AFRICAN SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL JOURNAL

This study examined the influence of social media on the language of  youth in Obio/Akpor, Ikwere, and Emohua Local Government Areas of Rivers State. The objectives of the study were to explore how social media influences language practices in both formal and informal contexts, identify the linguistic features adopted from social media, examine the factors contributing to language change, and assess the implications for communication and language teaching. The research was guided by the Sociolinguistic Theory and the Communication Accommodation Theory, which provided the theoretical framework for understanding the relationship between social interaction, media use, and language variation. A survey research design was adopted, and data were collected from 311 respondents selected through proportionate sampling. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Findings revealed that WhatsApp is the dominant social media platform among youths, with most participants using it for over five years and spending more than two hours daily. Communication patterns combined both formal and informal expressions, characterized by frequent use of slang, abbreviations, emojis, and hashtags. Although many respondents were uncertain about the direct influence of social media on their offline language, the study found subtle linguistic effects alongside broader social, cultural, and economic factors driving language change. The study concludes that social media, rather than diminishing language proficiency, can serve as a tool for language awareness and education if effectively integrated into language learning and communication practices. It is therefore recommended that educators and policymakers harness social media platforms to promote standard language use and interactive learning among youths

The international system has been evolving with many recurring international issues that requires collaboration of global actors to address. Since the end of Cold War, the challenges of rogue states, faith regimes, and multinational companies exploiting and violating human rights has been on the rise. These issues are fueling conflict and insecurity, economic inequality between developing and developed nations, social unrest and terrorism etc. In all these, diplomacy has been instrumental in the pursuit for peace and stability through its practice of conducting negotiations, mediation and relationship building. Using the secondary and multidisciplinary sources, this study examines diplomacy and the dilemma of rogue regimes, religion and multinational corporations’ in international relations. The study also used the realist and liberalism theories as a template for analysis. The study reveals that many international issues affecting the smooth conduct of international relations and diplomatic practice persist because state and corporate powers refuse to adhere to international laws. The study concludes that the challenges of the 21st century international system can be addressed only if diverse approaches, such as balancing coercion, engagement, containment, collective action and collaboration of major actors are prioritised. Actors in global community must act in accordance with the rules governing the international system. The study recommends amongst others, that international institutions should be restructured and strengthened to address the challenges of the 21st century.

The rise of digital technologies and the widespread adoption of social media have significantly redefined family interactions, moral development, and the socialization processes among youths across societies. The rapid spread of platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter has influenced behavioural patterns, communication dynamics, and the transmission of intergenerational values. This paper examines the impact of social media on family values and morals among the youth, drawing insights from sociocultural, psychological, and ethical perspectives. Specifically, it interrogates how these platforms shape youths’ perceptions of respect, obedience, discipline, communal living, and moral conduct. It also identifies the most prevalent social media platforms used by youths within the clan and discusses how these platforms exert both positive and negative influences on value systems. The study concludes by highlighting the urgent need for value reorientation to preserve the cultural heritage of the youth in a digitally driven age.

This study examines the impact of artisanal refining on environmental security in Rivers State. The population of the study was 196,780 households in Rivers State. A sample size of 384 was determined from this population using Krejcie and Morgan sampling technique. Questionnaire and interview were used in data collection and the collected data were analysed using descriptive statistic, the mean and standard deviation. The result revealed that artisanal refining affect environmental security in Rivers State. Hence the study concludes that artisanal refining is responsible for environmental security degradation in Rivers State. Therefore, the study recommended that Government should encourage oil companies to take responsibility by establishing environmental impacts and invest in community development programs for rapid response teams to address health emergencies related to pollution. They should develop disaster preparedness plans for communities affected by pollution from illegal refining. Invest in research to develop innovative solutions for pollution control and health improvement. Government and oil companies should establish local emergency response units specifically trained to handle explosions and fires from artisanal refineries, ensuring they have the necessary tools and resources to respond quickly and effectively to ensure environmental security in Rivers State.

This study investigates the extent of Implementation of the Language Policy in Public and  Private Primary Schools in Rivers State. Three research questions and three hypotheses  guided the study. The descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population  of the study consisted of all the 236, 121 public and private primary school teachers in Rivers  State. The sample was 400 primary school teachers in Rivers State selected using stratified  random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was a researcher-designed questionnaire titled “Implementation of the Language Policy Questionnaire” (ILPQ). The instrument was validated by experts in the field of Language Education. A test-retest technique was used to determine the reliability of the instrument, and reliability coefficient index of 0.83 was obtained. Mean and Standard Deviation were used to answer the research questions while independent t-test was used to test the corresponding null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that the implementation of the language policy is low in both private and public schools in Rivers State although, there is no significant difference in the extent to which the policy is implemented in both public and private schools. Also, the extent to which the policy is implemented in both rural and urban primary schools is low but schools in rural areas pay more attention to the implementation of the language policy than those in urban areas. It was equally revealed that teachers in both public and private primary schools demonstrated poor and lukewarm attitude towards the implementation of the language policy. It was recommended among others that government and educational authorities should establish standardised monitoring and evaluation frameworks; in urban areas children should be exposed to the language of the immediate environment they live; sensitisation programmes should be regularly organised to awaken in the teachers the consciousness of implementing the language policy.

Good governance plays a key role in directing a society’s economic road map, paving the way for sustained economic development, social stability and national prosperity. This paper empirically examined inflation and economic growth in Nigeria: the role of good governance between 1981 and 2024 using the institutionalist variant of the political economy approach. Both descriptive statistics and the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method of multiple regression analysis were employed to analyze the data. The result of the OLS shows that Inflation (INFL) has a negative and a significant relationship with Per Capita Real Gross Domestic Product (PCRGDP), a proxy for economic growth in Nigeria. This means that Inflation (INFL) reduces Economic Growth in Nigeria within the period of study. Exchange Rate (EXCR) has a positive and an insignificant relationship with Per Capita Real Gross Domestic Product (PCRGDP), a proxy for economic growth in Nigeria. This means that Exchange Rate (EXCR) increases economic growth in Nigeria within the period of study. Interest Rate (INTR) has a positive and a significant relationship with Per Capita Real Gross Domestic Product (PCRGDP) a proxy for economic growth in Nigeria. This means that Interest Rate (INTR) increases Economic Growth in Nigeria within the period of study. Money Supply (MS) has a negative and an insignificant relationship with Per Capita Real Gross Domestic Product (PCRGDP) a proxy for economic growth in Nigeria. This means that Money Supply (MS) do not have a significant effect on Economic Growth in Nigeria within the period of study. The paper therefore concludes that Inflation (INFL) reduced economic growth while interest rate increased economic growth in Nigeria within the period under review. The paper therefore recommended amongst others that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should pursue a credible, flexible inflation-targeting regime. Also, the federal government of Nigeria should promote non-oil exports (e.g., agriculture, manufacturing, services etc.) to make the economy more responsive to exchange rate movements. The paper further recommended that the federal government of Nigeria should promote and implement transparent mechanisms and citizens participation in governance. This will help to tame systemic corruption and achieve minimal inflation and sustained economic growth in Nigeria.

This paper critically explores the social responsibility of love as a central theme in Johannine theology, with reference to 1 John 3:16-18. It examines how John redefines love beyond emotional sentiment, presenting it as a divine mandate that demands practical compassion and social engagement for the church in Nigeria today. Through a biblical- theological and exegetical approach, the study analyzes the historical context, linguistic meaning, and theological significance of the passage to demonstrate that love, as embodied by Christ’s self-sacrifice, must find expression in tangible acts of care for others. By adopting the Practical Theology of Love Theory advanced by Browning, thepaperargues that true Christian love cannot exist in isolation from social responsibility, as genuine faith manifests through good works that reflect God’s character. The study reveals that the Johannine call challenges believers to move beyond verbal declarations of love toward active involvement in alleviating human suffering, promoting justice, and fostering communal well- being. The paper identifies the growing gap between profession and practice in modern Christianity, where materialism and self-interest often overshadow compassionate service. The study establishes that love is the foundation of Christian ethics, serving as the driving force for justice, mercy, and social responsibility and concludes that love constitutes both a spiritual virtue and a moral imperative that sustains authentic Christian witness, arguing that practical compassion is the visible expression of Christian love through sacrificial service and compassionate engagement with society. The paper recommends that the church institutionalizes social outreach programs, strengthen ethical teaching on compassion, and encourage believers to demonstrate love through charitable acts, advocacy, and social transformation initiatives, thereby reflecting the divine nature of love in a fractured world.

This study researches on the effectiveness of social protection programmes to the growth of the Nigerian economy, with specific focus on some localities in Bayelsa state. The research aims to evaluate whether existing social protection mechanism adequately addresses the need of the population under study and how it contributes to poverty reduction, social inclusion and economic growth. Data were collected using questionnaires distributed to 100 respondents, and the responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square (X2) analysis. The findings revealed that while a significant number of respondents were aware of social protection initiatives- particularly education and healthcare support- only a minority had actually benefitted from them. The majority of respondents rate the programmes as poorly designed, inadequately implemented, and ineffective in improving the growth of the nation and the wellbeing of citizens. Furthermore, a large portion of the target population remains unemployed and excluded from key social protection benefits such as cash transfers and livelihood support. The Chi-square analysis confirmed a statistically significant difference between observed and expected responses, indicating that public perception towards the effectiveness of social protection programmes is overwhelming negative. Based on these findings, the study concludes that current social protection interventions in Nigeria are insufficient in addressing widespread poverty, inequality and growth of the country. The study recommends a thorough review of social protection frameworks, improved targeting of vulnerable groups, greater transparency, and enhanced public awareness and engagement. These reforms are essential to ensure that social protection programmes serve as an effective tool for poverty alleviation, social justice, and inclusive growth and development in Nigeria.

Disunity and instability are two major problems that have plagued Nigeria  since independence. While society generally battles ethnic and religious challenges, the Church faces ethnic and class conflicts. Francis Ogunmodede describes Nigeria as a complex country whose problems revolve around ethnic and religious divisions as a result of the British forcefully amalgamating over 250 erstwhile self-governing nationalities with divergent socio-cultural and religious backgrounds leaving a polity with socio- political/religious conflicts fueled by corruption, selfish and porous leadership. The study adopts a mixed method which comprises the historico- critical method and the advocacy approach of the existential method of biblical exegesis in the analysis of 1 Corinthians 1:10-12, postulating that Pauline teaching on harmonious relationships in 1 Cor. 1:10-12 could serve as a model for resolving conflicts within Church communities. Francis Ogunmodede’s proposition on screening electoral candidates to checkmate politicians and corrupt practices, getting a new credible census, good leadership, respect for the Rule of Law, separating Religion from State and Sovereign National Conference/ Referendum stands as a panacea to Nigeria's problems and challenges: The church in her search for oneness and unity can benefit from the advocacy of Ogunmodede, a united Nigeria that takes advantage of her diversity.

The likelihood that the catastrophe and machinations surrounding Nigeria’s fuel subsidy removal could alarmingly affect human security was an issue. This prompted the scrutiny of the instinctive fuel subsidy removal and the debacle of human security in Nigeria: An exposition of the Rivers State experience. The study formulated three research questions and their corresponding objectives, which were to ascertain how the politisation of fuel subsidy removal impedes the attainment of social security, evaluate how the politisation of fuel subsidy removal affects economic security, and examine how the politization of fuel subsidy removal impedes physical security in Rivers State. The study adopted Karl Marx's political economy approach on dialectical materialism as the theoretical framework. An 18-item self-structured instrument was used to collect data from 406 selected public servants in Rivers State. Collected data was analysed using mean and standard deviation. The study revealed that the politicization of fuel subsidy removal has far-reaching implications for social security ( = X =3.72), economic security ( = X =3.74), and physical security ( =3.76) in Rivers State. The study recommended, among others, that the government should strengthen the implementation of social welfare programmes such as transportation subsidies, food assistance programmes, and direct cash transfers to support and cushion the financial burden on struggling households and vulnerable populations. Alongside, the government should strategically adopt and implement a “Conflict-Sensitive and De-Escalation and Law Enforcement (CSDLE) policy by training security personnel on human rights-based policing that will help foster trust and minimize the risks of human rights violations, injuries, and fatalities even during protests.