Research
Boko Haram Insurgency and National Security Challenges in Nigeria: An Analysis of a Failed State
This paper examined the activities of the Boko Haram sect and how it has impeded the economic, political and social matrix of the Nigerian polity. The paper argued that the insurgence of the sect would continually be a national security challenge in-spite of the marginal lip-service of the government to curb the heinous activity. The paper relied more on secondary data-journals, magazines newspapers internet and the theoretical framework is Durkheim and Merton Anomie theory etc . The paper concluded that development cannot take place in an atmosphere of insecurity the symptoms of a failed state are made manifest on a daily basis in Nigeria such as poor governance, destruction of lives and properties, population displacement, lack of basic amenities. Hence, the Nigerian government has failed in its social responsibility to secure lives and properties of the populace. It recommends for collective and holistic machinery, not only by the Nigerian state, but also by the entire African nations and United States to curb not only Boko Haram insurgencies, but also any pockets of militia activity threatening the existence of the state. Also, the deployment of neighborhood watch (NW) would be a complimentary effort to the machinery of government to identify and locate the sect for such a time as this.
Millennium Development Goals (MDGS) and Poverty Alleviation in Rivers State: A Sociological Perspective
The paper examined the eradication and/or reduction of poverty in Rivers State through the targets and indicators of MDGs objectives. The paper posited that through the institutional agencies in the state, MDGs one (1) and two (2) achieved up to 70% deliverables. The scenario analysis method was deployed in line with MDG assessment indicator framework which provided information and reference items to measure specific goals and progress in terms of poverty alleviation – (A 3 days training workshop held in Port Harcourt). The workshop dovetailed into syndicate groups were critical analysis and inputs were made by participants. The finding is that goal 1 and 2 achieved up to 70% success in alleviating poverty in the state through Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), Rivers Microfinance Agency (RIMA) etc. The government has projected a more comprehensive reduction package come 2015.
Farmland Sale in Ikwerre Selected Communities and Rural Economy; an Emerging Perspective
The paper examined the act of outright farmland sale in the Ikwerre rural communities to non-agricultural purposes and the increasing decline in agricultural food production. The paper argued that the process of farmland sale to non agricultural purposes will further impoverish the people and hamper development. We deplored the interview and observation methods of eliciting data. The use of Ikwerre dialect became an effective communication tool in gathering data; as the rural peasant people are predominantly illiterates. The theoretical framework is the Political Economy Approach which served as a study and method. The findings are that the increase in sale of farm land to non agricultural activities had destroyed the livelihood of the rural economy and hampered development. Also, that the decision of communities to share farmland for sale to avert the forceful taken their lands with little or no benefits by the government had created paucity of land, scarcity of food, communal conflict, enmity and death mortality rate.
Oil Exploration and Corporate Social Reponsiblity- A Case of Spdc Global Memorandum of Understanding (G-Mou)
Some scholars have argued that the activities of Oil companies (TNCs) have improved or destroyed the livelihood condition of host communities. In line with this debate, this paper examined the thrust of Corporate Social Responsibility as a core value for community engagement interface on oil exploration activity. We argued that lack of genuine community engagement interface by the TNCs in oil activities is the major problem of Niger Delta crisis. The CSR of SPDC value would be used to examine Oil companies’- community engagement interface. The study deplored the interview methods and secondary data for our analysis. The findings are that lack of genuine and transparent engagement strategy by SPDC in the oil exploration activity has resulted to the destruction of the ecosystem as well as livelihood strategy of the host communities. The host communities therefore, experience oil spill, hardship, famine, drought, unemployment, malnutrition, alienation from their land, inter and intra communal conflict and displacement of persons. This is the major agitation in Niger Delta and the sudden closure and/or disruptions of Shell activities in the region. And until the thrust of SPDC- CSR is realigned on the path of honesty and transparency, oil exploration would continue to have serious challenges.
