Scholarly Works
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://repository.ui.edu.ng/handle/123456789/340
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Item Nigeria’s foreign reserves and the challenges of development, 1960–2010(2018) Aborisade, A. S.Since independence in 1960, the Nigerian state has struggled to earn for itself a respectable position globally. Scholars of various disciplines such as economics, political science, sociology and history through their works, have examined those resources that enhance the country’s economic potentials. Resources such as cocoa, groundnut, palm oil and palm kernel which served as the country’s export potentials as well as foreign exchange earnings before crude oil export became the kernel of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings in the 1970s are typical examples of the country’s exports that had boosted its foreign reserves in the past. Similarly, scholars of various disciplines since crude oil became the backbone of the country’s economy have made attempts at charting new approaches through which the country’s exports can be enhanced vis-à-vis its foreign reserves. These include effective and functional refineries, maximum exploitation f other items such as gas as embedded in the country’s crude exports, deregulation of both upstream and downstream sectors of the oil industry as well as the exploitation of non-oil sectors for exports. However, adequate and comprehensive intellectual attention has not been paid to the connection between the vicissitudes and diversities of Nigeria’s foreign reserves and the country’s economic development. It is against this backdrop that this paper interrogates the nature of Nigeria’s economic development from the perspective of its foreign reserves. The paper argues in its conclusion that Nigeria’s development prospects and challenges are tied to the management of its foreign reserves by the successive administrations since 1960.Item Mapping the activities of Faith-Based Organisations in Development in Nigeria(2010) Odumosu, O.; Alonge, S.; Olaniyi, R.This paper is an outcome of the Religions and Development Research Programme in Nigeria. The rationale for this study is that the nature, scale and activities of faith- based organisations (FBOs) are poorly understood and documented in Nigeria. The aim of the study was, thus, to undertake a mapping exercise of the nature, scale and activities of FBOs in development in Nigeria. The objectives are: (a) To increase awareness of the nature and scale of faith-based contributions to development in Nigeria, (b) To provide the necessary background and contextual information for further studies under other components of the RaD research programme, helping those involved to prepare detailed research proposals and to select geographical locations, faith traditions and FBOs for further study. The methodological approach included the review of documented evidence and structured interviews. The study is of a qualitative character seeking to identify nature, scale, location and activities of faith-based organisations through in-depth interviews with representatives of umbrella organisations and key informants from faith groups. The survey revealed that the number of registered and active FBOs is limited in Nigeria. However, the active ones can be found in almost all the states of the federation, or at the least, in every geopolitical zone of the country. It also revealed that a high proportion of religious organisations provide some human services. Most of the FBOs mobilise and rely on deeply engaged volunteers rather than paid staff, thus delivering services more efficiently than other providers. The key advantage of FBOs is that they have better access to volunteers, which could be used to expand their role in delivering social services. The faith-based organisations also have the advantage that they are located in communities where services are needed. They are also involved in informal networks (e.g., cooperating, coordinating, and working together with other organisations). These increase their delivery of human services. FBOs often have a direct impact on social institutions, such as schools, which socialise people and change values over time. In addition, their jurisdiction often includes a number of areas such as morality, beliefs about the spiritual bases of disease, rules of family life and sexual activity. FBOs are also very active in practical areas of poverty reduction, providing income-generating programmes for members. The paper concludes that, generally, little research has been done on specific operational issues affecting FBOs activities in development. There is need for case studies to specifically examine FBO programmes and their impact, and here longitudinal studies could greatly contribute to the study of an effort primarily oriented toward a long-term horizon. There is also the need to find out if faith-based organisations bring distinctive advantages to community development. The issued could be readily addressed by comparing faith-based and secular organisations active in community development.