Volume 5, Issue 1 , 2017

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https://ir.unilag.edu.ng/handle/123456789/3896

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 12
  • Item
    Open Access
    Deforestation, Food Security and Environmental Sustainability in South-west, Nigeria, 1960-2015
    (University of Lagos Press, Akoka, 2017) Ajiola, F.O; Ilesanmi, T.E
    The forest region of Nigeria—especially the south-western agrarian, and other non-farming communities have witnessed ruthless deforestation either for urbanization or other consumerist purposes, since the past few decades. This anomie constitutes a major challenge in the drive towards achieving sustainable food production from the agrarian areas as well as environmental sustainability. Deforestation is a major threat to the ecosystem and agricultural activities in Nigeria. This article examines the relationship between deforestation, food insecurity and environmental sustainability in South-western Nigeria. Social, economic and environmental historians in Nigeria have overlooked the impact of the phenomenon on food security and environmental sustainability in Nigeria. The study adopts the historical methodology and uses the vent-for surplus theory to show that food insecurity, substandard human quality of life, low life expectancy, epidemics and changes in the biodiversity in southwest Nigeria are results of deforestation and environmental mismanagement. The paper recommends that reducing the growing de-agrarianization, food shortage, and environmental challenges in Nigeria, requires the need to reinvent the wheel by strengthening institutional regulations, including non-state agencies monitoring the use of the environment and conservation of biodiversity. Traditional environmental protection mechanisms, such as taboos, myths, superstitions may also help to reduce the alarming rate of environmental mismanagement.
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    Open Access
    A Study of Aspects of Digital Discourse in Nigerian Democratic Space
    (University of Lagos Press, Akoka, 2017) Opeibi, T; Adekunle, A.A; Oladejo, M.A
    The primary aim of this study is two-fold: one, to situate corpus-based digital political discourse within the field of digital humanities; and, two, to apply computer methodologies to examine the use of web-based platforms for political purposes in Nigeria. It adopts a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches as demonstrated in Corpus-Based Discourse Model and Computer-Mediated Discourse Analysis (CMDA). Both methodological and analytical methods used rely on the use of some internet-based computer applications and corpus analytical tools such as Sketch Engine, Topsy and AntCorc3.4. The data set was collected through media monitoring and online data harvesting strategies from the Internet, webpages and social media networks of key political actors and stakeholders in Nigeria, and extracted from a specialised corpus named Corpus of Nigeria New Media Discourse in English (CONNMDE). The application of computer methodologies to the analysis of digital political text is presented as a new research orientation in digital humanities that can improve scholarship and research breakthroughs. Digital media technologies such as Facebook and Twitter can indeed help citizens acquire new skills which can foster creativity, boost engagement and enhance capacity. These may help the country solve problems which can galvanize economic development. The study further argues that widespread use of Internet-based technologies for political purposes can accelerate our progress towards a sustainable and strong democracy. They can indeed transform our national political narratives, promote participation, transparency, accountability and improve national development index.
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    Open Access
    Service-Users’ Perceptions of Quality of Teacher Education Products in Lagos State, Nigeria
    (University of Lagos Press, Akoka, 2017) Thomas, O.A; Adekunle, A.A; Oladejo, M.A
    It is generally believed that the quality of teachers affects the quality of education in any society. Consequently, the Federal Government of Nigeria recognizes the need to place emphasis on teacher education in national development. This study therefore investigated the quality of the products of teacher education programme as perceived by the users of teachers’ services in schools. The study was guided by four research questions and corresponding null hypotheses. The descriptive survey research design, which was ‘ex-post facto’ in nature was used for the study. The study population comprised Principals of public and approved private secondary schools in Lagos State. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 530 participants. A researcher-designed instrument entitled “Quality of Teacher Education Programme Descriptive Questionnaire (QTEPDQ) was used for data collection. Independent t-test statistical tool was used for data analysis. Findings showed a significant difference in the quality of lesson preparation (t=-.312; df =528; p<.05), lesson delivery (t=-.422; df =528;p<.05) and mastery of the subject matter (t=-.333; df =528;p<.05) between graduates of Colleges of Education and Universities. However, no significant difference was established in classroom management effectiveness (t=-.304; df =528; p>.05). It was suggested that teaching practice exercise, especially in Nigerian universities should be re-organized to better equip the teacher-trainees in the practical aspect of teaching. There is also the need for teacher registration council of Nigeria to be more proactive in its mandates, specifically, as it concerns the internship programme.
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    Open Access
    Protecting the Right of Non-Standard Workers to Equal Pay for Equal Work in Nigeria
    (University of Lagos Press, Akoka, 2017) Danesi, R.A
    This paper examined the rights of non-standard workers to equal pay for equal work in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. In particular it looked at a group of non-standard workers known as contract workers and analyses why they are discriminated against by employers. Workers in this form of work arrangement do not get equal pay for equal work of equal value as permanent employees. In Nigeria non-standard work arrangements have been growing steadily in the past 10 years but there is no legislation to regulate it. In the absence of regulation, most employers exploit these workers by not paying them what they pay to the permanent employees even though they perform same tasks and usually have the same skills as their permanent counterparts. The examination of the Nigerian labour law brought to fore the lack of provisions to regulate non-standard work arrangements and protect non-standard workers from exploitation. The paper concluded by advocating that the Nigerian legislature should amend the Labour Act so as to create a legal framework for the provision of equality in the workplace as has been done in other jurisdictions such as Ghana, South Africa, China, United States, Australia and the European Union.
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    Open Access
    Ivory Tower Research and National Development: Emerging Issues
    (University of Lagos Press, Akoka, 2017) Attoh, F; Omogbeni, T
    A Nation’s development depends on its ability to improve the lives of the citizenry. Basically, the development of every Nation is basically measured by the quality of its research output. The main importance of research is to proffer solutions to human problems through well-defined methods. Research brings about new insights deriving from knowledge, it is also acknowledged as a systematic and objective search for knowledge, to establish theories and methods. National development is measured by the ability of a country to improve the social welfare of the people, in terms of providing social amenities like quality education, potable water etc. Indeed, it embodies all attempts to improve the conditions of human existence in a sustainable way such that today’s consumption does not imperil the future. The method deployed in the study was the key informant interview (KII) to ascertain the nexus between ivory tower research and national development. The systems and social exchange theories were used as explanatory tools to explain the phenomenon. The article posits that there exist many researches in different fields of study and development can be applied to political, social and technological progress which is critical and essential to the sustenance and growth of any nation. The development of a country depends on the method of research employed, which can either be Basic research or Applied research. The academic community should realise that in knowledge society there is a need to marry theory with practice to achieve a better society.