JOURNAL OF SOCIAL & POLICY RESEARCH

This work examined semantic implications of morphological intraference among educated speakers of the English language in Port Harcourt. The aim was to identify the morphological intraference, determine the causes of the common types of morphological intraference and examine the semantic implication of the morphological intraference in Port Harcourt. The Interlanguage theory was adopted as the framework of the study while descriptive method was adopted as the design of the study. The study uses a sample size of 227 teachers in 20 selected private nursery and primary schools in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State. Stratified and simple sampling techniques were used for selection of the participants. Data were collected through observation and secondary sources. The study found that the educated Nigerians exhibits morphological intraference in English nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs, especially when dealing with difficult words. It also found that many types of morphological intraference are caused by overgeneralization, inadequate knowledge of grammar, hypercorrection, over-inclusion, mis-selection of morphemes, misanalysis, and in other cases coinage of new words. The study concluded that though morphological intraference distorts meaning to an extent, the errors can be decoded by listeners while the newly coined words are mostly acceptable among a community of users who share common linguistic environment. It was therefore recommended that there should be a collection of words that have elements of intraference as a data for teaching grammar in schools. Teachers should always adopt appropriate grammar teaching methods which will enhance knowledge of the English grammar among learners. 

Corruption and inequality are perennial challenges facing Nigeria’s development since independence of 1960. Efforts to eliminate the menace remain fruitless as it rather persists, undermining the nation’s socio-economic progress. This survey research examines the interconnectivity between corruption and inequality among the people of Nigeria, relatively to overall quality of life, income, poverty and human capital development. It adopts mixed- methods approach by engaging qualitative and quantitative data for analysis and rests majorly on Public Service Delivery Theory (PSDT) as its theoretical framework, so as to provide insights into the dynamics in corruption phenomenon, heightening inequality among majority of Nigerians. Purposive sampling technique aided the determination of four hundred (400) respondents on whom structured close-ended four-point scale Likert questionnaire were administered to generate data. The research utilised simple percentage (%) and chi-square to analyse data and test hypotheses established. It concludes that, corruption is quite antithetical to socio-economic development. It significantly affects the overall quality of life, causing stratification among humans and social groups, individually and collectively. Therefore, it recommends that to achieve the “ideal state”, there was need for those in government to adhere strictly with the provisions of the 1999 Constitutions as amended, and the judiciary to maintain ethical standards in the adjudication of justice on corruption cases, mindless of who is/are involved.

Child abuse remains a global concern with profound implications for children’s well-being and education. Despite international and national child-protection frameworks, abuse in various forms continues to undermine learning outcomes, particularly in developing countries. This study examined the prevalence and impact of child abuse on academic performance among secondary school students in Oyibo Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Adopting a descriptive survey design, data were collected from a stratified sample of students using structured questionnaires supplemented by short interview prompts. A total of 373 valid responses were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics through SPSS. Results revealed that physical and emotional abuse were the most prevalent, followed by neglect, while sexual abuse, though less frequently reported, carried the most severe academic and psychological consequences. Across all categories, abuse was found to negatively affect school attendance, concentration, grades, and self-esteem. Gender and age variations also emerged, with girls more vulnerable to neglect and sexual harassment, and boys more commonly subjected to corporal punishment. Younger adolescents reported greater sensitivity to emotional maltreatment, while older students experienced higher levels of neglect and harassment. The study concludes that abuse significantly compromises educational attainment in Oyibo, reinforcing cycles of disadvantage. It recommends stronger enforcement of child protection laws, adoption of child-centered school policies, teacher training on non-violent discipline, and parental sensitization programs to safeguard children’s rights and promote academic success.