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Abstract: This broad study empirically evaluates the viability of Nigeria state governments independent of statutory allocations. The study was basically motivated by the persistent dependence of Nigeria State Governments on allocations from the Federation Account to the neglect of internally–generated revenues; this being so even with the current down–turn in the crude oil market, which is the main source of revenue to the federation account. The study employed the ex- post facto research design and used the regression model to determine the causal relationship between states internally–generated revenue and statutory allocations on the one hand, and states total expenditures and total revenues on the other hand, during the period 1999–2013. The results of the analysis show that, though generally, internally-generated revenues and statutory allocations have significant effects on the dependent variables (total expenditures and total revenues) their contributions to total expenditures and total revenues vary significantly. While internally–generated revenues contribute insignificantly to total expenditures and total revenues, statutory allocations contribute maximally to those dependent variables. This confirmed the dependency assumption which formed the theoretical framework of this study. The implication of this is that currently state governments cannot finance their fiscal operations without statutory allocations and/or external borrowings, thereby posing a threat to their future viability in view of the current down – ward trend in the prices of oil in the world oil marked upon which the Nigerian national budget is bench – marked. It is therefore, recommended that state governments should begin to direct more efforts toward effectively tapping the potentials of their internal sources of revenue as a safeguard against further fall in oil prices and hence, reduction in statutory allocations.   

Abstract: Fire disasters have in the recent past increased in frequency complexity, scope and intensity thereby severely disrupting the pace of socio-economic development in the country. The scope, frequency, complexity and destructiveness of fire disaster has increased due to climatic changes, limited capacity among fire emergency responders, lack of awareness, lack of enforcement of the building codes, inadequate response and coordination mechanism and rapid growth of unplanned and uncontrolled settlements among others. The overall objective of this study was to assess fire disaster preparedness in hospitality business premises in Kisumu City. The specific research objective was to: Determine the causes of various types of fire disasters on hospitality businesses in Kisumu City. Both probability and purposive sampling strategies were employed to select a sample size of 86 units from hospitality business personnel, humanitarian organizations and government personnel. Data collection tools included questionnaires, focus group discussions, observation checklists and key informant interviews. Quantitative and qualitative data collected from primary and secondary sources were analyzed both for descriptive and inferential parameters using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). Chi-square tests were carried out to establish the degree of significance among the variables. The study has revealed that there are various types of hospitality industry players who are at risk of fire disasters. They include hotels, restaurants, bars, shopping malls and night clubs. Firefighting service provision in Kisumu apparently is grossly inadequate operating on weak capacity to sufficiently respond to the needs of hospitality industry in event of fire outbreak. The findings of this study will be used to bolster enforcement of fire safety regulations and ensure unified command structure to enhance effective response to emergencies.

Abstract: Regional integration has been tried worldwide and what makes integration succeed is a phenomenon for research. East Africa Community (EAC) as it was before its collapse in 1977 comprised Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. EAC Treaty signed in 1999 reintroduced integration efforts in the region and eventually opened up for Rwanda and Burundi to join the EAC as member states. Four pillars informing EAC’s integration include; a Customs Union, a Common Market, a Monetary Union and a Political Federation. This paper sought to examine the influence of member states regimes on East Africa integration in the context of the revived East Africa Community. The paper examines the variable of ‘Regime Types’. The conceptual framework for this study is anchored in the Neo-functionalist theory that explains regionalism and regional integration. Other frameworks are, Federalism, and the Realist approach. The study employed a descriptive survey design that gave latitude to extensive usage of questionnaires as an instrument of probity given its flexibility. Data collection was purposive at the East Africa Community Secretariat in Arusha, while random sampling was used at border point areas. Data collection instruments were questionnaires. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically and verbatim presented as narratives. Descriptive statistics are presented in form of percentages and frequencies in all objectives. The findings indicate that indeed regime types among the member states influence regional integration negatively. Some recommendations advanced are as follows: Hybrid Regimes make EACs integration vulnerable to the whims of the leaders. Thus the regimes must fully embrace democracy. There is need to harmonize member states constitutions and actualize human rights fully. The newly formed anti-corruption association in East Africa should be fully supported and operationalized in member countries. The Principle of separation of powers between the Judiciary, Legislature and the Executive should be fully adhered to by member states. Electoral processes should meet the thresholds of one man one vote and all votes counted, must count in final outcomes to reflect people’s wishes. Civic education must be carried out among member states citizenry for them to know what ideal democracy is all about, i.e. respect for civil liberties. Further, there is an urgent need for Political transitional predictability in Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. However, there is also the need to cherish the importance of diversity on one hand and to sensitize people against its misuse, without necessarily criminalizing ethnic reference. There is an urgent need to address the gap between majority poor and fewer rich through social capitalism ideology since the “welfare state” has failed and has become a ‘fare thee well’, ‘State’.

Abstract: To document the therapeutic management in the treatment of dengue fever (DF) among the urban poor in Cebu City, Philippines, this descriptive study was conducted in the dengue hotspot areas of the city. A total of 120 respondents using the formal and non-formal interviews were used.  Results revealed that children usually got inflicted with dengue fever; household monthly income was low (Php8, 000.00) with employment as the main source of income (75%). Generally, the study was able to identify the essential factors in the DF therapy management program of the urban poor.  These factors were: a) the ethnocognition on the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease, b) ethnotaxonomy of healers and health providers and, c) ethnomedical practice and the health-seeking behavior of health-care givers.  In this study, it was made clear that home and alternative medication in DF therapy were responses due to the lack of financial resources in the restoration of health.  Although, the urban poor may have received assistance from the national and local governments, health issues were still pressing problems that national government and local governments, and local communities have to address.

Abstract: Disparities in development are ubiquitous phenomena in developed as well as developing countries, but the problem of disparities is quite acute in the latter due to extreme backwardness and existence of few developed pockets at the cost of others. India is no exception to it. The present study extending over nine hundred forty eight villages of Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir and Pathankot tehsil of Punjab reveals that diversity in the sectoral development in the villages is the main factor responsible for the disparities. This theme has been chosen to understand the development scenario in Jammu and Kashmir in comparison to Punjab on the basis of case studies of adjoining areas.

Abstract: Today’s adolescents are the responsible citizen of tomorrow. Their attitudes, values and awareness are going to affect the future environmental scenario significantly. It is this generation that will be taking future policy decision. It is therefore important to know the concern of these generations with reward to important issues like environmental problems. In the present work and attempt has been made to study the awareness of secondary school students regarding the environment around them. Cause of environmental degradation and about the remedial measures which can be taken to preserve the environment with the help of questionnaire, review of literature reveals that the studies of this nature are very rare. This work, therefore assumes more significance. It will also help in providing suggestions to the planners with the regards to the modifications which are needed in the curriculum. So as, to increase the awareness of the students in those areas where they are less aware or lack awareness.

Abstract: This Study is about the Role of the Neighborhood Watch as a mechanism for crime prevention in the housing area of the Pelangi apartment, George Town, Penang. The purpose of this study is to determine the understanding and the awareness of the residents towards the concept and the roles of the Neighborhood Watch scheme and their participation in order to ensure the personal security and that of the neighbors. In addition to that, the study is also to establish whether the Neighborhood Watch scheme is able to alleviate the fear of crime and to reduce the cases of criminal acts such as house breaking, vandalism, robberies and thefts of personal belongings. Besides, this study is also trying to implement the Neighborhood Watch in the area. The study was completed through a survey method using questionnaires to obtain the relevant data, involving 199 samples of the Pelangi’s apartment residents who were of various ethnic groups. The data was moreover collected from the interviews and study documentation. The data were subsequently analyzed through the Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences using both descriptive as well as the inference statistics. The results of the study showed that there were an understanding and awareness among the residents of the Pelangi apartment about the concept and the roles of the Neighborhood Watch Scheme. The residents also participated in its activities in order to ensure personal security and the security of the neighbors. However, the study also showed that the Neighborhood Watch scheme did not alleviate the fear of crime among the residents and did not reduce the relevant criminal acts of house breaking, vandalism, and personal thefts in the area. The findings of the study also revealed that there was no significant relationship between the implementation of the Neighborhood Watch scheme and the reduction of criminal cases in question.

Abstract: This article identified whether the conflict resolution mechanism of the African Union helped in the management of the conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan between 2003 and 2009. The study contends that with the increase in intensity in the Darfur crisis, an Inter-Sudanese Peace Talks was arranged in Abuja-Nigeria in 2005, under the auspices of an African Union (AU) mediation team led by Salim Ahmed Salim and supported by the United Nation (UN), the United Kingdom (UK,) the United States (US) and other international partners. The Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) was signed on 5th May, 2006, by the government and by Minni Minawi, the leader of one of the two SLM factions, but was rejected by Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Abdel Wahid al Nur, the leader of the other Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) faction. Thus, all the factions concerned with the crisis were not involved in the deliberations instead foreigners dominated the deliberations. The study revealed that such conflict management efforts that treat Darfur outside of its Sudanese context became counter-productive, thus, the conflict resolution mechanisms of the African Union failed in the management of the conflict in the Darfur region. The study suggested the need for a fundamental overhaul of AU's conflict management mechanisms thus, the AU should adopt the conventional process for conflict resolution with all the parties or factions participating in the process without any form of external imposition or interference and threat.

Abstract: The introduction of Free Primary Education in Kenya in 2003 increased enrolment from 5.9 million pupils to 7.6. By 2011, enrolment stood at 9.2 million pupils representing a 63% increase rate in nine years. It increased pupil to teacher ratio and pupil to textbook ratio.  The Kenya certificate of primary 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: The coming of the Jesuits to India, as in other post-colonial countries, has been a constant topic of heated debates, especially on the nature of their connection with the “other” in the colonial encounter. Recent works on the Jesuits reveal the importance and need of their cultural adaption and accommodation to the local population and culture. What the standard narratives similarly overlook is the practical involvements of the Jesuits, which reveal their differences and agencies as well as that of the colonial “other”, which is else portrayed as a passive victim. The interest of this article is therefore the aspect of cross-cultural dynamics in the missionary encounter with the Mughals, which necessitated reciprocal understanding and contingency. The Jesuit’s 'changing perceptions of the Mughals' during these 180 years, as available to us through their correspondence, did not get the attention they deserve. Therefore, this study might add new findings to the general scholarly discussion about the Jesuit-Mughal dialogues. I try to investigate into the nuanced relations between the Jesuits and Akbar at the Mughal court at different time points, highlighting the changing meanings of interactions when Mughal power was increasingly at its zenith. 

Abstract: This paper highlights the growth of industries and its contribution to trade and commerce in the beginning of sixteenth and seventeenth centuries under Golconda Qutb Shahi rulers. The main objective of the paper is to identify the major industries such as textile, diamond, iron and steel, shipbuilding, salt-petre, pottery, etc and how the trade was carried out with Europeans. The Industries, trade and commerce, are key role played in economy of the any State. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Golconda kingdom was not only famous for fertile lands and also rich with mines; it has given boost to develop the growth of Urban and Rural industries. During this period, number of industries contributed to a steady increase in overall economic activity in the Golconda kingdom. A series of discoveries took place in the early part of 16th century and Golconda emerged as one of the biggest market in the world. Diamond industry was one of the important industries that flourishe d under Golconda rulers.

Abstract: The World Health Organization recognizes suicide as one of the world’s leading causes of death worldwide. Research into personality traits related to suicidality suggests substantial variability among suicidal behaviour. A potentially useful approach that accounts for this complexity is to identify the personality traits and other key contributing risk factors. This study aims at investigating the relationship between personality traits and suicidal ideation among college students The surveying approach under the descriptive method is adopted in the current investigation.100 undergraduate students participated the study and completed NEO-Five Personality Inventory – Revised, Adult Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire. Results revealed that 11(11%) participants had suicidal ideation within the past one month. The study also revealed that high neuroticism; low extraversion and low conscientiousness have positive relation with suicidal ideation. Further, they study also revealed that openness to experience and agreeableness have insignificant relation with suicidal ideation.  The study highlighted that personality traits/ individual differences are key contributing factor to suicidal ideation.

Abstract: This Research paper presents a review of the changing status of the English language situation in our context and the changing perspectives revealed through the curriculum, textbooks and the ELT market. In the light of the growing demand for English, the article suggests the classroom teachers as well as the ELT practitioners to prepare themselves for the challenges they have to face in the present ELT scenario.

Abstract: This article is an evaluation of the agencies of control measures towards HIV/AIDS in ‘Nagaland’ a North-Eastern state in the country of India. HIV/AIDS is not only a health problem but it is also a developmental issue that raises economic and social causes and consequences. The pandemic impacts all aspects of development from education to human rights to economic development.  In a state like Nagaland, it has been considered necessary to look into the role of the religious organizations, the intervention by governmental as well as non - governmental organizations, institutions of learning, the family and the individuals etc. These agencies are the backbone towards the controlling of the epidemic. A critical evaluation of the HIV control machineries has been undertaken to examine their contribution towards controlling HIV/AIDS.

Abstract: In the South African School Act, the principles of partnership and co-operation are strongly emphasised. The community is given obligation by the Department of Education to support the school. This research is focused on the role of the community in supporting school in dealing with community-based problems such as drug abuse and poverty. The aims of this research were to determine ways and means in which the relationship between the community and the school could be promoted, to investigate how the community supports the school in dealing with community-based problems and to find ways and means by which the school can involve the community. In this research quantitative and qualitative techniques were used to collect the data. Questionnaires were completed by the learners from the four selected schools within Khakhu community, educators from the same four schools and community members. The findings revealed that drug abuse is a problem of both the community and the school. The research indicated that both the community and the school are ready to support each other.
Keywords: Community, community-based problems and schools.
Title: The Contribution of the Community in Supporting Schools in Dealing with Selected Community Based Problems