Papers for Volume 4, No.1
Papers for Volume 4, No.1
OGBAZULUOBODO Volume 4, No. 1 Preliminary Pages
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, THE YOUTHS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN NIGERIA: AN APPRAISAL
Hon. Justice C. V. C. Ezeugwu
LANGUAGE AND SCAMMERS: PERSUASIVE STRATEGIES IN SCAM WHATSAPP PLATFORMS
Abstract
The domain of internet scams is increasing on daily basis with technological advancement. As a result, the breadth and mode of operation of internet scams necessitate constant and ongoing research. In a recent development, WhatsApp, one of the popular social networking sites, has become commonplace for scammers to harvest potential victims. This study, therefore, provides an in-depth case study on the linguistic techniques deployed to entice, convince and persuade victims in successful WhatsApp platform scams. 400 messages which were purposively collected from four successful scam WhatsApp platforms between 2020 and 2021 were used for the study. Guided by the deceptive techniques of Dyrud (2005) and Manson (2011), seven persuasive elements were identified out of which sharing testimonies ranked highest because it allows the scammers to establish trust by providing proof of credibility, showcasing exclusive benefits and soliciting victims to try the scam. These strategies enable scammers to mask their deceptive intentions while exploiting the weakness of people, especially in the face of unfavourable economic conditions. Therefore, individuals must have an adequate understanding of these strategies to prevent or reduce chances of falling victim to the scam.
Keywords: Language, Persuasive Strategies, Scammers, WhatsApp Platform Scam
Opeyemi Emmanuel Olawe
BAD GOVERNANCE AS A PRECURSOR TO YOUTH CRISES IN SELECTED WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES FROM 2010 – 2021
Abstract
The study looked into bad governance as a precursor to youth crises in selected West African countries from 2010-2021. The objectives were to determine who are the youth in Nigeria and Ghana, find out the causes of youth restiveness in the selected countries and proffer solutions to the problem. The researcher adopted descriptive analysis research method through secondary data to interprete the information got from such data. Findings indicated that the definition of the youth is not stable for the youth to have authority of being among the deciders and implementers of government policies as they are under the supervision of their superior officers who may not want them to change from their strategies. The causes of youth restiveness stems from early lack of good parental upbringing, lack of good guidance and counselling by religious groups and organisations. Others are lack of setting up of skill acquisition centres by government and organisation that will benefit the youth. There is high rate of illiteracy, poverty, marginalisation of masses, economic devastation, and youth militancy due to deprivation, social and criminal vices. The researcher recommended that government and organisation should set up skill and vocational training centres for the children and the youth. Proper guidance and counsellors should be employed in all areas to handle the children at the early stage of their lives and even the youth in their vocational training centres. Gambling and success through luck should be stopped.
Keywords: Youth, Deprivation, Restiveness, Bad governance.
Samuel Ifeanyi Ezema
DEPRESSION AND STRESS AS CORRELATES OF SUICIDE THOUGHT AMONG UNDERGRADUATES OF IMO STATE UNIVERSITY, OWERRI
Abstract
This study investigated Depression and stress as correlates of suicide thoughts among university students of Imo State University, Owerri. Using a descriptive survey design; the study adopted a purposive sampling technique to select 402 undergraduates (208 males and 194 females) from all the 12 faculties of Imo state University, Owerri. Beck Depression inventory, Becks’ Suicide Ideation Inventory and Life Experiences Survey (LES) were used as instruments for data collection. Analysis of data was done using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) at .05 level of significance. The study revealed significant correlation between the independent variables (Depression and stress) and the dependent variable (Suicide thought) on the following order, DepressionR=(400) = 0.216, p<.05,and Stress R=(400) = 0.174, p<.05). Among the recommendation is the fact that Lots of awareness and knowledge about suicidal thoughts among undergraduates should be created in order to provide a guideline for possible prevention programs or treatments for those students who are experiencing the ideas of suicidal. This study came to existence as an attempt to raise the awareness about suicidal ideations risk factors and prevention so that university students in crisis may be recognized and helped.
Keywords: Depression, Stress, Suicide thought, Undergraduates.
Francis Udoka Ndimkoha
DRAMA, WELTANSCHAUUNGEN AND PASSION IN AMIRI BARAKA’S GREAT GOODNESS OF LIFE AND ESIABA IROBIS HANGMEN ALSO DIE
Abstract
A life without a future has a greater tendency of depreciating into violence. Drama as a genre of literature is built on mimesis; man in the confines of the theatre is offered the opportunity to preside over judgment against his actions and inactions. The sense of good or bad in a man’s judgment is an embodiment of his world view, which defines his morals, beliefs and value. Consciously or unconsciously, these filter into a passion that propels the desire for a better living condition. The playwrights under study: Amiri Baraka and Esiaba Irobi are African-American and African respectively. These societies suffer injustice in different shades: racism and neocolonialism, and are yet to be totally free. It is the interest of this paper to discuss the relationship shared by the passions generated by the individual world view of these societies in their drama as they utilize the theatre as veritable tool in their struggles for liberation. The selected plays for this discourse are The Great Goodness of Life (1966) and Hangmen Also Die (1989). These are studied using sociological perspective of literature. Apart from being from different regions, the playwrights are different eras apart, as a result, that will help the researcher to arrive at a result based on the human condition irrespective of the society and era. This research will guide the various bodies to understand the causes and consequences of youth restiveness in societies.
Key words: Drama, Weltanschauungen, Hubris, Passion and Freedom.
Mishael C. Nwaiwu
POLITICAL LEADERSHIP MARGINALIZATION IN NIGERIA: A CONSIDERATION OF THE YOUTH IN THE FOURTH REPUBLIC (1999 - 2022)
Abstract
Political leadership marginalization is a topical issue in Nigerian politics. The youths in Nigeria who are constituents of the society are not effectively integrated into political leadership opportunities at all levels of governance and desire for inclusion. The quest for political leadership participation has always occupied the political discourses of the youth but the spate for inclusiveness intensified in the Fourth Republic to the extent that the “Not too Young to Run” bill of 2018, signed into law by President Mohammadu Buhari, provides for the youths to vie for any elective position in the country became obviously evident. This free rein came at a very critical period of Nigeria’s history characterized by tumultuous challenges such as COVID 19 pandemic, high in security, immense poverty, large scale corruption, hunger, high inflation rate and general alarming economic quagmire. This paper attempts to examine Nigeria’s political leadership experiences leading to youth marginalization. The method of data collection and analysis were based on qualitative descriptive approach while the conflict theory was adopted in explaining the problem investigated. The study found out that the youths who are an integral segment of the Nigerian society are actually marginalized in holding political leadership positions in the country. It is, therefore, imperative to make politics a level-playing activity to allow them participate and attain political leadership positions.
Keywords: Political Leadership, Marginalization, Youth, Inclusiveness, Fourth Republic.
Orkuma Anyoko-Shaba, Irene Chinasa Kekeocha-Christopher and Uchenna Batholomew Nwokoma
SATIRICAL COMEDY IN THE ERA OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC: THE NIGERIAN AWARENESS EXPERIENCE
Abstract
This paper argues that drama through its comedy and satire genres has proven its essence by educating and entertaining Nigerians in the period of covid-19. Although comedy is said to be an action that is unserious and full of humor, it was used during and after the covid-19 era to educate and spice up the boring life of the masses in the midst of the pandemic, looking at the role of comedy in creating awareness, general lives of individuals and the Nigerian society in the chaotic situation during the covid-19 era. The quantitative research approach was used to analyze the number of ‘views’, ‘shares’, ‘likes’ and ‘comments’ of the eight (8) selected online comedy skits. Anchored on Stanley Fish’s Reader Response theory that gained prominence in the late 1960s. This theory focuses on the readers and audience reaction to a text or any artistic output for evaluation and interpretation based on their personal experience, previous knowledge and opinion. The corona virus pandemic in Nigeria brought about lockdown-the shutdown of different activities of individuals and organizations in the country. The government of Nigeria enforced social distancing to cushion the effect of the deadly virus. Hence, the introduction of different alternative ways for the normal such as working from home, no social gathering, regular handwashing and wearing of nose masks. These preventive measures by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the federal Ministry of health in conjunction with World Health Organization directives could only be achieved by “staying at home”. Hence, people found consolation and life in television, indoor games and social media.
Keywords: Satirical Comedy, Awareness, Covid-19 Era, Nigeria.
Godstime Eze, Uche-Chinemerem Nwaozuzu and Richard Umezinwa
DICTATORSHIP AND HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE IN POSTCOLONIAL NIGERIA: A STUDY OF HELON HABILA’S WAITING FOR AN ANGEL
Abstract
Nigerian literature has come a long way with its unique history, and generations of Nigerian writers have exploited literature to address a plethora of issues peculiar to their society. Issues concerning politics, philosophy, history, migration, mysticism, sexism, gender, corruption, social injustice among others have found their expressions in Nigerian novels. Armed with this awareness, this study selected Helon Habila’s Waiting for an Angel as a fictional text embodying the diverse postcolonial issues in Nigerian fiction. With postcolonial and trauma theories as theoretical anchors, the study investigated dictatorship and human rights abuse in post-colonial Nigeria from the fictional lens of Helon Habila. A textual analysis of the novel was done using primary and secondary sources of data collection. Habila’s Waiting for an Angel cast a cursory look at the dark moments of Nigerias history in the 1990’s under the sadistic military brutality, an era characterised by human rights violation of unimaginable proportion, thereby subjecting the masses to political and social trepidation. The study discovered that the postcolonial African state, Nigeria, as mirrored in Helon Habila novel, is a failed state marred with dictatorship, human rights abuse, repressive governance, corruption, suppression, leadership crisis, amongst others. The study concluded that Habila preaches total eradication of military men in the politics of the country. It shows the gains of literature as a voice against the dangers of dictatorship and human rights abuse with the hope of finding lasting solutions, to better the lots of the nation and make it habitable, irrespective of political, religious and ethnic affiliations.
Keywords: Dictatorship, Human, Rights, Abuse Postcolonial, Nigeria, Corruption, Social, Injustice.
Doris Paschal-Mbakwe
KEEPING OFF THE GRASS: COMBATTING SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG NIGERIAN YOUTHS
Abstract
Naturally, man relies on drugs to cure ailments and maintain a healthy life. Therefore, when used appropriately, drug usage has beneficial and therapeutic effects on people, and its importance cannot be over-emphasized. However, the conundrum lies in the illegal use of drugs by constant and prolonged usage so much that it becomes addictive and harmful to health. In recent times, Nigeria has become the hub for increased substance abuse among youths, becoming a public health concern not just in the country but globally. Substance abuse negatively impacts individuals, families, and society with numerous destructive implications. The central question of this research is whether human rights proffer any solution for combatting drug abuse among Nigerian youths. This research returns a positive answer as adopting a human rights-based approach offers opportunities for combatting substance abuse. The research employs a doctrinal approach using primary and secondary research tools. The research concludes that attaining progress in the fight against substance abuse lies in adopting human rights-based approach principles viz universality, equality, empowerment, participation, and accountability.
Keywords: Abuse, Substance Abuse, Drug Abuse, Human Rights Based Approach.
Portia Ozioma Chigbu, Obinna James Edeh, Victor Declan and Uju Peace Okeke
A PRAGMATIC ANALYSIS OF YOUTHS’ ACTIVISM IN TANURE OJAIDES THE ACTIVIST
Abstract
A number of works has been done by scholars from several perspectives on the Activist, especially through the lens of literary and critical analyses. Most of such studies on the text often focus on its critic of bad leadership, economic and oil explorations, and environment degradation. Youth activism is one of the major areas of interests; he is especially concerned with the social and living conditions of the youths. This study is concerned with the linguistic analysis of youths’ activism in the activist. The aim is to ascertain the pragmatic implications of youths’ activism in the text. Activism is a practice that emphasizes direct vigorous action especially in support of, or opposition to one side of a controversial issue. Theory of Cooperative Principle was employed in the prosecution of the study. It, thus, sought to discover the extent to which these maxims were adhered to, or violated. The results of the investigation indicate that these maxims are, at times, adhered to, but most often they were flouted because speakers, during conversations, employ avoidance strategy, which made it possible to evade some questions asked. The implication is, therefore, that youths are often encumbered and thus circumvent questions put forth to them.
Keywords: youth activism, cooperative principle, pragmatics, the activist, maxim, language