Nigeria's educational environment has witnessed rapid and wide-spread changes within the last five years to the extent that enormous pressures are being put upon the practitioners. The introduction of universal free primary education in 1976 and the establishment of the national policy on education in 1977 are two of the major reasons for these changes. Educational critics have discussed issues affecting education in Nigeria generally and in Oyo State particularly. The practitioners have continuously come under severe attack for the apparent shortcomings brought by these changes. It was viewed that principals could speak out regarding the seriousness of such educational issues which the critics have repeatedly emphasized. The two purposes of this study were to determine the perceptions of secondary school principals regarding the seriousness of selected educational issues; and to determine whether there were significant differences in the perceptions that could be ascribed to zonal location of schools, age of principals, enrollment, and years of experience as principals.

M.A. / Diplomacy is the most widely used instrument of foreign policy. The changing international environment, brought about by the end of the Cold War and the increasingly popular doctrine of humanitarian intervention, has altered the nature of diplomacy. “Quiet diplomacy” has progressively become the bon mot of international relations. However, quiet diplomacy is a loose term that is bandied about in reference to many kinds of “soft” diplomatic approaches. This study is an attempt to provide some clarity on the conceptualisation of quiet diplomacy, through the comparative analysis of its use by two successive South African Presidents - Mandela and Mbeki - in two African crises. The study proposes a set of indicators of quiet diplomacy, namely: personal or direct diplomacy between heads of state or government or senior officials; little (or no) media involvement; the appearance of limited action or even inaction; calm and tactful but persistent negotiation or dialogue in a non-threatening atmosphere; constructive engagement with the target country in an effort to solve the problems as quietly as possible; and finally, diplomacy often carried out in the context of bilateral or multilateral efforts. These indicators are operationalised during the course of the study by applying them to Mandela’s use of these tactics in the Nigerian crisis in 1995 and then Mbeki’s quiet diplomacy towards the Zimbabwean government in 2000-2004. The new South Africa was instantly placed under enormous pressure to assume responsibility, both economically and politically, for the revitalisation of the African continent. In addition Mandela was regarded as a supreme symbol of peace and reconciliation and the international community looked to him to resolve Nigeria’s woes. Mbeki’s soft approach to Mugabe has been the target of international speculation and criticism, especially in light of Mbeki’s stated commitment to the African Renaissance and good governance in Africa. The successes and failures of South Africa’s quiet diplomacy in these two situations are discussed. Notable findings are Mandela’s shift from quiet to coercive diplomacy during the Nigerian crisis and the negative consequences of that decision. The implications of this undertaking are considerable because it was South Africa’s use of coercion and its subsequent failure in Nigeria that prompted Mbeki’s government to pursue only quiet diplomacy in Zimbabwe. / Mr. P.P. Fourie Prof. D.J. Geldenhuys

Master of Public Health - MPH / Nigeria is experiencing shortages of health care workers within its national health services, especially with respect to doctors, nurses and pharmacists. These shortages are traceable to, among other factors, low job satisfaction, which leads to health care workers exiting the national health services, as well as reduced entry of health care workers into the health care system. Understanding the nature of job satisfaction and its causes is critical to informing strategies to halt attrition of the health workforce. The current study surveyed job satisfaction among 180 health care workers, employed in 20randomly selected primary health care centres in the Bwari Area Council of Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. An observational, descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted using the abbreviated form of the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated using Epi Info v3.1 statistical software. The results from the study revealed that more than half of the respondents (53.2%), were dissatisfied to varying degrees with their current employment. Out of the respondents that said they were dissatisfied, 33.3% stated that they were likely to leave their current employment. The most salient causes for job dissatisfaction were: (1) Institutional factors such as management support (69%); (2) Implementation of policies and procedures (66%); (3) Employee benefits including salaries and wages (33%) and other benefits (56%). It is pertinent to note that issues related to poor implementation of policies and procedures in the work place, and poor conditions of employment need to be addressed urgently to prevent the imminent loss of a third of the workforce to either private health institutions in the country or international migration.

No description available.

Purpose – to examine and evaluate the application of performance measurement (PM) practices and systems within manufacturing SMEs in Northern Nigeria in order to develop an original performance measurement framework that can be effectively applied to support firms in achieving their business objectives. Design/Methodology/Approach – This study first carried out a review of literature from 1994-2013. Covering a period of 19 years was selected for effective scrutiny of the current and past SMEs’ performance as a point of synthesis. It subsequently presents an empirical case study carried out in Northern Nigeria from survey and interview questionnaires with the SMEs’ owners and managers within this region. Findings – The findings indicate the importance of SMEs using PM (Performance Measurement) Systems to measure and improve business performance. Based on the analysed data from the survey and interviews conducted, the results suggest that some SMEs used PM Systems to measure business performance and set-out objectives while many do not for various reasons. The results linked with earlier findings from the reviewed literature and shed more light into why many SMEs in Nigeria failed after few years. The data also revealed many of the SMEs do not have or use any kind model or framework within their business to monitor business performance and set objectives, and some do not have the resources such as expertise and knowledge for PM System implementation management. These disclosures and the review of available performance model/framework led researcher to develop a simplistic performance framework for the SMEs to measure and improve business performance. The research finished with recommendation for SMEs managers and owners. Originality/Value –Though a lot has been written on SMEs’ performance measures and management, many of those publications and investigations are centred on developed economies such as America and UK; few studies have been conducted in Africa and the sub-Saharan region to rigorously outline some of the key factors that impact SMEs’ growth in that region. In that context, this study provides realistic evidence regarding SMEs’ performance measurement practices, systems, models management within the research location. The results provide evidence and reasons for SME failures and offer strategic direction for SMEs’ improvement and growth with the newly developed model.

Magister Legum - LLM / This research recommended ways in which Nigeria could unlock constraints to commercialization and investment in the Nigerian agricultural sector for sustained economic growth, enhanced food security, increased competitiveness of products in the domestic, regional and international markets, sustainable environmental management and poverty alleviation. / South Africa

Magister Public Health - MPH / Despite their high level of exposure, vulnerability and uniquely itinerant culture, the local knowledge of the nomadic Fulani population is not taken into account in the development of Nigeria’s home management of malaria policy. Programme-relevant information for extending access to an ethnographic study of factors that nomads use for presumption of malaria in children was collected from dry-season campsites in Demsa Local Government Area of Northeastern Nigeria. Mothers of under-five children with previous experiences at presumptive malaria management from 9 randomly selected nomadic Fulani camps were interviewed. The obtained information was used to develop a guide for key informant interviews of nomadic Fulani cultural consultants and elders, health service providers and policymakers. Findings indicate that nomads presume malaria when a child has “hot body” or lack appetite. Nomads believe that fever accumulates in the body as one steps on wet grounds during the rains. The nascent disease is triggered by the consumption of fruits that resemble the colour of urine such as the light complexioned skin of the Fulani. Fever is therefore regarded as natural affliction of the Fulani for which there is no cure. All fevers are referred to as paboje and expected to go away on the third recrudescence. Fever that persists after the third recurrence is called djonte which is treated at home without health facility support. Besides physical accessibility, the unfriendliness and lack of respect of health personnel for nomadic Fulani culture were reasons for avoiding health facilities. These factors encourage home management of djonte with antimalaria on the presumption that they are all malaria-induced. The nomads are willing to participate in interventions that will improve management of fevers and malaria among them. Although this preliminary study provides the foundation for appreciating the basis of home management of malaria among the nomads, complementary quantitative information will be required for holistic understanding of how these factors may interrelate to influence malaria intervention programme for the nomadic Fulani. / South Africa

The research proposes that the management of intergovernmental relations (IGR) in the governance of any state does present opportunities for improving government service delivery. Two countries with different governance systems, namely, Nigeria (a federal state) and South Africa (a unitary state), provided the context of the case study. The study identified and analysed four IGR cases in each country; namely, the Ministries of Steel, Power, Water Resources and Petroleum Resources in Nigeria and the Departments of Housing, Health, Agriculture, Provincial and Local Government in South Africa. In the case analysis, due consideration was given to the historical and socio-political context of the selected countries, the structures, the facilitative role of IGR in development and current delivery imperatives. The research revealed a range of IGR complexities around the management of structures, the inevitability of overlaps, and the need to strike a balance between independence and the alignment of roles amongst government units. From the analysis, the emerging trends were carefully identified and the extent to which they can facilitate or hinder delivery in a particular department/ministry is discussed. The study revealed that the critical elements needed for successful IGR management in both unitary and federalist systems were largely the same and linked to the principles of Public Administration. These elements were formed into a formula captured as: C+ 3C+ 3P+ L (Commitment plus communication, coordination and capacity, project management, planning and policy management and, finally, leadership). The study also revealed that some of these IGR challenges could have been further complicated by the very nature of IGR in these countries, which may have been weakened owing to inadequate emphasis on the relationship element, which seemed to have been taken for granted that as long as there are legislative provisions, tiers or spheres of government will work together. On the contrary, government must manage the systemic tensions that exist and which hinder institutional relationships in a proactive manner. IGR may remain problematic without a management model. Hence the study proposes the evolution of a hybrid model of IGR management that is transactional, collaborative and relational in nature. Any single of the above mentioned elements would not suffice but could be strengthened by a comprehensive strategy that considers the peculiarities of the context, in an effort to improve service delivery. / Thesis (PhD (Public Affairs))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA) / PhD / unrestricted

The main purpose of this research is to examine and assess the extent to which Nigeria and South Africa are prepared to invoke diplomatic protection in order to safeguard the human rights of their nationals living abroad and to determine whether there are constitutional provisions empowering them to do so. Diplomatic Protection is an institution in international law whereby a state may take diplomatic action to protect its national who has suffered some harm or injury in a foreign land, but, has not been compensated by the government of the responsible state. The practice of diplomatic protection is believed to have originated in 16th century Continental Europe, and that Vattel, a Swiss jurist and diplomat was the father of the concept. In a broad sense however, Diplomatic Protection also includes the functions performed by diplomatic missions and consular officials. It is an important institution in international law in terms of the redress it affords to individuals who suffer from injuries sustained in foreign countries. Diplomatic protection is examined from the legal and human rights perspectives in this thesis. The method adopted for the research is to identify and critically analyze certain rights which foreigners enjoy outside their countries in order to determine whether these rights can be diplomatically protected in Nigeria and South Africa and the circumstances under which such rights can be denied, derogated or limited by the two states. The choice of the human rights adopted in this research is determined by their importance to the individual generally, and their utility to any individual living in a foreign land. The categories of rights adopted for the examination include, fundamental rights, which are rights so basic to the individual that they cannot be derogated from even in times of national emergencies. Such rights include the right to life, the right to be free from discrimination and the right to be free from torture and other inhuman treatment or punishment. The second category of rights examined is the right to own private property in a foreign land, while the third category is procedural rights. These are rights which assist the individual to obtain substantive justice in a court of law – that is to say, due process rights They include the right to a fair hearing, the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty and the right to be tried within a reasonable time. The conclusion is that although diplomatic protection is not constitutionally entrenched in the two states, their provisions are constitutionally contemplated. However, the human rights of both nationals and aliens in Nigeria and South Africa are constitutionally protected. Nevertheless, it is envisaged that the situation will greatly improve through the implementation of the suggestions and recommendations proffered in the thesis. These include the amendment of the Constitutions of the respective states to reflect the desired change, the reorganization of diplomatic and consular missions of the two states and above all, by making human rights the corner-stone of democracy in the respective states. / Thesis (LLD)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Public Law / unrestricted

The Boko Haram conflict in northern Nigeria has generated immense scholarly interest since it began in 2010. Much of this interest has centred on advancing counterinsurgency policy prescriptions. There are two dominant approaches in the generic counterinsurgency literature: enemy-centric counterinsurgency, which involves the use of brute force to eliminate insurgents and population-centric counterinsurgency, which entails the use of persuasive means to end an insurgency. The counterinsurgency scholarship on Boko Haram is dominated by scholars that advance the latter approach. These scholars argue that the Boko Haram insurgency is a result of the socio-economic challenges that beset northern Nigeria, hence the government should adopt a policy of dialogue with the group and implement socio-economic reforms. However, there is a disjuncture between this policy prescription and Boko Haram’s Salafi-driven objective of establishing an Islamic Caliphate. Thus, this thesis answers the following question: given the Salafi ideology of BH, can population-centric counterinsurgency be an effective state response? I explored this question based on the theories of Weinstein (2007) and Ugarriza & Craig (2013): the notion that the factors that influence the emergence of an insurgent group continues to shape the group’s attitudes, emotions and dispositions. In answering my question, I explored the history of Islamic fundamentalism in northern Nigeria in order to ascertain the outcome of the government’s accommodation of Islamist demands in the past. Using textual analysis, I also examined the speeches of Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, in order to identify the group’s specific objectives and understand its disposition to dialogue. Based on the historical exploration and analysis of Shekau’s speeches, I argued that whereas the implementation of socio-economic reforms can win over potential Boko Haram recruits, neither dialogue nor socio-economic reforms can convince the existing Boko Haram members and leaders to stop fighting. / Graduate