Sociology-Scholarly Publications

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    Open Access
    Oil of Poverty, Environmental Degradation and Crisis in the Niger Delta, Nigeria
    (Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria, 2024) Idongesit Eshiet; Grace Udoyen
    The Niger Delta is the oil-rich region of Nigeria and exploration of oil started in the region in 1958. Oil although a natural resource is like a double-edged sword – with the potential to ‘bless’ or ‘curse’ a nation so endowed depending on its management. Good or bad management of oil resources has developmental implications for the environment, lives and livelihoods of the people in the oil-producing areas. Studies have documented the negative impact of oil exploration on the Niger Delta region over the years. In response, some steps have been taken by the government to address the situation. In view of this, there is a need for present studies to assess the situation. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of oil exploration on the environment, lives and livelihoods of the people of the Niger Delta region. The study location was Rivers State which was purposely selected among the nine oil-producing states of the Niger Delta region for being the most volatile. In-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were used to gather qualitative data from participants. In-depth interviews were administered to 9 males and 9 females, ages 18 years and above, randomly selected from the most volatile oil communities. Equally 6 FGDs were held with two homogenous groups of males and females respectively. Each group comprised eight participants who were drawn from various segments of the communities - youths, religious leaders, market leaders, family heads, etc., who were ages 18 years and above. Responses were recorded and later transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded using NVivo 12 software analytical tool. Coding was done based on predetermined themes deductively drawn from the study aim and include – oil exploration and environmental degradation; oil exploration and poverty; and oil exploration and crisis. Finding, revealed the negative impact of oil on the environment, lives and livelihoods. Oil exploration has resulted in environmental degradation such as pollution, contamination of water bodies, loss of aquatic life and destruction of farmlands. These have resulted in the loss of livelihoods, thus culminating in unemployment and poverty in the midst of enormous oil wealth. Finding similarly, revealed that the inequities created by the mismanagement of oil wealth has resulted in anger which is expressed through constant conflicts – within and between communities; between communities and oil companies; and among armed groups, oil companies and security forces. The study concludes that the various steps taken by the Nigerian government to make oil resource a ‘blessing’ rather than a ‘course’ to the Niger Delta region have not yielded the desired result. The study recommends that poverty alleviation and livelihoods’ enhancement infrastructures and programmes should be made available to the people by the government and oil companies as a matter of urgency in order to ease the pains of daily living in the region.
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    Open Access
    Gender and Reproductive Health: Religious and Social Perspectives to Women’s Health Rights in Nigeria
    (Common Ground Publishing, 2015) Eshiet I.
    The paper assesses the religious and social perspectives on women’s reproductive health rights in Nigeria. Reproductive health deals with the physical, mental, and social well-being of individuals in all matters relating to their reproductive system. Reproductive health rights, therefore, imply that individuals should be able to have a satisfying and safe sexual life, with the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do so. However, these rights are oftentimes hindered by socio-cultural and religious barriers. The paper assesses the socio-cultural and religious barriers to women’s reproductive health rights in Nigeria, based on secondary data. The sociological theories of gender roles serve as the theoretical underpinning of the paper. Findings reveal that socio-cultural and religious attitudes have affected women’s reproductive health in Nigeria, thus resulting in high incidence of unwanted pregnancies, abortions, maternal mortality and sexually transmitted infections. The paper recommends value reorientation as a panacea for this ugly situation. This should be done through community participatory approach, in which community members are involved in decision-making in devising culturally and religiously oriented reproductive health programs to meet men and women’s reproductive health needs.
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    Open Access
    Gender Inequality in Contemporary Nigeria
    (University of Lagos Press and Bookshop Ltd, 2017) Eshiet I.; Ayobade A.
    Women in Nigeria have limited access to both tangible and intangible societal resources. This study therefore investigated gender inequality in contemporary Nigeria. Theories of gender roles underpin the study. Finding reveals that women in Nigeria are faced with various handicaps and restrictions such as low participation in politic; are victims of harmful socio-cultural practices (widowhood rites, disinheritance, girl child marriage, female genital mutilation); have poor access to education, healthcare, jobs, land, credit, etc. The study makes some recommendations that could help to stem this ugly tide.
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    Open Access
    Information and Communication Technology Consumption among University Students in Nigeria: The Case of Mobile Phone Usage
    (Department of Theatre, Film and Carnival Studies, University of Calabar., 2018) Eshiet I.; Owolabi T.
    The study investigated the consumption of Information and Communication Technology among university students in Nigeria, with a focus on the use of mobile phone. Specifically, the study sought to unravel the proportion of income of students used for ICT consumption in terms of cost of phone(s), data/call credit, as well as the daily proportion of time spent on using mobile phone. The study utilised a cross sectional survey to gather quantitative data from a sample size of 300 students drawn using the multi-stage sampling technique, from the undergraduate students’ population of the University of Lagos. The study is underpinned by the Uses and Gratification theory. Findings reveal that undergraduate students own expensive phones, spend a substantial proportion of income on data/call credit and a substantial proportion of waking and sleeping hours on mobile phone usage. The study recommends a cautious use of mobile phone by undergraduate students by consciously keeping tab of the time and money spent on daily/weekly usage.
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    Open Access
    The Challenge of Area Boys’ Menace in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria: The Role of the State
    (Department of Sociology, University of Lagos, 2010) Eshiet I.
    The emergence of social miscreants, generally referred to as ‘area boys’ on the streets of Lagos metropolis in recent times is a problem worth investigating. This study therefore examined the ‘area boys’ phenomenon in the Lagos Metropolis of Lagos State, Nigeria, using both secondary and primary data sources. Key informant and in-depth interviews were used to gather qualitative data. The study situates its analysis within the theory of the political state, demonstrating how the contradictions generated by the Nigerian state has influenced the increasing magnitude of this problem in recent times. Measures adopted by subsequent administrations in Lagos state to address the problem are assessed and finding reveals that these measures have been merely palliatives, and so have not effectively address the root cause of the problem. The study concludes that until there is a transformation of the Nigerian state, the area boys’ phenomenon will continue to persist and perhaps increase in magnitude. It therefore, recommends that the Nigerian state should become more sensitive to the welfare of its citizenry. It should formulate and implement policies aimed at the popular empowerment of its citizenry.