scholarly journals Evaluation of Youth Vulnerability to Community Cultism in Selected States in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Author(s):  
N. R. Nwaogu ◽  
V. E. Weli ◽  
M. D. Mbee

Background of Study: Cultism is one of the major sources of violence and causes of death among youths in the Niger Delta region, Nigeria. Youths join different cult groups to have more influence and power than their peers. Supremacy of a particular cult group in a community gives its members edge to take control of proceeds and royalties accruing from crude oil production in the area. As a result, many cult groups are at conflict to assume dominance and control. This rivalry among them triggered inter and intra cult violence such as assassination, abduction, clashes, and destruction of properties as well as insecurity and upsurge in criminal activities. Methods and Materials: This study examines the vulnerability of youths to community cultism in the Niger Delta.  It looks at reasons joining cultism, crimes committed by cultists and extent of cult attacks and fatalities in the area. Adopting cross sectional research design, this study was conducted in the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) where amnesty was offered to cultists by government in 2016. The study population was the entire population of the repentant cultists (cultists who embraced the amnesty package) and Taro Yamene’s formula was used in selecting the sample size of 400. Snowball sampling technique was employed in selecting repentant cultists. Data relied on primary and secondary sources, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, weighted means and choropleth maps. Results:  The highest reason youths engage in cultism in communities was for protection. Also, quest for influence/power, money and peer group were other reasons. Fun and desire for political connection were the least reasons. The major crimes committed by cultists were murder/killing, intimidation, kidnapping and political thuggery. Cult attacks were highest in 2018 with 109 cases and least in 2010 with 33 cases while fatalities peaked in 2017 with 92 deaths and lowered in 2010 with 13 deaths. Conclusion:  Youths are vulnerable to joining cult gangs for protection and to exert influence/power over their peers. Re-orientation and sensitization programs are recommended to disabuse their minds and discourage them from engaging in anti-social behaviors.

Author(s):  
N. C. Okiwe ◽  
O. P. Abu ◽  
K. A. Anele

Aims: To examine the Nigerian Correctional Service Condition and Congestion level in the Selected States in the Niger Delta Region. Study Design: Cross sectional survey design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in selected states and location of correctional service in Niger Delta Region which include Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom States between December 2017 and September 2018. Methodology: Simple random sampling technique was adopted in selecting Three Hundred and Eighty-Seven (387) inmates using the Taro Yarmane Formular from the population of Eleven Thousand Six Hundred and Thirty-Five (11,635). Primary and Secondary data were used for this study. Primary data were obtained through the administration of questionnaire. The set of questionnaires was administered to inmates to elicit information on the facilities and comfortability of the prison and the welfare service available. The secondary source of information that were employed included relevant official publications and records from Nigerian Correctional Service, journal articles, periodicals and internet sources. Frequency, percentage, tables were used in presenting information on Demographic Characteristics of respondents. The hypotheses were tested using the Chi Square Statistical tool. Results: The result of the study showed that the selected prisons are highly congested in capacity as against the actual capacity. Conclusion: The study concluded that the selected prisons are congested and the inmate’s welfare are inefficient and ineffective.


Author(s):  
Alphhonsus U. Idung ◽  
Festus Abasiubong ◽  
Sunday B. Udoh ◽  
Uwemedimbuk S. Ekanem

Introduction: Overweight and obesity are global public health problems because of their effect on individuals, families and communities. The objective of this study was to describe the profile of overweight and obesity amongst adult out patients in Uyo in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.Method: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study done between October 2011 and March 2012. Using a systematic sampling technique, 584 subjects aged 18–65 years were recruited; data were collected with a structured questionnaire. Subjects were measured for height, weight, waist and hip circumferences. Body mass index (BMI) and waist–hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. Subjects with a BMI of 25.0 kg/m2 – 29.9 kg/m2 were regarded as being overweight whilst a BMI of > 30.0 kg/m2 was regarded as obese. Subjects with a WHR of > 0.90 for men or > 0.85 for women were regarded as having abnormal WHR.Results: Of the 584 subjects, 196 (36.6%) were men and 388 (66.4%) women. The mean age for men and women was 43.3 ± 17.8 years and 50.2 ± 13.6 years, respectively. The prevalence of overweight amongst men was 39.8% versus 31.7% for women; obesity in men was 28.0% versus 52.0% in women. Overweight and obesity were more prevalent in subjects aged 25–54 years and amongst married subjects. There was a significant relationship between obesity and television viewing (p = 0.003). Hypertension (p = 0.008) and osteoarthropathies (p = 0.043) were more prevalent amongst the obese than the non-obese subjects.Conclusion: Overweight and obesity are now common in our environment. There is therefore a need for more public education about the health consequences of big body size.


Author(s):  
N. C. Okiwe ◽  
O. P. Abu ◽  
K. A. Anele

Aims: To examine the Welfare and effect of Correctional Congestion amongst Inmates in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Study Design: Cross sectional survey design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in selected states and location of correctional service in Niger Delta Region which include, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States between December 2017and September 2018. Methodology: Simple random sampling technique was adopted in selecting Three Hundred and Eighty-Seven (387) inmates using the Taro Yarmane Formular from the population of Eleven Thousand Six Hundred and Thirty-Five (11,635). Primary and Secondary data were used for this study. Primary data were obtained through the administration of questionnaire. The set of questionnaires was administered to inmates to elicit information on the facilities and comfortability of the prison and the welfare service available. The secondary source of information that was employed included relevant official publications and records from Nigerian Correctional Service, journal articles, periodicals and internet sources. Frequency percentage table were used in presenting information on Demographic Characteristics of respondents. Results: The major findings of the study revealed that majority have acquired one skill or the other while being incarcerated. They also stated that the most available welfare services provided by the prison system is the library facilities, however they are non-functional. Furthermore, majority stated that they are being fed just once in a day and stated that the major recreational facility present is the football pitch and they indicated that majority of them have been involved in Mid-range Industrial Production training and a major rehabilitation process they have undergone is counselling. On the effect of correctional service Congestion on the Welfare of Inmates Data on the Major Impact of correctional service congestion on welfare of Inmates revealed that majority stated that correctional services congestion has led to death although the number cannot be determined. Majority stated that the untimely death has been one of the consequences of congestion in the prisons and one impact of congestion on their health is getting infection through the toilets. Conclusion: It was concluded that Prisons congestion has led to death as it can be deduced that untimely death has been one of the consequences of congestion in the Correctional service.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 335-352
Author(s):  
Oghenechoja Dennis Veta

This study sought to investigate factors militating against community participation in development projects executed under the Micro Projects Programme and how to reduce such factors to the barest minimum in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. A questionnaire, an in-depth interview (IDI) guide and a focus group discussion (FGD) guide were used for data collection. Borehole water, generator-house, health centres, staff quarters and markets were the projects executed. Inadequate devolution of power to the grassroots, among others, was the major problem that hindered involvement of community members in the development process of the Micro Projects Programme in the study areas. To enhance active participation of beneficiaries in the development process of the programme, suggestions are proffered.


Author(s):  
Omosivie Maduka ◽  
Benson C. Ephraim- Emmanuel

Background: Household environmental health indicators have contributed to the quality of life of the populace in regions of the world where they have been made available. This study compared the indicators of household environmental health between oil-bearing and non-oil-bearing communities located in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Methods: An analytical, cross-sectional household survey was carried out among 601 households in six oil-bearing and non-oil-bearing selected communities located within the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Multistage sampling was employed, and an interviewer-administered questionnaire used to elicit data on the household environmental health indicators in the communities. The scores across the six indicator domains were summed and categorized into acceptable and unacceptable status.  Results: Water sources in both oil-bearing 230 (76.4%) and non-oil-bearing communities 177 (59.0%) were sanitary. Sanitary sewage 250 (83.1%) and sullage disposal 210 (69.8%) was practiced by most households in oil-bearing areas. The minority of respondents in both oil-bearing 26 (8.6%) and non-oil-bearing 41 (13.7%) communities practiced sanitary refuse disposal. Households in oil-bearing communities had twelve times greater odds of having a satisfactory environmental health status compared to households in non-oil-bearing communities (Adjusted O.R: 11.70, 95% C.I: 7.75-17.65). Conclusion: Households in oil-bearing communities fared better in all household environmental health indicators. There is a need to address the economic and social determinants of health among households in the Niger Delta to improve household environmental health indicators.


Author(s):  
I. L. Oboro ◽  
M. Bob-Manuel ◽  
I. N. Chijioke-Nwauche ◽  
O. Maduka ◽  
T. Kasso ◽  
...  

Background: Malaria still remains an overwhelming cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five years of age, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Plasmodium parasitemia among children below 5 years of age in Akwa-Ibom, Delta and Rivers States, located in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Methodology: A cross sectional study of 2630 children, selected by multistage sampling from Akwa-Ibom, Delta and Rivers States of Nigeria between April and June 2019. Parasitological diagnosis was by Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2-based malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and microscopy of giemsa-stained blood smears. Demographic information was collected using soft copies of pretested interviewer-administered questionnaires via the Open Data Kit application installed on android phones. Data analysis was performed using the statistical software SPSS version 25. Frequency, percentages, and Chi-square test were used to interpret data at a confidence interval of 95% and a p-value less than 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Results: A total of 2630 children less than 5 years old were included in the study, 1016 from Akwa-Ibom and 807 each from Delta and Rivers states respectively. Malaria parasitaemia was detected in 230 (8.6%) and 198 (7.4%) children by RDT and microscopy, respectively. RDT used in this survey has high diagnostic accuracy (98.8%) compared to microscopy. Conclusion: The study shows a decline in the prevalence of malaria in children under 5 years. It also demonstrates the reliability of the RDTs in the diagnosis of malaria. The use of RDTs is thus further recommended especially in peripheral centers where the access to skilled microscopists and laboratory infrastructure may be lacking.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 145-151
Author(s):  
Edem Etim Peters

Niger Delta region is very rich in oil and gas deposits, clay, agricultural land, fisheries, extensive forest and other resources. They are nine states which make the region namely, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers. The most oil producing communities among them are Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Edo, Delta and Rivers State. Clay is equally found in abundance in all the states like crude oil is found in Niger Delta communities. The available clay mineral in the region has the capacity to transform the nation’s economy if properly utilized. Clay is the basic material for pottery or ceramics production. It is also used to ease the penetration of pipes in drilling of crude oil. This paper looks at the practice of pottery in Niger Delta Area with a focus on pottery practice in both Akwa Ibom and Rivers States. Indigenous and contemporary pottery or ceramics practices in these communities indeed have played vital role in the economic, social religious and cultural ways of life of the people. Clay products such as dinnerware and sanitary wares and others are highly sought for and they have the capacity to boast the national economy as experienced in other nations such as Japan, Italy, Britain, United States of America, India and China among others. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources and were subsequently assessed. The result shows that proper utilization of clay found in Niger Delta has the potential to create numerous job opportunities for the teaming population of youths in the region. The availability of abundant clay in the region, if well harnessed could adequately compete with crude oil exploitation for economic purposes in the region.


Author(s):  
Johnson Etaverho Maciver ◽  
Patrick Chukwuemeka Igbojinwaekwu

The focus of this research paper is on the causes and effects of Youth Restiveness and Militancy in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, as perceived by the Niger Delta University undergraduates in Bayelsa State of Nigeria: Implication for counselling. The design adopted for the study is the descriptive survey design. One thousand Six hundred and ninety (1690) undergraduate students of Niger Delta University formed the population of the study. While the sample size comprised 338 undergraduates selected through random sampling technique from the education faculty of the university. The researchers developed the Youth Restiveness and Militancy (YRM) Questionnaire with 21 items and used it for the study. Three research questions and two hypotheses were formulated for this study. For the two hypotheses, there were no significant differences on the basis of gender in the perceived factors responsible for youth restiveness and militancy in the Niger Delta Region and the perceived causes of youth restiveness and militancy on religion issues. The major issues shown on the results include slow or casual approach of government, corruption, unemployment, poverty and bad governance which are causal issues of the cankerworms. Furthermore, from the results, there were evidence that youth restiveness and militancy may culminate in economic stagnation, fear and suspicions, political instability, terrorism, et-cetera. Remediations to the canker worms include creation of employment for the youths, provision of counselling services in schools and communities, poverty eradication by government and so on. The following recommendations were made as fallouts from the study which included peace education at all levels of education, job creation for all youths and the provision of counselling services in the universities, secondary schools and the communities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 12-27
Author(s):  
Lawrence Onyema ◽  
Agbeche Aaron ◽  
Odili Pope ◽  
Amadi Subai

Purpose: The main purpose for this research was to determine the degree at which oil servicing companies’ corporate foresight in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria influences the firm’s sustainability in that region and how the firms are able to take advantage of future competitive advantages. Methodology: This research adopts the descriptive survey design with the application of simple random sampling technique. Questionnaires were the primary means for gathering data from the employees in the oil servicing industry. A total of one hundred and fifty four questionnaires were administered to the senior staff in the selected oil servicing companies in Niger Delta region. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive and correlational analysis and supported with statistical package for social science (SPSS). Findings: organizational sustainability in oil servicing companies in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria with emphases to the measures of sustainability like social, environmental and economic. Unique contribution: The study gave useful perception of oil companies by stating that oil companies’ personnel or managers who are future oriented are the wheel upon which the companies’ future depends. Keywords:       Corporate -Foresight, Organizational-Sustainability, Expert-based Foresight, Model-Based Foresight, Trend-Based Foresight, Environmental, Economic and Social.


2020 ◽  
pp. 14-26

Sequel to the realisation that youths champion violence and militancy in the Niger Delta Region, and the resolution of Umar Musa Yar’Aduas’ government to end insecurity, militancy, and youth restiveness in the region, the amnesty programme was declared, with skills training as itsmajor component.This study examined the relationship between amnesty programmes and skills training among ex-militants in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria. The study used a cross-sectional survey research design. Questionnaires were distributed to 1152 participants purposively selected from communities in Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa states. Elicited data were analysed using a simple linear statistical tool.The findings of the study revealthat amnesty programmes significantly enabled ex-militant to acquired skills in pipeline installation and repairs. It also showsthat amnesty programmes have apositive impact on the ex-militant acquisition of information technology skills. Further resultindicatesthat there is a significant relationship between amnesty programmes and ex-militant acquisition of automobile servicing skills.The study,therefore,concluded on the need for beneficiaries of the amnesty skills training to be supervised by experts in their field and should be provided with professional advice that would help build their confidence in their chosen career.


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