Leaders In Nigeria Research Articles

A philosophical critique of Ignocentric search for political Messiah in Nigeria

Many of the philosophers of African politics who have argued that the political challenges of Nigeria, and of Africa as a whole are as a result of the impunity and corruption of post-independence Nigeria leaders also give the impression that the people of Nigeria are mere innocent victims because in their arguments all the ills of the Nigerian state exist only because the country have not experienced or discovered an honest and capable political leader. The scholars argue to the effect that all that Nigeria can do is simply to hope for the ascendance of a Messiah, who being an honest, capable and patriotic leader will on his own volition become committed to the cause of reversing the situation in order to turn around all the ills of the nation. Employing the examples of two prominent scholars of African politics (Chinua Achebe and Larry Diamond) the paper employs the epistemological rigor of analysis and logic to examine and make a critique of the underlying assumptions of the scholars and identifies the theoretical flaws of believing that political representatives are substantively political leaders, that Nigerians are helpless victims who on their own are incapable of reversing the situation and that Nigeria should hope for a political saviour who will turn around all the social and political ills of Nigeria on his own accord.Keywords: Ignocence, Messianism, Epistemology, Democracy, Nigeria

“Why Nations Fail” to Develop

This article focuses on the forces that prevent nations from developing politically, socially, and economically or why some of them have failed to achieve their purpose. It draws profusely from two inspiring books: Why Nations Fail and Leading From the Emerging Future to explore as to whether or not the political leaders of Nigeria can learn any lesson from the seminal work. The books concentrate on practical approaches that empower political leaders to shift their mind-sets to enable them to transform their extant extractive political and economic institutions that hinder national development. Unlike previous studies on leadership and development in Nigeria, which have observed that the system has been rendered unproductive by poor leadership, this article argues that the problem with Nigeria is that the political leaders have failed to shift their engrained mind-sets from “ego-system awareness to eco-system reality” to enable them to build and maintain effective institutions and infrastructure that drive the economy and develop the nations. It also argues that discussion about the leaders’ mind-set and national development deserves a different approach to transform the nation’s ossified institutions into innovative and creative ones. This will encourage the leaders to collectively shift their mental models to design and implement growth policies that will fit into the 21st-century economy and empower them to lead from the emerging future.

Leading as Fugitives: the Case of Militant Groups in Nigeria’s Oil Producing Communities

The activities of militia leaders made the region the hot spot of resource based violence in Nigeria and Africa. It has been observed that militant groups and their leaders in Nigeria’s oil producing states have gained prominence in recent times as there is hardly any week that their affairs are not discussed or reported in the polity. With emphasis on the context and objectives of militancy, the paper identifies the modus operandi of militia leaders in the Niger Delta. The article made use of secondary sources relevant to the topic and media reports on the situation in oil producing communities. The article maintains that the main reason militia leaders live like fugitives are to protect their goals from being endangered and also to evade possible arrest by the federal government. It would do the country more good to discover the sources of militancy, why people wake up and form militia groups.

A Review of 'Leading from the Emerging Future': Any Lesson for Nigerian Leaders?

This article reviews Leading from the Emerging Future and explores as to whether or not the political leaders of Nigeria can learn any lesson from it. This book concentrates on practical approach that empowers leaders to shift their mindsets from ego-system awareness to eco-system reality to enable them to transform the extant extractive economic and political institutions that hinder national development. Unlike previous studies on leadership and change in Nigeria, which have simply observed that the system has been rendered unproductive for decades by poor leadership, this article argues that the problem with Nigeria is that the political leaders have failed to shift their engrained mindsets from ‘ego-system awareness to eco-system’ to build effective institutions to drive the economy. It also argues that discussion of the issue of leadership in the society deserves a different approach to change the ossified institutions into innovative and creative ones as this would inspire the leaders to collectively shift their mental models to design and implement policies that would fit into the 21st century economy and empower them to lead from the emerging future.

A Lexical Analysis of an Inaugural Speech of the Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly in Nigeria

Language of Nigerian politics has been given attention in previous studies from various linguistic approaches such as pragmatics, pragma-stylistics, stylistic, syntax and discourse strategies. However, most of the research works that border on the political speeches are mainly concerned with the speeches of the executive leaders in Nigeria. This study, therefore, investigated the pattern and functions of lexical devices in the Inaugural speech of the Speaker of State House of Assembly as an avenue to expand the frontiers of knowledge on language of politics by legislators. The data were drawn from the speech of the Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly (2011-2013) and analysed based on the Lexical Cohesion theory of Halliday and Hassan (1976). The study reflected that legislators employed lexical cohesive devices such as repetition, synonymy, antonym, collocation, superordination to achieve certain purposes such as interconnectivity, directness, emphasis, appreciation and appeal in the process of negotiating meaning in their use of language.

A Review of “Leading from the Emerging Future”: Any Lesson for Nigerian Leaders?

This article reviews Leading from the Emerging Future [1] and explores whether or not the political leaders of Nigeria can learn any lesson from it. This book concentrates on practical approach that empowers leaders to shift their mindsets from ego-system awareness to eco-system reality to enable them to transform the extant extractive economic and political institutions that hinder national development. Unlike previous studies on leadership and change in Nigeria, which have simply observed that the system has been rendered unproductive for decades by poor leadership. This article argues that the problem with Nigeria is that the political leaders have failed to shift their engrained mindsets from “ego-system awareness to eco-system” to build effective institutions to drive the economy. It also argues that discussion of the issue of leadership in the society deserves a different approach to changing the ossified institutions into innovative and creative ones as this would inspire the leaders to collectively shift their mental models to design and implement policies that would fit into the 21st century economy and empower them to lead from the emerging future.

Foreign Direct Investment and the Growth of the Nigerian Telecommunications Sector: Issues and Analysis

This study examined the effect of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on the growth of the telecommunications sector in Nigeria from 1997 – 2011. Nigeria has joined the rest of the world to seek FDI as evidenced by the formation of New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). Until recently FDI was not fully embraced by Nigeria leaders as an essential feature of growth in the telecommunications sector reflecting largely fears that it could lead to loss of political sovereignty, push domestic firms into bankruptcy due to increased competition. The methodology adopted for this study is the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method to determine the relationship between FDI and the growth of telecommunications sector. The findings show that FDI has positive effect on the productivity of the telecommunications sector and it is statistically significant. It is therefore, recommended that since communications FDI has the highest potential for contributing growth, it needs to be properly channelled and integrated into the mainstream of the economy as well as conscious provision of necessary infrastructure which will lower the cost of doing business in Nigeria. Key words: FDI; Telecommunications sector; Growth

Clinical nurses' perception of continuing professional education as a tool for quality service delivery in public hospitals Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to determine the perception of nurses on various aspects of continuing professional education (CPE). A mixed method design (quantitative/qualitative) was adopted. A self-explanatory, semi-structured questionnaire was validated and used to collect data in addition to unstructured interview. One hundred and fifty nurses were selected through stratified random sampling from two hospitals in Calabar, Nigeria and served as participants. Participants generally perceived CPE as valuable and worthwhile and participated because it is mandatory and helps them to retain their jobs. The content of CPE were perceived to be more relevant for clinicians than for nurse educators; clinical skills and quantitative research methodology were adequately covered while evidence-based practice, attitudinal issues, nursing theories and patient safety were inadequately covered. CPE was perceived to be fragmented without gaining points, follow-up monitoring and evaluation after CPE which make it difficult to objectively assess the influence of CPE on quality of care. It is recommended that nurse leaders in Nigeria should develop online CPE modules for nursing, and allocate points to them so that participation may contribute to career progression. Effective monitoring and evaluation systems should be put in place to assess impact of CPE on staff competence and patient outcomes.

Arabic Travelogue of Shaykh Ibrahim to Nigeria as In His Naynil-Mafāz: Translation and Appraisal

Travelogue played a vital role in developing Arabic Language and its culture in Africa especially during the medieval period. At this point in time Arabs and non-Arabs became adventurers who made tour to African countries at large and West Africa in particular. Such travelers include IbnBatūta, IbnKhaldūn, alBakri al-Mas’ūdī among others. Their documentation of events serves as a great treasure in preserving environment, state and culture of Islam in those countries visited. Shaykh Ibrahim al-Kawlakhi of Senegal’sNaylul-MafāzbilAwdiIlal-Hijāz is an excerpt from Majmū’ al-Rihlātush Shaykh Ibrahim (The compendium of Shaykh Ibrahim’s journey), it is a 71 lines poem rendering an account of his journey to Nigeria on his way to and from the Holy land for pilgrimage. This paper commences with a brief biographical account of the erudite Sūfī poet, English translation of the poems precedes the content analysis of the poems. The poem is a comprehensive record of Sufi leaders in Nigeria, important eminence and even security men who joined his admirers in welcoming him with aura of dignity. His vivid description reveals love, kind gesture and rare hospitality received from his hosts. The influence of the poem on West Africa Sufi writers and adherents

Coping Mechanism/Resources of Young and Old Widows in South West Nigeria

The study investigated the differences that existed between young and old widows and their ammenability to coping mechanism and resources. The researcher made use of descriptive research design of the survey type. All the widows in South West Nigeria were surveyed. A self-designed instrument titled ‘Young and Old Vulnerable Widows Questionnaire’ (YOVWQ) was administered on randomly selected widows. A sample of one hundred young and old widows were randomly selected using multistage sampling technique involving stratified and purposive sampling techniques. The instruments validity was ensured facially, contentwise and constructwise by subjecting it to relevant experts. A reliability co-efficient of 0.78 was obtained from Pearson Product Moment Correlation Analysis using test retest reliability method. Copies of the instrument was personally administered by the researcher and trained research assistants in the various locations of the respondents. The data generated were analysed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics. The analysis of the data revealed that respondents (old and young) widows did not differ in their coping strategies and mechanisms.Based on the findings curriculum planner should incorporate into the national curriculum areas to be taught to students that will change orientation and reduce agonies of mourning widows. Also the culture of Will writing should be incorporated to couples life to alleviate the agonies of widows. The study could be of benefit to students, teachers, curriculum planners, widows, widowers, counsellors, professional care givers and teaming religious leaders in Nigeria. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n2p193

Curbing Corruption in Nigeria: The Imperatives of Good Leadership

The work generally examined the past and present government leaderships' efforts at curbing corruption in Nigeria and the imperatives of good leadership. The study, specifically, analyzed the relationship between effectively fighting and curbing corruption and the leadership style in Nigeria. The basic finding is that because corruption in Nigeria is very pervasive at the nation's various leadership levels, the effort to curb it has not been significantly successful. This is because the leaders who are at the forefront of the anti-graft war are grossly embedded in corrupt activities themselves. In the face of this, the work recommends that to effectively fight and control corruption in Nigeria, government leadership at all levels must be honest, upright, sincere and accountable in their management of state affairs. Very importantly, the leaders need to exhibit exemplary attitudes and serve as models for upright and honest public and even private lives. In fact, Nigeria leaders must be willing and capable to demonstrate personal commitment to the ant-graft war not only in words but, very importantly, in deeds. This is very necessary if the efforts at fighting corruption in Nigeria are to be effective and meaningful.

A Pragmatic Analysis of Victory and Inaugural Speeches of President Umaru Musa Yar‟Adua

The study was conducted to identify the speech acts features of President Umaru Yar’Adua’s Victory and Inaugural Speeches. Hence, the study focused on the pragmatic functions of locution, illocutionary and perlocutionary acts of the speeches. This was done with a view to determine the global pattern of pragmatic moves of the selected political speeches. The data were drawn from the Victory speech and Inaugural Speech and analyzed following the Speech Act theory of Austin (1962) and Searle (1969). The tabular presentations of the analysis were drawn showing the relative frequencies of the speech acts and percentages. Twenty (20) sentences were obtained from the speeches, from which forty(40) speech acts (direct and indirect illocutionary acts) were obtained. The findings showed that the Overall Relative Frequency Percentages (ORFPs) for the selected speeches of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua were: assertive-60%, directive-35%, expressive-15%, verdictive-40%, commisive-30%, and declarative-20%. These ORFPs results showed that Umaru Musa Yar’Adua relied more on sentences that performed assertive acts than other speech acts. He used the sentences that were vindictive and directive to assert his authority and exercise his power as the President. Sentences that were expressive had the least ORFP; hence, it was observed that the President exploited less of sentences which were meant for indicating the sincerity of his intentions. The Speech Act analysis of the political discourses of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua provided the understanding that political leaders in Nigeria perform various acts through their speeches. These speech acts assist in the understanding and interpretation of the messages in their speeches.

Repression of Press Freedom in Nigerian Democratic Dispensations

The Nigerian socio-political environment influences press freedom with adverse implications for education, information, entertainment and surveillance. A theoretical recognition of the press as the “fourth estate” connotes the capacity of the press to monitor the tiers of government (the legislature, the executive and the judiciary). However, the state monitors the press in Nigeria in a manner that negates the principle of the fourth estate. This article examines the repression of press freedom in Nigerian democratic dispensations. Using questionnaires and indepth interviews, data were drawn from 440 members of staff of selected print and electronic press organisations in Lagos and Oyo states of Nigeria. Results showed that although the press facilitated the development of democracy, challenges to press freedom were frequent. Respondents largely confirmed that the press kept the public informed, entertained and enlightened, and it set standards and established values for public conduct. The findings showed that the proposed Freedom of Information Bill (FIB) would empower the press and promote democracy in Nigeria if passed into law and implemented. Therefore, it was recommended that press organisations should pursue their professionalism and the ethics of journalism rather than succumb to socio-political forces influencing the quantity and quality of information made available to the public. Political leaders in Nigeria should accommodate public opinion and press reports on necessities for socioeconomic development before making any public interest decision.Keywords: media movement, press freedom, public opinion, democracy, development.

A Marxist Interpretation of the Dystopian Society in the African Novel

This essay attempts an evaluation of the African novel with the postulates of Marxism. With this interest, we probe into the worlds of two less canonized novelists within the aesthetic canon of African fiction, Nigeria's Biyi Bandele-Thomas and Lekan Oyegoke. Both writers have in their respective works exhibited artistic fervour for showing the dystopian Africa as it is. Their fictional exemplars capture the despicable Nigerian societies either under a military regime or in the hands of corrupt politicians. As both authors want us to believe, the eras of money-seeking leaders in Nigeria have been incontrovertible factors further relegating the country to the political and socio-economic background in world politics. The essay thus makes clear the Marxist initiative of the alienation between the haves and the have nots of African societies.

The Effect Of Total Quality Management On Leadership: Case Of Nigeria

In recent years, attempts to find solutions to political, economical, and social problems of developing nations have dominated the interest of developmental researchers. This paper, in effect, has taken the approach of finding the solutions to the problems facing poor leadership in many of the African countries, especially Nigeria. The paper is significant because it emphasizes on the cultural issues, lack of leadership skills, inadequate management operation of the nations, and lack of business competitive advantage. With the view of recommending a TQM model for implementing an effective leadership skills that has potential value-added to the masses, the paper provides Nigeria leaders with reliable tools for management. In addition, some specific elements have been highlighted and analyzed. The elements are: (1) leadership effectiveness, (2) leadership and Management commitment, (3) employee and individual involvement,(4) general public input, and (5) continuous improvement. With these elements chosen, the paper analysis is based on the effect of total quality management on leadership and sustainability of programs. An effective leader is one who points the way of success, who skills individuals who are as comfortable with change as they are with uncertainty, and one who has forward-thinking visionaries to lead the masses to believe and trust that they can improve their lack of efficiency and effectiveness in productivity. The paper recommends the use of total quality management on leadership and reorganization of operational managements in Africa nations, especially Nigeria.

Islamic perspectives on HIV/AIDS and antiretroviral treatment: the case of Nigeria

Some religious reactions to the HIV epidemic in Africa unwittingly contributed to the expansion of the epidemic in its early years. This was because many religious people regarded the emergence of HIV and AIDS as divine punishment for man's sins as a result of people's sexual promiscuity. Some also opposed public promotion of the use of condoms for HIV prevention. However, religious bodies have made positive contributions to HIV/AIDS responses in many African countries in recent times. Though Christian bodies are taking the lead in faith-based responses to HIV and AIDS in Africa, Islamic bodies have also been major partners in HIV/AIDS interventions in several countries. Against this background, this article examines some Islamic perceptions of HIV and AIDS, and especially the impact of antiretroviral treatment (ART) for people living with HIV in Africa, with particular emphasis on Nigeria. In spite of the emergence of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in Africa, Islam still emphasises the prevention of new infections and care for people living with HIV or AIDS. The article discusses basic issues associated with ARVs, such as health, sickness, life-prolongation and death, from an Islamic viewpoint, as well as some Islamic measures to prevent HIV-risk-taking behaviours in an era of ARVs. It also looks at the nature and extent of Islamic involvement in the national HIV/AIDS response in Nigeria. The paper concludes that while Islam sees HIV and AIDS and other diseases as ‘tests’ from Allah, the religion is not opposed to ART. Thus, efforts need to be intensified by Islamic bodies and Muslim leaders in Nigeria for an improved response to HIV and AIDS in the country.

Africa-Specific Factors Influencing the Decision to Adopt Work-Family Policies : Exploring the Field in Nigeria.

A few organizations in Nigeria have begun to show an interest in work-family policies; however, many others remain indifferent. This article seeks to identify environment-specific factors, not found in the Western literature, influencing organizational leaders in Nigeria to adopt work-family policies. This is important *because the family is a key cultural value in Africa threatened by current work intensification, and accelerating change requires an understanding of the variables affecting the change. Qualitative data on nine organizations in four economic sectors are examined to identify likely antecedents of and obstacles to work-family policies. A variable relevant to Nigeria but not found in existing Western literature is the link with a foreign or international partner with a work-family culture. This factor is powerful if it is coupled with a personal impulse from the chief executive and management team, failing which complaints of valued employees may move management to action – a proposition to be tested in further quantitative studies. On the other hand, the case studies support previous findings that organizational culture expressed in management practices and assumptions often constitutes a major obstacle to the adoption and take up of work-family policies.Keywords: work-family policies; Nigeria; culture

Africa Debt Crisis and the IMF with a Case of Nigeria: towards Theoretical Explanations

This paper, attempts to employ and apply the dependency and liberal economic theories in order to demonstrate how these two theories help in the accurate analysis and explanations of the debt crisis in the developing countries, particularly Africa and especially Nigeria. In doing this, the paper considers very briefly some of the actions and policies of IMF and other IFIs, the administrations of some Nigeria leaders and the undertakings/trend of events during the implementations of the Structural Adjustment Programme in Nigeria. It also reflects some of the activities in other countries in Africa relevant to the analysis. The paper concludes that the IMF, World Bank and the West should be blamed for collaborating with some Nigeria leaders in making the country indebted. And that the Nigerian masses needed reparation for the losses, pains and sufferings they have passed through because of IMF’s SAP.

Relative Effectiveness of Values Clarification and Symbolic Modeling in Enhancing the Moral Values of Adolescents in Selected Nigerian Schools

Using quasi-experiment, this study explored the effects of values clarification and symbolic modeling on moral intent to act in a sample of 120 high school students from Ogun State, Nigeria. Despite widespread disapproval and outright condemnation by the public, moral offences by the adolescent population have become increasingly frequent and grave in both the urban and rural areas of Nigeria. Believing that programs set by the government could impact the level of moral behavior among the youths of Nigeria, various leaders in Nigeria have attempted to make a difference in the moral life of the nation, such as “Ethical Revolution” by President Shehu Shagari in 1982; “War Against Indiscipline” by General Mohammed Buhari in 1985. In this study, both values clarification and symbolic modeling options demonstrated significant impacts on moral behavior as measured by the Moral Behavioral Inventory (MBI) and the Adolescent Personal Development Inventory (APDI).

This House Has Fallen: Midnight in Nigeria

A journey into contemporary Africa's most powerful, most corrupt nation.. To understand Africa, you have to understand Nigeria, and few Americans understand Nigeria better than Karl Maier. In the tradition of Philip Gourevitch's bestselling We Regret to Inform You...and Redmond O'Hanlon's No Mercy, This House Has Fallen is a bracing, disturbing, evocative report on the state of Africa's most populous, potentially richest, and most dangerously dysfunctional nation.Each year, with depressing consistency, Nigeria is declared the most corrupt state in the entire world. A nation into which billions of dollars of oil money flow, Nigeria's per capita income has dramatically fallen in the past two decades. All of the money has been stolen by elites. Also stolen has been democracy. Nigeria's leaders tend to elect themselves, often with the help of a gun. Military coup follows military coup. A rare democratic election is often merely a prelude to the next seizure of power by a general who wants greater access to the state's rapidly depleted vaults. A country of rising ethnic tensions and falling standards of living, Nigeria is a bellwether for Africa. And yet some think it is on the verge of utter collapse, a collapse that could overshadow even the massacres in Rwanda.A brilliant piece of reportage and travel writing, this book looks into the Nigerian abyss and comes away with insight, profound conclusions, and even some hope. To understand Africa, you have to understand Nigeria, and few Americans understand Nigeria better than Karl Maier. In the tradition of Philip Gourevitch's bestselling We Regret to Inform You...and Redmond O'Hanlon's No Mercy, This House Has Fallen is a bracing, disturbing, evocative report on the state of Africa's most populous, potentially richest, and most dangerously dysfunctional nation.Each year, with depressing consistency, Nigeria is declared the most corrupt state in the entire world. A nation into which billions of dollars of oil money flow, Nigeria's per capita income has dramatically fallen in the past two decades. All of the money has been stolen by elites. Also stolen has been democracy. Nigeria's leaders tend to elect themselves, often with the help of a gun. Military coup follows military coup. A rare democratic election is often merely a prelude to the next seizure of power by a general who wants greater access to the state's rapidly depleted vaults. A country of rising ethnic tensions and falling standards of living, Nigeria is a bellwether for Africa. And yet some think it is on the verge of utter collapse, a collapse that could overshadow even the massacres in Rwanda.A brilliant piece of reportage and travel writing, this book looks into the Nigerian abyss and comes away with insight, profound conclusions, and even some hope. *The first significant book on this subject in decades Nigeria is strategically vital to the United States-- it is one of our major suppliers of oil .