Browsing by Author "Okunola, R. A."

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Challenges faced by community- oriented policing trainees In Nigeria
(2013) Arisukwu, O. C.; Okunola, R. A.
Community oriented policing training prepares the police trainees on how to partner with the public in crime prevention and control in Nigeria. The trainees after leaving the training grounds still find it difficult to integrate with their colleagues and members of the public in crime prevention and control in Nigeria. The crisis of theory and practice of community oriented policing in Nigeria emerges as the trainees are confronted with both organizational and environmental obstacles in the field. The training of community oriented policing officers need not be in isolation of the operational environment after training. This study unveiled some of the challenges and difficulties experienced by community oriented policing trainees after the training in Nigeria. The study utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis. The Gap theory of George J. Thompson was adopted to understand the effects of police interactions with the public after training in community oriented policing in Nigeria.The study revealed some of the challenges faced by police trainees after community oriented policing training in Nigeria and recommended adequate posting and monitoring of the police after training.
Child labour in Fostering Practices: A study of Surulere Local Government Area lagos State, Nigeria
(Medwell Journals, 2010) Okunola, R. A.; Ikuomola, A. D.
Many studies in Nigeria have been carried out to examine the trend and outcome of fostering practices and child labour independently but such have generally overlooked the issue of child labour in fostering practices. The study therefore, attempts to examine the existence of child labour in fostering practices: through a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods, the study exposes how children are being used as economic support by foster parents and the exploitation of the socialization process which sees research as part of the upbringing of a child. This is explicated through the increasing level of poverty in cities and rural areas which have necessitated the act of child labour in fostering practices. Major findings from the study revealed that child labour is on the increase and the effects were negative on the children. Findings were linked to the downturn of the economy which prompted child labour as a coping strategy. Among the sampled respondents, the effect of the economic activities on their education was negative. The need for househelp, economic crises and schooling were major reasons sustaining fostering practices vis-a-vis child labour. Biological parents influence had minimal effect on foster parents control over the economic activities they engaged the foster children which was also observed to be gender based. On the whole, child labour was viewed as important irrespective of the menance of child labour. Based on these findings, the study suggested that there is need for government as well as civil society groups' intervention to alleviate the problem of child labour in fostering practices.
Commuters' fear of crime and road transport industry: A case study of Ibadan-Sokoto Transport Corridor.
(2009) Okunola, R. A.
Human activities are conducted over space and this includes movement from one geo-location to another. This major need for movement is mostly serviced by the road transport industry made up of public and private investors. To protect consumers in this sector, various policies and regulations have been put in place not only to ensure value for money and standard but also for the safety and security of commuters and transport operators alike. This however seems like a mirage as criminal activities are steadily shifting from neighbourhoods and settlements to the highways. This paper is an effort towards understanding the situation of things in terms of validity of various reports and extent of such crimes along the Ibadan-Sokoto transport corridor, the state of fear amongst commuters, the effects of this on the road transport industry and stakeholders (transport owners, community and the commuters). The findings showed the apprehension of commuters along this highway and increasing criminal activities in specific points on the highways. Aside from measures taken by commuters and commercial drivers to 'beat' such criminals, communities along the corridor have established local guards to protect commuters who often pay tokens to maintain their services. It is concluded that there is need to re-address the country's highway policing strategy and thus look for ways to integrate and provide technical assistance to local vigilantes who are becoming increasingly relevant on long distance routes in Nigeria.
Corporate Establishments preferences and the guest for overseas qualification by Nigerian university students
(2009-12) Okunola, R. A.; Ikuomola, A. D.
This study examines corporate establishment demand as the quest for foreign education in Nigeria and seeks to expose the motivation behind the rush abroad for foreign education; explicated by the increasing level of university seekers within and outside Nigeria. A combination of quantitative and qualitative research methodology was adopted for this study. Major findings revealed that employers of labour demand for foreign certificates holders over national certificates holders. Among the sampled respondents, the effect of certificates acquired abroad on the nation’s industries has declined. It was also observed that free-tuition institutions have increased students rush to study abroad irrespective of the courses being offered. Based on these findings, it is suggested that there is the need for government to reform the Nigerian educational system; to eliminate the discrimination on employment based on foreign degrees, as well as families to reorient their wards on courses being offered abroad.
Crime and Violence as a barrier to Gender Equality in Nigeria politics.
(2011) Ikuomola, A. D.; Okunola, R. A.
Electioneering in Nigeria has been characterised by violence, electoral irregularities and various criminal activities. However the continuous campaign for women to be actively involved in the democratic process has yielded little compare to the increasing number of women heading key positions in other domain. This paper therefore seeks to examine fear of crime and electoral violence in Nigeria as major factors mainstreaming women out of politics. Specifically the study investigates factors endangering women from politics, the trend and pattern of women’s participation in election over the last decade among forty-five (45) key women leaders in the informal economy. The study is anchored on Kanter’s Glass Ceiling theory which explains women's roles in leadership. Collection and interpretation of data for this study were basically qualitative, involving the use of interviews and content analysis. The study recommends a constitutional approach that will stipulate a reasonable, minimum and special security placement for women in every government with little or no cost.
Crime in society: currents and perspectives.
(Malthouse Social Science Studies, 2002) Okunola, R. A.
Criminality: illegal logging of woods in Nigeria’s criminality: illegal Logging of woods in Nigeria’s
(2016-05) Ikuomola, A. D.; Okunola, R. A.; Akindutire, A. F.
The problems facing the rich forest belts in Nigeria have become so intense in relation to the unemployment dilemma ravaging most youths in several urban and rural settlements as well as the wide-ranging negative impacts on environmental crime in South-West Nigeria. This study examines the dynamics of forest exploitation, youth adaptability and survival strategies in the nation’s forest belt. Data collected for the study was basically qualitative, among a hundred and twenty-five (125) respondents in Ondo-Edo forest belts. It was discovered that a strong network of syndicates often (local and foreign) capitalized on the prevailing surge of unemployment in the country to lure young, unemployed and able-bodied men and women into criminal survival strategies and environmental crime of illegal logging of precious woods (Iroko, Mahogany and Obeche). The study concludes that illegal activities of unemployed youths should be curtailed by providing agro based industries in the forest belt as well as adequate security to stop the illegal and indiscriminate logging of woods by local and foreign syndicates.
Demographic transition and rural development in Nigeria
(2015) Akokuwebe, M. E.; Okunola, R. A.
The discourse on population growth has generally given a picture that the increase in the population of any society will negatively affect the utilisation of resources and ultimately overall development. A school of thought gave the impression that the more the population increases, the greater is the poverty, leading to underdevelopment, especially for countries in transition. This argument led to various suggestions and attempts at population control and huge budgetary spending, neglecting positive aspects of population size, particularly in the period of demographic transition, and stressing that growth in population size, especially at certain periods, could not lead to and promote development. But can population growth not be a blessing to growth, especially for the rural areas? This paper was anchored in demographic dividend and labour force models. Utilising some theoretical expositions and drawing from the lessons of countries that have transformed from underdevelopment to developed nations, the paper argued that demographic dividend can be harnessed for the development of especially rural areas in transitional countries like Nigeria. The paper concluded with the submission that, in order to tackle the pervasive poverty in Nigeria, disjointed and inconsistent rural development policies should be jettisoned and the utilization of rural population for the supply of economic goods and services for the overall development of the country embraced
Deviant behaviors in library use: a case study of three universities in Nigeria
(2014) Ikuomola, A. D.; Okunola, R. A.; Fabunmi, S. O.
Research on library deviance in Nigeria has largely relied on librarians’ accounts, which often portray students as “deviants” and libraries as “victims”. However, a holistic account should incorporate narratives from both students and librarians in the analysis of deviant behaviors in library utilization. Some common trends of deviance and the implication on library utility in selected universities were discovered through observations and interviews. The study reveals a gap in the security of students’ personal belongings, inadequate electricity supply, and a wide range of deviant behaviors associated with the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the library. The impact of these lapses thus put much pressure on both librarians and student users. The study recommends proper funding of libraries to enable the adoption of a 21st Century Library Model, which guarantees a variety of spatial and safety arrangements in curbing the menace of deviants in library utilization.
The dynamics of Communal conflicts and criminality in Nigeria
(Department of Sociology, Osun State University, 2015-09) Okunola, R. A.; Lawal, H. M.
Communal conflicts have arisen out of the context of mutual fear and suspicion over unequal distribution of socio-political and economic goods and lack of cordiality. Since most of the perpetrators and mercenaries who execute the conflicts are usually in possession of arms and ammunitions, it becomes very easy for them to perpetuate various criminal acts. This paper therefore examined the dynamics of communal conflicts and criminality in Nigeria. This paper demonstrated that communal conflicts engendered criminality in Nigeria,' however, little or nothing is known about the criminality angle/dimension of the incessant communal conflicts in Nigeria. The paper therefore recommended among others that, there is urgent needs for structural reforms to address the issues of poverty, social inequality, injustice and oppress ion so as to avoid situations that create communal conflicts. Governments should endeavour at all levels to work with the various communities to promote harmonious relationship among the various ethnic affiliations through the building of inter-ethnic civil networks at the community level which can be targeted for skills and capacity building/development programmes as a strategy for conflict management.
Equity and access to health care services: the experience of the Bamako initiative programme in Nigeria
(International Research Journals, 2012-06) Omololu, F. O.; Okunola, R. A.; Salami, K. K.
This study examines attempts by the Nigerian government to increase the access of the poorest people to modern health care services, through the Bamako Initiative programme. Responses obtained from health service providers and consumers, as well as community leaders selected from across the four health zones in Nigeria, showed a conclusion that although the operational structures to accomplish the Bamako initiative objectives are in place, access to health services by the poorest is still difficult. The operation of the programme in this direction also runs parallel to existing Nigerian traditional structures to accommodate the indigent in the community. The study suggests that both structures need to be integrated to increase access to health care services
Factors underlying utilization of legal aid scheme by awaiting trial inmates in agodi prisons Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
(2016-06) Okunola, R. A.; Dinne, C. E.
This exploratory study examined the challenges encountered by a high number of Awaiting Trial Inmates (ATIs) in the context of the low utilisation of the free services of legal aid council in Agodi prison Ibadan, Oyo State. Max Weber's Life chances theory was used as the theoretical framework. Survey-Questionnaire was administered on /88 sampled ATIs and 144 prison warders. This was complemented with key informant interviews with I 0 officers of the legal aid council and some structured observation sessions. The quantitative data was analysed using SPSS, while the qualitative data was analysed using manual content analysis involving narrative analysis and verbatim quotations. Over 93% of the respondents attributed the high number of awaiting trial inmates in Agodi prison to missing case files, inability of A TIs to pay their bail or provide a surety; Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) delay in advising the police on cases to prosecute and police inability to promptly prosecute and investigate cases. Inability to procure the service of a private counsel, type of offence committed and availability of legal aid counsel are some of the factors underlying utilization of legal aid counsel. It was found that there is a significant relationship between the type of crime committed and by and the time A T1s have spent in the prison. To improve the utilization of legal aid council by ATIs in Agodi prison there is need for massive personnel recruitment of legal aid council, adequate logistics should be provided for the legal aid council, Police in conjunction with the DPP should be prompt in investigation.
Family life under economic adjustment: the rise of child breadwinners.
(Heinemann, Portsmouth, 2002) Isamah, A. N.; Okunola, R. A.
Festival of curses: a traditional crime control method in Edo State –Nigeria
(2012) Okunola, R. A.; Ikuomola, A. D.
Festivals and ceremonies are part and parcel of African culture, usually in all its pump, merriment and pageantry. However, with the increasing wave of criminal activities in Nigeria especially in Edo state, festivals and ceremonies are being redefined and conceptualized in practice. Only recently a new festival ‘Festival of Curses’ was brought to the fore in combating crime in Edo state. The study therefore seeks to explain the festival as a traditional mechanism in crime control, the nature of the festival, the factors that led to its emergence in the 21st century, the level of acceptance and its impact in reducing criminal activities in the State. The study employed principally secondary literature and in-depth interviews among a cross section of the Bini. Major findings revealed that immediately after the festival of curses, a lot of criminals in the state besieged the Bini Monarch’s Palace to confess their atrocities; and pleaded for forgiveness. There was an overwhelming acceptance of the festival irrespective of the people’s religious affiliations to Christianity and Islam as a result of the potency and sudden drop in crime during the period. The study concludes that the festival should be taken as a mechanism of crime control and policing in Nigeria.
Historical analysis of touts as a deviant subgroup in Lagos State-Nigeria
(2009) Ikuomola, A. D.; Okunola, R. A.; Heap, S.
Over the years, Lagos State has been faced with a cyclical crescendo of unemployed deviant subgroup mainly youths; known as 'Area Boys or Touts' whose activities usually revolves round the transportation corridors of motor parks and bus stops for survival. Though, many scholars have limited their existence to the period of economic recession and the introduction of Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAP) in the 1980s with little or no emphasis on the historical dimension of their growth and development during the period of colonisation. This study traces the emergence of touts to the colonial era and traditional practices of neighbouring communities and states around Lagos under various names like Alikali boys, Boma boys, and jaguda boys which later metamorphose into the present day touts in Lagos state's motor parks and bus stops. Through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions among 150 randomly selected area boys, the study revealed the economic benefits and patronage of touts by Nigerian Politicians and government officials were major factors fostering their continuous existence. The study concludes that so long as area boys/touts serve as a pool from which National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW); Road Transport Employee Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and Politicians employ their staff and bodyguards, it will be difficult if not impossible to eradicate touts from Lagos environment.
Inter agency cooperation in crime management and Its implication on workability of community policing project in Nigeria
(2014) Okunola, R. A.; Lawal, M. O.; Ganiyu, R. O.; Adeleke, O. A.
Mamu is one of the communities that are gradually assuming heterogeneity status as a result of steady migration of people for occupation and settlement purpose. Mamu is located in Ijebu North Local Government area of Ogun State. Apart from the influx of settlers, the town has a popular periodic market that always attract people from neighbouring communities as well as people from states like Lagos, Oyo and Ondo States. In spite of high influx of migrants and traders into this community, it is one of the communities that maintain almost zero level of criminal activities. The formal and informal agencies were noted as playing substantial roles in the success being recorded in this situation. Such interactions are the needed requisite for the successful take off of community policing in Nigeria. In view of the constant scenarios of conflicts among the security agencies in Nigeria, the happenings in this community thus become an irresistible issue that needed to be explored for academic purpose. The findings from the community survey carried out in the town revealed that there was strong belief in traditional system hence the resolve of some of them (59%) that they will call on vigilante when in trouble; only 13% agreed to call the police when there is trouble in the community. At the time when some eventually experienced real trouble, only 17% actually called the Police, 55% reported the matter to the Oba-incouncil and the vigilante, while 28% did not see the need to report the case. There was strong working relationship between the Police and Vigilante group. Activities of vigilante assisted tremendously in making the act of Policing easier. Those that reported the case to the Police were satisfied with the way the cases were dispensed. The factors responsible for this according to them include thoroughness, adherence to rule of law and the respect for the cooperation the Police is received from the community. This study thus demonstrated the high prospects that with political will, the project of community policing could work in Nigeria
Intra-communal conflicts & the politics of oil compensation sharing among indigenes of llaje community, Ondo State, Nigeria
(2015-11) Okunola, R. A.; Ademola, E. O.
Payment and distribution of oil compensation as a benefit for oil exploration impact has often resulted in communal conflicts between and within oil producing communities of Ilaje coastal area of Ondo State, Nigeria. This study examined local politics and conflict inherent in oil compensation agitation and distribution in relevant communities. It synthesized Joseph prebendalism theory and Mills' elite theory as its theoretical base with specific emphasis on the local politics on agitation, negotiation and distribution of oil compensation. Thirteen communities were purposively selected from the coastal communities. Qualitative data collection methods were mainly employed for this research. These included In-depth interviews with traditional leaders, Focus Group Discussions among community youth leaders and Key Informant Interviews were done amongst community representatives. Data collection was complemented with a community survey to capture the views of community members. Increase in conflict and agitation for oil compensation in oil producing communities arose from differentials in oil compensation categories in the study area which deepened oil politics and conflicts arising from the prebendal roles of the elites and traditional rulers. The work suggested more proactive measures for restructuring oil compensation payment and distribution.
Issues in Nigerian security and policing
(John Archers Publishers Limited, Ibadan for the Department of History, University of Ibadan, 2013) Okunola, R. A.; Ikuomola, A. D.; Adekunbi, K. A.
Leadership without accountability: NGOs and grassroots development in the South West
(Ibadan University Press, 2005) Okunola, R. A.
Liquefied natural gas (LNG), environment and the society
(2012-07) Ajayi, D. D.; Okunola, R. A.; Aiyede, E. R.
The environmental impact of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Company for the environment and social conditions using the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) in Rivers State, Niger Delta area of Nigeria as a case study is analysed in this paper. Specifically, the paper analyses the environment and social consequences of the operations of NLNG on the immediate environment. Data were collected from both the secondary and primary sources. The paper reveals that air borne diseases are the common ailments. Loss of potable water as well as farmland/wildlife is prevalent while societal values are shown to have broken down. However, NLNG has put some measures in place in order to mitigate some of these negative impacts of its operations on the environment.