Social Science Research

UNIZIK Female Undergraduates’ Exposure, Perception and Response to Buttocks Augmentation Information and Images on Instagram

Evelyn Chinwe Obi, Ogechukwu N. Okoli, Chinyere Felicia Nweke — Sun, 20 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Buttock augmentation stands out as a prevailing and impactful cosmetic surgery trend on a global scale. In tandem with this phenomenon, Instagram has experienced rapid growth in recent years, emerging as a crucial tool for individuals to cultivate and sustain their media presence. This study investigated the exposure, perception, and response of female undergraduates to buttocks augmentation information and images on Instagram, drawing upon the Social Comparison Theory. The study population comprised all female undergraduate students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka Anambra State. (22,117). A sample of 393 respondents was selected from this population. Questionnaires were personally administered to 393 undergraduate students of Unizik. The multistage sampling procedure was used to select study units across the faculties, departments and academic levels. findings highlight the substantial impact of societal beauty standards portrayed in media, particularly on platforms like Instagram, regarding buttocks augmentation. It also found that most of the respondents are exposed to visual content that focuses on before and after photos of cosmetic procedures. The study concluded that there is intricate interplay between media representation, societal beauty norms, and individual decision-making processes regarding body modification practices among young women in academic environments.

Diaspora Remittances and Economic Growth of Nigeria

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This research work examined the effect of diaspora remittances on sectorial growth in Nigeria from 1990-2023. Three sectors considered were: agricultural sector, industrial sector and services sector. Three variables were used as independent variables: workers remittances, migrant remittances and exchange rate. Three models were formulated. The data were sourced from the National Bureau of Statistics and the World Bank and analyzed using the Error Correction Model (ECM). The results indicated that funds sent by individuals working abroad to their families back home (otherwise called workers remittances) and funds sent by individuals living abroad who intend to relocate their base back home from overseas and invest in their home country (otherwise called migrant remittances) both increased growth of the agricultural, industrial and services sectors significantly. The conclusion was that both workers and migrant remittances have helped to increase sectorial output growth in Nigeria. It was recommended that government stabilize exchange rates and advance policies that will sustain industries in Nigeria to encourage private investments that will boost growth of the real sector.

Knowledge And Response to DNA Paternity Test Information Among Married Igbo People in Southeast Nigeria

Nnanwuba Allen Adum, Chioma Claribel Efoby — Sun, 20 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study explored knowledge and responses to DNA paternity test information among married Igbo individuals in Southeast Nigeria, using the Evidential Theory of Belief as a framework. A qualitative approach was adopted, with in-depth interviews conducted with 24 purposively selected participants. Thematic analysis revealed high awareness of paternity testing and a general perception of its value in resolving doubts about paternity. However, participants also recognized its potential to disrupt marriages and negatively
affect children. Cultural beliefs around paternity, lineage, and fidelity significantly shaped their views. Despite concerns about possible human errors and fraud, there was strong trust in DNA tests as a reliable means of confirming paternity. The study concluded that responses to paternity test information were deeply influenced by Igbo cultural norms. It recommended that cultural and religious institutions play a proactive role in educating people about paternity issues to support informed decision-making and mitigate potential social consequences.

Exposure and Utilization of Political Content of UNIZIK 94.1 FM Among Undergraduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

Henry Chigozie Duru, Nankyen Rinmak, Richard Chinedu Ononiwu — Sun, 20 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The media, including radio, serves as an important tool for informing, educating, entertaining and mobilizing the populace. These roles are also evident in the sphere of politics where the media as well avails the public several platforms for political discussions. Anchored on the uses and gratifications theory, this study investigated Nnamdi Azikiwe University undergraduate students’ exposure and utilization of political content of UNIZIK 94.1 FM. The study participants were 395 students at the university who were randomly selected across five (5) faculties. Findings showed that majority of the respondents mostly accessed radio programmes through their mobile phones. However, majority were not aware of political programmes on UNIZIK 94.1 FM and were also not exposed to these programmes. Furthermore, only 19.0% of those who were exposed to political content on the radio station indicated a high level of exposure. Majority of the listeners mostly preferred listening to political talk shows and news. In addition, findings revealed that the
respondents mostly met their political information and social relevance needs with the political programmes on UNIZIK 94.1 FM. Data further indicated that age and gender were associated with exposure and gratifications on political content of UNIZIK FM. Based on the findings, the study argued that there is a need to raise awareness among students on why they should listen to political programmes on UNIZIK 94.1FM. The study also recommended the repackaging of the political content to make it more interactive, discursive and exciting to draw the attention of the undergraduate students.

Predictive Influence of Workplace Flexibility and Workplace Spirituality on Work-Family Conflict among Anambra State Private Secondary School Teachers

Chiamaka O. Joe-Akunne, Chinenye S. Anazor, Okeoma C. Ezeana — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study examined the predictive influence of workplace flexibility and workplace spirituality on work-family conflict of private secondary school teachers in Anambra State. 227 private secondary school teachers drawn from eleven 11 private secondary schools
that participated in the study. They comprised of 191 females and 36 males whose age ranged from 26-49, with a mean age of 33.50 and a standard deviation of 3.20. Three research instruments were used for the study: workplace flexibility scale, workplace spirituality inventory and work-family conflict scale. Three hypotheses were tested in the study. Hypothesis one which stated that workplace flexibility will significantly and negatively predict work-family conflict among private secondary school teachers in Anambra State was supported at β = -.33 p <.05 (n = 227). The second hypothesis which stated that workplace spirituality will significantly and negatively predict work-family conflict among private secondary school teachers in Anambra State was also supported at β = -.20, p <.05 (n= 227). Hypothesis three stated that workplace flexibility and workplace spirituality will significantly and negatively predict work-family conflict among private secondary school teachers in Anambra State. Again, this hypothesis was supported at β = - .23, p < .05 (n =227). In line with these findings, it was recommended that there is need to revise working policies in schools to make them tailor-fit to the teachers, to their family challenges and other engagements which also compete for their time, energy and resources. It was also recommended that there is need to promote and encourage members’ goodwill or discretionary behaviors to arbitrarily improve on workplace spirituality with teachers assisting each other to reduce other pressures outside work such as family.

Revisiting Exchange Rate Dynamics and Inflation Targeting

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In recent times, the Naira has witnessed abrupt and pronounced depreciation vis-à-vis other currencies due mainly to lack of diversification in production capacities and heavy reliance on the production and export of a single primary commodity. The objectives of this paper are investigating the impact of real exchange rate on inflation in Nigeria; determine the impact of food prices, energy prices and government expenditure in Nigeria and analyze the direction of causality between real exchange rate and inflation in Nigeria. This paper covered the period 1986 to 2023 under the Mundel-Fleming and inflation targeting frameworks. The variables used in this paper are inflation rate, exchange rate premium, nominal interest rate, oil price, government debt and broad money supply, food price, and inflation inertia. The Johansen normalized co integration and Granger causality techniques were utilized in the analytical framework. The results show a positive relationship between real exchange rate and inflation targeting while the Granger causality result showed no feedback effect between real exchange rate and inflation targeting. This paper concludes that there is indeed a positive relationship between real exchange rate management and inflation targeting for inflation reduction. Strengthening policy coordination and commitment to price stability is a matter of urgency for the policymakers since policy coordination remains a major challenge for fiscal and monetary policy units; commit to countercyclical fiscal policy and initiate policy measures (credit and facilities) to promote the agricultural value-chain.

Awka South Residents’ Response to Media Coverage of Paternity Fraud

Allen Nnanwuba, Chioma Claribel Efoby — Sun, 20 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examined the response of residents of Awka South Local Government Area (LGA) in Anambra State, Nigeria, to media coverage of paternity fraud. The objectives were to determine the extent of exposure to media coverage, identify the channels of exposure, assess belief in the media reports, and investigate how residents used these reports. A survey research method was employed, and a multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 300 participants from a population of 271,342. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using simple percentages. Findings revealed high exposure to media coverage of paternity fraud, with social media and online news websites being the predominant channels. Residents demonstrated high believability in media reports on paternity fraud and primarily used these reports for informational and enlightenment purposes, with entertainment being a secondary motivation. The study highlighted the critical role of media in shaping public attitudes toward family and societal issues, underscoring the importance of accurate and balanced media coverage. The study recommends that media outlets continue to focus on presenting fact-based, informative reports on paternity fraud to better inform public understanding.