Understanding Prosperity and Poverty in Why Nations Fail; The Origins of Power, Prosperity and Poverty: A Review

Chapter fifteen of the book Why Nations Fail by Acemoglu and Robinson titled Prosperity and Poverty is the last and summarizing chapter of the masterpiece. The work undertook an intellectual and rigorous journey to logically and coherently expose the causes of obvious inequality amongst nations of the world. The chapter has its central message that the extractive economic and political institutions are hypothetically the reason why some countries are poor; the study highlighted the features of extractive institutions to include: quick economic growth, inherent fighting, systematic disorder, and elite domination. The work is an attempt to comprehensively review and bring to bear an in-depth understanding of prosperity and poverty amongst nations of the world. It, therefore, states that to move into prosperity, poor nations have to create and develop a more inclusive economic and political institution. Thus; the review concluded that poor countries of the world need strong inclusive institutions to leapfrog into prosperity

THE ECONOMIC IMPLICATION OF FRAUD IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT This research examined frauds in the banking industries in Nigeria. The essence of these is that if these frauds are not detected and worked upon, it may lead to banks not performing well. This issue is important at this stage because the world is going cashless and ATM is one of the main tools for cashless banking. Questionnaire and oral interview were used for the study. The study also concludes that since the issue of fraud cannot be wiped out completely, it can as well be minimized to as low as reasonably practicable by ensuring that the proper thing is done at all time

Dimensions of Information Synergy between Legal Practitioners and Law Librarians in the Digital Age

The paper is aimed at exploring the dimensions of information synergy between legal practitioners and librarians in the contemporary digital age. The study reveals the advancement of digital technologies in the legal profession with respect to information synergy between the librarians and legal practitioners. However, dimensions of information synergy between legal practitioners and librarians was highlighted in connection to some services offered in the law library. The study concentrates on few library services that involve greater synergy in legal industry through the influence of digital technologies

DIFFERENTIALS IN ADOPTION OF IMPROVED AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES AMONG RURAL WOMEN IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

This study investigated the factors that influence agricultural technology adoption among rural women in EnuguState. A multistage sampling procedure was used in the selection of 135 respondents from the three agriculturalzones in the State. Data for the study were collected using structured questionnaire and focus group discussion,and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results on socio-economic characteristics indicated thatmajority (63%) of the women were between the ages of 45 – 50 years, and many (43%) who attained primarylevel of education, with 10 – 19 years of farming experience (40%). About 68.1% of the farmers were involved incrop farming only, (20%) in livestock farming and (11.9%), and many (54.1%) involved in farming as means oflivelihood. About 41.5% belong to 1 – 2 social organizations. Important technologies available to the farmersinclude: improved land preparation (77.8%), planting of early season crops (62.2%), improved methods offertilizer application (89.6%), processing of cocoyam into chips/flour (91.9%) and early maize cultivation(78.9%). Determinants of rural women adoption of improved technologies, indicate that age (5.246***), maritalstatus (2.586**), access to credit (6.611***) and extension services (2.876***) were significantly related toadoption of technologies. Therefore, the study recommends that policy makers should increase female access toproductive resources, extension services and training programme on agricultural based practices in the studyarea

Relevance of Electronic Resources and Improvement of Access for Effective Distance Learning and Continuing Education Programme

This paper investigates the relevance of electronic resources and improved access for effective distance learning and continuing education. The descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The total population of the study comprises 7,125 registered students of the National Open University of Nigeria. A convenience sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 379 respondents. Structured questionnaires were distributed to the respondents through a research assistant, and only 320 valid responses were returned and used for the study. The study used frequency counts and percentages as statistical measures for data analysis. Findings revealed that students access e-resources regularly. Electronic resources were also relevant as they provide students with up-to-date information, complete information from different sources, speedy and easy access to information, and more. Access to electronic resources can be improved through the following means: provision of useful Internet/server to enhance the accessibility of e-resources, online user guideline for accessing e-resources, creation of user-friendly interfaces for easy access to online contents. It was recommended that audio and video conference chats be made available to students to connect librarians for assistance when the need arises; compulsory user-education and orientation program should also be conducted for students on the use of electronic resources

E-Lawyering and Virtual Law Practice: A Paradigm Shift for Law Library System

This paper investigated the e-lawyering and virtual law practice as an innovative approach in rendering legal services and how the innovation has influenced a new system of library operation. Specifically, the paper aimed at giving an overview of e-lawyering and virtual law practice, characteristics of e-lawyering and virtual law practice, law library system in the era of virtual advances, overlapping significance of virtual law practice and virtual law library, cloud-based legal technologies in virtual libraries for effective legal practice, advantages of cloud technologies in virtual law library system, features of cloud management software for virtual law practice and challenges of the virtual law library system for effective virtual practice in Nigeria

Admissibility of Computer-Generated Evidence in Nigerian Court of Law: Implications for Law Libraries

The paper reviewed the inclusion of computer generated evidence in Nigerian court of law with respect to its implication for law libraries. Attention was given more to the e-library system which generates and disseminates legal information via electronic format. It was revealed that the new Evidence Act 2011 having incorporated Admissibility of Statements in Documents Produced by Computers which was not specifically provided for in the earlier Evidence Act 2004, presents opportunities to the law library leading to expansion of its scope and integration of e-system, platform for online Alternative Dispute Resolution, face to face and virtual services, Ask-a-Librarian and Library Study and video conference rooms services. It was concluded that Admissibility of Computer Generated Evidence in Nigerian Court of Law has given law library a platform to expand its technological outfit and to expect possible inclusion of other devices rather than computers as admissible in the court of law. These possible devices may be smart phones, tablets, digital cameras etc. It is possible that social media platforms such as facebook, whatsapp, twitter, badoo, messenger, Google, Instagram, Linkedin etc. may be useful as evidence in law. It was recommended that the law libraries should be up-to-date with legal trends as to enable them make necessary adjustments or expansions in their services. Law libraries will need to train staff capable of identifying changes in judicial system to provide and assist users with services and tools that reflect those changes

Multimedia Instructional Resources for Effective Library User Education Programme in Universities in North-Central, Nigeria

The study focused on multimedia instructional resources for effective user education programme in universities in North-Central, Nigeria. The objective of the study was to examine whether multimedia instructional resources are effectively utilized in user education programme in universities in North-Central region of Nigeria. The area of the study covered selected universities in North-Central, Nigeria which include: University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State and Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study. The total population of the study was 7,103 registered freshmen for the “Use of Library” course. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 213 students. Instrument for data collection was questionnaire. 213 questionnaires were distributed to the first year students registered for the “Use of Library” (user education programme) and 196 were returned and used for the study. The study used frequency counts and simple percentages as statistical measures for data analysis. Result showed that multimedia instructional resources are used in user education programme to a low extent. It was also revealed that multimedia instructional resources enhance user education to a very great extent. However, challenges were identified as the militating factors against effective use of multimedia in user education which include inadequate power supply, poor funding of library, high cost of multimedia facilities, lack of ICT infrastructure and lack of competence in the use of multimedia technology. Strategies for enhancing the use of multimedia resources in user education programme include that there should be adequate power supply if multimedia must be adequately utilized; there should be provision of relevant ICT infrastructures; there should be adequate funding of library services by the government and other agencies; the user education instructors should be trained in the use of multimedia resources and that the government should subsidize or reduce the tariffs on importation of multimedia resources. The study recommended that multimedia instructional technologies should be adopted by the universities in Nigeria as a common mode of instruction in library user education programme (the use of library, library orientation, information literacy, library instruction) and other aspects of user education programme. This will help to enhance students’ understanding of various library concepts, resources and services and make them independent proficient users of library

Twitter Ban in Nigeria: Implications on Economy, Freedom of Speech and Information Sharing

This paper explored the implications of Twitter ban in Nigeria on economy, freedom of speech and information sharing. The study utilized mass media and legal documents to determine the opinion of the government officials, religious leaders, industrial experts, international organizations, legal experts and IT-based business specialists on the ban. It was discovered that Twitter ban infringes on the rights of the people to freedom of expression, access and sharing of information. It was discovered that the ban affected economy so badly that its effects have resulted to bridges on information flow between business associates, losses of jobs, investment hostilities and business failures. It was concluded that the government should reverse its decision and allow people access to Twitter as this is one of the platforms people can make a living, and also an avenue to improve the economy of the country