ANSU Journal of Arts And Social Sciences

Nature as witness: Symbolism and displacement in Manjushree Thapa’s Seasons of Flight

Ramesh Prasad Adhikary — 2025-05-25

Manjushree Thapa’s Seasons of Flight (2010) intricately weaves the natural world into its narrative to explore themes of displacement, identity, and resilience through the journey of Prema, a Nepali woman navigating migration to the United States. This study examines the novel’s symbolic use of nature, addressing a critical gap in existing scholarship, which has predominantly focused on socio-political and cultural dimensions while overlooking ecological and symbolic nuances. Employing qualitative literary analysis through ecocritical and postcolonial theoretical frameworks, the research reveals how Thapa’s vivid natural imagery—contrasting Nepal’s lush landscapes with California’s aridity— mirrors Prema’s emotional states, serving as a dynamic metaphor for her psychological transformation. The analysis demonstrates that nature functions as a site of cultural memory and resistance, anchoring Prema’s identity amid dislocation, while resilient elements like desert flora symbolize her adaptation. Furthermore, the novel critiques environmental exploitation in industrialized settings, contrasting it with Nepal’s harmonious human-nature relationships, aligning with ecocritical concerns about globalization. The recurring motif of avian migration underscores the duality of flight as both liberation and loss, encapsulating the diasporic experience’s complexities. By situating the narrative within ecocritical and postcolonial discourse, this study highlights Thapa’s literary innovation in merging ecological and cultural critiques, offering fresh insights into how natural symbolism articulates inner turmoil and resilience in migrant narratives. The findings underscore the importance of integrating ecological perspectives into postcolonial literary studies, enriching understandings of identity, belonging, and environmental interconnectedness in an increasingly globalized world. This research contributes to broader conversations in ecocriticism and diaspora studies, affirming literature’s role in reflecting the entangled realities of human and environmental displacement.

Impact of rural agriculture and rural infrastructure on economic development in Nigeria

Uju V. Amah — 2025-05-25

This study investigated the impact of rural agricultural performance and rural infrastructures on economic development in Nigeria. It established the interaction effect between rural agricultural infrastructure and agricultural performance on economic development in Nigeria using secondary data spanning from 1987 to 2022. Two research questions and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Secondary data were sourced from the United Nations Development Programme, World Bank Development Indicators, Central Bank of Nigeria and World Health Organization database on human development index (proxy for economic development), rural agricultural performance, mean annual precipitation (proxy for rainfall), agricultural credit, rural electrification, and rural road networks. Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) technique was employed for data analysis. The results revealed that in the long run, rural agricultural performance had significant positive impact on economic development in Nigeria as it had a p-value of 0.0058 which is less than 0.05. Also, it was revealed that in the long run, interaction between rural agricultural infrastructures (rural electrification, rural road network and agricultural credit) and rural agricultural performance had a significant positive impact on economic development in Nigeria with the p-values 0.0267, 0.0026 and 0.0107 respectively, among others. This implies that rural infrastructures remain a viable channel through which rural agricultural performance can translate to economic development in Nigeria. Based on the findings, it was recommended among other things that government should enhance the provision of infrastructures like rural roads to enable farmers connect to various markets. This will spur agricultural performance and make it continue to impact positively on economic development.

An indigenous tapestry of the Mamprusi: A potential economic venture for the North-East Region of Ghana

Sherifatu Abas — 2025-05-25

The Mamprusi of Gambaga and Nalerigu of the North-East regin of Ghana has a very rich tradition of indigenous tapestry just like what exist for the Dagomba (bummangli), Gonja (gbayin chibe) and Frafra (motani). However, the indigenous tapestry of the Mamprusi ethnic group has received less attention as compared to other traditional textiles of Ghana such as kente, kete, bummangli, gbayin chibe and motani. This has resulted in the indigenous tapestry of the Mamprusi to be less viable economically, also the research knowledge that exist it is scanty to be used for its development and sustainability. This study aimed at profiling the indigenous tapestry of the Mamprusi and its production system, it also aimed at developing a frame work for development and sustainability. The constructivism research philosophy was adopted because the indigenous tapestry of the Mamprusi is a social phenomenon and a complex one that requires the understanding and interpretation from the perspective of the participants in their natural setting. Since the indigenous tapestry of the Mamprusi has limited literature hence the adoption of the case study research design to ensure an in-depth study in the natural environment. Relevant data was collected by employing the semi structured interview, participant observation, focus group discussion, oral history and storytelling. The results of the study indicate the dominance of young females within the age bracket of 15 years to 45 years. The study also discovered that a good percentage of the artisans had basic education. The study also revealed that the traditional tapestry industry of the Mamprusi in its entirety is a borrowed craft specifically from Bogou in northern Togo. Currently it was inferred that the industry exists as small-scale enterprises employing a smaller number of people who are mostly family members. Production activities are mainly carried out by hand with the help of simple tools, the textile artefacts produced are hand woven fabric traditionally referred to as chinchin mangli or chinchin wugra. They are mostly plain weaves that are warp faced and comes in array of colours. It was indicated in the study that to ensure development and sustainability of the industry the Chen’s program theory was adopted to digest the current situation of the industry, propose action that will help avert the situation and prescribe activities that will help measure the rate of development that has occurred and ensure sustainability of the traditional indigenous tapestry industry of the Mamprusi.

An appraisal of leadership challenges and Nigeria’s development: Perspectives from citizens of Anambra State, Nigeria

Angela N. Nwammuo — 2025-05-25

This paper appraised the leadership challenges and Nigeria’s overall development. The paper is premised against the background of the humongous development challenges in Nigeria, in the midst of burgeoning human and material resources. Further providing background for this paper is the current Nigeria’s position in the global poverty index, the increasing number of out of school children, the deteriorating rate of employment, the declining Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and other indexes of development. Aimed at finding out the correlation between leadership and development, as well as ascertaining the prevailing attitude of Nigerian leaders towards development, this paper used the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Contingency as its theoretical underpinnings. The paper adopted a survey research design, using Anambra State as the area of study. From a population of 8,252, 998 citizens in Anambra State, a simple size 400 residents were drawn for the paper using the Taro Yameni’s formula. The paper adopted a multi- stage sampling technique and used questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. The paper concludes that to truly clean up the bad leadership and corruption, Nigeria needs sound ethical leadership that is rooted in respect, service, justice, honesty and community. It was recommended that leaders should have good moral conduct and ethical responsibility to enable them attend to the demands, concerns, needs, and problems of the citizens in the country.

Insecurity and migration pattern in the contemporary Nigerian society

Godwin Ifeanyi Ezeagbanari — 2025-05-25

One of the most glaring and much talked-about issues in Nigeria today is insecurity. The Nigerian society is greeted with several acts of insecurity almost on a daily basis throughout the country. This ugly trend has led to several crises in Nigeria in recent times, posing some threats to the entire masses. These crises arise as a result of insecurity in various facets, especially of lives, properties, foods, amongst a host of others. These forms of insecurity have endangered the value of lives in Nigeria. The timeline of the deadly attacks of the Boko Haram insurgents, religious, ethnic and political crises in Nigeria and her bordering countries during the last few decades is quite alarming. This paper primarily examined the impact of insecurity on migration pattern in the contemporary Nigerian society from 1994 to 2023. The study adopted quantitative approach. Based on the ex-post facto research design, the study applied some descriptive statistical techniques such as the normality distribution test and ordinary least square estimations. The study discovered some of the causes of insecurity such as unemployment/joblessness, poor leadership, porous nature of the borders, and so on. Some of the effects of insecurity include underdevelopment, poverty, hunger, and so on. The study revealed security threat to be one of the factors leading to the high rate of international migration affecting the country in modern times. This paper recommends amongst others that government should provide a proper security/ surveillance measures especially within the border territories to monitor and combat the menace of irregular migrations and its attendant consequences. Furthermore, for the Nigerian State to be safe, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has to be efficient in her duties in monitoring the pattern of migration, and also needs the cooperation of the sister’s organizations, as it relates to socio-economic development and security functions in the country.

Challenges of conflict-induced displacement among rural communities of Kaga LGA, Borno State, Nigeria

Bala Wunubo — 2025-05-25

At a global scale, people in their millions are forced to leave their homes or places of habitual residence in the last few years, because of armed conflicts, internal strife or systematic violations of human rights. Unlike refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) have not crossed an internationally recognized State border, but rather seek refuge in another part of their country, which renders their situation basically complicated. Typically, this movement is characterized by the occurrence of large-scale violations of human rights, but IDPs benefit from no clearly defined institutional responsibility or protection. This study highlighted the socioeconomic and health challenges of conflictinduced displaced persons. The study focused on two IDP camps in Benisheikh where 200 survey questionnaires were administered for accurate information about the challenges face by the IDPs in their various camps. Twenty household heads were interviewed, ten household heads from each IDP camp. The information obtained from the study was analyzed using descriptive analysis while the results were presented using Microsoft excel. The study found that people flee their homes for fear of death when they could no longer satisfy the demand placed on them by the Boko Haram of paying tributes. The study also discovered that death of love ones, loss of accommodations, food shortage, loss of business and loss of farm land are the major challenges so far faced by IDPs in the study area. The study also shows that IDPs situations are worse compared to before displacement.

Exchange rate dynamics and manufacturing sector performance in Nigeria

Ukamaka S. Ezenwaka — 2025-05-25

The manufacturing sector is a vital engine for economic growth, job creation, and innovation, acting as a linchpin for industrialization and infrastructure development. Its contribution to exports, trade balance, and overall economic resilience underscores its indispensability for sustainable prosperity. However, the impact of exchange rates on manufacturing sector performance has often been assessed using metrics like manufacturing GDP, neglecting crucial factors such as manufacturing value-added, employment, and exports. In response, this study delved into the impact of exchange rate and exchange rate shocks on Nigeria’s manufacturing sector from 1981 to 2022. Employing the Fully Modified Least Squares (FMOLS) regression technique, the study unveiled significant findings. It revealed that exchange rates wield a positive influence on manufacturing value-added, yet exchange rate shocks exert a negative impact on this aspect of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. Similarly, while exchange rates positively affect manufacturing exports, exchange rate shocks inflict adverse consequences on export performance. Furthermore, the study highlighted the positive impact of exchange rates on manufacturing employment, juxtaposed with the negative effects of exchange rate shocks on employment levels in the sector. In light of these findings, the study recommends the implementation of policies aimed at maintaining a stable exchange rate regime. Such policies would provide manufacturers with the predictability and assurance necessary for long-term planning and investment. By mitigating the adverse effects of exchange rate fluctuations on manufacturing value-added, exports, and employment, a stable exchange rate environment can foster an atmosphere conducive to sustainable growth and competitiveness in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.

Social instability and economic development in Nigeria's Fourth Republic

Frank Adogbeji. Enakemu — 2025-05-25

Since the inception of Nigeria's Fourth Republic in 1999, the country has navigated significant social and economic challenges. This study explored the intricate relationship between social instability and economic development in Nigeria during this period. It examined various forms of social instability, including political violence, ethnic conflicts, terrorism, and widespread protests, and analyzed their impacts on the country's economic trajectory. Utilizing mixed-methods approach, the study combined quantitative data from governmental reports and international databases with qualitative case studies, such as the Niger Delta militancy, Boko Haram insurgency, and #EndSARS protests. The findings revealed that social instability has severely hindered economic growth by disrupting production, discouraging investment, and straining governmental resources. Conversely, economic underdevelopment has exacerbated social tensions, creating a cycle of instability. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers in Nigeria and other developing countries facing similar challenges, emphasizing the need for integrated approaches to achieve stability and sustainable development.

Audience exposure to and perception of TVC news on stripping of police officers over request of money from Netherlands tourist

Casmir Uchenna Obiakor — 2025-05-25

The Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) ordered the immediate dismissal of two of its men who were caught on camera demanding money from a Dutch female biker-tourist who was touring African countries. The story went viral after it was reported on TVC news but what the public think about that information is yet to be ascertained. This research work investigated audience exposure to, and perception of TVC news on stripping of police constables over request of money from Netherlands woman. The objectives of study are to ascertain respondents’ rate of exposure to news on stripping of the police constables reported on TVC news, evaluate audience perception of the news under study, examine respondents’ perception of the police force after exposure to the news under study, and investigate other news platforms through which the respondents got exposed to the story. The Focus Group Discussion (FGD) research method was used for the study. The purposive sampling technique was adopted to randomly select 80 residents of Awka metropolis who participated in the study. The findings revealed that Viewers in Awka were highly exposed to the TVC news on the dismissal of police constables who tried to collect money from the Netherlands woman. However, exposure to the news did not influence their perception of the police force as a corrupt institution. They also saw the news as a commendable performance of the watchdog roles by the press, and they saw the news on social media platforms apart from TVC news station as the same video was circulated in other platforms. It was recommended that investigating the possible reciprocal relationships of news exposure with active information seeking should be done as this would add to the conceptual understanding of exposure to news on television and other platforms. This is because people get exposed to certain information not by being information seekers but by being casual viewers.

Government investment in human capital, international development indices and GDP growth rate in Nigeria

Chigozili Modestus Amauche — 2025-05-25

The study investigated the effects of Government investment in human capital and international development indices on real Gross Domestic Product growth rate of Nigeria using annual time series data from 1991 to 2022. The study disaggregated government investment in human capital into government expenditure in education (GEE), and government expenditure in health (GEHT), and that of international human capital development indices such as Human Development Index (HDI), Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI), Gender Development Index (GDI), Gender Inequality Index (GII), Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), Life Expectancy (LE) and Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF). The data generated from the Human Development Report, United Nations Development Programme, World Bank Development indicators, and World Health Organization were analysed using Auto Regressive Distributive Lag (ARDL). The short-run analysis of Nigeria's GDP growth rate (RGDPg) reveals positive effects from Gender Inequality Index (GII), Gender Development Index (GDI), Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI), Government Expenditure on Healthcare (GEHT), and Human Development Index (HDI), and negative effects from labour force (LF), and investment in education (GEE). The long-run result revealed that government investment in health positively influenced GDP expansion while spending on education (GEE) negatively affected GDP growth. Some of the international human capital indices like HDI and GDI continued to project the high importance of human development and gender equality for sustained long-term economic growth. The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), labor force participation (LF), and gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) lacked significant long-term effects. It became a truism that human capital indicators are drivers of growth in Nigeria, thus, the government has the utmost responsibility to carry out policies that engender high human development in Nigeria.

Deuteronomy’s social vision for community living: Lessons for Nigeria

Nwulu Nwoko Michael — 2025-05-25

This qualitative study explored Deuteronomy's teachings on community living and their applicability to Nigeria's socio-economic context. Thematic analysis revealed key concepts emphasizing vulnerability support, social justice, equality, kindness, and accountability. The study found that Deuteronomy's social paradigm offers a transformative framework for addressing Nigeria's socio-economic challenges, such as poverty reduction, education, and healthcare. The study highlighted the importance of implementing community-based initiatives prioritizing vulnerability support, promoting social justice and equality, and fostering kindness and respect. Grounded in Deuteronomy's teachings, this study contributes to existing literature on community development, providing a biblical perspective and practical lessons for establishing a just and compassionate society.

Effective leadership and security management: A panacea for a contemporary development in Nigeria

Onuigbo Ifeanyi Ositadinma — 2025-05-25

All over the world, the place of leadership and security of any country cannot be overemphasized. Hardly is there any country in the world without a standing army and other security forces under political leadership to protect it against external aggression and internal insurrection. In other words, there seems to be a correlation between leadership and national security. Thus, leadership is seen as the symbol of security of any country. The inability of any political leader to manage the security of a country can be the greatest undoing of such a leader. This is because there cannot be development in the midst of insecurity. Anchored on system theory, with heavy reliance on secondary data, this study examined effective leadership and security management in Nigeria with particular focus on contemporary development. The study found that leadership failure is a major factor responsible for inability to manage insecurity in the country with grave implications for democratic sustenance. It is therefore suggested among others the need to invest adequately in security management, promotion of collaborative leadership practices and regular security assessments, orientation and training so that all the security personnel in Nigeria should be very much aware of their job descriptions, which will even facilitate professionalism and specialization.