmental sanitation. It also calls for the enforcement of stringent government policies against violators of monthly sanitation regulations in Anambra State, Nigeria.
Environmental degradation, Environmental pollution, Refuse disposal, Sanitation
Okeke, Obinna Chukwudalu (PhD); Ohachenu, Ifeoma Elizabeth (Ph.D)
POLICE-PUBLIC RELATIONS AND HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON EDUCATION, ECONOMIC STABILITY, AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
This paper examines the complex relationship between police–public relations and human capital development in Nigeria, with a focus on sociological perspectives that link education, economic stability, and sustainable development. In a society marked by social inequality, systemic corruption, and widespread insecurity, the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the public is critical in shaping national development outcomes. The study argues that strained police–public relations hinder human capital development by fostering fear, mistrust, and social instability—conditions that directly undermine access to quality education, equitable economic opportunities, and long-term investment in human potential. The theoretical framework for this study is Social Capital Theory, and the analysis is based on secondary data. Drawing from sociological theories, the paper examines how negative public perceptions of the police—stemming from incidents of brutality, lack of accountability, and poor community engagement create barriers to civic participation, youth empowerment, and institutional trust. These factors, in turn, diminish the state’s capacity to mobilize and develop its human resources. The paper emphasizes the need to reorient law enforcement strategies toward community engagement, rights-based policing, and inclusive governance as a foundation for human capital development. It concludes that improving police–public relations is not merely a matter of security reform but a strategic imperative for sustainable development. By fostering mutual trust and collaboration between the police and the public, Nigeria can build a more secure, educated, and economically productive society. The study recommends policy frameworks that integrate law enforcement into broader development goals, with a focus on inclusive growth and long-term national transformation.
economics, education, human capital development, police-public relations, sustainable development
Gladys Amaechi Ohazulike; Queeneth Ndidiamaka Okafor
INTERNAL FACTORS INFLUENCING CYBER SECURITY COMPLIANCE AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS IN AWKA SOUTH LGA
This study investigated internal factors influencing cyber security compliance among civil servants in Awka South LGA. Reinforcement theory by B.F. Skinner was adopted as the theoretical framework of the study. The mixed methods research design was adopted for the study. The multi-stage sampling procedure which was made up of cluster and simple random sampling procedure was used in selecting a sample size of 204 respondents for the study. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as the frequency counts and simple percentages while the qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic method of data analysis.. Findings showed that internal factors influencing cyber security compliance among civil servants include management policy on cyber security, computer literacy level, work ethics and improved supervision of workers. Consequences of non-compliance to cyber security among civil Servants in Awka South LGA include data loss, bad public image, low productivity, security breaches and cyber attacks. The study therefore recommends amongst others the need for awareness creation on the benefits of cyber security compliance in Awka South LGA. Also, there is need for periodic update of office software and operating systems for civil servants in the study area.
Chikwendu, Stephen Chilaka; Obiefuna, Nneka Marina; Anaekwe, Henry Ebuka
AFRICAN TRADITIONAL VALUES AND SOCIAL ETHICS IN COMBATING TERRORISM AND VIOLENT CRIMES IN NIGERIA
This empirical study examines the relevance and applicability of African traditional values and social ethics as complementary frameworks for combating terrorism and violent crimes in Nigeria. Drawing on mixed-methods research that integrates structured interviews with 420 community leaders, traditional rulers, security practitioners, and civil society actors across six geopolitical zones, alongside an analysis of secondary data from Nigeria's National Bureau of Statistics, the Global Terrorism Index, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) the study assesses how indigenous value systems, including Ubuntu philosophy, communal solidarity (Omoluabi), restorative justice mechanisms, and ancestral prohibitions on violence, function as preventive and rehabilitative resources against political violence and crime. Findings reveal that communities with robust traditional governance structures and practising active indigenous social ethics demonstrate statistically significantly lower rates of violent crime recruitment (p < .05) and enhanced community-based early warning mechanisms. The study further identifies the erosion of traditional value systems by globalisation, urbanisation, and political marginalisation as a critical vulnerability that extremist organisations exploit for radicalisation. The article recommends the institutionalisation of hybrid security governance frameworks that systematically integrate African traditional ethics with formal law enforcement, policy reform in community policing, and investment in indigenous knowledge preservation. The findings contribute to localisation debates in counter-terrorism and criminology, with significant policy implications for Sub-Saharan Africa.
African traditional value,, social ethics, terrorism, violent crime, counter-terrorism, community policing, indigenous governance
NAMING, IDENTITY, AND CULTURE: A SOCIOLINGUISTIC STUDY OF UMUCHU IN IGBO LAND
In Igbo people society in southeastern Nigeria, personal names carry deep cultural significance. Umuchu is one of the towns in Igbo land whose people attach profound meaning to names. The indigenes of Umuchu believe that a name goes beyond the attitude of “what is in a name?” a notion that has eroded this heritage through modernization and globalization. For the people of Umuchu names are an embodiment of their mentality and lifestyle, symbolically revealing their culture, sentiments, aspirations, beliefs, hopes, fortunes, and values. This study examines Umuchu names from ancient times to the present in order to ascertain the extent to which they have changed due to Western or European influences. It also investigates naming conventions, values of life, and the appreciation of life in comparison with the present trend of “modern” names. The study reveals that names are not ordinary tags or labels in Umuchu but are intrinsically tie to the bearer for life. The research adopts a descriptive and survey approach, using interviews as the primary method of data collection. The findings indicate that up to the present day, names in Umuchu still retain their original meaning and cultural significance; hence, they are far more than mere labels or means of identification. It is recommended that parents and guardians continues to give children names of great value, as such names are believed to possess the power to ward off negative spiritual forces. Finally, traditional naming practices in Umuchu represent a priceless heritage, shaped by the people’s thoughts, beliefs, experiences, and philosophy, which guide and influence the name-bearer toward a successful life.
sociolinguistic significance of names; psychological effects of name on the bearer and spiritual effects of name on the bearer
THE FOUNDATIONS OF AI POLICY: A PHILOSOPHICAL CRITIQUE OF UNESCO RECOMMENDATION ON THE ETHICS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence systems across societal domains has triggered an urgent need for robust policy frameworks capable of governing these technologies while preserving fundamental human values. It has become necessary to conduct a critical philosophical examination of the foundations underlying contemporary AI policy, especially as current frameworks suffer from insufficient ontological grounding and inadequate attention to the metaphysical distinctions between human and artificial agency. Drawing on the moderate realist tradition of Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas, as well as Kantian deontology associated with Immanuel Kant and contemporary virtue ethics, this analysis demonstrates that effective AI governance requires the prior resolution of foundational questions concerning human dignity, moral agency, and the limits of algorithmic delegation. An examination of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence shows its feasibility in addressing core AI challenges, including algorithmic bias, opacity, and accountability gaps. However, ethical principles—particularly human dignity, non-delegable agency, and technological subsidiarity—must serve as the normative bedrock upon which policy mechanisms are constructed, rather than as supplementary considerations appended to primarily technical frameworks. Thus, sustainable AI governance demands philosophical clarity about what distinguishes human beings from artificial systems, and policies that fail to acknowledge this distinction risk undermining the very values they purport to protect.
artificial intelligence, AI policy, philosophical foundations, human dignity, ethics of AI, algorithmic governance
Ikechukwu Bartholomew Ekemezie, Ph.D & Anthony Ugochukwu Nwokoye
SCALAR MEANING AND EVALUATIVE INTENSITY IN EMOTIONAL ENGAGEMENT: A STUDY OF INTEREST, PASSION, AND OBSESSION
Emotional experience is frequently encoded in language through lexical items that express varying degrees of psychological involvement. This study investigates scalar meaning and evaluative intensity within the lexical field of emotional engagement, focusing on the expressions interest, passion, and obsession. Drawing on insights from Lexical Semantics and the theoretical principles of Scalar Semantics, the study explores how these lexical items function as gradable expressions representing increasing levels of emotional attachment. The analysis also considers the role of semantic prosody in shaping the evaluative interpretations associated with each term. Using qualitative semantic analysis, the study examines the conceptual relationships, evaluative meanings, and typical contextual associations of the three lexical items. The findings suggest that interest, passion, and obsession form a structured semantic continuum representing progressive degrees of emotional intensity. While interest denotes mild curiosity or engagement and is generally interpreted as neutral, passion reflects a stronger and positively valued emotional commitment. In contrast, obsession represents an extreme level of emotional attachment that often carries negative evaluative implications due to its association with excessive or compulsive behaviour. The study demonstrates that emotional lexical items are not isolated semantic units but are organized within graded structures that encode both conceptual intensity and social evaluation. By highlighting the interaction between scalar meaning and evaluative interpretation, this research contributes to ongoing discussions in lexical semantic theory concerning the representation of affective meaning in language. The study further underscores the importance of examining emotional vocabulary through scalar and evaluative frameworks in order to better understand how speakers linguistically conceptualize varying degrees of emotional engagement.
Scalar Meaning, Evaluative Intensity, Lexical Semantics, Semantic Prosody, Emotional Intensity
Nweke, Lucy Chinwe, Ph.D & Ofoegbu, Cyril Okechukwu, Ph.D