THE ROLE OF NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

The aim of the study is to assess the contributions of Aisha Buhari Foundation in the alleviation of rural poverty in Nigeria. Population explosion was identified as one of the problems confronting poverty alleviation efforts in Nigeria. It goes without saying that uncontrolled population growth magnifies the problem of poverty and naturally, renders insignificant, poverty alleviation efforts. To check this menace, Nigerians, especially the rural folk should be enlightened on the imperative of birth control. The assistance of Aisha Buhari Foundation, other non-governmental organizations, institutions and government at all levels is needed in this regard. The rural folk need to be told that inasmuch as children are gifts from God, giving birth to as many children as God is willing to give one would merely compound the problem of poverty. Affordable family planning facilities should be provided for Nigerians especially the rural folk. Only when this is done can we hope to control the country’s population which according to the UNDP, is projected to grow to 230 million, that is double that present figure by 20152 (a mere 15 years away). Education is a very useful weapon against poverty. Ironically, poverty is a major weapon against education. In other words, poverty limits the ability of individuals to acquire education. Due to escalating costs of education in the face of dwindling income, many children are withdrawn from school by their parents to indulge in street hawking and unskilled labour. This tendency no doubt helps to compound the problem of poverty. Poverty alleviation efforts in Nigeria will receive a boost if educational opportunities are expanded to benefit as many people as possible.

EFFECTS OF PENSION ADMINISTRATION ON CIVIL SERVANTS IN NASARAWA STATE HEAD OF SERVICE LAFIA

The work was designed to assess the issues and challenges of Pension Administration on Civil Servants in Nasarawa State Head of Service Lafia. The work adopted a survey method. As the instrument of data collection, oral interview and research questionnaire were used. The analysis of the questionnaire was done based on percentages, allowing the greater or less than factor to influence the judgment gotten from the responses. After which it was discovered that Nasarawa State Head of Service Lafia have a policy on Pension Administration and also, the causes of delay in the administration of pension and gratuity in Nasarawa State Head of Service Lafia is due to poor record system, diversion of allocated funds and also, outright fraud irregularities that ineligible pensioners are on the payroll. Based on the followings, we suggest that since the Nasarawa State Head of Service Lafia have a policy on Pension Administration, the service should ensure the sustainability of this policy towards the growth and productivity of the service and also, the management of the service should find means of handling the poor record system that causes delay in the administration of pension and gratuity within the service by developing adequate record system and ensure that problem associated with diversion of allocated funds are stopped and also, outright fraud irregularities are discouraged whereas the service should ensure that eligible pensioners are on the payroll. Penalty should also be meted out to those who steal pensioner’s funds to prevent others who may have the mind and the erring operators to forestall more pension scams in the State.

ACHIEVING EFFECTIVE SERVICE DELIVERY BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES THROUGH STRATEGIC TRAINING PROGRAMMES

The thesis of the study is that effective service delivery by the local government employees is a function of a strategic training framework. Extant literature examined captured the importance of training and development programmes in the local government and stated among other things, that training increases employees productivity, reduce costs, boost morale, promote stability, flexibility and service delivery at the grassroots. The arguments are substantiated with the training and high-performance theory advanced by Gallie and White (1993). The study adopts ex post facto design. Data are obtained from secondary sources and analysed using the content analytical technique. Empirical analysis of literature provides the framework for conclusion and policy recommendation. The study advocates for a strategic continuous training plan to enhance the capacity of local government employees and service delivery in Nigeria.

COVID-19 AND REGIONALISM IN AFRICA: THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY (SADC) RESPONSE

This paper x-rayed COVID-19 and regionalism in Africa focusing on the response of the Sothern African Development Community (SADC). It tried to examine the trend of COVID-19 on the SADC sub-region; the impact of COVID-19 on the sub-region and responses by SADC member states. The paper notes that COVID-19 pandemic has had a deleterious effect on SADC member states with many lives lost and more still recovering from the virus. The pandemic no doubt has impacted considerably on economic activities such as tourism, education, aviation, and other major sectors of the region’s economy. It may be too early to know the full impact of COVID-19 on the SADC sub-region. To date the experience of member states are varied. While the SADC member states have responded well to the pandemic, member states should among others prioritize testing for persons exhibiting symptoms, including health workers and others who are in the line of the fight against COVID-19 and monitor ongoing services rendered by health workers in other to identify gaps to be filled.

THE ROLE OF GOOD GOVERNANCE AND DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Emerging trends point to good governance as a panacea towards accelerated development in economic, political and social sectors of nations. Nigeria, wishing to realize, promote or maintain economic, political and social strides, should strive to embrace good governance. Efficient political and economic strands promote social order. The leaders and the led should embrace the good governance philosophy if development administration is to meet the underlying rationale it stands for. Both the leaders and the led have their (individual) roles to play to embrace good governance and strengthen development administration. Good governance in development administration is showcased in government‘s ability to design, formulate and implement policies and programmes which are development oriented and committed to the improvement of the quality of life of the citizens. It is especially accepted, that to promote good governance, the civil society should be obedient to the policies or constitutional dictates expected of them. However, the government through its arms should lead while the citizens follow.

BOOSTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN NIGERIA: THE NEED FOR A NEW MANAGEMENT APPROACH

Developing nations obviously need ever-improving entrepreneurial activities to keep afloat given the dynamics of the global environment. This study examined the need for a new approach to entrepreneurship In Nigeria if its related activities must receive the necessary boost. Data was obtained from secondary sources including books, journals magazines, newspaper internet, etc. The theory of entrepreneurial growth by Mahajan (1970) was adopted as its theoretical framework while data analysis was by the mode of content analysis. Result revealed that a dynamic approach which is capable of evolving changes in line with the global business trends is required in Nigeria if entrepreneurship must be given the necessary boost. The paper recommended that government should give serious consideration to such an approach.

FOREIGN AID, DEBT RELIEF AND AFRICA’S DEVELOPMENT: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS

In recent years, the Paris club granted a number of African countries, including Nigeria, debt relief. This elicited widespread celebration in the capital cities of affected countries, where it was portrayed asaveritable launchpad to Africa’s development.This paper takes a critical look at the debt relief, with emphasis on its problems and prospects for Africa’s development. It is argued that while debt relief does offer some prospects for development, there is little or no evidence to suggest that such an outcome is automatic. The conditions that precipitated the debt crisis in the first instance, including an inequitable international economic order and political conditions tied to aid, are still very present in the debt relief regime. Corruption of the foreign aid regime by both internal and external actors has been compounded by the recent global economic crisis, posing further constraints on the effectiveness of foreign aid in Africa. If debt relief must yield the desired result, it has to be accompanied by a sustainable campaign to fundamentally reform the world order to make it more equitable, together with a drive for good governance that is not only democratic, but also efficient and development-oriented in Africa.

EFFECT OF ENGAGED WORKFORCE ON JOB PERFORMANCE: STUDY OF FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, OKO

Managers often think that payment of salary and incentive are all the workers needs to be motivated. However beyond motivation which has been adjudged necessary for productivity, is the matter of workers engagement. This paper titled effect of engaged workforce on job performance: study of federal polytechnic, Oko, focused on examining what engages a worker and the effect of the engaged workforce on job performance. The work is hinged on Herzberg’s Two-Factor theory. The study employed qualitative and quantitative method. The finding shows that both the motivational factors and the “hygiene’ factor needs to be in place to “engage” a worker. Secondly, once the workforce is engaged the management spends less both in human and material resources in supervision and control, while recording optimal performance from the employees. It therefore recommends that managers should invest to engage the workers and save energy in supervision and control and yet achieved organizational objective.

IMPACT OF TRAINING ON ACADEMIC STAFF DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF BORNO STATE

Academic staff for knowledge and skills update is a necessity for state and national development. The study explores the Impact of training on academic staff development in the State higher educational institutions of Borno State. The study raised two questions to determine: The impact of training on academic staff development. Hypotheses was formulated and tested in line with the objectives of the study. Related literatures were reviewed based on the stated objective. survey method was employed for the study. The populations of the study were academic staff of the State higher educational institutions (1410). The sample of the study comprised academic staff from four selected institutions (938) using closed questionnaires. The collected data was presented by the use of simple frequency and percentages, and later analysed using Chi-square statistical technique. The finding reveals there is a significant relationship between training and academic staff development. The study concluded that training influence academic staff development. It is recommended that the state should provide adequate funds for academic staff in the state higher education for training, workshops, conference, research and publications for knowledge and skill updates to boost academic staff productivity

PUBLIC- PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP: PROSPECTS FOR NIGERIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Public private partnership has taken its root in Nigeria. This is caused by government’s lack of funding and the inefficient delivery as well as maintenance of existing infrastructures. The government alone cannot satisfy the infrastructural needs of its citizens hence, the need for a partnership between the government and the private sector with a view of combining resources to provide the infrastructure needed for the social and economic development of the country. This paper examines the challenges militating against Public Private Partnership (PPP) in Nigeria and the underlying prospects of PPP for economic development. The paper recommends that stakeholders in PPP should be adequately trained and a well-functioning regulatory framework put in place.