The FULafia Journal of Sociological Studies is an interdisciplinary journal domiciled in the Department of Sociology, Federal University of Lafia. It is a peer review journal set to provide academics and researchers the avenue to publish latest research findings in their chosen fields of studies. The Journal invites papers from the Social Sciences, Arts, Humanities, and other academic fields whose research findings are original contributions to knowledge and are meant to impact positively on the society. ISSN: 2630-7189
FULafia Journal of Sociological Studies (FJSS)
The Imperatives of Peace and Conflict Management in Nigeria: Proposing Community-Based Peace Initiatives (CBPIS)
This paper looked at the impact of conflict on any country economy and political governance in other understand how devastating and encompassing the effects can be. The effect may be intangible and visible, including killed and injured civilians, destroyed or derelict bridges and wells. They can also be intangible, such as the collapse of state institutions, mistrust in government, the destruction of social relationships, psychological trauma and pervasive fear. Thus, the need for conflict resolution in our society is crucial. It is imperative because now people perceive a particular thing exactly in the same way. Efforts to curb conflict and crisis-situations have often times been unsuccessful occasioned not only by the complex nature of humanity, but also by the methods and means employed by the stakeholders. It is the position of this paper that a factor that has not received sufficient attention in this regard is the community based peace building initiatives and other alternatives that are more inclusive and grassroots oriented. This paper attempts to determine the relationship between economy and political development, conflict using content analysis. This paper highlights and explores these basic tools and frameworks on peace management and conflict resolution and recommends them as the alternative procedure for building sustainable peace in Nigeria.
Copyright (c) 2026 FULafia Journal of Sociological Studies
Militancy and Its Socio-Economic Implications For Nigeria’s Economic Recession: An Appraisal of Niger Delta Avengers Machination
This paper examines the socio-economic implications of militancy and its effects on Nigeria’s economic recession. It bothers to unravel the underpinnings surrounding the formation of the Niger Delta Avengers. The study specified objectives include; (i) to find out how vandalisation of Nigeria’s energy infrastructure by NDA has affected oil production and revenue (ii) to assess the implications of vandalisation of fuel and gas pipelines on power supply (iii) to identify the effects of NDA notoriety on investment potentials. Relevant secondary data have been used in the analysis and discussion of findings which show that the deadly militant group is famous for the high profile attacks on Nigeria’s energy infrastructure which have hobbled Nigeria’s oil production to a 22 year low. This has led to plethora of socio-economic ills ranging from declining oil revenue to large scale power outage in Nigeria thereby compounding the recession. Nigeria’s oil production that was about 2.2 million bpd has been slashed to 1.5 million bpd thereabout. This accounts for a dramatic decline in revenue accruing to government coffers. Offensive militarization approaches have failed to record zero militancy. Adequate security is needed on Nigeria’s energy infrastructure. Genuine dialogue between Niger Delta communities and multinational companies is needed along with realistic economic policies of the Nigerian government to boost infrastructural development in the region.
Addressing Patriarchy in Nigeria and the Quest for Women Empowerment.
Considering women’s meager percentage in political, economic and social arena in Nigeria, there is no doubt; there are more questions than answers on the issues concerning ordeals of women. The implementation of series of international (especially Beijing declaration of 1995 in which Nigeria is a signatory) and local women conventions is still a mirage and regurgitating issue among activists, social analyst and commentators. This paper tries to look at challenges faced by women in Nigeria and how gender roles are created, implemented and made to be seen as natural by culture and religious misinterpreters (the patriarchs). The objectives of the study are to assess how gender role affect women; how scriptures are misinterpreted in order to reiterate male domination in the society and to suggest some panacea toward women empowerment in Nigeria. This paper used qualitative method of data analysis and data were collected from secondary sources. This study recommend that women ordeals need intensive attention in Nigeria. The main finding of this paper reveals that patriarchy is in really trending which serve as an impediment towards women empowerment.
Social Workers’ Perception of Juvenile Delinquency Prevention In Nigeria: A Case Study of Lafia Town, Nasarawa State.
This study sought to investigate social workers perception of juvenile delinquency prevention in Nigeria. The major objective of the study is to understand the juvenile delinquency prevention and perception of social worker. While, specific objectives include to: Understanding juvenile delinquency mechanism that are available in Nigeria and to use the perception of social workers as a yardstick for measuring the effectiveness of these mechanism in reforming the offenders. The studies explore conceptual analysis and social control theory as theoretical framework for crime prevention and control. The study used primary and secondary sources of data collection. The findings were that juvenile delinquency prevention was mostly situated within the family cycle. This was made evident in the perception of respondents that the family has a large impact on criminal behaviour, where caring, loving, diligent, responsible and righteous parents do not generally produce children who are prone to engage in generalized problematic behaviour. This was made evident in the perception of respondents that the family has a large impact on criminal behaviour. The study concluded and recommended that social disorganization in the society contribute significantly to deviance behaviour among young persons and therefore recommends that juvenile delinquency rights and responsibilities of children and parents should be made known to all concerned through the media and other accepted methods of communication; prevention strategies like the poverty eradication programme should be effectively implemented and encouraged. Family support policies are developed to strengthen the role of parents towards their children and reintegration in the society.
Social Work, Juvenile Delinquency, Prevention and Control
An Appraisal of the Nature and Extent of Human Rights Violation by the Nigeria Police in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria (2016–2017)
The paper appraised Police human rights violation in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue state, Nigeria. The study is an empirical study. The survey method was used in the study, questionnaire and interview was adopted as method of data collection, conflict theory was the adopted theory for the study; data was presented using simple percentage distribution. The study established the following: the Nigeria police violate the fundamental human rights of the Nigeria citizens with impunity, It was found that the Nigeria Police do not treat members of the society fairly and equally irrespective of social classes; it was established that the poor citizens in Nigeria are mostly affected by police brutality, it was also ascertained that, the police maltreat and brutalize crime suspects. It was found that the nature and extent of human rights violation by the Nigeria police is notoriously noticeable. The extent of such violations include, detention without trial, physical and psychological torture of suspects, unlawful restriction of movement, unlawful arrest and unlawful restriction of freedom of association. The Nigeria police use electric gadgets on suspect, use of tear gas on suspects, clamping or congestions of crime suspects in unhygienic cells, extra-judicial killings, and infliction of pains to suspects’ genitals. The study recommended thus; human rights protection units manned by lawyers should be established at the zonal level of police commands supervised by the national Human rights commission. The police Service Commission should strengthen legal education for the men and officers of the police. Public enlightenment of the Nigeria citizenry on their fundamental human rights specification as contained in the constitution should be enhanced by the National Orientation Agency. Punitive sanctions should be imposed on appropriately on police officers who violate human rights. Government should reform the Nigeria Police Force by enlisting only the educated members of the society into the Nigeria Police Force. For the dignity of human person to be preserved, it is necessary to improve on the health conditions in our cells. In that wise, government should build more prisons to decongest police cells, adequate medical facilities should be made available for the prevention and cure of contagious diseases in the police cell.
Assessment of Men’s Perception of Maternal Health Issues in Badagry, Lagos State, Nigeria.
Men have continued to determine and influence decision making in all activities everywhere. Women most of the time depended on them for almost everything. Men have always responded differently how they felt about following their wives to antenatal clinics. Most of men feel that theirs is to provide the resources and it is the women’s business to attend clinics. This explorative and qualitative study was carried out to assess the perception of men on issues relating to maternal health, domestic decision making and child sex preference in Lagos State. This was done with a view to finding out how men feel about following their wives to antenatal clinic, sharing decision making with wife and how child sex preference affected the way they treated their wives. Thirty adults women were interviewed in Badagry area of Lagos State. Results indicated that most men (over 80 percent) feel that they cannot follow their wives to antenatal clinics once they are able to provide the funds needed for the purpose of paying hospital fees. Another 90 percent stated that they cannot occupy the same decision making position with their wives since this will make them look weak. However, only about 20 percent claimed they do not have preference for any child sex and this does not in any way affect the other issues of decision making and antenatal clinic attendance. It is pertinent that there is need to deepen the sensitisation on the need for men to see their wives as partners and not slaves or non equals.
Tiv Farmers and Fulani Herdsmen Conflict, and Socioeconomic Development of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State
This study focused on the effects of Tiv farmers and Fulani herdsmen conflict on socioeconomic development of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. Objectives of the research were to assess the relationship between Tiv and Fulani ethnic groups prior to the conflict, identify causes of the conflict, find out effects of the conflict on social and economic activities in the local government and identify lasting solution to the conflict. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select 421 respondents, farmers, community leaders and divisional police officers in study area. Quantitative and qualitative data were gathered for the study. Data were generated through questionnaire administered on the 421 respondents and interview sessions with farmers, community leaders and divisional police officers. Frequency counts and simple percentages were used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data was analyzed through ethnographic summaries. The study found that the conflict involving Tiv farmers and Fulani herdsmen has seriously and negatively affect socioeconomic development in Guma Local Government Area. It was thus recommended among other things that people rearing cattle should establish ranches in order to avoid destruction of farm crops by grazing cows, a development that often lead to conflict.
Tiv, Fulani, conflict, socioeconomic, cattle
Urbanization and Environmental Pollution in Masaka, Karu L.G.A – Nasarawa State
In most parts of the world especially in developing countries, the sprawling urban areas and enormous populations exert a tremendous amount of stress on the environment; resources are largely concentrated in urban areas, causing major challenges in waste disposal, noise, air, water pollution and many others. This study examined urbanization and environmental pollution in the growing town of Masaka. The main objective of this study is to examine the link between urbanization and environmental pollution in Masaka. A total of 180 respondents were sampled for the study using survey through the use of questionnaire technique. The findings revealed that the major causes of urbanization in Masaka are largely the influx of people from all walks of life into the area due to low cost of houses. The study further revealed that pollution from solid waste is one of the major causes of environmental pollution in the area. It was equally discovered that pollution from solid waste constitutes the major health challenge in Masaka. As a panacea in tackling the environmental pollution, the respondents suggested that there should be a proper waste disposal and effective waste management in the local government. The study recommended among others that an intensive public enlightenment campaign should be created to enlighten the public on the proper ways of waste disposal, and the need to keep a clean environment and to raise the level of awareness on sound solid waste management practice.
Pollution, Hazard, Environment, Urbanization, Masaka.
Unwanted Pregnancies and Malnutrition Among Women and Children in Internally Displaced Persons Camps in Maiduguri and Environs: A Study of Three Nursing Mothers
This paper examined cases of unwanted pregnancies and malnutrition among women and children in IDPs camps within Maiduguri and its environs. Data were gathered through in-depth interview. Due restriction to IDPs camps security and other reasons, the researchers were able to interviewed only three ladies who gave birth through unwanted pregnancies, and three children were observed and their health and nutritional status evaluated. Based on the interaction with the mothers, it was observed that, the reasons advanced by the respondents include hunger, lack of clothes, lack of sleeping items, false promise of marriage and poor or non-nutritional foods were among the causes of the problems. The study found that all the respondents were impregnated by security personnel who were posted to protect the IDPs camps. The study also revealed the deplorable condition, inadequacy or poor and non-nutritional foods supplied which causes malnutrition among children in the camps. The researchers recommended that government should monitor the interaction between the security agents and IDPs in the camps; nutritional food should be provided to prevent children and adults from malnutrition and diseases associated with it.
Unwanted Pregnancies, Malnutrition, IDPs, Camp, Boko Haram, Insurgency
An Appraisal of the Causes and Implications of Medical Tourism on Nigerian Society and Economy
Medical tourism is a term used to describe the movement of persons from one country to another with the aim of assessing better and effective Medicare. The focus of this paper is to examine some of the contributory factors to the rise of the phenomenon of medical tourism among Nigerians in recent years. The paper identifies two broad perspectives responsible for this trend in Nigeria. They are micro causative and macro causative factors. The paper also identifies some of the implications of medical tourism in Nigeria, amongst these are the huge capital flight to many European and Asian countries and the adverse image it has brought to Nigeria. It recommends among other things the ban on sponsoring top government officials for medical care and improvement in budgetary allocation for the health sector.
Medical Tourism, Medical Care, Health Services
A Critical Appraisal of Health Seeking Behaviour Models in Nigeria
This paper is an appraisal of various models that explains the health seeking behaviour of individuals in Nigeria. The paper makes desk review of three health seeking behaviour models by making a critique of the assumptions and the suitability of these models in explaining health seeking behaviour in the Nigerian society. An assessment of the stages of health seeking behaviour identified by Igun (1979) indicates that significant others and availability of health services are the major determinants of health seeking behaviour in most communities in Nigeria. A review of the Health Belief model shows how the beliefs individuals have toward a perceived ill health influences their determination to seek for healthcare services. The paper also assessed Andersen-Newman’s behavioural model, which hypothesized that individuals demographic characteristics and healthcare delivery systems exert major influence on how they access and utilize health care services. The choice-making model proposed by Young (1981) on the other hand asserts that individual’s choice of health services is dependent upon the four variables of perception of gravity, knowledge of home treatment, faith in remedy and the accessibility to treatment. Despite the criticisms of the various models discussed in the paper, their propositions are found complementary and suitable in explaining health seeking behaviour in the Nigerian context. The however adopted the Health Belief Model as more suitable in explaining health seeking behaviour among Nigerians.
Model, Health Seeking Behaviour, Utilization.
Youth Restiveness in Lafia Metropolis: Implications for Economic Development
Abstract For more than five decades since Nigeria attained nationhood, the country has had to grapple with various socio-economic and security challenges with many youth becoming restive. Youth restiveness has implications for the overall development of any society. The objectives of the study is to investigate the implications of youth restiveness on economic development in Lafia metropolis, using General Strain Theory of crime as theoretical framework. The study was a survey, with a sample size of 196 selected using survey software calculator (2014) from a population of 79938. In generating primary data, structured questionnaires were administered through purposive sampling technique. Data were analyzed using graphs and tables. Findings revealed the causative factors of youth restiveness to include poverty, peer influence, unemployment and access to arms and weapons. It was also revealed that restiveness has a disruptive effect on youth's employment and productivity status. The study concludes that the phenomenon has negatively affected the socio-economic fortune of Lafia and contributed to insecurity in the metropolis, besides stifling social life. The study recommends that there should be a national road map for job creation and employment generation, among others.
Economic development, Youth restiveness, National security.
Contemporary Special Teaching Methods and Effective Lesson Delivery of Social Studies Teachers in UBE in Cross River State to meet Sustainable Development Goals
Abstract The study seeks to identify the most suitable or appropriate contemporary special teaching methods for effective teaching/lesson delivery in Universal Basic Education (UBE) in Cross River State, Nigeria to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To achieve the purpose of the study, two research questions were formulated. Ex-post facto research design was used for the study which involved a population of 140 UBE teachers drawn from the three Education Zones in the State. Data were collected using a 5-item structured questionnaire which was tested for reliability using Cronbach alpha method and a coefficient of 0.82 was obtained. Percentage scores and frequency were used to answer the research questions raised. The result of the study indicates that the most suitable and highly preferred methods for effective lesson delivery by UBE teachers in Cross River State are: Jigsaw Teaching Technique (JTT), followed by Reflective Technique (RT) and Active Learning (AL) among others. It is therefore recommended that during lesson delivery, the identified methods should be given major considerations by UBE teachers. In addition, adequate re-training, seminars and workshops should be organized frequently for the teachers to be conversant with the methods.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Universal Basic Education and Contemporary Special
A Qualitative Assessment of Environmental Factors in Maternal Health in Rural Cross River State, Nigeria
In spite of many approaches towards improving maternal health, there is still a slow decline in maternal mortality and morbidity in less developed areas. There are at least 529,000 maternal deaths in the world annually. These deaths are almost equally divided between Africa and Asia. This situation is still prevalent despite several programmes introduced as interventions to check this trend. One of such programmes is the “safe motherhood initiative”, which was introduced as strategic interventions to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity in Nigeria. The safe motherhood interventionist programmes have either not been effective or are misdirected in addressing the issue of maternal morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. These deaths, as well as disabilities therefore, suggest that maternal health is not a simple consequence of reproductive risks alone, but an outcome of a host of maternal health conditions including environmental factors. The study explored women assessment of those environmental factors affecting their health. A sample of 823 respondents was drawn from a total population of 842,561. Women maintained that factors exposing them to maternal risk included among others household sanitation condition, sources of drinking water, toilet and waste disposal. It is instructive that the exposure of women to harm can be avoided through the improvement of the household environment where they live and operate.
Maternal Health, Qualitative Assessment, Environmental Factors
Socio-Cultural Factors And Health Seeking Behaviour Of Women In Gboko Local Government Area Of Benue State
Health seeking behaviour of women is very important because women constitute half of the global population. In many parts of the world, especially among the developing societies, there are socio-cultural factors that affect the health seeking behaviour of women. The consequence of these factors on the use of health facilities among women is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. This study examined socio-cultural factors influencing health seeking behaviour among women in Benue State. The objectives were to assess traditional beliefs system, gender roles and norms, and socioeconomic status influencing health seeking behavior among women in Benue State. Anderson model was used to explain the phenomenon. The study identified several factors that have important influence health seeking behaviour on women utilization of health services in the study area.
Socio-Cultural, Health Seeking Behaviour, Women
Copyright (c) 2025 FULafia Journal of Sociological Studies
Entrepreneurship And Employability Among Students Of Tertiary Institutions In Nigeria.
Unemployment and underemployment has become a serious challenge to socio-economic well-being to human dignity in the society. This paper titled entrepreneurship and employability among students of tertiary institutions has identified types of entrepreneurship and employability as information communication technology ICT, agricultural entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship, evaluate entrepreneurship and employability and ways to stimulate entrepreneurship. Secondary data was used for the study. The findings of the study revealed that the various types of entrepreneurship among students of tertiary institutions information communication technology ICT, agricultural entrepreneurship were able to create some levels of employability for the students in various capacities. The paper recommended that government and private sectors must establish core agency to promote vast numbers of entrepreneurs, government should put more emphasis on various types of entrepreneurship and employability to reduce unemployment and poverty as well as increase self-reliance, ways to stimulate entrepreneurship and employability needed to secure self-employment for the populace
Entrepreneurship, employability, ICT, agricultural entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship
Financial Technologies and Risk of Electronic Business activities in Howe, Gwer-East Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria
Cyber-attacks against businesses are on the rise globally, with severe consequences on individual`s and business organisations. Yet business owners often lack effective strategies to avoid these attacks. This study examine the influence of financial technologies on electronic business activities in Howe, Gwer-East Local Government Area Benue State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to identify types of financial technologies associated with electronic business activities, find out the benefits of financial technologies on electronic business activities, and to examine the risk factors of financial technologies on electronic business activities. The study adopts routine activity theory. The study employed cross-sectional survey design with a sample size of 259 respondents using the Taro Yamane formula. Finding of the study showed that financial technologies is beneficial to business owners. However, the introduction of financial technologies in electronic business has led to fraud, cyber-attacks, and data breaches that have negatively impacted on electronic business activities. The study recommended among others for improved cyber-security of electronic enterprises that use financial technologies for their business activities. Also, there is need for stakeholders to expand internal and external monitoring of e-security practices of financial services providers and other financial services to secure safe and convenient business environment.
Financial technologies, Electronic business, Point of Sales (POS), and Howe
Traditional Practices and Social Well-being of Rural Women in Gwer East Local Government area Benue State, Nigeria
Traditional Practices (TPs) are shared perceptions of how people routinely behave in a culture. Some of these practices are beneficial to all members; others are harmful and consequential to specific groups, such as women. This study examined the traditional practices affecting the social well-being of rural women in Gwer East, Benue State. The specific objectives of the study were to: assess the effects of child preference and social well-being of rural women and ascertain the effect of nutritional taboos and social well-being of rural women in Gwer East Benue State. The study was anchored on the theory of reasoned action/ planned behaviour. The study adopted a multistage sampling technique to select 400 respondents. Data was collected through the instrument of the questionnaire and was analyzed using simple frequencies and percentages. The findings revealed that child preference; nutritional taboos have significant effects on the social well-being of rural women in Gwer-East LGA. The study concluded that traditional practices have significant effect on the health of rural women. The study therefore recommended community awareness to rural dwellers about the dangers associated with traditional practices that are detrimental to women. This will reduce to a greater extent the dehumanizing traditional practices directed against women in the study area.
Traditional practices, child preference, nutritional taboos Gwer East, Benue State.
Gender Disparities in African Labour Markets: The Sub-Saharan African Experience
The path to hasten progress in growth and development hinges upon several indicators. In many developed countries, among the associated factors is the reduction of gender gap in labour participation. Over the past few decades many developing countries have substantially narrowed such disparity. However, this remains high in many Sub-Saharan African societies. Thus, the consequences of high inequality in opportunities and its associated rewards are far-reaching and serve as inhibitors to the development of many African societies. Hence, reducing this gap has the potential to make the continent more vibrant and its institutions more resilient and responsive to development. This paper examines the implications of gender disparities and associated factors in African labour markets. Desk review was conducted to produce the paper. Findings revealed that women and men are disproportionately represented depending on a handful of factors; some of which are largely structural and sociocultural. While men suffer some forms of discrimination related to some employments stereotyped to be typically for women, women face far more noticeable forms of discrimination including that of value and wage. Generally, patriarchy, education and religion play important role in shaping economic opportunities for both men and women in Africa. Specifically, however, targeted discrimination in developing the capacity of girls limits and perpetuates the gender disparities in African labour market. Addressing these disparities structurally such as gender insensitive massive investment in human capital would largely aid progress towards growth and development in the continent.
Gender Disparities, Women Participation, Labour Market, Sub-Saharan Africa
Cultural Determinants Of Primary Healthcare Utilization Among Rural People Of Konshisha Local Government Benue State, Nigeria
This paper examined the cultural determinants of healthcare utilization among rural people of Konshisha LGA, Benue State, Nigeria. Health, it is argued, is a fundamental and basic need of the people globally. However, in most African societies, access to healthcare services is determined and infringed by the cultural aspect of each belief and practices. The study adopted a Three Delay Model framework (3DM), propounded by Thaddeus and Maine in 1994. The study employed cross sectional survey design, a total of 400 respondents were selected from five (5) council wards. The study used mixed method approach which is a combination of both quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. Data collected through qualitative method was analyzed using manual content. Hypotheses was tested using Pearson Moment Correlation. The study confirmed that one of the key factor that hinders the utilization of healthcare services in Konshisha LGA is cultural beliefs and disease perception. The study concluded that, good health is a basic necessity among rural people and it is a fundamental objective of social and economic development. However, cultural beliefs among the rural people has limited the utilization of Primary Healthcare services. The study recommended that an educative sensitization campaign by govt. is paramount to change the people`s long held belief and tradition on healthcare utilization. Similarly, the misconception and the value systems embeds in the people’s culture and their conservativeness to the utilization of primary healthcare services needs to be modified through policy intervention for the wellbeing of the general public and improved life expectancy
Culture, Belief, Perception, Utilization, Konshisha LGA, Nigeria.
Elder Abuse in Benue State, Nigeria: Exploring the Multifaceted Determinants
Abuse of the elderly is a well-known social, economic, psychological, and public health problem that is pervasive across the globe. In developing nations such as Nigeria, the unprecedented number of elderly population has resulted in the growing tendency for elder abuse. In fact, evidence suggests that abuse of the elderly is common in Nigeria where the elderly suffer physical injuries, humiliation, financial devastation, depression, cognitive decline, and death. This paper examined the factors contributing to abuse of the elderly population in Nigeria. The focus was to examine economic factors contributing to the mistreatment of the elderly population in Benue State; assess the factors within the socio-cultural context of Benue State that contribute to abuse of the elderly; and ascertain the effects of abuse on the elderly in Benue State. The Situational Theory was adopted for the study. The paper demonstrates how poverty, unemployment, poor living conditions, social isolation, ageism, gender discrimination, normalization of violence as well as poor parenting and weak institutions contribute to abuse of the elderly in Benue State. It recommends government’s prioritization of the welfare of the elderly population by prompt payment of their salaries, pensions and gratuities, and sustained collaboration among stakeholders including the police and human rights organizations, elders and youth groups in sensitizing against prejudices, discrimination, and other negative practices against the elderly population in Benue State.
A Discourse on the Effects of Family Size and Family Structure on Girl Child Education in Nigeria.
This paper explores the intricate web of family size, family structure, and their influence on the educational attainment of girl children. Recognizing education as a cornerstone of gender equality, we illuminate the challenges and disparities girl-child faces within varying family settings. Our central inquiry arises from the uneven impact of family dynamics on girls’ educational opportunities, and the critical need to address this imbalance to foster equitable access to education. Employing a review of existing literature, this paper meticulously draws from diverse secondary sources encompassing family demographics, literature records, and socio-cultural indicators across varied economic landscapes. Underpinned by the Ecological Systems Theory and the Resource Dilution Hypothesis, we illuminate the complex interplay between individual, family, and societal factors in shaping individual development. Our argument underscores the nuanced ways family dynamics influence girls’ educational trajectories. It reveals that larger families might face resource constraints, potentially diverting opportunities from girls, while smaller families could offer greater financial and individual attention, boosting their prospects. Similarly, family structures like polygamous and single-parent households pose unique challenges, interwoven with cultural norms and expectations that often devalue girls’ education. Conclusively, the paper proposes targeted interventions and policy changes to promote gender equality in education. Ultimately, unraveling the threads of family size and structure unveils the intricate dance between social forces and individual potential. Recognizing the diversity of girls’ experiences and tailoring interventions accordingly, we can weave a brighter future where every girl can access the transformative power of education and contribute to a more equitable society.
Family Size, Family Structure, Gender Equality, Girl Child Education, Nigeria
An Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Strategies of Crime Control Adopted by Vigilante Groups in Benue State
Crime control agencies across the globe are saddled with the task of devising suitable, reliable and dependable strategies to checkmate crime. However, these devised strategies of crime control appeared not to have yielded the desired solution to crime problem. The objectives of the paper were to: assess the effectiveness of vigilante groups’ crime control strategies in Benue State and suggest ways of improving the activities of vigilante groups in Benue State. The study adopted descriptive survey design. Three Local Governments Areas-Vandeikya, Gboko, and Oju were selected across the three Senatorial districts in Benue State for the study. The population of the study was vigilante officers, religious leaders, traditional rulers and members of the public. Questionnaire and key informant interview (KII) were used to generate data from 367 respondents using Taro Yamane sample size determination formula. Twelve interviews (12) were conducted across the sampled Local Government Areas. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling were employed for the selection of respondents and informants. Quantitative data were presented in frequency and percentages while qualitative data were presented in narrative form. The study findings revealed that vigilante groups adopted surveillance, street barricade, intelligence gathering and mediation as their strategies of crime control in Benue State. Findings revealed that crime control strategies adopted by vigilante groups were effective. The study recommends the following among others: enactment of laws recognizing vigilante groups; vigilante groups should be provided with the needed crime fighting equipment by stakeholders; activities of vigilante groups should be funded adequately; vigilante groups should be provided with logistics support as well as proper training of vigilante operatives for enhanced performances.
Crime control; Vigilante groups, Surveillance, Street barricade, Intelligence gathering