Contemporary Nigerian Society Research Articles

Paid Informal Caregivers’ Management of Older Adults’ Health Demands: Implication for Social Work Professionals in Contemporary Nigerian Society

Paid Informal Caregivers’ Management of Older Adults’ Health Demands: Implication for Social Work Professionals in Contemporary Nigerian Society

The Genre and Trends of Crime Fiction in Nigeria

The field of crime fiction in Nigeria remains under-explored in scholarly discourse. This lacuna is particularly notable given the absence of comprehensive academic works dedicated to this genre. Crime fiction, which delineates narratives surrounding criminals, their crimes, detection and investigation processes, and underlying motivations, has been a prolific subject in Nigerian creative literature. Despite the substantial body of Nigerian literary works delving into themes of crime, punishment, and motivation, it is intriguing that the genre has not garnered significant critical analysis. This study adopts a diachronic approach to trace the historical evolution of crime fiction in Nigeria. It further investigates various sub-genres within this literary category and examines how a multitude of socio-political dynamics have influenced the thematic focus of Nigerian crime fiction. The study posits that crime fiction is gaining relevance in contemporary Nigerian society. It reveals that a significant corpus of these narratives grapple with issues such as colonialism, militarism, corruption, government apathy towards human and national development, and other opaque political and economic elements that perpetuate Nigeria’s precarious journey towards democratic stability.

Counting the Blessings: Digital Revolution and Youth Response in Contemporary Nigerian Society

Counting the Blessings: Digital Revolution and Youth Response in Contemporary Nigerian Society

Religion: Panacea to Human Capital Development in the Contemporary Nigerian Society

Nigeria as a nation over the years has continued to crave for Human Capital Development. This is because the Development of Human Capital is critical for the Economic Growth and Sustainable Development of any nation. Since it is the Human person who spearheads any developmental strive of any nation, the need for the Development of Human Capital is indispensable, using the tools of analysis, the paper submitted that religion could serve as a tool for Human capital development in the Contemporary Nigerian Society, because as an institution, it has the potential train and equip the Human person as the agent of Development. It further analyses the possible ways Religion can be harnessed to promote Human Capital Development to include moral instructions, sermons, ethical teachings, training of clergy and religious functionaries, establishment of schools, and through healthcare delivery. The paper concludes that if Religion is given its proper place, it would fulfill this sublime role of developing the Human Capital. It proffers some practical suggestions that would help Nigeria as a nation achieve the target of Human Capital Development. These suggestions are taken as recommendations. Religion for the purpose of this study refers to Christianity, Islam and African traditional Religion.

Socio-ecologies of Plastic Bottle Waste (PBW) and the Development of Ecoprenuerial Initiatives in Contemporary Nigerian Society

The study analyze the mechanisms that lead to the creation, accumulation, and exchange of plastic bottle waste, as well as its monetary value, industrial recycling, and home use in contemporary Nigerian societies. We conducted a descriptive and explanatory study with 86 ecopreneurs who have worked in the plastic waste sector for at least five years. We used both qualitative and descriptive statistics to arrive at our conclusions. Seventy-four percent of respondents from various demographics collected at least one hundred pieces of used plastic per day, ninety-five percent stated that the economic and social potentials of plastic waste are expanding, and ninety-eight percent stated that PBW commerce encourages innovation and garbage recycling. The vast majority of PBW traders (87.1%) do not see their age to be a barrier, and it is equally available to both sexes (93.5%) and all generations (90%). The study indicated that businesses formed from discarded plastic bottles benefited global social, economic, and environmental conditions. Additional field research is required in developing countries such as Nigeria to establish technical and vocational capacities for dealing with plastic bottles and other plastic debris.

The Need for Values Re-Ordering in Contemporary Nigerian Society

This paper “The need for Value re-ordering in Contemporary Nigerian society” seeks to examine the challenges associated with values re-ordering in contemporary Nigerian society. The researcher employs the philosophical methods of enquiry, viz, critical reflections, analysis and speculation. The paper is relevant to stakeholders in education, namely, Government, Ministry of Education at various levels, Educationists, Teachers, Managers and Planners of school as well as Parents. Given the numerous contemporary issues in Nigeria, it is the position of the researcher that values should be re-evaluated and re-ordered to help save Nigerian nation from total collapse despite our academic and technological progress.

Omoluabi: An African Conception of moral values

The moral experience is a reality in every social and cultural life, with variations being in the interpretations given to experience. A people’s value system defines their identity. Consequently, this paper interrogates an example of an African theory of moral value against a moral developmental model, using the philosophical, expositional, analytical and comparative methods. The reflections in this paper focus on the Yoruba cultural context in Nigeria. The paper posits a relationship between a moral value system and development. It argues that the inability of the Nigerian state to attain enviable developmental status can be attributed to moral decadence, apart from inept leadership, ethnicity, antagonism, endless vendetta, political jingoism and cultural sub-nationalism. Since the goal of morality is peaceful co-existence, harmonious interaction, social cohesion and character development, the paper argues that Omoluabi traits can be appropriated to tackle moral problems and questions in contemporary Nigerian society. It concludes that the cultural heritage of Omoluabi can serve as a corpus of raw material for contemporary moral life, and contribute to tackling existential, moral and developmental challenges.

Ethical challenges in social work education and practice in the context of child protection in Nigeria

ABSTRACT Child protection is one of the prioritized principles in the UNCRC. The ACRWC aligns with the UNCRC through concern with the overall protection against socially and culturally harmful practices that may be detrimental to children’s health and general well-being. There are ethical challenges when children’s rights are in conflict with the cultural activities that could lead to the abuse of children within the context of Africa in general, and Nigeria, in particular. Scholars have affirmed that the international standards that respect children’s promotion and protection rights are profoundly shaped toward a Western cultural value system and lack meaningful contributions from Africa, leading to the adoption of the ACRWC. Applying social work theories in social work practice is very challenging within the Nigerian context as there are no legitimized regulations in social work to uphold the profession’s ethics during the practice of social work. A review of literature on the ethical challenges encountered by social workers in the protection of children against child exploitation/abuse such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) during training and/or in their professional duties and responsibilities is examined. The implication of such cultural practices and the relevance of social work education in contemporary Nigerian society is explored.

Rethinking creativity and innovation in community education: a practical approach

The need to reinvent the approach to teaching and learning in community education cannot be overemphasized. Being education in the non-formal mode, community education seeks to address the immediate needs of the recipients at the personal, group and community levels. This education targets the felt and shared needs of the community, through a collaborative approach that seeks to involve all stakeholders. Sadly however, it has been observed that community education is slipping gradually into the pattern, mode and focus of formal school education, with its attendant shortcomings and incapacity in tackling immediate problem, such as crime, corruption, unemployment, restiveness, ethnic Chauvinism, etc. This paper argues that through adopting creative approaches to the theory and practice of community education, some of these problems could be mitigated planning, conceptualization; such innovation should cover implementation and evaluation processes, hence rendering itself more relevant and responsive to the immediate needs and aspirations of contemporary Nigerian society.

Ethnocentric Conflict and Hatred in Olu Obafemi’s Near and Distant Cries

The continuous, unending and unabated killings from clashes between various ethnic groups in Nigeria have been continual features on the pages, screens and sounds of the various forms of media. The dramatic text employed in this study, Olu Obafemi’s Near and Distant Cries, portrays vividly the nearly-extinct polarised unity of our dear nation resulting from the clashes. These clashes have led to the death of thousands of people, displaced families, and turned children into orphans, wives into widows and husbands into single parents. This study thus explores the relationship between literature and society, taking into serious consideration the use of literature as a viable tool for resolving ethnic conflict and hatred in contemporary Nigerian society. It also highlights the solution required in curbing the excesses of parties involved in the continual conflicts. This paper concludes by highlighting and revalidating the social commitment of literature in the resolution of ethnic conflicts, ensuring peace and stability and promoting nation.

Challenges of Rendering Effective Library Services to Users in Select University Libraries in South-South, Nigeria

This study investigates the challenges of rendering effective library services to users in selected university libraries in South-South, Nigeria. A descriptive survey method was adopted for the study in line with the objectives of the study as the instrument used in collecting data. Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. The population of the study consists of 116 librarians in all the federal universities libraries in South- South Nigeria. A total of 116 copies of the questionnaire were distributed and 94 copies of the questionnaire were retrieved using descriptive statistics mean and percentage mean score of 2.5 and above and percentage score of 50% were considered as acceptable. The study revealed that the benefits of rendering effective library services to library users are academic advancement, research, reading and promotion. The study also shows challenges for rendering of library services to library users to be obsolete materials, poor budgetary allocation, lack of infrastructural facilities and poor recruitment process. Strategies to render effective library services to library users are acquisition of current materials, adequate budget to the library, provision of infrastructures and sound recruitment of staff. The study recommends that acquisition of current materials is critical to good library service delivery, robust budget to the library, provision of state of the art infrastructure facilities and recruitment of competent personnel. The findings of this study will help library management whose libraries are lagging behind to provide all the basic materials/infrastructures needed for effective library services. Also, transforming academic libraries will enhance the capability of libraries to contribute positively to the reality of knowledge in the society in contemporary Nigerian society.

Dissecting the Bitter Truth about Our Politics and Leadership: A Study of Emeka Nwabueze’s A Parliament of Vultures

In our contemporary Nigerian society, the mantle of leadership rests wholly in the hands of selfish mediocrities. The elites with positive intentions to redeem the nation are frustrated with politics. The shameless mediocrities in politics are daring and ready to maim in order to achieve their selfish aims hence the masses and unfortunate elites watch without action. Emeka Nwabueze, like other concerned Nigerians, believes that the trend needs to be changed. They believe that the only sure means to fight the malady is through satire and not with guns and matchets. In his A Parliament of Vultures, he vividly X-rayed the activities of the politicians and presented the same in such a way that people’s consciousness would be awakened for corrections to be made. The researcher observed that Emeka Nwabueze got the inspiration for the play from society and therefore, in this research, the researcher aims to parse the facts about Nigerian polity as satirised in the play. In doing so, he considers the Realistic Approach as the apt theoretical framework for the work.

Carnival and the Theme of Migration

Carnival and the Theme of Migration

Exegetical examination of 1 Timothy 6:6-10 in relation to the Yahoo Yahoo Business (internet fraud) in the contemporary Nigerian society

It is no news that countries all over the world are faced with one challenge or the other. Outstanding among all is the challenge of insecurity of lives and properties. The rate of poverty, unemployment and poor education among others have forced many Nigerians into one crime or the other. Currently, there is a rising scourge of internet fraudsters known as Yahoo Yahoo, which have swindled many unsuspecting victims their hard-earned resources. Interestingly, the teaming youth populations are the major players when it comes to this societal menace. Despite various efforts being put in place by the government to forestall the activities of these fraudsters, the propagators have sought other avenues to continue to be relevant in their nefarious acts. This paper employs historical-critical method of enquiry to examine 1 Timothy 6: 6 - 10 in relation to the Yahoo Yahoo business (internet fraud) in the contemporary society. This method investigates the context of the text and a critical reading and interpretation of the biblical text. This paper investigates the causes of internet frauds and exegetically interprets 1 Timothy 6:6-10 as an antidote to the crime. This paper recommends godliness and contentment as a cure for the untamed quest for materialism among Nigerian youths.

Enhancing the relevance of social work education in Nigeria

Abstract Quality locally relevant social work education is essential in social workers’ professional development and, in Nigeria, in the profession’s struggle for legitimacy and connection with local families and communities. It is also pivotal to efficient and effective service delivery in the contemporary digitally connected world, where myriad social issues warrant the professional intervention of skilled practitioners in diverse fields. Social workers’ responsiveness and effectiveness depend crucially on the quality and relevance of the education and training they receive at the start of and throughout their professional careers. This article examines social work education, its relatively recent origins and issues in contemporary Nigerian society highlighting the ongoing need for socio-cultural relevance in the interests of professional recognition. It proposes that social work educators and administrators have a crucial role to play in enhancing the profession’s relevance and suggests a way forward.

Exploring ethical issues embedded in the call for indigenisation of social work education in Nigeria

ABSTRACT Social work is an emerging profession and discipline in Nigeria with its pedagogical content and to an extent, the process being largely Western in design. This has led to a continuous call for indigenisation of social work education to service the peculiar needs of Nigerians. While indigenisation of social work education is a step in the right direction, efforts targeting this goal may give rise to some unexplored ethical issues. We explored some perceived ethical issues that may arise in the process of indigenisation of social work education using qualitative data collected from 15 educators from three universities in Nigeria. The data were coded with NVivo 12 and analyzed thematically. Findings revealed that in attempts to Africanise social work education, educators insisted that some issues like non-heterosexuality are unacceptable and un-African; thus, emphasized that students should not be taught/exposed to practice with sexual minorities. Also, some educators stated that the Nigerian culture of masculine superiority should be sustained. These perspectives are discriminatory, oppressive and against social work ethical principles. We recommend measures including (re)training of social work educators to reconcile their ethical and religio-cultural differences to better prepare future social work practitioners with local and ethically guided knowledge for contemporary Nigerian society.

Managing Moral Decadence among Youths in the Contemporary Nigerian Society: Women as Mentors

Socio-cultural values and beliefs are crucial for the maintenance of law and order in a society. They are passed from the older generation to the younger ones. Therefore, there is no gainsaying that much is expected from the younger generation. However, with the current societal trends, showing high levels of moral decadence with youths at the vanguard of vices like kidnapping, cultism, internet fraud, drug abuse, rape, robbery, and money laundering, among others, it then becomes inevitable to check these societal ills. This paper, thus, seeks to review the state of moral decadence in our present-day society with the aim of proffering workable solutions, particularly by looking at the roles of women as mentors to the youths in a bid to stem the tide of moral decadence in the society.

Prosperity Gospel: Effects on Nigerian Christian Church and Society

The paper examines effects of prosperity gospel on contemporary Nigerian Christian church and society. It discussed its historical origin and noted that it was birthed in USA and since the seventies now spreading among Nigerian Christian churches and society like corona virus. The study used historical and descriptive methods in its analysis. It discovered that most prosperity teachings are misused, thus, giving a false impression and interpretation about what the Bible really teaches. Finding revealed that, prosperity teachings in a way gives one a sense of hope, direction and reassurance that the life one lives can get better if one can only have faith in God. Equally, it was observed that the prosperity preachers or churches are quite correct in pointing believers to God and the wonderful promises made in his word in order to get their needs met. However, many of these preachers or churches have misused the gospel for monetization, lust for materialism, crimes and selfish advantages and thereby impoverishing their congregation the more rather than improving their lots. This in-turn has reduced the spiritual and moral capacity of the people in the church and society. The work recommended among other thing that the purpose of gospel preachers today should rather focus on doctrinal issues related to desire for the kingdom of God, soul-winning, salvation of man, hard work and good conduct in the church and society than lust for materialism and commercialization of religious activities.

The Lamentations of the Disadvantaged: Reading Psalm 73 in the Context of Oppression in Contemporary Nigerian Society

The evil of humanity's inhumanity to fellow humans via the act of oppression is pervasive across human societies. This evil will continue unabated because of the inherent evil inclination of the benefiting perpetrators. The lamentation in Ps 73 reveals the enigmatic irony of divine theodicy, an apparent contradiction of divine promise vis-à-vis prevailing orchestrated oppression in society. The empirical paradox of life unavoidably poses the question: "why should someone happily celebrate the plight of the disadvantaged 'other, ' becoming emotionally insensitive, oppressing fellow humans against good conscience, simply because the oppressor is in position of privilege in society?" This is the aching question many oppressed Nigerians are constantly asking. This article comparatively resonates the emotional torture of the psalmist consequent upon the disadvantaged economic status vis-à-vis the oppressed economic, political, religious, social, and psychological condition of many Nigerians today.

The 3Cs of Colonisation and their Impacts on African Slavery: The Nigeria’s Experience

ABSTRACT This paper examines Christianisation, commerce and civilisation (3Cs) as strategies of European imperialist movements and considers the impact such endeavour made on Nigeria’s enslavement. Using the historical method, the paper argues that the methods of the 3Cs adopted by the colonial imperialist, though with some positive impacts, eroded Nigeria’s socio-cultural and politico-economic heritage and consequently breeds the foundation for socio-cultural and politico-economic slavery in contemporary Nigerian society. Specifically, the paper interrogates how the 3Cs fuel some forms of slavery in contemporary Nigeria. By so doing, this paper will contribute to African postcolonial studies.