, a sectarian, extremist group, opposed to Western education, and driven by violent ideology, lau... more , a sectarian, extremist group, opposed to Western education, and driven by violent ideology, launched an armed struggle against the federal government of Nigeria. Widespread killings, destruction of property and displacement of people, have characterized the ongoing conflict. It has also impacted negatively on children, as many have been killed, mistreated, orphaned, exploited and conscripted by insurgents and pro-government forces to fight. This paper probes the recruitment, use and roles of children in the conflict, which has conferred on them the fluid status of victims and perpetrators. It has been found that the insurgents and pro-government militia have recruited children below 15 years of age and engaged them in combat and non-combat duties; and those suspected of links to the insurgents have been detained in squalid conditions by the military. This has violated international humanitarian law (IHL) and internationally recognized rights of children in circumstances amounting to war crimes. The paper recommends immediate cessation of child conscription; release of those detained; and prosecution of persons responsible for the violations, preferably at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The high level of non-chalant and uncommitted attitude of lecturers towards their work in College... more The high level of non-chalant and uncommitted attitude of lecturers towards their work in Colleges of Education in Nigeria, with particular reference to the Colleges in South-South Zone of Nigeria; prompted this research work. The research was therefore designed to investigate Selected School Climate Variables and Lecturers' Attitude to Work in Colleges of Education in South-South Zone of Nigeria. The study used all the seven (7) Colleges in the zone comprising of 1,418 academic staff. The sample for the study was 180 academic staff drawn from all the seven (7) Colleges of Education in the zone, out of which, 30 were between the ranks of Senior to Chief Lecturers. The instrument used for data collection was a well-designed questionnaire on School Climate Variables and Lecturers' Attitude to Work (SCVLAW). The instrument was validated by two experts in educational measurement and evaluation and a Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.88 was obtained from the data collected in a test and re-test sample of 30 subjects. A correlational design was used; four research questions and four hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) analysis was used to test the level of relationships amongst the variables. The study revealed among other things that, there is a very high level of relationship between availability of school working facilities and lecturers' attitude to work; with mean average of 2.64 and standard deviation of 1.05; there was high level of social climate variable in the Colleges under study, there is a high relationship between Chief Executive leadership style and lecturers' attitude to work and a high level of relationship between lecturers' participation in school decision-making and their attitude to work. On the test of hypotheses between the variables, it was found that all the investigated variables have a high relationship among themselves. Based on these findings, it was concluded that school climate variables must be taken into consideration in school administration since they have significant relationship with lecturers' attitude to work.
One of the aspirations of the United Nations (UN) is the protection and promotion of
human rights... more One of the aspirations of the United Nations (UN) is the protection and promotion of human rights. In fulfillment of that mandate, UN peacekeeping mission was created to protect civilians in war-ravaged countries, apparently to assist them transit to peace. UN peacekeepers have been entangled in human rights violations especially sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) against persons under their protection. The resort to sexual predation by UN peacekeeping forces in Africa is a betrayal of their duty to protect. However, the worst treachery is the UN’s failure to stop the violence or hold the perpetrators accountable. Many of the rape victims informed the UN, but never got any help. The perpetrators enjoy immunity from prosecution. This paper calls for reforms of the UN system. It argues that SEA now constitutes a war crime under international law and peacekeepers cannot claim, or be conferred with, immunity from prosecution. It recommends the creation of specials court to try peacekeepers indicted for the crimes.
The contracting of private military contractors (PMCs) to render services in conflict domains has... more The contracting of private military contractors (PMCs) to render services in conflict domains has been very controversial in recent times, but the persistence of armed conflicts around the world, and the increasing reluctance of stronger nations to commit their military to restoring peace within such areas suggest that they are here to stay. States, intergovernmental organizations, nongovernmental organizations and even multinational corporations have been found to engage PMCs in order to meet their ends of restoring stability to the many States that are becoming dysfunctional due to persistent conflicts. The debate about PMCs has been about proving the legitimacy of their existence, and the justification for contracting wars that should otherwise be an exclusive State function to private companies. In this paper, an attempt is made at proving PMCs as legitimate entrepreneurs and highlighting the need to bring them out of the legal vacuum, which they have been operating in.
Destruction of cultural objects had been an attribute of war for centuries. International law fro... more Destruction of cultural objects had been an attribute of war for centuries. International law frowned at this repulsive behaviour and developed rules proscribing it. The legal framework proved inadequate as looting and vandalism continued. Deliberate devastation of cultural objects during the Balkan war caused global outrage. In response, the ICTY was created to prosecute individuals implicated in the acts for war crimes. The 1998 Rome Statute of the ICC declared destruction of cultural heritage a war crime. In 1999, the Second Protocol to the 1954 Hague Convention criminalised attacks on cultural relics. These instruments render an individual liable to prosecution before a criminal court. In 2015, a jihadist, Ahmad Al Faqi, was charged before the ICC with the war crime of destruction of cultural heritage in Mali. His conviction and sentencing was a watershed. However, there is no sustained effort to prosecute persons who continue to perpetrate such crimes. This paper advocates regular referrals, trials and convictions as the surest measure to secure cultural heritage, enthrone accountability and curb impunity by terrorists and traffickers.
The outbreak of armed conflict automatically triggers the application of international humanitari... more The outbreak of armed conflict automatically triggers the application of international humanitarian law (IHL), an instrument that offers protection to victims of armed conflict and creates obligations for belligerents in the theatres of war. IHL limits the impact of the use of brute force on civilians and civilian objects by imposing constraints on the conduct of war. On February 24, 2022, the Russian government ordered a 'Special Military Operation,' against Ukraine, allegedly to disarm and 'denazify' the latter as well as protect Russian-speaking minorities in the eastern region of the country. Ukraine, backed by some Western countries has put up a strong resistance, leading to bloody confrontations and a humanitarian nightmare. The parties have reportedly committed serious violations of IHL, such as direct and indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian property; mass killings; summary executions; sexual violence; and the use of banned weapons. This paper examines the application of the rules of IHL in the conflict amid reports of the prevalence of heinous crimes. The paper finds that both parties, primarily the Russian armed forces, have committed serious violations of IHL in circumstances that amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. The paper recommends immediate cessation of hostilities; prompt investigation of all forms of violation of IHL; and the prosecution of individuals most responsible for egregious crimes in the conflict.
Nigeria has retained capital punishment despite the global movement in favor of its abolition. No... more Nigeria has retained capital punishment despite the global movement in favor of its abolition. Notwithstanding the federal government's suspension of executions in 2004, some prisoners were sent to the gallows in 2006, 2013, and 2016. Presently, prisoners awaiting execution exceed 3,000, occasioned by state governors' hesitation to endorse execution warrants. Human rights groups have consistently called for its abolition in Nigeria, but this has been rebuffed by the government. This work probes the notion of the death penalty in Nigeria and the dilemma of the authorities entrusted with its implementation. It has also examined the debate to abolish or retain it, against the backdrop of Nigeria's present social, economic, religious, and multicultural circumstances. It finds that the death penalty is a human right issue and Nigeria should join the majority of states that have dispensed with the practice. The paper advocates a legally-backed and permanent suspension of executions and the eventual abolition of this form of punishment through a constitutional amendment.
One of the consequences of the Second World War was the formation of the United Nations (UN) in 1... more One of the consequences of the Second World War was the formation of the United Nations (UN) in 1945. The horrendous crimes committed in that war, including sexual violence against women and girls, necessitated the elevation of issues of human rights to the top of the UN agenda. The UN over the years evolved various mechanisms to end sexual violence against women during armed conflict. These measures have achieved minimal results. The problem is even worse as sexual violence is now employed as a tactic of war, while the UN appears unable to help the victims. This article examines UN measures to end wartime sexual assault on women, among them, adoption of resolutions, advocacy, the imposition of sanctions and prosecution of offenders. There are also challenges such as the non-binding character of its resolutions, lack of intervention force, the absence of data and paralysis in the Security Council. The work finds that the UN has not done enough to protect women in conflict zones, and recommends the training of peacekeepers on gender issues, prosecution of offenders and inclusion of women in peace-building.
This study examined the level of policy implementation process of Universal Basic Education (UBE)... more This study examined the level of policy implementation process of Universal Basic Education (UBE) in Nigeria with particular reference to Cross River State. Four research questions and four hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A survey research design was adopted to determine the mean responses of the identified variables. The population of the study comprised of all basic schools and their head teachers respectively. A sample of 300 schools and head teachers was used to generate the data. The instrument for data collection was a 20 item questionnaire which was carefully developed and validated by experts in test and measurement. The questionnaire items were arranged in clusters representing each of the variables. A Modified Likert Four-point rating scale was adopted. Thus; Strongly Agreed, Agreed, Disagreed and Strongly Disagreed. Mean and standard deviation was used to analyse the mean response of the research questions, while t-test was used for the analysis of the research hypotheses. The results of the finding revealed a mean of means of 2.33 and standard deviation (SD) of 1.32 for the provision of adequately qualified teachers, mean of 1.93 and standard deviation (SD) of 1.39 for provision of adequate teaching and learning facilities, mean of 2.48 and standard deviation (SD) of 1.09 for smooth transition from Primary School to Junior Secondary School. The obtained mean of means were all measured at the criterion of 2.50. These results indicated that all the mean responses do not agree to the implementation process of basic education policy. In the ttest analysis, all the variables under study were significant at 0.05 level of significance with 299 degree of freedom. A conclusion was drawn that the mean responses do not agree with the basic education policy in Cross River State, Nigeria. It was recommended that basic education policy as stated by Federal Government of Nigeria should be comprehensively implemented, especially with the engagement of qualified teachers and provision of adequate teaching and learning facilities.
The adoption of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) marked a turning point... more The adoption of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) marked a turning point in the quest for accountability for victims of horrendous international crimes. Since the commencement inception of trial in 2002, only persons from Africa have been arraigned despite copious evidence of similar crimes in other parts of the world. This has incurred the wrath of African leaders, alleging unfairness, neocolonialism and bias. Ordinary Africans, the victims of gross human rights violations, however, applaud the trials given the unfair, manipulative and unworkable nature of national justice system in Africa. The question therefore arises as to whether the ICC is biased against Africans. There is no doubt that the ICC has focused on Africa, ignoring heinous crimes prevalent in non-African countries. While its efforts at ending impunity and enthroning accountability in Africa is commendable, the ICC should also turn its search light on other parts of the world. This is the only way the Court can justify its creation, assume the status of custodian and dispenser of international criminal justice and divest itself of the paraphernalia of neocolonialism bestowed on it by African leaders
The issue of accountability for perpetrators of sexual violence in theatres of conflict remains a... more The issue of accountability for perpetrators of sexual violence in theatres of conflict remains an elusive pursuit and unattainable objective. The lack of accountability is largely fueled by underreporting by survivors who are driven by fear of reprisal, stigma and rejection to keep silent. Other obstacles to justice include weak legal and judicial system, ignorance, cost and other extraneous factors. This work urges an end to the silence, justice for the victims and accountability for perpetrators. In doing so, victims and witnesses should be accorded protection; and the judicial process should be reformed, enhanced and made gender-sensitive. It argues further that women should have a voice in appointments and decisions on genderbased issues.
Colleges of Education in Nigeria are established with the sole mandate to train competent, knowle... more Colleges of Education in Nigeria are established with the sole mandate to train competent, knowledgeable, resourceful, conscientious, and highly motivated teachers for the Basic Education level. Therefore, there is need for appropriate mechanism to be put in place for the actualization of the Institution's mandate. In order to achieve the objectives of establishing Colleges of Education, quality assurance is mandatorily required. This research work centered on the level of implementation of quality assurance in Colleges of Education in South-South Region of Nigeria. Five research questions and five hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A descriptive survey design was adopted and a research instrument titled: 'Level of Implementation of Quality Assurance Mechanism in Colleges of Education (LIQAMCE) was used to generate data for the study. The population comprised of all the Colleges of Education and staff in the South-South Region of Nigeria. A purposeful sample of six Colleges was selected and one hundred (100) respondents comprising teaching and non-teaching staff were selected from each of the six colleges. The total respondents sample was 600. The main thrust of the study was to determine the level of implementation of quality assurance in Colleges of Education in relation to; its existence of directorate/units, appropriateness in composition of membership committee, compliance to guiding principles and roles of quality assurance, lecturer's/students ratio and accreditation/ reaccreditation status. A descriptive analysis technique and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to test the research questions and hypotheses respectively. The results showed a very high percentage that there are existence of quality assurance directorates/units in Colleges, high percentage in disagreement with the appropriate composition of membership, high percentage revealed compliance to the guiding principles and roles, lecturers/students ratio and accreditation/re-accreditation status respectively. The findings using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistics revealed significant in the existence of quality assurance directorates/units, membership composition, compliance to guiding principles and roles, lecturers'/students ratio and accreditation/reaccreditation status. This means that all the variables under study influence or enhances Colleges of Education in Nigeria. The paper therefore, recommends, among others, that the National Commission for Colleges of Education should strictly supervise, monitor and evaluate Colleges regularly to ensure that they complied with policies in relation to quality assurance geared towards producing quality teachers for Basic Education.
On 22 nd May, 2014, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), at the request of Nigeria, impose... more On 22 nd May, 2014, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), at the request of Nigeria, imposed sanctions on Boko Haram, an insurgent group operating in Nigeria. This was in response to a spate of attacks, bombings, killings and kidnappings perpetrated by the group. The United Nations is endowed with tools to deal with violations such as these, including a referral to an international criminal tribunal. The sanctions have sent a strong message to armed groups that the international community will no longer tolerate impunity in Nigeria. It is, therefore, a clarion call to insurgents and their sponsors to lay down their weapons and embrace peace. Nigerians should be spared the violence and trauma they are going through, and unless their perpetrators have a change of heart, they will sooner than later be held accountable before an international tribunal. Keywords : United Nations, Sanctions, Insurgents, Nigeria, Law
International Journal of World Policy and Development Studies, 2021
In Nigeria, the internal displacement of civilians dates back to the era of the pogrom and attend... more In Nigeria, the internal displacement of civilians dates back to the era of the pogrom and attendant civil war in the 1960s. Subsequent cases were attributable to natural and human-made factors. The flare-up of the Boko Haram insurgency in 2009 has over time caused the large-scale displacement of civilians in the northeast region. In line with humanitarian principles, the government created various camps to accommodate internally displaced persons (IDPs), where they could receive humanitarian assistance. This work examines harsh conditions in the camps, amid widespread shortages and abuses. It has been established that IDPs have been subjected to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) by state officials. Violations of this nature, which occur in the context of armed conflict, constitute crimes punishable under national and international laws. However, the government has not held anyone accountable, thus turning the IDP camps from safe haven to dens of predators. It is therefore recomme...
, a sectarian, extremist group, opposed to Western education, and driven by violent ideology, lau... more , a sectarian, extremist group, opposed to Western education, and driven by violent ideology, launched an armed struggle against the federal government of Nigeria. Widespread killings, destruction of property and displacement of people, have characterized the ongoing conflict. It has also impacted negatively on children, as many have been killed, mistreated, orphaned, exploited and conscripted by insurgents and pro-government forces to fight. This paper probes the recruitment, use and roles of children in the conflict, which has conferred on them the fluid status of victims and perpetrators. It has been found that the insurgents and pro-government militia have recruited children below 15 years of age and engaged them in combat and non-combat duties; and those suspected of links to the insurgents have been detained in squalid conditions by the military. This has violated international humanitarian law (IHL) and internationally recognized rights of children in circumstances amounting to war crimes. The paper recommends immediate cessation of child conscription; release of those detained; and prosecution of persons responsible for the violations, preferably at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The high level of non-chalant and uncommitted attitude of lecturers towards their work in College... more The high level of non-chalant and uncommitted attitude of lecturers towards their work in Colleges of Education in Nigeria, with particular reference to the Colleges in South-South Zone of Nigeria; prompted this research work. The research was therefore designed to investigate Selected School Climate Variables and Lecturers' Attitude to Work in Colleges of Education in South-South Zone of Nigeria. The study used all the seven (7) Colleges in the zone comprising of 1,418 academic staff. The sample for the study was 180 academic staff drawn from all the seven (7) Colleges of Education in the zone, out of which, 30 were between the ranks of Senior to Chief Lecturers. The instrument used for data collection was a well-designed questionnaire on School Climate Variables and Lecturers' Attitude to Work (SCVLAW). The instrument was validated by two experts in educational measurement and evaluation and a Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.88 was obtained from the data collected in a test and re-test sample of 30 subjects. A correlational design was used; four research questions and four hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) analysis was used to test the level of relationships amongst the variables. The study revealed among other things that, there is a very high level of relationship between availability of school working facilities and lecturers' attitude to work; with mean average of 2.64 and standard deviation of 1.05; there was high level of social climate variable in the Colleges under study, there is a high relationship between Chief Executive leadership style and lecturers' attitude to work and a high level of relationship between lecturers' participation in school decision-making and their attitude to work. On the test of hypotheses between the variables, it was found that all the investigated variables have a high relationship among themselves. Based on these findings, it was concluded that school climate variables must be taken into consideration in school administration since they have significant relationship with lecturers' attitude to work.
One of the aspirations of the United Nations (UN) is the protection and promotion of
human rights... more One of the aspirations of the United Nations (UN) is the protection and promotion of human rights. In fulfillment of that mandate, UN peacekeeping mission was created to protect civilians in war-ravaged countries, apparently to assist them transit to peace. UN peacekeepers have been entangled in human rights violations especially sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) against persons under their protection. The resort to sexual predation by UN peacekeeping forces in Africa is a betrayal of their duty to protect. However, the worst treachery is the UN’s failure to stop the violence or hold the perpetrators accountable. Many of the rape victims informed the UN, but never got any help. The perpetrators enjoy immunity from prosecution. This paper calls for reforms of the UN system. It argues that SEA now constitutes a war crime under international law and peacekeepers cannot claim, or be conferred with, immunity from prosecution. It recommends the creation of specials court to try peacekeepers indicted for the crimes.
The contracting of private military contractors (PMCs) to render services in conflict domains has... more The contracting of private military contractors (PMCs) to render services in conflict domains has been very controversial in recent times, but the persistence of armed conflicts around the world, and the increasing reluctance of stronger nations to commit their military to restoring peace within such areas suggest that they are here to stay. States, intergovernmental organizations, nongovernmental organizations and even multinational corporations have been found to engage PMCs in order to meet their ends of restoring stability to the many States that are becoming dysfunctional due to persistent conflicts. The debate about PMCs has been about proving the legitimacy of their existence, and the justification for contracting wars that should otherwise be an exclusive State function to private companies. In this paper, an attempt is made at proving PMCs as legitimate entrepreneurs and highlighting the need to bring them out of the legal vacuum, which they have been operating in.
Destruction of cultural objects had been an attribute of war for centuries. International law fro... more Destruction of cultural objects had been an attribute of war for centuries. International law frowned at this repulsive behaviour and developed rules proscribing it. The legal framework proved inadequate as looting and vandalism continued. Deliberate devastation of cultural objects during the Balkan war caused global outrage. In response, the ICTY was created to prosecute individuals implicated in the acts for war crimes. The 1998 Rome Statute of the ICC declared destruction of cultural heritage a war crime. In 1999, the Second Protocol to the 1954 Hague Convention criminalised attacks on cultural relics. These instruments render an individual liable to prosecution before a criminal court. In 2015, a jihadist, Ahmad Al Faqi, was charged before the ICC with the war crime of destruction of cultural heritage in Mali. His conviction and sentencing was a watershed. However, there is no sustained effort to prosecute persons who continue to perpetrate such crimes. This paper advocates regular referrals, trials and convictions as the surest measure to secure cultural heritage, enthrone accountability and curb impunity by terrorists and traffickers.
The outbreak of armed conflict automatically triggers the application of international humanitari... more The outbreak of armed conflict automatically triggers the application of international humanitarian law (IHL), an instrument that offers protection to victims of armed conflict and creates obligations for belligerents in the theatres of war. IHL limits the impact of the use of brute force on civilians and civilian objects by imposing constraints on the conduct of war. On February 24, 2022, the Russian government ordered a 'Special Military Operation,' against Ukraine, allegedly to disarm and 'denazify' the latter as well as protect Russian-speaking minorities in the eastern region of the country. Ukraine, backed by some Western countries has put up a strong resistance, leading to bloody confrontations and a humanitarian nightmare. The parties have reportedly committed serious violations of IHL, such as direct and indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian property; mass killings; summary executions; sexual violence; and the use of banned weapons. This paper examines the application of the rules of IHL in the conflict amid reports of the prevalence of heinous crimes. The paper finds that both parties, primarily the Russian armed forces, have committed serious violations of IHL in circumstances that amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. The paper recommends immediate cessation of hostilities; prompt investigation of all forms of violation of IHL; and the prosecution of individuals most responsible for egregious crimes in the conflict.
Nigeria has retained capital punishment despite the global movement in favor of its abolition. No... more Nigeria has retained capital punishment despite the global movement in favor of its abolition. Notwithstanding the federal government's suspension of executions in 2004, some prisoners were sent to the gallows in 2006, 2013, and 2016. Presently, prisoners awaiting execution exceed 3,000, occasioned by state governors' hesitation to endorse execution warrants. Human rights groups have consistently called for its abolition in Nigeria, but this has been rebuffed by the government. This work probes the notion of the death penalty in Nigeria and the dilemma of the authorities entrusted with its implementation. It has also examined the debate to abolish or retain it, against the backdrop of Nigeria's present social, economic, religious, and multicultural circumstances. It finds that the death penalty is a human right issue and Nigeria should join the majority of states that have dispensed with the practice. The paper advocates a legally-backed and permanent suspension of executions and the eventual abolition of this form of punishment through a constitutional amendment.
One of the consequences of the Second World War was the formation of the United Nations (UN) in 1... more One of the consequences of the Second World War was the formation of the United Nations (UN) in 1945. The horrendous crimes committed in that war, including sexual violence against women and girls, necessitated the elevation of issues of human rights to the top of the UN agenda. The UN over the years evolved various mechanisms to end sexual violence against women during armed conflict. These measures have achieved minimal results. The problem is even worse as sexual violence is now employed as a tactic of war, while the UN appears unable to help the victims. This article examines UN measures to end wartime sexual assault on women, among them, adoption of resolutions, advocacy, the imposition of sanctions and prosecution of offenders. There are also challenges such as the non-binding character of its resolutions, lack of intervention force, the absence of data and paralysis in the Security Council. The work finds that the UN has not done enough to protect women in conflict zones, and recommends the training of peacekeepers on gender issues, prosecution of offenders and inclusion of women in peace-building.
This study examined the level of policy implementation process of Universal Basic Education (UBE)... more This study examined the level of policy implementation process of Universal Basic Education (UBE) in Nigeria with particular reference to Cross River State. Four research questions and four hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A survey research design was adopted to determine the mean responses of the identified variables. The population of the study comprised of all basic schools and their head teachers respectively. A sample of 300 schools and head teachers was used to generate the data. The instrument for data collection was a 20 item questionnaire which was carefully developed and validated by experts in test and measurement. The questionnaire items were arranged in clusters representing each of the variables. A Modified Likert Four-point rating scale was adopted. Thus; Strongly Agreed, Agreed, Disagreed and Strongly Disagreed. Mean and standard deviation was used to analyse the mean response of the research questions, while t-test was used for the analysis of the research hypotheses. The results of the finding revealed a mean of means of 2.33 and standard deviation (SD) of 1.32 for the provision of adequately qualified teachers, mean of 1.93 and standard deviation (SD) of 1.39 for provision of adequate teaching and learning facilities, mean of 2.48 and standard deviation (SD) of 1.09 for smooth transition from Primary School to Junior Secondary School. The obtained mean of means were all measured at the criterion of 2.50. These results indicated that all the mean responses do not agree to the implementation process of basic education policy. In the ttest analysis, all the variables under study were significant at 0.05 level of significance with 299 degree of freedom. A conclusion was drawn that the mean responses do not agree with the basic education policy in Cross River State, Nigeria. It was recommended that basic education policy as stated by Federal Government of Nigeria should be comprehensively implemented, especially with the engagement of qualified teachers and provision of adequate teaching and learning facilities.
The adoption of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) marked a turning point... more The adoption of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) marked a turning point in the quest for accountability for victims of horrendous international crimes. Since the commencement inception of trial in 2002, only persons from Africa have been arraigned despite copious evidence of similar crimes in other parts of the world. This has incurred the wrath of African leaders, alleging unfairness, neocolonialism and bias. Ordinary Africans, the victims of gross human rights violations, however, applaud the trials given the unfair, manipulative and unworkable nature of national justice system in Africa. The question therefore arises as to whether the ICC is biased against Africans. There is no doubt that the ICC has focused on Africa, ignoring heinous crimes prevalent in non-African countries. While its efforts at ending impunity and enthroning accountability in Africa is commendable, the ICC should also turn its search light on other parts of the world. This is the only way the Court can justify its creation, assume the status of custodian and dispenser of international criminal justice and divest itself of the paraphernalia of neocolonialism bestowed on it by African leaders
The issue of accountability for perpetrators of sexual violence in theatres of conflict remains a... more The issue of accountability for perpetrators of sexual violence in theatres of conflict remains an elusive pursuit and unattainable objective. The lack of accountability is largely fueled by underreporting by survivors who are driven by fear of reprisal, stigma and rejection to keep silent. Other obstacles to justice include weak legal and judicial system, ignorance, cost and other extraneous factors. This work urges an end to the silence, justice for the victims and accountability for perpetrators. In doing so, victims and witnesses should be accorded protection; and the judicial process should be reformed, enhanced and made gender-sensitive. It argues further that women should have a voice in appointments and decisions on genderbased issues.
Colleges of Education in Nigeria are established with the sole mandate to train competent, knowle... more Colleges of Education in Nigeria are established with the sole mandate to train competent, knowledgeable, resourceful, conscientious, and highly motivated teachers for the Basic Education level. Therefore, there is need for appropriate mechanism to be put in place for the actualization of the Institution's mandate. In order to achieve the objectives of establishing Colleges of Education, quality assurance is mandatorily required. This research work centered on the level of implementation of quality assurance in Colleges of Education in South-South Region of Nigeria. Five research questions and five hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A descriptive survey design was adopted and a research instrument titled: 'Level of Implementation of Quality Assurance Mechanism in Colleges of Education (LIQAMCE) was used to generate data for the study. The population comprised of all the Colleges of Education and staff in the South-South Region of Nigeria. A purposeful sample of six Colleges was selected and one hundred (100) respondents comprising teaching and non-teaching staff were selected from each of the six colleges. The total respondents sample was 600. The main thrust of the study was to determine the level of implementation of quality assurance in Colleges of Education in relation to; its existence of directorate/units, appropriateness in composition of membership committee, compliance to guiding principles and roles of quality assurance, lecturer's/students ratio and accreditation/ reaccreditation status. A descriptive analysis technique and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to test the research questions and hypotheses respectively. The results showed a very high percentage that there are existence of quality assurance directorates/units in Colleges, high percentage in disagreement with the appropriate composition of membership, high percentage revealed compliance to the guiding principles and roles, lecturers/students ratio and accreditation/re-accreditation status respectively. The findings using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistics revealed significant in the existence of quality assurance directorates/units, membership composition, compliance to guiding principles and roles, lecturers'/students ratio and accreditation/reaccreditation status. This means that all the variables under study influence or enhances Colleges of Education in Nigeria. The paper therefore, recommends, among others, that the National Commission for Colleges of Education should strictly supervise, monitor and evaluate Colleges regularly to ensure that they complied with policies in relation to quality assurance geared towards producing quality teachers for Basic Education.
On 22 nd May, 2014, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), at the request of Nigeria, impose... more On 22 nd May, 2014, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), at the request of Nigeria, imposed sanctions on Boko Haram, an insurgent group operating in Nigeria. This was in response to a spate of attacks, bombings, killings and kidnappings perpetrated by the group. The United Nations is endowed with tools to deal with violations such as these, including a referral to an international criminal tribunal. The sanctions have sent a strong message to armed groups that the international community will no longer tolerate impunity in Nigeria. It is, therefore, a clarion call to insurgents and their sponsors to lay down their weapons and embrace peace. Nigerians should be spared the violence and trauma they are going through, and unless their perpetrators have a change of heart, they will sooner than later be held accountable before an international tribunal. Keywords : United Nations, Sanctions, Insurgents, Nigeria, Law
International Journal of World Policy and Development Studies, 2021
In Nigeria, the internal displacement of civilians dates back to the era of the pogrom and attend... more In Nigeria, the internal displacement of civilians dates back to the era of the pogrom and attendant civil war in the 1960s. Subsequent cases were attributable to natural and human-made factors. The flare-up of the Boko Haram insurgency in 2009 has over time caused the large-scale displacement of civilians in the northeast region. In line with humanitarian principles, the government created various camps to accommodate internally displaced persons (IDPs), where they could receive humanitarian assistance. This work examines harsh conditions in the camps, amid widespread shortages and abuses. It has been established that IDPs have been subjected to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) by state officials. Violations of this nature, which occur in the context of armed conflict, constitute crimes punishable under national and international laws. However, the government has not held anyone accountable, thus turning the IDP camps from safe haven to dens of predators. It is therefore recomme...
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human rights. In fulfillment of that mandate, UN peacekeeping mission was created to protect
civilians in war-ravaged countries, apparently to assist them transit to peace. UN peacekeepers
have been entangled in human rights violations especially sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA)
against persons under their protection. The resort to sexual predation by UN peacekeeping
forces in Africa is a betrayal of their duty to protect. However, the worst treachery is the UN’s
failure to stop the violence or hold the perpetrators accountable. Many of the rape victims
informed the UN, but never got any help. The perpetrators enjoy immunity from prosecution.
This paper calls for reforms of the UN system. It argues that SEA now constitutes a war crime
under international law and peacekeepers cannot claim, or be conferred with, immunity from
prosecution. It recommends the creation of specials court to try peacekeepers indicted for the
crimes.
in the quest for accountability for victims of horrendous international crimes. Since the commencement
inception of trial in 2002, only persons from Africa have been arraigned despite copious evidence of similar
crimes in other parts of the world. This has incurred the wrath of African leaders, alleging unfairness,
neocolonialism and bias. Ordinary Africans, the victims of gross human rights violations, however, applaud
the trials given the unfair, manipulative and unworkable nature of national justice system in Africa. The
question therefore arises as to whether the ICC is biased against Africans. There is no doubt that the ICC has
focused on Africa, ignoring heinous crimes prevalent in non-African countries. While its efforts at ending
impunity and enthroning accountability in Africa is commendable, the ICC should also turn its search light on
other parts of the world. This is the only way the Court can justify its creation, assume the status of custodian
and dispenser of international criminal justice and divest itself of the paraphernalia of neocolonialism
bestowed on it by African leaders
human rights. In fulfillment of that mandate, UN peacekeeping mission was created to protect
civilians in war-ravaged countries, apparently to assist them transit to peace. UN peacekeepers
have been entangled in human rights violations especially sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA)
against persons under their protection. The resort to sexual predation by UN peacekeeping
forces in Africa is a betrayal of their duty to protect. However, the worst treachery is the UN’s
failure to stop the violence or hold the perpetrators accountable. Many of the rape victims
informed the UN, but never got any help. The perpetrators enjoy immunity from prosecution.
This paper calls for reforms of the UN system. It argues that SEA now constitutes a war crime
under international law and peacekeepers cannot claim, or be conferred with, immunity from
prosecution. It recommends the creation of specials court to try peacekeepers indicted for the
crimes.
in the quest for accountability for victims of horrendous international crimes. Since the commencement
inception of trial in 2002, only persons from Africa have been arraigned despite copious evidence of similar
crimes in other parts of the world. This has incurred the wrath of African leaders, alleging unfairness,
neocolonialism and bias. Ordinary Africans, the victims of gross human rights violations, however, applaud
the trials given the unfair, manipulative and unworkable nature of national justice system in Africa. The
question therefore arises as to whether the ICC is biased against Africans. There is no doubt that the ICC has
focused on Africa, ignoring heinous crimes prevalent in non-African countries. While its efforts at ending
impunity and enthroning accountability in Africa is commendable, the ICC should also turn its search light on
other parts of the world. This is the only way the Court can justify its creation, assume the status of custodian
and dispenser of international criminal justice and divest itself of the paraphernalia of neocolonialism
bestowed on it by African leaders