Individual Research Projects(IRP)

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The 6-3-3-4 System of Education in Nigeria: An Evaluation
(National Institute Kuru, 2004-11-30) Anyadike, Ernest Chidoziem
Education is the greatest investment that a nation can make for the quick development of its economic, political, sociological and human resources. Education is an important tool for sustaining democratic process. Its acquisition can equip an individual to take control of governing him/herself and contribute maximally to national development while its absence makes the individual vulnerable to various pressures in the society. Educational system represents the factory house through which high level manpower such as teachers, doctors and engineers among others are produced. In view of the importance and significance of education to nation building, the Nigerian government in 1976 reviewed its educational policy, which produced the 6-3-3-4 system of education. The system was designed to operate a curriculum, which embodies technical, commercial and vocational training. The system introduced a more relevant functional and suitable curriculum, but these expected dividends were not being realized hence the study was designed to evaluate the system. The study critically evaluated the 6-3-3-4 system of education with a view to making recommendations to either abandon the system or continue with it and proffering implementation strategies for the policy option adopted. The research relied on both primary and secondary methods of data collection. From the findings, some of the major factors that contributed to the assumed failure of the system were: inadequate planning, financial and manpower constraints, inadequate facilities and lack of political will to carry out the reforms. The work concluded that there was structurally nothing wrong with the 6-3-3-4 system of education as the curriculum was tailored towards effective citizenship, national consciousness and national unity as well as towards social, cultural, economic, political, scientific and technological progress. However, the study revealed that the problem was the partial implementation of the system. It therefore recommended that Nigeria should forge ahead with the complete implementation of the 6-3-3-4 system of education and make adjustments with time and as circumstances dictate. A change in the system was not advocated in this study rather a strong commitment to the existing system was strongly recommended. To this end, the project proffered appropriate strategies for implementing some of the recommendations made. A few of the implementation strategies are: the adequate publicity of the system, the need to redirect energy to correcting the issues of wrong and partial implementation of some aspects of the system, the involvement of all stakeholders, the provision of adequate and qualified teachers and the provision of adequate infrastructural facilities.
The Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals by Nigeria: An Assessment of the Role of Development Partners
(National Institute Kuru, 2006-11-30) Ogunnaike, Emmanuel Ademola
With the end of the cold war, world attention shifted to the urgent need to address the issues of poverty, hunger, diseases, illiteracy, homelessness and the deteriorating environment, particularly in the developing countries. Four earlier initiatives, as expressed in the United Nations various development decades from 1961, had failed to achieve desired objectives. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), became a global article of faith to mitigate developmental challenges in developing countries. Giving their antecedents, the question arose whether developed countries would fulfil their promises and redeem pledges made for development assistance. This gave rise to whether Nigeria would learn to take her destiny in her hands. These questions were in tandem with the objectives of this study. The methodology adopted were the primary and secondary sources of data collection. Such data were analysed descriptively, using the set of research questions as the compass. The findings enabled us to draw some conclusions, viz: (i) that development partners were not meeting substantially the pledge to grant official Development Assistance (ODA) to developing countries agreed at 0.7 percent of their Gross National Products (GNP); (ii) that the little support being granted provided critical stimulus and catalyst for government actions; (iii) that the Debt Relief Gain (DRG) accruing from exit from the Paris Club debt had empowered government to financially intervene in the MDGs implementation more productively; (iv) that the government could do much more on her own if it undertook urgent massive investment in infrastructure development to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI);and (v) finally, the study revealed the insincerity of the Development Partners to a truly liberalised, open and rules-based international trading system such that developing countries could compete fairly and profitably. In the light of the findings, the study recommended that Nigeria should vigorously pursue domestic resource mobilisation; encourage inflow of greater foreign direct investment; pursue her exit from the London Club of creditors; and champion advocacy on a universal, rules based, open, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading system.
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN THE ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA: SELECTED CASE STUDIES
(The National Institute, 1994-11-30) Ebhaleme, Peter O.
Fundamental Human Rights as enshrined in a nation's States Constitution, whether written or non-written is an inalienable right. This convention has been codified in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights which all nation's States ascribe to. In Nigeria, the Fundamental Human Rights as protected under Chapter IV of the 1979 Constitution are examples of express constitutional rights. In the administration of justice in the Armed Forces, the legal position of a soldier can best be described as an enigma. The dual status of a soldier makes him first and foremost as a citizen bound by the laws of the land and secondly by the doctrine of "Compact" subject to military law; and cannot appeal to Civil Courts to rescue him from his compact. The Nigerian Armed Forces which has metamorphosed from a modest combat force with recruit intake pegged at the "First School Leaving Certificate" and sometimes illiterates, into a combat ready force with recruit intake enhanced to the General Certificate of Education level and above. It is estimated that there are more than three thousand Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO's) in the Armed Forces who are graduates of various universities either sponsored by the Services or self sponsored. These crop of articulate soldiers are very conscious of their rights as distinct from their predecessors who invariably could not read and write. It is, therefore, the task of the Military Commander to strike a balance between maintaining the finesse of military discipline and upholding the soldiers rights within the confines of the law in the administration of justice. The purpose of this study is to critically examine the administration of justice as practiced in the Nigerian Armed Forces. The study examines in some descriptive detail the background of the Nigerian Armed Forces with a view to tracing the source of its laws and legitimacy. The supremacy of the 1979 Constitution as amended by Decree 1 of 1984, will be discussed with specific reference to fundamental human rights. The judicial apparatus for maintaining discipline such as summary trials and Military Trials will be extensively discussed. The Military Courts (Special Powers) Decree No. 23 of 1984, as amended will be examined with the attendant "Ouster Clauses". The study will focus on selected case studies with a view to examining the administration of justice as practiced in the Nigerian Armed Forces. The methodology adopted for this work is all-embracing comprehensive research into military law, books (local and foreign), interviews and discussions with colleagues and Justice Department of the Ministry of Defence.
Agitation for Resource Control in the Niger Delta: The Need for Alternative Development Strategy
(National Institute Kuru, 2006-11-30) Muku, Umaru Ndogoh
The Niger Delta region occupies a crucial position in Nigeria in that it produces crude oil which is the mainstay of the economy. Due to the exploitation of the oil and environmental degradation there have been agitations by the inhabitants of the region for resource control. This agitation in recent times took a violent dimension with the killing of security personnel and taking of foreign oil workers as hostages. This development has implications for the political stability in Nigeria as well as its socio-economic survival. There is therefore a need for alternative strategies for the resolution of the conflict. The aim of this study therefore is to assess the nature of the agitation for resource control with a view to finding acceptable solutions. In achieving the goal, primary data were collected through the administration of structured questionnaire and unstructured interview. , developed by the researcher on 150 stakeholders in the region all of whom were purposively selected. Library sources also provided secondary data for the study. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and quantitative approaches. Findings reveal that agitation for resource control is rooted in the political history of the nation as demonstrated by Willink Commission report and the Post Independence Constitution of the Country which allowed region to control their resources within their jurisdiction. Findings further reveal that the existing revenue sharing formula in the country was perceived to favour certain sections of the country to the detriment of the region. This prompted the conclusion that inequity or imbalance in sharing the proceeds from oil is central to the agitations. It was accordingly among other recommendations that Government should adopt and operate Federalism especially the fiscal aspect in a way that region should control their resources while paying royalties to the Centre. The Constitution therefore needs to be amended.
The Agricultural Option for Poverty Alleviation and Development in Rural Niger Delta: A Study of Rivers State
(National Institute Kuru, 2006-11-30) Awute, Linus
The Niger Delta area of Nigeria, though having played an important role in the global economy through the slave trade, agricultural trade (palm oil and palm kernel trades) and now fossil fuels over the last 400 years, has luckily escaped close environmental scrutiny which tells on the health, occupation and general well being of the people. It has its peculiar and perennial problems compounded by instances of environmental pollution by oil exploration, exploitation and transportation. Infact there are no protected areas in the Delta and the rapid rate of destruction in the face of neglect arising from inaccessibility of the area, resource misapplication and conflicts paint a bleak picture for the future of its habitats and species. Poverty is the most distinguishing characteristics of the Niger Delta which includes the states of Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom. The major victims of poverty are the rural dwellers who have become extremely hostile to both oil companies and the government. They feel they have received little or nothing in return, particularly in terms of infrastructure and general development for the more than 300 billion US dollars the Federal Government of Nigeria has earned from oil production in the past 30 years. The findings of this study have confirmed the disturbing nature of the Niger Delta situation: firstly there is a mass disengagement in the primary occupation of the people which is agriculture due to lack of government support or attention coupled with difficult terrain. Secondly, there is hunger that perpetuates poverty by reducing productivity. Thirdly all poverty alleviation programmes of government are riddled with corruption and are not properly targeted. The study views the poverty factor around the main traditional occupation of the rural dwellers, which is agriculture, and provided the statistical basis for poverty alleviation in Rivers State. The study evaluated the environment of the target beneficiaries of poverty alleviation programmes and assessed the constraints over their primary occupation, Agriculture, for effective poverty alleviation programmes. It also provided a policy framework upon which poverty alleviation and development programmes in the Niger Delta should be anchored using Rivers State as a case study. The researcher believes that development activities in the Niger Delta should depend on the type of economic activities undertaken by the people, the type upon which their daily existence depend. The study concludes that there are many other avenues of study in the agro-environment of the Niger-Delta Area.
Air Defence System in National Security: Strategies for Meeting Air Defence System in Nigeria
(National Institute Kuru, 2004-11-30) Babatunde Fisher, Emmanuel
One of the most effective ways to defend national resources is to provide a secure airspace that will deny any aggressor a successful attack from the air. Nigeria is blessed with natural and human resources that require suitable protection. To ensure this, she had in the past acquired some air defence assets to monitor the airspace and provide some point defences for the resources and other strategic infrastructures of national interest. However, these defence facilities have become non-functional due to unavailability of spare parts and old age. Consequently, the undefended resources are now vulnerable to attack and national security may be endangered. It is against this background that the study fashioned out effective air defence system that would secure the airspace, protect the resources and safeguard national security. The study had four specific objectives. First, to review the current state of air defence system in Nigeria. Second, to identify the impact of air defence system in Nigeria and third to examine the problems militating against effective air defence system. Fourth, to proffer strategies for evolving effective air defence system that would safeguard Nigerian national security. The study adopted a descriptive survey method. It relied on data from primary and secondary sources. The sources of primary data were discussions and unstructured interviews with some senior officers of the armed forces. The secondary data sources were official documents from Defence Headquarters, Services Headquarters, books, journals, seminar papers and internet. The major findings of the study include that Nigeria's airspace is not secure because only a little portion of it is covered occasionally with civil surveillance radar. There is no appropriate policy on air defence system hence there is no proper coordination of the assets. Majority of the air defence assets have broken down and have become obsolete. It also identified incompatibility of equipment and lack of integrated communication system as constraints to effective air defence system. Three types of air defence system were considered. The study concluded that the nation needs an, effective air defence system and made some recommendations to implement it. An Air Defence Command should be established and an effective Air Defence System with modern surveillance/ early warning radars, fighter interceptors and Surface to Air Weapons (SAW) should be developed in phases. Funding, training and manpower requirement of the system should be accorded topmost priority.
Air Transportation in Nigeria as an Essential Tool for National Development
(National Institute Kuru, 2002-11-30) Ozoka, Angus Ifeanyi
Transportation is the wheel on which a nation's economy moves and socioeconomic factors are the elements that generate the need for transportation. Air transportation is the sector of the national economy that monopolises almost all international and inter-continental passenger travels, including tourism and the transportation of commodities with high specific values, perishables and pre-packaged airfreight. It is characterized by high cruising speed and regulated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The study examines the role that air transportation has played in the economic development of some countries namely US, UK, Singapore and Kenya. It further discusses the evolution and performance of air transportation in Nigeria which is presently characterized by inadequate infrastructure, inefficiency of airlines, under-utilisation of airports, poor policy implementation and low executive capacity. A number of assumptions were tested and confirmed through data obtained from questionnaire survey of passengers and from information obtained from government and industry stakeholders. The study revealed that deregulation, privatization, mergers, alliances, aggressive marketing and excellent in-flight services enhance efficiency of airlines. Furthermore, air transportation and tourism have a symbiotic relationship which should be harnessed for national economic growth. Some recommendations aimed at revamping air transportation in Nigeria are made, with strategies for their implementation.
The Anti-Smuggling Roles of Nigeria Customs Service: An Assessment
(National Institute Kuru, 2005-11-30) Wakili, Ali
Nigeria like other developing countries highly relies on import to provide the goods which it fails to produce or afford. To ensure its security, maintain the economic order and public interest, and be in line with international trade norms, the government often formulates a variety of control measures. Most of these enforcement measures are saddled on the Nigeria Customs Service. As the government and the Nigeria Customs enforce the control strategy through the narrowing of imported goods and other measures, smuggling becomes accelerated. Smuggling which is an underground economic activities disrupts the domestic order of economy, destroys government policy of control and influences income of tariff. It endangers people's healths, social safety and national security; and has defied all control measures put in place. Thus, it becomes necessary, that the anti-smuggling role of the customs, the premier agency set up to control smuggling is assessed. The study looked at the factors responsible for the increase in smuggling, the effectiveness or otherwise of the anti-smuggling laws, the effectiveness of the Nigeria Customs Service, its impediments and constraints and what can be done to reduce smuggling. Primary and Secondary method of data collection were used in the conduct of the study. Primary data were collected through the administration of questionnaires to various stakeholders, while secondary data was got from relevant literature from published and unpublished materials. Internet Websites were also used. Economic hardship, depression which causes poverty, abuse of government industrial and export industrial scheme, get rich-quick syndrome, quest for foreign goods, inconsistent fiscal policies and large porous border amongst other causes; were found to be responsible for smuggling. The laws regulating anti-smuggling were found to be effective if adequate logistics, increased welfare for Customs Officers, more political will and government support, would be enhanced. The study recommended a number of steps that could be used to check the menace of smuggling and enhance the Nigeria Customs Service if implemented. Some of which are the cushioning of the economic hardship in the country, Cancellation of all abused incentives, fiscal policies to be given time to mature, enhancement of salaries and conditions of services of the Customs and provision of adequate funding.
An Appraisal of Primary Education as a Launching Pad for Educational Development in Nigeria
(National Institute Kuru, 2005-11-30) Nwufo, Kate Obiamaka
The importance of primary education in the development of the educational development of a country cannot be underestimated. This is because primary education is the key to the success or failure of the whole education system. That is why all the efforts of the Federal Government since Independence has been geared towards providing the type of education that will enhance the development of the country. This has been evidenced by the launching of the Universal Primary Education in 1976 the enactment of the National Policy on Education in 1977, and the launching of the Universal Basic Education in September, 1999. Furthermore, government established the Education Trust Fund, received funding support from the World Bank all aimed at improving primary education. These investment in resources and in policy provisions are intended to improve access to educational opportunities, the quality of primary education and to make education at that level relevant to the citizenry and the Nigerian nation. For a number of years now many educators, highly placed government officials, academia and some politicians have been known to quote statistics pertaining what governments at different levels have been able to achieve in improving access, quality and relevance in primary education. Most of these assertions are not based on research findings. This study therefore, appraised how far government inputs in terms of resources has improved access, quality and the relevance of primary education in Nigeria in order to determine whether or not it could act as a launching pad for educational development in Nigeria. This is with a view to making recommendations and proffering implementation strategies to strengthen that level of education. The research relied on both secondary and primary methods of data collection. From the data, it was found that: there was a rise and fall in enrolment, gender disparities still exists with males constituting a higher percentage especially in the North, there are manpower constraints, inadequate facilities, deprived school environment and lack of political will to implement all aspects of the 6-3-3-4 education structure with the requisite allocation of public resources especially as it pertains to vocational and technical education. It is therefore recommended that more efforts be made to improve access and enrolment figures for normal and disadvantaged children; increase the numbers and quality of teachers and emphasize a collaborative approach to the management of primary education among others. To this end a number of appropriate strategies for implementing some of the recommendations were suggested. A few of the implementation strategies are: expand substantially the number of additional schools and classrooms in urban and rural areas, back the Blue Print on Women's Education by legislation that is enforceable, legislate a comprehensive mainstreaming policy for the physically and mentally challenged, provide adequate and qualified teachers and provide child friendly learning environment.
AN APPRAISAL OF THE ROLE OF VIGILANTE GROUPS IN KADUNA METROPOLIS: 1983 - 1993
(The National Institute, 1994-11-30) ALIYU, AWALU
Around 1982, a local security arrangement emerged spontaneously in Kaduna metropolis to contain the incursion of members of Kalakato, the remnants of Kano Maitatsine. The incursion started from Rigasa, an outskirts of Kaduna and spilled into Tudun-Wada, Kaduna. The fanatics clashed with the Police. who retreated. In an effort to track down the Police, the fanatics ended up attacking innnocent citizens. The community therefore formed a local security arrangement and defended themselves. A year later, community leaders in Tudun-Wada decided to form a self appointed group formally in order to supplement Police efforts in crime control. So, the purpose of this study is to find out the events which had given birth to the emergence of the self-appointed group known as vigilante group in Kaduna metropolis. The public vigilance exhibited by the vigilante group is found to be effective - over 23,512 arrests were made between September 1990 and July 1994, while about 1,835 former offenders are benefiting from community based programme, in welding, carpentry, shop assistance, and blacksmithing trades. In addition, the vigilante groups smashed the youth gangs of larcenors and rapists in Tudun-Wada, which terrorised the public. The self-help approach given to this local security arrangement is worthy to emulation by other states of the federation because of its advantages. It is hoped that the work will stimulate further study with a view to harmonising the activities of the vigilante group with those of the Police for a wider and most effective security coverage.
An Assessment of Alternative Sources of Energy for Domestic Uses in Nigeria
(National Institute Kuru, 2003-11-30) Ogunkoya, Kolawole Oluseyi
This study is on "Alternative sources of energy for domestic uses in Nigeria" Energy supply as an index for measurement of the socio-economic development of a country deserves adequate and timely funding if the tempo of advancement in all human endeavours is to be at the fast track. Nigeria is abundantly blessed with various sources of energy (both renewable and non-renewable such as the solar, wind, biomass, petroleum, natural gas, tar sands and uranium (nuclear fuel). The cost of exploration and exploitation of the non- renewable sources such as fossil fuels is on the high side besides being a wasting asset; hence the need to focus on renewable sources like the solar, wind and biomass to make this needed energy available and affordable to the populace. The technology behind the harnessing of these resources is adequately treated in this research project. The yawning gap between what is known and what is on the ground is lack of advocacy for the adoption of the processes particularly by the grassroots. To this end the research utilized the social survey method while both qualitative and quantitative analysis was applied to the primary and secondary data collected. The Nigerian National Energy Policy was compared with that of the World Energy Council and Nigeria is seen to be abreast with the rest of the world. All that Nigeria needs is to translate this laudable policy into action. The development of alternate sources of energy could be expensive initially but the running cost is far more competitive than the conventional non-renewable sources. It follows therefore that substantial investment has to be committed to the renewable sources of energy at the initial stages. Amongst the recommendations made is a fact that the ECN (Energy Commission of Nigeria) should have zonal offices in the six geopolitical zones. This will go a long way in promoting the use of renewable energy sources to a large percentage of the population. These applications will also help to train a lot of artisans besides providing job opportunities in the manufacture and maintenance of the equipment thereby reducing the pressure on the National Electric Power Authority. This study found that the popularization of renewable sources of energy to the rural areas would empower the people economically and socially thereby reducing the rural- urban drift of the youths with its attendant increase in their anti-social behaviors. Further studies could be carried out on the cost of complete installations of alternative sources of energy in different parts of Nigeria in all applicable areas.
AN ASSESSMENT OF MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM IN A DEVELOPING ECONOMY: NIGERIA IN FOCUS
(National Institute, Kuru, 2004-11-30) Inyang, Johnny Skidmore
This study focused on the assessment of Management Information System (MIS) in developing economies with particular reference to Nigeria. It delved into the aspects of Information Management and Information Technology and Data Management as they affect both the public and private sectors of the Nigerian Economy. The purpose of the study was to draw both public and government attention to the importance of MIS to the Socio-economic development of a nation. In addition, it sought to establish the importance of information and data in decision-making, to analyze the extent Information Management has been developed in Nigeria and to showcase the need for an Information Management and Data Managements Policies in Nigeria. The research established that MIS and Information and Data Management were not given the right prominence in the scheme of activities in Nigeria. Generally, the attitude of private enterprises was much more encouraging than in the public sector of the economy. The attitudes of the public sector have been responsible for the use of faulty data and hunches in Nigeria's National Development Plans. Based on the study, vital recommendations were arrived at. These are that government and corporate bodies should carry out capacity and institutional building activities and give impetus to MIS. Government should also promote Information Management and Data Management activities in Nigeria. The implementation strategies are that government should make MIS mandatory in all institutions in the country, develop MIS curriculum in these institutions empower existing IT institutions and agencies to development MIS capabilities and found the building of institutions to sustain MIS. Government should also sponsor extensive enlightenment campaigns in the forms of workshops and seminars at the levels of the public service to create public and entrepreneurial awareness on the gains associated with MIS in socio-economic development of a nation. Other strategies include appointing a consultancy firm to sensitize the psychology of the citizenry on MIS enterprises and send a bill to the National Assembly to facilitate the promulgation of National Management Information and Data Management Policies. It will also be necessary for Government to set-up a body to study the Singapore and Egyptian MIS/IT and Data Bank initiatives respectively.
An Assessment of Nigeria Prisons as Corrective Rather than Punitive Establishment
(National Institute Kuru, 2002-11-30) Onwuli, Clara Aina
This study represents an in-depth assessment of the prison institution as a corrective rather than a punitive establishment. It adopted a narrative form of analysis of data collected and observed conditions in Nigeria Prisons Service. It also observed that the major goals of the Service, which is to correct, reform and rehabilitate offenders, have not received adequate attention in reality, as a result of: (a) Poor funding of programmes (b) Inadequate staffing, inadequate staff training and poor welfare/motivational packages (c) Inadequate infrastructures and amenities. The essay proffered action plans for turning around the Nigeria Prisons to be ideal correctional establishment that can compare favourably with other correctional institutions. It is important to note that the issue of reformation is the joint responsibility of the Prisons Service and the community. Hence if an ex-convict, becomes recidivist, then the Prisons Service and the community have failed to ensure reform and re-socialization. If the corrective measures indicated or proffered are not given proper attention by the policy makers/stakeholders, it is likely that the prisons in Nigeria would remain a punitive establishment instead of corrective.
AN ASSESSMENT OF OPERATIONS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AT NIGERIA'S LAND BORDER POSTS
(National Institute Kuru, 2004-11-30) Odubela-Aduroja, Funmi V.
The quest for effective and responsible monitoring of international boundaries of countries is a vital requirement for security and nation building. Creating a conducive environment for the pursuit of the economic aspirations of the citizenry is only realisable when the law enforcement agencies, amongst other organs of governance, have the capacity to perform efficiently and collectively. The formation of ECOWAS and the ECOWAS protocol on free movement of persons and goods have tended to increase cross-border crimes between Nigeria and her neighbours, p articularly Benin, Niger, Chad and Cameroon. Despite these problems, the law enforcement agencies, particularly the Immigration, Customs and the Police, continue to operate in isolation of each other, while criminal elements exploit the lapses and deficiencies created thereby. This study identifies the need for an integrated, holistic, collaborative approach to crime prevention and crime control at all levels and by all persons, if incidences of crime must be curtailed. A case for harmonization of operational activities such as joint strategic planning, joint exercises and networking aimed at stemming the tide of trans-border crimes amongst law enforcement agencies is being advocated. Lessons and recommendations from the September 11, 2001 attack on Washington and New York could be harnessed by security operatives in Nigeria. The researcher acknowledges the tremendous efforts of the various agencies on national security, and the need for government to set up a Federal Law Enforcement Academy where security operatives could go and learn at first hand, what other agencies are doing. There is need to establish a data bank where security information on all foreigners resident in Nigeria and Nigerians are stored. This should be made assessable to all law enforcement agencies whenever the need arises. The major constraints encountered was that, assessing the operational activities of all law enforcement agencies working at the Nigeria's land border posts and how their various roles affect national security is now a new subject on which little, if any, has been written.
Assessment of Pension Administration in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects
(National Institute Kuru, 2005-11-30) Oyelola, Abayomi Oyedeji
The management of pension scheme in Nigeria has generated a lot of attention due to its importance as an assurance for future financial security of Pensioners, and the fact that there is increase demographic shift in the working population and the number of retirees. Despite the fact that a lot of literature has been written on the subject, the disposition of the institutional and legal framework for the management of pension in Nigeria has produced unsatisfactory result, due to its perceived inefficiency and ineffectiveness. This necessitated the topic of this study-Assessment of Pension Administration in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects. The objective of the study was to assess the administration of the pension schemes being operated in Nigeria against the background of the institutional and legal frameworks for the management. This was done with the view to determining their adequacy or otherwise. It was also to consider the challenges and constraints and proffer recommendations as ways of avoiding the inherent pitfalls in future reforms. Methodology used was in the form of field survey, through structured questionnaire was conducted from among a cross section of stakeholders, including pensioners. This was done, in order to collate the perception of all the stakeholders in pension and its administration. Secondary materials sourced from the Internet and other sources were also utilized to complement survey findings analyzed. The findings made, further reinforced the importance of pension as a form of social security and assurance for the future if properly managed. Specific findings indicated that the management and administration of pension in Nigeria has been abysmal. It revealed that while there was nothing wrong with the legal frameworks, the fact of fragmentation posed administrative difficulties in that officials had to contend with interpreting too many laws. Findings also revealed that the incidences of paucity of fund, lack of consistent and adequate budgetary provisions, corruption of officials, poor pensioners' record and data were the negative products of the maladministration that was the hallmark of pension administration in Nigeria. As a result of this, the study noted the existence of the Pension Reform Act enacted in 2004 with provisions to cater for the anomalies of the past pension administration. In order to ensure that the pitfalls of the past are not repeated in the management of pension in Nigeria and based on findings, the study made a number of recommendations which included, the need for government to have the political will to implement the pension law to the letter, ensure transparency in the management of pension, eradicate corrupt practices, improve the record management system of the pensioners through the establishment of a national data bank, regular and consistent release and remittance of funds and deductions by employers. A number of implementation strategies were also suggested, with opportunity for further research on the Pension Reform Act 2004.
Assessment of Performance in Science Subject at School Certificate Level: A Case Study of Adamawa State
(National Institute Kuru, 2000-11-30) Sabiya, Emmanuel M.
Modern- development, economic or otherwise, depends on technological development. A nation's technological growth on the other hand is dependent on its scientific development. No scientific development can, however, be experienced without a solid foundation in the basic sciences at the school level. Adamawa State government, for the past few years, have been expressing concern over the very poor performance of the Secondary school students in the Senior School Certificate Examination organised by West African Examinations Council (WAEC). This essay is an effort to find out the students' performance in the basic sciences with respect to the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). Considering the fact that the national policy of education stipulates that 60% of those admitted into the country's tertiary institutions should be for science and science-based courses, necessitates the need to know how students are fairing in the basic sciences which are necessary pre-requisite for the admission. To find out, the essay considered five years (1994-1998) SSCE results in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. The number and qualifications of teachers of the subjects, as well as the availability and functionality of the science laboratories in the schools were considered. The performance of students during the five year period considered was found to be appalling with only two people passing at credit level in 1995. It was also discovered thatthere was serious shortage of teachers in all the subjects in terms of numbers and qualification. Only 33 schools were found to have the required laboratories, while the others have what the Ministry referred to as multi-purpose laboratories. It is recommended that classrooms and laboratories should be considerably improved, and the opening of new schools be halted until the State could recruit qualified and sufficient number of teachers. Inducement allowance should be paid to all science teachers to retain them in the profession. Adequate laboratory equipment should be provided as well as appropriate facilities for practicals.
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF SQUATTER SETTLEMENTS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ABUJA CAPITAL TERRITORY
(National Institute, Kuru, 2004-11-30) Igbazua Kpue, David
This study assessed the impact of squatter settlements on the development of Abuja, Nigeria's Federal Capital City. By 1975 there was a quest for a new capital city of Nigeria outside Lagos. This arose because of inadequate space for expansion, growing squalour, pressure on infrastructure and utilities and the inability of Lagos to function both as a state capital and federal capital of Nigeria. Consequently a decision was taken in 1976 to relocate the federal capital from Lagos to Abuja. The Abuja Master Plan was prepared, adopted and physical construction started in 1980. The Federal Capital City (FCC) was conceived not only to be a sign of unity and greatness for the country but also a beautiful city of equal access and opportunity to all Nigerians. This study established that through some omissions of the Master Plan and distortions arising from its implementation coupled with some sociopolitical factors in the country, squatter settlements have emerged in the Federal Capital City. The study investigated squatter settlements in Phase II of the FCC fund that these settlements have impacted negatively on planned development of the city. They are obstructing construction of infrastructure in the districts thereby slowing down pace of development. Squatter settlements pose threat to the environment and social life of the city. The need to address the phenomenon of squatter settlements in FCC before they take roots and permanently distort Abuja Master Plan was established in the study. The study proposes a two-flanged approach to resolving the problem. First is to address migration to FCC by taking measures to limit influx of people or direct incoming new populations into new satellite towns to be built. The second approach addresses existing squatter settlements in FCC. Recommendations and implementation strategies have been made based on this dual approach. If implemented, the growth of squatter settlements in FCC will be reduced and their effect on planned development curtailed. This will bring about the realization of Abuja as conceived by the founding fathers-a beautiful, functional, environmentally friendlily and unifying capital city of Nigeria.
An Assessment of the Impact of Squatter Settlements on the Development of Abuja Capital Territoy
(The National Institute Kuru, 2004-11-30) Kpue, David Igbazua
This study assessed the impact of squatter settlements on the development of Abuja, Nigeria's Federal Capital City. By 1975 there was a quest for a new capital city of Nigeria outside Lagos. This arose because of inadequate space for expansion, growing squalour, pressure on infrastructure and utilities and the inability of Lagos to function both as a state capital and federal capital of Nigeria. Consequently a decision was taken in 1976 to relocate the federal capital from Lagos to Abuja. The Abuja Master Plan was prepared, adopted and physical construction started in 1980. The Federal Capital City (FCC) was conceived not only to be a sign of unity and greatness for the country but also a beautiful city of equal access and opportunity to all Nigerians. This study established that through some omissions of the Master Plan and distortions arising from its implementation coupled with some sociopolitical factors in the country, squatter settlements have emerged in the Federal Capital City. The study investigated squatter settlements in Phase II of the FCC fund that these settlements have impacted negatively on planned development of the city. They are obstructing construction of infrastructure in the districts thereby slowing down pace of development. Squatter settlements pose threat to the environment and social life of the city. The need to address the phenomenon of squatter settlements in FCC before they take roots and permanently distort Abuja Master Plan was established in the study. The study proposes a two-flanged approach to resolving the problem. First is to address migration to FCC by taking measures to limit influx of people or direct incoming new populations into new satellite towns to be built. The second approach addresses existing squatter settlements in FCC. Recommendations and implementation strategies have been made based on this dual approach. If implemented, the growth of squatter settlements in FCC will be reduced and their effect on planned development curtailed. This will bring about the realization of Abuja as conceived by the founding fathers-a beautiful, functional, environmentally friendlily and unifying capital city of Nigeria.
An Assessment of the Impact of the National Policy on Education in Benue State
(National Institute Kuru, 2005-11-30) Shankyula, Justin Bunde
The main thrust of this study was to assess the impact of the National Policy on Education in Benue State. From the focus group discussion and field work, many school leavers are unemployed and are looking up to the State Government for job placements. The study revealed that two factors have significantly affected the effective implementation of the Policy. These are the changing political climate and the down turn of the economy. The general state of unemployment has encouraged a noticeable increase in crime waves across the state. It was also discovered that absence of specialized staffing has had a negative impact on the goals and objectives of the National Policy on Education in the State. The situation is aggravated by the changing political climate and the down turn of the economy. Although more schools are being established and existing ones expanded in the state, Education for self-reliance which is one of the main objectives of the National Policy on Education has remained elusive. The key findings of the study revealed that increase in the number of school leavers is quantitative rather than qualitative.This situation accounts for the massive unemployment among young school leavers, encouraging the desperate and restless ones into different criminal activities such as armed robbery, thuggery and various acts of sabotage. The study therefore recommended that Government should have policy change as far as employment of teachers is concerned. Government should also embark on vocational training for the unemployed as a measure of curbing crime in the state.
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAMMES IN ZAMFARA STATE
(National Institute Kuru, 2004-11-30) Umar, Muhammed Bello
The Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP) was introduced to brin immediate succour to Nigerians living below the poverty line. The study underscores the fact that poverty has long been in existence in Nigeria. While institutions usually emphasize material poverty, the poor have their own personnel perceptions of poverty, which are gaining increasing merit in the development community, along with the emerging emphasis on participatory development. The poor economic performance that led to the worsening of poverty in Nigeria has been traced to several factors. Inadequate availability and access to basic social services and poor quality of the available services, also contribute to increasing and persistent poverty among Nigerians. The study reveals that poverty alleviation efforts have not been broad, effective and focused on the poor and the ultra poor. The size of the poor covered by the targeted programmes stands minimal compared to the existing size of the poor people. Different administrations in Nigeria have adopted their own poverty alleviation programme, instead of continuing with, and improving on the previous poverty programmes. As an approach to development, poverty alleviation is not an entirely new concept in Nigeria's development experience. The Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs), the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), the Strategic Grains Reserves Programmes, the programme for accelerated wheat production as well as the Artisanal Fisheries Development programmes belonged in this category. There was a clear weakness in the overall coordination, control, monitoring and evaluation of poverty alleviation programmes. The Zamfara State Agency for Poverty Alleviation (ZAPA) now under the Directorate of Poverty Alleviation and Co-operative Development and the Zakat and Endowment Board were established in 1999. The approach to poverty reduction in the state was a deliberate investment in people. The study recommends that poverty can be remedied by ensuring that investment in the children from families presently afflicted with poverty is increased. Controlling corruption and waste in government could assist in poverty reduction. Finally, no poverty alleviation programme in any society would be successful without controlling corruption and government waste, showing transparency, accountability, and effective leadership. One way of doing this is the observance of due process by the implementing agencies.

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