THE IMPACT OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ABSTRACT
This research work examines and analyses the nature of small and medium scale enterprises as a bases for economic development of Nigeria using Benin City as a case study. The first part of the research work is theoretical back ground of the study where the research problem and the research aims and objectives are stated. Also included in this part is the research hypothesis, being that, small scale enterprises form the basis for economic development of Nigeria. The second part of this research which is the literature review tackles the operational definitions and characteristics of small scale enterprises. It also examines the various sources of fund available for small scale enterprises which include equity and debt. The research further explains the importance of small scale enterprises and their contributions to economic development of Nigeria, ranging from employment generation, revenue to the government and so on. The problems faced by small scale enterprises were also highlighted. In the empirical study, the researcher sampled and selected table water enterprises in Benin City with the aim of testing the hypothesis earlier stated. Based on the empirical results and findings, small scale enterprises are recognized as an important reservoir for economic development of Nigeria. The last aspect of this research work draws up the summary, conclusion and recommendations.
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 INTRODUCTION
This research attempt to analyze the impact of small and medium enterprises as an industrial development strategy in Nigeria, using table water enterprises as a case study.
Small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs) have been widely acknowledged as the spring board for sustainable economic development. In particular developing countries including Nigeria, have since 1970s shown increased interest in the promotion of small and medium scale enterprises for three main reasons, the failure of the past industrial policies to generate efficient self-sustaining reliance approach to development and recognition that dynamic and growing MSMEs can contribute substantially to a wide range of developmental objectives.
These objectives include efficient use of resources, employment creation, mobilization of domestic savings for investment, encouragement, expansion and development of indigenous entrepreneurship and technology as well as income distribution etc.
Experience over the years as shown that small and medium scale enterprises are fundamental to the development of many nation and is regarded as one of the most important process of attaining self- reliance, economic independence, the provision of goods and services, employment, income distribution and many other factors for the overall improvement of the welfare of the populace.
A small scale industry can be defined by the criteria of project cost, capital, cost, turn-over by the employee etc. The Nigerian Federal and State Ministry of Industry And Commerce have adopted the criterion of value of installed fixed capital to determine what a small scale industry is. In this respect, the value have varied from N 60,000.00 in 1972, N 159,000.00 in 1975, N 250,000.00 in 1979, N 500,000.00 in 1986, to a fixed investment of not more than N 2,000,000.00( Two million Naira) in 1992. This figure is exclusive of building and subject to government determination and land prevailing objective of public policy.
Small scale industries in Nigeria can be categorized into urban and rural enterprises, in a more formal way; they can be called organized and unorganized industries. The organized industries have paid employees with a registered office while the unorganized industries (small scale) are mainly made up artisans who work in open space, operating in temporary wooden workshop or structure. The unorganized small scale industries rely mostly on apprentices or family members and mostly employ low rate or not salary paid workers. However, generally in Nigeria, the major activities involved in the small scale industrial sector include; soap and detergent, fabrics, textile and leather, local blacksmith, tinsmith, ceramic, clothing and tailoring, timber and winning, brick and cement, food processing, wood furniture, beverages, bakeries, electronic repairs, phone call centers, chemical based product and mechanics, rental service and hairdressing.
The development of small scale industries is an essential element in the growth strategy of most economics and hold particular significance to Nigeria. Small scale industries not only contribute significantly to improve living standard, they also bring about substantial local capital formation and achieve high level of productivity and capability from the planning stand point. Small scale industries are increasingly recognized as the principal means for achieving equitable and sustainable industrial diversification and dispersal. In Nigeria, small scale industries account for well over half of the total share of employment, sales and value added.
Therefore, it has be agreed by both developed and developing countries in the world that small scale industries are significant instrument for generating economic growth, capable of promoting not only stable industrial structure but also a satisfactory balance partial distribution of industries.
With over 150 million people in Nigeria, productive farmland, rich varieties of mineral deposits, Nigeria should be a haven for small scale industries. The human and natural resources base is a significant feature that gives the country a specific status in the continent. However, just like other countries, Nigeria is witnessing a rapid population growth and this contrast with the less than average rate of development in communication, technological and social infrastructure. These problems constitute hindrance to the development of small scale industries which is a very important sector that will enhance the contribution of the private sector and provide the critical building block for industrialization and sustainable economic development.
Furthermore, with the dismantling of trade and other barriers, the world has been transferred into a global village. Consequently, the small industries in Nigeria are struggling to survive under intense and competitive environment, both domestic and international. In view of this, there is an urgent need to provide the required enabling environment for the development of small scale industries, so that they could adequately play the role expected of them in economic transformation. Such role include the mobilization of domestic savings for investment, appreciable contribution to gross domestic product, increase investment, increase harnessing of local raw materials, employment generation, significant contribution to poverty reduction effort through sustainable livelihood and enhancement in personal income, technological development and export diversification. This can be made possible through responsive industrial policy and government overall economic development strategies that will ensure the collaboration of all development partners and the effective coordination and utilization of economic resources.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
Small scale industries are most common form of business in Nigeria and this is very significant to the economic development of Nigeria. The aim of any economy (either industrialized or non-industrialized) depends largely on how well organized the small scale industries are. Looking at the standard and practice of small scale industries in Nigeria, taking table water factories in Edo state as a case study, they (small scale industries) seem to be stagnant, less adventurous than that of the developed countries. This study is projected towards providing answers to some of the question such as:
Are small scale industries necessary and important tools for economic growth and development?
To what extend has small scale industries help in enhancing self- reliance, productivity and employment generation?
What are the factors negating the promotion of small scale businesses in Nigeria?
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The main objective of the study is to examine the impact of small scale enterprises on the development of Edo state with reference to Edo state table water enterprises. It tends to find out the following:
To investigate the factor responsible for the failure of small scale enterprises in Nigeria.
To find the problems associated with small scale enterprises in Nigeria.
To suggest a way out and technical difficulties normally encountered by small scale industries.
To enlighten or make prospective investors aware that there is a lot of assistance in form of soft loan and advice to any prospective and potential business man or woman who want to establish a small business
1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope cover all aspect of small scale enterprises, the role of small scale industries in facilitating economic development of the country, the peculiar problems small scale industries face the most, being management problem and access to finance and various role of government to ensure improvement in their performance.
However, for the purpose of this research work, Edo state table water industry is used as a base for the survey.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The role of small scale enterprises in the economy cannot be over emphasized. It is the life blood of the economy of developing countries like Nigeria. There are more than a million of unemployed people in Nigeria, the public sector (government) alone cannot absorb these unemployed people or solve the problem of unemployment.
In views of this, this research is thus, necessary because it can be used as a means of enhancing and promoting individual participation in small scale enterprise or business in Nigeria through providing useful information about the nature of small scale industries. It may also serve as reference guide for those who want to venture into small scale business and thus be self-employed if the enabling environment is provided.
This research will also serve as a reference guide for those who want to undertake further studies on small scale industries.
INFORMATION NEEDS AND SEEKING BEHAVIOR OF CATALOGUERS IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN EDO AND DELTA STATES
ABSTRACT
This study surveyed the information needs and seeking behavior of cataloguers in Edo and Delta State libraries. A descriptive survey design research method was adopted and the questionnaires were used in obtaining data. The total population for the study was 52 cataloguers from five university libraries in Edo and Delta states. Nine research questions were raised and nine hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data collected were analyzed through the use of simple percentages to answer the research questions and t-test statistical method of significant difference to test the hypotheses. Among the findings of the study are that cataloguers irrespective of sex difference need information for; knowledge, research, professional development, to catalogue/classify effectively and for administration in this order. It was revealed from the study that female cataloguers are more persistence in information seeking than their male counterpart. Their major media of information search are; the university main library, communication with colleagues/others and mass media. It was found that cataloguers irrespective of their sex difference occasionally or rarely attend seminars, conferences and workshops. They both expressed satisfaction from media consulted in the process of searching for information with male expressing more satisfaction. Both sexes agreed to use internet website such as Google.com, Library of congress and Webdewey with male showing slight dominance in usage in the process of searching for information. They also agreed that they adopt various search strategies such as searching, consulting and selecting while searching for information. They acquired their search skills through; friends/colleagues, reading ICT manual/materials from the library, ICT training program and half of them admitted that they acquire theirs by trial and error. Both sexes agreed that they derived benefits such as increased work output, access to current information and professional development from information sought and used. The major constraints encountered by them in the process of seeking for information are; electricity power outage, slow internet response, inadequate ICT facilities in the library and lack of time. The nine hypotheses raised in the study were accepted. The study recommends that libraries should be upgraded with adequate ICT facilities to enhance efficient and effective services. There should be a policy mandating cataloguers to attend seminars, conferences and workshops as their knowledge and skill can be upgraded.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Information is so pervasive and omnibus that there is hardly any endeavor in which it is not important component. It is an analyzed or processed data that is meaningful for decision making (Aina, 2004). According to Johanessen and Kolverid (1994) information may be defined as data we can perceive, comprehend, compile and turn into knowledge. Scaunder’s (2004) posit that information in itself is not knowledge, it provides essential raw material which in due course leads to knowledge. The exchange of information is an important factor in all phase of innovation process (Roger, 1983). This accounts for why information is being sought by every group or individual. According to Reese and Aldrich (1993) not all kinds of information are important but that sought by any group must be valuable in the sense that it works.
Agosto (2001) presented a model of gender specific information behavior. The use of information from web resources by female has been marked by the following principles; collaboration, social networking, flexibility and movement, inclusion into community, contextually and personal engagement. In the view of Sullivan, Boigman, and Wippern (1990) women spent less time on preparation of information seeking and made more mistakes in databases languages. They also noted women different attitude with regard to relevant judgment. Women judge a larger amount of information as relevant than men did. They further noted that when communicating with information system women’s behavior was more interactive. According to Higgins and Hawamdeh (2001) girls used judgement based on intuition and insight. They are more patient when reading information from the screen and preferred work in group. While the performance of boys was better in browsing and use of key words, they preferred individual work. They concluded by noting that with girls the information need was conceptualized as a social event as opposed to individualistic approach of boys. In the opinion of Johannessen and Kolverid (1994) women entrepreneur appear to utilize personal and close social contact while men do not to the same extent.
In support of this, Steinerova and Susol (2005) noted that men confirmed preference of individual work and independent information seeking more frequently than women. Men apply straightforward access to information resources while women use librarian help more frequently. They noted that no significant difference have been found as for the increase of problem understanding or interest in the process of seeking information. The use of library catalogues and reference works has been confirmed more strongly by women. In the same vein, women indicated wider use of bibliographies and indexes. Women are more patient in information seeking while with men the increasing use of fast retrieval tools has been noted for example higher percentage of men (58.3%) agrees that the information confirmed their prior knowledge, compared to 41.7% of women (Steinerova and Susol, 2005). They emphasize that higher percentage of men has also confirmed that information seeking took them more time than they expected. However, women perceived lack of time more intensely (for example 30% of women and 20% of men). Olorunsola and Ibegbulam (2003) noted that female cited the daily routine of domestic duties and extra demands on time and emotional strain that accompanies caring responsibilities.
Enochsson (2005) noted that the new net generation difference between men and women in the use of the internet is diminishing. Susol (2005) supported this assertion by stating that women use the internet slightly less than men, they show higher proportion of rare use and non use of electronic resources and a lower proportion of frequent use. However, he emphasize that the sociocultural background of gender difference still leaves women with more computer anxiety of feeling of lower self efficacy. In the opinion of Rose and Fischer, (1995) Africa societies are male biased.
According to Anwar, Al-Ansari and Abdullah (2004) information need, seeking and use are areas of fundamental concern to library and information science professionals. Information need is often understood in information science as evolving from vague awareness of something missing and culminating in locating information that contributes to understanding and meaning (Kuhithau, 1996). He further emphasizes that information need triggers information seeking, which is caused by uncertainty due to lack of understanding, gap in meaning or limited constructs. Talja (1992) noted that information needs arise when an individual found himself or herself in problem situation, when he or she can no longer manage the knowledge that he or she possesses. This view was collaborated by Hayden (2005) when he stated that information seeking is triggered when someone observed that his or her current state of knowledge is less than what is needed to deal with some emerging issues or problems.
Furthermore, Solomon (1994) avers that we as individuals and groups repeatedly find ourselves in situation where information is needed gathered, sought, organized, retrieved, processed, evaluated and used. Information seeking behavior refers to the way people search for and utilizes information (Faire-Wessel, 1990). Marchionini (1995) asserted that individuals’ information seeking behavior involves active and purposeful information seeking in order to complete diverse range of professionals problems.
Callison (1997) noted that the enormous task set before the students in meeting their academic pursuit creates the responsibilities for him/her to have need and seek information that will enhance his/her education goals. This can be attributed to cataloguers as the enormous task set before them in coordinating cataloguing activities create the need for him/her to have need and seek information that will enhance their professional goals. Talja (1992) posit that individuals need information not just to tackle problems that arise in the course of performing their duties but also for professional development. Information needs of the cataloguer provide the basis for system development, bibliometrics, user education, readability of text, retrieval design and evaluation of information materials (Martins and Metcaife, 2001). In the view of Reese and Aldrich (1993) information that businesses as well as informal entrepreneurs need is rare, valuable and inimitable. They further stress that the information need of these group is peculiar to their line of operation in order to gain competitive advantage. In likewise manner, catalogues seek information that relates to their job operations in order to increase their work output.
However, due to the nature of the cataloguers work, very few of them aspire to this role (Bello and Thompson, 2003). They emphasize that cataloguers rarely attend conference, workshops seminars where they can get information on how to improve their work situations, facilitate the exchange of ideas and acquisition of new skills. This will strengthen their knowledge and abilities to provide quality-cataloguing services. In the view of Macgregor (2007) as cited by Welsh and Robertson (2007) I can’t remember if I once had a preconceived idea of what it would be like to be a cataloguer and what the general image of cataloguer is. She further emphasizes that cataloguers feel obsessed and consider themselves as not relevant as all the information in the world are now available in the internet. She also noted that technological development bring their own challenges and opportunities for expanding skills into metadata areas. Whether it is cataloguing visual resources (which can frequently change format or location or disappear altogether) or enabling access to a digitized version of a century old print items. This explains why they show unseriousness in information seeking to improve the quality of their services. Reddy (1972) posited that why would cataloguers not get excited about their work, if they know they were contributing to something bigger than themselves.
Cataloguers have special requirement to constantly retool and update by seeking information on the use of recent technology in order to affect the issues that arise while performing their work (Bello and Thompson, 2003). According to Abel (2004) frequency of the use of internet in 1998-2000 had greatly increased. There is increasing number of electronic source which librarian can benefits from in the course of searching for information (Marinoni etal, 2002). In the opinion of Martin and Metcalfe (2001) the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its application to cataloguing process by cataloguers has not only improved professional training of the cataloguer but also improved their information seeking skill as well their (ICT) skills. The development of second generation online catalog (OPAC) has launched many search and display features that are beginning to empower cataloguers to manipulate OPAC to meet their needs and that of the patron (Lambardo and Candic, 2000). Welsh and Robertson noted that the internet has raised awareness of search strategies and expectation about the easy retrieval of information so cataloguers have to meet, match and exceed these expectations.
According to Alzofon and Van Pulis (1984) highest success rate of using the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) was noticed among cataloguers and users who had formal training and experience in search skills. Ikoja-Odongo and Ocholla (2004) in their study on the information seeking behavior of the informal sector entrepreneur opined that there is the need to improve entrepreneur information search skills to increase productivity. They further emphasize that entrepreneurs acquire skills through experience, although some gain theirs through formal training and apprenticeship. Bello and Thompson (2003) in their survey on recruitment of cataloguers that are experience in the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for information seeking, found that their wealth of experience was brought to bear on the job development. Individual personal information infrastructure is also developed during the information seeking process, when knowledge and skills are gained to adapt to different situations and problems (Xie, 2000).
In the view of Patitungkho and Deshpande (2005) information seeking behavior of faculty member in Bangkok universities are expressed in various form, from reading printed materials to research experimentation. They further stress that faculty members actively seek current information source such as the electronic media, encyclopedias, journals etc. Wilson (2000) posited that in the course of seeking information, the individual may interact with manual information source (such as the library, newspaper, journals) or with computer based source such as the web. According to Anwar etal (2004) information source of Journalist in Kuwaiti are expressed in formal and informal source, the informal source are where information is received directly from friends and colleagues and from the formal source otherwise known as the structured source respectively. In their research, they observed that respondents derived maximum satisfaction from the information obtained from formal source such as the library, conferences, government publication etc than the informal source. In the opinion of Marcella and Baxter (1999) information source of United Kingdom citizens comprise of the public libraries, information centers, family and friends, government agencies, professional association etc they observed that majority of the respondents agreed that they derived satisfaction from informal source while minority preferred information from printed media such as the library, information center etc. Bello and Thompson (2003) aver that cataloguing skills in library and information science (LIS) can only advance through continuing professional development, through a process of training and retraining which can be achieved through conferences, workshops and seminar attendance. These contribute to the effectiveness of an individual and to the achievement of personal and professional goals (Rockman, 1989).
However, Bello and Thompson (2003) noted that cataloguers will derived a lot of benefits from attending conferences, seminars and workshops. The benefits include exchange of ideas and acquisition of new skills and strengthening of the cataloguers knowledge and abilities to provide quality cataloguing services. In the view of Ikonja-Odongo and Ocholla (2004) benefits of information seeking behavior of entrepreneurs is to create access to new and better method of resolving business pitfalls, increase competitive advantage and productivity. SABINET (1983) noted that information sought and used by information professional will improve their knowledge on how to organized, disseminate, sharing of resources and evaluation of knowledge asset. It also improves their skills and competence on how to develop information system such as database and other library practices.
Despite the benefits that are accrue to the information seeking behavior of cataloguers, they are faced with a lot of constraint. According to Wilson (1996) individual encounter problems in the process of seeking information. This view was supported by Taylor (1999) when he noted that cataloguers are faced with some constraint while interacting with information source, this may be due to their inability to locate bibliographic information of an information materials. According to Adimorah (2003) factors that militate against the information seeking behavior of rural dwellers include; distance, lack of accessibility, finance and lack of awareness. In the same vein, Anwar etal (2004) noted that Journalist in Kuwaiti are confronted with the following problems; lack of available time, lack of electronic library, lack of training in information use skills, difficulty in assessing international information source, information explosion etc. In the opinion of Ikonja-Odongo and Ocholla (2004) entrepreneurs encounter the following problems while seeking information; lack of time to look for information, lack of knowledge where to get information, language barrier, lack of information facilities etc.
There have been several researches on information seeking behavior virtually in all fields of endeavor but not much have been written on the information needs and seeking behavior of cataloguing. In related topics, Anwar etal (2004) studied the information seeking behavior of journalist in Kuwaiti, Fidzani (1999) carried out a research on the information needs and seeking behavior of graduate students at the university of Botswana, Ikonja-Odongo and Ocholla (2004) studied information seeking behavior of the information sector entrepreneur in Uganda, Patitungkho and Deshpande (2005) researched on information seeking behavior of faculty members of Rajabhat universities in Bangkok. Research has also be carried out on the information seeking behavior of arts scholars in Sri Lankan universities (Ileperuwa, 2002). Johannessen and Kolvereid (1994) conducted a study on information search behavior during business gestation of entrepreneur. Marcella and Baxter (1999) did a study on the information needs and information seeking behavior of United Kingdom citizens. Kakai etal (2002) studied the information seeking behavior of undergraduate students of Makerere University, Uganda. Looking at all these studies, it is discovered that nothing has been written on information needs and seeking behavior of the cataloguer. This study therefore attempt to look at cataloguers’ information search behavior, what kind of information do they seek for and how do they go about the search?
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Information without doubt is key in this present knowledge age. Despite the obvious importance of information many professional carry out their jobs with limited information required for maximum performance. Cataloguers are not left out in this scenario. So most cataloguers are compelled to stick to the status quo.
Also it is painful to note that there is dearth of cataloguers in many academic libraries. This in most cases is associated with phobia for cataloguing and lack of necessary information to ease cataloguing processes. This negative attitude has gravely affected the productivity and service delivery of cataloguers in universities libraries. It is pertinent to ask, why is it so difficult for cataloguers to perform their task with great competency and what is the information they need to perform their task adequately?
It is against this background that this study is been carried out to unravel the information seeking behavior of cataloguers in university libraries in Edo and Delta States.
1.3 Research Questions
The following research questions are formulated to tackle the problem in this study.
What are the information needs of male and female cataloguers in these libraries?
What are the attitudes of male and female cataloguers towards information seeking in these libraries?
What are the information sources of male and female cataloguers in these libraries?
How satisfied are male and female cataloguers with information source consulted in these libraries?
How does information and communication technology enhance male and female cataloguers information search in these libraries?
What are the information seeking strategies of male and female cataloguers in these libraries?
How do male and female cataloguers acquire their information search skill in these libraries?
What are the benefits of information seeking to male and female cataloguers in these libraries?
What are the problems encountered by both male and female cataloguers when seeking for information in these libraries?
1.4 Research Hypotheses
The following hypotheses are formulated to guide the study.
There is no significant difference between male and female cataloguers information needs
There is no significant difference between male and female cataloguers attitude towards information seeking
There is no significant difference in the information source consulted by both male and female cataloguers
There is no significant difference in the level of satisfaction derived from information sources consulted by male and female cataloguers.
There is no significant difference between male and female cataloguers use of information and communication technology for information seeking.
There is no significant difference between male and female cataloguers information seeking strategies.
There is no significant difference between male and female cataloguers acquisition means of information search skills.
There is no significant difference between the benefits derived from information sought by male and female cataloguers.
There is no significant difference in the problems encountered by male and female cataloguers while seeking for information.
1.5 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to examine the information needs and seeking behavior of cataloguers in university libraries in Edo and Delta States. Specifically, the study wish to;
Determine the information needs of male and female cataloguers
Examine male and female cataloguers attitude towards information seeking
Ascertain the information source consulted by male and female cataloguers
Ascertain the level of satisfaction derived from information source consulted by male and female cataloguers.
Investigate the extent male and female cataloguers use information and communication technology (ICT) for information seeking.
Determine the information seeking strategies of both male and female cataloguer.
Ascertain the acquisition means of information seeking skills of male and female cataloguers.
Determine the benefits of the information sought by both male and female cataloguers.
Determine the problems that both male and female cataloguers encounter while seeking information.
1.6 Significance of the Study
The findings of this study will be useful to library staff, researchers and students as it will provide literature in this respect. It will also help library management to set in motion a conducive atmosphere for cataloguers to thrive as regard information seeking so as to increase their efficiency and productivity. In a nutshell, the findings will challenge cataloguers on the need to use modern technology to search for information and the various strategies involved.
1.7 Scope and Delimitation of the Study
The study focuses on the information needs and seeking behavior of cataloguers in university libraries in Edo and Delta States. The study will investigate gender difference on the; information needs of cataloguers, attitude of the cataloguers towards information seeking, information source consulted and level of satisfaction derived from the information source consulted, extent cataloguers use information and communication technology for information search, cataloguers information seeking strategies, benefits as well as the problems militating against information seeking behavior of cataloguers. The universities in Edo and Delta State comprise of the following; University of Benin, Benin (Federal), Benson Idahosa University, Benin (Private), Novena University, Amai (Private), Igbinedion University, Okada (Private), Delta State University, Abraka (State) and Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma (State).
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms
Cataloguer: These are professional who are responsible for the organization and processing information materials for easy and quick access and retrieval.
Information Need: This can be defined as a situation that arises when a cataloguer encounters a work related problem that can be resolved through some information.
Information Behavior: This is a unique set of complex activities perform by human in seeking for information (Arnold, 1978). It’s an innate motivational state which involves purposive seeking for information.
Information Seeking Behavior: This is a process in which an individual goes about looking for relevant and pertinent information. It is the complementary process to information need.
Information Seeking Strategies: These are tactics used to seek information or to work through a stage of search process (Kuhithau, 1996).
Information Use: It is the application of information to problem situation. It is also the effective utilization of information need.
Information Sources: According to Adomi (2006) information sources are information bearing materials which enables cataloguers to meet their information needs.
Information Literacy: This is the ability to effectively access and evaluate information for a given need (Branik, 1985).
STATE JOINT LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT AND ITS EFFECTS ON STATE LOCAL RELATIONS IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
The study evaluated the efficiency and effectiveness of the State Joint Local Government Account in Southwestern Nigeria. It also assessed the impact of the State Joint Local Government Account on State Local relations in Southwestern Nigeria. It further examined the challenges of the State Joint Local Government Account on State Local relations in Southwestern Nigeria. These were with a view to contributing to the understanding of the impact of State Joint Local Government Account on the State Local relations. The study utilized primary and secondary sources of data. Primary data were sourced through interviews and administration of questionnaires. Using stratified random technique, one hundred and seventy (170) copies of questionnaires were administered on the senior and management staff of relevant ministries in the three selected States of public service and ministries, Lagos, Oyo and Osun State and three selected Local Governments each from the selected States. Out of the One hundred and ninety questionnaire distributed, 90 % (170) of the questionnaires were returned properly filled and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software to generate frequency and percentages. In addition, inferential statistics such as Pearson Correlation, Chi-square Test and Kruskal Wallis (Annova) were used to infer significance and relationship among the variables. Secondary data were collected from textbooks, journals and publication from the library and internet. The results revealed that State Local Government Joint Account has helped to reduced wasteful spending and corruption in the Local Government in South Western Nigeria (72.4%). The result also shows that State Joint Local Government Account has resulted in effective monitoring of Local Government expenditure in South Western Nigeria (70.6%). The result also shows that State Joint Local Government Account has led to reduction in mismanagement and corruption at the Local Government in the South Western Nigeria (67%). The result also shows that State Local Government Joint Account has impeded on the autonomy and expenditure responsibilities of the Local Government in South Western Nigeria (82.3%). The result also shows that the State Joint Local Government Account has resulted in continual interference in the activities of Local Government by the State Government in South Western Nigeria (82.4%). The result also shows that the State Joint Local Government Account causes interference in the function of the local government by the state government in the Southwestern Nigeria (80.5%). Furthermore, the result shows that State Joint Local Government Account brings about to lack of transparency and accountability by state government on actual revenue to be released to the local government in Southwestern Nigeria (63%). The study concluded that State-Joint Local Government Account has not enhanced the State-Local relations in Southwestern Nigeria.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
As a result of the complicated nature in the population, ethno-religious and large geographical nature of land mass in Nigeria and some other countries, it is necessary for such country to operate a federal system. Federalism is the one in which there is a central authority that represent the whole and act on behalf of the whole in external affairs and in such internal affair as held to become of interest; and in which there are provincial or state authorities with power of legislation and administration within the sphere allocated to them by the constitution. Federalism is also used to describe a system of government in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided between a central governing authority and constituent political units such as states or provinces.
Crystal clear that Nigeria is operating on a three tiers of government (Federal, State and Local Government), there is need for intergovernmental relations to promote peace, unity and harmony among the levels of government. This is to accelerate the achievement of self-reliant economy, cut out duplications and wastage and to ensure greater efficiency in the delivery of services and also enhance efficient and effective human and material resources among the tiers of government. In this case, intergovernmental relations will help to minimize inter-jurisdictional conflicts among the various levels of government (Nwofor, 2009).
The achievement of the intergovernmental relations is dependent on some social factors within the Nigerian social system. The social factors include the political setting and state of economy in the nation. In the political setting, the intergovernmental relation is based on the three (3) levels of government that is, federal, state and local government. Here, there is supremacy in the autonomy of the levels of government, the Federal and the State is said to have more autonomy than the Local Government because it is the last level (tier). That is the reason why Local Government is not given full autonomy on the activities of its own despite been backed by the constitution. The weaknesses of the autonomy of the local government become glaring in the State-Local Government intergovernmental relations in their political, judicial, administrative and financial aspect of their governance.
In most federal countries in the world, the most difficult aspect of intergovernmental relation is the issue of fiscal relation. As it was made clearer by Okeke (2004), the distribution of resources among the various levels of government has never been easy and smooth. The complexity begins from who has the right to collect what and spend what. This simply means which level of government has the right and jurisdiction to generate revenue (collect a particular tax) and also make expenditure in a particular area. The various levels of government have its jurisdiction on a particular tax or the other.
According to Section 162, Subsection 1, these taxes collected are transferred to the Federation Account (FA) which serves as an account for store of Federation Fund. The issue now has been the allocation of this fund among the various tiers of government (vertically) and between States (horizontally). The vertical allocation could be either Federal-State or State-Local Government. Between 1960 and 1970, the basis of fiscal relations between the Federal, State and Local government were richer and more powerful but now local government is nowhere to be found which make the intergovernmental relation that exist between it and the state to be rather domineering rather than complementing which is rightly showcased by the joint account been operated by the state and local government called State-Local Government Joint Account (Okafor, 2010).
The issue of State-Local Government Joint account is associated with Nigeria. According to Sec. 162(6) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is a special account maintained by each state government ‘into which shall be paid allocations to the local government councils of the state from the Federation Account and from the Government of the State’.
The emergency of State-Local Government Joint Account implies that the revenue allocated to the local government areas of a state from the Federation Account should be pooled together and shared among the local government areas, which will be coordinated by the state government. To this end, this joint account has create serious conflict on the amount been credited to it by federal government and amount released to the Local Government by the State government, which has handicapped the local government from discharging most of their statutory responsibility. This has been the reasons that instigate the researcher to carry out study on how this has been affecting the relationship between State and Local Government.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
To comprehend the depth of controversy in the state local government intergovernmental relation, one have to follow the trend of this serious conflict between the Federal and State governments over the exercise of control of revenue resources of local government not to have assumed the undue prominence given to it as a constitutional question of Nigeria leaders, particularly the federal level had adhere strictly to the features and values of federalism and also followed the precedents established by the past democratic government in Nigerian Federation.
In a normal federal structure, each tier of government should have separate and independent functions, authority, power and limitations. This also included the financial or fiscal aspect (revenue and expenditure). But in Nigerian Federal Structure, it is only the federal government that has its own separate and independent account while the state and local government have a merged account, State local government joint account.
This study therefore intends to access the impact of state-local government joint Account on the State Local relation in Southwestern Nigeria.
1.3 Research Questions
On the basis of the foregoing, a number of questions become more pertinent which are:
What are the ways that the State Joint Local Government Account has promoted efficiency and effectiveness of State Local relations in Southwestern Nigeria?
What are the impacts of the State Joint Local Government Account on State-local relation in Southwestern Nigeria?
What are the challenges of State Joint Local Government Account on state-local relations in southwestern Nigeria?
These are some of the questions posed to guide this project.
1.4 Objectives of the Study
The broad objective of the study is to examine the impact of State Joint Local Government Account on State Local relations in the South Western Nigeria.
The specific objectives of the study are to
Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the State Joint Local Government Account in Southwestern Nigeria.
Assess the impact of the State Joint Local Government Account on State Local relations in Southwestern Nigeria.
Examine the challenges of the State Joint Local Government Account on State Local relations in Southwestern Nigeria.
1.5 Research Hypotheses
The following hypotheses guided this study:
Ho: There is no significant impact of State Joint Local Government Account on State Local relations in South Western Nigeria.
Hi: There is significant impact of State Joint Local Government Account on State Local relations in South Western Nigeria.
1.6 Significance of the Study.
The significance of this study is not over emphasized as it attempt, among other things, to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the State Joint local Government Account on State Local relations in the southwestern States in Nigeria. It also intends as well as to determine the impact of the State Joint local Government Account on State-Local relations in Southwestern Nigeria. Lastly, to determine the challenges of State-Joint Local Government Account on State-Local relations.
The study therefore will be useful in policy matters of the State and Local government level on harmonious relationship as regards the management of State Joint Local Government Account.
This study will also help to expand and further advance the knowledge of researchers, political philosophers, political scientists, public administrators as well as lecturers. This will also help to educate and also expand the knowledge of students of public administrations as well as political science on State-local government Joint Account vis-a-vis intergovernmental relations.
This study will also be useful to the government on policy and decision making on problems Local Government are facing with the state-local Government Joint Account. In addition, this study will also help to enlighten the citizens especially those at the grassroots who are mostly been affected by this policy. Conclusively, this study will serve as a basis for further study for those interested in this area of work or related study in future.
1.7 Scope of Study
This research work focused on the State-Local Government Joint Account on intergovernmental relations in Southwestern Nigeria. And the scope of the work will cover Ife East Local Government in Osun State, Ibadan North Local Government in Oyo state, Shomolu Local Government in Lagos State and their respective State ministries and departments all in the South-Western Nigeria.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Government: This is the political direction and control exercised over the actions of members, citizens or inhabitants of the communities, societies and states. It is also the regulation, restraint, supervision, or control which is exercised upon the individual members of an organized society by those invested with the supreme political power or control.
State Government: This is the government of a country subdivision in a federal form of government, which states political power with the federal or national government. State governments are institutional units existing at the local level, they are institutional units whose fiscal, legislative and executive authority extends only over the individual states into which the country as whole may be divided.
Local Government: This is the government at the grassroot level. It is also a form of administration which in a majority of contexts, exists as the lowest tier of government within a given sate. Local Government generally acts within powers delegated to them by legislation or directives of the highest level of government.
State-Local Government Joint Account: This is the account jointly owned and managed by both State and Local Governments. This is an account where the revenue allocated to the Local Government Areas (LGA) of a state from the federation account should be pooled together and shared among the LGAs. This account is been managed by the State Government.
Intergovernmental Relations: This is commonly used to refer to relationship among the central, regional and local government as well as government between various levels that facilitate the attainment of common goals through cooperation. It also refers to as means of interaction between the different levels of government within a state (country). In Nigeria, is the relationship among the three levels of government (Federal, State and Local Government).
IMPACT OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATION ON NIGERIA’S SOCIO-POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT
ABSTRACT
The study critical assessed the impact of civil society organizations on socio political development in Nigeria; a case study of civil liberty organizations. A vibrant civil society is sine qua non to the sustenance of nation’s development. The study adopted secondary and primary methods to data collection of sourced information regarding the subject matter. The data were analysed based on the opinions of 141 respondents administered questionnaires. The data were presented and analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. The researcher found out that civil society organization had impacted significantly on socio-political development of Nigeria. Despite certain factors bedeviling it operational objectives such as political interference, poor funding, lack of internal democracy, corruption, a disconnection from rural organization etc. The study concluded that the civil society organizations or civil liberty organizations have sacrificed there existence goals and objectives to the course of the fight towards socio-political development of Nigeria. Far reaching recommendations were made in this study as it involves the successes of civil society organizations in a democratic dispensation in Nigeria. All the scholarly opinion adopted in the study were accordingly acknowledge in the references.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Nigeria history of democratic rule will be incomplete without reference to the struggle of and critical role played in strengthening the electoral law as well as actualizing the Freedom of Information (FOL) law in Nigeria etc civil society organization efforts at deepening democracy in Nigeria cannot over emphasized we can fail to not with great concerned that the space for civil society groups in gradually shrinking, it is becoming two obvious that some civil society organizations and activists cannot operate effectively due to part funding or governments interference or both (Yusuf, 2009).
It is in view of this that the tide calls on the federal government to provide the enabling environment for the smooth operation of civil society groups. Government must avoid actions capable of inhibiting the activities of these groups if the people must draw he benefit of democracy.
Nigeria experience with democracy has been epidemic since 1960 when she got her independence from the British administration, 1999 was the third attempt if the third republic is excluded as it was it was abolished even before stated in the coming to grasp with democratic ethos in each practice widely accepted to be at variance with time spirit of democracy was perceived to be the major reason for democratic demise in Nigeria violence, corruption, political association and very recent, good fatherism has not only undermined her democracy but has gone a long way to threaten it’s very sustenance civil society is that segment of society that is distinct from the state and political society it consist of civil associations or independent groups formed by people with common interest or aspirations, either publically, economically or culturally, with the view of exercise of power, civil and human right and distribution of resources. Civil society exists as the engine of democratization. It sets the pace of facilitate the democratic process, providing basis for the limitation of state power. It also supplements the role of political participation, promoting the development of democratic attributes and creating channels other than political parties for the articulation, aggregation and representation of interest. It also monitors state activities and disseminates information which can help the citizens to pursue and defend their interests and values.
Nigeria has spent about fifty seven years since independence struggle with political social and economic failure repeated attempts to sustain and consolidate democratic government have faltered. The resurgence of ethnic and religious conflicts all over the country has once again fueled pessimism concerning not only the future of democracy in Nigeria, but also the existence of Nigeria as a political entity. The way the government resolve these challenges will determine whether Nigeria’s fledgling democracy is transient or sustainable and more importantly, whether Nigeria disintegrate or reconfigures itself as a nation.
In the light of these concerns, it become imperative to reconsider the impact of civil society organizations on Nigeria’s socio political development as to think about the issue of civil society in the context of Nigeria’s socio political theatre is an exhilarating task and to explain why the concept of civil society is vital for sustaining Nigeria’s has cent democracy.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Civil society organizations play prominent role as the mouth piece of the citizens on issues affecting the people and the society at large, especially in the case of polities and ideas that might threaten the peaceful coexistence of the citizens and hinder the socio political development of the society in Nigeria. The existence of repressive and unpopular governments for more than twenty (20) years serve as impetus for the emergence and proliferation of organizations that seek to challenge the legitimacy of policy, programmes and ultimately the existence of these organizations assisted considerably to open up space for the expression of dissenting opinions and what could be regarded as alternative voices, unfortunately this very character and attribute has come to serve as a shield for some opportunistic and self centered civil society organizations. The key assumptions that connotes legitimacy to the existence of civil society organizations is that they are expected to be knowledge driver, which means that actors, or at least members have requisite skills to investigate problems of society, proffer solutions and develop plans to facilitate buy on or by other segment of society and government. To this effect, some questions were asked in the course of this research; questions as what is the problem prompting this study which ends up seeking to find out the solution to the questions over the years, the civil society groups that exist in Nigeria have not been below;
Is there any relationship between civil society organizations and democracy?
Is bad governance the driving force of civil society organization in Nigeria?
To what extent has the civil liberties organization influence socio economic and political development Nigeria
What have been the factors militating against effective functions of civil society organizations in Nigeria?
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The major objectives of this study is to assess the impact of the civil society organizations, on Nigeria’s socio political development. The specific objectives are;
To established the relationship between civil society organizations and democracy in Nigeria.
To ascertain if bad governance is the driving force of civil society organization in Nigeria.
To determine the extent the civil liberties organization has influenced the socio economic and political development of Nigeria.
1.4 Research Hypothesis
The hypotheses stated for testing are;
Ho: Civil liberties organizations have not enhance socio political development in Nigeria.
Hi: Civil liberties organizations have enhance socio political development in Nigeria.
1.5 Significance of the Study
The significance of the study cannot be overemphasised. However, the study served as a means of providing relevant answers to the bothering thought of scholars who were interview on the topic under investigation. Moreso, the study also provided guidelines to policy makers as regards to the kind of polices they make, that will match the desires of a society and subsequently the various civil society organization. In Nigeria, if the policies made or adopted by a particular government in power does not go down well with the people, it may trigger reaction by the various civil society groups, whose impact can Marred the government activities in the country.
Hence, the study would help to enhance the ideas and understanding of scholar and student alike, who are interested in the topic under study. The research findings in this study shall served as recommendations to the appropriate bodies for necessary action.
1.6 Scope and Limitations of the Study
The scope of this research is the impact of civil society organization on Nigeria’s socio political development; a case study of civil liberties organization. However, the limitations of the study are lack of adequate funds to sponsor the research as really desire by the research. Also the uncap access to the relevant material, to enrich the study was not readily available and the time factor and poor cooperation from the respondents really limited the study.
1.7 Definition of Key Terms
The researcher operationally the meanings of the following terms used in the study;
Civil Society Organizations: refers to the non-governmental organizations that manifest interest and will of the citizens.
Socio political development: refers to the development of the institutions attitudes and values that form the political system of society (Adam 2015).
Democracy: Means the process of leadership whereby the people select their leaders by themselves through electionary processes.
Appraisal: refers to the process of assessing performance of a group or organizations activities over the time.
Development: Refers to the all round interconnected progressive transformation of man, society and nature made possible by his incremental mastery over them.
THE PERCEPTION OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS ON CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
The study examined the perception of undergraduate students on corruption in Nigeria. The objectives of the study include among others, to examine how undergraduate students perceive corruption. In the course of this study, the Naïve Realism theory was employed in other to give an understanding of the problematic of the study. In the course of this research, both quantitative and qualitative sources of data collection were used. Thus, the study found out among others that undergraduate student perceived corruption in Nigeria beyond bribery and embezzlement. Based on the findings of this research, the study recommends among others that the National University Commission (NUC) should liasise with the Ministry of Education and introduce a general course on corruption into the University’s curriculum so that undergraduate student will be educated on corruption. The anti-graft agencies should be independence to fight corruption to stand still in Nigeria. And a study of this nature should e encourage in the academia to make the citizens know more about the bane of our nation today. All the materials used in this research were acknowledge in the references.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
One of the greatest threats to economic and political development of any nation is corruption, therefore, the challenges of corruption remain a major devastating issue facing Nigeria since the colonial period, although, this phenomena has become a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabrics of our system. Nevertheless, its solution rest in our hands and cannot be put off to another day that is why many countries have put in place different mechanism to end the spate of corruption. Corruption in Nigeria has deeply entrenched in the national ethics, politics, civil society, Public and Private Sectors, and has been deeply permeated by a pervasive and debilitating culture so much that it is best regarded as been institutionalized. (Igbuzor O, 2008).
From 1st October 1960 to 2017 Nigeria had civilian and military regimes, and virtually all their inaugural speeches, addressed the fight against corruption was promised as a cardinal principle or advanced as a reasons for toppling a regime. The tough talk against corruption is followed by setting up of special committees or bodies to combat or investigate corruption charges. In 1975, Gen. Murtala regime set up an investigative panel which indicted all the twelve military governors that served under Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Akinola, 2002 cited in Danfulani, 2011).
The two military regimes of Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha were seen as the most corrupt in the history of the nation, yet during their combined 14 years reign, bodies like Transparency International did not rank them the most corrupt nation in the world. (Akinola, 2002). Ironically, the regime of chief Olusegun Obasanjo that resolve on set to make war against corruption a major agenda, got the worst ranking in the history of the nation. Throughout his 8 years reign from 1999-2007, Nigeria top the chat and never left the first five most corrupt nations in the world. (Akinola, 2002). One impeccable realism and feature of Nigeria is that, the more the revenue a regime has at its disposal, the more the scale of corruption. It is on record that the revenue that accrued to the nation’s coffers between 29th May, 1999 to 29th May 2000 surpasses, what accrued to Nigeria from 1st October 1960 to the day chief Obasanjo took over. (Akinola, 2002).
As Nigerian struggle to tame the psycho-social beast know as corruption, they have particularly beamed to searchlight on the behavior of public official (civil servant military and police personnel, elected official etc) and former public officials, contractors, business associates of public official. However, one sector of society that has escaped the penetrating searchlight is education. The educational sector seems to escape critical observation regarding the conduct of educational institutions and the faculties. Therefore, the war on corruption cannot be won without making a determined effort to purge the educational sector of the psycho-social beast. The world today is face with a large number of problems that threaten our survival on this planet. Not all part of the world, however, are equally hit by problems that rank among the most serious threats to the humans race; high rate of unemployment poverty, low level of education, poor technological development, level, gender discrimination, ethnic and religious inequality and high corruption etc.
These issues are mostly related to the countries in the transition and developing parts of the world. However, in many developed countries, corruption is also endemic within educational sector. Namely, corruption entered this area and serious endangers schools, polytechnics and colleges as well as universities in Nigeria. Corruption in Nigeria’s higher institutions can be defined as “the systematic public office for private benefits, whose impact is significant on the availability and quality educational goods and services, and has impact on access, quality or equality in education” (Hallak and Poission 2002). Unfortunately, very little research has been carried out to compare the cost of corruption on education sector.
More than ever before educational institutions have become profit oriented in their struggle to survive; neglecting their basic function to train quality and adequate personnel’s capable to coping with the crisis which the modern world is facing with nowadays. Corruption is a major problem in a lot of countries, endemic in all sectors. But the one that is perhaps the most troubling is the education sector, most especial in the higher educational institutions of learning in Nigeria.
It is unfortunate the money meant for public education is delivered into the banks account of corrupt bureaucrats and lecturers are underpaid, and students end up paying high fees. Instead of lower amount as school fees, illegal charges of levied on students admission from, embezzlement of funds intended for teaching materials, school buildings, sub standard educational materials are purchased due to manufacturer’s bribe, bribe to auditors for not disclosing the misused funds which have negative effect on Nigeria socio-economy development of the nation in its entity.
1.2 Statement of the Research Problem
Corruption has remained an endemic that has undoubtedly eaten deep into the fabrics of the Nigerian society. It continues to pose greater challenge to our prolonged quest for political and socio-economic development. One of the major challenges of identifying corruption is the problem f perception. This posses a major problem to the effort to understand the causes, consequences and pattern of corruption in Nigeria. Ordinary Nigerians have their own perception on what constitutes corruption; some perceive it only in terms of embezzlement while others see it differently. Apart from the fact that corruption takes diverse forms (bribery, conflict of interest, embezzlement, fraud and extortion etc.), there is no broad consensus among undergraduate students on the meaning of corruption.
When people talk about corruption, usually they refers to public fund siphoned or misappropriated by civil servant, contractor, politician etc. hardly do they think of the type of corruption that destroys the minds of our people and siphons the moral value of our society. This type of corruption is more dangerous and more serious threatening the feature of Nigeria. It is because of these ugly scenario that the researcher want to discuss the effect of corruption on Nigeria’s educational sector especially on the higher institution of learning in Nigeria. There is no doubt that educational institutions in any country are the industry in which future leaders, thinkers, politicians, teachers, workers and what have you are produce. In Nigeria, this industry has deteriorated to the extent that in place of being an agent of purifying the minds of our students to become usefully members of the society, the industry is now diverting the mind of the students from what education is all about.
It has long been observed that our graduates are no longer more measure up to the standards of both internal and external evaluators.
Corruption in Nigeria’s higher educational institutions of learning is very alarming and worrisome. This impediment has crumbled the country potentials. The quality education is the bedrock or channels through which every country producers her future leaders. In Nigeria, the sector has deteriorated to be an agent of purifying and sharpening the minds of the next generation to become useful members of our society has now turned to training ground for corrupt individuals.
Corruption in Nigeria education sector (higher institutions) is the most dangerous aspect of corruption in the country. The degree of corruption that is taking place in the Nigeria’s higher institution of learning is worrisome and may collapse the country. Therefore, if urgent care is not taken the future of the country is bleak as far as any meaningful development is concern.
In most of the Nigeria’s higher institutions corruption has taken the lead in the process of admission exercises, the applicants are force to pay money before they could be offered admissions. The institution imposed all manner of illegal fees; most students do not attend lectures but bribed their ways to passed with good grade than their colleagues that attends lectures regularly. Most students in various higher institutions of learning resort to all kind of activities to ensure they make good grade in the institution. The female students brings themselves as low as going after some lecturers for marks, a good number of others engaging in their way sorting out by giving money to lecturers to pass them. Even the politicians send names of their candidates to some of the lecturers to pass them in their respective course. Some lecturers threatening the students that whoever did not buy his or her textbook, handout etc will not pass his or her examination. Some students hardly come to school yet when result is published, you will see them smiling while the few ones that study lament often get poor result or grade.
Obtainable in other sector in the country, that Nigeria’s education sector has continue to suffer from unending scourge of severe corruption and incompetence over the years is not a difficult things to notice in Nigeria’s higher educational institution of learning, funds meant for educational projects are been mismanage without control, corrupt politicians are appointed on universities, polytechnics and colleges of education boards, who politicize the system, learning environment remains unconducive, academicians struggles to get their entitlements among other pressing issue confronting Nigeria’s higher institutions of learning.
Adude (2014) opined that the effects of corruption on the education sector were extensive and damaging because it endangers a country’s social, economic and political future. Corruption in the education affects more people than corruption in other sector, both in rural and urban areas basically schools are breeding grounds for future generations. Corruption threatens equal access quantity and quality of education.
Mohammed (2017); said that broadly, the spectrum of corruption in academic can examined in fourfold, the act of corruption as emanating and supported by the academics themselves (lecturers), the role students plays and contribution of the larger society. The synergy of these four constitutes the formidable phenomenon called corruption in Nigeria higher institution of learning. From whatever point of view one may think about the issue under study, the situation in Nigeria higher institution of learning is alarming and endemic in Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic in which almost every academic process there appear incidences of corrupt practices in it.
1.3 Research Questions
In order to guide the study and achieve the research objectives of the study, the following research questions were formulated:
How do undergraduates perceived corruption?
Do undergraduates perceived corruption beyond bribery and embezzlement?
How does authors and scholars perceived corruption?
Can corruption be eradicated in Nigeria?
Are anti-corruption agencies playing there role to curb corruption in Nigeria?
1.4 Purpose the Study
The main aim of the study is to under the perception of undergraduate student on corruption in Nigeria. However other objectives include;
To look at the way undergraduates students perceived corruption.
To examine what constitutes corruption from the perspective of undergraduates students
To examine the perceptions of authors and scholars on corruption
To determine the possible ways of eradicating corruption.
The understand the role of anti-corruption agencies in fighting corruption in Nigeria.
1.5 Significance of the Study
The significance of the study cannot be over emphasis. The study will serve as reference material for further research in similar area of study. It will also add value to the bodies of existing knowledge on the subject matter under investigation. The research will also serve as a guide to the educational stake holders as well as the general public on how to prevent and resist corruption tendency in the educational sector in Nigeria. Consequently, the findings and recommendations of the study will also help in reducing the image of the educational sector in Nigeria. In the eye of international community’s which sees Nigeria as the most corrupt nation in Africa.
1.6 Scope and Delimitations of the Study
The research limits its scope to the perception of undergraduate students on corruption in Nigeria (2017- 2018) with specific focus on Kaduna State University. However, conducting a research of this nature certainly there must be some constraints such as time factor, insufficient funds, lack of free access to relevant literatures and poor cooperation from the respondents at process of conducting interviews and questionnaires administration to the targeted population of the study.
1.7 Definition of Key Terms
Corruption: Advance learning dictionary define corruption as an act of dishonest or illegal behavior especially of people in authority.
Educational corruption: Is define as the systematic use of public office for private gain whose impact is significant on the availability and quality of educational goods and services (Hallak and Poission 2002).
Effect: Means impact or changes that something or somebody causes on other things or persons.
Perception: Means the act of understanding a phenomenon or concept.
Undergraduate: Refer to student in the higher college of learning in University first degree students.
EFFECTS OF LANGUAGE PROPAGANDA ON PERSUADING VOTERS IN NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
The research is titled “effect of language on persuading voters in Nigeria: A focus on Kaduna state. Language of politics embodied in propaganda and rhetoric is persuasive. Politician adopts these linguistic device to cajole the electorate to vote for them and their parties by presenting themselves as the only capable person for the job. The methods of political propaganda are calculated in a precise manner and their main criterion is to disseminate an ideology for the very purpose of making various political acts acceptable to the people. Tactical political language propaganda seeks to obtain immediate results within a given frame work. Data for this study were obtained through primary and secondary sources such as questionnaire and journals, newspapers, and other published and unpublished materials. The study sampled the opinions of 340 respondents as the basis for drawing conclusion and recommendations from the results of the study. All the materials used to sourced information’s for this study have been acknowledged in the references.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
The study of language is an intriguing enterprise; this cannot be untraced to the roles it performs in the human everyday life. Language encapsulates all the aspects of our daily thoughts and undertakings. It is one unique attribute of man that differentiates it from other creatures on earth. Several attempts have been made to define and describe language by numerous scholars and authors, Crystal and Davy (1987), describe language as the systematic and conventional use of sounds, signs or written symbols in a society, for communication and human expression. From his own standpoint, Barret (1973) sees good language as that which is suitable and adaptive in a given communicative situation (communicative competence). It is that which assists in achieving a meeting of minds with listener’s and does not detract from the thought. Good language is language that serves to unify the speaker, the message and audience. It is language which gets the derived effect with the least friction and difficulty for the user. Chilton (1997), cited in (Rozina and Karapetjana 2009), is of the opinion that language is ‘the universal capacity of humans in all societies to communicate, while by politics he means ‘the art of governance’. It is no gain saying that not one of these brilliant scholarly definitions has been able to successfully capture the true essence of what language is. Notwithstanding this, a succinct description which is intriguing and at the same time very much relevant to this quest is given by Adedimeji (2005): Language mainly serves to form (or deform), inform, reform and transform man and his society all of which are harmonious with the goal of politics, making the two concepts symbiotic. He views language as being the most distinctive attribute of man; language has often exerted a lot of influence on the whole gamut of human affairs: political, educational, socio- economic, cultural, etc. he goes on to point out significantly that language and politics meet at the threshold of power.
Mazrui (1975) sees politics as a constant search for methods of resolving conflicting interests. When politics was described as a struggle to determine who gets what, when and how, conflict was placed at the very heart of political activity in terms of inputs of demands, which are processed within a political system.
There is the chance of politicians taking advantage of the social context to manipulate, and even, deceive people through their use of language. Therefore, linguistic manipulation is the conscious use of language in a devious way to control the others’. Linguistic manipulation can also be considered as an influential instrument of political rhetoric because a political address is primarily focused on persuading people to take specified political actions or to make important political decisions. To convince the potential electorate in present time societies, politics basically dominates in the mass media, which leads to creating new forms of linguistic manipulation; examples are the modified forms of press conferences and press statements, updated texts in slogans, application of catchy phrases, phrasal allusions, the connotative meanings of words, a combination of language and sight appealing images. In other words, language plays a significant conceptual function because it is an instrument by means of which the manipulative intents of politicians become apparent. Language is a powerful weapon and politics is itself concerned with the use of power (Bolinger, 1980; Fairclough, 1989). Indeed, men are engaged in politics as they try to define their positions in society, as they struggle for scarce resources, and as they try to convince others to accept their points of view (Anifowose, 1999, Adedimeji, 2005). The language of politics largely oscillates between deception and persuasion (rhetoric) (Jones and Wareing, 1999). In other words, the goal of political language is either to deceive or persuade in any given context. Within the Nigerian context, as noted by Abati (2001) cited in Adedimeji (2005), there is a “gradual movement from the sublime to the ridiculous in the use of English language in Nigerian politics”. Politically, Nigeria has her own fair share of upheavals and challenges which threatened her democracy and nationhood. Since independence in 1960, Nigeria’s aspiration towards democracy has materialized in various democratic transitions and dispensations, amidst sundry crises and contradictions. By the time Nigeria became a Republic in 1963, the parliamentary system of government was adopted and Sir Tafawa Balewa became the first Prime Minister. After the 1966 military putsch, the Military came into power and ruled for the next thirteen years characterised by high handedness, human right abuse and oppressive trends. The Military administration of Lieutenant General Olusegun Obasanjo, handed over to a democratically elected government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari in the second republic. His administration was also toppled by a military coup de tat in 1983 which ushered in another wave of the much abhorred Military rule led by General Muhammadu Buhari. This, was cunningly brought to an end by General Ibrahim Babangida in 1985 through a bloodless coup de tat. A botched attempt was made to hand over power back to the civilian administration at the wake of the third republic. This brought about the interim government headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan after the annulled June 12 1993 general elections. Shonekan was almost too quick and willing to hand over power to another military administration noted to be the most controversial regime led by General Sani Abacha. General Sani Abacha died while in office under suspicious circumstances in 1998. The then Chief of Army Staff, General Abdulsalami Abubakar was sworn in as the Head of State. His administration paved the way for the fourth republic which is still the dispensation we are still under. The controversial election of 1965 produced the coup d’état of January 1966. Again, the flawed elections of 1983 produced the military coup ofDecember 31, 1983. Finally, Babangida’s flawed elections of 1993 produced the Abacha palace coup of that year and paved way for his memorable dictatorship. (Iyayi, 2004).
Since 1999, the presidential system of government has been adopted and practised in Nigeria. This gave rise to the activities of political parties who bring forth flag bearers as candidates to contest for elections which holds every four years in the country. The electioneering process gives room for prior campaigns where the candidates have the opportunity to present their manifestoes and get familiar with the people. During campaigns and indeed before elections different styles and techniques are adopted to pull the majority of the electorates on their side. Majorly, rhetoric and persuasion seem to be the most appropriate technique but in recent times, the tide has changed since fierce oppositions now exist in the clamour for the mantle of leadership and holding the reins of power. Also, the feature of democracy that has attracted various interests of groups and individuals across the globe is the opportunity it provides for citizens of a given country to among other things exercise their inalienable right to elect leaders of their choice in a competitive, free, fair and periodic election. Furthermore the electoral process is regulated by acceptable rules and regulations that accord legitimacy to winners of elections and acceptability of results by the losers. Politics therefore becomes a game where winners automatically are accorded the legitimacy to rule and the losers have to try again in the next election. The alternative to this is to bypass the rules and regulations governing the electoral process thus creating discord and lawlessness. Politics then becomes warfare; where winners take all and competitors are regarded as enemies to be eliminated. Leaders who emerge from controversial elections devote much of their time to seeking to secure legitimacy and may even resort to the use of force to suppress opposition to its power base thereby endangering political stability.
As observed by Ake (1976) in (Okoli and lortyer 2014):“We are intoxicated with politics”. The premium on political power is so high that we are prone to take the most extreme measures in order to win and maintain political power; our energy tends to be channelled into the struggle for power to the detriment of economically productive efforts (as cited by Diamond, 1984). Ake puts it succinctly:
“The character of the state rules out a politics of moderation and mandates a politics of lawlessness and extremism for the simple reason that the nature of state makes the capture of state’s power irresistibly attractive. The winners in the competition for power win everything, the losers lose everything, Nothing can be worse than losing, nothing, better than winning. Thus, everyone seeks power by every means, legal or otherwise and those who already control state power try to keep it by every means. What emerges from this is a politics which does not know legitimacy or legality, only expediency”. Ake (1976).
This has prompted politicians to resort to all forms of vices including the blackmail of the opposition and making glaring their misdeeds to the public which in turn will win the heart of the electorate to the blackmailer since no one will want to be readily associate with the blackmailed especially if there are evidences no matter how half-hearted to corroborate the claims. This act is primarily known as propaganda.
Propaganda is a unique device used in politics. This is mostly observed in most electioneering campaign process. According to the Oxford Advanced Learner Dictionary (International Student Edition), propaganda are ideas and statements that may be false or exaggerated and that are used in order to gain support for a political leader, party, etc.
In his own view, Szanto (1978) sees propaganda as “a specific form of activated ideology.” He argues that propaganda is one of the manifestations of the ideology that involves the sales of specific concepts.
“Propaganda means information, doctrines opinion etc. that are often derogatory, as in political propaganda films and plays. These are said to be derogatory because they tend to damage or take away credit from something or someone. The sole purpose of propaganda is to misinform and mislead and to consciously indoctrinate.”Longe and Ofuani(1996)
According to Longe and Ofuani, (1996) “… the sole purpose of propaganda is to misinform and mislead and to consciously indoctrinate.” Propaganda aims at deliberate slanting of facts and arguments as well as displays of symbols in ways the propagandist thinks will have the most effects. For maximum effects, the propagandist may deliberately withhold pertinent facts, and try to divert the attention of the people he is trying to sway from every other thing but his own propaganda. This is why Szanto (1978) argues that propaganda could be “total falsehood, on the one hand, and on the other a totally valid depiction of reality or truth.” Politicians attempt to persuade their audience by means of expressions that may damage the character of the opponent and discredit him through a conscious manipulation of language. Longe and Ofuani (1996) therefore, argue that propaganda is derogatory because it tends to “damage or take away credit” from something or someone. Propaganda could be in form of exaggeration, rhetorical questions, vague and abusive utterances, etc. The electioneering campaign of the March 2015 general elections in Nigeria was unarguably characterized by a massive use of propaganda propagated by the media and most especially the social networks.
Politics is one aspect of human activities that use by far the greatest amount of propaganda. The word is often associated with deceit because propagandists have seldom scruples to lie or to distort the truth in order to persuade and gather people behind them. In fact, propaganda can be honest or dishonest, while its purpose might be to elicit help or tarnish image. Propaganda is a fundamental instrument of the language of politics. It is used in moulding and changing opinion. The use of propaganda many times, present the propagandist (that is the person speaking) as a saint and the person the propaganda is aimed at as the devil that is not fit to rule.
The 2015 general elections that birthed the end of PDP’s dynastic reign and emergence of Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria also had a fair share of the use of propagandistic statements as the campaign strategy of the parties involved. Therefore, the focus of this research is to show how language plays a significant role in political propaganda as it relates to electioneering campaign in the 2015 general electioneering campaign process in Nigeria.
Man by nature is a political animal. This suggests that man is both gregarious and solitary. Politicas focuses on “who gets what”, “when and how”. It determines the process through which power and influence are used in the promotion of certain values and interests (Lasswell, 1977). To be involved in politics therefore is demanding as certain things must be put into consideration. This is the use of language of propaganda in politics as a persuading tool which do have significant effect on voter’s behavior and is however the centre piece of this study. This can also be termed “political language.
Political campaigns are an organized effort which seeks to influence the decision making process within a specific group or environment. It can also be viewed as the mobilization of forces either by an organization or individuals to influence others in order to effect an identified and desired political change. It shows people and particularly, political candidates’ ability to sensitize the political community in relation to making the community see them as potentials and better representatives of the people. at any rate, every campaign is unique, and the ultimate goal of almost every political campaign is to win election (Lynn, 2009).
The priceless rights of our democracy are perhaps the dearest to all is the guarantee of the freedom to speak and publish what we want (with-in the limits of decency and the libel laws). However, this freedom of speech provides a scope for propaganda for those unscrupulous enough to exploit it for their own ends.
The word propaganda itself used to be a respectable term, originally meaning the spreading of good news. When Goebbels, Hitler and other Fascists began to use the word to describe their promotional activities, propaganda started its slide into disrepute. Today propaganda is associated with the insidious and subversive means of moving a person to predetermined ends (Danziger, 1998).
Common media for transmitting propaganda messages include news reports, government reports, historical revision, junk science, books, leaflets, movies, radio, television, and poster. In the case of radio and television, propaganda can exist on news, current affairs or talk-show segments, as advertising or public service announce “sports” or as long-running advertorials. The uses of language of propaganda in campaigns often follow a strategic transmission such as a leaflet dropped from a plane or an advertisement. Generally these messages will contain directions on how to obtain more information, via a website, hotline, radio program etc. the strategy intends to initiate the individual from information recipient to information seeker through reinforcement, and then from information seeker to opinion leader through indoctrination. What seems to be very important in any political campaign is the message that is sent to the electorates. A campaign message is an important and potent tool that politicians use to express views and feelings to the public with the intention of reshaping and redirecting the electorates opinions to align with theirs with the use of language of propaganda. The message should be a simple statement that can be repeated severally throughout the campaign period to persuade the target audience or influence voters’ act in the candidates favour and describes the opposition in bad light. The campaign message ought to contain the salient ingredients that the candidate wishes to share with the voters and these must be repeated often in order to create a lasting impression on the voters. Propaganda is the expression of opinions or actions carried out deliberately by individuals or groups with a view to influence the opinions or actions of other individuals or groups for predetermined ends through psychological manipulations (Jacque, 1965). It is usually repeated and dispersed over a wide range of media in order to stimulate and sensitize the electorates and by extension, assist in harming an opponent.
Persuasion is a process by which someone, usually by reasoned arguments or logic, appeal to sound judgment in order to attain his set goals. A persuasive language soothes the voters particularly, when topics or issues that revolve around problems that affect voters are repeatedly mentioned in the course of the campaign. It also follows that the language of political campaign embodied in propaganda and rhetoric, it persuasive because most politicians adopt these linguistic devices to cajole the electorates to vote for them and their political parties by presenting themselves as the only capable individuals for the position (Omozuwa and Ezejideaku, 2007).
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The language of propaganda in politics has been described as a language of ridicule, and reproach, pleading and persuasion, colour and bite permeated. It is a language designed to exult some men, destroy some and change the mind of others (Omozuwa and Ezejideaku, 2007). The point is that the phenomenon of persuasion is an integral part of politics and a necessary component of the pursuit and exercise of power. Politicians use a variety of techniques to ensure they captivate voter’s attention and establish credibility and trust amongst the electorates. However, the researcher seeks to examine the effect of language of propaganda on persuading voters in Nigeria.
Election has become the most acceptable means of changing leadership in any given political system. There are elements that make electorates vote or not to vote in an election.
These elements are different and independent on the socio-cultural, economic and political background of the nation and voters of one point or the other.
In Nigeria, this is rampant, not necessarily because the electorates are a political, but the circumstances and the ways in which the context are fixed forced them to accommodate other considerations. Due to the voter’s poverty level, ethnically and religious inclinations, voting pattern runs in line in order to satisfy those religious/ethnic interest and personal immediate economic needs. They accept gratification from politicians to vote for them even when they knew that such persons are not credible there is support to be a total overhaul of the electoral system; education/creation of awareness to the Nigerian citizens and to make the elective positions less lucrative and alterative than what is currently obtainable. In this way, those negative factors that influence the voting pattern in Nigeria can be controlled.
Words perform actions! Language and in fact words have different functions and according to the speech act theory of J.L Austin, utterances both written and spoken have a particular effect it should have on the hearer. Many researchers have written on political campaign speeches and a universal trend in them-propaganda in Nigeria. For instance, Opeibi (2006) worked on “Political Marketing or Political ‘Machetting’?” in which he brilliantly concludes that political hopefuls in Nigeria focus more on promoting themselves and orchestrating “attacks on their opponents” rather than enamouring positive issues of national interest. He attributes this phenomenon to factors such as level of education of voters, political literacy, content and structure of the adverts, personality of the sponsor (and/or the political candidate), among others. He also examines the structure and functions of language use in campaign adverts. He classifies political campaign adverts into three. The first is positive advert, which focuses only on the merits of the candidate; the second is contrast advert, which, apart from highlighting the positive side of the candidate, also discredits the other opponent(s).The negative advert, which is the third category, sets out to attack the opponent(s) in full force.
Omozuwa and Ezejideaku (2008) in their paper “A Stylistic Analysis of the Language of Political Campaigns in Nigeria” is another effort to expose the significance of the aesthetic use of language in campaign speeches. They suggest that Nigerians consider “politics” as an exercise often associated with lies, deceits and propaganda. It is observed that political campaign language is characterized by propaganda through attack on party, overemphasis, ambiguity and denunciations. Furthermore, rhetoric in forms of promises, religious allusions, repetitions, figurative expressions, coinages, pidgin, are also observed as essential components characteristic of the language of campaign., etc. the seminal paper pointed out significantly the common propaganda techniques used in Nigeria, evident from the 2007 general election.
Also, Emmanuel Osewe Akubor (2015) in his paper Campaigns and Electioneering: Reflecting on the 2015 General Elections in Nigeria, points out that unlike what is obtainable in other parts of the world where democracy is practised, with policy issues forming the backbone of campaign message, the Nigerian situation was basically on persons, character assassination, violence and abuses (hate) speeches. The paper argues that this campaign strategy often leads to electoral violence before, during and after elections.
The Language of Politics in Nigeria: Conflicts and Resolution by Mahfouz A. Adedimeji (2005) is another paper that undertakes a descriptive appraisal of the language of politics in Nigeria and finds that it is marked by such features as rhetoric, bombasts, exaggeration, illiteracy, meaninglessness, lies, verbal violence, etc. all of which justify the Orwellian thesis that political language is designed to make lies sound truthful, murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind (Orwell, 1946). The conflict engendered by the linguistic behaviour of the Nigerian political class is analysed as the paper recommends sincerity, politeness and seeking the necessary trouble of communicative competence to the politicians in particular and all language users in general.
Similarly, writing on the Language of Politics in England, George Orwell (1946) observes that the language is characterised by lack of precision, perhaps, because either the speaker has a meaning and cannot express it or he unintentionally says something else, or he is almost indifferent as to whether his words mean anything or not. He describes this phenomenon as vagueness and sheer incompetence. He laments that political speech and writing are largely the defence of the indefensible things saying that “political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable”.
So, while the first work is based on print advert, the second deals majorly with the deviation from the campaign norms by Nigeria’s politicians, the third is a stylistic review and the fourth points significantly to the composition of political speeches as rendered by Nigerian politicians. The researcher feels that the related works previously done on the field of enquiry do not probe into the underlying intentions beneath the speaker’s mind nor do they succinctly address the effect the utterances make on the audience the electorate this makes the undertaking of this research important. The researcher also observed that the perlocutionary thrust of language use on the aspirants and the electorate with regard to campaign of calumny (propaganda) is yet to be fully studied. With this in mind, this study shall show that language has a great effect on both the voters and contestants as observed during the 2015 general election in Nigeria.
1.3 Research Questions and Hypotheses
What is the effect of language of propaganda on persuading voters in Nigeria?
What are the different types of political propaganda strategies in Nigeria?
How does politicians benefit from the use of language of propaganda as a persuasive tool?
Does language propaganda influence voters in Kaduna State?
Does language propaganda change voters behaviours in Kaduna State?
Ho: There is no significance relationship between language propaganda and voters persuasion in Kaduna State.
Hi: There is a significance relationship between language propaganda and voters persuasion in Kaduna State.
1.4 Purpose of the Study
The general objective of this study is to examine the effect of language of propaganda on persuading voters in Nigeria and the following are the specific objectives:
To analyze the effect of language of propaganda on persuading voters in Nigeria.
To identify different types of political propaganda strategies in Nigeria.
To identify how politicians benefit from the use of language of propaganda as a persuasive tool.
To examine how language propaganda influence voters in Kaduna State.
To know how language propaganda change voters behaviours in Kaduna State.
1.5 Significance of the Study
The significance of this study cannot be over emphasis. However the study is important in the following ways:
This study is of benefit to the general electorates on the influence of the language of propaganda used by political leaders on their behavior. It will also educate the stakeholders in the politics on the different types of propaganda and its effect in persuading voters.
This research also serve as a resource base to other scholars and researchers interested in carrying out further research in this field subsequently, if applied, it will go to an extent to provide new explanation to the topic.
1.6 Scope and Delimitation of the Study
The scope of this study is on the effect of language of propaganda on persuading voters which cover all the strategy of propaganda in the politician speeches during the course of electioneering campaign. It also cover the benefits of the use of language of propaganda in politics. However, the limitations of this study are;
Financial constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.
1.7 Definition of Terms
Politics: The activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power.
Propaganda: Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view.
Language: The method of human communication, either spoken or written, consisting of the use of words in a structured and conventional way.
Voters: A person who votes or has the right to vote at an election.
Election: The act of choosing a representative or the holder of a particular office usually by ballot.
Electorate: Refers to the whole body of person who have the right to vote in a country or area.
Electioneering: Is the activities of making speeches and visiting people to try to persuade them to vote for a particular politician or a political party.
Persuade: Is the act of convincing one to enhance his/her believe or action/intention.
This research exercise is on the influence of new media in social life of Nigeria youth; in Godfrey Okoye University students. The research study adopted the media systems dependency theory as the theoretical framework for this study. The method used for this study was survey research method, with the population of 1640 students and a sample size of 311 students. The study revealed that over 68% of Nigerian youth log in on social media at least four to six times in a week and that over 80% of the youth believed that there is influence of social media on youths’ use of traditional mass media in Nigeria and that over 48% of the respondents agreed that to some extent social media has enhanced youths* interaction on social media. The study conclude that social media have provided an open arena where the.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The history of human communication began with the oral or spoken tradition. Through the course of history, the dissemination of messages progressed from simply the oral tradition, to script, print, wired electronics, wireless electronics and finally digital communication. The greatest change in message dissemination in recent history occurred with the introduction of computers and the Internet in the early 1990s. Since then, this drastic change of communication medium has significantly affected humans’ perception of the media, the usage of time and space, and the reachability and control of the media (Guo-Ming, 2012).
In the present age of digital communication, time has been compressed by reducing the distance between different points in space, and the sense of space has led people to feel that local, ^national, and global space becomes obsolete (Harvey, 2010). In addition, the reachability of digital media can now extend to all people, instead of a limited audience. This is significant because without the confinement of time and space, the control of message production and dissemination is no longer a privilege possessed only by church, state, and government, but instead, equally shared by all individuals (Guo-Ming, 2012).
The new media, that resulted from the invention, encapsulated the characteristics of the old or traditional media, and extended the potentials arid possibilities into which both the “old” and “new” media could be put into use. Tokunbo and Felix (2013) noted that the new media, promoted by Internet technology, exhibit an integration and convergence of the existing media to extend the frontiers of the possibilities of the media of communication, The new media, which hallmarked the integration and convergence of computer and telecommunication technologies, revolutionized the face of human communication especially in the 21st century7. The new information Technology “provides near limitless possibilities of increasing the quantity and enhancing the quality, speed, and availability of information in a complex but increasingly interdependent world (Soola, 2010).
According to Tokunbo and Felix (2013), the new media, propelled and driven by the internet, provide platforms for social interactions between and among users in such a manner that no older platforms/media can boast of. Ignatius, Alice and Lucky (2014) opined that by their nature the social media have peculiar characteristics that make them probably more appealing to the audience than the conventional media. The veracity of this assertion could be perceived in the pace of the growth of the social media sites over the few years of their emergence. He gave the example of Facebook, which is the acclaimed most popular channel among the social media reached over one billion users within ten years of its existence as a medium of communication in the world. The medium attained a “total of 1.23 billion users” in just a decade of its birth (Ignatius, Alice and Lucky, 2014). Other social media sites have similar significant number of users within their short span. This level of wider spread of the media among the people has never been seen in any other earlier means of communication.
The invention of the new media in modern communication is rapidly changing the whole mass media landscape and communication enterprise in the universe presently. This very development brought by technologies is affecting the means of assembling, delivery or dissemination and reception of mediated messages today (Ignatius, Alice and Lucky, 2014). These new means of interactions have greatly changed the media uses by the audience, the journalists and the mainstream media’s relation with the audience. The social media have altered the basic processes involved in news gathering and dissemination in the world. With that, the audience pattern of news consumption especiallywith regard to the contents of the traditional mass media is envisaged to be affected.
However, the positive impact of the new media is greatly among youth as its allowed youth to make friends beyond the borders of their country. According to Chimela, Ovute and Obochi (2015), social media have provided an open arena where the youths are free to exchange ideas on various trending issues. In support of this fact, Chinwe and Uche (2014) noted that as social media is quickly becoming prime political battlegrounds for several political contenders, it has changed young people’s political outlooks and participatory behavior in Nigeria, This is because it has a democratic potential that opens for new forms of political participation and conversations. Socially, the new media have contributed in making an average Nigerian youth to know more about the different tribes in Nigeria (Ignatius, Alice, and Lucky, 2014). Therefore, the focus of this study is on the impact of new media in social life of Nigeria youth; looking into the credibility of News on social media amongst Godfrey Okoye University students.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
With the prevalence of the new media technologies, there is a change in the media choice of the youths globally, Nigeria inclusive. A researcher like Broddason (2016) gives credence to the above view by noting that, “there is general agreement among media and communication scholars that a monumental shift is occurring in the media and communication habits of young people.” The rate at which they cling to the use of social media is quite alarming, this leaves people in doubt whether the new channels of communication would utterly displace or at least reduce the youths’ patronage of the mainstream media.
Presently, the youths’ much reliance and choice of the social media is not hidden at all. Invariably, these new media’s ability to exert influence on the use of the conventional media is an unarguable reality. According to Aja (2011) “traditional media organizations such as radio, television, newspapers and magazines seem to have lost prominence and their audience…” Their news and information, as the European Society of Professional Journalists (2014) observes, are being increasingly circumvented by users who use alternative media sources.
From the foregoing, the mainstream media’s losing of grip on the youths’ and the general usage of the prior existing channels of communication is an envisaged phenomenon. This kind of expectation is usually nursed by the people with the introduction of a new means of public interaction. That perhaps informed why Broddason (2016) argues for instance that “there is some suggestion of television being replaced by the “new media.”
However, amidst all sociological benefits, social media have regrettably contributed to moral degeneration and decadence among youths in several countries, including Nigeria. This, no doubt, stems from the gross obsession with and abuse of these social networking sites. Due to the increase in social media web-sites, there seems to be a positive correlation between the usages of such media with cyber bullying, online sexual predators and the decrease in-face-to-face interaction. Likewise, social media seem to be influencing youths’ lives in terms of exposing them to images or alcohol, tobacco, and sexual behaviors (Kaplan, 2010).
Therefore, the challenge now is that the influence of social media on youths’ uses of conventional mass media in Nigeria is hitherto buried in obscurity. Another problem is finding out whether the social media usage enhances the youths’ interaction with the country’s leaders. Also, it is important to systematically ascertain other purposes which the social media accomplish for the youths. These outlined points are the problems which this study has empirically investigated and provided answers to them.
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The mam objective of this study remains on impact of new media in social life of Nigeria youth, while other specific objectives include:
To ascertain the influence of social media on youths’ use of traditional mass media in Nigeria.
To determine whether social media usage enhance the youths’ interaction with Nigerian leaders.
To examine the influence of new media to the social behaviour of Nigerian youth.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
To what extent is the influence of social media on youths’ use of traditional mass media in Nigeria?
To what extent does social media usage enhance the youths’ interaction with Nigerian leaders?
To what extent is the influence of new media to the social behaviour of Nigerian youth?
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This work will concentrate on the credibility of News on social media amongst Godfrey Okoye University students, in Enugu state.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
It is expected that the output of this research will benefit students and the administration of Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu as will show the level of the students’ use of social media. This shall help them to understand how best to sustain the students attention on using social networking sites. Also this work will be of immense benefit to the field of Library and information sciences as it will be on addition to existing literature, and shall also add to the available academic literatures on new media.
Also the findings could be used by academic advisers and counselors proffer professional advice to the university authorities on how to regulate the social network usage among undergraduate students.
Again, the findings of this study would provide facts that will enable the ministry of communication technology to know what arises from students’ use of the social media. This will help the ministry, to it know how to control social network usage.
Finally, this work would be beneficial to future researchers who can now readily lay their hands on the result of this work by making use of The research report.
1.7 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS
Youth: Youth is the time of life when one is young, but often means the time between childhood and adulthood (maturity). Youth could be described operationally as students in various Universities in Nigeria and who fall between the ages of 15 -30.
Influence: The capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behaviour, opinions of others.
Social networks: Social networks are online services, platforms or sites that focus building and reflecting social relations among people, who, for example, share interests and or activities. Social networking sites are websites that allow those who have account with them to communicate with a selected group of friends (Awake, 2011).
New media: According to Wikipedia (2014), “New media refers to on-demand access to content anytime, anywhere, on any digital device, as well as interactive user feedback, -and creative participation.
There is an international concern on academic performance of students (Romerhausen, 2013). Globally and Nigeria in particular, improving the quality of education and investment on educational and human resources are regarded as effective factors paving the way for a country’s pervasive development. Improvement of students’ academic performance is also among the basic goals of educational planning. And it’s through academic performance that students can fully actualize their talents and capabilities in line with educational goals. Notably, academic performance is considered as one important criteria of educational quality. Therefore, without doubt academic performance presently is a major issue among students, teachers, parents, school administrators, and the community at large. Researchers have made several attempts to unravel the complexities surrounding academic performance (Ikpi, Enya & Johnny, 2014). For example, psychology researchers have put forward a lot of reasons why disparities in achievement among young people exist (Ikpi, Enya & Johnny, 2014). As noted by these researchers, a lot of attention had been paid to external factors such as type of school, teaching methods, school location, instructional materials, quality of lecturers and their experience.
Academic performance is considered an intellectual competence indicator. Opinions vary as to why some students excel academically while others appear to be underachievers. As a result, many psychologists have consistently attempted to identify the major predictors of individual academic performance. Academic performance on examinations is the result of interactions among multiple variables such as learning. Learning occupies a significant role in the life of students (Mangal & Mangal 2009). It means modification of behaviour (Dutt, 2007) that is measured using the yardstick of academic performance. People have different learning styles that are reflected in different academic strengths, weaknesses, skills, and interests. It has often been asserted that academic performance can be explained largely by factors such as individual initiative, effort, and merit (Timothy, & Kammeyer-Mueller, 2007)
Although education is not the only road to success in the working world, much effort is made to identify, evaluate, track and encourage the progress of students in schools (Bell, 2017). Parents care about their child’s academic performance because they believe good academic results will provide more career choices and job security (Bell, 2017). Similarly, schools invested in fostering good academic habits for the same reason. For example they often influence concerns about school’s reputation and the possibility of monetary aid from government institutions, which shows the overall academic performance of the school.
In the past, academic performance of secondary school students was not measured using the present form of using numerical method. Teachers’ observations made up the bulk of the assessment, and today’s summation, or numerical, method of determining how well a student is performing is a fairly recent invention. Grading systems came into existence in the United States in the late Victorian period and were initially criticized due to high subjectivity. However, performance results also allow students to be ranked and sorted on a scale that is numerically obvious, minimizing complaints by holding teachers and schools accountable for the components of every grade.
Academic performance for some researchers is defined by students’ reporting of past semester CGPA/GPA and their expected GPA for the current semester. The grade point average or GPA is now used by most of the tertiary institutions as a convenient summary measure of the academic performance of their students. The GPA is a better measurement because it provides a greater insight into the relative level of performance of individuals and different group of students.
Academic performance is the extent to which a student has achieved their short or long-term educational goals (Ward, Stoker, & Murray-Ward 1996). Cumulative GPA and completion of educational degrees such as High School and bachelor’s degrees represent academic performance.
Academic performance is commonly measured through examinations or continuous assessments but there is no general agreement on how it is best evaluated or which aspects are most important — procedural knowledge such as skills or declarative knowledge such as facts (Bhagat 2013) . Furthermore, there are inconclusive results over which individual factors successfully predict academic performance, elements such as test anxiety, environment, motivation, and emotions require consideration when developing models of school performance (Mosche, 1998). But individual differences in academic performance have been linked to differences in intelligence and personality (Sophie, Benedikt, & Tomas 2011). Students with higher mental ability as demonstrated by IQ tests and those who are higher in conscientiousness (linked to effort and achievement motivation) tend to achieve highly in academic settings. A recent meta-analysis suggested that mental curiosity (as measured by typical intellectual engagement) has an important influence on academic achievement in addition to intelligence and conscientiousness (Sophie, Benedikt, & Tomas 2011). Cognitive factors or learning factors are the extent to which a person’s individual capabilities can influence their academic or learning performance. These factors include cognitive functions like attention, memory, and reasoning. Undergraduate students with high academic performance present mature learning beliefs, and a strong knowledge integration (Brenda Ann Marie 2014). Research has also found that students with higher academic performance, motivation and persistence use intrinsic goals rather than extrinsic ones (Leslie & Ingrid 2013). Furthermore, students who are motivated to improve upon their previous or upcoming performance tend to perform better academically than peers with lower motivation (Barry, & Rhonda 2011). In other words, students with higher need for achievement have greater academic performance.
As noted earlier, research showed that there are also non-cognitive factors, personality for example responsible for high academic performance. Personality is now a relevant factor studied in relationship with academic performance. For some researchers another major factor that is believed to be responsible for academic performance in students is their personality traits.
There is some evidence that personality intricately tied with individual differences in learning styles, and it is recommended that educators go beyond the current emphasis on cognition and include this variables (type A and type B personalities) in understanding academic behaviour (Komarraju, Karau, Schmeck, & Alen 2011).
Personality is the sum total of the behavioural and mental characteristics that are distinctive of an individual (Colamn, 2009). It refers to individuals’ unique and relatively stable patterns of behaviour, thoughts and feelings (Baron, 2006). The nature of individuals varies, the personality of the individuals too varies and this is the law of nature and this varying nature has a tremendous impact on making life a success or a failure, including the life of the students.
Academic performance criteria differ substantially and may have conflicting relationships with the independent variable, personality types (Trapmann et al., 2007, Clark and Schroth, 2010; Komarraju & Karau, 2005). Extraversion (type A personality) and introversion (type B personality) factors may relate in different ways to performance, given different aspects of it (Komarraju & Karau, 2005). Extraversion-Introversion (EI) represents the process through which a person is energized. Is the individual’s primary interest in the outer world of people and things or the inner world of ideas and concepts?
The multitude of individuals’ personality may be classified as introverts and extroverts, a classification originally made by Carl Jung, and reinforced by Eysenck. Although Eyesenck believes that the concepts of Introversion-Extroversion did not originate in Jung but had a 2000 years history in Philosophy and Medicine of Hippocrates and Galden that combined Biological Constitution and Psychology (Dandapandi, 2006). The theory of person-situation interaction predicts that the extrovert will adapt best when he is asked to collaborate with others and that the introvert will adapt best when she is asked to carry out tasks independently (Santrock, 2006). Extroverted individuals are outgoing, sociable and assertive; introverts are quiet and shy (Robbins, 2005). Extraverts prefer to be in the company of others while the introverts in being alone or with a chosen few. John Bearden places ‘extroversion and introversion’ as the first dimension, considering its significance and value.
Empirical studies confirm that personality contributes to personal achievement to at least some degree in education (e.g. Neuenschwander et al., 2013, Laidra et al., 2007), to decisions about the choice of academic major and profession (e.g. Borges & Gibson, 2005, Cano & Garton, 1994, Hartung et al., 2005, Dunning, 2001, Hinton & Stockburger, 1991, Sears et al., 1997, Ditiberio & Hammer, 1993, Borges & Savickas, 2002), to performance in vocational, professional and higher education (e.g. Borg & Shapiro, 1996, Borg & Stranahan, 2002a, Borg & Stranahan, 2002b, Ziegert, 2000, Ditiberio & Hammer, 1993).
The present study is aimed at studying the influence of personality type on academic performance of students. The study would yield findings, based on which academic performance of students could be improved in tune with their personality types as ‘research is directed towards the solution of a problem (Best & Kahn, 2001).
Personality can be defined as organized patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviors. It is consistency in a person’s way of being, that is his particular ways of perceiving, thinking, acting and reacting as a person (Hofstee, & Willem, 1994) accounted for this negative relationship; in other words, highly extroverted students are more likely to spend their time on social and extra-curricular activities in comparison to less extroverted students.
Some studies have indicated that academic performance is positively associated with extroversion (Laidra et al. 2007; Lounsbury et al. 2003a). According to Duckworth and Seligman (2005) extroversion is one of the Personality factors having the most interesting relationship with academic performance. Although Melissa, Sampo & Panonon (2007) found a negative relationship between these two variables, Chomoro & Furnham (2003a) reporting the reverse. Based on previous studies, Dunsmore (2005) relates higher levels of extroversion to higher academic performance among students (especially at lower academic levels), and to lower academic performance at higher educational levels. Such model of results might reflect transition from informal, interactional and class-oriented environment at elementary schools to a more academic, study-oriented and knowledge-based environment at high schools and college settings. Furnham, Zhang, & Chamoro, (2006) found a negative relationship between extroversion and achievement at higher education; they believed students’ interpersonal as well as intrapersonal skills accounted for this negative relationship; in other words, highly extroverted students are more likely to spend their time on social and extra-curricular activities in comparison to less extroverted students.
Although results of studies trying to predict academic performance have yielded different results, they have consistently pointed out the role of personality characteristics in academic performance (Paunonen & Ashton, 2001). Educators have always asked whether people’s personality characteristics can help them attain higher academic achievement.
Elements of personality type can influence outcomes on aptitude tests, which measure a student’s ability to learn (ie, future performance), as well as achievement tests, which identify what a student has learned. The correlation with the overall grade of the final academic year reveals that there is no significant relationship between extraversion and the performance during the entire final academic year. Hence, the relationship between extraversion and academic performance is controversial. Several studies have concluded that there is no reason to talk about a relationship between extraversion and academic performance (Heaven, Mak, Barry & Ciarrochi 2002; Ackerman & Heggestad 1997). Others suggest that extraversion is not clearly linked with academic performance or whether the correlation between these two variables is positive or negative. Studies have found both positive and negative correlations between this personality factors and academic performance. The inconsistency of extraversion can be explained by two ideas. First, extraversion can be a predictor of high academic performance because extraverts are more active, ask more questions, which can help them learn more effectively (Chamorro-Premuzic & Furnham 2005). Secondly, extraverts often have an active social life, and this can interfere with activities devoted to studying because the time spent for learning or documentation is reduced. For this reason, extraverts tend to have a higher number of absences in school. Introverts, by failing emphasis on socialization, have more time for themselves, time they can spend on studying (Chamorro-Premuzic & Furnham 2003, 2005]).
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The problem of underperformance/achievement has assumed a worrisome dimension in the Nigerian educational system. Desperate to make it anyhow, students have devised various illegal means to succeed in examinations, and academic activities even when they are not academically competent. And unfortunately, the system has buckled under the pressure. Examination malpractice has risen steadily to become a seemingly untameable monster. It is increasingly becoming difficult to equate competence of people with supposed academic performance as represented in their certificates. Many candidates are unable to defend the result they supposedly acquired honourably. And of course this has consistently led to inability to compete effectively in the job market which has become a serious issue. Several factors have been researched into in the past as to the cause of this social malaise, but there seem to be indications that some hidden factors may be responsible that needs unravelling. This desire to see this problem curbed gave rise to this study and the researchers’ aim is to see if there is a way in which the personality traits can help, especially from the perspective of the analytical and scientific approach of measurement and evaluation. The researcher has consequently chosen to explore this problem among the students. Academic performance among students has become crucial and can be very beneficial in career pursuit after school as well in repositioning the life of students. Over there have been stories of Nigerian students who performed excellently in various disciplines. But the percentage of these excellent performing students is still far compared to the teeming population of students in our country. Hence, one could imagine if these excellent students are of different personality. Therefore, the present study is aimed at examining the impact of personality traits on academic performance of students.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of the study is to find out whether; extrovert personality type and introvert personality type will significantly impact on academic performance of students.
OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS
Personality: This is defined in this study as the combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual’s distinctive character which can be extroverted or introverted as measured by type A behaviour scale developed by (Omoluabi 1997). Academic Performance: This is operationalized as the extent to which a student has achieved in his/her educational goals for the period of the study as indicated by the student’s cumulative grade point.
JUDICIARY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA, 2015 – 2017
Abstract
This study sets out to assess the “Judiciary and Anti-corruption in Nigeria, 2015-2017.” The objective of the study was to analyze the efficacy of Judiciary in its fight against bribery and corruption in Nigeria between 2015 and 2017. Three research questions were posed to guide the study; why has the judiciary been unable to adequately fight corruption in Nigeria between 2015 and 2017? The study was anchored on Elite theory propounded by Vifredo Pareto and Gaetano Mosca (1956) which proposes that every state has the ruling class who galvanize together to sustain their interests as well as compel the citizens to accept certain conditions as given in the society.Data was collected through observation method, relying on secondary sources. The study adopted ex-post facto research design, while content analysis was used as the method of data analysis. The study revealed that the judiciary has not been adequately funded to boost the fight against corruption in Nigeria. Thus the judiciary is muscled thereby losing its independence while many executive members are shielded by immunity clause and political fiat thereby limiting the efficacy of the judiciary in the anti-corruption fight. The study recommends among other things that: there is need for reform in the Nigeria legal system to pave way for judicial independence for efficient service delivery in anti-corruption fight.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study:
The Judiciary represents the court system in the land, it symbolizes judges and justice. It is the third arm of any modern government and was popularized by Montesquieu, the French political philosopher and jurist who postulated that there should be separation of judicial duties from legislative and executive functions to forestall tyranny. A court system implies a judicial arrangement of graduated competences of hierarchical structural arrangement from lower to superior courts, courts of first instance to Supreme Court, where appeals are taken or heard, and special courts or tribunals, exists in modern democratic states.
The judiciary also has other notable functions according to Akpan (2008) which include punishing offenders of the laws, swearing in of the President and other important public officers, granting letter of administration of estates and above all, guarding against an arbitrary use of power by the other arms of government. For the administration of justice to be fair and equitable in any political setting, it should combine autonomy with accessibility and a certain degree of uniformity. To be fair means that it is objective and fearless. To be equitable implies that court rules are equally applied, as rewards and punishment to both the poor and the rich. Autonomy connotes independence and authority.
Corruption has been the major problem bedeviling Nigeria, as it has virtually defied all solutions so far. In Nigeria bribery and corruption have assumed an alarming rate, established stronghold that the weekly star of 15th May, 1983, quoted in Achebe (1983.43), unequivocally maintains “that keeping an average Nigerian from being corrupt is like keeping a goat from eating yam” Corruption has been recognized as the major enemy of man, it is however, lack of political will to begin to tackle this problem, except for Buhari /Idiagbon regime (1983-1985) and Obasanjo regime (1999-2007). Past futile intervention against corruption include the Corrupt Practices Decree of 1975, the Public Officer (investigation of Assets) Decree No 5 of 1976, supplemented by the Code Of Conduct Bureau and Code Of Conduct Tribunal as provided for in the 1979 constitution. Shehu Shagari ethical revolution (1979-1983), with a minister of cabinet rank in charge of “national guidance”, the “war against indiscipline” campaign under the Buhari and Idiagbon junta which was to some extent the only serious intervention and the National committee on corruption and other Economics crimes under Ibrahim Babangida (1985-93). The IBB regime also came up with the corrupt practice and Economic crime Decree of 1990. Even the Sani Abacha regime (1994-98) came up with its own anti- corruption Decree, the “Indiscipline, Corrupt Practices and Economic Crime (prohibition) Decree 1994” which was a replica of IBB Decree of 1990. However, it is regrettable to note that inspite of interventions by past regimes to stamp out corruption, the evil monster keeps on recurring. According to Okonkwo (2005: 85), a historical view of bribery and corruption in Nigeria shows that rhetoric against corruption does not end corruption. All the inspiring words of our leaders and journalists have not changed anyone. Against this background, it has become unavoidably important to critically assess the judiciary and anticorruption in Nigeria.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Over the years, successive administrations in Nigeria have set up various institutions designed to fight corruption. These institutions have not functioned appropriately and as a result, there is institutionalization of corruption. The above scenario almost turned Nigeria into pariah nation. In foreign states, Nigerians were treated with suspicion and embarrassment and foreigners were wary of making Nigeria their investment destination. The more government devises genuine policies and plans to combat corruption, the more the implementation pattern seems to be frustrated. Corruption, real or imagined, is believed to be so endemic in Nigeria that public disapproval of it has gradually turned into tacit acquiescence and positive acceptance. There is a need to act and investigate the hydra-headed problem of corruption for the sake of the unborn generations. The political and socio-economic destructive effects of corruption have been so overwhelming that unless decisive steps were taken, the state might well be doomed. In spite of the several legislations and multiple institutions put in place to fight corruption, little result has been achieved. This has made people lose hope in our ability to get out of these difficult situations.
On the night of the 7th of October 2016, between the hours of 10 pm and the wee hours of the next day, the Department of State Services (DSS), executing a carefully prepared script, invaded the homes of selected Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in Abuja, Judges of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt and Abuja and State High Court Judges in Gombe and Kaduna States. These judicial officers and their families had their sleep rudely interrupted, homes broken into, searches conducted and reputations tarnished. The Government agency that spearheaded this ordeal anchored these unorthodox actions, on the overriding and compelling necessity to eradicate corruption. It was put in the public domain, snippets of the crimes these judicial officers were said to have committed. By and large, since these strong arm tactics were employed, there have been a torrent of views on both sides of the aisle hotly debating the bona fides or otherwise of the actions of the DSS and its aftermath. In this discourse, it is intended not only to review the legality or otherwise of the steps referred to above, but also to find a lasting solution to the incidences of corruption in the Nigerian Judiciary. There are many other ancillary issues that must be touched upon, such as the role of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and other stakeholders such as the Bar Association (NBA) in the fight against judicial corruption and the impact of public opinion on the evolving issues. Hence the research questions:
1.3 Research Questions
To what extent is the judiciary efficient in its fight against bribery and corruption in Nigeria between 2015 and 2017?
How does legal provisions impart on judicial decisions on anti-corruption fight in Nigeria between 2015 and 2017?
What are the challenges militating against the performance of judiciary in its fight against corruption
1.4 Objectives of the Study
To analyze the efficacy of Judiciary in its fight against bribery and corruption in Nigeria.
To analyze the effect of severe punishment of offenders on anti-corruption fight in Nigeria.
To identify the challenges militating against the performance of judiciary in its fight against corruption.
1.5 Significance of the Study
The significance of this study or research cannot be over emphasized because of the immense contribution it is supposed to offer in the area of development of knowledge in Judiciary and anti-corruption in Nigeria. Over the years, scholars and experts have dedicated much attention to the study of corruption and their effects on the underdevelopment and development of different world’s economies. This study therefore is centered on the impacts of Judiciary on anti-corruption campaign in Nigeria, and the war against the end called corruption and how the government has used certain policies and institutions to fight this malaise.
This work will serve as a very relevant and important material for further research on activities of the Judiciary in war against bribery and corruption in corruption among nations in the world.
1.6 Hypotheses
Severe punishment of offenders has not boosted the anti-corruption fight in Nigeria (2015-2017)
There is no efficacy for the judiciary in its fight against bribery and corruption in Nigeria (2015-2017)
The appointment method of the top positions in the courts seems to be the major challenge militating against the performance of the judiciary in its fight against corruption (2015-2017)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ganiyu Afolabi Abdul was born in Ogori in Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State. He obtained Diploma certificate in special education in the Department of Special Education in Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna.
He proceeded to University of Jos in Plateau State for his first and second degree in Special Education (Visual Handicap Option).
He joined the service of Kaduna Polytechnic as a braillist since 1989 and has since risen to the position of principal lecturer.
He has contributed to the Education of those with Special needs in the area of workshops and publication of several articles in both Local and National Journals.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Henry Wesley Unogwu hails from Iga Okpaya in Benue State. He started his early education in Otukpo,Nnsuka, Enugu, Ezamgbo, Abakaliki and Nguru in present Yobe State and Borno Teachers College (BTC) Maiduguri in the then North East Central State.
He proceeded to College of Education, (Special) Oyo State and graduated in 1986. He obtained his Bachelor and Masters degrees from the Department of Special education and rehabilitation Sciences, University of Jos with bias in learning disabilities.
Henry is currently a lecturer in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Kaduna polytechnic. He has published in journals of repute.
