NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES (NJAH)
Nigerian Journal of Arts and Humanities (ISSN: 2814-3760; E-ISSN: 2955-0343) is an interdisciplinary and a multidisciplinary journal dedicated to the promotion of scholarship and research in Arts and Humanities. It publishes well-researched scholarly papers in all areas of arts and humanities and related disciplines. The journal welcomes the submission of manuscript that is original and devoid of plagariasm. NJAH accepts papers in English, French, Chinese and Nigerian languages. It is domiciled in the department of Chinese Studies, Faculty of Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
CONTEMPORARY MUSIC AND LEADERSHIP IN NIGERIA
The role of leadership in National growth and societal development cannot be over emphasized because, as a leader, he or she is expected to play significant role in impacting positively on the economy leading to societal growth and national advancement. This paper discusses on the abuse of contemporary music and leadership in Nigeria by some past and present leaders. It uses library search to source data. The paper discovers the usefulness of contemporary music as the current trending and important medium through which leadership can be sensitized to upgrade societal value system which has been eroded by the corrupt influence of some men and women leaders. It offers solutions through the suggestion of the use of appropriate contemporary music and the choice of the right leaders in position of authority. This will go a long way in molding life and in transforming the characters of the younger generations who will eventually take over the mantle of leadership from the older generation.
Leadership, National growth, Contemporary music, Transformation
THE IMPACT OF NIGERIAN PIDGIN ENGLISH ON BUSINESS ADVANCEMENT IN EKE AWKA MARKET, AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE
Language is central to commercial activity because buying and selling depend on effective communication, price negotiation, customer attraction, interpersonal relationships, and agreement. In Nigeria’s multilingual environment, Nigerian Pidgin English (NPE), also known as Nigerian Pidgin, serves as an important medium of interethnic communication. This paper examines the impact of Nigerian Pidgin English on business advancement in Eke Awka Market, Awka, Anambra State. The paper adopts a qualitative, documentary, and analytical approach, drawing on scholarship on Nigerian Pidgin, empirical studies of language use in Nigerian markets, and available information on Eke Awka Market. The paper also adopts Communication Accommodation Theory and the data were gotten from the market through observation method. Observation and findings were made on the roles of Nigerian Pidgin in facilitating communication, reducing linguistic barriers, negotiating prices, attracting customers, establishing solidarity, promoting trust, accommodating linguistically diverse customers, and supporting code-switching. This paper argues that Nigerian Pidgin contributes to business advancement primarily through communicative efficiency and interpersonal accommodation rather than direct economic production. By making transactions more accessible and reducing communication difficulties, it can facilitate commercial opportunities. However, its effectiveness depends on context and may operate alongside Igbo, English, Nigerian English, and other languages. This paper recommends greater recognition of multilingual competence as a commercial resource.
Nigerian Pidgin English, business advancement, Eke Awka Market, language
Oguazi, Onyinye Josephat; Dereck-Martins A. Orji
DOES RELATIVISM HAVE A PLACE IN SCIENCE?
Western philosophers, especially foundationists developed a few epistemological theories that inspire most of today’s controversies in philosophy of science. Two of these theories are central to this paper. The first is the belief that there exists an absolute, universal, trans-historical and transcultural truth. The second is that there is also universal standards for discovering this truth. Consequently, the history of Western philosophy may be understood to a considerable extent as the quest for both truth and the appropriate method of attaining it. With the rise of modern science and its remarkable achievements, many scholars come to regard the scientific method as the hallmark of scientific rationality. This naturally raises the question of whether relativism has any legitimate place in science. The traditional answer was negative, since science was assumed to be governed by universal standards that excluded relativism. Before the second half of the twentieth century, this assumption was largely taken for granted and remained virtually unchanged. Subsequently, however, the notion of a universal standard of scientific rationality came under sustained criticism, making the question of the place of relativism in science one of the most debated issues in contemporary philosophy of science. Deploying the library research approach for data collection and the analytic method for data interpretation, the paper examines this debate through Popper’s and Feyerabend’s methodological lenses. The paper argues that Popper was correct in emphasizing the indispensability of objective standards for the critical evaluation of scientific theories. However, his position is weakened by his failure to acknowledge that methodological monism obstructs scientific progress. Conversely, although Feyerabend rightly demonstrates that methodological monism can hinder scientific innovation, his rejection of universally binding standards ultimately weakens the rational basis for distinguishing between competing theories. The paper concludes that relativism has a legitimate place in science only insofar as it promotes methodological pluralism, critical reflection, and openness to alternative perspectives. However, it cannot replace objective standards of criticism without undermining the rational character that makes science a distinctive and reliable means of acquiring knowledge.
WHY THE ARTS MATTER: MUSIC, DRAMA, POETRY AND DANCE AS EXPRESSIONS OF HUMAN EXPERIENCE
This opinion article argues that the arts are not merely decorative additions to human life but are fundamental ways of knowing, understanding, and experiencing the world. It explores the interconnected roles of music, drama, poetry, and dance as forms of expression that foster education, empathy, memory, and human flourishing. The article contends that the arts perform three interrelated functions. First, they transform human experiences, including grief, joy, hope, fear, and belonging, into symbolic forms that make these emotions communicable and meaningful. Second, they expand the social imagination by connecting individuals with diverse bodies, voices, histories, and communities, thereby deepening understanding and empathy. Third, the arts are presented not simply as therapeutic tools but as practices that affirm human dignity, recognise individuals as active agents in their own healing, and acknowledge the inherent meaning of their lives. Within this framework, music is understood as relational sound, drama as embodied empathy and moral rehearsal, poetry as reflective language, and dance as a form of embodied knowledge. The article challenges the narrow evaluation of the arts based solely on measurable economic or clinical outcomes, arguing instead that their true value lies in their capacity to humanise individuals and shape education, healthcare, public culture, and everyday life. Ultimately, it concludes that neglecting the arts diminishes society's ability to develop humanely and to fulfill its ethical responsibility toward others
Arts, Music, Drama, Poetry, Dance, Human Experience
The Analysis of Free Will in Aristotle's Ethical Theory and Its Application Within Nigeria's Election Process
This research delves into the fascinating concept of free will within the ethical framework developed by ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle and explores its application in Nigeria's election process. Through an in-depth comparative analysis, this study aims to uncover the extent to which free will is exercised within the country's political landscape, drawing upon Aristotle's theoretical ideas and their practical manifestation in Nigeria's electoral decision-making. By examining specific case studies of elections in Nigeria, this research examines the exercise of free will in voter choices, taking into consideration the various external factors that may influence their decisions, such as political dynamics, social influences, and economic factors. Furthermore, it critically analyzes the ethical implications associated with the utilization of free will in Nigeria's election process, highlighting the challenges and limitations faced during its implementation. By addressing the significance of studying free will within Nigeria's election process, this research contributes to a better understanding of how Aristotle's ethical theory aligns with the realities of contemporary Nigerian politics. It offers valuable insights into the exercise of free will in elections, shedding light on the ethical complexities involved and providing potential avenues for improvement in the country's democratic system. The findings of this study not only lay the groundwork for future research but also serve as a basis for informed discourse on the role of free will in political decision-making processes.
Election, Freewill, Comparative, Ethical, Theory, Eudaimonia
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LGBTQ GROUPS ON INSTAGRAM AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S SEXUALITY PREFERENCE IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA
The proliferation of social media platforms, particularly Instagram, has created new spaces through which young people access information, form identities, and engage with diverse communities. In Nigeria, where conservative cultural and legal frameworks restrict open discourse on sexual orientation, Instagram has emerged as an alternative environment in which young people encounter LGBTQ+ content and communities. This study examined the influence of LGBTQ groups on Instagram on the sexuality preferences of young people in Abia State, Nigeria, guided by Social Learning Theory. A survey research design was adopted, and data were collected from a sample of 384 respondents drawn through multi-stage sampling across three senatorial districts of Abia State. Findings revealed that young people in Abia State are highly exposed to LGBTQ groups and content on Instagram. However, their attitudes toward diverse sexual orientations remained largely unfavourable, and the majority retained traditional heterosexual preferences despite their exposure. While Instagram exposure prompted some reflection on personal sexuality and broadened understanding of diverse preferences, it did not translate into behavioural or attitudinal change. The study concludes that cultural, religious, and legal factors continue to mediate the influence of social media on young people's sexuality preferences in Nigeria and recommends sustained digital literacy initiatives to support safe and critical engagement with online content.
LGBTQ+, Instagram, sexuality preferences, social media, young people
Okechukwu Stella Nuria; Ihechu Innocent Paschal; Afulike Christian Don
GREAT POWER COMPETITION AND THE RISING US-CHINA RIVALRY: POWER, INTERDEPENDENCE, AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF GLOBAL ORDER
The escalating rivalry between the United States and China has arisen as the defining feature of contemporary great power competition, reshaping the dynamics of international politics in the 21st century. This paper examines the strategic, economic, and technological dimensions of US-China relations, interrogating whether the current trajectory reflects a transition toward a new bipolar order or a more complex, interdependent form of competition. It explores how both powers deploy military modernization, trade policies, and technological innovation, particularly in areas of artificial intelligence and semiconductor production, to expand influence and secure strategic advantage. The paper analyzes the paradox of “competitive interdependence,” where deep economic ties coexist with escalating geopolitical tensions. The paper is qualitative, utilizing secondary sources of data collection, anchored on power transition theory, relying on content analysis. The paper found that the US–China rivalry cannot be adequately understood through traditional Cold War analogies, as it is characterized by multidimensional competition embedded within globalization rather than ideological isolation. The paper recommends that the US and China should prioritize strategic stability through sustained dialogue.
power, competition, strategic, rivalry, US-China
Tukura, Nashuka Tino, PhD; Taninga, Ezekiel Nungala; Danjuma, Isaac Fwachano
HUMAN CAPABILITY AND ORGANISATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF SELECTED FOOD AND BEVERAGE COMPANIES IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA
Organisational performance in Nigeria's food and beverage manufacturing sector remains constrained by declining profitability, operational inefficiency, and weak employee engagement, despite the sector contributing 5.7% to the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023. This paper argues that these challenges are associated with deficiencies in human capability, particularly employees' knowledge, access to information, and developmental support, and proposes an integrated framework for examining this relationship in Southwest Nigeria. Drawing on Stakeholder Theory, Social Cognitive Theory, and Institutional Theory, the study conceptualises human capability through three dimensions: human knowledge, access to information, and human capability development. Organisational performance is similarly conceptualised using three dimensions: financial performance, operational efficiency, and employee engagement. A descriptive survey research design is proposed, targeting management and middle-level staff across the 26 food and beverage manufacturing firms listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX). Using a two-stage stratified sampling technique, 21 firms and 384 respondents will be selected based on Taro Yamane's and Cochran's sample size determination formulae. Data will be collected using a structured Likert-scale questionnaire and analysed with descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis to test three null hypotheses examining the relationships between human knowledge and financial performance, access to information and operational efficiency, and the combined dimensions of human capability and overall organisational performance. The study is expected to contribute a contextually grounded framework for understanding human capability and organisational performance in African manufacturing environments, where infrastructural and institutional constraints differ significantly from those in developed economies. It also offers practical implications for human resource practitioners, training institutions, and policymakers seeking to strengthen workforce capability and enhance organisational performance through improved access to knowledge, information, and employee development opportunities.
Human Capability; Organisational Performance; Human Knowledge; Access to Information; Food and Beverage Sector; Southwest Nigeria
NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE ON NIGERIAN LANGUAGES: IGBO CASE STUDY
Language attitude refers to people's perceptions, evaluations, and reactions to language use and to speakers based on their linguistic behaviour. In every speech community, there is a desire to maintain loyalty to the indigenous language, preserve it, and protect it from the influence of other languages. This paper examines the negative effects of the English language on Nigerian languages, using the Igbo language as a case study. The findings reveal that factors such as religion, education, and government policies promote the use of the English language at the expense of the Igbo language. The study also found that the adverse effects of English on the Igbo language include language shift, language endangerment, borrowing, loanwords, code-mixing, and code switching. The paper concludes by proposing strategies for addressing the negative attitude towards the Igbo language and promoting its preservation and revitalization.
Language Attitude, Negative effects, Igbo language, Nigerian languages, foreign language
COMMANDING IS CREATING: A SPEECH ACT ANALYSIS OF SELECTED AI PROMPTS
This study explores the intersection of Speech Act Theory and artificial intelligence (AI) prompt generation, focusing on how user commands facilitate creative outputs in image production. As AI systems increasingly participate in content creation, understanding the dynamics of human-AI interaction becomes crucial. Through qualitative analysis of five AI prompts, the study investigates various speech acts, emphasizing directives as the primary form of user input. Each prompt is examined to identify its locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary aspects, highlighting how effectively the AI responds to user requests. Findings reveal that while many prompts achieve successful outcomes, discrepancies arise when the AI fails to adhere to specific user intentions, affecting the sincerity conditions of the speech acts. The study elucidates the importance of precise prompt formulation, with the direction of fit being a key determinant of success in generating desired outputs. By employing Speech Act Theory, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the communicative processes underlying AI interactions, offering valuable insights for creators and enhancing the effectiveness of AI-assisted content generation.
commanding, creating, speech act theory, artificial intelligence (AI), prompt
Genevieve Chinelo Obijiofor & Aghaegbuna Haroldson Uwaezuoke
Dirge songs are oral rendition at burial or funereal ceremonies which address the dead, the family of the dead, the mourners, and death itself. Hence, beyond sorrow or grief, it nurtures hope and consolation. This research aims to examine how Igbo dirge songs conceptualize death and grief by ascertaining the use of metaphors in the speech communities, and to document the collected dirge songs. The data were sourced from Nawfija in Orumba South, Awka in Awka South and Awa in Orumba North communities, all in Anambra State- Nigeria. This was achieved through observation and interview methods. Subsequently, the data were analyzed using the Lakoff and Johnson (1980) conceptual metaphor theoretical framework. The research reveals some metaphoric elements used to conceptualize death such as; death is a visitor, a business entity/man, a door shutter, a fighter, rest, a thief, the interrupter of life’s conversations, a terrible roommate/companion, an unannounced journey, a pepper, amongst others. In conclusion, it is observed that death can be perceived in various ways by the living.
DIGITAL SCENOGRAPHY AND MULTIMEDIA CONVERGENCE IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY: EMERGENT AESTHETICS IN CONTEMPORARY NIGERIAN THEATRE PRACTICE
The emergence of digital scenography has significantly transformed the global performance space. Owing to multimedia convergence of text, sound, images, audio-visual and animation in a creative and aesthetic display; the use of digital technologies such as projection mapping, LED screens, sound design and motion graphics; digital scenery has emerged as a tool to enhance the visual and communicative output of theatrical productions. However, in the twenty-first century, as there is growing tension between global trends and indigenous scenic traditions, and as such there is need for strategic re-evaluation of the Nigerian performance ontology, especially in the area of scenography. The aesthetic and cultural impact of digital technology has birthed a new generation of scenic designers, actors and directors’ willing to experiment with innovative scenographic frameworks to gain the advantage of spatial aesthetic transformations. This study therefore hinges on Henry Jekin’s Convergence Theory and Josef Svoboda’s Psychoplastic Space postulation in a qualitative experimental methodology, to interrogate the use of digital technology in dedicated performance spaces. The study examines the digital tools that contribute to storytelling, mood creation, and immersive theatrical technologies in select productions - My Brother’s Keeper directed by Aniebiet Mbede for Akwa Ibom State University Pinnacle Theatre and Awo: The Musical by Joseph Edgar (Duke of Shomolu Foundation). The study highlights the aesthetic enhancements and techniques in staging productions using digital accessories. The study highlights the potentials and challenges of integrating digital scenography into live stage productions, making for an innovative theatre experience adept to the twenty-first century performance culture. The study recommends the incorporation of digital scenographic elements, technical training and - to achieve a dynamic framework for creating futuristic performances in contemporary Nigerian theatre.
Aesthetics, Contemporary Theatre, Digital Scenography, Multimedia, Techno-performance
INNOVATION, STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT AND PROMOTION OF ARTS AND CULTURE IN AKWA IBOM STATE: THE UYO INTERNATIONAL THEATRE AND FILM FESTIVAL (UTAFF) EXPERIENCE
The artistic and cultural industries have become the centre of the new economic thrust, globally. However, the aspect of theatre and film festival is noticeably an underexploited cultural developmental domain; despite the region’s rich heritage and potential to grow the creative economy. This study examines the innovations deployed (since 2018) for the strategic management and promotion of arts and culture through Uyo International Theatre and Film Festival (UTAFF). Using Straut Hall’s Cultural Identity Theory and Henry Jenkin’s Convergence Culture, this study examines the identifiable cultural components and its innovative convergence as frameworks to strategically situate local theatre and film practices for global appreciation, promotion and preservation. The methodology takes a qualitative study approach, supported by an observant’s participatory and resource-based view of strategic management. Findings reveal that, the strategic management of indigenous festivals adds to the repertory of our existing creative practices, even as film festivals has emerged as strategic platform through which the sub-national and national cultures negotiate visibility, economic value and identity in an increasingly globalized creative economy. This will encourage creativity and a sense of belonging in society and help preserve and promote local content for global appeal. This study contributes significantly to the development of culture and cultural products, by showcasing innovative expressions for the socio-economic values of our society.
Arts Promotion, Culture, Film festival, Innovation, Strategic Management
CYBERCRIME AND GLOBAL PERCEPTION OF NIGERIA’S DIGITAL ECONOMY
In an era where digital connectivity defines global participation, Nigeria stands at a crossroads, hailed for its rapid technological adoption yet burdened by the scourge of cybercrime. While the country’s youth-led embrace of the digital economy signals immense potential, its growing notoriety as a cybercrime hotspot has tarnished international perceptions and constrained legitimate engagement with its digital economy. Thus, this study critically interrogates how cybercrime shaped global perception of Nigerian digital actors and how this perception affects Nigeria’s participation in the global digital economy between 2015 and 2024. Employing an explanatory research design and a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates qualitative data from Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with law enforcement personnel, cybersecurity experts, academics, financial professionals, and digital entrepreneurs, alongside documentary data from academic literature, official reports, media sources, and social media narratives. Data were analysed using content analysis. Findings reveal that the global digital economy's perception of Nigerian digital actors has been significantly tainted by high-profile cybercrimes, despite the contributions of legitimate digital professionals. This has led to systemic restrictions on Nigerian access to international fintech, freelance, and e-commerce platforms, ultimately stifling innovation, limiting financial inclusion, and deterring foreign investment. The reputational fallout has compromised Nigeria’s digital credibility and obstructed its digital economic advancement. The study concludes that while Nigeria aspires to transition from oil dependency to a diversified digital economy, this ambition remains threatened by cybercrime-induced reputational risks. It recommends the urgent development of robust cybersecurity legislation, institutional reforms including a centralized cybercrime task force, nationwide digital ethics education, and the implementation of inclusive digital identity systems. These interventions are essential to restoring global trust and enabling Nigeria’s equitable integration into the digital economy.
Ignatius Ifesinachi Ngini; Daniel Uchechukwu Lawrenc; Emelife Anthony Mmaduka
FROM SURVIVING TO THRIVING: EMPOWERING A GIRL-CHILD TO OVERCOME TRAUMA THROUGH ASSERTIVENESS IN OGADIMMA BY UKAMAKA OLISAKWE.
Trauma, a pervasive and complex phenomenon, that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, can have profound and lasting effects on individuals, families, communities, and societies. The indelible aftermath of traumatic experiences can significantly affect an individual’s mental health, relationships and daily functioning. This study explores the transformative journey of the girl-child from merely surviving traumatic experiences to thriving and reclaiming her life through assertiveness. It presents a powerful and uplifting theme that conveys hope, resilience and personal development. The study demonstrates how assertiveness can help dispel the various dimensions of horrific and traumatic experiences of the girl-child while facilitating the reclamation of self-awareness, self-expression, boundary setting and self-advocacy. Furthermore, the study examines the relevance of assertiveness in enabling the girl child to regain self-respect and confidence, regulate self-esteem, accelerate personal growth, build healthy relationships, express emotions effectively and reclaim personal power. These issues are explored through “Ogadimma” by Ukamaka Olisakwe. The analysis is anchored on complex Trauma theory developed by Judith Herman, which addresses the effects of prolonged and repeatedtrauma.
Trauma, assertiveness, resilience, girl-child
BETWEEN LIBERTY AND ANARCHY: A BURKEAN CRITIQUE OF REVOLUTIONARY CHANGE AND ITS IMPLICATION FOR DEMOCRATIC CONSOLIDATION IN NIGERIA
This article examines an eighteenth-century analysis of revolution through the lens of Edmund Burke's critique of the French Revolution and applies it to Nigeria's protracted process of democratic consolidation. As one of the foremost advocates of gradual, piecemeal reform, Burke emphasized respect for tradition, prescription, and the organic nature of the state, while warning against the abrupt dismantling of political institutions in favour of abstract, geometric, and mechanical models of political reconstruction rooted in rationalist ideals. Applying this Burkesque framework to Nigeria's postcolonial trajectory, the article argues that the country's enduring crises— including military coups, repeated constitutional changes, and contemporary calls for revolution or drastic political reforms—illustrate the dangers Burke anticipated. Specifically, it contends that the pursuit of abstract political ideals, rather than reforms grounded in historical experience, institutional continuity, and established political traditions, can undermine stability and threaten the cohesion of the nation-state. Drawing on democratic consolidation theory and an extensive body of literature on Nigeria, the article maintains that Nigeria's democratic future depends less on revolutionary rupture than on the sustained reform of existing institutions. Such reform should be anchored in constitutionalism, a vibrant civic and political culture, the rule of law, and political accountability. The article concludes with policy-oriented recommendations for democratic consolidation, all grounded in a Burkesque perspective while remaining sensitive to the historical, cultural, and socio-political realities of Nigeria as a developing state.
Liberty, Anarchy, Revolutionary Change, Democratic consolidation, Nigeria
Osita Nnajiofor, PhD; Fredrick Chibuike Nwankwo
EMOTIVE EXPRESSIONS IN THE IGBO LANGUAGE
Emotions are physical and mental states brought about by neurophysiological changes and are variously associated with thoughts, feelings, behavioural responses, and varying degrees of pleasure or displeasure. This paper investigates surprise and shock expressions in Igbo. All languages possess emotive interjections, that is, interjections that express cognitively based feelings. Research on emotion has shown that there is relatively little research on interjections compared with the extensive studies on facial expressions and lexical categories of emotion (Wierzbicka, 1999:276). The study randomly selected 15 native speakers (L1) of Igbo from the Faculty of Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and employed the observation method for data collection. It adopts the tone-marking convention of Green and Igwe (1963), in which high tones are left unmarked, while low tones and downstep tones are marked with the grave accent (̀) and the macron (̄), respectively. The data were analysed qualitatively using a descriptive approach. The findings reveal that shock expressions such as heì, eì, haàà, kaị̀, ewōō, hị́àà, and èwo exist in the Igbo language, with hewùù and ìhe identified as additional expressions. Likewise, surprise expressions such as ị̀gbà, òkòkòbiòkò, òòoyà, egbè, ayàà, ọ́wụ̄yā, and úpèè were identified as additional expressions beyond those previously documented, reflecting language growth and innovation. Furthermore, surprise expressions are used predominantly to convey positive experiences, whereas shock expressions are used mainly to express negative experiences. The paper concludes that although these forms are exclamatory words, they are pragmatically interpreted as exclamatory expressions that convey surprise or shock.
emotions, surprise, shock, Igbo, interjection, exclamation
Sunday Ifeanyi Okoli & Etonyeaku Onyinyechi Onyedikachi
DECOLONISING AFRICAN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS: PHILOSOPHICAL PATHWAYS TOWARD EPISTEMIC JUSTICE AND INTELLECTUAL SOVEREIGNTY
This paper examines the philosophical imperative of decolonising African spaces of knowledge by engaging the works of Paulin Hountondji, Kwasi Wiredu, Sophie Oluwole, and Shittu Momoh. It argues that colonialism produced a long-standing epistemic hierarchy that delegitimised African intellectual traditions, reduced indigenous epistemologies to folklore, and entrenched Eurocentric frameworks within African education. The study identifies three interrelated dimensions of epistemic decolonisation: epistemic justice, conceptual autonomy, and methodological reconstruction. Beginning with an analysis of epistemic injustice, the paper demonstrates how colonial discourse systematically misrepresented African thought as mythical and uncritical. It then explores conceptual decolonisation through African languages, proverbs, and indigenous logical systems, showing how these provide alternative philosophical frameworks that rival those of Western philosophy. Finally, the paper advances the reconstructive programme of African philosophy by highlighting the role of institutions, curricula, and African intellectual sovereignty. It concludes by asserting that decolonisation is not merely a political project but also a philosophical necessity that requires critique, renewal, and innovation. African philosophy must reclaim its epistemic tools, interrogate inherited categories, and affirm its intellectual agency within global philosophical discourse.
Decolonisation, African philosophy, epistemic justice, indigenous knowledge, sovereignty
COMPARATIVE STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF UDJE AND IGORU: RHYTHM, SCALE AND SOCIAL FUNCTION IN URHOBO MUSICOLOGY
This paper provides a comparative analysis of Udje and Igoru, two foundational performance genres among the Urhobo and Okpe peoples of Nigeria's Niger Delta. While ethnomusicological scholarship has long attended to the poetic, political, and thematic richness of Urhobo oral traditions, the formal structural distinctions between these genres have received comparatively little systematic attention. Drawing on a dual framework of linguistic tonal mapping and organological classification, this study interrogates the structural architecture underpinning both genres. The analysis reveals that Udje is characterised by a dense, terrestrial, polyrhythmic framework designed for adversarial social commentary, moral censure, and inter-community rivalry. Igoru, by contrast, exhibits a more fluid, mid-tempo, syncopated structure that facilitates reflective storytelling, praise singing, and the promotion of collective social cohesion. Through a detailed examination of scalar systems, metric organisation, vocal production, instrumental timelines, and kinesthetic expression, the paper develops a comparative model for understanding Urhobo and Okpe musical thought. This structural approach contributes to broader debates in sub-Saharan ethnomusicology and offers practical strategies for documenting, teaching, and revitalising Urhobo sonic heritage in the face of rapid cultural change.
Temabor Peace ONYENYE (Ph.D.); Enoh Justina OKAFOR (Ph.D.)
COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATES IN NIGERIA: A PROPORTIONALITY ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS1
COVID-19 vaccine mandate in Nigeria raised both legal and ethical questions around the tension between the protection of public health and human rights. This article attempts an examination of COVID-19 vaccine mandate in Nigeria and standard for the derogation and limitation of human rights for the protection of public health in the context of COVID-19 vaccine mandate; and recommends the adoption of the proportionality principle. It is obvious that COVID-19 pandemic is not only a threat to public health but is also a threat to human rights. As public health measures are being taken to contain the spread of the virus, measures should also be taken to protect the rights and dignity of persons. The strict protection of human rights amidst public health emergencies may be detrimental to public health; likewise, the gross abuse of human rights during a public health emergency and global pandemic may grossly violate human rights. This article attempts to analyze COVID-19 Vaccine mandates in Nigeria through the lens of the proportionality principle. This article argues that for COVID-19 vaccine mandate to be justified, the principle of proportionality must be considered to ascertain if the human right limitation is rational and proportionate to the public health threat posed. Vaccine mandate limit human rights; such limitation of rights ought not be left at the discretion and mercy of government or policy makers. There is need to regulate vaccine mandate in Nigeria to avoid abuse.
COVID-19, Vaccine Mandates, Proportionality, Public Health, Human Rights, Nigeria
THEATRE IN HEALTH EDUCATIONAL SERVICES: AN APPRAISAL OF ANAM MALARIA PROJECT
In recent years, several institutions and organizations including hospitals, medical groups, healthcare officers, Theatre Arts workers and etcetera have merged, consolidated or gone out of business to meet the challenging societal and environmental demands of the people. These increases in collaborations have challenged the practitioners with a new task of development and nation building those gears towards touching the psych of the people by giving them a concentrated peep into their life, environments, society, and add values either by involving them or by making them active observers. This collaboration gears towards bringing in individuals from different backgrounds, well versed in their chosen professions, to advocate for improved ways of solving societal and human problems through co-ordinate, analyzed and re-searched, processes through immersive, participatory, interactive, diagnostic, and performance-workshop-approaches. This study investigates the correlation between Theatre in Health Education for behavioral change amongst the people of Mmiata, and Umuoba Anam in Anambra West Local Government area of Anambra State. The gratification theory was used as the theoretical framework while the participatory research approach served as the research method to gather data. The mixed method was used for data analysis. The study further employs Simple Random Sampling Technique to select the households and different discussants. The study discovers that majority of households lack the knowledge of the dangers of mosquito and malaria transmission. The study concludes that the most effective way to prevent malaria is through awareness creation and conscientious efforts of the community.
Health Services, Theatre in Education, Malaria, Anam
AGAINST THE SILENCING: FEMINIST REVISIONS OF IGBO WOMEN’S ROLES IN NIGERIAN HISTORY
This essay challenges the systematic erasure of Igbo women from African historiography, arguing that Eurocentric and patriarchal scholarship has rendered invisible a history of agency, authority, and resilience. Through feminist historiographical intervention, it recovers Igbo women’s central roles across three critical periods. In precolonial Igboland, women exercised economic independence as traders and farmers, wielded political power through institutions like the umuada, and held spiritual authority grounded in cosmologies of gender complementarity, particularly the twin-deity Chi na Eke. Under colonial rule, women resisted systematic marginalisation through the Aba Women’s War of 1929, a mass uprising that successfully challenged British authority and dismantled the warrant chief system. During the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), women sustained communities through survival strategies, caregiving, education, soldier protection, and peace-building initiatives. By centring oral traditions, community testimonies, and counter-archives alongside written sources, this work demonstrates that Igbo women were never peripheral to history but foundational to its making. This recovery constitutes a feminist intervention that challenges the epistemological violence of colonial historiography and redefines how African history is written and whose voices it centres.
ONWUTUEBE EZIAHA AKUCHI; EMERITUS PROFESSOR NWAKA GEOFFREY IHEANYICHUKW
LISTENING BEYOND THE STARS IN OUR DAYS OF INSECURITY: IMPACT ON THE NATION’S ECONOMY
Human beings are composed of body, soul, and spirit, just as cosmic life consists of spiritual, physical, and psychological dimensions. These essential components require constant and harmonious interaction with one another, without which much is lost. Although listening is fundamentally a physical act, it is also highly psycho mental and demands deep concentration if its immense benefits are to be fully realized. This study examines the art of listening intently, purposefully, and attentively in an age of chaos, highlighting its multidimensional benefits for the listener, the immediate environment, and humanity at large. Life is measured not only by how far one goes, but also by how well one lives. The paper explores the possibility of transforming life's experiences through meaningful relationships, conscious engagement with life's processes, and heightened sensitivity and attentiveness to one's environment.
Listening, Attentiveness, Insecurity, Communication, Economy, National Development
OF LANGUAGE, LITERATURE AND LITERARY TEXTS IN THE CLASSROOM SETTING
Literary activities are carried out within the context of language and writers are known to have been bend language to their creative will. Literature has long been acknowledged as an integral part of language teaching and learning playing a key role in the classroom setting. In the teaching and learning of French as a foreign language, however, literature and the use of literary texts in the classroom suffered a set-back due to inconsistences in the French teaching methods. The difficulties experienced by teachers and students in the teaching and learning of French through literature are primarily due to lack of methodological approaches on the part of the teachers, the linguistic incompetence on the part of the students and the use of literary texts that are out of context. Literature teachers should organize their works methodologically, take a step back and re evaluate the texts selected in relationship to the linguistic and academic level of students. As Onyemelukwe points out, “Teaching literature does not mean an ostentatious display of one’s knowledge in complex French but choosing the right lexis and expression in French commensurate with the linguistic competence of the learners to ensure that the right goods are delivered, that the behavioural objectives set for each literature lesson is achieved by the end of the lesson”. This paper, therefore, seeks to reaffirm the relevance of literature and the use of literary texts in the classroom setting in the teaching and learning of French as a foreign language.
Ekwulonu Ikechukwu George (Ph.D); Oguchi Uzoamaka Tessy (Ph.D)
FROM DEVELOPMENT PLANS TO ROLLING PLANS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING IN NIGERIA
This study examines the evolution of economic development planning in Nigeria from the colonial period to the late twentieth century, with particular emphasis on the transition from fixed-term national development plans to rolling plans under the Structural Adjustment Programme. Employing a historical methodology, the study draws on archival documents, official development plan records, and secondary literature to provide a comparative analysis of the objectives, structures, and outcomes of the two planning frameworks. The findings indicate that fixed-term plans (1962–1985) provided a long-term economic vision but were undermined by political instability, fluctuations in oil revenue, and weak institutional capacity. In contrast, rolling plans (1986–1999) introduced greater flexibility and responsiveness, enabling the annual recalibration of priorities in response to macroeconomic shocks. Nevertheless, the adoption of rolling plans was accompanied by significant social costs, including rising poverty and inequality, thereby highlighting the challenges of balancing market-oriented policies with social development objectives. The study concludes that Nigeria’s planning history reflects a broader ideological shift from state-led to market-oriented development, emphasizing the critical interplay among institutional capacity, fiscal discipline, and adaptive policy frameworks.
Development Plans, Rolling Plans, Economic Development Planning, Nigeria
AGE-RELATED VARIATION IN SPEECH ARTICULATION: A PHONETIC AND PHONOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF YOUNG AND OLDER NIGERIAN ENGLISH SPEAKERS
This study investigates age-related variations in speech articulation among Nigerian English speakers. It compares young adults (18–35 years) and older adults (65 years and above) to examine how physiological and cognitive changes associated with aging affect articulatory precision, fluency, and segmental production. Drawing on Speech Motor Control Theory and Cognitive Load Theory, the study distinguishes normal age-related phonetic changes from potential pathological conditions within the Nigerian English context. The research adopted a mixed-methods approach. Although 60 participants (30 young adults and 30 older adults) were initially recruited in the Onitsha urban area, complete data were obtained from and analysed for 28 participants, comprising 10 young adults and 18 older adults. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, observations, and a controlled speech corpus. The corpus included diadochokinetic tasks, the reading of a standardized passage, and spontaneous speech. Recordings were analysed using phonetic transcription and Praat software for acoustic measurements. The findings revealed noticeable differences between the two age groups. Older speakers produced more consonant substitutions and omissions, vowel reductions, temporal disfluencies, longer pauses, and reduced vocal intensity. In many cases, these patterns were associated with hearing loss and dental challenges. Younger speakers, on the other hand, exhibited greater articulatory stability and smoother fluency during speech production. The study argues for context-sensitive speech intervention strategies that reflect the realities of Nigerian English rather than relying entirely on foreign speech models.
Age-related variation, speech articulation, Nigerian English, phonetics and phonology, articulatory precision, speech motor control
Okwakwom-Amadi, Fortune & Elom Ejike Akpenyi
THEATRE IN EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY DIALOGUE: A PSYCHO-CYBERNETIC APPROACH
Theatre and technology have been inseparable from antiquity collaborating in terms of the tool, the performer and the performance. It is on this collaboration that the research has deemed it fit to expand the multi-disciplinary dimension by examining the psycho-cybernetic angel of the Theatre in Education. The psycho-cybernetic professes “self-image” using feedback techniques by blending digital innovations to create immersive experiences. The study examines the Umudioka Theatre in Education Project using the psycho-cyberntic theory to re-examine the feelings and behaviors of the individuals especially the audience. The study focused on steering the individual to a productive and self-assured individual through participatory theatre approach. The study discovers that psycho cyberntic and theatre in education marriage leads to individual’s self discovery and improved intellectual power. The study concludes that steering the individual projects a mirror of the distorted self and offers an opportunity for self-examination in real-time.
Psycho-Cyberntic, Theatre in Education (TIE), Technology, Dialogue
THE ROLE OF LITERATURE IN CHILDREN’S UPBRINGING: A STUDY OF SELECTED CHILDREN’S PROSE
Children's literature remains one of the most indispensable aspects of literature because of its immense contributions to the moral, emotional, intellectual, and social development of the child. Yet, many people mistakenly assume that children's literature is easy to write. Such a misconception has led to the proliferation of poor quality literary works that fail to positively influence the child and, in some cases, even corrupt the young mind. If we accept the African proverbial wisdom that a child is like a yam tendril that bends in the direction in which it is guided, then we must also acknowledge that children's literature cannot be carelessly written or produced. It requires great artistic discipline, moral consciousness, simplicity of expression, and a sound psychological understanding of the child. This article critically examines the nature, purpose, and qualities of children's literature, with particular emphasis on selected children's prose works. It argues that children's literature should not merely entertain but should also educate, reform, and guide the child towards responsible adulthood. The paper further highlights the dangers of exposing children to unsuitable literary materials and demonstrates why writers, teachers, parents, publishers, and educational authorities must ensure that children are provided with wholesome and morally enriching literature.
Literature, children, didacticism, character development, folktale
Uche Nnyagu, PhD; Amalukwue Lotachukwu L., PhD
This paper proposes the Ikedi Okeke Method of Teaching Music, which has proven to be an effective method of teaching music in primary and post-primary schools in Anambra State. This method emerged from several years of the researcher’s active engagement and experience as a music teacher at various levels of education, including nursery, primary, post-primary, and presently university education. The Ikedi Method of Teaching Music is largely derived from Ivan Pavlov’s experiments in Classical Conditioning, in which he demonstrated that a neutral stimulus (such as a tuning fork or bell) could induce a response similar to that produced by the primary stimulus. In his experiment, dogs salivated in response to the sound of a bell after it had repeatedly been associated with food. Similarly, Ikedi Okeke has demonstrated, through the principles of superimposition and juxtaposition, that school children can be conditioned to enjoy music lessons if a song is played on a musical instrument or sung to them before the commencement of the lesson. Playing the song after the lesson—provided the children see the instrument in the teacher’s hands—has also produced similar results. Ten schools were studied over a period of twenty-two years (2004–2026), yielding commendable results that have since been replicated by several other music teachers in schools.
Ikedi Okeke method of teaching music, classical conditioning, stimulus, response
THE ROLE OF FILM IN ADVANCING WOMEN'S POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT: A STUDY OF PATRICK DOYLE'S MADAM PRESIDENT
This study investigates Madam President (2017), a Nigerian political thriller by Patrick Doyle, as a cinematic intervention in the discourse on women’s political empowerment in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, situated within the broader context of gender representation in Nollywood. The study argues that the film presents a formidable framework for reimagining the emergence of female leadership within entrenched patriarchal systems. Employing Cultivation Theory, Agenda-Setting Theory, and Feminist Film Theory, the analysis demonstrates that the film challenges dominant gender stereotypes, exposes structural barriers to women’s political advancement, and performs an instructive role in shaping audiences’ perceptions of leadership and governance. Through its narrative and character construction, the film emphasises the tensions between symbolic representation and structural exclusion. Madam President contributes meaningfully to expanding the imaginative possibilities surrounding female political leadership. Findings confirm that the film, as an electronic media text, interrogates and overturns conventional gender hierarchies commonly portrayed in Nollywood, and that it plays a significant role in advancing discourse on women’s political empowerment. The study concludes that the film demonstrates the power of media in shaping societal attitudes and promoting gender inclusion. The study therefore recommends greater gender parity in Nigerian politics and argues that cinematic portrayals should reflect broader systemic and representational reforms necessary for achieving substantive women’s political empowerment.
Film, Women, Political, Role, Empowerment