Asian Research Journal of Arts & Social Sciences

The recognition and importance of local government in the development process is prompted by the imperative to tackle local socio-economic problems and to manage grassroots development, especially through provision of basic infrastructure. The paper therefore, underscores the impacts of local government administration on the development of oba Akoko, Akoko South west Local government, Ondo state, Nigeria. The first stage in the collection of primary data is the reconnaissance survey of the study area where nine quarters in Oba Akoko region was identified, namely;  Odooro, Obaju, Owaodo, Irefun, Ekusi, Ode arinkansin, Ibeware, Odokele, Oketere. Fifteen questionnaires were administered in each of the nine quarters through random sampling method, making a total of one hundred and thirty five. Oral interview was also conducted at the local government to elicit vital information on the developmental activities and the challenges among others. The paper reveals inadequate performance of the local government in the area of transportation, infrastructural development and the employment creation. The study further found out that the local government impacts on the local economy and housing were positive. Also, the contribution of the local government concerning combating of crimes was insignificant. The paper reveals that there is poor performance of the local government towards the developmental programmes; also, the local government has not done well in the development activities and assistance to farmers and the artisans were inadequate. The factors hindering the successful implementation of the developmental programmes in Oba Akoko, includes corruption on the one hand and undue interference of the state government concerning local government affairs on the other hand. The paper however recommends among others that; local government allocation should be increased by the federal government, undue interference from governments at the state and federal level should be minimized, while corruption should be discouraged.

The paper investigates the challenges bedeviling the strategies of an Islamic civil society organization known as Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa’iqamtis-Sunnah [JIBWIS] popularly known as Izala in the democratization process of Katsina State-Nigeria with a view to proffering solutions. A lot of problems have been militating against the efforts of Izala Islamic civil society association towards improving the quality of the democratic order. As a case study qualitative research inquiry, the study was conducted through an in-depth semi-structured interview with 18 key informant’s personal experiences on the phenomenon. Analysis of data was done by using NVivo 12 which significantly aided in the coding, categorization and data management which produced the themes and sub-themes. System theory was used as a framework in the explanation of the phenomenon. The study found out that there are myriads of problematic issues related to the strategies used by the Izala organization; which negates their strategies in the democratization process. Furthermore, the study has identified the various ways in which such strategies could be strengthened for the Islamic organization to give a positive impact on the advancement of the democratization process in the State. Thus, the study presents a conceptually and empirically supported framework to describe the strategies of Islamic civic association in the democratization process of the state. In effect, therefore, the lingering Izala strategy’s crises in the democratization process was explored and analyzed. The study is particularly useful for religious civil societies, politicians, policy-makers, and researchers by identifying and proposing the ways in which the state, political parties, religious organizations, and other democratic stakeholders should conduct and relate in a nascent democratizing society. The analysis points toward the potential for change in the strategies of Izala Islamic civil society in the democratization process.

The study seeks to explore the impact of leadership personalities of previous Somali political leaders on social integration. As Somalia now transit into post conflict reconstruction, there is the need to explore how previous flaws in leadership personalities resulted into social disintegration of the Somali society. To achieve this objective, qualitative interviews were held with 13 respondents across Somali elite in Mogadishu. Using the Big Five personality framework, the results revealed that previous Somali leadership personalities were deeply flawed due to colonial legacy and influence of clannism. In addition, fear of losing and retaining power at all cost instituted clannism as a means on obtaining and retaining political power, thereby compromising unity and social integration. The result also depicted that a significant number of Somali leaders were generally low in conscientiousness as a necessary leadership quality within the Big Five framework.  The study maintains that the ongoing post-conflict reconstruction is unlikely to succeed unless leadership personality adapts properly to the prevailing situation of social integration. Moreover, the study recommends that leadership in Somalia should prioritize the restoration of social trust so that Somalia’s reconstruction process can succeed.

Role-based performance covers not only the scope of job but also aspects of employee work behaviour involved in performance.

Aims: The present study therefore examined influence of transformational leadership style and employee engagement on role-based performance.

Study Design: The study adopted a correlational research design.

Place and Duration of Study: Government Ministries and Parastatals in Jos, capital of Plateau State, Nigeria. October 2016 to June 2017.

Methodology: Using survey method in which 137 civil servants were purposively drawn as participants. Their age range was from 28 to 65 years with 74 (54%) male participants and 63 (46%) female participants. This study utilised role theory and personal engagement theory, while standardised psychological scales which are role-based performance scale, multifactor leadership questionnaire and intellectual social affective engagement scale were used. Data collected were analysed using regression analysis.

Results: The findings indicated that transformational leadership style significantly explained 35% variance in role-based performance. Employee engagement significantly explained 22.9% variance in role-based performance.

Conclusion: There is significant influence of transformational leadership style on role-based performance of civil servants. There is significant influence of employee engagement on role-based performance of civil servants.

City growth often time results in advancement and development in transportation which comes with its attendant changes in road infrastructure and transport support services such as road side mechanic workshops, vulcanizers and bus stops. A byproduct of these attendant contiguous activities and processes is the emission and release of trace heavy metals. Trace heavy metals have been identified as major carcinogens. This study aimed at determining the occurrence and concentration of heavy metals in roadside soils in an expanding third world metropolis. To achieve the aim of the research, the total length of the road within the study section was measured. Ten sample locations were indentified at about 2.5km intervals along the road section under review. The heavy metal concentration was determined the using Buck Scientific 210 VGP Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Heavy metals such as Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb) and Mercury (Hg) were determined. The result of the analysis showed that the concentration values ranged from <0.001 to 48.90 µg/mg. The results also revealed that the experimental sample points recorded higher values than the control samples; however, some of the control points had relatively higher concentration values. This observation may have emanated from the low lying trajectory and topography of the surrounding area, which allows run-off from the road side soils to wash off heavy metals and deposit them at these lower lying areas. The sources of these trace heavy metals are attributed to emissions from motor vehicles that ply the road on a day to day basis. Emanating from the findings, this study recommends that improved public transportation and cleaner sources of energy is recommended.