zaria journal of educational studies (zajes) a … vol 18.pdf · 2019-08-19 · social...
TRANSCRIPT
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
i
ZARIA JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL STUDIES
(ZAJES)
A PUBLICATION OF
THE FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, ZARIA
SPONSORED BY
TERTIARY EDUCATION TRUST FUND
VOLUME 18 MAY, 2017 ISSN 07940015
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
ii
EDITORIAL BOARD
Chairman: Dr. A.A Ladan - Provost FCE, Zaria
Editor-in-Chief: Dr. P.A Matemilola - FCE, Zaria
Editors: Prof. Mamman Musa - ABU, Zaria
Dr. O. Ọmo ̣́níwà - FCE, Zaria
Dr Mrs H. Yusuf - ABU, Zaria
Chief Mrs Alheri Chindaya - FCE, Kano
Chief Kayode Sangotoro - FCE, Katsina
Dr. Bello Ladan Kaura - FCE, Tech. Gusau
Dr. A. Bello - FCE, Zaria
Dr. B. W. Zamani - FCE, Zaria
Secretary: Bose Asipita - FCE, Zaria
Editorial Advisers: Prof. M. M. Aliyu - Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Prof. A. I. Ikeotuonye - University of Abuja, Abuja
Prof. Bashir Maina - ABU, Zaria
Prof. B. Mshelia - University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri
Prof. I. A. Olaofe - Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Subscriptions: Personal - N500.00 per copy
Institutions and Libraries - N1,000.00 per copy
Enquiries to: Editor-in-Chief,
Zaria Journal of Educational Studies,
Federal College of Education,
P M. B. 1041, Zaria
E-Mail: [email protected]
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
iii
Zaria Journal of Educational Studies
(ZAJES)
A Publication of the Federal College of Education, Zaria
Volume 18
May, 2017
ISSN 07940015
© Federal College of Education, Zaria
All rights reserved.
Sponsored by:
TERTIARY EDUCATION TRUST FUND
ETF/FCEZ/ZARIA/ARJ/09-10/01
Plot 433 Zamberi crescent, Tel: Maitama, off Aguiyi Street,
Maitama, Abuja.
Tel: 09-4139101, 4139101, 4139112
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
iv
BRIEF INFORMATION ABOUT THE JOURNAL
Zaria journal of Educational Studies (ZAJES) is the official Journal of the
Federal College of Education. Zaria, Nigeria. It was first published in 1988 when
the College was an arm of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. It has since then
served and continues to serve as an important forum for seasoned and fledgling
academics and practitioners in the different fields of education to publish their
research findings, thoughts as well as reactions to earlier findings and practices.
Recognizing the high standard of the Journal, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund
(TETFund) of Nigeria began to sponsor the production of its issues in 2010.
Articles which address any issue within the broad discipline of Education are
published in the journal. To facilitate location of papers by readers, papers dealing
with similar theme are put close together. As a result, the papers in the journal are
usually grouped under five broad disciplines of arts and social science education,
language and literature education, science and mathematics education, trends and
innovation in education, and vocational and technical education.
Good as the ideas and opinions enunciated in the issues of Journal might
seem however, they neither represent the thoughts and feelings of the Publisher nor
the Editorial Board; they are entirely those of the writers.
CALL FOR PAPERS
The Editorial Board of Zaria Journal of Educational Studies (ZAJES)
invites papers from interested stakeholders in education for publication in the
journal. The paper may focus on analytical research, research reports, replicated
research, research notes, descriptive research, book reviews, etc from any of the
following areas in Education:
1. Adult and Non-formal Education 2. Citizenship Education 3. Computer Information and Communication Technology (ICT)Education 4. Continuing/Distance Education 5. Creative Arts Education 6. Curriculum Planning and Development 7. Educational Management/Administration, Planning and Supervision 8. Health and Physical Education 9. Language and Literature Education
10. Measurement and Evaluation 11. Library and Information Management 12. Nomadic and Disadvantaged Peoples' Education
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
v
13. Philosophy and Sociology of Education 14. Family Life Education 15. Pre-Primary, Primary, Secondary and Higher Education 16. Psychology and Counselling 17. Religious and Moral Education 18. Science, Technology and Mathematics Education 19. Social Science Education 20. Special and Rehabilitative Education 21. Vocational and Technical Education
MONTH OF PUBLICATION
The Journal is published yearly for now. Papers are however accepted all the year
round.
GUIDELINES FOR PA PER PREPARATION
Manuscripts
1. Which must be written in English or any other acceptable language, should be scholarly original and contribute to knowledge;
2. Must not have been published or under consideration for publication in any other journal. Once a paper is accepted for publication in ZAJES, the
author(s) cede copyright to the publisher of the journal;
3. should clearly state on its front cover page, the title of the paper, author’s name(s), his/her status/rank, and institutional affiliation. The next page
should also begin with the title of the paper (but no name of the author) and
followed by an abstract of not more than 150 words;
4. should be computer typed on one side of the paper, using a font size of 12 double-spaced for the main work and single line spacing for the abstract
should not exceed 12 pages of A4 paper including abstract, references
appendices; and
5. Tables, figures and diagrams, where applicable, should be simple, camera. ready and kept to the barest minimum to facilitate printing.
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
vi
REFERENCES
The current American Psychological Association (APA) style of citation at
referencing is used in the Journal as follows:
1. In the Text of the Paper The author's name whose idea/statement is being cited should be stated
and the year of publication of enclosed in brackets in front of the name. If
the statement is paraphrased, it is not enclosed in inverted commas. E.g.
It has been that argued (Adamu, 1980) that the effect of ……. Or Adamu
(1980) argues the effect of …….. But if it is quoted verbatim, it must be
enclosed in inverted commas and the year of publication is accompanied
with the page number where the statement appeared. E.g.,Adamu (1980:
125) argues that the effect of“…….”,. Also, quotations exceeding three
typed lines may be extracted, indented and typed single-spaced without
quotation mark. shorter quotations should only be enclosed in inverted
commas and integrated into sentence structure.
2. In the References
All the authors quoted in the text must be listed in the REFERENCES at
the end of each paper in an alphabetic order by author’s name as shown
below:
(a) Book Fanfuwa, B.A. (1970). History of Education in Nigeria. London:
George Allen and Unwin.
(b) Chapter in an Edited Book Ehiozuwa, A.O. (1995). Towards Safe-Keeping of Student Appraisal
Data in Guidance and Counselling. In Ehiametalor, E.T.(ed). Data
Management in Schools and other issues. Benin City: NERA. Pp.
107-114
(c) Journal Maccido, M.I. (1997). Recreational Activities in Federal College of
Education, Zaria Academic Staff. Zaria Journal of Educational
Studies. 2 (1) June, 166-172
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
vii
(d) Projects/Thesis/Dissertations Main, T.C. (1984). Constraints on Educational Planning and
Development in Nigeria. An unpublished M.Ed Thesis submitted to
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
SUBMISSION OF MANUSCRIPT/CORRESPONDENCE
1. Three (3) hard copies of aticle, typed in MS Word, font size 12 (Times New Roman), is to be submitted along with:
Three (3) self-addressed and stamped envelopes of appropriate
sizes and rates.
2. Submission of manuscript, editorial inquiries/correspondence should be addressed to:
The Editor-in-Chief,
Zaria Journal of Educational Studies,
Federal College of Education,
P M. B. 1041
Zaria, Nigeria.
3. Receipts of all manuscripts will be acknowledged promptly. The decision of the Journal’s assessors to publish or not will be
communicated without delay.
4. Contributors are advised to adhere strictly to the above guidelines for presentations, since failure to submit manuscript in the correct style
may result in referral or rejection.
5. Authors whose articles are accepted will each receive a copy of the issue where their articles appeared.
Dr. A. P.A Matemilola
Editor-in-Chief:
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
viii
Table of Contents
Editorial Board: - - - - - - - - - ii
Title Page: - - - - - - - - - - iii
Brief Information about the Journal - - - - - - iv
Table of Contents: - - - - - - - - - viii
ARTS, SOCIAL SCIENCE AND LANGUAGE EDUCATION
Element of Parody in Nigerian Governance as Reflected in Selected Yorùbá Plays
OYÈBÁMIJÍ, Akeem Ko ̩́ láwó̩ lé - - - - - - 1
The Socio-economic Benefits of Environmental Sanitation Exercise to
Environmental Workers in Zaria L.G.A. of Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Akut Y. B. - - - - - - - - - - 18
Perception of NCE Students on the Impact of Citizenship Education in Promoting
Good Governance and National Development in Nigeria
Rabi’u Hussaini. Ibrahim - - - - - - - 29
Steps to Re-Address Mother Tongue as a Medium of Instruction At Lower Level
of Education in Nigeria
Ibrahim Ahmed - - - - - - - - - 40
SCIENCE AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
Inquiry Method as a Stragety for Teaching Integrated Science (Basic Science) in
Junior Secondary Schools
Olanrewaju Felicia Lola - - - - - - - 48
Evaluation of the Effect of Price Variations of Inorganic Fertilizer on Farmer’s
Productivity in Giwa L. G. A of Kaduna State.
Amadu Nomau - - - - - - - - - 60
Effect of Cooperative Teaching Strategy on Academic Performance of Low
Achievers in Biology among Senior Secondary School Students in Zaria LGA
Onyeka Ikenna Stephen- - - - - - - - 69
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
ix
The Role of Indigenous Technology and Technology Education in Vision 2020
Dr. Anokwuru, Innocent C. - - - - - - - 83
Impact of Entrepreneurship Education on Acquisition of Skills for Self Employment
Among NCE Biology Students for Sustainable Development In Nigeria
NURU Asabe Ramatu & LAWAL Saadatu Bagiwa. - - - 91
GENERAL EDUCATION AND OTHERS
Teacher’s Effectiveness: An Active Pill in the Treatment Of Pupils’ Behavioural
Problems In Schools
Azeez Adeyinka Najeem - - - - - - - 101 The Planning Principles of Secondary School Principals for Quality Assurance in Nigeria
Schools
Ali Muhammad Gimi - - - - - - - - 114
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
1
ARTS, SOCIAL SCIENCE AND LANGUAGE EDUCATION
Element of Parody in Nigerian Governance as Reflected in Selected Yorùbá
Plays
OYÈBÁMIJÍ, Akeem Ko ̩́ láwó̩ lé
Parody is a literary term that could be employed to dissect or analyze literary
piece(s). Literary writers are confined to the society where they get their
experience and inspiration. Mostly, literary writers base their literary works on the
economy, politics, education, health and socio-cultural issues of their environment.
This paper examines parody as a literary term to explicate and analyze two Yorùbá
plays of Re ̩́ re ̩́ Rún and Èèpà Ń Para Re ̩́ . Can the masses be given their right by
employing parody as a societal means of emancipation especially when and where
the political leaders are always adamant to the yarnings of the masses?. The work
is therefore concluded on the note that if employment of only parody can be a weak
means of fighting the masses oppression and exploitation perpetrated by the
leadership, why wouldn’t the masses marry parody with the use of peaceful
demonstration; combination this paper believes will work perfectly for the masses
emancipation and general societal wellbeing and strategic development.
Introduction
The primary concern of literature is to respond and to justify that, art in
times of society’s crisis can contribute to the great social concern of managing the
world (Bamidele,2003). Since the beginning of art, that is literary works, there has
been a constant re-thinking on or appraisal of the relationship of the artist to the
society. Modern writers who are touched by the marks of modern realities such as
social disintegration, cultural decadence and widening chasm between the
individual and his moral and material environment see their role as that of
redeemers and their arts as redeeming agents (29). Ogunsina (1987) opines that
literature could be a measure of criticism in man and his relationship to his
immediate environment. Literature functions as a continuing symbolic criticism
of social values. As a verile vehicle of human expression, literature seeks to
investigate man, his behaviour in the society, his knowledge of himself and the
universe in which he finds himself. Literature is part and product of society, its
nature is essentially social(48).
Isola (2009) asserts that literature quite often forces group attention back to
the various aspects of social life selected by the artist either for more reflection or
for comment. He explains that the comment may contain tacit approval and
glowing praise or mild criticism and heavy reprimand. The purpose of this is to
suggest better way forward and to demand an adherence to those acceptable
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
2
standards of right and wrong. Isola’s (2010:39) opinion captures the essence of
writing literature in local languages because:
literature in the local language teaches the people
how to understand the world because it
communicates directly with the local environment to
make meaningful, relevant and effective comments
and that literature also plays as a cleasing role for
the community when artist react to current affairs
and compose special songs to expose erring members
of the community for castigation.
For several years back in Nigeria, issue of bad leadership has been the bane
of the citizenry, where the masses are dazed with corruption, tyrany, crime,
misappropriation of public funds, oppression and exploitation . Some literary
scholars and the academics believe that exposing the erring political leaders even
without any radical or open protest, an aspect of parody, the menace of oppression
in the society would be curbed.
Literature is a product of society and it reflects socio-political, economic
and climatic issues among others of the society that produces it. The relationship
between the leaders and the followers is one of the issues reflected in literature.
The Yoruba of south-western Nigeria see the relationship between the leaders and
the followers as very important because ìlú kì í wà kó má ní olórí (a town does not
exist without a ruler). However, there are certain challenges in the relationship.
Since the hegemonic leaders are always interested in oppressing the masses, so the
masses device different means of emancipation. This is the reason behind rancor
and societal revolts witnessed by the world at large following Marxist theory in the
name of socio-political and economic change. Craig (1995:547) submits that:
For centuries, mass uprisings and destructive riot
have been the nightmare of the people in power.
Crowd action was common in eighteen and
nineteen centuries in Europe, towns and countries
throngs of armed men and women took over
markets and warehouses demanding the rollback of
prices and sometimes seizing goods. In England,
angry band of craft people burned factories and
destroyed the machines that threatened their
livelihood. Violent crowd have also figured
importantly in American history.
Hamiton (1982) comments that the world past revolution include French
revolution of 1789 and the Russian revolution of 1917. Even in the postcolonial era
in Africa, there were economic exploitations in several African countries; racial
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
3
and cultural conflict in Zimbabwe and South-Africa , ethnicity and ethnic
stratification in Rwanda and Burundi (Otite,2003). The Yorùbá are also conscious
of positive socio-political and economic change. Several wars were staged. There
have been protests and rampages rejecting capitalism, exploitation and oppression.
Fadipe (1970) expresses that some of the wars which were fought in the nineteen
century in Yorubaland had some ostensible political justification.
Upon all these protests and destructive riots, the question is, who has been
the loser or which set of people have been at the receiving end? Is it the leadership
or the masses?. Most times, it is the masses that suffer the bronze of the
destructive riots. The political leaders are not easily conquered, they always have
one hidden place or the other and escaping route in the time of crisis. If it is the
masses that always suffer, must the masses continue to expose themselves to
danger especially when they may not achieve their aim through the dangerous
means. This work examines parody as an alternative masses’ emancipational
therapy as we explicate and analyze two Yorùbá plays, Re ̩́ re ̩́ Rún by Oladejo
Okediji and Èèpà Ń Para Re ̩́ by Adeniyi Akangbe with a view that, if Marxist
theory of open protest and destructive riot in the masses emancipational strategy
would not work or failed, there could still be an alternative therapy as the masses
fight for their right.
Theoretical framework: Sociology of literature
This paper adopts sociology of literature for its theoretical framework.
Sociology of literature was developed by French historian, philosopher and critic
called Hippolyte Taine (Ogunsina,1987:16; Opefeyitimi, 2014:47). Taine proposed
three concepts that he used to explain the thrust of sociological theory. These are
‘the race’, ‘the milieu’ ‘the moment’. These concepts precipitate a writer’s work.
No writer would write beyond his historical knowledge based on the beliefs and
ideologies of the society (the race), the events and happenings at different times in
the society (the milieu) and the current happenings in the society (the moment)
Sociology in the opinion of Onyeonoru (1994) was coined by Auguste Comte
in (1837). The term is a hybrid of the Latin word ‘socious’ which means society
and the Greek word ‘logos’ which means science. This means that sociology is
science of the society. It could therefore be deduced that both literature and
sociology are interested in the society, hence the birth of sociology of literature.
The goal of sociology, according to Ogunsina (1987) is to understand the society
through scientific means. Thus, it sets itself the task of finding solution to the
question of how society is possible, how it works, and why it persists. This could
be achieved through a rigorous examination of the social institutions- religion,
economic, political and filial- which together constitute what is called structure
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
4
Bamidele (2003) quotes Bantock to have argued that all novels and plays and a
fair amount of dramatic or narrative poetry may not be understood without their
context because they focus their attention on characters and incidents that bear
close paralles to imitation of an action with the highest consciousness of the age in
which they are written. Sociology of literature has preoccupied itself with the
social commitment of arts, the position of the writer in society and his relationship
to that society. In Yorùbá society, the significance of poets cannot be
overemphasized. The Yoruba poets are philosophers in their own right. It is not a
gainsaying that the poet in any society educates, informs, reforms and redeems the
people of his/her society, the knowledge, understanding and wisdom he/she claims
are all products of the society in which he/she found him/herself. This is why
literary artists can not claim to be independent of the society in his/or literary
works.
From all indications therefore, literature and society have one common
concern which is understanding of society and the behaviour of man in the society.
Tenets of parody and its general overview
Parody is a brand or a blend of intertextuality, Adeleke (2008). The issue
of intertextuality in parody is informed by its ability to repeat, copy, or imitate a
style whether of writing, incident or even individual. This is why Hofele (1997)
comments that parody is ‘reenactment of a given literary, mythical or historical
sequence of events; as an imitation or impersonation of a given prototype. We also
share Muller’s (1997:31) opinion on the tenets of parody that:
in a parody, many original features of the original
are initiated, but at the same time, quite a few are
subject to variations and there are also some
respects in which the parodic text will differ
completely from its model for imitation, variation
and innovation are the three basic models of
parodic intertextuality which is characterized by
juxtaposition of imitated, varied and invented
element intended to bring about a complex
incongruity through an interplay of analogies and
differences
What could be inferred from the above is that a work of parody imitates, and that
in the course of the imitation, there is every tendency for the parodist to bring forth
some part of the original work with which he/she parodizes.
Dane’s (1988) assertion that, parodic intertextuality is seen as ‘literary
allusion and literary polemic is reechoed in other language by Bersier (1997) that
parodic intertextuality can trade on puns, allusion, direct quotes, pastiches of
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
5
metrical forms and travestying entire tragic scene. The description of parody here
could be explained in line with the work of literary artists, the society, governance,
leadership and the masses’ relationship. For instance, when there is presentation of
series of incongruity in the political governance of a state and the economy of the
state becoming dwindling and recession takes over the economy; when the leaders
are corrupt and the masses are subjected to hardship and object poverty; when the
masses are not allowed to express their feeling publicly, the literary artists in the
society may design their work to be so incongruous to be so amused.
The focus of this work lies in the aspect of parody where parody, travesty
and satire blend; where parody is observed as a piece of literary writing expressing
or exposing socio-political and economic injustices as perpetrated by the
leadership ridiculously in order to make mockry but not always subjected to
laughter. Parody in this regard expresses deep thought and emotional feeling of the
masses concerning corruption and ineptitude on the part of the political leadership
of the society ridiculously. When the poor condition of the masses becoming
unbearable and other means of emancipation such as Marxist theory of destructive
riots, violence and radical protest had failed them, the masses resort to parody
where their powerlessness and poor condition of living is incongruously presented
to mimic the tragedy and douse the tension.
Brasset and Rossdale (2010) give an analogy of the U.K based anarchist
group called the Space Hijackers who contribute to the debate on global
democracy by provoking reflection upon fundamental assumption about
globalization and ethics in every situation. Understanding that parody does not
solve all problems, that it only offers a modality within which subjects can imagine
and act creatively with regards to everyday closures of global democracy. Thus,
the Space Hijackers seek to parody the onto-political assumptions of global
capitalism. The Space Hijackers do not seem to force change.
What could be inferred from the above assertion is that the Space Hijackers
engage in a tactical resistance which refuses the Marxist strategy. May, (1994)
cited in Brasset and Rossdale(2010) compares the tenet of parody with that of
Marxist stand regarding resistance of the ineptitude of the government to desist
from corruption and other economic indiscipline. Margret Rose (1995) also defines
parody as ‘the comic refunctioning’ of preformed linguistic or artistic material’
because parodic works usually give ‘new set of functions to the parodied materials’
often in a playful and incongruous manner.
Uscinski’s (2015) definition that parody is ‘information explosion’ is echoed
by Kumar(1995) when he says that; information explosion has not produce a
radical shift in the way industrial societies are organized to conclude that’ the
imperatives of profit, power and control seem as predominant now as they have
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
6
ever been in the history of capitalist industrialism(cited in Kostakis and
Stavroulakis,2013).
What could be inferred from the above assertion is that upon radical and
destructive industrial disputes witnessed, leadership exploitation and oppression of
the masses has not reduced, rather, it is even escalating each day like a whirl fire.
One can only imagine that former military dictator and president of Nigeria,
General Ibrahim Babangida whose government was accused of misappropriation of
public funds and other corrupt practices has allegedly came out recently claiming
that his government should be appreciated and given kudos if compared to his
successors: Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan regimes. This
invariably suggests that all the masses radical and destructive protests including
tertiary institutions students’ unrests and other industrial disharmony Nigeria had
had in the recent past have not yielded expected results. Some few powerful
political figures ruling the nation are not deterred, not bothered and not affected in
any way, they always have means of keeping their belonging from the masses’
radical and destructive protests front.
Most times, it seems the masses raise the arms against themselves,
destroying their properties, maiming and killing, especially innocent people. If it
could be concluded that the essence of the masses radical protests is to reject
oppression and exploitation in its totality and possibly bring the corrupt leaders to
book such that the society will be free of corrupt leadership and the societal socio-
political and economic life of the people would be boosted, radical protest could be
encouraged. But in societies where the political leaders have no insight and
foresight; where leaders are not interested in the socio-political and economic
development of the society, where impunity, nepotism, tribalism and more
especially, when the leadership of the workers’ union are also corrupt and
insincere, struggling for selfish interest, are the order of the day; the fundamental
question is, do the masses need to be killing themselves in the name of agitating
for their right.
It is the system of government that bedevils the society at times, and the
masses that may not be informed would start killing one another. A very good
example is that of Ife-Modakeke riot of 1999. The Federal Government of Nigeria
had earlier made an announcement that a local government area secretariat would
be sited around Ife-Modakeke zone of Osun state. Both of the people of Modakeke
and Ile-ife were interested in the local government area because of its apparent
advantages. Therefore, the towns faced each other in war, destroying their
properties and killing one another. Another scenario is the 2011 post general
election riot especially in the North where many houses set ablaze, many goods
and services burnt and many lives lost. In our own opinion, it is not only that
radical protest destroys, maims and kills, it also subjects the masses to different
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
7
hardship. If this is the situation in Nigeria, regarding crowd, mass protest and civil
riot what is the gain of the masses?.
Our argument in support of the parodied playwrights is that if radical
protests and civil riots would not provide adequate societal and industrial harmony
regarding the masses emancipation and struggling for their right, why not engage
in ‘information explosive’ and mimic the seemingly tragedy in the masses
emancipation strategy. The Yoruba are very religious. It is the religious teachings
that readily influence and assist them which also informed use of parody in the
leadership and masses relationship in the society . The use of parody has also been
fore grounded by certain philosophical ideals which boost leadership and masses
relationship in the society.
In the Yoruba thought, belief system, ideology, philosophy and world view,
of paramount importance are the Yoruba proverbs. Like the proverbs of other
races, Yoruba proverbs serve as social charter, to praise what the society considers
to be virtues and condemn bad practices (Delano,1983; Olatunji, 2005). Sheba
(2006) and Adeleke (2009) also see Yoruba proverbs as apparent truths reflecting
human experiences. The following proverbs showcase the Yoruba world view as
regards the leadership position, the masses and issue of parody.
(1) Lè se̩bo̩ lè sòògùn, báa ti wáyé wáá rí làá rí (one may engage in charms and sacrifices to gods, he/she cannot outsmart his/her destiny). (2) Olówó pèlù
tálákà ní òun kò níí jó, o̩jọ̩́ wo ni yóò tó rí owó pe tire ̩ ( if a poor man
dishonour an invitation to a party by a rich man, when will he/she gets
money to throw his/her own party?. (3) E̩ni tí eégún n lé lo̩ kó máa rọ̩́ jú, bí
tií re̩ ará ayé níí re̩ ará o̩ run. (he, who a masquerade is pursuing should
endure, for as the living gets tired, so the dead) (4) Fìjà fún O̩lọ̩́ run jà fo̩wọ̩́
lé̩̣rán, (allow God to fight for your course) (5) E̩ni tó rínni kò ní ìbáwí, orí
e̩ni níí pé ká rínni.(if one destiny would not mock one, nobody would)
The thrust of the first proverb is that leadership and position of affluence is
not by might but by destiny. Proverb 2 is a candid advice to the poor that if an
affluent person has anything good to offer a poor person, the latter should not
hesitate to collect and make himself happy. Proverb 3 encourages one to endure
life challenges, that there are better days ahead. Proverb 4 encourages one to put
his/her life affairs into the hands of God. Proverb 5 is a sermon; It admonishes that
one should not blame anyone who laughs one to scorn as such a person would not
have been able to do so if one has been lucky and successful.
Indubitably, the first set of Nigeria labour leaders were neither radicals nor
agitators and their weakness lay in the’ fact that they were aristocratic to a fault.
They did not just abhor strikes but they lack the courage even to make threats in
furtherance of their demands (Ananaba, cited in Adeniyi, 2014) yet they were
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
8
referred to as leadership that knew what they wanted. Adeniyi (2014:395) puts
more succinctly this style of masses struggle:
Being reasonably well knowledgeable they were in
better position to present their case in a persuasive
approach. They also made use of their colour of
their skin as an asset and passport for quick
attention. This is clearly seen in the amazing
alarcrity with which their complaints were treated in
those early parts of the twentieth century.
Going down memory lane, until the outbreak of the global economic
depression of 1929, Nigeria labour history was more or less the history of the civil
service union. Nigeria Civil Service Union or Nigeria Labour Congress had
enjoyed sincerity and patriotism in general struggle for the welfare of the Nigerian
working class since the leadership of Imoudu of 1929 till 1988(400). But there was
a negative turned out for the Nigerian Labour Congress from 1988-1999; the
Babangida, Abacha, and Abdulsalami Abubakar regimes as they took advantage of
the lack of credibility and insincerity of the leadership that steered the NLC to
wreck havoc on the collective aspiration of the Nigerian workers (400). It should
be noted that some of these leaders became resplendently wealthy over night while
some began to pursue personal public ambitions (400).
Good governance in any socio-political and economic organization cannot
be overemphasized. It is good governance that makes the followers be abreast with
the leadership style and which embrace peace in the society. Over the years, the
experiences and results of different elections in Nigeria, identify that the country
has failed to produce honest and effective leaders both at the instance of the masses
and the political leaders that will pioneer the vehicle of administration in the
country.
YORÙBÁ PLAYS
In the course of the development of Yorùbá drama, it has contributed
immensely to the political, educational, economic and social development of the
Yoruba society in particular and Nigeria in general. Yoruba written drama or play
emerged by the acquisition of writing skill brought by the colonial masters. Written
Yoruba plays started in 1902 when D.A. Oyedele wrote King Elejigbo and
Princess Abeje of Kontagora (Ogundeji, 1992; Adagbada,1995) Yoruba news
papers were not left out in the developmental strategies of Yoruba written plays as
Pamínkú Obìnrin was serialized in a news paper called Elét i Ó̩ fé̩ , edited by E.A
Akintan in 1923. It was in the 1970s that the Yoruba written plays multiplied in
number. Many playwrights came on board. Notable among them were Akinwumi
Isola who wrote Efúnsetán Aníwúrà; Akinsola Awosusi who wrote Jaiyeola; S.A.
Durojaye who wrote Gbékú Dè àti Iś̩ é Abé̩ ; and Oladejo Okediji who wrote Re ̩́ re ̩́
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
9
Rún (Ogundeji 1992). In the 1980s written Yorùbá plays further increased in
number, as many new playwrights emerged writing and publishing new Yorùbá
plays in line with their forebearers’ style. Some of the Yoruba playwrights that
emerged in that decade were Olu Owolabi, Tunji Opadotun, Ademola Odetokun
and Tubosun Oladapo.
The Yorùbá plays have been categorized by different authors. This work will
adopt Ogundeji’s (1992) classification as amended by Adagbada (1995). Ogundeji
(1992) classifies Yoruba plays into four: pure didactive, didactive historical,
didactive protest, and didactive satirical plays and arranges relevant plays under
each group. Adagbada (1995) adds didactive propaganda to Ogundeji’s (1992)
classification. We will like to add at this juncture, didactive parodic plays to the
earlier classification of the Yoruba plays. We shall explain didactive parodic plays
in the course of this work.
SYNOPSIS OF THE PLAYS: RE ̩́ RE ̩́ RÚN
Re ̩́ re ̩́ Run written by Olasejo Okediji first published in (1973) and recently
published in 2009 is a play that depicts economic and socio-political injustices in
Mògún, the setting of the play. The play depicts, people like, Onimogun, Olugbo̩n,
Are̩sa, Balogun who form the leadership circle as corrupt leaders. The play also
showcases the ineptitude of the leadership to providing the needed welfare
packages for the masses, especially, people like Lawuwo, More̩nike̩, Wurao̩la
Idowu Adeniyi, Karimu Matiu Sape̩le̩, etc. Though, when the masses could no
more bear the hardship meted out to them by the leadership, they move to fight the
leaders. Though the masses move to reject the oppression and exploitation
perpetrated by the leadership, certain issues such as poverty, insincerity and
sycophancy prevent them from achieving their aims. At the end of the play, the
leader of the masses, Lawuwo is conquered as he becomes an insane and the
masses invariably accept the dictates of the tyrant leaders and are further subjected
to acute hardship as they are incapacitated to fight for their right
Èèpà Ń Para Re ̩́
Èèpà Ń Para Re ̩́ is a Yorùbá play written by Adeniyi Akangbe in (2011). It
is a play written to parody the ineptitude on the part of the Nigerian political
leaders to provide enabling environment for the masses to live a rewarding socio-
political and economic life in the society. In the play, Bo̩se̩ and Iya Akin (Akin’s
mother) are discussing issue of corruption and other different vices hindering the
wellbeing of the citizenry of Ayégún people. Bo̩se̩ and Iya Akin are discussing the
hardship meted out to them by the insincerity, dishonesty, self-centeredness and
ineffectiveness of the leadership of Ayégún to provide good governance in the
society.
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
10
Adedotun, the main character in the play is laced with corruption and other
attendant vices. Adedotun commits different atrocities in the play. He engages in
infidelity in his matrimony. Despite the fact that he is married to Bo̩se̩, he still
engages in adultery with a spinster, Deola. Adedotun is an imprudent and
extravagant. He is irresponsible; he could not provide for his immediate family
wellbeing despite that he is a teacher in a secondary school in Ayégún. Towards
the end of the play, armed robbers invaded his house and raid his house, carted
away all his belongings. Adedotun is totally wrecked at the end of the play because
he is sacked from his place of work without any gratuity.
Element of Parody in Nigerian Governance as Reflected in the Selected
Yorùbá Plays.
The authorial information on the preface of Re ̩́ re ̩́ Rún has preempted the
thrust of the play as far as the issue of parody in the Nigerian governance and the
fate of the workers or the masses is concerned:
Láti ó̩ jo ̩́ ti aláyé ti dáyé títí di òní olónìí, àwó̩ n òsìse ̩́
ni oníyà. Wó̩ n a máa jìyà mo ̩́ po ̩́ nmo ̩́ pó̩ nmó̩ ètè wó̩ n.
Bí ó ti wà látètèko ̩́ se ló ń bé̩ di ìsinsìn yii, be ̩́ e ̩́ ni yóò
si máa rí títí ayé àìnípe ̩̩́́ kun (Okediji,2009:IX)
Since the creation of the world, till date, workers
are always at the receiving end. They bear the
bronze of unworthy hardship perpetrated by the
leaders. As it was in the beginning, so it is presently
and so it will be till the end of time.
The above is the view of the playwright which suggests that workers or the
masses are always subjected to hardship by the leadership of any society and which
invariably sends a note of caution to the masses circle as far as the issue of
emancipation is concerned. The above authorial comment is a replete of pulpit
declamatory or sermon which points to the fact that the masses may not be able to
overcome the leaders as there are a lots of impediments militating against the
masses’ struggle for their emancipation, those impediments include sycophancy,
hunger, poverty, hypocracy and insincerity.
The authorial information is also a blend of the Yoruba issue of ethical faith
that the human affairs should be handed over unto God Almighty who has the
overwhelming power over all things. This also embraces the Yoruba world view as
shown majority in the ethnic proverbs. The hegemonic and powerful position of
the leaders has earned for them to have an edge over the masses. Parody is
therefore construed to be a style of the masses’ means of showing their problems
especially when other means of emancipation could not work or have failed. The
song being sung in the opening scene of the play also depicts the workers who
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
11
form the masses in Mògún, the setting of the play as being resigned to their fate.
The song has declared them parodists:
Èrò ti n ròjééje Òjééje
E̩ wí fún ìyáa mi ; Òjééje
E̩yin tó fi síle ̩ o Òjééje
Lorogún se fọ̩́ mo̩ re̩ Òjééje
Ewùrà tó kan bóbó Òjééje
Lorogún sè pé kémi je̩ Òjééje
E̩ ráyé à bẹ̩́ ò rí I Òjééje
E̩ so̩ fún ìyá mi Òjééje
Péyà ń je̩mi jo̩jo̩ Òjééje
Èrò tí ń ròjééje Òjééje
Èrò tí ń ròjééje Òjééje
People going to Òjèéje
Help me tell my mother Òjèéje
The egg she kept for me Òjèéje
Was cooked by my stepmother for her child Òjééje
I was given sour water-yam Òjééje
Can you imagine this behaviour of human beings
Òjééje
Tell my mother Òjééje
That I’m suffering a lot Òjééje
People going to Òjééje Òjééje
People going to Òjééje Òjééje
The excerpt is a demonstration and presentation of a deep emotional thought
reflecting the level of the masses’ experience of hardship generated from the
oppression and exploitation perpetrated by the political leadership of the society.
The excerpt illuminates that the resources and the economic prowess with which
some few elements who form the leadership circle based their power and
governance on, was pathfinded by the ‘mother’ of the workers’ É̩ wí fún ìyáa mi,
é̩ yin tó fi síle ̩́ o, lorogún sè fo ̩́ mó̩ ré̩ , ewùrà tó kan bóbó, lorogún sè pé kémi jé̩ ’(tell
my mother that the egg she kept for me was cooked by my step-mother for her
biological child and sour water-yam was given to me in the place of the egg) This
implies that the leaders in this regard are only usurpers. The heritage of the
workers has been hijacked by some powerful and tyrant few.
In the excerpt, though the masses are suffering, experiencing hardship in
different ways, yet, they did not open to any serious radical device than to engage
in ‘information explosive’, only to air their plight. Parody is manifested here as the
masses only mimic the tragedy and douse the tension of their sufferness by putting
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
12
the tension into song. The song which connotes that the masses have accepted the
defeat from the leadership oppression and resigned to ethical fate is another phase
of parody.
Still in Re ̩́ re ̩́ Run, Lawuwo, the main character in the play is leading the
course of Mògún people on the issue of their emancipation but the masses are not
keenly interested in physical combat and or/open protest strategy coupled with the
sycophancy of a character like Idowu. The people of Mogun have accepted that the
leaders have overwhelmed them. Wuraola, who serves as the masses’
spokesperson says:
Wurao̩la: É̩ é̩ , o kúu làákàyè. Ajuniló̩ kúkú ti juni nù (Òkédìjí, 30)
Wuraola: Thanks for your wisdom. The oppressors have defeated us.
The above Wuraola’s speech which is a Yorùbá maxim has been deliberately
amended by the character in the play. The Yorùbá would say ‘ajuniló̩ lè juni nù’
the oppressor has power to defeat the oppressed in a fight. For Wurao̩la to have
adjusted the maxim to read ‘ajuniló̩ kúkú ti juni nù’ ‘oppressors have defeated us’
implies that they should not even bother to fight the leaders. Even the incongruous
speech of Wurao̩la when Lawuwo is being detained in the police custody is also an
example of parody in this context. When it was realized that Lawuwo is ready to
fight the leaders on behalf of his people, Wuraola says:
Wurao̩la: Bígbá bá dojú dé, à a si i bi kò sì seé sí,
àá fo ̩́ ó̩ . Bí kò bá wá se é fo ̩́ , tóò, ká fi síle ̩́ fún ó̩ ba
Edumare. Òun tó mó̩ bí igbá ti se dojú dé kò ní
sàìmo ̩́ o ̩́ nà àtisíjú re ̩́ sókè (Òkédìjí, 33-34)
Wuraola: If the calabash is turned facing ground,
we shall turn the face up. If it refuses, we shall
break it. If it could not be broken, then we shall
invoke God Almighty who knows how the face is
turned facing ground will definitely know how to
make it turn facing up.
Ordinarily, the traditional Yoruba frown at fighting their leaders or the rulers
because of the system of the council representation. Fighting the leaders would be
tantamount to fighting oneself because every compound or household is
represented in the council of chiefs that governs the society (Atanda,1996). Most
times, when the leaders err, the masses looked unto God. This is the message
Wuraola in the above excerpt is stylishly sending to the masses in Mogun
community especially Lawuwo who is bent on fighting war with the leaders. The
power of parody among the Yoruba especially, is that God Almighty is
omnipresent and omnipotent. Even if the masses could not match their tyrant
leaders strength in strength, God Almighty could be invoked to come to the aid of
the masses ‘òun tó mó̩ bí igbá ti se dojú dé, kò ní sàìmó̩ ó̩ nà atisíjú ré̩ sókè, (He
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
13
that knows how the calabash turned facing ground will definitely know how to
make it turn facing up).
In Èèpà Ń Para Re ̩́ , it is shown that the government in Ayégún community is
irresponsible and irresponsive especially on the issue of mass education. The
management of the schools would collect development levies from students and
would not build any classroom. But instead of the masses to put up a radical
protest to rejecting the exploitation, they only mimic the system and make mockery
of the situation ridiculously. Bo̩se̩ and Iya Akin’s conversation in the play suffices:
Bo̩se̩: O ̩́ ro ̩́ owó ilé e ̩́ ko ̩́ òde òní ma le lé eniyan
śaló̩ nilu o. Òní owó ìdàgbàsókè, o ̩́ la owó
ìdàgbàsókè, be ̩́ e ̩́ si ni é̩ yó̩ ilé é̩ ko ̩́ kan kò dàgbàsókè
mo ̩́ , kàkà be ̩́ e ̩́ ile ̩́ ni wó̩ n ń ló̩ . Awó̩ n alásé̩ kì í kúkú
ye tan ara wó̩ n jé̩ , kí wó̩ n kúkú pè é ní owó
ìdàgbàsíle ̩́
Ìyá Akin: Òóto ̩́ kúkú ni, a kò ri ohun kan ti wó̩ n ń
fi owó ó̩ hún se. Bi wó̩ n bá sì ti só̩ fún wa láti ìbe ̩́ re ̩́
wa pe owó ìdàgbàsíle ̩́ ni awó̩ n ó̩ mó̩ wa n san o, kò
nii jó̩ wá lójú mo ̩́ nígbà ti a bá rí i pe gbogbo yàrá
ìkàwé ti kò jò te ̩́ le ̩́ , nigba ti a kò tíì san owó ni ó wá
ń jò le ̩́ yìn ti a ti san owó tán (Akangbe,2011:25)
Bó̩ sé̩ : Today’s payment of children’s school fees
may drive one to an exile. Today, development
levy, tomorrow, development levy without any
school developing, the schools go dilapidated. The
leaders would not stop deceiving themselves. They
would have tagged the collected levy, retrogressive
levy, instead of development levy they tagged it.
Ìyá Akin: It is true. We cannot see any meaningful
developmental project they spend the collected
levy on. We would not have been surprised if they
had intimated us from the onset that the money we
pay is retrogressive levy, and not development levy
especially when the school buildings are becoming
dilapidated
The above is an example of incongruous speeches which is one of the tenets
of parody. The above interlocution is more or less a parable: It is paradoxical. One
may not easily understand what the interlocutors in the play are really talking
about. How can one payment of his/her children’s school fees become
retrogressive when really the person meant to pay for developmental strategies of
the child and the society at large. The management of the schools who represent
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
14
the leadership in Ayegun’s government which is replica of Nigerian governance is
always interested in misappropriation of the public funds. The government would
not spend the development levy collected from the students on any meaningful
school developmental steps. Invariably, the parents believe therefore that they are
paying for retrogressive and not development especially when formerly good
school buildings are becoming dilapidated and no any move for their rehabilitation.
What really informed the idea of parody from the above is that the parents,
the people of Ayégún, and by implication the masses who are bearing the bronze of
the leadership corruption, and irresponsibility do not move for any radical protest
to bail themselves from the plights and predicaments. They have stylishly agreed to
make mockery of their hardship experience. The people do not bother to raise
questions such as ‘why should a few set of people be wasting the community
resources or societal concerted contributions? Can’t the government sponsor mass
education: don’t we earn the right to ask for our money back?. The people have
decided to let everything go. They have decided to dance to the tune of the tyrant
leaders. The only means of the people’s emancipation in line with parody is that
the people would not stop complaining, talking about the hardship meted out to
them by the leadership but at the same time would not device any radical means in
their emancipational strategies. Still in Èèpà Ń Para Re ̩́ , the following also sheds
more light on the issue of parody:
Bo ̩ sè: Se ìyé̩ n ni o ri ti ò ń sàròyé…. Bi ìjó̩ ba bá ni
ko ̩́ bo ̩́ ko ̩́ bo ̩́ ni òun yoo maa gbà lori ìgbésè ko ̩́ o ̩́ kan,
wó̩ n kò jé̩ ayò pa o. Emi rò pé yóò tó o ̩́ ke ̩́ ko ̩́ o ̩́ kan ni
nítorí pé owó ti ìjó̩ ba wa ná lórí ile ̩́ ti à ń rin lórí ré̩
yii nigba ti wó̩ n ń dá a kò kéré o
(Akangbe,2011:26)
Ìyá Akin: Ìjó̩ ba aláàánú mà tile ̩́ ni ìjó̩ ba wa o, se
kò yé̩ ki àwa aráàlú máa fi ìmoore wa hàn fún ti
ise ̩́ ti wó̩ n pèsè fún wa yanturu, ó̩ jà kòseémánìí tó
ya pó̩ ntó̩ ló̩ ja pé̩ lú oúnjé̩ ti o kú̩ n ìgboro lówó
pó̩ o ̩́ kú. Ni temi o, pé̩ lú gbogbo ìde ̩́ ra ti ìjó̩ ba fi ké̩
wa bi wó̩ n bá ń gba owó fún ìto ̩́ títo ̩́ , ìgbe ̩́ yíyà, iko ̩́
híhú àti itó títu, n kò rò pe wó̩ n jé̩ ayò pa o ( 27)
Bose: The government would not be judged wrong
if they decide to collect a kobo each for any step
an individual makes on the land. I thought the
government will want to collect a million naira on
each step one takes because government spent a
lot of money when they were creating the land on
which we walk
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
15
Ìyá Akin: Our government is very merciful and
linient, we the masses suppose to appreciate their
gesture on the massive employment opportunity,
provision of daily need commodities and different
kinds of food items at cheaper rate in the market.
In my own opinion, with all these provisions the
government has bestowed upon us, if they collect
money as we urinate, stool, cough, I don’t think it
is too much.
The above is an irony. Ironical speeches could also form parody. The
excerpt is a direct mimic or mockery of oneself or ones catastrophic situation. The
hardship meted on the masses is so overwhelming such that the masses ironically
and incongruously presenting their grievances in a paradoxical way; though
ridiculously but devoid of laughter. This is the only point of departure of parody
and satire. Whereas satire lampoons and evokes laughter, parody only makes
mockery ridiculously without exciting laughter. The basis of parody here is that as
the masses continue to endure the bad situation, they would not desist from
incessant airing of their grievances with a view that God almighty will touch the
heart of the tyrants, self-centered political leaders some day and the masses would
be given their right and potion of the national resources
Conclusion
This work examined tenets of parody in Nigerian governance as reflected in
selected Yoruba plays. The work showcased that parody is a style or mechanism
with which the masses could employ for their emancipation. The question is, is
parody not too weak as a means of emancipation in a society where the leaders are
always adamant and turning their deaf ears to the yarnings of the masses? Another
question is, must the masses employ open protest and destructive riot including
tertiary students’ unrests which always come with different challenges such as
destroying properties, maiming and killing of people where the masses suffer the
bronze. This paper is concluded on the note that, though parody is a workable
tactical means of the masses’ emancipation but it is weak as it cannot solve all the
problems or the masses agitations
This work recommends therefore, that the masses may marry parody in the
area of incessant presentation of their grievances on different functioning media in
the society with the engagement of peaceful demonstration devoid of open riot or
destructive protest. This will make the leaders see that the masses know their right
and not satisfied with the system of governance. The government may therefore
proffer solution on how the masses could be relieved of the hardship experience.
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
16
References
Adagbada, O. 1995. A critical Study of Lawuyi Ogunniran’s plays. M.A Project
Submitted to the Department of Linguistics and African Languages , University
of Ibadan, Ibadan.
Adeleke, D. 2009. Aspect of Yoruba History in the Proverbs in Odebunmi, Arua,
Arimi (eds) Language, Gender and Politics: A Festschrift for Yisa Kehinde
Yusuf. Lagos: Concept Publication Ltd.
Adeniyi, A. 2014. From Policy to Practice: The Civil Societies Evolving Role in
Nigerian Leadership Project in L.O Salami, L.O. Adewole, FM. Ogunleye,,
D.O. Ogungbile, A.O Ogunyemi (eds) The Humanities and Leadership in
Nigeria.
Akangbe,A. 2011. Èèpà Ń Para Re ̩́ . Ibadan: Clemeve Media Konsult.
Atanda, J.A. 1996. ‘The Yoruba People,: Their Origin, Culture and Civilization’,
in Olatunji, O.O. (ed) the Yoruba History, Culture and Language, Ibadan:
University of Ibadan Press.
Bamidele, L.O. 2003. Literature and Sociology. Ibadan: Stirling Horden Publishers
LTD.
Brasset,J., Rossdale, C. 2010. The Performance of Global Demoncracy: Parody
and/ as the political. Centre for the Study of Globalization and Regionalization
Department of Politics and International Studies, University of Warwick.
Craig, C, Light, D; Keller,S; Harper,D. 1995. Understanding Sociology. New
York: McGraw Hill Companies.
Dane,J. 1988. Parody. London: University of Oklahoma Press.
Delano, I.O. 1983. Òwe Lé̩ sin O ̩́ ro ̩́ . Ibadan: University Press Ltd.
Fadipe, N.A. 1970. The Sociology of the Yorùbá. Ibadan: University Press.
Hamiton, P. 1982. Sociology: Traditional and Radical Perspectivess, London:
Harper and Row Ltd.
Hofele, A. 1997. Parody in Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses in Parody:
PP175-193.
Isola, A. 2010. Making Culture Memorable. Ibadan: Hope Publication , DB
Martoy Books.
Kostakis,V., Stavroulakis, S. 2013. The Parody of the Commons. Tallinn
University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia, P2P Lab, Greece.
Kumar,K.1995. From Post Industrial to Post Modern Society. Oxford: Blackwell.
Ogundeji, P.A. 1992. Introduction to Yoruba Written Literature. University of
Ibadan. Ibadan External Studies Programme.
Ogunsina, J.A. 1987. Sociology of the Yoruba Novels: A Study of Isaac Thomas,
D.O. Fagunwa, and Oladejo Okediji. Ph.D thesis Submitted to Department of
Linguistics and African Languages. University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
Okediji, O. 2009. Re ̩́ re ̩́ Rún. Ibadan: Extension Publications Limited.
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
17
Oladosu, O. 2014. Traditional Government in Yorubaland : Medium for
Interpreting Traditional Religious Ethics for Good Leadership in L.O Salami,
L.O Adewole, FM. Ogunleye, D.O. Ogungbile, A.O Ogunyemi (eds) The
Humanities and Leadership in Nigeria.
Olatunji, O.O. 2005. Features of Yoruba Oral Poetry. Ibadan: Ibadan University
Press Ltd.
Onyeonoru, I. 1994. ‘Sociology: Definition, Discipline and Methos’ in Balogun,
S.K. (ed) Basic Concepts in Society, Government and Economy. Ibadan: Sam
Bookman Educational and Communication Services pg.54-66.
Opefeyitimi, A. 2014. Tío ̩́ rì àti Ìsó̩ wó̩ loede. Ile-ife: Department of Linguistics and
African Languages, Obafemi Awolowo University Press.
Otite, O. 2003. An Introduction to Sociology Studies. Ibadan: Heinemann
Educational Books (Nigeria) Plc.
Sheba, L. 2006. Yoruba Proverbs with Feminine Lexis. Ibadan: Spectrum Books
Ltd.
OYÈBÁMIJÍ, Akeem Ko ̩́ láwó̩ lé is a Lecturer III in the Department of
Yoruba, Federal College of Education, Zaria
Email oyebamijikolawolegmail.com. Phone no 08035926490
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
18
The Socio-economic Benefits of Environmental Sanitation Exercise to
Environmental Workers in Zaria L.G.A. of Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Akut Y.B.
This study examines the socio-economic benefits of Environmental Sanitation work
to environmental workers in Zaria LGA .The questionnaire was the main source of
data. The research drew a representative sample of 248 respondents from a
population of 700. This figure was derived from seven systematically selected
wards across the study area. All the thirteen wards were arranged alphabetically
and assigned numbers from 1 to 13, only wards with odd numbers were selected.
Every ward has 100 Environmental Sanitation Workers from which 31 were
selected, giving a total of 248. The streets were purposively selected, while
respondents were randomly selected. The structured questionnaire was used for
collecting primary data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were implored in
analyzing the data. Results show that majority of the workers work for only 2hours
daily and earn a salary of #18,000 monthly. It was recommended that for effective
job performance, there is the need for close supervision of the workers and
concluded that in most urban centers in Nigeria, the arrangements for refuse
disposal have been ineffective or insufficient.
Key Words: Environment, Sanitation, Pollution, Waste, Drainage
Introduction
Nigeria is a country which places a great emphasis on cleanliness. A decree from
the days of military government which is still in force mandates that the last
Saturday of every month is Sanitation day, meaning that movement is banned or
restricted from 7:00am -10am. Families are expected to use the time when they are
confined to tidy the environment.
Unfortunately, once household waste is gathered, the problems begin. Nigeria's
growing population, an asset in economic growth terms, is placing great pressure
on solid waste management (SWM) systems which are in many cases already
antiquated, informal or non-existent (Pascoe,2016; Istifanus,2002; Adeyini and
Faniran,1993; Sada,2008)
In one sense, the growing problem of waste disposal is a symptom of the country's
success. Rapid urbanization has long been symptomatic of fast-developing nations.
The drift into the cities of former agricultural workers who hope to join the urban
middle class is part of a well-established path to prosperity. Likewise, the
http://premiumtimesng.com/opinion/4527-the_sanitation_day_by_seyi_olanihun.html
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
19
increasing consumption of packaged goods which produce more waste by-product
than when consumption is largely agricultural. In this sense, Nigeria's waste
management problem is not the result of poor planning but of the rapid pace of
change found in a country which has averaged 6.8% GDP growth since 2005
(Adejobi & Olorunnimbe, 2012).
Nigerians already produce substantial quantities of non-sewage waste. One study
has found that Lagos alone produces 9,000 tons of waste per day, the same amount
as Hong Kong. If the country does succeed in its goal of becoming one of the 20
largest global economies by 2020, then it will need to make significant reforms to
the SWM process (Pascoe, 2016; Sada,2008, Agwu,2011).
Part of the reforms is the establishment of the Environmental Sanitation Workers
unit by the Kaduna State Environmental Protection Authority. The Kaduna State
Environmental Protection Authority (KEPA) was established by edict of 1994 and
later revised in 1998. The authority is charged with the responsibility of addressing
all environmental problems in the state including but not limited to organizing
Programs aimed at changing people’s negative attitudes towards environmental
management for sustainable development. In line with vision and mission of the
Authority, the services stipulated to be rendered by the Authority are:
(a.) The control, removal and disposal of liquid waste;
(b.) The control and disposal of solid waste;
(c.) The control of; vector pest, rodents and reptiles; potable and waste water-
effluent discharges; Noise which constitutes nuisance; The use of septic tanks and
sewage maintenance; bush burning, indiscriminate felling of tress; stray and
wandering animals; public conveniences and cemeteries; The use of residential
areas for prohibited purpose; working or driving on prohibited areas; and
(d.) Doing such other things as are necessary or expedient for the purpose of
enhancing a healthy environment within the State.
To achieve the stated objectives above, in November 2015, the State Government
created the Environmental Sanitation Workers whose job descriptions, just like
their counterparts in other parts of the world, particularly the United States
includes: A sanitation worker has a dirty job, but it's one that most communities
can't live without. Sanitation workers make sure neighborhoods, streets, and public
areas stay clean, and they dispose of trash in safe, effective, and environmentally
friendly ways. A sanitation worker must be physically fit, so he can quickly climb
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/nigeria/gdp-growthhttp://www.d-waste.com/new-infographics/item/download/13_2eb98714b1d4af8a8c8c0d5e0ba7b5ed.htmlhttp://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/msw_consult/file/MSW_ENG_ch3.pdfhttp://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/msw_consult/file/MSW_ENG_ch3.pdf
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
20
in and out of large trucks and lift heavy trash containers. Many sanitation workers
obtain driving certifications, allowing them to operate commercial vehicles
(Tucker, 2016). Other duties include; Perform heavy manual labor, Use hand tools,
Hand sweep or shovel debris and rubbish, Must be able to lift 50lbs, Gather and
empty trash as requested.
The objectives of the study, among others, are;
1. to identify the social benefits associated with the job 2. to determine the economic benefits accruable to sanitation workers
The Study Area
Zaria Local Government Area is situated on the High Plains of Northern Nigeria
and is approximately 670m above sea level. It is located on latitude 11o 42l N and
longitude 7o 44̍ about 664km from the sea.
Zaria belongs to the tropical continental type of climate which corresponds to
Koppen`s tropical Savannah climate (AW) which is characterized by strong
seasonality in rain fall and temperature distributions. It has two distinct seasons-
the dry season (Oct-Mar.) and wet season (Apr- Oct). Mean annual rainfall is about
1000mm, while mean monthly temperature is about 27o but is highest between the
months of March and May. It is lowest in December/ January reaching about 27o.
The soil type is highly leached tropical ferruginous soils, developed on weathered
regolith overlain by a thin deposit of wind-blown silt from the Sahara desert.
Natural vegetation is the northern Guinea Savannah with shrubs and a few
scattered trees. The dominant shrub is Isoberlina doka while the common grass is
Andropogon spp. ( Obadaki, 2007).
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
21
Figure 1: Map of the study area
Source: Department of geography Federal College of Education, Zaria.
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
22
Methodology
The questionnaire was the major source of data for this study. It elicited
information on respondents bio-data as well as occupational status, job satisfaction,
tools used, types of waste generated by residents, among others.
Sample and sampling technique
The research drew a representative sample of 248 respondents from a population of
700. This is according to the Krejcie and Morgan table of samples. This figure was
derived from seven systematically selected wards across Zaria Local Government
Area. All the thirteen wards were arranged in an alphabetical order and assigned
numbers from 1 to 13, only wards with odd numbers were selected, hence the
following wards: Ang. Juma, Dambo, Gyellesu, Kwarbai A, Kufena, Tudun-wada
and Wucicciri. Every ward has 100 Environmental Sanitation Workers from which
31 were selected, giving a total of 248. The streets were purposively selected since
only the major streets in the locality are slated for cleaning, while respondents
were randomly selected. The structured questionnaire was the major tool for
collecting primary data. Secondary data was sourced from KEPA. The
questionnaire elicited information about respondents’ bio-data as well as income,
nature of payment, job satisfaction, equipment used and contributions toward
environmental sustainability. Descriptive statistics were implored to analyze the
data collected.
Results and Discussions
Table 1: Gender and Marital Status of Respondents
Sex Resp % Status Resp %
Male 144 58 Single 48 19.4
Female 104 42 Married 168 67.7
Divorced 24 9.7
Widowed 8 3.3
TOTAL 248 100 TOTAL 248 100
Source: Field Survey, 2016
Table 1 shows the gender and marital status of the respondents. The male folk
dominate their female counterparts and this may not be unconnected to cultural and
religious reasons. The fact Zaria is a predominantly Hausa and Islamic enclave
where women are not permitted to mix freely with men. The other reason could be
due to the nature of the job which at times requires physical strength which only
the men are capable of doing. Tucker (2016 ) corroborates this, noting that ‘trash
can be heavy, so a sanitation worker must be able to lift heavy trash cans, furniture,
electronics, metal and plastic containers, trash bags, and bulky packaging’.
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
23
From the table, the marital status of the respondents equally show that most of
them are married (67.7%) as against a meager 19.4% and 9.7% that are still
single and divorced respectively.
Table 2: Respondents’ Educational attainment and Number of children
Education Resp % Children Resp %
Quranic 72 29 0-3 96 38.7
Primary 64 25.8 4-7 88 35.5
Secondary 88 35.5 8-11 64 25.8
Tertiary 24 9.7
TOTAL 248 100 TOTAL 248 100
Source: Field Survey, 2016
From table 2, majority of the respondents are holders of the Senior Secondary
School Certificate closely followed by those that attended only Quranic schools.
This agrees with Akut (2008) findings in Zaria that majority of waste scavengers
have Quranic education as a major qualification. Also, NEOGOV (2016) opines
that the sanitation worker should have the ability ‘Read and write the English
language at a level necessary for efficient job performance’.
Table 3: Respondents’ Present and Previous occupations
Present Occupation Resp % Previous
occupation
Resp %
Environmental
worker
248 100 Unemployed 88 35.5
Civil Servant 0 0 Civil
Servant
0 0
Business 0 0 Housewife 48 19.4
Farmer
Artisan
Business
64
32
16
25.8
12.9
6.4
TOTAL 248 100 TOTAL 248 100
Source: Field Survey, 2016
Table 3 shows respondents’ present and previous occupations revealing that all of
them are presently employees of the Kaduna State government only. Previously,
majority of them were unemployed, farmers, housewives, artisans and petty
traders. Further enquiry reveals that while they are currently employees of the State
government, some of them have switched jobs (35.5%) adducing reasons such as
the present job pays more (18.2%) and offering them more time for other economic
ventures (81.8%), according to table 4.
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
24
Table 4: Respondents’ present and former occupation
Only Job? Resp % If no, why change Resp %
Yes 160 64.5 This job pays more 16 18.2
No 88 35.5 It gives more time for
other activities
72 81.8
TOTAL 248 100 TOTAL 248 100
Source: Field Survey, 2016
Table 5: Daily working hours and Income
Hours Resp % Income Resp %
1 40 16 #16,000 0 0
2 96 38.7 #17,000 0 0
3 80 32.3 #18,000 248 100
4
5
32
0
12.9
0
#19,000
#20,000
0
0
0
0
TOTAL 248 100 TOTAL 248 100
Source: Field Survey, 2016
Majority of the respondents (38.7%) work for only two hours daily while only a
tiny minority work for up to four hours per day (12.9%). The remainder work for
one and three hours daily (table 5). In reality though, these workers in some
quarters participate in the clean up exercise mostly at the weekends (Saturdays and
Sundays), observation has shown. For working for a few hours daily, these people
take home #18,000 (eighteen thousand naira) monthly as shown in table 6. This
amount however does not compare to the $4,711 (#1,512,231) that accrues to
environmental sanitation workers in the United States (NEOGOV, 2016).
None of these workers receives table or cash payment as all of them get paid
through the bank. As to the regularity or otherwise of the payment, most of them
opine that payment is not regular (67.7%) while the rest say payment is regular
(32.3%). This is not surprising as there are complaints of personnel being owed
months of salary arrears.
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
25
Table 6: Nature of Payment and Regularity
Payment Resp % Regularity Resp %
Cash/Table 0 0 Regular 80 32.3
Bank 248 100 Not regular 168 67.7
TOTAL 248 100 TOTAL 248 100
Source: Field Survey, 2016
Table 7: Sufficiency of income and alternative source
Sufficiency Resp % Alternative Resp %
Yes 104 41.9 Yes 56 38.9
No 144 58.1 No 88 61.1
TOTAL 248 100 TOTAL 248 100
Source: Field Survey, 2016
From table 7, majority of the respondents (58.1%) do not seem to be comfortable
with their take-home pay as it was termed insufficient. When asked whether they
have an alternative source of income, most of this set of workers answered in the
negative (61.1%), while only few of those who said their salary is not sufficient
have other sources of income.
Table 8: Improvement on livelihood and how
Improveme
nt
Resp % How Res
p
%
Yes 232 93.5 Only means of
livelihood
144 58.1
No 16 6.5 Alternative 104 41.9
TOTAL 248 100 TOTAL 248 100
Source: Field Survey, 2016
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
26
When asked if this job has improved their livelihood and that of their families, the
response was an overwhelming yes (93.5%) as against those who feel their
livelihoods have not been improved upon (6.5%) as seen in table 8. To buttress
their point, some of them alluded to the fact that they have been able to build new
houses, buy motor bikes for commercial purposes and acquire other items of
necessity in the households all from the salary they are being paid. On how it has
improved their livelihoods, majority say it is their only means of earning a living
(58.1%), while the rest (41.9%) see the job as providing them with an alternative
source of livelihood.
Table 9: Job satisfaction
Happy Resp % Ashamed Resp %
Yes 224 90.3 Yes 24 9.7
No 24 9.7 No 224 90.3
TOTAL 248 100 TOTAL 248 100
Source: Field Survey, 2016
On job satisfaction, all the respondents answered in the affirmative that they are
happy with the job. While they all express happiness with the job, some are
ashamed doing it (9.7%). Of this number, very few (33.3%) are willing to take a
pay cut for a job that pays less but more prestigious, but the rest, even though they
are ashamed of the job, they are not ready to make such a sacrifice and would
rather stay with this job (66.7%).
Table 10: Willingness to accept a job that pays less
Willingness Resp %
Yes 8 33.3
No 16 66.7
TOTAL 24 100
Source: Field Survey, 2016
Conclusion
In most rural and urban centers within Nigeria, the arrangements for refuse
disposal hav e been ineffective or insufficient. These wastes are dumped
indiscriminately on open plots of land and particularly, along and on streets. Some
of the streets affected may be rendered impossible for traffic for several days or
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
27
months as a consequence. Every Nigerian city is afflicted by this malaise and its
end appears not to be in sight.
Recommendations
Based on the research findings and conclusion drawn, the following
recommendations are made;
♦ For effective job performance, there is the need for close supervision of the
workers
♦There is also the need for an upward review of workers’ wages to serve as
incentive
♦Payment of workers’ salary should also be prompt as unnecessary delays
demoralizes staff
References
Adejobi O. S.,Olorunnimbe R. O. (2012). Challenges of Waste Management and
Climate Change in Nigeria: Lagos State Metropolis Experience. African J. Sci.
Res. 7, (1) 346- 362.
Adeyini,B and Faniran, A.(1993). Geographical Perspectives on Nigeria’s Devt.,
Jumac (Nig.) Ltd. Lagos
Agwu, E.I.C. (1995). Environmental Sciences: A Planner’s View. Mishbet (Nig.)
Ltd, Lagos
Akut, Y.B. (2008). ‘Waste Scavenging In Metropolitan Zaria: Determinants and
Environmental Implications’. A Paper presented at the 50th Annual Conference
of the Association of Nigerian Geographers Held at the University of
Calabar, 25th-29th Aug
Istifanus, M.K (1993). Solid Waste Management Problems in Abuja Municipal
Area Council. An unpublished M.Sc. Dissertation Submitted to the Dept. of
Geog., A.B.U, Zaria.
Krejcie, R.V. and Morgan, D.W. (1970). Determining Sample size for Research
Activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement Vol.30, pp 607-
610.
NEOGOV (2016). Sanitation Worker II: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/saccity
Obadaki,Y.Y. (2007). Examination of the Relationship Amongst Rainfall,
Discharge and Suspended sediment Discharge of the North most Trubutary of
the Kaubani River, Zaria Kaduna State Nigeria” A paper Presented at the 49th
Annual Conference of the ANG at the University of Abuja Nigeria, Oct 15th -
19th 2007
Pascoe, T.(2016). “Time to flush away Nigeria's sanitation problems”. The
Guardian, Friday, May 20th
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/saccity
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
28
Sada, P.O (2997). Current Status of Solid Waste Management. Noyes Data Corp,
U.S.A.
Tucker, K (2016). “Job Descriptions for Sanitation Workers”. Haarst Newspapers.
Akut, Y. B. is a Lecturer in the Department of Geography, Federal College of
Education, Zaria. [email protected] 08036250303
mailto:[email protected]
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
29
Perception and Impact of NCE Students on Citizenship Education in
Promoting Good Governance and National Development in Nigeria
Rabi’u Hussaini Ibrahim
The issue of national development is one of the major challenges that the present
administration is giving priority. So in this paper the student of social studies and
non-social studies were asked on the role of citizenship education in promoting
good governance and national development in Nigeria. Two research questions
and two research hypotheses were set to guide the study. The population of the
study consists of all NCE Social Studies students and Non-social Studies students
from Federal College of Education Zaria. The sample of the study is (400) that is
200 social studies students and 200 non-social studies students selected through
purposive sampling techniques. The research findings revealed that NCE Social
Studies student has higher perception that citizenship education can promote good
governance in Nigeria. It also revealed that both Social Studies students and non-
social studies students have positive opinion that citizenship education can
promote national development in Nigeria. The researchers recommend that social
studies education should be taught at all levels of education in Nigeria since it can
help in promoting good governance and national development in Nigeria.
Key Words: Citizenship Education, Good Governance and National Development
Introduction
Nigeria as a nation is laden with bad leadership and missed opportunities since its
independence in 1960. The absence of transparency and accountability has
continued to militate against good governance in Nigeria’s political leadership.
Without defeating corruption and other financial crimes, our national wealth will
continue to be carried away by unscrupulous politicians. The root of the matter is
that most Nigerians are not patriotic citizens; patriotic citizens can only be made
possible through implementation of citizenship education in Nigerian school
curriculum. Easton and Dennis (2000) suggest that nations have to make deliberate
efforts to ensure the creation of effective citizens who will in turn create a viable
political system through good governance that can lead to national development in
Nigeria. However, the process of creating effective citizens in any nation takes a
lot of time. This is why it is necessary that children are exposed to the very basic
political socialization as provided in Social Studies education curriculum in
Nigerian schools. Also, Okafor (2010) asserts that if children are exposed to
political education in their formative age, they may grow up into adults who have
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
30
internalized their basic civic obligations that can help them contribute to national
development.
The social studies education objective that emphasize the citizenship education
training, is one of the major goal that can assist in producing effective citizens
who are expected to be good leaders in the country, and are expected to drive the
country towards achieving national development. Looking at the problems that
Nigeria found itself today, there is need to teach our children the good values that
can help in promoting good governance in Nigeria. Citizenship education as part
and parcel of NCE curriculum as general studies for all students in colleges of
education in Nigeria, is also a core course for all students of Social Studies, being
it be single or Double Major students. In this paper we are going to look at the
perception of social studies and non-social studies student’s opinion on how
citizenship education can promote good governance and national development in
Nigeria.
Definition of Concepts
Citizenship Education
The concept of citizenship education means different things to different people in
ordinary conversation. Mezieobi (2014) states that, citizenship education refers to
the educative means in a sovereign state whereby the citizens or individuals
become socially integrated into the social milieu, acquire skills and competencies,
become socially sensitive and actively participate in their social responsibility for
maximum productivity and development. Livingstone (2012), asserted that
citizenship education is that education through which people in the school system
will be taught about their rights, privileged, duties and responsibilities as good
citizens and through which they will be encouraged to perform their duties, and
play positive and active roles towards the development of the society. Okafor
(2008), sees citizenship education as the preparation of citizens for voluntary and
spontaneous participation in his social and political responsibilities in the society.
Good governance
Governance is the process of exercising political authority and the use of
institutional resources to manage and govern the society for attaining all round
development. According to Offorma in Okafor and Onwudufor (2012), good
governance constitute rule of law, transparency, responsiveness, effectiveness,
efficiency, equity and accountability. Also, Lawal and Owolabi (2012) opined that
good governance is a function of committed, patriotic and disciplined leadership.
Based on the definitions above good governance is the act of managing the
available resources by those in the position of leadership with accountability,
transparency, openness, rule of law and inclusiveness for the development of the
society they lead.
-
ZAJES 18 May, 2017
31
Characteristics of an Effective Citizen
Easton and Dennis (2000) identified four major characteristics of a good citizen.
These include a knowledge of cer