Category Archives: International Journal of Social Sciences and Conflict Management, volume 5, number 2, 2020

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AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PRIVATIZATION OF THE POWER SECTOR IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF BENIN ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION COMPANY (BEDC)

1Abioluwajumi Lucky &2Osaghae F.S.O

1Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Benson Idahosa University, Benin City

2Institute of Public Administration and Extension Service,University of Benin, Ekehuan Campus

ABSTRACT

The papers assess the privatization of the power sector in Nigeria with a view to find out if it is achieving the purpose for its adoption and the challenges facing it. The multifarious challenges facing the power sector such as low capacity generation of power, transmission, distribution near total darkness and the issuance of estimated billing system.This paper viewed the unbundling of NEPA into eighteen (18)Successor Company. Eleven Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and six generation company (GENCOs) and its effect on the citizens and the economy. The methodology adopted in this study was survey research design. The elite theory and the Total Quality Management theory were the theoretical framework. This paper shows that the earlier assumptions that privatization led to regular power supply is not true. The paper also revealed that the use of estimated billing system, the reluctant behavior of Discos to supply pre-paid meters to their customers, the use of casual staff by Discos, the use or obsolete infrastructure and the inefficient supervision of the value chain by the Transmission Company of Nigeria are some of the challenges faced by the power sector.The paper recommends proper supervision/sanctions were necessary/sanctions were necessary for violations, refusal to provide pre-paid meters, the transfer of pre-paid meter to new apartment by their customers and the use of renewable energy to increase power supply.

Key Word: Privatization, power sector, value-chain, power sector road map and renewable energy.


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COPING STYLES AS PREDICTORS OF POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AMONG NIGERIAN SOLDIERS

1Ogbole A. James;1Aboh Uche James&2MgbenkemdiEjike H.

1Headquarters, Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole, Maiduguri2Department of Psychology, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu

ABSTRACT

The study investigated coping styles as predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder among Nigerian soldiers. The study was carried out among Nigerian military personnel deployed in the North-eastern part of Nigeria fighting insurgency. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select 242 participants with combat experience. Demographic information revealed that 231 (95.5%) are males, 11(4.5%) are females. Analysis of participants’ rank revealed that 215(88.8%) were private and 27 (11.2%) were commissioned, officers. The participants were administered two sets of  instruments based on survey design; a 17-item Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Military (PCL-M) (Weathers, Huska, & Keane, 1991);  and 30-item Personal Functioning Inventory (Kohn, Brien-wood, Pickering &Decicco, 2003; Umeh, 2004); Descriptive statistics were used to present the socio-demographic factors of participants while hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypothesis in relation to coping styles as predictors of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Nigerian soldiers. The results showed that the coping style was a significant predictor of PTSD among the soldiers (β = -.384, P <.05). The findings were discussed in relation to literature reviewed and it was suggested that the Nigerian military authorities should effectively engage the services of mental health professionals such as the Psychologist to help in ensuring the mental state of soldiers fighting an insurgency. The researcher concluded that individuals with negative coping strategies such as emotional-focused coping styles are more likely to experience PTSD.

Key words: Coping Styles, Posttraumatic stress disorder, Nigerian Soldiers


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CORPORATE REPUTATION AND CUSTOMER LOYALTY OF SOAP DEALERS IN PORT HARCOURT

Dike, Lawrence Bekwele& Henry Origbo

Department of Marketing

Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt

ABSTRACT

Corporate reputation has attracted interest from a wide range of academic disciplines. It isalso a growing focus for business and media attention. This paper examines the construct of corporate reputation, first by untangling the terminological problems that have been caused by the interdisciplinary nature of much of the earlier work in the area. The construct ofreputation and the allied constructs of image and identity are each reviewed. A structure is proposed in which the three constructs can be seen as labeling different but allied concepts.The study then move on to consider how reputation has been measured. The paper uncovers considerable confusion in the use of what might appear to be basic terms and links this to a subsequent lack of grounded measurement tools in the sector, until relatively recently. Witha clearer understanding of the construct of corporate reputation and the allied constructs of image and identity, researchers are now well placed to test the relationships widely claimed by practitioners between corporate reputation and other variables such as commercialperformance and employee and customer satisfaction. The review ends by illustrating some of the issues that can be assessed from the basis of a clearer conceptualization of reputation. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyse return research instrument. Hypotheses were tested using the Spearman ranked order correlation. Findings reveal strong relationship between corporate reputation with corporate image and identity. Further study can expand the horizon by looking at other sector other than the soap dealers market. 

Key Words: Corporate Reputation, Corporate Loyalty, Soap Dealers


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CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF COMPLEX INTERDEPENDENCE PERSPECTIVE ON AFRICA-EUROPE ASYMMETRIC PARTNERSHIP ON MIGRATION CONTROL

Usman Yusuf Bako

Department of History & International Studies

Ibrahim BadamasiBabangida University Lapai, Niger State

Email: ubako@ibbu.edu.ng

ABSTRACT

Complex interdependence, as a theoretical perspective, challenges the earlier notion and fundamental assumptions of classical and structural realism. For realism, military and economic issues dominate and determine the behaviour of states. Complex interdependence goes further to emphasize the relevance of transnational actors on the state’s behaviour and issues of significant concern in international relations. The paper set out to provide an understanding of the growing importance of migration crisis as necessary security and economic concern, which also acknowledged the willingness of states to engagein cooperative alliance or collaborative partnership to control migration crisis. It focuses on the asymmetric Africa-European Union partnership since 2000. It providesan assessment of multilevel and multilateral framework for effective control of mass migration to Europe from Africa, even though the annual stock of African migration to Europe has reduced since2016. However, complex interdependence lacks the teleological interpretation of structural exploitation and marginalization of weaker actors in the partnership to control migration.9hence, the need for a hybrid or an alternative paradigm to complement complex interdependence.

Keywords: Complex Interdependence, Migration Control, Europe-African Partnership,Asymmetric Relations, Immigration Policy


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SOCIAL CAPITAL: AN EXPLORATIVE INVESTIGATION OF EXPERIENCES OF WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER

1Kuteyi Raymond Kayode & 2Fasoranti Temitayo Victor

1&2Department of SociologyFederal University, Oye-Ekiti

Email:  1rayskuti@yahoo.com, 2temitayofash@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Following diagnosis and treatments, breast cancer patients often find themselves vulnerable and in need of social capital. However, social capital has received little attention when designing behavioural interventions for breast cancer. The aim of this study is to describe breast cancer patients’ experiences of social capital while managing their illness. The study was non-experimental in design. Twenty-nine women with breast cancer, who were receiving treatment, that consented to participate were purposively recruited for the study. The Data were content-analysed using free narrative. The data show that relatives, spouses and friends play important role in providing social capital. Supportive behaviours through the provision of emotional support, such as empathy, and the provision of instrumental support, such as paying for medications and helping patients apply drugs, aid patients in managing and coping with the breast cancer. Social capital through civic provision and individual efforts alone, without considering social network, cannot yield a desirable result in the process of managing breast cancer. Health care interventionists should identify and capitalize on socio-dynamic pathways involved in social capital in formulating policy for managing breast cancer.

Key words: Breast cancer, patients, relatives, spouses, empathy,


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COMMUNITY PERCEPTION OF THE IMPACT OF RADIO MESSAGES ON VESICO VAGINAL FISTULA DISEASE IN NORTH-WEST NIGERIA

P.T. Marcus

Department of Mass Communication

Plateau State University, Bokkos, Plateau State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

A communication intervention in Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) is a core eradication agenda strategy and exposure to intervention messages could help to achieve the goal of preventing and controlling VVF in Nigeria. This study was designed to assess community perception of the impact of radio messages on Vesico Vaginal Fistula Disease in North-west Nigeria. To achieve the objectives of the study, survey research design was adopted while; interview and Focus Group Discussions were used as the research instruments for data collection. The data was analyzed using content analysis by adopting the six-step model of Bryman. The findings shows that awareness of VVF was through other radio programmes where friendly health issues are also discussed, but there was no specific programme devoted to the campaign on the disease. The radio provided the needed information on VVF and, for those that heard the messages, they used such information to enhance their knowledge of the disease, but its impact were not significant because the messages do not reach majority of people in the study area and was not the major source of information about the disease. All health personnel and the media houses covered concurred that radio messages on VVF have not been conducted regularly and there is no specific day for reporting on the disease. Media practitioners have encountered many problems in their involvement in campaign against VVF in North West Nigeria. Some of the challenges identified included shortage of staff, lack of modern equipment, technical knowledge about VVF and health reporting, competition from other programmes, and short duration for VVF related stories. The study concluded that despite the fact that radio mass media have enormous potential to influence health-related behaviours and perceptions, the use of media for health development is not without hitches or challenges. The study recommended that Messages on life repulsive health condition, such as VVF should be frequently aired, possibly, broadcast on a daily basis so that people in the study area can be well informed about the disease. Also, for the radio to achieve the desired results on VVF, it should use the appropriate channels that are people oriented and also increase their campaigns by dedicating programmes to the campaign

Keywords: Vesico Vaginal Fistula; Radio; Radio messages; Perception; North-west Nigeria


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INNOVATION AND ECONOMIC STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN NIGERIA: A PATHWAY TOWARDS ATTAINING ECONOMIC GR

1Victor UshahembaIjirshar, 2JosephTarzaSopko,3HilaryEshidenangUshie&4Kelvins Terhemba ADZER

1,2Department of Economics, Benue State University, Makurdi

3University of Calabar Microfinance Bank

4College of Education, Katsina-Ala

ABSTRACT

The study examines the relationship between innovation and economic structural changesas a pathway towards attaining economic growth in Nigeria. The study covers 1986 to 2018. The study is based on the Auerbach-Kotlikoff (AK) model, product variety theory, and the Schumpeterian theory of growth. Vector Error Correction (VEC) Granger Causality test was used to examine the causal relationship between innovation and economic structural changes and the Vector Error Correction testwas used to examine the influence of innovation and economic structural changes on economic growth in Nigeria. The study found a unidirectional relationship running from domestic investment to innovation in Nigeria and no causal relationship between innovation and economic structural changes in Nigeria. Innovation andeconomic structural changesalso do not granger cause economic growth in Nigeria. The study further reveals that innovation, value addition in agriculture, value addition in manufacturing, value addition in industry, and value addition in the service sector have a strong influence on economic growth in Nigeria in the long-run. The study recommends that Nigerian government should channel government spending towards productive investments and improve research and development that could advance the level of technology and accelerate the economic structural changes in the country, create enabling business environment through development of infrastructural facilities for domestic investors to strive, establish investment incentives such as soft loans and implement trade policies that could favour the growth of the domestic infant industries and invest hugely in value addition activities in all the sectors that could change the economic structure of the Nigerian economy thereby creating a room for growth.

Keywords: Economic Growth, Innovation, Economic structural changes, and Value addition