Social Science Research

Agricultural Sector Development and Economic Growth of Nigeria

Abimbola Oluwaseun Oladipo — 2024-03-31

Agriculture in Nigeria has been in existence since time immemorial. As the sector faced series of challenges, governments in response formulate and implement various policies to tackle these challenges and to ensure that agricultural sector contributes immensely to economic growth, however, the sector remains underdeveloped. Owing to this, this study conducted research to know if the development of agricultural sector can stimulate Nigeria’s economic growth or not. The study gathered annual data from 1986 to 2022 in order to identify patterns in agricultural development and their consequences for economic growth. The data was analyzed using the multiple regression method. However, the results indicate that agricultural output, climate change, and the agricultural loan guarantee scheme fund have a negative impact on economic growth, but government capital expenditure has a favorable impact. As a result, the study suggests that the government provide the required infrastructure facilities in the agriculture sector to support economic growth.

Perception and Exposure of Bet9ja Online Gambling Advertisement Among Nnamdi Azikiwe University Undergraduates

Gloria Nwakego Chukwuemeka — 2024-03-31

Online gambling has become exponentially popular with the explosion of Internet access over the last two decades (Krogulecki, 2017). Sites for legal gambling have been established and the Internet has made gambling accessible to almost everyone, which also have high impacts on the youth. Survey method was adopted to explore the perceptions and exposure of Bet9ja online gambling advertisement among Nnamdi Azikiwe University undergraduates. Anchored on audience perception theory, copies of questionnaires were used to collect data from the respondents who were 396 from a population of 40,010 full-time undergraduates. The multistage sampling technique was used to select respondents and administer questionnaires for the research. Data was analyzed quantitatively and findings revealed a complex scenario where exposure patterns vary among respondents. Findings underscore the importance of tailoring messages to align with the diverse expectations and preferences of the audience. The study recommends among others that advertisers should tailor their strategies to the preferred mediums of the target audience, with a particular emphasis on social media. The study also recommends that there is need for public health awareness programs targeting university students.

Exposure And Response to Mass Media Campaigns on Mental Health Amongst Nnamdi Azikiwe University Undergraduates

Ogechukwu N. Okoli — 2024-03-31

This study examined the exposure and response to mass media campaigns among Nnamdi Azikiwe University undergraduates. The objectives of this study are to find out the level of exposure and response of Nnamdi Azikiwe University undergraduates on Mass media campaigns on mental illness. The theoretical framework of this was anchored on Health Belief Model and Social Norms Theory. The survey method was done using a questionnaire as a data collection instrument. A sample of 381 respondents was drawn from the
population of the study which comprises undergraduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Findings from the study revealed that the Nnamdi Azikiwe University undergraduates have a high exposure to mental health campaigns on mass media, and have encountered them a couple of times, especially through the Internet; Nnamdi Azikiwe University undergraduates are persuaded by Mass media campaigns. The study recommended that further studies should be made to analyze the importance of mass media as a tool for
creating awareness of mental health disorders among others.

“The Mirror Has Its Disease”

Chinaza Perpetua Onwuka — 2024-03-31

Young adulthood is a critical developmental phase characterised by challenges in diverse aspects of an individual’s life including the pressure to conform to societal standards of beauty. This study explores shameful feelings due to body image as a predictor of psychological distress specifically anxiety and depression among young adults. It was hypothesized that body image shame will significantly and positively predict anxiety and depression among young adults. Using a correlational cross-sectional survey design, data was collected from 234 individuals in the Awka metropolis, Nigeria, utilizing instruments such as Beck's Depression Inventory, Beck's Anxiety Inventory, and the Body Image Shame Scale. Results revealed a significant positive correlation between body image shame and both anxiety and depression. Regression analyses further confirmed that body image shame significantly predicted anxiety and depression. The study’s finding was discussed as well as its significance which highlights the negative impact of body image shame on wellbeing suggesting the need for interventions targeted at promoting positive body image and coping strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of societal beauty standards.

Democracy in Africa

Chidi O. Ukaegbu — 2024-03-31

Several attempts have tried to estimate and document the character of liberal democracy and its impact on the condition of states in Africa. One lesson from the past research is the justification of the positive impact of this model of governance in Africa not minding the fact that it has proven incapable of transforming the African state. In this paper, we attempt to reassess this impact in contrast with indigenous theoretical models that conform with African peculiarities to governance prior to the introduction of western democracy in the light of the continuous subjugation of Africa in various forms. Employing a fixed effect approach and documentary evidence found in the works of indigenous Political thought in the works of outstanding African theorists and leaders, our finding shows that western democracy has proven incapable of transforming Africa. It shows further that African theorists and leaders have steadily advocated a sharp return to Africa's profound democratic governance models prior to the introduction of western democracy. This according to the study, has the capacity to sustain Africa and make it relevant in the comity of nations. This advocacy and its application would lay to rest the claim that Africa had no governance models and democratic principles that can sustain its continuous existence before and after western invasion.

Perception of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among Civil Servants in Enugu State

Ogechukwu N. Okoli — 2024-03-31

Obstructive sleep apnea is a markedly prevalent condition across the lifespan of particularly adult patients and overweight individuals, one of the most frequent symptoms leading to clinical referral for evaluation and treatment is abnormal breathing during sleep in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. This paper examined the perception of obstructive sleep apnea among civil servants in Enugu state. The objectives of this study are to find out the awareness level, perception, and response of Civil Servants in Enugu State about Obstructive sleep apnea. The health belief Model was employed to explain certain health behaviors of some individuals. The survey method was done using a questionnaire as a data collection instrument. A sample of 371 respondents was drawn from the population of the study which comprises Civil Servants in Enugu State. Findings from the study showed that the majority of civil servants are not aware of this health condition. Lastly, since they are unaware of the symptoms and risk factors associated with sleep apnea, they are not ready to go for a proper diagnosis because they do not believe that they may be suffering from sleep apnea.
The study recommended, that there should be massive and aggressive health communication campaigns for the awareness and knowledge of sleep apnea, its signs, and symptoms; medical personnel through their faceto-face communication with patients should help correct some of the misconceptions about the health condition and stress the dangers of poor diagnosis.

Employment And Job Creation Through Microfinance Banks In Anambra State

Olisaemeka Dennis Maduka — 2024-03-31

This study is on the role of Micro Finance banks on employment generation in Anambra State, Nigeria. It aims at ascertaining the extent the MFBs have contributed to employment and job creation objectives of Micro Finance policy Regulatory and supervisory Framework (MPRSF) since its formulation in 2005. The instrument for data collection was a well-structured questionnaire. 500 customers of MFBs were selected out of which 410 questionnaires were returned. The data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics (ordinary least square). Findings show that MFBs have contributed to employment generation but there are
still constraints to the accessibility of financial and non-financial services of MFBs. The study recommends a special fund by CBN to MSMES to be accessed by micro entrepreneurs at a lower interest rate for more employment potentials and also restriction of commercial banks operations in certain areas so that MFBs could be harnessed for development and employment in rural areas.

Pentecostalism and Traditional Identity among the Urum of Southeastern Nigeria

Ugochukwu T Ugwu — 2024-03-31

There has been proliferation of Pentecostal churches and proselytizing in Nigeria. However, little is known empirically about how Pentecostalism affects the traditional religious identities of the rural dwellers in southeast Nigeria. In light of this, this study
investigated how Pentecostalism affects traditional identity of the Urum of Southeastern Nigeria. The theoretical framework is structuralism. The study used mixed method research design. 203 is the sample size for the quantitative data while 4 participants were
purposively selected as sample for the qualitative data. The study found that Pentecostalism has affected traditional identity through aggressive proselytizing thereby orchestrating unhealthy relationship among pentecostalists and non-pentecostalists. The study recommends governments interventions with intent to enforce relevant laws against noise pollution and should also arrest and prosecute religious and traditional leaders engaging in fake healing and fake miracles. Pentecostal and traditional believers should
learn to cohabit peacefully, among others.

Relationships Between Marital Stress, Depressive Symptoms, Psychache and Infertility Among Couples in Fertility Treatment, in Port Harcourt Nigeria.

Ada Ume Maduka — 2024-03-31

The effects of Psychache, depressive symptoms and marital stress are notable in the life of infertile couples. Therefore, the study examined the relationship between marital stress, depressive symptoms, psychache and infertility among couples undergoing fertility treatment in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. One hundred and forty four (144) participants were drawn, using convenience sampling. The Symptoms Distress Checklist, Marital Stress Inventory and Psychache Scale were intruments used for data collection. The sample comprised 93.8% females and 6.2% males, with age range of 18 to 50 years, mean age of 1.97 and standard deviation of .14. Survey design and correlational design, using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient statistics were used for data analysis. Significance was accepted at P <.05. The study revealed a significant relationship between marital stress and infertility at (M= 2.00, Std.D = .029, .019, .013, F =.000, df = 4, 1, Sig = .000 P<.05). The study also revealed that depressive symptoms had a positive relationship with infertility at (M= 1.78, 2.00, Std.D = .035, .019, F =13.488, df = 1, 1, Sig = .000 P<.05). The finding of the result
also showed a positive relationship between psychache and infertility at (M= 2.00, 1.78, Std.D = .029, .035, F =.000, 13.488, df = 4, 1, Sig = .000 P<.05). It was recommended among others, that developing effective psychache intervention programmess for diverse infertility issues will help couples adjust better.