British Journal of Multidisciplinary and Advanced Studies

Human Capital Challenges, Local Government Autonomy and Effective Service Delivery in Local Government System in Nigeria

2025-05-12T19:10:24+00:00

There is a consensus among the scholars that a well-motivated and improves workforce is a panacea to effective and efficient productivity to achieve the organizational objective. This study examines the nexus between human capital development, good governance and effective service delivery in local government system in Nigeria with a particular reference to Ekiti State. The paper adopts theoretical analysis to explain the functional area and justify the existence of local government in Nigeria. The study relied mainly on secondary data backed by practical observation and analytical framework. The central argument is that human capital challenges and lack of financial and administrative autonomy has being the bane of inefficiency at the local government system in Nigeria The paper reveals that lack of quality personnel hindered the effective performance of local government in Nigeria. Equally, the process of chosen its administrative leadership which is more of political patronage, rather than on merit, capability and experience also accounted for mediocrities at the local government administration. The article recommends that in order to enhance a good governance and effective service delivery at the grassroots, there is need for financial and administrative autonomy and a robust human capital development programme for various categories of workers through a well-coordinated efforts of local government service commission and ministry of local government affairs to enhance better service delivery.

Unmasking the Psyche: The Role of Antisocial Personality Disorder in Serial Killing

2025-05-07T15:11:51+00:00

This paper explores the correlation between Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) and serial killing, assessing the extent of their association. It examines ASPD’s diagnostic criteria, root causes, and the role of neurological deficiencies and genetic factors in aggression. By analysing past research and considering environmental, societal, and psychological influences, the paper seeks to provide a well-rounded answer to the research question: To what extent is ASPD responsible for serial killing?

Exploring QSARs of some Translocator protein (TSPO) ligands using MLR and PC-ANN techniques

2025-05-19T05:42:25+00:00

Quantitative structure–activity relationship study using principal component artificial neural network (PC-ANN) methodology was conducted to predict the inhibitory activities expressed as pIC₅₀ of 136 Translocator protein (TSPO) ligands. The results obtained by MLR was number of models, the best model was model number 24 which includes 24 descriptors, and resulted with R= 0.909, R²=.826, and R²adj.= 0.788. PCA performed to divide the data into three data sets, then the ANN performed on the chosen models (19-24) from LOO and LMO validation. The results show that model 24 has the highest correlation coefficient for the test set (0.85016) indicating its high predictive power which chosen to continue ANN to find the optimal number of hidden nodes, and in this case model 24 with 7 hidden nodes were chosen as the best model with the optimal hidden nodes. ANN resulted model were validated through randomization test, then the conditions proposed by Golbraikh and Tropsha were applied to conclude that the QSAR models have acceptable prediction power or not. However, the best ANN model with a good predictive power was model number 24.

Integrating Technology in Teaching Methods: Academic Perspective

2025-05-07T10:25:15+00:00

This paper aims to share findings on the importance of using ICT (Information and Communication Technology) tools in their classrooms. The objective is to gain a clearer understanding of the resources available, the training and support teachers receive, and how effectively they integrate technology into their teaching and professional development. It is an insightful trip to discover how these factors shape the teaching experience!

Influence of Single Parenting on English Language Proficiency of Secondary School Students in Ekiti State, Nigeria

2025-05-11T20:44:16+00:00

This study examines the influence of single parenting on secondary school students’ English Language proficiency in selected public secondary schools across Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study was guided by two objectives: to examine how single parenting influences students’ engagement with English Language learning, and to determine whether a significant difference exists in academic performance in English between students from single-parent and dual-parent households. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The sample comprised 400 students selected using a multistage sampling technique: first, 20 public secondary schools were proportionately drawn across the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State to reflect both rural and urban settings. Subsequently, stratified random sampling was used to ensure balanced representation from single-parent and dual-parent families. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire assessing academic engagement and home support, alongside academic records in English Language over a three-year period. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean) and inferential statistics (ANOVA) were employed to analyze the data. Results showed that students from dual-parent homes generally reported higher academic support, emotional encouragement, and access to English learning resources. Furthermore, repeated measures ANOVA revealed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) in English Language performance between the two groups across the three years, favoring students from dual-parent households. The findings underscore the role of family structure in shaping academic engagement and performance. The study recommends that schools, policymakers, and social support agencies collaborate to provide targeted academic and emotional support for students from single-parent homes to bridge the performance gap.

Colonial Inheritance and Educational Inequity: An Analysis of the English-Only Curriculum in Postcolonial Zambia

2025-05-19T05:32:36+00:00

This paper critically examines the enduring impact of colonial language policies on Zambia’s education system, demonstrating how an English-only curriculum perpetuates linguistic hierarchies, marginalizes Indigenous knowledge, and deepens socioeconomic inequities. Drawing on postcolonial theory and Afrocentric notions of Ubuntu, I conduct a document review of key policy texts—including the Education Act of 2011 and the 2023 Zambia Education Curriculum Framework—alongside relevant scholarly literature and comparative case studies. My analysis highlights both the historical roots of these inequities and practical pathways to decolonize the curriculum by integrating local languages and community-centered pedagogies.

Recruitments and Effectiveness of French Teachers: Determinants of Students’ Academic Achievement in French Language

2025-06-01T09:22:31+00:00

This study explores the impact of French teachers' recruitment and effectiveness on students' academic achievement in the learning of French language. The recruitment process includes qualifications, certifications, teacher-student ratios, and professional development. These play critical role in ensuring high-quality instruction. Teachers with higher levels of education with specialized language training and ongoing professional development are better equipped to foster effective language learning. Teacher effectiveness, which is shaped by pedagogical skills, classroom management and formative assessment practices, has a significant influence on students' language proficiency. Additionally, interactive and student-centered teaching methods, such as role-playing, group discussions, and multimedia tools, were found to improve student engagement and language proficiency. The study further examined the importance of teachers' language proficiency and the use of innovative teaching approaches; such as communicative language teaching and technology enhanced learning, in improving students’ French language acquisition. In addition, motivation, attitudes toward the language, and exposure to French language outside the classroom is very important. The research adopted a descriptive research design of a survey type, utilising questionnaires to gather data from students. The population for the study consisted of 50 French students and 10 French teachers using simple random sampling techniques from the schools that offer French. The findings highlighted the interconnectedness of teacher quality, student engagement, and external support in achieving academic success in the learning of French language and that both teacher-related factors and student motivation are critical to language acquisition and academic success in learning French. The study suggests ways to enhance the recruitment, effectiveness, and overall success of French language education. Based on these findings, the study recommended enhancing teacher training, adopting more interactive teaching methods, fostering student motivation, and providing opportunities for extracurricular learning to support students’ academic progress in French language education.

Christian Religious Studies Curriculum Implementation: Do Teacher’s Activities, Students’ Activities, and Instructional Materials Matter?

2025-06-01T09:27:39+00:00

Teacher’s activities, students’ activities, and instructional materials are instrumental to successful curriculum implementation, and students’ academic performance. This study examined Christian Religious Studies Curriculum Implementation: Do Teacher’s Activities, Students’ Activities, and Instructional Materials Matter? The sample of one hundred and twenty students and eight teachers was selected from the public Secondary Schools in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. Two instruments were used for data collection: questionnaire and CRS Achievement Test (CRSAT). The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics of simple percentage, mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions, while inferential statistics of t-test and linear regression were used to test the hypotheses. Findings from the study showed that both the CRS teachers and students are performing their respective activities as indicated in the CRS curriculum, and that the CRS students’ activities in curriculum implementation have no significant influence on the academic performance of CRS students. It was recommended that researchers and stakeholders in education industry should look beyond the CRS curriculum implementation in finding solutions to the unsatisfactory academic performance of the CRS students at the senior secondary classes in Ekiti State public secondary schools.

Carbon Monoxide Emission and Engine Noise Analyses of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Petrol-Fueled Automobiles

2025-05-15T07:44:52+00:00

The problems of global warming and noise pollution require solutions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emission carbon II oxide (CO) and automobile engine noise. To do this focus must be on measures that enhance the reduction of CO emission and engine noise in vehicle. One of such measures is the use of a gaseous fuel Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicular transportation. In this work, exhaust emission and engine noise of a vehicle fueled with CNG is compared with exhaust emission and engine noise of the same vehicle fueled with petrol. The exhaust emissions were measured using a portable CO meter and noise level was measured with a sound level meter. The test results show that compared to petrol, CNG allows for a significant decrease in CO emission and engine noise of an automobile vehicle engine.

The Innovative Transformation Embedded in the Design of the 2023 Zambia Education Curriculum Framework

2025-06-01T09:17:39+00:00

This study examined the innovative transformation embedded in the design of the 2023 Education Curriculum Framework implemented in Zambia. This systematic review examined the 2023 Zambia Education Curriculum Framework (2023 ZECF) and interview with key stakeholder in the development of the Curriculum to explore the innovative transformation embedded in it. Key innovations transformation included the integration of cross-cutting themes, the education that focus on education for sustainability development, learner-centered pedagogy, integration of soft and technical skills, decentralized curriculum contextualization, digital and blended learning modalities, community and industry partnership inclusion, continuous, formative, and criterion-referenced assessment, inclusive and differentiated learning strategies, global citizenship education and categories of special education needs in the 2023 education curriculum. Through qualitative analysis of policy documents, stakeholder interviews, and classroom observations, the study identifies challenges in implementation including teacher preparedness, resource limitations, and community engagement and proposes strategic recommendations for effective curriculum delivery. The findings underscore the curriculum’s potential to equip Zambian learners with critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills essential for national development and global competitiveness.

We Travel on the Sidereal Waves to Discover Our Origin and the Universe One

2025-05-07T13:55:38+00:00

The phenomenon of interaction between material substances is the basis of the natural evolution of all things. The interaction of matter occurs through contacts that physics has identified in electromagnetic, gravitational or other nature waves. Electromagnetic waves in particular have a dual corpuscular wave nature, one and the other are like two sides of the same coin, inextricably linked. The origin of the universe in space-time, according to quantum mechanics, is synchronous with the origin of the wave-particles themselves, but it does not reveal to us how they were generated. We must necessarily argue that at the very moment of the birth of electromagnetic waves, space-time also assumed a knowable dimension. This article investigates the evolution of the universe as an epiphenomenon of the mass-energy interaction of matter through the waves generated by it in cosmic space-time. In this investigation I let myself be carried by those same waves that move everything, in the hope that sooner or later they will illuminate my vision of the world.

Christian Stewardship to God-given Natural Resources for Sustainability: A Biblical Perspective (Genesis 1:26-30 and Psalm 24:1) and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG #14 & #15)

2025-05-07T09:57:58+00:00

The deterioration of the environment, alterations in climate, and the decline of biodiversity have prompted significant global apprehensions, particularly highlighted by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) underscore the imperative to safeguard both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Within Christian theology, stewardship is perceived as a divine obligation, wherein humanity is charged with the responsibility of nurturing and conserving God’s creation. Nevertheless, human actions persist in damaging natural resources, thereby jeopardizing sustainability and contravening scriptural tenets of care and justice. This research seeks to investigate the concept of Christian stewardship regarding divinely entrusted natural resources through a biblical lens, assessing the congruence of this theological framework with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals 14 and 15, which emphasize sustainability and environmental accountability. The methodology employed includes a qualitative and theological approach, featuring Scriptural Exegesis of significant biblical passages (such as Genesis 1:26–30 and Psalm 24:1) to derive theological tenets of stewardship, a Literature Review of Christian environmental ethics alongside sustainable development frameworks, and a Comparative Analysis of biblical stewardship doctrines in relation to the targets set forth by SDGs 14 and 15. The research revealed a significant theological foundation for environmental stewardship within Christian teachings. The concept of biblical stewardship extends beyond mere dominion; it encompasses responsible guardianship, accountability, and sustainability. This perspective aligns closely with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals 14 and 15, particularly in fostering biodiversity, minimizing pollution, and safeguarding habitats. Additionally, numerous faith-based organizations are already engaged in conservation efforts motivated by their religious beliefs. In conclusion, Christian stewardship offers a moral and spiritual framework that enhances scientific and policy-oriented strategies for sustainable development. The biblical imperative to care for creation resonates with fundamental values shared by the SDGs, including justice, sustainability, and intergenerational responsibility. It is recommended that faith communities increase their participation in environmental advocacy and education. Churches should incorporate environmental stewardship into their teachings and practices. Furthermore, collaborations among religious organizations, governmental bodies, and NGOs should be strengthened to promote the advancement of SDGs 14 and 15. Future research should investigate the effects of faith-based environmental initiatives on both local and global sustainability outcomes.

SENS-HEAD: A Machine Learning Framework for Sensationalism Detection in News Headlines Using Linguistic and Semantic Features

2025-06-01T09:32:00+00:00

The proliferation of sensationalized news headlines has raised concerns about media integrity, necessitating automated approaches for detecting sensationalism beyond traditional clickbait classification. This study presents SENS-HEAD, a novel dataset comprising over 30,000 annotated headlines labelled for sensational content and emotional arousal. Employing Natural Language Processing (NLP), we extract a diverse set of linguistic and semantic features, including sentiment polarity, syntactic complexity, punctuation distribution, and stop word ratio, to systematically distinguish sensational from non-sensational headlines. We implement ensemble learning models—XGBoost, CATBoost, and Random Forest achieving a balanced F1-score of 0.66. To enhance interpretability, we integrate SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations), unveiling key predictive markers such as stop word frequency, headline length, and sentiment extremity. The findings not only advance explainable AI (XAI) for sensationalism detection but also provide practical applications in automated journalism, content moderation, and media ethics regulation. By strengthening computational linguistics with ethical AI, this research delivers actionable insights for policymakers and promotes trustworthy news dissemination in the digital era.

Bridging the Generational Gap in the Digital Age: Challenges and Strategies for Enhancing Workplace Cohesion and Performance

2025-05-19T05:20:58+00:00

This study examined the generational digital divide in Nigerian workplaces, focusing on how differences in digital literacy impact communication, collaboration, and overall productivity. Grounded in Generational Cohort Theory and Human Capital Theory, the research explored the unique challenges faced by different generational groups and how their varying experiences with technology shape workplace dynamics. A descriptive survey design was employed, gathering data from 283 respondents across different industries. Findings revealed while most employees are comfortable with digital tools, generational differences create significant communication barriers in the workplace. Results also indicated that older employees face challenges such as fear of making mistakes, insufficient training, and workplace cultures that favour younger, tech-savvy workers. Respondents sampled for this study emphasized that strategies such as regular digital skills training, mentorship programs pairing younger and older employees, and fostering an inclusive, learning-oriented culture are essential for bridging the generational gap in the digital age. The study concluded that sustained investment in cross-generational training, empathetic leadership, and accessible technology is vital to enhancing workplace cohesion and productivity in Nigeria’s evolving digital landscape.

A Review of Customer Satisfaction with a Special Emphasis on Healthcare

2025-05-19T05:28:15+00:00

Customer satisfaction is an important construct to enhance the quality of healthcare services. The purpose of assessing customer satisfaction is to analyse the multidimensional interactions from the perspective of the customer so that such information can be used to enhance quality of healthcare. The aim of this paper was to review the literature and the theoretical frameworks of customer satisfaction with a special emphasis on healthcare. This review focussed on the concept of satisfaction, explained the models of satisfaction, types of satisfaction, dimensions and determinants of satisfaction and predictors of satisfaction.

Volkswagen's Localization Strategy: A Case of Rwanda’s Automotive Industry and Job Creation

2025-06-01T09:02:25+00:00

Volkswagen has effectively leveraged localization strategies across diverse global markets to enhance competitiveness and expand market reach. This paper examines Volkswagen’s strategic localization approach, with a particular focus on its impact on Rwanda’s automotive industry and job creation. By establishing an assembly plant in Kigali and integrating mobility solutions aligned with Rwanda’s economic and sustainability objectives, Volkswagen has played a pivotal role in shaping industrial development. This study employed a cross-sectional quantitative design to assess perceptions of Volkswagen’s localization strategy in Rwanda, focusing on its impact on the automotive industry and job creation. Surveys were distributed to 43 managerial-level employees at Volkswagen Mobility Solutions and 100 assembly plant employees to evaluate views on employment effects and localization effectiveness. Descriptive research design was used to systematically analyze responses, highlighting benefits such as job creation and changes in the industry landscape based on participants' perspectives. The findings from 80 respondents show that Volkswagen’s localization strategy in Rwanda serves as a model for companies and nations embracing sustainable mobility. Workforce development is a key factor in fostering self-sufficiency and economic progress while enhancing efficiency and competitiveness. While Volkswagen's efforts in employment, skill development, and alignment with national priorities are commendable, challenges related to community engagement and bridging the skills gap present opportunities for further growth. This study highlights the significance of localization in fostering economic growth, skill development, and sustainable transportation solutions.

Debt Collection, Strategic Alliance as Business Strategic Initiatives and Organizational Performance: Empirical Evidence in Kenya

2025-06-01T09:08:20+00:00

Kenya largely depends on import pharmaceuticals for its healthcare needs with imported medicines accounting for 70% total market valuation in Kenya. Success and profitability of import pharmaceutical companies is therefore important for the sustainability of Kenyan health sector and well-being of its citizens. Import pharmaceutical companies face challenges in organizational performance which include Profit, market share, customer retention and inventory turnover. The objective was to establish the effect of debt collection initiative and strategic alliances initiative on organizational performance of import pharmaceutical companies in Kenya. Balanced Scorecard model was used to anchor organizational performance. Descriptive research design was utilized. The taget population under study was 6356 key employees in 125 registered import pharmaceutical companies. Data was collected using open and closed ended questionnaire from 376 employees selected using stratified random sampling. The pilot study involved 38 respondents from the target population. Reliability was tested using Cronbach's alpha and the computed coefficient was 0.808. Content validity was determined using content validity index. (CVI) of 0.8. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings indicated that debt collection and strategic alliance initiatives had a meaningful positive correlation with organizational performance of import pharmaceutical companies in Kenya, with strategic alliance initiatives showing the strongest relationship (r = 0.790, p < 0.001). Debt collection initiatives also had a strong correlation (r = 0.748, p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that strategic alliances and debt collection initiatives had significant effect on organizational performance. In conclusion debt collection processes should be strengthened through proactive monitoring and digital payment. Organizations should strengthen strategic alliances with suppliers, healthcare institutions, and regulators in order to enhance market expansion and compliance. Research ethics was upheld throughout the study. Findings are relevant to policy makers, industry stakeholders and in designing procedures and guidelines that aid the success and resilience of the import pharmaceutical sector, ultimately benefiting the health industry in Kenya. The research findings lay a foundation for future studies aimed at identifying and implementing effective business strategic initiatives tailored to the needs of import pharmaceutical companies.