Ife Social Sciences Review

“I lost all I had to the flood…”: A Post-Disaster Assessment of the 2018 Kogi State Flood in Nigeria

Tolulope Osayomi — 2022-12-21

The heavy rains of August-September 2018 that resulted in excess run-off and overflow of reservoirs in Nigeria led to the unfortunate Kogi State flood event. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that 204,597 people were affected by the flood. Following this disaster, this study conducted a rapid post-disaster assessment of the situation. With a mixed methods approach, the study explored the perceived causes of the flood, awareness of flood warnings, level of preparedness and government interventions. Our findings showed that 55.6% of the respondents were not aware of early flood warnings while 30.6 per cent were well prepared for the flood. Nearly 13 per cent failed to prepare because they believed God would protect them. Above 40 per cent of respondents attributed the incidence to rainfall. Almost 75 per cent reported evacuation efforts during the incident while many flood victims were moved to IDP camps for safety (33%). Based on the study findings, it is evident that Nigeria’s flood risk management efforts are largely reactive because they are often limited to the post-disaster phase. The study, therefore, recommended that Kogi State needs a comprehensive flood risk reduction plan comprising early flood warning systems, flood risk mapping and community-based flood adaptation plans which would ultimately improve flood resilience.

SWOT Analysis of Nigerian Roads: A Synopsis on Benin-Auchi Road

Paul C. Richard — 2022-12-21

Road is an integral part of the supply chain. It contributes immensely to all economic activities. In other words, the strength of a nation’s economy lies in the nature of the road infrastructure put in place to support it. The sectors of the Nigerian economy particularly the transport sector is faced with staggering challenges which are inimical to the nation’s growth and development. Among these challenges are heavy traffic gridlocks and road obstructions occasioned by the deplorable state of the roads. Benin-Auchi Road reflects the true characteristics of a typical Nigerian Road and was used as a case study in this study. This paper aimed at analysing the situation along the Benin-Auchi Road using the SWOT method while further analysis with the Confrontation Matrix was applied to elicit narrowed outcomes sufficient enough for strategic decisions to create a lasting solution as well as provide new ideas for future policy direction. Information gathered from direct observation and secondary sources like journals, newspapers, web pages and relevant official reports served as inputs for the analysis. One of the results obtained reflected poor commitment (in terms of funding) towards the maintenance, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the road which was almost impassable. In view of this, the paper proposed that government should ensure appropriate disbursement of road intervention funds for maintenance, rehabilitation and reconstruction to meet the needs of the current reality. The funds should be thoroughly monitored to avoid delay in projects delivery and poor-quality works.

Filling the Land Policy Gap in Reviewing the National Policy on Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria

Justin E. Agheyisi — 2022-12-21

The lack of policy guidelines for IDPs resettlement in Nigeria had rendered humanitarian assistance ad hoc and disjointed, thus exacerbating the vulnerability of IDPs. This realization has necessitated the drafting of a National Policy on IDPs in 2012 which aims to coordinate all humanitarian responses for IDPs in Nigeria. However, land which forms the bedrock for IDPs resettlement was mentioned tangentially in the National Policy on IDPs. There was no focused policy guideline on how land should be provided for IDPs resettlement and humanitarian assistance in the country. The aim of this paper is to fill this gap by suggesting an integration of a coherent land policy for humanitarian assistance in the review of the document. This paper is based on the review of the National Policy, other literature and policy documents on IDPs. The review of extant literature on IDPs revealed that land is the entry point of any humanitarian assistance for IDPs. However, the review of the National Policy on IDPs revealed policy gaps in the context of housing, land and property (HLP). The National Policy has no policy guidelines for the provision of land for IDPs’ resettlement and humanitarian assistance for shelter and livelihood support. Given the weak land administration system in Nigeria due to the legal pluralism in land administration, land use for humanitarian assistance can be problematic without mainstreaming a land policy in the National Policy on IDPs. Key land policy guidelines were recommended for integration in the National Policy on IDPs.

Evidence-Based Approach to Reducing Marital Instability in Osun State, Nigeria

Catherine O. Oyetunji-Alemede — 2022-12-21

The study determined the prevalence of marital instability among couples in Osun state and assessed the efficacy of the Relationship and Marriage Education (RME) programme in reducing marital instability. A total of 103 monogamous couples in Osun State participated in the study, using a multi-stage sampling procedure to select the respondents. Data were collected using a standardised Marital Instability Scale (MIS). A pre-test and post-test comparison were made to establish the efficacy of an adapted Relationship and Marriage Education (RME) programme. Findings show high prevalence of marital instability and a considerable reduction in marital instability after the couple’s exposure to RME. The study concluded that the Relationship and Marriage Education (RME) programme effectively reduced marital instability among couples in Osun State, Nigeria.

Minimum Wage, Poverty and Social Welfare in Nigeria: Revisiting Distributive Justice

Oluwaseun Olanrewaju — 2022-12-21

This paper examines the concept of minimum wage and the poverty situation in Nigeria. It adopts distributive justice as its theoretical framework. The paper employs content analysis and utilizes secondary data obtained from journals, newspaper articles, books, and policy papers. It emphasizes that the intrinsic value of the minimum wage alludes to the level of poverty that confronts minimum wage earners in Nigeria. Furthermore, the paper identifies that Nigeria runs an extremely weak and inefficient social welfare system. This in many ways exacerbates the level of poverty among minimum wage earners. The paper argues that despite not being a strict egalitarian theory, distributive justice offers a practical framework which ensures that benefits and burdens are distributed in a rational manner that reduces poverty and inequality in the society. It concludes that continuous increase in the minimum wage without providing social safety nets for minimum wage earners is a facade. Significantly, in order to alleviate poverty and improve the living conditions of minimum wage earners, the government in its policy agenda must prioritize social welfare as a human right that must be protected.

Supportive Supervision and Employee Performance in A State Internal Revenue Service in Nigeria

Samuel A. Odunlami — 2022-12-21

An organization's objectives can only be realized through the efforts of its employees. Because the induction training provided to workers when they join their company is insufficient to bring out the best in them, allowing for supportive supervision of workers is a must for organizational efficiency and effectiveness. The main objective of the study is to examine the effect of supportive supervision on employee performance in the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service. Survey research design was used for the study. Data was collected through the use of questionnaire. Population of the study comprised of 120 workers in the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service, with the head office at Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used for the study. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the respondents’ biodata while multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses formulated. Findings of the study revealed that supportive supervision (mentoring, performance appraisal, and performance feedback) had combined significant effect on tax administration. Supportive supervision (mentoring, performance appraisal, and performance feedback) had combined significant effect on tax audit. Supportive supervision (mentoring, performance appraisal, and performance feedback) had combined significant effect on tax compliance in Anambra State Internal Revenue Service. The study concluded that provision of sufficient mentoring to workers, continuous evaluation of workers’ performance, and provision of feedback to workers after each appraisal exercise will bring about efficient tax management, quality tax reporting, and consistent tax compliance in the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service.

Adoption of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) on Financial Accountability and Transparency of Selected Local Governments in Ogun State

Sherif B. Balogun — 2022-12-21

The study aimed to examine the impact of IPSAS adoption on financial accountability, transparency and credibility of financial management at the local level of government in Ogun State. Primary source of data was employed in this study. Three local governments were selected for the administration of thirty questionnaires each, given to conveniently selected members of the Accounting department, Internal Audit department and Finance department across the selected local government in Ogun State. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics while the hypotheses were tested using regression analysis to examine the impact of IPSAS adoption on financial accountability and transparency of local government in Nigeria. The result of this research shows that IPSAS adoption has a significant positive impact on financial accountability (t=8.117; p=.006) and credibility of financial management at the local level of government (t=1.221; p=.002), however, IPSAS has no significant impact on transparency (t=2.932; p=.091). This study recommends that government should enforce the adoption of IPSAS since its adoption has significantly improved and enhanced the level of financial accountability, transparency and credibility of financial management in local government.

Socio-demographic Factors, Household Social Capital and Nutritional Status among Under-five Children in Ibadan South-east Local Government, Oyo State

Mojeed O. Akindele — 2022-12-21

The study investigated the effect of socio-demographic factors on nutritional status of under-five children; ascertained the relationship between household social capital and nutritional status of under-five children; examined the joint effect of socio-demographic factors and household social capital on nutritional status of under-five children in Ibadan South East Local Government, Oyo State. These were to understand the determinants of nutritional status among under-five children in the study area. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design and employed primary data through the administration of a set of structured questionnaires. Measurement of weight and height was done to determine the nutritional status of children aged 0 to 59 months. The questionnaire was administered on women aged 15-49years. The estimated number of women within reproductive ages was 66, 421 based on 2006 population census. Slovin’s formula (1999) was adopted to determine the sample size. Thus, 400 copies of the questionnaire were administered in the study area. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics which involved the use of frequencies and percentages. Cross tabulation, chi-square and binary logistic regression were employed for the inferential aspect of the analysis. The results showed that about 67% of under-five children were malnourished. In the bivariate analysis, birth order had a strong association with nutritional status of under-five children with χ² = 13.90, p = 0.031. In the multivariate analysis, women who were not working were 0.5 times (p>0.05) less likely to have children with normal nutrition compared to those who were currently working. The study concluded that there were higher proportions of malnourished children of under-five in Ibadan South-east Local Government, Oyo State.

Residents’ Perception on Community Policing in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria.

Onweazu O. Okoji — 2022-12-21

The fundamental principles of community policing prescribe that there should evolve a platform whereby members of public are willing to cooperate and build partnerships with the appropriate authorities and this is achievable by allowing them access to security decisions that impact on them. Ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study while simple random sample technique was used to select 300 participants in Ilorin metropolis. The instrument used to illicit information from the respondents was tagged Community Policing Inventory with reliability value of 0.75. Findings from the study shows that there is a significant correlation between community policing and crime prevention (r ₍₂₉₈₎ = 0.811; p<0.05), there is no statistically significant discrepancy between male and female community members observed factors impeding community policing and crime prevention (t _{298} = 1.214, p>0.05), there is no statistically significant discrepancy between old and young community members observed factors impeding community policing and crime prevention (t _{298} = 1.273, p>0.05), there is a statistically significant discrepancy between educated and uneducated community members observed factors impeding community policing and crime prevention in Ilorin metropolis, Kwara state (t _{298} = 1.622, p<0.05). Thus, it was recommended that there is need to foster transparency and accountability among security officers and members of community policing.

Banditry and National Security: Implications for Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria

Haruna I. Abdullahi — 2022-12-21

Every society aims at development of citizenry without jeopardizing the chances of its future generations. One of the challenges to sustainable development is banditry. The criminal act leads to loss of lives and properties, disintegration of national unity or cohesion, destruction of critical infrastructures, and dispelling of investors. The dearth of literature on banditry as obstacles to national security and development motivated this paper. Hence, this paper assesses the significant relationship between banditry, national security and sustainable development. The paper adopts qualitative research method. Data were sourced secondarily through the content analysis of peer-reviewed journals, dailies and credible online resources. Findings show that banditry involving kidnapping, armed robbery and theft, are threats to national security. These violent crimes aggravate unemployment, food shortage, loss of lives and properties. These aggravates crime rates in Nigeria. The paper recommends intelligence security measures to checkmate the rising incidents of kidnapping in the country.

Institutional Challenges Faced by Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria

Akeem O. Ayub — 2022-12-21

Disabilities, as a global issue, expose the victims to various challenges. Reports have shown that over one billion people worldwide have some disability and that at least 190 million people live with substantial disabilities, most of whom live in developing countries. In Nigeria, about 25 million people have one form of disability or the other, accounting for 15% of the population. Undertaking a comprehensive published literature review by the authors to identify journal articles and books dealing with disabilities, it was discovered that many victims of disabilities face institutional challenges. These challenges range from discrimination, exploitation, violence, stigma, inadequate housing, and education to healthcare. It was also observed that disabilities could develop at any time during one’s life, limiting victims’ access to many opportunities in society. This paper envisages family members physically, verbally and emotionally abusing their members with disabilities. This paper observed that the excessive dependence of PWDs on significant others to carry out certain activities have their inheritances and resources abused, and their rights violated. Also, it is observed that PWDs face challenges in schools due to a lack of adequate training for teachers in both conventional and special schools, a lack of provision of assistive devices and materials, and lackadaisical attitudes from peers. Disability poses a significant obstacle for many victims at some time in their life, whether at home or school. In order to enable the victims to learn, play, and engage fairly in a diverse setting, it is recommended that policies that prioritise PWD education be developed and implemented. Individuals should also report PWD rights violations to the appropriate authorities so that prompt action can be taken.

Fiscal Federalism and Social Policy in Nigeria: A Contextual Review and Evaluation

Olusegun Oladeinde — 2022-12-21

Attempt was made in this paper to further explore how the institutional and historical developments of fiscal federalism have shaped social policy-framing in Nigeria; a federal country where territorial contestation over fiscal redistribution was particularly strong, and a situation accounted for by the geographic concentration of ever-important oil resources. Utilizing institutionalist perspective, the paper noted that vertical fiscal-redistribution (i.e., the constitutional imperatives on how the federal government tackles regional inequality through transfers to sub-national units), shaped fiscal federalism in Nigeria. In the context of fiscal redistribution, Nigeria particularly, presented instructive illustrations in evaluating the role of fiscal federalism on social policy discourse and practice. In utilizing much of historical institutionalist analysis of fiscal federalism in Nigeria, the paper demonstrated that distinct constitutional responsibility was accorded to the roles of local governments as the 3^rd tier of government in the context of Federalism. However, contextual analyses of the fiscal side of the federal, and social policy nexus, continued to show incongruous relations and residual dimensions between fiscal distribution and social policy provisioning at sub-national levels, in Nigeria.