Advances in Law, Pedagogy, and Multidisciplinary Humanities
Advances in Law, Pedagogy, and Multidisciplinary Humanities (ALPAMET) is a peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to exploring the intersections between law, education, and the humanities. The journal provides a platform for scholars, practitioners, and educators to share innovative research, critical analysis, and theoretical perspectives that contribute to the understanding and advancement of these fields. ALPAMET covers a broad range of topics including legal theory and practice, educational philosophy and pedagogy, and interdisciplinary studies in the humanities such as history, literature, philosophy, and cultural studies. By fostering dialogue across these disciplines, the journal aims to deepen the analysis of societal issues, promote academic discourse, and propose solutions to contemporary challenges in law, education, and the humanities. The journal welcomes submissions that blend theoretical insights with practical implications, and encourages cross-disciplinary approaches that address the complex and evolving dynamics of the modern world. ALPAMET seeks to advance knowledge and contribute to both academic scholarship and practical applications in law, education, and the broader humanities.
Fakultas Sastra Universitas Muslim Indonesia
Exploring Human Resource Practitioners’ Experiences of Using the Public Employee Performance Management Information System (PEPMIS) in Managing Employee Performance in the Public Service
The Public Employee Performance Management Information System (PEPMIS) was introduced in Tanzania to strengthen employee performance management across the public service. Despite wide implementation, limited attention has been given to how Human Resource (HR) practitioners experience the system within everyday institutional contexts. This study examined practitioner experiences across five dimensions: system usability, organisational support, user competence and training, technical challenges, and effectiveness in supporting the full performance management cycle. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model and the Job Demands–Resources Theory, a qualitative interpretivist design was employed, using semi-structured interviews with twenty-five purposively selected HR professionals. Findings reveal that usability is undermined by slow responses, complex navigation, and inconsistent functionality. Organisational support is weakened by limited leadership involvement, poor coordination, and inadequate technical assistance. User competence is compromised by insufficient practical training, while technical challenges stem from weak infrastructure and unreliable connectivity. Although PEPMIS enhances documentation and transparency, its effectiveness is undermined by a misalignment between system demands and institutional capacity. The study concludes that effective digital performance management requires stronger organisational commitment, improved infrastructure, and sustained user capacity development.
Human Resource Practitioners’ Experiences
Copyright (c) 2026 Advances in Law, Pedagogy, and Multidisciplinary Humanities https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Application of International Treaties in Nigeria: A Panacea to the Unending Legal Debacle of Intestate Succession
The practice of intestate succession has undergone significant evolution, with recent developments highlighting concerns about human rights and the importance of respecting an egalitarian society. The practice in Nigeria, especially with the application of customary law, is shrouded in the discrimination of rights; in all of these, women are mostly affected, considering their copious vulnerabilities. It is in light of these concerns that Nigeria needs to adopt and implement international best standards. Why should Nigeria adopt and implement these international best standards? What are the potential premiums accruing to the implementation of international treaties centered on promoting minority rights, like those affecting women and children? These are some of the key questions answered in this article. The methodology used for this research is doctrinal. It relied on primary and secondary sources such as legal texts, judicial decisions, journals, the internet, international treaties, and conventions to analyze the interplay between domestic and international legal frameworks in addressing the rights of women and children in inheritance matters. The findings reveal that, despite constitutional guarantees of equality, Nigerian customary and religious practices often undermine women’s and female children’s rights to inheritance. Judicial interventions have provided some relief by invalidating discriminatory customs, but such relief remains inconsistent and limited. The research further demonstrates that international treaties—such as the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol), the African Charter, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) offer normative frameworks that, once domesticated, can serve as binding legal instruments to protect women’s inheritance rights and harmonize Nigeria’s fragmented legal order. The article concludes that effective domestication and implementation of key international treaties, particularly CEDAW and the African Charter, will empower courts to expunge discriminatory customary practices and ensure that domestic succession laws align with Nigeria’s international human rights obligations. The study recommends enhanced judicial training, legislative reforms, and public sensitization to facilitate the consistent protection of women’s rights and promote fairness and equality in intestate succession.
The Place of Measurement and Evaluation in National Policy of Education in Nigeria Educational System
This study examined the place of measurement and evaluation in the National Policy on Education in Nigeria’s educational system. The study was guided by three research questions and three hypotheses. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population of the study consisted of 5,420 educational stakeholders, while a sample of 542 respondents was selected using a 10% sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Measurement and Evaluation in National Policy on Education Questionnaire (MENPEQ). The instrument was validated by experts and tested for reliability using Cronbach Alpha, which yielded a coefficient of 0.82. Data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer research questions, while z-test statistics were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings of the study revealed that measurement and evaluation play a significant role in ensuring quality assurance in Nigerian education. It was also found that measurement and evaluation significantly influence curriculum implementation in schools. Furthermore, the study revealed that effective measurement and evaluation improve educational outcomes when properly implemented. However, several challenges such as inadequate teacher training, poor funding, large class sizes, and lack of assessment materials were found to hinder effective implementation of measurement and evaluation in Nigeria’s educational system. The hypotheses tested showed that measurement and evaluation have a significant effect on quality assurance, curriculum implementation, and educational outcomes. The study concluded that measurement and evaluation are essential components of the National Policy on Education and are critical for improving educational quality and accountability in Nigeria. It was recommended that government should strengthen teacher training, improve funding, and enhance the use of modern assessment tools to improve evaluation practices in schools.
The Discourse of the Human Person and Its Eschatology in Urhobo Ontology: A Philosophical Perusal
This paper provides an in-depth analysis of issues concerning the human person and its eschatology in Urhobo ontology, with specific interest in how the Urhobo people of Southern Nigeria conceive and understand the concepts of existence, death, and destiny. The study addresses the perceived neglect of holistic African perceptions in the analysis of the human person, particularly in relation to the concepts of personhood and the afterlife. The essence of this study is to highlight traditional African beliefs that provide a moral and communal framework shaping scholarly discussions as they relate to life and death. In Urhobo thought, personhood is conceived as a unity of body, spirit, and destiny. The study also highlights how their eschatological beliefs provide a moral and communal framework that shapes both life and death. Employing the methods of philosophical analysis and hermeneutics, the paper argues that the Urhobo view death not as an end but as a transition into Erivwin, the spiritual realm, and that moral conduct, communal belonging, and proper burial rites determine one's ultimate destiny. Ancestorhood is considered the highest fulfillment and attainment of the human person, serving as both a moral ideal and an eschatological goal. The paper concludes by affirming that Urhobo ontology offers a holistic perception of the human person, where morality, communal living, and destiny are inseparable, contributing importantly to global philosophical reflections on the themes of life and the afterlife.
An Analysis of Environmental Pollution Laws and Regulations in Nigeria
The Nigerian environment faces a multitude of severe pollution challenges, including pervasive oil spillages, continuous gas flaring, desertification, drought, climate change impacts, escalating municipal waste generation, and gully erosion. These persistent problems are exacerbated by rapid population growth and the relentless exploitation of natural resources. In response, the Nigerian government has enacted a suite of environmental pollution prevention laws and established regulatory bodies designed to abate environmental degradation. This paper examines the concept of the environment and its components, defines pollution and its various types, and investigates the primary causes of environmental pollution in Nigeria. It provides a critical analysis of the key environmental pollution prevention laws and regulations, evaluating their effectiveness in stemming the tide of environmental degradation. The analysis reveals that while a comprehensive legal framework exists on paper, its effectiveness is critically undermined by outdated provisions, weak enforcement mechanisms, constitutional limitations, and a lack of political will. The paper advocates for significant legal and policy reforms, including the strengthening of institutional capacity, enhanced public participation, and a renewed commitment to the sustainable use and conservation of natural resources to achieve a more effective environmental enforcement regime in Nigeria.
A Corpus Based Analysis of Explicitation and Neutralization Strategies in ECOWAS French Translations of Nigerian Political Discourse
This paper investigates the translation strategies employed in rendering Nigerian political discourse into French for dissemination within the Economic Community of West African States. Using a corpus based approach, the study examines a specialized collection of ECOWAS official documents, policy briefs, and communiqués translated from English Nigerian political texts into French between 2015 and 2023. The analysis focuses on two principal translation strategies: explicitation, whereby implicit information in the source text is made explicit in the target text, and neutralization, whereby culturally specific or politically charged terminology is rendered more neutral or generic. The findings reveal systematic patterns in how Nigerian political concepts, particularly those rooted in local idioms, proverbial expressions, and culturally specific institutions, are transformed in translation. Explicitation strategies are frequently employed to clarify opaque cultural references for a diverse West African francophone audience, while neutralization strategies are deployed to manage politically sensitive content and to conform to the diplomatic register of ECOWAS discourse. The study contributes to the growing field of African translation studies and offers insights into the linguistic mediation of political communication in multilingual regional organizations.
A Critical Evaluation of the Four Cardinal Dimensions of Prosperity Gospel: Spiritual Prosperity, Material Prosperity, Social Prosperity, and Social Well-Being – A Case Study of the Dunamis International Gospel Church
The central problem addressed in this study arises from the apparent imbalance in prosperity teachings, which often place greater emphasis on material and physical well-being than on the primary message of salvation and discipleship. The primary objectives of this study are to identify and analyze the four cardinal dimensions of prosperity as taught in Dunamis Church, to appraise their theological and biblical foundations, and to assess their impact on the spiritual and social lives of members and the broader society. The research adopted a qualitative methodology, utilizing a case study approach that combined doctrinal analysis, textual interpretation, and review of relevant theological literature. The study is grounded in the Prosperity Theology framework, which posits that faith, positive confession, and covenant obedience are the keys to comprehensive and all inclusive prosperity. The findings reveal that Dunamis Church presents a complete view of prosperity that incorporates spiritual growth, financial achievement, social influence, and overall well being. While this comprehensive approach has empowered many faithful economically and socially, it also risks promoting the problematic teaching that God's blessings are measured solely by material achievements. The study discovers that placing excessive emphasis on material achievements may unconsciously weaken Christian values of humility, service, and redemptive suffering. Through case studies and interdisciplinary insights, the study concludes that Prosperity theology as taught and practiced in Dunamis Church encompasses both strengths and weaknesses. Its emphasis on faith, productivity, and human flourishing aligns with the biblical vision of abundant life, yet it requires theological balance to maintain the preeminence of spiritual transformation over material achievement. The study recommends that theologians and preachers of the Gospel should communicate messages that emphasize a more Christocentric understanding of prosperity, one that incorporates salvation, stewardship, and social responsibility. It also calls for profound theological education among Prosperity Gospel preachers to teach the Gospel that promotes both spiritual maturity and social justice in the Church.
Effect of Blended Learning Approach on Students’ Academic Achievement in Mathematics in Delta North Senatorial District of Delta State
This study investigated the effect of blended learning approach on students’ academic achievement in Mathematics in Delta north senatorial district of Delta state. Three research questions and hypotheses were each raised to guide the study. The scope of the study covered the effect of blended learning approach on students’ academic achievement in SSS2 Mathematics in Algebra and Probability. The study is delimited to public secondary schools in the senatorial district. The design of the study was a quasi experimental design of pretest-posttest control group. The population of the study comprised all Senior Secondary School 2 (SSS 2) students in public secondary schools in the nine local government areas of Delta north senatorial district in the 2024/2025 academic session. The population of the study was 3,473 candidates. A multi stage sampling technique was used to draw a sample size of 225 SSS2 Mathematics students (105 males, and 120 females). Mathematics Achievement Test (MAT) was used for data collection. The reliability of the instrument was 0.79 obtained using Kudar-Richardson formulae 20 (KR-20). Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and independent sample t-test were employed to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the result revealed that students exposed to the blended learning approach performed better than those exposed to the conventional lecture method. The findings also showed a significant difference between male and female students exposed to blended learning approach in favor of male students, and no interaction effect between instructional methods and sex. Based on the findings of this study, blended learning approach should be practiced thoroughly by Mathematics teachers as the method has been proven effective in enhancing students’ Mathematics academic achievement.
The Jurisprudential Paradox: Re-Examining the Proportionality Requirement in the Defence of Provocation Under Nigerian Criminal Law
The defence of provocation in Nigerian criminal law has long been burdened by an internal inconsistency: the requirement that a provoked person's response must be proportionate to the provocation received. This doctrine, borrowed from English common law and consistently applied by Nigerian courts, demands rational restraint from an individual who, by the very definition of provocation, is said to have lost self-control and the mastery of his own mind. This study examines the jurisprudential foundation of the proportionality requirement and questions whether it can logically coexist with the core premise of the defence. Adopting a doctrinal legal research methodology, the paper analyses relevant Nigerian statutes (the Criminal Code and Penal Code), case law from the Supreme Court and lower courts, and comparative English authorities. The study finds that while the proportionality doctrine is firmly embedded in Nigerian judicial practice, neither the Criminal Code nor the Penal Code expressly incorporates it as an independent ingredient of the defence. Furthermore, the requirement creates a logical paradox: a person who has genuinely lost self-control cannot simultaneously be expected to measure the reasonableness of his response. Medical and psychological evidence on stress responses further undermines the doctrine's assumptions. The paper concludes that proportionality should be reframed as one evidentiary factor among several, rather than a mandatory separate requirement. It recommends legislative reform to resolve this paradox and bring Nigerian criminal law into greater coherence with its own foundational principles.
Maritime Education and the Training Challenges under Applicable Nigeria Laws: Need to Harmonise with Global Best Practices
Maritime education and seafarers’ training are crucial to achieving cabotage and maritime law policies. Cabotage law, by its nature as a local content law, presupposes that local nationals are well trained in line with the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) to match the standards of expatriates or foreign counterparts. The need for citizens to be equally qualified in professional terms to man vessels and drive the cabotage industry of their respective countries cannot be overemphasised. Recognising this, Nigeria institutionalised technical training through various regulatory bodies, such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), to ensure adequate manpower supply in the industry. The study adopted the doctrinal approach to legal research and made use of both primary and secondary sources of law. However, the paper found that Nigeria is confronted with foreign dominance, lack of adequate resources, and financial misappropriation, among other issues. Consequently, as a way forward to achieving the enormous benefits in the industry, access to funding and resources, alongside the fight against corruption, are ways to overhaul the system. Others include staff development, international collaboration, and investment in modern infrastructure and technology. The recommendations are geared towards safeguarding the training and regulatory institutions from collapse and upholding institutional integrity. Nigeria can also adopt the aggressive models of the Philippine system to improve the Nigerian cabotage industry. The findings may also benefit other countries facing similar challenges.
The Allure of Easy Money: Sports Betting as a Coping Mechanism for Economic Hardship Among Tanzanian Youth: A Case Study of Dar es Salaam
This study examines the proliferation of sports betting among youth in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as a response to persistent economic hardship and limited formal employment opportunities. Despite contributing over TZS 17.42 billion in taxes and generating substantial government revenue, Tanzania’s rapidly expanding betting industry has raised significant public health concerns, particularly among unemployed and underemployed young men who increasingly view gambling as a viable income generation strategy rather than entertainment. Drawing on qualitative case study methodology, this research explores how economic precarity shapes betting behaviors and why youth in Dar es Salaam turn to gambling as a perceived pathway out of poverty. Data from semistructured interviews with affected youth, family members, and mental health professionals reveal that betting companies strategically leverage success narratives and digital marketing to exploit economic vulnerabilities. The study also analyzes gaps in Tanzania’s current regulatory framework under the Gaming Act (CAP. 41) and draws comparative insights from effective interventions implemented in other emerging markets. Findings suggest that the normalization of betting as an economic coping mechanism reflects deeper structural failures in addressing youth unemployment and economic inclusion. This research contributes to the growing literature on gambling behaviors in low income settings and offers practical policy recommendations for balancing industry regulation with public health protection. The study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive interventions that address both the supply side of gambling services and the underlying economic drivers that make betting appealing to vulnerable populations.
Poverty Reduction Strategies for Sustainable Economic Growth: Implications for Women's Empowerment in Nigeria
This paper examines the interplay between poverty reduction strategies, sustainable economic growth, and women's empowerment in Nigeria. Despite Nigeria's cultural diversity and economic potential, the nation grapples with entrenched poverty that disproportionately affects women. Research from the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER, 2020) underscores women's heightened vulnerability to poverty, stemming from factors like limited land ownership and constrained access to credit. The paper addresses the problem of gender disparities exacerbated by the absence of policies tailored to women's unique challenges. It underscores the need for gender equity, not only for social justice but as a practical necessity for fostering sustainable economic growth. The paper employs a multidimensional approach, drawing from existing research, policy frameworks, and theoretical perspectives including feminist theory, intersectionality theory, and empowerment theory. Key findings emphasize the potential advantages of gender-integrated poverty reduction strategies, including increased economic growth, reduced poverty, improved human capital development, and enhanced gender equality. The paper also highlights challenges such as entrenched gender norms and difficulties in targeting vulnerable populations. The paper concludes by underscoring the importance of integrating gender considerations into poverty reduction strategies, recommending gender mainstreaming in policies to promote women's economic participation and rights. The significance of this research lies in its potential to inform policy decisions and promote women's empowerment in Nigeria, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The Impact of Economic Policies on Churches and Faith-Based Organisations in Nigeria
The economic policies of the Tinubu-led administration, including subsidy removal, naira floating, and fuel taxation, were enacted in 2023 with the aim of stimulating economic growth through the attraction of foreign investors and increased government revenue. However, the timing of these policies has proven problematic, as they were implemented when the country was already grappling with significant macroeconomic challenges such as inflation, low government revenue, high budget deficits, and increased foreign debt. This paper examines the multifaceted impact of these economic policies on churches and faith-based organisations in Nigeria. It explores how these policies affect the operational sustainability, social outreach, and financial structures of these religious institutions. Drawing on case studies, media reports, and policy documents, the study highlights how economic shifts can constrain faith-based organisations' ability to provide welfare services, fund missions, and maintain infrastructure. It also considers the adaptive strategies employed by churches, including financial restructuring, increased emphasis on stewardship, and strategic partnerships. The paper submits that there is a strong connection between government economic policies and the operational sustainability, social outreach, and financial structure of churches and faith-based organisations in Nigeria.
Aggression Never Learns: Historical Parallels and Patterns in the Russia-Ukraine War
This paper examines the Russia-Ukraine war through the lens of comparative historical analysis, identifying recurring patterns in Russian imperial expansion, European responses to aggression, and the tragic repetition of diplomatic miscalculations across centuries. Drawing upon extensive scholarship, archival sources, and contemporary analysis from 2022 to 2026, this paper explores four principal historical parallels that illuminate the current conflict. First, the Crimean War (1853–1856) serves as a precursor to Russia's contemporary strategic overreach, demonstrating how tsarist ambitions in Ottoman territories parallel Putin's designs on Ukraine, and how both conflicts arose from anxieties about declining influence and the spread of Western ideas. Second, the paper examines the catastrophic diplomatic precedents of the Munich Agreement (1938) and the Yalta Conference (1945), drawing cautionary lessons for contemporary peace negotiations that risk sacrificing Ukrainian sovereignty for illusory stability. Third, the Budapest Memorandum (1994) is analysed as a testament to the fragility of security assurances when unaccompanied by enforceable guarantees, demonstrating how Ukraine's voluntary nuclear disarmament was met with betrayal rather than protection. Fourth, the paper investigates Russia's systematic weaponisation of history itself, deploying distorted historical narratives to justify aggression, deny Ukrainian statehood, and mobilise domestic support for war. Through these parallel investigations, the paper argues that while history does not literally repeat, it offers discernible patterns that, if ignored, condemn successive generations to relearn the same costly lessons. The paper concludes by considering what historical consciousness demands of the international community in responding to Russian aggression and supporting Ukrainian resistance.
Climate, Induced Migration and Farmer, Herder Conflicts: The Mediating Role of Border Delineation in the Nigeria, Cameroon Bakassi Peninsula Fallout
This paper examines the intricate nexus between climate, induced environmental stress, human migration, and violent conflict, with a specific focus on the mediating and exacerbating role of international border delineation. Using the protracted dispute over the Bakassi Peninsula between Nigeria and Cameroon as a critical case study, it argues that climate change acts as a threat multiplier in a historically contested border region, transforming environmental scarcity into geopolitical and inter, communal tension. The analysis traces how rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and freshwater salinization in the Gulf of Guinea have degraded livelihoods, forcing communities, primarily Nigerian fishers and farmers, to migrate inward. This movement intersects with pre, existing patterns of herder migration from Nigeria’s arid north, also intensified by climate pressures, leading to heightened competition over arable land and resources in Nigeria’s border states. The paper posits that the ambiguous and contested nature of the Nigeria, Cameroon border, culminating in the 2002 International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling ceding Bakassi to Cameroon, created a unique zone of legal uncertainty, weak governance, and militarization. This environment mediated the translation of climate, induced migration into violent farmer, herder conflicts. The border delineation did not merely provide a backdrop but actively shaped the pathways of displacement, the contestation of citizenship and land rights, and the efficacy of state responses. Through an interdisciplinary lens combining political geography, environmental security, and conflict studies, this paper concludes that effective conflict resolution in the region must simultaneously address the twin challenges of climate resilience and post, adjudication borderland integration, moving beyond purely legalistic solutions to incorporate human security and ecological sustainability.
Domestic Violence Victims Support and Restorative Justice in the Nigerian Criminal Justice System
Following its colonial legal system, the criminal justice system in Nigeria has been focusing on punishing criminals since long with few considerations to the victims of the crimes. Consequently, the delay of examination and sometimes harassment or even extortion by the authorities may begin as victims often become exposed to so-called secondary victimization. The analysis in this work applies doctrinal legal research and literature review in analyzing the relevance of the concepts of victimology, restorative justice theory and international legal norms in informing victim support in Nigeria. The Paper examined Nigerian legislations (Criminal Code, Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, etc.) in the light of international best experience. Findings revealed that though statutes facilitate the provision of discretionary compensation and restitution (e.g. ACJA 2015, EFCC Act s.14) enforcement is weak as the needs of victims are overruled. The scholarship observes that the retributive orientation left victims unrepaired through an inheritance in Nigeria. Victims are explicitly at the center of the restorative justice models (including the Nigerian Ehugbo). Globally, other instruments such as the UN declaration of the Victims (1985) and the ICC Rome Statute Article 75 support the right of the victims in relation to information, protection, participation, and reparation. My suggestion is that Nigeria should implement restorative practices and incorporate them into practice, as well as adopt the necessary mandatory schemes of victim compensation and update the laws with correspondent international standards in order to normalize the exploitation of the victim with the goal of providing him or her with justice and relief.
Reconnecting to Rebirth a New Progressive Africa and World
Prevailing linear theories of historical progress, derived from European experiences, have often obscured Africa's foundational and cyclical contributions to human civilization. This paper critiques this linear paradigm, arguing that it selectively edits history to emphasize a European trajectory from Greece and Rome to the Industrial Revolution while neglecting Africa’s pivotal early roles in human evolution, agriculture, technology, and the early Christian Church. The analysis traces how this external lens, combined with the catastrophic disruptions of the trans-Saharan and trans-Atlantic slave trades, fractured African development. The Atlantic trade, in particular, represented a unique and dehumanizing system that commodified people, triggering internal warfare and state destabilization across the continent. Moving forward, the paper contends that Africa’s renewal, a “rebirth” akin to a spiritual transformation, requires a deliberate reconnection with its own historical legacy and epistemic roots. This involves transcending a human rights framework to embrace a more profound African conception of human dignity, fostering internal collaboration, and regenerating knowledge systems in education, technology, and culture. Ultimately, the path to a progressive Africa and a more equitable world lies not in linear catch-up but in a cyclical reclamation and modernization of indigenous African genius.
Copyright (c) 2025 Advances in Law, Pedagogy, and Multidisciplinary Humanities https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Siege as Strategy: The Weaponization of Humanitarian Access in Gaza and the Crisis of Distinction in Contemporary Armed Conflict
This paper examines the systematic siege warfare tactics employed in the 2023-2024 Gaza conflict as a critical case study in the weaponization of humanitarian access and the erosion of the foundational International Humanitarian Law (IHL) principle of distinction. Moving beyond the limited legal debate surrounding sieges per se, the analysis contends that the comprehensive closure of Gaza, characterized by the sustained, near-total blockade of food, water, fuel, medicine, and humanitarian personnel, represents a deliberate strategic recalibration. This strategy instrumentalizes civilian suffering not merely as a collateral effect, but as a primary mechanism of warfare to achieve military-political objectives. The paper posits that this constitutes a grave violation of the IHL prohibitions on starvation of civilians as a method of combat and the duty to ensure the basic needs of the population under occupation, as codified in the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols. Furthermore, it argues that the systematic degradation of civilian infrastructure essential for survival, including the health, water, and sanitation systems, through a combination of bombardment and blockade, creates an impossible environment for implementing core IHL rules. By blurring the line between permissible siege tactics and the illegal collective punishment of a civilian population, this strategy renders the principle of distinction operationally ineffectual, as it becomes impossible for civilians to “remain outside the conflict” when their very survival is made contingent upon military outcomes. The paper concludes that the Gaza siege paradigm signifies a profound crisis for IHL, demanding a reconceptualization of how the law regulates access and necessity in densely populated urban battlefields, and highlights the urgent need for robust, enforceable mechanisms to hold state and non-state actors accountable for using human survival as a strategic variable for war.
Economic Significance of Two-By-Two Method of Evangelism (Luke 10: 1-2) in the Anglican Diocese of Ughelli
Evangelism is a core mandate of the Church as it is a necessity for soul-winning and salvation. The Ugheli Diocese of the Anglian Church has been carrying out this mandate over the years. However, the method usually adopted, which is the open-air crusade, is capital-intensive; yet, the method does not allow personal evangelical contact with targeted people. This is counterproductive. This paper explores the economic significance of the two-by-two model of evangelism, as instructed in Luke 10:1–2, in the context of the Anglican Diocese of Ughelli. The study is qualitative, adopting historical, descriptive survey, and analytical methods, with a target population comprising clergy, evangelists, and other community members involved in diocesan outreach programmes. Data collection involved oral interviews and personal observation methods, and analysis entailed the use of descriptive statistics and thematic interpretation. Results indicate that the effectiveness of evangelism is boosted by the two-by-two model through enhancing personal contact, collaboration, and relational engagement. More so, the method is cost-effective, as not much funding is used for evangelism. The study concludes that the biblical method of two-by-two is more impactful and cost-effective. The paper, therefore, advocates that churches, particularly those in rural areas, should adopt the two-by-two approach to evangelism to avoid spending too much, thereby placing heavy financial burdens on members.
Conflict Resolution in Traditional Africa Appraising the Ubuntu Approach
This paper examines the Ubuntu as a conflict resolution mechanism in traditional African justice system that emphasises communal co-existence and restorative justice. It is a restorative process rooted in the African humanist philosophy of I am because we are. It emphasizes interconnectedness, humanity, and collective well-being, aiming to heal, restore broken relationships and reintegrate offenders into the community, rather than merely punishing them. Over time, Ubuntu has significantly shaped conflict resolution practices across traditional African societies. The TRC of South Africa remains one of the celebrated processes that utilized and enjoys the principles of Ubuntu. This paper aims to ascertain the efficacy of Ubuntu as a conflict resolution mechanism in traditional African justice system, highlighting its socio-cultural impacts, contemporary relevance and challenges. Adopting the method of analysis, the paper argues that the strength of Ubuntu as a traditional conflict resolution mechanism lies in its ability to harmonize individual grievances with collective well-being, thus ensuring social cohesion and restorative justice. However, it reveals that Ubuntu is fraught with systemic limitations such as gender exclusion, colonial influence and limited adaptability to modern legal systems. This paper concludes by advocating for a systemic hybrid model that integrates communal and restorative elements of the Ubuntu as a traditional justice system with the formal justice systems in order to effectively address modern day conflicts.
Interweaving Game-Based Learning and Competition-Based Learning Methodologies: The Letterush Case Study
The incorporation of gaming into pedagogy has proven pivotal for bolstering knowledge transfer. A more potent dynamic emerges when the Game-Based Learning (GBL) methodology is interlaced with Competition-Based Learning (CBL). Given that GBL integrates course contents into games and CBL infuses competition into the learning process, their pairing creates a scenario where learning is fostered through competitive educational gaming. This study merges GBL and CBL through the design and development of LetteRush, a mobile word game aimed at English language vocabulary building and spelling proficiency. This paper presents a content analysis of LetteRush, highlighting its conflation of GBL and CBL tenets. Adopting a qualitative, software development-centric research design, the study's findings corroborate the following: (1) vocabulary and spelling proficiency exercises can be strategically encoded into competitive educational gaming; (2) software-based educational aids like games can be developed locally and cost-effectively; and (3) educational gaming competitions present an innovative, co-curricular channel for reinforcing classroom lessons. Consequently, the study concludes that the integration of such gaming competitions into mainstream education is achievable, warranting concerted research efforts in this direction.
Spousal Communication as Correlate of Intimacy and Home Management among Working Class Couples in Taraba and Adamawa States, Nigeria
Effective spousal communication is widely regarded as a cornerstone of marital adjustment. For working-class couples managing occupational and domestic demands, communication is particularly critical for maintaining intimacy and coordinating home management. This study investigated the relationship between spousal communication and two key domains of marital adjustment, intimacy and home management, among working-class couples in Taraba and Adamawa States, Nigeria. A correlational design was employed. A sample of 398 couples was selected from six Local Government Areas using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using two validated instruments: the Spousal Communication Questionnaire (SCQ; α = 0.94) and the Marital Adjustment among Couples Questionnaire (MACQ; α = 0.85). Data analysis involved Pearson Product-Moment Correlation to examine relationships and linear regression to test hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed significant positive correlations between spousal communication and both intimacy (r = .515, p < .01) and home management (r = .749, p < .01). Regression analysis confirmed that spousal communication significantly predicted intimacy (β = .515, R² = .265, p < .05) and home management (β = .749, R² = .560, p < .05). The study concludes that effective spousal communication is a vital correlate of enhanced intimacy and efficient home management. It is recommended that couples and marital counsellors prioritize the development of open, empathetic, and collaborative communication skills to foster marital adjustment.
Technology, Entrepreneurial, and Market Orientations as Key Determinants of Small Business Success in Tanzania: A Multi-Dimensional Analysis
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Tanzania face persistent challenges despite their critical role in economic development. While prior research has examined individual strategic orientations, little is known about their combined influence on different managerial functions in emerging economies. This study investigates the synergistic effects of technology orientation (TO), entrepreneurial orientation (EO), and market orientation (MO) on small business success across four managerial domains: marketing, operations, human resource, and financial management. Using a positivist paradigm and quantitative approach, data were collected from 410 randomly selected SMEs across eight Tanzanian regions and analyzed through multiple regression with validity and reliability assessments. The results reveal distinct patterns of influence. Technology orientation emerged as a consistent positive predictor across all domains, with the strongest effect on HRM (β = 0.470), suggesting digital tools enhance employee management in resource-constrained settings. Entrepreneurial orientation significantly predicted marketing (β = 0.443), operations (β = 0.302), and financial performance (β = 0.493) but showed a negative association with HRM (β = -0.083), indicating potential trade-offs between entrepreneurial dynamism and structured people management. Market orientation positively influenced marketing (β = 0.172), operations (β = 0.346), and HRM (β = 0.413) but had no significant effect on financial management (β = 0.002), suggesting customer focus improves internal processes but may yield delayed financial returns in competitive markets. Collectively, these orientations explain substantial variance in business success: 58.6% in marketing, 58.8% in operations, 58.3% in HRM, and 48.1% in financial management. The study contributes to strategic orientation theory by demonstrating context-dependent effects in an emerging African economy, revealing trade-offs between entrepreneurial dynamism and HR management, and highlighting the delayed financial returns of market orientation. It offers practical guidance for Tanzanian SMEs to achieve sustainable growth through balanced integration of these strategic orientations.
Blue Economy: A Study of Sand (Nveja) Mining Industry and the Economy of Ebonyi State, Nigeria, 1999-2023
Sand deposit is one of the mineral deposits that are found in, and obtained from rivers in different parts of Ebonyi State. The research is anchored on Linkage Theory developed by Albert Hirschman. This theory suggests that a leading sector, such as the sand industry as a component of blue economy can drive economic growth and development through its linkage with other sectors. Strict investigations revealed that its impact on the economy is conspicuous on the areas of extraction, distribution, and construction. Data were generated from primary and secondary sources. They were analysed qualitatively, using content analysis to identify that the industry was an important source of revenue and employment, providing invaluable support to the sector of construction. It is further discovered that the main sources of sand for construction in the state are rivers and their banks. The rivers cut across various places that are not limited to the communities of Ezza, Izzi, and Afikpo. Its negative effects, such as environmental and health risks, and challenges were investigated. It is discovered that the management practices, involving use of local skills, and manual mining approach are inadequate and could not sustain a long-term extraction, and distribution of the wealth for sustainable profit maximization. So, the enterprise requires a thoughtful and problem-solving policy that could create a conducive environment for achieving profit-oriented sand mining enterprise. This pursuit would be strengthened by subsidizing the cost of mechanising the industry. Implementation of such a scheme would involve active participation of entrepreneurs, alongside some critical stakeholders of all religions.
Beyond ‘Yahoo’ and Subsistence: Digital Entrepreneurship as a Catalyst for Youth Empowerment, Social Cohesion, and Future-Building in Benue State, Nigeria
Youth unemployment and social fragmentation present existential challenges to Benue State, Nigeria. Dominant narratives often oscillate between the peril of internet fraud (“Yahoo”) and the despair of subsistence agriculture, overshadowing potential pathways for constructive youth engagement. This study investigates the underexplored role of legitimate digital entrepreneurship as a tripartite catalyst for youth empowerment, social cohesion, and future-building. Employing a mixed-methods approach—a survey of 384 digital entrepreneurs across Makurdi, Gboko, and Otukpo, complemented by 25 in-depth interviews and 3 focus group discussions—the research is framed by Sen’s Capability Approach and Social Capital Theory. Preliminary findings indicate that digital entrepreneurship significantly enhances participants’ economic agency, skills, and self-worth (empowerment). Furthermore, collaborative digital hubs and online communities are fostering new, non-ascriptive identities that bridge ethnic divides, particularly between the Tiv, Idoma, and Igede youth (social cohesion). Despite severe infrastructural and financial constraints, these ventures are building resilient economic futures and altering intergenerational aspirations. The study concludes that targeted policy interventions in digital infrastructure, youth-focused e-enterprise funds, and the incubation of tech hubs in tertiary institutions can systematically harness this potential. This research contributes to the literature on youth, digital economies, and peacebuilding in conflict-prone regions of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Followership Crises: The Role of Forgiveness and Reconciliation in Leadership Management
The study explores the critical issues surrounding followership crises in Africa, focusing on the roles of forgiveness and reconciliation in enhancing leadership management. Leadership crisis is a critical issue that faced the African society and the dearth of effective leadership across different sphere of influence has been described as the pivot of African economic, political and religious misery. Leadership and followership are inseparable concepts which significantly influence organizational, social, economic, political and religious success. The relationship that subsists between leadership and followership is bedeviled with betrayal, pain, disloyalty and trust issues, backstabbing, among others. The wide gap in trust issues between leadership and followership demands forgiveness and reconciliation between followership and leadership in restoring leadership effectiveness in organizations. The problem addressed in this paper is the prevalent crisis of followership characterized by apathy, disillusionment, and a lack of accountability among followers, which undermines leadership effectiveness and organizational success. The significance of this research lies in its potential to illuminate the often-overlooked dynamics of followership and its impact on leadership outcomes. By examining the concepts of forgiveness and reconciliation, the study aims to provide insights into how these elements can foster a more collaborative and productive leader-follower relationship, thereby enhancing organizational resilience during crises. The study adopts qualitative method in analyzing literature and the nuances around leadership and followership. The study posits that addressing followership crises through forgiveness and reconciliation can significantly improve leadership management in Africa.
The Afrobeats Digital Diaspora: TikTok, Algorithmic Curation, and the Remaking of Nigerian Cultural Identity in the Global Mainstream
The global ascent of Afrobeats is often narrated as an organic cultural movement, yet this paper argues that its recent, accelerated proliferation is fundamentally co-constituted by the symbiotic relationship between the Nigerian digital diaspora and the algorithmic architectures of social media platforms, with TikTok as a primary agent. Moving beyond narratives of simple cultural export, this study examines how TikTok’s algorithmic curation—particularly its recommendation engine and format of viral challenges—amplifies, simplifies, and repackages specific sonic and visual tropes of “Naija” identity for global consumption. Employing a conceptual framework rooted in platform studies and diaspora media theory, this paper analyzes how diaspora users act as cultural intermediaries, using Afrobeats to perform and negotiate identity, while simultaneously being guided by the platform’s logic of virality. Through case studies of tracks like “Calm Down” by Rema and “Love Nwantiti” by CKay, and analysis of viral dance challenges, the research demonstrates a feedback loop where algorithmic preference shapes artistic output and diaspora engagement. The findings reveal a tension between authentic cultural expression and a “platformized” Nigerian identity—one that is often flattened, meme-ified, and decontextualized to fit the logics of algorithmic discovery. This research contributes a critical new framework for understanding 21st-century cultural globalization, positioning platform algorithms and user-generated content not as neutral conduits, but as active agents in the construction and circulation of national identity from the Global South.
The “Francophonie Économique”: A Discursive and Strategic Analysis of France’s Neo-Mercantilist Turn in Africa
The Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) has traditionally been presented as a vehicle for cultural cooperation and linguistic promotion. This paper argues that under the presidencies of François Hollande and, more decisively, Emmanuel Macron, the institution and the broader concept of Francophonie have been strategically reconfigured into a tool of neo-mercantilist policy in Africa. Faced with intensified global competition from China, Russia, and Turkey, and a rising wave of anti-French sentiment in its traditional spheres of influence, France has undertaken a deliberate discursive and strategic shift. This paper employs critical discourse analysis to trace the evolution of French official rhetoric, identifying a systematic move away from the lexicon of “coopération” and “rayonnement” (cultural influence) towards a new vocabulary of “partenariats économiques,” “écosystèmes d’affaires,” and “Francophonie économique.” Concurrently, it analyzes policy documents and financial flows to demonstrate how this discourse is operationalized through development aid, investment treaties, and diplomatic initiatives. The findings reveal that the Francophonie économique is not merely a supplementary economic dimension but a fundamental reorientation of French foreign policy. It represents an attempt to leverage linguistic and historical ties to secure market access, promote French corporate interests, and maintain geopolitical relevance in a multipolar world, thereby masking a realist pursuit of power within a neoliberal and cooperative discursive framework.
Impact of Religious Precepts on Environmental Policies in Urhoboland of Nigeria
This paper analyzes the influence of religious precepts on environmental policies in Urhoboland, Nigeria, emphasizing a deficiency in policies that prioritize Western models over indigenous knowledge. Employing qualitative methodologies such as interviews and content analysis, it demonstrates that the Urhobo holistic worldview integrates spirituality with environmental care. Religious views can facilitate policy acceptability by portraying nature as sacrosanct, yet may obstruct it when secular restrictions conflict with spiritual concepts. The research promotes the incorporation of these values into environmental policies to enhance their efficacy and sustainability, while also advocating for engagement with religious institutions and the integration of indigenous ethics into policy formulation.
A Critical Examination of the Impact of Religious Teaching on Sexual Behaviour Among Undergraduates in Delta State of Nigeria
This study examines the influence of religious teaching on sexual behaviour among university students in Delta State, Nigeria. With rising concerns about premarital sex, unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and transactional relationships on campuses, this research investigates whether religious teachings continue to shape students' sexual conduct in contemporary university settings. The study focused on three institutions: Delta State University (DELSU), Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), and Novena University Ogume (NUO). Using a qualitative method, data were collected through interviews with campus fellowship leaders and students, supplemented by academic literature review. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, and responses were analysed thematically, with strict adherence to ethical standards including voluntary participation, confidentiality, and anonymity. Findings reveal that religious teaching continue to influence students' moral outlook by promoting abstinence, self-discipline, and respect for relationships; however, a significant gap exists between belief and practice. Several factors undermine the effectiveness of religious guidance, including peer pressure, digital media influence, economic hardship, and inconsistent role modelling from religious leaders. Campus fellowships nonetheless serve as important spaces for moral guidance through mentorship, open discussions, and special programmes that emphasise responsible behaviour. The study concludes that while religious teachings impact students' sexual behaviour, the degree of influence varies considerably among individuals based on social and environmental factors. Recommendations include adopting more student-centred approaches, integrating technology and social media in religious education, providing economic and emotional support, and maintaining consistency in religious leadership to enhance the relevance and effectiveness of moral teachings in guiding students' sexual conduct.