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Browsing Employment Relations & Human Resource Management- Scholarly Publications by Author "Akinwale, A.A"
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- ItemOpen AccessAmnesty and human capital development agenda for the Niger Delta(2010) Akinwale, A.AThe Niger Delta of Nigeria has become increasingly famous due to massive oil deposits and escalation of violence in the region. The emergence of deadly militant groups embodied oil pipeline vandalisation, hostage taking, massacre, and assassination. Unfortunately, the Nigerian government’s top-down measures for alleviating the spate of violence in the region have not yielded desired results. This paper examines amnesty and human capital development agenda, using content analysis of relevant secondary data, with insights from the Habermasian Social Movement Theory and the Althusserian State Apparatus Theory. The paltry financial rewards granted to ex-militants are incomparable with huge amount of money they realised illegally. Thus, a resurgence of violence may occur in the region except the undesirable socio-economic situations that fuelled militancy are addressed. While amnesty is a good step towards peace building in the region, a holistic approach to human capital development must be taken to compliment it. Fundamentally, ex-militants’ endorsement of the amnesty without proven records of improvement in the Niger Delta situation is inappropriate. Also, the Nigerian government’s adoption of amnesty without ensuring accelerated empowerment within oil-endowed communities negates popular demands in the region. The amnesty programme should therefore be complemented by other innovative measures such as wide consultation with various stakeholders and inclusion of all youths in the training programmes that will cater for essential needs of the majority in the region.
- ItemOpen AccessApprenticeship Scheme and Small-Scale Business: a study of selected Apprentices and their Masters in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria(Medwell Online, 2006) Akinwale, A.A; Okafor, E.EConsidering the prevailing socio-economic situations and increasing unemployment in Nigeria, the demand for apprenticeship scheme and small-scale business would rise. Thus the thrust of this study is apprenticeship scheme and small-scale business in Nigeria using Lagos state as study area. The study was situated within the ambit of Marxist Labour Surplus Theory and Weber’s Social Action. A multi-stage method involving stratified and simple random sampling techniques was adopted and data were source through questionnaire and in-depth interviews administered to 96 Apprentices and 24 Masters in Badagry and Lagos Island areas of Lagos State. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings showed that both the Apprentices and their Masters varied in terms of their socio-demographic characteristics. Further the findings showed that the amount of capital available to start a business would be a determinant of apprenticeship willingness to create self-employment and that an alternative avenue for employment and income would not be preferred to apprenticeship in a trade that holds economic promise. Moreover, the data showed that the survival of small-scale business in Nigeria would depend on apprenticeship skills and available facilities. Consequently, the study recommended that Nigeria’s immediate steps should centre on not only making funds available, accessible and affordable, but also putting the necessary infrastructure on ground and creating an enabling environment for the operation of small-scale businesses.
- ItemOpen AccessArtisan reactions to National Health Insurance Scheme in Lagos State, Nigeria(2014) Akinwale, A.A; Shonuga, A; Olusanya, OArtisans generally constitute a significant proportion of the Nigerian population with remarkable contributions to development but they face neglect and marginalization in the ongoing implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). The scheme was established with Decree 35 of 1999 to ensure that every Nigerian has easy access to good healthcare services at subsidized rates, among other objectives. Failure to reckon artisans in the NHIS will affect the success of the scheme and the declared interest on national development. Therefore, within the ambits of the Health Belief Model and Theory of Planned Behaviour, the present article addresses artisans’ reactions to NHIS in Nigeria. The data used for the study were derived from relevant documents in the library, two focus group discussions and 45 in-depth interviews, involving staff of NHIS, health-care providers (HCP) and artisans in Yaba areas of Lagos State. The findings revealed only a few artisans with expression of knowledge about the NHIS, thereby confirming the culture of limited accessibility to subsidized health services in Nigeria. The majority of the artisans were indifferent to the scheme due to their zero awareness about it. They largely expressed their concerns about health-care system in Nigeria. Community focus is therefore suggested for the success of the NHIS in Nigeria.
- ItemOpen AccessAwareness of STIs and Contraceptives Use among Out-of-School Youths in Nigeria(2009) Atere, A.A; Wahab, E.O; Ajiboye, O.E; Shokoya, H.O; Akinwale, A.A; Oyenuga, A.SThe educational system in Nigeria is characterised by high incidence of dropping out of schools with adverse implications for the youths, who are sexually hyperactive without adequate knowledge about reproductive health decision making. What are the factors influencing contraceptive practices among out of school youths? These and other questions are what the study is set out to address. Triangulation of both quantitative and qualitative techniques was employed for data collection. Specifically, 200 individual based questionnaires were employed for collecting quantitative data from the youths, while 4 in-depth interviews (2 each-1 male and 1 female on youths and adults) and 4 focus group discussions (2 each- 1 male and 1 female on youths and adults) were employed for collecting qualitative data. In terms of data analysis, frequency distribution and chisquare (at 0.05 alpha level of significance) were employed for quantitative data, while content analysis and ethnographic summary were used for qualitative data. The results showed high awareness about STIs and HIV/AIDS but low level of contraceptive practices among the majority of out-of-school youths in the study area. It was found that many out-of school youths engaged in risky sexual behaviour with prevalence of unprotected sexual intercourse. However, the results of cross tabulation showed that the level of awareness about STIs and HIV/AIDS and contraceptive practices were significantly influenced by socio-demographic characteristics (education, sex, income and marital status). Considering the adverse implications of STIs and HIV/AIDS on sustainable human development, contraceptive use should be promoted among out of school youths in motor parks.
- ItemOpen AccessCareer Pathways and Youth Metamorphosis into Area Boys in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria(2008) Akinwale, A.AApplying Bourdieu\'s cultural capital theory, this paper examined why youth meandered across career pathways and metamorphosed into area boys. Data were drawn from a three-year unobtrusive observation and an In-depth Interview with 60 area boys purposively selected from 5 Local Governments Areas in Lagos metropolis. Their narratives were analyzed through ZY Index and ethnographic techniques. Their educational attainment was generally low. Two-third did not complete their secondary education and more than half had acquired skills in different informal sector vocations. In the contexts of incomplete education and low motivation for career advancement different themes emerged: family disorganization, distress and depression, drifting away from schools, elongation of deprivation and determination for survival through available opportunities. Youth metamorphosis into area boys was found within structural forces including family disorganization, academic failure and poor career orientation. Unexpectedly, obedience to patron-client agencies and resistance against state policies reflect in their understanding of area boys business. Therefore addressing the menace of area boys should move beyond the manifest actors to a more robust understanding of the seemingly powerful networks sustaining them. Fundamentally, exploring and reversing the career pathways of area boys may improve their socio-economic conditions and redeem the Nigerian image in the global arena.
- ItemOpen AccessConcession as a Catalyst for Crisis Management in Nigerian Ports(2010-12) Akinwale, A.A; Aremo, M.OFull Papers attached.
- ItemOpen AccessCurtailing Conflicts in the Resource-Endowed Niger Delta Communities of Nigeria(2009-03) Akinwale, A.AViolent conflicts remain unabated in the Niger Delta communities of Nigeria, despite the efforts of successive governments and international organizations to broker peace in the area. How have the Niger Delta communities, the Nigerian State, and multinational oil corporations managed the crisis? What are the forces fuelling the crisis and what may be a lasting solution? This article addresses these questions on the basis of an analysis of earlier studies of the conflict and interviews conducted with stakeholders in four oil-producing Niger Delta communities. The findings reveal that opinions about conflict resolution mechanisms differ among the various groups. While government officials and oil companies were optimistic about mechanisms for conflict control, youth activists and religious leaders identified structural barriers to conflict resolution such as failing intervention efforts, increasing hostage taking by militants, and inadequate infrastructure. The article concludes with strong recommendations.
- ItemOpen AccessDevelopment of Entrepreneurial Potential among Undergraduates of a Private University in Nigeria(Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group, 2014) Akinwale, A.ABased on the theory of planned behaviour, the present article examines the development of entrepreneurial potential among the undergraduates of a private university in north-central Nigeria. A total of 250 randomly selected undergraduates from various departments participated in a survey at the university. The findings revealed that the overwhelming proportions of the respondents expressed their talents with an interest in entrepreneurship. Self-employment in the informal economy was the next plan of more than half of the respondents. Several factors such as ethnicity, level of education, self-expression, and interest in entrepreneurship influenced the expression of talents and desire for entrepreneurship. It is concluded that investment in higher education with interest in entrepreneurship will enhance the development of entrepreneurial potential among graduates in Nigeria. This suggests the need for relevant strategies including self-help, innovative behavior, and government-university-industry interaction for the development of entrepreneurship in Nigeria.
- ItemOpen AccessEducational Attainment, Formal Employment and Contraceptives Practices among Working Women in Lagos State University(2005) Okafor, E.E; Akinwale, A.AOver the years the international attention has been focused on women empowerment and how to improve their socio-economic status by reducing the heavy burden of large family size through the use of contraceptives. Despite this, many women still suffer discriminations, burden of large family size and all kinds of abuses. Most Nigerian educated women are not insulated from this problem thereby predisposing them to abuses in different facets of life. Based on this, the study examines educational attainment, formal employment and contraceptives practices among working women in Lagos State University. Survey design was adopted for the study. Using Stratified and simple random sampling techniques, quantitative data was gathered through the administration of structured questionnaires in the study population. A total of ninety-five structured questionnaires were distributed to the working women aged 25-60 years. Frequency distribution and chi-square techniques were used for data analysis. The result showed that the majority of the educated women prefer small family size due to occupational stress and domestic responsibilities. The findings also revealed that the desire to limit family size is mainly a function of women level of education and formal employment. However, the majority of the respondents attributed women abuses to the age long patriarchy, which remains unabated. Therefore, this study recommends the need to facilitate women education and economic empowerment through reliable social policy in order to provide alternative to women illiteracy and under representation in the labour market.
- ItemOpen AccessFeminization of Underdevelopment in Nigeria: Some Theoretical Issues(2007) Akinwale, A.A; Okafor, E.E; Doyin-Hassan, AThis paper attempts to critically and theoretically examine the socio-economic and political situations of women in an underdeveloped patriarchal society like Nigeria and argued that the situation has not changed for the better for many women. More women than men suffer from underdevelopment. When we consider gender inequality in development, the gender sensitive policies formulated to tackle this problem appeared to have produced little or no impact on many of the Nigerian women. The paper concludes by stressing that for women to be made veritable instrument for development, the age long cultural practices such as early marriage, occupational gender segregation, sex preference and female genital mutilation that inhibit women’s contribution to development must be adequately addressed by government and non- governmental organizations.
- ItemOpen AccessThe Freedom of Information Law and Democratization in Nigeria(2013) Akinwale, A.ANigeria is rife with marginalisation and human rights abuses, which have been aggravated by inequitable distribution of national wealth. This situation calls for viable institutional arrangements for the protection of fundamental human rights. The press has been empowered in this regard but Nigeria remains rife with a plethora of human rights abuses. The present paper therefore examines the freedom of information law and democratization in Nigeria. The paper is conceptualised within the ambit of Mills’ Theory of Sociological Imagination. Data used for the paper were derived from relevant documents and key informant interviews. A total of 64 journalists were purposively selected from 16 print and electronic press organisations in Lagos and Oyo states of Nigeria. Findings show that the press has been empowered through the Freedom of Information Bill, which was signed into law after a decade of its presentation to the Nigerian government. Most of the informants mentioned that the Freedom of Information Law would stimulate democratization, although they expressed doubts about its efficacy. Also, two-third of the informants expressed dissatisfaction over continuity of press freedom abuse in Nigeria. The results of this paper suggest the need for national consciousness to ensure protection of press freedom and human rights in the Nigerian democracy
- ItemOpen AccessGender, Urbanization and Socio-Economic Development(University Press of America, Inc., 2006) Atere, A.A; Akinwale, A.AFull texts attached
- ItemOpen AccessImplications of Occupational Health and Safety Intelligence in Nigeria(2016) Akinwale, A.A; Olusanya, O.AHealth and safety risks abound in many organisations in developing countries, despite availability of various health and safety policies. This situation produces adverse consequences for employees, organisations, and society. This article examines the implications of occupational health and safety intelligence in Nigeria, based on a cross-sectional research design and risk society and sensemaking theories. The secondary and primary data used for the article were derived from a systematic review of the literature and 15 in-depth interviews among managers and senior staff members of selected organizations in Lagos state, Nigeria. The data were subjected to content analysis and ethnographic technique. Findings revealed a high level of awareness of the importance of occupational health, inadequate investment in safety intelligence programmes, and prevalence of occupational hazards in various organisations. The prevalence of hazards in some organizations signaled the inadequacy of occupational health and safety programmes in Nigeria. Managers and employees are susceptible to occupational health hazards, with adverse implications on man-hours, productivity, and job security. The findings show the need for adequate investment in precautions and occupational medicine in Nigeria.
- ItemOpen AccessThe Influence of Youth Agency on Cultural Development in Africa(2016-07) Akinwale, A.AThis article examines the youth contribution to cultural development in Africa from the perspectives beyond the familiar narratives of the youths as social problems. The article is based on content analysis of secondary data and the theoretical framework of Structuration, Afrikology, and the Diffusion of Innovation. The theories are synthesized to analyze the influence of youth agency on cultural development in Africa, especially through the popular music and new opportunities for youths in the information and communication technologies. The trends in this article show that despite their problems, many youths have produced critical resources for cultural development in Africa
- ItemOpen AccessThe Informal Sector as a Catalyst for Employment Generation in Lagos State, Nigeria(Brill Academic Publishers, 2012) Akinwale, A.AUnemployment remains high in Nigeria due to disintegration between the formal and informal sectors, among other factors. While the unemployed largely focus on the formal sector in search of jobs, there is inadequate interest in the informal sector. Yet, this sector provides livelihoods for the majority of the population. This paper examines the informal sector as a catalyst for generating employment in Lagos State, Nigeria, using the Social Capital Theory and a descriptive survey research design. Data were collected from 480 apprentices, 40 masters, 20 journeymen, and 120 members of various communities through a structured questionnaire, Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions, respectively. The findings showed that 64.8 percent of the respondents reported parental sponsorship of vocations in the informal sector, 14.2 percent of the respondents were self-sponsored, and the remainders (18.5 percent and 2.5 percent) were reportedly sponsored by their relatives and masters. Awareness of opportunities for self employment in the informal sector was demonstrated by 71 percent of the respondents. However, 66.3 percent of the respondents thought that schooling could be better than vocations in the informal sector. Mothers’ occupation significantly associated with individuals’ choice of vocation in the informal sector (χ2= 33.71; P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the proposed plans for self employment among the respondents in furniture and tailoring workshops (χ2= 1.44; P > 0.05). Planning for self employment was significantly influenced by several factors including gender, age, mothers’ occupation, career plan, and satisfaction within the informal sector (t = 19.247, P < 0.01). The informal sector is vital for survival of youth in Lagos State, Nigeria. This sector should be supported for poverty eradication and entrepreneurial development.
- ItemOpen AccessIntegrating the Traditional and the Modern Conflict Management Strategies in Nigeria(2010) Akinwale, A.AThe study examines the modalities for integrating traditional and modern conflict management strategies in Nigeria using an analysis of relevant documents as well as Black’s Social Control Theory and Thomas-Kilmann’s Model of Conflict Management. The successful amalgamation of diverse groups has radically shifted from being a platform for peaceful coexistence to an arena of violent conflicts due to the matrix of social inequality and the state attempts to undermine the power of traditional social control systems. The police and military have been used to suspend several violent conflicts in Nigeria, but they have been unable to build peace despite their coercive power. The social structure and deep-seated grievances that generate violence have not been addressed and the crowding out of traditional methods of social control from official policies has left room for escalation of violent conflicts. The most disturbing of these conflicts are ethno-religious and resource-control conflicts, which have both resulted in monumental destruction of peoples and properties and exposed different parts of Nigeria to crisis. It is argued that a policy-driven synergy of useful traditional and modern strategies for conflict management will result in lasting peace in Nigeria.
- ItemOpen AccessLabour Unions’ Struggle with Neo-liberal Policies in Nigeria(Bangladesh Sociological Society, University of Dhaka, 2014-07) Akinwale, A.AAntagonism has become a feature of labour unions’ relations with the Nigerian government. The implementation of neo-liberal policies worsens the situation, thereby hindering industrial peace in Nigeria. As labour unions and government disagree over the implementation of neo-liberal policies, the relationship between the two parties has become hostile with adverse implications for socio-economic development in Nigeria. This article examines labour unions’ struggle with neo-liberal policies in Nigeria via an exploratory research design, involving in-depth interviews and structured questionnaire used to collect data individually from 440 respondents, including members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). The findings showed that the majority of the respondents (91.5%) blamed the Nigerian government for implementation of neo-liberal policies. Many respondents (96%) observed some negative impacts of privatization and commercialization, including inflation, job insecurity, unemployment, and poor living standards. Most respondents (99.2%) agreed that their living standard had fallen persistently. Many respondents (93%) believed that labour unions would continue to use strikes to express opposition to undesirable policies of the Nigerian government. The majority of the respondents (86.9%) denied the effectiveness of government ban on strikes. Besides the use of strikes, many respondents (73.5%) called for demonstration, mass protests, and collaboration with civil society organisations. The findings reflected labour unions’ dissatisfaction with implementation of neo-liberal policies in Nigeria. There is urgent need for a substantial improvement in government’s relations with labour unions to promote industrial peace and development in Nigeria.
- ItemOpen AccessLanguage Barrier as the Bane of Development in Africa(Africana, 2011) Akinwale, A.AAttempts to resist the marginalisation of African indigenous dialects remain inconclusive due to persistent dissensus in Africa. Thus, this paper examines language barrier as the bane of development in Africa. Data were derived from content analysis of relevant documents, while the discourse was anchored on Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. It is argued that hegemonies of popular languages in Africa have contributed to underdevelopment of the continent, as indigenous initiatives geared towards development remain largely locked in folklore. Africans lack access to the rich heritage of their indigenous languages as a result of the imposition of lingua francas such as Arabic, English, French, and Portuguese languages. It is recommended that solutions to the underdevelopment of Africa should be derived from useful traditional values embedded in African indigenous languages. Such languages should be rejuvenated and translated to reflect modern reality. Also, all relevant indigenous perspectives to development must be reactivated
- ItemOpen AccessManifestation of Human Sexuality and its relevance to Secondary Schools in Nigeria(2009) Akinwale, A.AThe alarms against the menace of premarital sexual activities reached a crescendo but the behaviour of young people remained at variance with the alarms. This contradiction contributed to the growth of sexually transmitted diseases including human immune virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Thus, this study examined manifestation of human sexuality and its relevance to secondary schools in Nigeria using information derived from content analysis of secondary data. Results principally showed that human sexuality extended beyond procreation as it captured all the nuances of the socio-cultural contexts of a society. Different sexualities such as child sexuality, adolescent sexuality, adult sexuality and sexuality of the elderly produced specific implications for the entire society. Conclusively, understanding of the interdependent layers of human sexuality would promote the management of sexually transmitted diseases including HIV and AIDS. Therefore, it was recommended that sexuality education should be emphasized in the socialization from infancy till death. Nobody would be too young or old for learning human sexuality. Critical steps should be taken to empower students towards scanning their sexual histories and acquiring the right skills to manage any detected or potential sexual problem.
- ItemOpen AccessManifestation Of Human Sexuality And Its Relevance To Secondary Schools In Nigeria(Academic Journals, 2009) Akinwale, A.AThe alarms against the menace of premarital sexual activities reached a crescendo but the behaviour of young people remained at variance with the alarms. This contradiction contributed to the growth of sexually transmitted diseases including human immune virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Thus, this study examined manifestation of human sexuality and its relevance to secondary schools in Nigeria using information derived from content analysis of secondary data. Results principally showed that human sexuality extended beyond procreation as it captured all the nuances of the socio-cultural contexts of a society. Different sexualities such as child sexuality, adolescent sexuality, adult sexuality and sexuality of the elderly produced specific implications for the entire society. Conclusively, understanding of the interdependent layers of human sexuality would promote the management of sexually transmitted diseases including HIV and AIDS. Therefore, it was recommended that sexuality education should be emphasized in the socialization from infancy till death. Nobody would be too young or old for learning human sexuality. Critical steps should be taken to empower students towards scanning their sexual histories and acquiring the right skills to manage any detected or potential sexual problem.