No description available.

This study is directed toward the relationship between population growth and socioeconomic development in Nigeria for the period 1960-1984. A controlled population growth would positively affect every segment of the economic and social environment. With hunger and starvation, disease, poverty and illiteracy plaguing large portions of the world, Nigeria's limited resources would best be utilized if shared among a smaller population, Nigeria, like other developing African countries, does not have an official population control policy. The diversity in the Nigerian culture, the controversial nature of the subject of population control, and possibly, implementation difficulties, account for the absence of a population control policy in Nigeria. This study offers in its concluding section some policy recommendations on how to tackle Nigeria's population problem.

Thesis (D.Th.)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study and dissertation examines “Ethnicity and missional strategies within the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria.” A historical study of the mission methods and an empirical study of current missionary practices in the church point to the need for a new missional identity of the church. This missional identity requires a reversal of and a change to missionary strategies that should result into reconciliatory missiology. In the process of making this assessment of the Presbyterian mission in Nigeria, it was necessary to revisit the missionary ecclesiologies that shaped and contributed to the present identity. Thus, the research focused on the missionary impact of the Church of Scotland, Presbyterian Church in Canada, Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Netherlands Reformed Church (NRC). Insights from these historical excursions helped in determining not only the blessings that these ecclesiologies brought to bear on Nigerian Presbyterianism but also in discovering the burdens they brought on their trails, especially, regarding the seed of racism which was a precursor to the present ethnocentrism in the PCN. The second segment of this research was the empirical study of the current mission and work of the PCN. Using a focus group approach, sixteen leaders (8 Nigerians, 7 Canadians and 1 American) were interviewed through a structured questionnaire. The responses from these leaders were analysed in this paper and details of the analysis applied in chapter 4. The assumption in the hypothesis that the bane of contemporary PCN mission is ethnocentrism was affirmed. This problem as the research showed, was compounded by lack of adequate theological response both in the educational training and the liturgical activities of the church. Combining the historical data and the empirical research carried out, it was determined that the PCN needs a new theological orientation that can move it from the present institutionalized mode to a missonal frame. It was shown that this process would require a new definition of mission and a rediscovery of missional biblical metaphors that suit a conflict-ridden context of the Church as we have it in Nigeria. Three important metaphors were selected: community, servant and messenger. These metaphors formed the theological foundation for subsequent discussions on a missional frame which is the focus of chapter five. Chapter six outlines the meaning of conflicts and the causes of conflicts in Nigeria arguing for a reconciliatory missiology with a theologically-driven dialogue as its strategy. A theologically –driven dialogue is a strategy that, as is presented, enables the church to be God’s counter-cultural agent in the world, holding in tension the four cardinal points of obedience, critical contextualization, discernment and the anticipation of Christ’s return. It is argued that dialogue is a credible theological option through which the PCN can engage in the process of true reconciliation in the Nigerian society – a reconciliation which is based on the biblical cornerstones of truth, justice, peace and mercy. It is a task and a challenge for reconciliatory missiology - a momentous task the PCN is called upon to pursue in the 21st century. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie proefskrif ondersoek “Etnisiteit en missionale strategieë van die Presbiteriaanse Kerk in Nigerië”. ʼn Historiese blik op die sending metodes en ʼn studie van huidige missionêre praktyke binne die kerk dui daarop dat die kerk ʼn nuwe missionale identiteit benodig. ’n Nuwe missionale identiteit vereis ʼn transformasieproses in die huidige benadering van die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië sodat die weg tot ʼn versoenende benadering gevind kan word. Om die huidige situasie te kan evalueer moes die missionêre ekklesiologie wat vorm gegee en bygedra het tot die huidige identiteit geëvalueer word. Gevolglik is die missionêre impak van die Kerk van Skotland, die Presbiteriaanse Kerke van Kanada en Amerika en die Nederlandse Gereformeerde Kerk nagegaan. Hulle het in baie opsigte help vorm aan die huidige identiteit van die Presbiteriaanse kerk in Nigerië. Die positiewe maar ook negatiewe gevolge van hulle werk is beskryf. Een aspek van hul werk was die invloed van die stille rassisme wat destyds geheers het en wat die voorloper was van die huidige etnosentrisme in die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië. Die tweede deel van die navorsing ondersoek die huidige missionêre bediening en ingesteldheid van die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië. Deur middel van ʼn fokus groep benadering en ’n vraelys, is onderhoude gevoer met 16 kerkleiers (8 Nigeriërs, 7 Kanadese en 1 Amerikaner). Die antwoorde van hierdie kerkleiers is geanaliseer en in hoofstuk 4 bespreek. Die voorveronderstelling in die hipotese dat die PKN etnosentrisme openbaar, is bevestig. Hierdie probleem, soos aangetoon in die navorsing, is versterk deur ʼn gebrek aan voldoende teologiese refleksie in die teologiese onderrig en in die liturgiese aktiwiteite van die kerk. Die historiese data en die empiriese navorsing toon aan dat die PKN ʼn nuwe teologiese oriëntasie benodig en dat dit slegs kan geskied as daar wegbeweeg word vanaf die huidige geïnstitusionaliseerde bedieningspraktyk na ʼn missionale raamwerk. Verder het dit duidelik geword dat ʼn nuwe verstaan van sending en ʼn herontdekking van missionale bybelse metafore nodig is om te spreek tot die konflik geteisterde konteks van die kerk in Nigerië. Drie belangrike metafore is voorgestel: gemeenskap, dienaar en boodskapper. Hierdie metafore voorsien die teologiese fundering vir die bespreking van ’n missionale verwysingsraamwerk vir die kerk se bediening. Hoofstuk 6 lig die betekenis van konflik asook die oorsake van konflik in Nigerië uit en argumenteer vir ʼn versoenende missiologie met ʼn teologies-gemotiveerde dialoog as strategie. ʼn Teologiesgemotiveerde dialoog is ʼn strategie wat, soos voorgelê in die navorsing, die kerk bemagtig om te reageer op die heersende kultuur, waar die vier kardinale aspekte van gehoorsaamheid, kritiese kontekstualisasie, onderskeiding en die afwagting van Christus se wederkoms byeen gebring word. Daar word geargumenteer dat dialoog ʼn waardige teologiese opsie is waardeur die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië binne die Nigeriese samelewing kan opereer in ʼn proses van ware versoening – ʼn versoening wat gebaseer is op die bybelse hoekstene van waarheid, geregtigheid, vrede en genade. Die uitdaging van ʼn versoenende missiologie is die uitdaging waartoe die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië in die 21ste eeu geroepe is.

This study describes and analyzes the impact of Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) on the Jos women in the informal sector, as well as the strategies women adopt to ensure the survival of their businesses and families. Studies that have investigated the impact of SAP on women in the informal sector tend to take a rather disparate approach. Against this background, the present study develops a coherent conceptual framework for understanding the impact of SAPs on women in the sector. From an interview survey conducted with one hundred and fifty (150) Jos women in the informal urban sector, the study elicited data on the activities of the women and the ways SAPs affect their access to productive and reproductive resources, as well as on the responses of the women to SAPs-engendered socio-economic hardships. The data reveal that the Jos women engage in numerous income-generating activities, mostly in small-scale, low-income circulatory and service activities which are largely marginalized and bereft of institutionalized resources. In addition to their productive and income-generating activities, the Jos women perform the bulk of the reproductive and domestic work necessary for the support of the family. As well, the women perform some extra-household work for the welfare of the community and environment. The study shows that the Jos women are adversely affected by SAPs. Structural Adjustment Programmes are further limiting their access to business commodities, credit, stalls, information and training, food, healthcare, education and transportation facilities. Consequently, women are finding it difficult to maintain their businesses and families. Amidst the adverse effects of SAPs, the women are resiliently and innovatively responding to SAPs through numerous business and familial survival strategies. In addition to the responses of the Jos women, the Nigerian State, is attempting to reduce poverty among women through its various women-centered programmes. The study attributes the adverse and limiting effects of SAPs on the Jos women's access to resources to a number of forces. These include (a) the Nigerian limited and discriminatory opportunity structures which predispose women to the largely marginalized informal activities, (b) the small-scale and low-income nature of women's informal activities, (c) the unequal and exploitative relationship between the informal and formal sectors in which women provide consumer goods at low-cost for the regeneration of capitalist labour, (d) the circulatory and service nature of women's informal activities, (e) the gender- and class-biased structures inherent in SAPs, as well as in SAPs' implementing mechanisms and institutions and (f) women's altruistic and selfless attitudes. The study observes that the responses of both the Jos women and the Nigerian State to SAPs-engendered hardships are, at best, palliative or even cosmetic. The responses do not address the strategic needs of women. Hence the study makes a case for a transformatory strategy through the empowerment of women.

No description available.

The thesis explored the story of the healing of the ten lepers by Jesus in Luke 17:11-19 for its potential to facilitate a conversation between the Jesus context and the Yoruba context, to bring about a new praxis in the attitude of Yoruba Christian to people living with HIV and AIDS. In view of the fact that the context is a major determinant in the interpretations that ecumenical theologians make with the Bible, it calls on the interpreter to re-read the text in the culture of the people. And in a bid for African biblical scholarship to locate itself within the social, political and ecclesiastical context of Africa in the age of globalization and the scourge of HIV and AIDS crisis, a contextual reading of Jesus’ attitude and compassionate response to the wish of the ten lepers as presented in Luke for healing and restoration is not only desirable in this research but an opportunity to reflect on the contribution of contextual exposition of the miracle story to the contemporary attitude of Christians in an HIV and AIDS era. HIV and AIDS is a disease which not only plunders human bodies but also invades the attitude and behaviour of societies generating a kind of social pathology. Hence the definition of social phenomena is culturally determined and therefore the explanation and the attitudes of health and illness is a function of culture. As a result this has great implications for the attitude and behaviour of people towards sick people especially people living with HIV and AIDS in this era. Drawing insights from the model of the body as social map by Mary Douglas in which the concern and fight around social boundaries are linked with purity rules and taboo; and the labeling/deviancy theory of Becker, this research reads the Gospel of Luke with a social-scientific lens selected texts in Luke’s Gospel depicting the attitude of Jesus to outcasts (lepers). It also raises the question, whether being a Christian, having the Bible as a resource in the Yoruba context does or can make a difference to the way Yoruba people respond to sick people in an HIV and AIDS era. The empirical study was carried out in the Yoruba community of Ijebu Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria employed research methods which include the Tripolar exegetical method, an ethnographic study through focus group discussions, non-participatory observation and the contextual Bible study method. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

This study investigated the information literacy of aspirant barristers in Nigeria and examined the steps undertaken to restructure the legal education system in Nigeria. It explored the connection between contextual influences and professional development, particularly with respect to the concept of legal information literacy and the value of acquired educational skills in the context of legal practice in Nigeria. The theoretical framework that underpinned the study was derived from the application of Kuhlthau’s (1993) Information Search Process (ISP) and Byström’s (1999) theory of Information Activity in Work. Kuhlthau’s model was relevant for investigating issues of uncertainty in the information seeking behaviour of the aspirant barristers and further confirmed the empirical validity of the model in the educational and workplace contexts. Byström’s theory was also valuable in analysing problems of task complexity experienced by the aspirant barristers in information use. The study employed a case study method; the data collection process involved the administration of questionnaires to the aspirant barristers and law firms to which they were assigned for vocational training. A mixed method approach was used to provide complementary insights to the findings of the study. Key findings from the study were supportive of the importance of information literacy as being central to the development of professional competence of the aspirant barristers which can be achieved through re-structuring the teaching methods and curricula of the Nigerian Law School. Outcomes from the study also pointed to a need for greater collaboration between the legal education system and the legal profession in narrowing the gap between the teaching and practice of law in Nigeria. Collaboration with academic librarians and legal information specialists is also necessary with respect to the role that these two groups can play in the design and implementation of an information literacy framework for the legal education system in Nigeria. The study makes recommendations for the adoption and integration of information literacy as a conceptual framework into the curriculum of the Nigerian Law School. In this way skills training can be enhanced. The information literacy model, designed as part of the recommendations from this study, provides guidelines for the various processes by which a teaching model that is unique to the context of the legal education system in Nigeria can be developed, tested and implemented. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea [L.] Verdc.) is an under-utilized indigenous African legume crop which has substantial potential to contribute to food security in sub-Saharan Africa. The crop is well adapted to severe agro-ecologies and grows where other legumes may not survive. The seed is highly nutritious with an ideal balance of carbohydrate (55-72%), protein (18-20%) and fats (6-7% oil), which is particularly beneficial in balancing protein deficiencies in cereals. Also, the seed contains essential and non-essential amino acids of about 33% and 66%, respectively. These attributes make Bambara groundnut an ideal crop to alleviate food insecurity, and to reduce protein malnutrition in rural communities of Africa. However, small-scale farmers grow low-yielding landraces in most production regions in sub-Saharan Africa. Bambara groundnut landraces exist as heterogeneous mixtures of seeds of a few to several seed morpho-types that embrace wide genetic potential for breeding. The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine the production status and constraints associated with Bambara groundnut production in Kano State of Nigeria through the use of a participatory rural appraisal (PRA); 2) to determine the genetic diversity of Bambara groundnut landraces through seed morphology; 3) to assess the inter- and intra-genetic diversity of the Bambara groundnut landraces; 4) to determine the yield and yield component responses among selected Bambara groundnut genotypes, 5) to determine the genomic diversity in Bambara groundnut landraces, using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers; and 6) to develop a crossing protocol. Using a structured questionnaire, 150 Bambara groundnut farmers were interviewed. The respondents interviewed were male and aged between 36 to 50 years, while Qur’anic education was the most popular among them. Most of the farmers practiced a combination of sole and mixed cropping, and allocated between 0.38 to 1.68 hectares of land to Bambara groundnut growing. They selected Bambara groundnut landraces, especially looking for large seeds that were pure and oval in shape, with a cream seed coat colour and which were early maturing. A total of 27 diverse landraces bearing different names were identified in the hands of the farmers. Most popular among them were Gurjiya, Kurasa, Hawayen-Zaki, Fara Mai-Bargo and Silva. Production was largely for home consumption and for sale on local markets. Common production constraints of the crop were identified as a lack of improved varieties (70.7%), frequent droughts (9.3%), low yield (4%) and limited access to large markets (3.3%). Diverse collections of Bambara groundnut landraces from seven geographic origins were characterized using seed morphology, including seed coat, seed eye colour and pattern, and hilum colour and pattern. Out of 58 original seedlots, a total of 353 different seed morpho-types were further identified. The selected morpho-types- can be used for large-scale production or true-to-type lines could be used in genetic improvement of the crop. Genetic variability within- and between-landraces was investigated among 262 Bambara groundnut landraces, forty nine were studied for agronomic traits, and 213 were investigated for pod and seed variability. Most (47.9%) of the landraces developed pods with a point on one pole, and a round end on the other. Most had a creamy (37.1%) and yellow (76.1%) pod colour, and the pods were usually rough textured, and contained an oval seed. A further 158 landraces were evaluated for leaf morphology where 49.4% had round leaves, while 21.5% had elliptic leaves, with 55.7% of the landraces being heterogeneous, possessing more than one form of leaf shapes. These discrete characters can be utilized for genetic studies and improvement of Bambara groundnut. Single plant selections of 49 Bambara groundnut genotypes were evaluated for yield and yield components using 26 yield and yield related traits. Highly significant variations (P<0.001) were detected among the genotypes for canopy spread, petiole length, weight of biomass, seed weight and seed height. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified nine useful components, where two components, PC1 and PC2, contributed strongly to the total variation, at 19% and 14%, respectively. The PCA revealed that leaf colour at emergence, petiole colour, leaf joint pigmentation and calyx colour were highly correlated with PC1, while seed length, seed width and seed height had strong association with PC2. Both the principal component and cluster analyses showed that most genotypes associated with one another with respect to agronomic and seed yield traits, irrespective of geographical location. The genotypes 211-57, MO9-4 and TV-27 displayed high seed yield performances, while TV-93 and 45-2 had higher biomass production. These genotypes can be used as breeding lines to enhance productivity of Bambara groundnut. Fifty Bambara groundnut genotypes, representing seven geographical regions across Africa, were genotyped using five pre-selected polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers developed specifically for Bambara groundnut. The results detected a total of 53 alleles among the 50 Bambara groundnut genotypes, while the neighbor-joining analysis generated seven major genetic groups, which were clustered regardless of their geographic origin. Close relationship were found between 211-68 on one hand and 211-83-2, N211K and M09-3 with 211-68 on the other. Genotypes M02-3, 211-55-1 and 211-57 displayed close similarities. These associations suggested the likelihood that the two pair groups had common origins or may possess similar genes. A preliminary protocol was developed for crossing Bambara groundnut using eight selected parents, using the diallel mating system. Emasculation and crossing of Bambara groundnut was effective when conducted on the same day, with the two procedures being carried out sequentially between 4:30 am and 9:00 am. This protocol generated a number of F1 seeds, with the most success being from crosses between 211-40-1 x N211-2, N212-8 x 211-40-1 and M09-3 x 211-82-1. These F1 seeds can be advanced to confirm whether they are true F1 or selfs. The most important production constraint of Bambara groundnut production is the lack of improved varieties, suggesting that further breeding is needed to enhance productivity. Bambara groundnut landraces need to be sorted using discrete morphological features before breeding for genetic enhancement. The SSR markers used in the study demonstrated their ability to distinguish the existing diversity among the Bambara groundnut genotypes, which could be useful for both germplasm conservation and for breeding. Genotypes that displayed outstanding performance in seed yield and biomass can be used as breeding lines for the genetic improvement of Bambara groundnut. Overall, the study generated valuable and novel Bambara groundnut genetic material, useful in the development of improved cultivars for large-scale production in sub-Saharan Africa. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2014.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The research focused on the knowledge of occupational safety by hospital managers towards HIV and other blood borne pathogens transmission in Abakaliki region in eastern Nigeria. These pathogens are easily transmissible by needle sticks and other occupational accidents. It is important to identify factors that pre-expose hospital cleaners to occupational risk exposure that can lead to the transmission of HIV, HBV and HCV. The research was conducted in 10 different hospitals. A total of 90 questionnaires were administered to the hospital cleaners that volunteered to participate in the research and 68 questionnaires were returned representing 75.6% of the total questionnaires. The mean age and standard deviation of the respondents in this study was 38.6 + or – 5.4 years. The researcher conducted a semi-structured interview with all the 10 hospital managers involved with the study and the interviews showed there was a need for an organised training on hospital work and occupational hazards, risk exposures and precautions. The questionnaires showed the knowledge of hospital cleaners on occupational safety and it was observed the majority of the hospital cleaners were not aware of post exposure prophylaxis for HIV. The workers relatively had good practices put in place to prevent HIV, HBV and HCV transmission but majority of them had not received HBV vaccine due to lack of awareness and availability. There was a significant positive correlation between the knowledge of the health workers and HIV transmission and the practice put in place by health workers to prevent HIV transmission (P<0.05). This implies as the knowledge of the health workers about HIV transmission increases, the practice put in place by health workers to prevent HIV transmission and Hepatitis B&C increases. Therefore there is need for continuous training on blood borne pathogens transmission such as HIV transmission in the hospitals and its routes of transmission. There is need for awareness creation for HBV vaccine and Post exposure prophylaxis for HIV exposure. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Nie beskikbaar / jfl201601

Text in English / The problem of leadership and corruption in Nigeria is a known fact. A good number of Nigerian politicians and top government officials do not think that politics has anything to do with ethics. Currently, injustice is displayed in all spheres of Nigerian life. Indigenous moral values are almost completely ignored and abandoned. Nigeria no longer operates according to the hallowed observance of the rubric ‘Aa kii see’ (it is not done). It is no longer a society of law and order, crime and punishment, good behaviour and adequate reward. It is no longer a society which recognises the principles of abomination/taboos, or what the Yorubas describe as eewo. Taboos represent the main source of guiding principles regulating and directing the behaviour of individuals in the community. However, experience has shown over the years that politics’ functional peak is only attainable with the help of ethics. Politics based on the ethical principle of social equality is one of the indispensable features of true democracy. For politics to be effective and meaningful, ethics must not be forgotten. Politics without morality produces unethical leadership. This study claims that, the much desired political moral uprightness is achievable in Nigeria, if African traditional ethics is harnessed as a tool in solving the problem of unethical leadership and corruption, especially embezzlement. The thesis also attempts to show that, through reinforced moral education for both young and old, it will become more accepted that morality is the backbone of politics and it must not be ignored. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Philosophy)