Our Journals

Abstract: Novel is probably an outcome of western culture and custom. Its arrival in India has taken its shape in different forms. Indo-English novels of the early nineteenth century have portrayal of male characters as stereotyped. Perhaps the societal influences made men and women writers to pen the suppression of women in their writings. A handful of women writers’ like Shashi Deshpande, Anita Desai, Shobha De, Namitha Gokhlae, and Kamala Markandaya gave voice for women’s inner struggles.  These women novelists have incorporated the recurring female experiences in their writings. They tried to create awareness through their writings, which brought reformation, and it echoed over time.  Issues on women are still prevailing everywhere. Ostensibly, every writer focuses women on asserting her rights.

Abstract: Flooding has been a major environmental disaster frequently occurring in the cities of Tropical African countries differing solutions because of human dimension difficulty to be modelled. The analysis of flood events, the resulting damage and its causes are basis for the development of risk prevention and mitigation measures. The aim of this research is to empirically investigate the vulnerability towards flood in parts of Oyo Township as one component of flood risk assessment with the integration of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing to investigate the contravention level of people in a rapidly urbanizing settlement of Oyo Township to building ethics and rules, which is a tool for rational decision making. It is therefore revealed that the methodology adopted produced and classified buildings in the study area according to their vulnerability levels to flood and the results are presented in maps. The generation of vulnerability maps representing the two different perspectives of local decision makers (experts) and affected households is discussed using the methodology.

Abstract: The study examines the relationship of the discipline of Geography with conceptual terms of Environment and society. Geography is seen as a spatial science, majorly concerned with spatial analysis, of how and why things differ from place to place and how observable spatial pattern evolved through time on the surface of the earth. The study adopts a survey of literature as its methodology. It is observable that every society has its individual physical and cultural attributes that distinguishing it from other societies; thus giving it unique character, potential and location. And it is found that in society cultural traits are more pronounced in changing the natural phenomena of the environment. The Environment is better understood when broken  to its component:  atmosphere, hydrosphere lithosphere and biosphere. Environment has all that is needed to sustain the society and all that is required for life sustenance. It provides the setting with which human action occurs, its shapes but not dictate, how people live in the society as well as their resource base. However, how resources are perceived and utilized is culturally conditioned in society. And virtually every human activity leaves its imprint on the environment. Environment and society form the laboratory for geographic operation. And its spheres form the space which is the major concern in geography and the concept of society introduces the important factor of culture which greatly has direct impact on the environment. The socio-cultural content of the society is influenced by the environment where it locates and the society modifies the content of the environment. There are interconnection between the environment and society which purposely produces spatial patterns with their hidden mechanism of spatial process, accessibility and connectively in addition to idea of location and distance. Advance level of interaction has produced globalization which has accelerated greater spatial diffusion of idea and material resources in the world. The major role of geography is to ensure harmonious spatial organization and inter relationship between and among societies on one hand and between society and its environment on the other. Thus, this is being pursued in geography through its traditions: Earth science, cultural-environment, the location (space), the areal analysis and various paradigms and spatial techniques. It is therefore recommended that for speedy development in developing nations particularly at combating the myriad of environmental challenges and appropriate exploitation and utilization of environmental resources, the spatial tool should be adopted as contained in the discipline of Geography.

Abstract: In today’s world, marital failure, divorce rates and illegitimate births are increasing at an alarming rate. Crimes, drugs, poverty and sexually transmitted diseases are rooted in the breakdown of the family. Good families produce good citizens, who produce good nations, which ultimately impact upon the world in a good way. Bad families produce deeply troubled citizens who form a deeply troubled nation, hence a deeply troubled world. Family values are essential to build up a peaceful world because family is the first institution where a child is born, grow and learn values. In this respect, religions play a vital role in promoting values or family values which assign rights and responsibilities of family members. Thus, the present study is a different type of study which is a humble endeavor to make a comparative study of the rights and responsibilities of family members in different religions. All religions hold more or less similar ideals regarding rights and responsibilities of family members. Therefore, some hold that ‘all religions are at base but one’. This does not mean that they are altogether similar. They are different in practicing rites and ceremonies but similar in promoting moral values. Though all religions are similar in promoting values, but their expressions are different and unique.

Abstract: Amongst the lasting challenges of development and growth of Nigeria and Nigerians none exceed that of corruption and its control. The paper analysed the basis of corruption as advanced by the revisionist theorists and a realistic overview of the incidence of corruption in Nigeria. Using a conflicting approach, the pepper submits that, revisionists’ belief is an erroneous assumption and a figment of the imagination of the west, which upholds that, corruption is rooted and imbedded in the normative socialisation and the cultural orientation of Africans. This paper therefore argued critically against this misrepresentation of Africans, particularly Nigerian that it is not just academically misleading but intellectually unsustainable. The paper concludes that the emergence and spread of corruption is traced to the economic philosophy of capitalism which encourages and promotes indiscriminate capital accumulation for not just recognition but tenacious oppressive tendencies. There is need for a more robust academic approach in the assessment and analysis of the socio-political and economic challenges of any society for a realistic conclusion. Secondly, consideration should be given to the African writers who live and study the environmental challenges of the affected societies for first hand and unbiased findings.     

Abstract: Examination malpractice has become one of the most serious problem threatening our education system at all levels of learning irrespective of the institution status, level or location. For a long time examinations have witnessed increased and sophisticated incidents of examination malpractices. The problem is so alarming that all stakeholders in the educational systems all over the world have expressed serious concerns about it and need to find solution to it. The purpose of this study was to establish teachers’ working conditions influence on examination malpractices in KCSE examinations in Kisii County selected public secondary schools where the vice has been perennially exhibited. The researcher provided background information on the roles of teachers in examination process and how teacher factors as the independent variables can be manipulated to curb examination malpractices. This study reviewed relevant literature based on the variables guided by the research questions in line with their study objectives. The research analyzed the influence of teachers’ working conditions ,teachers’ roles in the examination process and the challenges teachers are faced with in curbing examination malpractices as dependent variables and illustrated in the conceptual framework and related literature provided. The target population constituted 15 Principals, 15 Deputy Principals, 15Examination Masters and 3 District Examination Officers. Saturated sampling was used to obtain the sample which is equal to the target population. Causal comparative Ex post facto research design was used. Questionnaires and interview schedules which were subjected to expert judgement and pilot tested for validity and reliability were used as research instruments. Statistical analysis was done to generate frequencies and percentages. The study recommended promoting teachers’ morale in terms of remuneration, better working conditions, provision of adequate and relevant educational/ teaching and learning facilities. The study also recommended full implementation of examination regulations and policies without partiality and further research on the role of other stakeholders in curbing examination malpractices.

Abstract: Civility is the language of decency, moderation, honesty, truthfulness, justice, equity, tolerance, mutual understanding, dialogue and mutual responsibility for the development of any society. There are other associated values and virtues, which are imbedded in the cultivation of civility in a polity such as patience and forgiveness. On the other hand, it renounces violence, coercion, destruction of life and property, as well as fanaticism and barbarism in every aspect of societal life. It denounces corruption and disorder. In fact, civility is antithetical to anarchy and lawlessness. But the reality of the Nigerian society manifests a total opposition to all the aforementioned virtues towards development and progress, especially with the current threats of Boko Haram and other political manipulations of the economy. It is in the light of this fact that the paper considers various acts of fanaticism and barbarism inflicted on the country, thus, challenging the sustainability of Nigeria as a nation.    

Abstract: Daily experiences with corruption were narrated with a pronounced bias towards the common irritants that the middle and upper strata face. Typically, delays in obtaining passports and business clearances were talked about, not the difficulties with getting names registered on daily muster rolls for the rural employment guarantee programme. The Anna Hazare group’s insistence that its conception of a vertically structured, rigidly hierarchical body was the only way to deal with corruption, generally escaped without serious scrutiny. The Indian scenario of the media and civil society seems hardly – by all accounts, in conformity with the broadly accepted and practiced parameters of a civil society of the developed countries, the western bloc particularly. Yet, there are obvious difficulties, both logical and ethical, in putting down the widening public ferment to media manipulation. People today are stirred up like never before over the quality of governance and willing to express themselves forcefully. And the 24-hour news channels that multiplied over the last half decade provide them with a platform.

Abstract: The Kenya certificate of pimary education (KCPE) is crucial since it is the indicator of a child’s basic education. The objectives of the study were to: determine the effects of enrolment of pupils on KCPE examinations performance, determine the effects of pupil to teacher ratio on KCPE examinations performance, find out the effects of pupil to textbook ratio on KCPE examinations performance, determine whether there is any significant improvement of KCPE in public primary schools of Kemera Division after the introduction of FPE using a chi square analysis and find out the effects of physical facilities on KCPE examinations performance in public primary schools. The literature was reviewed using the sub themes from the objectives. The study used stratified random sampling and descriptive design. The instruments used were questionnaires, interview schedules, focused group discussions and observations checklist. The total target population was 18 primary schools, 8326 pupils, 204 teachers 18 Head teachers, 180 school committee members and 2 education officers. The total population sampled was 372.The target groups from whom data was collected were pupils of class 4-8, teachers, Head teachers, school committee members and educational officers in the Division. The sample size constituted of 250 pupils, 80 teachers, 30 committee members, 10 Head teachers and 2 education officers in the Division .The study found out that enrolment was high, schools had uneven distribution of teachers,  pupil to textbook ratio was inadequate and physical facilities were not enough. Chi square analysis showed no significant improvement in KCPE performance in the schools of the Division after the introduction of FPE. The study recommended that disbursement of funds to be sent in time to cater for high enrolment, Teacher to pupil ratio to be improved, Pupil to textbook ratio to be at 1:1, physical facilities to be improved and these would bring quality education and good KCPE results. The results obtained would be useful in informing policy on the improvement of the KCPE performance in the Division.

Abstract: This essay focuses upon the relation between father and children; school and the children; husband and wife; the owner and the factory workers. Here it is shown how Victorian society had some social barriers between people and materialism collapses human relations. Since the novel written when European Industrialization was at its pinnacle it is studied here how education system, utilitarian philosophy became futile having no human concern. Lastly society and individual’s role has been closely studied.

Abstracts: This research was a reassessment of the level at which one of Kenyan universities have reached in the adoption and integration of Information Communication Technology in their academic programs to enhance teaching and learning practices. The main purpose of this was to investigate the progress in this area since 2009 when I conducted a related research in Moi University in Kenya. It is important to note that this research started by assessing the basics of ICTs adoption in 2009 which included ICT infrastructure, ICT hardware, software & information system, human resource and ICT Security which is always the initiation stage. ICT strategies and ICT plans should be continuously evaluated to align with institutional visions and missions in order to achieve effective use of ICT in their academic programs in preparation for the future human resource in various fields where they will be required to work. This study adopted Descriptive research design as a framework that guided the entire research process. The study was informed greatly by the theory of Marcus theoretical model of adoption and Continuum approach model. The data was collected through observation, the use of questionnaires and interviews. The data collected was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The findings of this study acts as an ICT needs analysis and it will enable the university and other similar universities in East Africa to enhance acquisition, adoption and integration of ICTs in their academic programs.

Abstract: The community perceptions and the economic ability to make their contributions toward the cost-share project dubbed-predator-proof boma was assessed. The project reinforces the traditional Maasai homestead with recycled plastic poles, twisted chain-links and the flattened drum oils. The fortified home stead (also called predator-proof bomas) are meant to prevent night time predation of livestock by predators, particularly hyena and lions. The study was initiated to give reasons behind the delayed contributions of the community’s 25% cost share, and give recommendations to the implementing organizations Born Free Foundation and Land Rover.  Sixty respondents (30 who had applied and another 30 who had not applied for predator-proof boma) were selected at random and interviewed. The results revealed that 100% of community members applied for PPB because they have either lost their livestock predators or are living in wildlife migratory corridors with possible livestock attack treats; drought had reduced the ‘purchasing power’ of the community, with the market price of livestock going down by about 50%; the community members were comfortable to pay about 17%  of the  total cost of a boma; it would take at least a month for most applicants(62%) to make their cost-share payments,  and 75.56% of the applicants were struggling to raise the cost share amount; about 30% of the community members still required BFF to talk to them about benefits of adopting the plastic recycled posts and PPBs in reducing livestock predation; 20 % also required their boma to be measured to know their cost-share. It was recommended to the management that the cost-share for the community be revised downward, and popularization of newly adopted recycled plastic poles among the community be intensified.

Abstract: This Article focused on the challenges of workplace conflict affecting performance of diplomats and consular staff at the Kenyan Embassy in the United States of America. Statement of the problem is the under-performance of the diplomats and consular staff at the Kenyan Embassy in the United States of America. The general objective revolved around challenges of workplace conflict affecting performance of Kenyan diplomats and consular staff in the United States of America.  An evaluation of the extent to which the diplomats are satisfied with their work related aspects, workplace issues are of great interest since most people spend a third of their adult lives at work. Work defines people in the most basic way, which is one reason retirement is so difficult for many people. Regarding the scope, the study covered the Embassy in Washington D.C. in the United States of America. In order to enhance the performance of diplomats and consular staff in the USA, their work place has to be re-looked at and be improved.

Abstract: The aim of the study was to identify international personnel administration, with particular reference to officials employed by the United Nations. The study provided a background to the environment, roles, functions, activities and core values of international public officials and reviewed personnel administration. The context of the personnel administration, working conditions and expatriate benefits in the international civil service was provided.

Abstract: This study focused on the challenges of workplace conflict affecting performance of diplomats and consular staff at the Kenyan Embassy in the United States of America. Statement of the problem is the under-performance of the diplomats and consular staff at the Kenyan Embassy in the United States of America. The general objective revolved around challenges of workplace conflict affecting performance of Kenyan diplomats and consular staff in the United States of America.  An evaluation of the extent to which the diplomats are satisfied with the communication channels that are being used to disseminate Government policies to them.  Regarding the scope, the study covered the Embassy in Washington D.C. in the United States of America. In order to enhance the performance of diplomats and consular staff in the USA, Communication channels must be improved in line with recommendations given.