Temidayo David OLADIPO | Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (original) (raw)

Papers by Temidayo David OLADIPO

State fragility and coups in Franco-phone West Africa constitute a worrisome political issue caus... more State fragility and coups in Franco-phone West Africa constitute a worrisome political issue caused by weak leadership, instability, poverty, corruption, weak governance institutions, insurgency and terrorism, kidnapping and banditry, border porosity and high rates of military coup. The paper analysed the causes and consequences of military takeovers in West Africa and the role of regional organizations in curbing them. Secondary materials were used for data analysis. The paper concludes that the brazen-faced and audacious French imperialism in West Africa has contributed to the ongoing instability and insecurity in the subregion; creating a fertile ground for coup resurgence, which was driven by military leaders seeking to gain control and exploit the resources of the region for their own benefit. The paper thus suggests that as soon as the polity is stabilized, political power should be returned to the people in the affected States.

LASU Journal of Humanities, Education and Law, 2022

Contemporary models of democracy are at best representative in nature as a result of the size of ... more Contemporary models of democracy are at best representative in nature as a result of the size of the
modern state. This has the unfortunate side effect of ostracising the people, whose opportunity to
actively participate in governance is reduced to the period of elections, thereby minimising
harnessing the regular contributions of the people to democratic consolidation. Thus, there is the
need to fashion out ways through which the contributions of the people can be garnered towards
strengthening the developmental outcomes of democracy. The argument pursued in this paper is
that the local government should be restructured in such a way that it will put governance in the
hands of the people, thus returning to the original intention of democracy, as was obtained in its
cradle Athens. This is possible at the local government level because the population therein is
limited when compared to that of the state. Thus, this paper uses Nigeria as a case study to argue for
the need to have smaller political institutions able to better accommodate the participation of the
people. It is pointed out that the local government as we have it in Nigeria presently is
dysfunctional as a result of the interference of the state and federal governments in the affairs of the
local government. This has to be addressed leading to the devolution of more powers to the local
government in Nigeria.

This article examines Nigeria's interventions in the Economic Community of West African States (E... more This article examines Nigeria's interventions in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Relying on data from key ranking bodies, memoirs of retired career ambassadors, general library materials and thematic data analysis, the study observes that Nigeria's interventions in ECOWAS have not only been remarkable, they have also allowed the country to consolidate its position as the undisputed leader in West Africa. While the platform of ECOWAS has allowed Nigeria to pursue some noble objectives, there are some inconveniences associated with this policy orientation. These contradictions, which have sometimes constrained Nigeria's diplomacy in West Africa and contracted the returns, include the anti-Nigerian sentiments from some Francophone members of ECOWAS, occasional unfriendly attitude of some small West African countries, and Nigeria's worsening security challenges that are now spilling into neighbouring countries. Appropriate policy measures are also provided to counteract these contradictions.

The focus in this article is on the examination of the goal of naturahs d epistemology which seek... more The focus in this article is on the examination of the goal of naturahs d epistemology which seeks to replace the philosophical inquiry into epistemology" ith the methodology of science. It is argued in the paper that the proposal for naturalised epi temology undermines the importance of the methodology of conducting philosophi al inquiry, and hence the philosophical treatment of issues in epistemology, as well as the Importance of philosophical inquiry into science. It is concluded that although other means of analysing knowledge may emerge, yet. epistemology will have to continue to evaluate human knowledge philosophically because the philosophical quest for knowledge is a reminder that we can be better than we are, that there are lofty heights of ideals yet to be attained, and search for which we must not relent. Our position is that this philosophical quest is what is responsible for keeping the insatiable human spirit searching, and researching for the perfection, which according to Plato, resides in the world of forms. At the heart of this search is the conviction that certainty, absolute truth. is radically different from scientific discovery about it.

African Journal of Stability and Development, May 17, 2024

Education remains one of the tools for the transformation of individuals and society. It is a pow... more Education remains one of the tools for the transformation of individuals and society. It is a powerful instrument of social change, which also plays a crucial role in nation-building. The rate of involvement of in-school adolescents in deviant behaviour is however of great concern to stakeholders. Indiscipline in schools has reached an alarming rate; a situation which could be traced to the home, society and the attitude of students towards schooling. The result is poor academic performance of many in-school adolescents. This study becomes necessary in the light of antisocial deviant behaviours among in-school adolescents in Nigeria. The main purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of deviant behaviour on academic activities and identify the strategies for managing deviant behaviour among in-school adolescents using Oyo State, Nigeria, as a case study. The findings show that there was a significant relationship between deviant behaviours and students' academic activities. There

African Journal of Stability and Development, May 17, 2023

Kidnapping is a long-standing global phenomenon, which is not unique to any continent or country.... more Kidnapping is a long-standing global phenomenon, which is not unique to any continent or country. However, it has taken on a new dimension in the 21st century with the development of kidnapping for ransom. Kidnapping for ransom is now a lucrative business in many nations of the world, and has grown particularly worrisome in Nigeria, due to the country's weak security system. It is in this regard that this article examines the impact of kidnapping for ransom on Nigeria's image. The study explores the evolution of kidnapping in Nigeria, causes of kidnapping, effects of kidnapping on victims and its impact on Nigeria's image. The study, which is qualitative in nature, discovers that Nigeria-a country that has long struggled with maintaining a positive image has allowed kidnapping to linger for too long. The paper posits that Nigeria has become insecure for both locals and foreigners and this has consequently affected foreign direct investment, tourism and migration. The paper thus argues that if kidnapping for ransom is not adequately tackled, it will hinder the growth of the economy arising from the consequence of hampered image of the country in the comity of nations. It therefore concludes that there is a need for the government to take proactive measures rather than reactive ones towards this menace.

International Journal of Arts and Humanities, Jan 2, 2024

This study explores Fela Anikulapo Kuti, arguably Africa's most iconic resistant artist of the tw... more This study explores Fela Anikulapo Kuti, arguably Africa's most iconic resistant artist of the twentieth century by analysing the strategic logic of Nonviolence in his responses to numerous violent attacks by the repressive and oppressive regimes of the post independent Africa, nay Nigeria. Using the conceptual tool of music as social process and philosophical tool of critical and constructive analysis, the study combines documentary data in Fela's Afrobeat and Key Informant Interview, in order to demonstrate the strategic logic of nonviolence in conflict engagement and transformation in Fela. The study argues that Afrobeat is a musical philosophy shaped by disregard for human rights and gross irresponsibility on the part of government that have manifested in Africa/Nigeria's underdevelopment since the Union Jack was lowered in 1960s. The study avers that chose to be part of politics of revolution by using his music to exude protest and persuasion, non-cooperation and intervention against injustice that has created the many problems of man and social reality. The study concludes that Fela won against the oppressed post-colonial African leaders as he was the public conscience of the oppressed Africans who have continued to win despite being repressed.

ABUAD Journal of Social and Management Sciences, Dec 18, 2023

There is a debate about what social 'capital' as a concept entails. This review article is a cont... more There is a debate about what social 'capital' as a concept entails. This review article is a contribution to that debate. The article explores the various ways the concept of social capital has been used in the literature. The first is that users of the concept employ it to refer to social norms and moral values and the roles they play in society. This first conceptualisation of social capital emphasises the importance that values and norms have for the effectiveness of the various forms of capital. The thinking is that if moral values and social norms are lacking in guiding the operation of the other forms of capital, little or no progress will be made in society. The next perspective is that social capital is generated in people's daily interaction in the community. This view attaches importance to associational life in society. Finally, the paper evaluates the debate about whether social capital can be regarded as a 'capital', given the fact that other forms of capital are tangible while social capital is intangible. It is demonstrated in this paper that inasmuch as other types of capital are valuable because they are able to generate expected outcomes, so is social capital a 'capital' because it enables the achievement of certain goals in society.

Insight on Africa, Nov 25, 2023

African Journal of Stability and Development, 2023

ABUAD Journal of Social and Management Sciences

ABUAD Journal of Social and Management Sciences, 2022

This work deals with the philosophical reflections of Emmanuel Onyechere Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe (19... more This work deals with the philosophical reflections of Emmanuel Onyechere Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe (1921-1988). He was a sage philosopher (a concept employed here in contradistinction to the term 'professional philosopher'), whose philosophical reflections, apart from having metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical dimensions, address certain socio-political issues. An important idea in his corpus is subjected to critical interrogation in this paper. This is the idea of the group mind, a concept which is an embodiment of his reflections on how a group of people can develop institutions that can foster cooperative living. The idea further addresses how the individual can position himself for reorganisation of society by keying into social aspirations through adherence to norms, values and development of spirituality. The individual is to de-emphasise the self in relation to the others, and live the group's vision. To achieve this, the individual is to through introspection, self-searching, self-analysis, self-awareness, and self-knowledge, gain access to their innate endowments and bring these to bear on group cohesion. In Nigeria's case, lack of a sense of nationhood militates against patriotism and, in a democracy, denies the group a collective basis for holding politicians accountable for actions. There is, thus, the issue of distrust which makes consensus tough or nearly impossible. Anyiam-Osigwe's notion of the group mind addresses this problem in Nigeria, if understood and applied.

The paper argues for the need for social reconstruction aimed at engineering sets of social condi... more The paper argues for the need for social reconstruction aimed at engineering sets of social conditions appropriate for the survival of democracy in Africa's emerging democracies

In this essay, we take a sceptical stance on the potency of ritual murder in achieving the aim of... more In this essay, we take a sceptical stance on the potency of ritual murder in achieving the aim of enriching one or endowing one with political power. Regarding becoming wealthy through ritual murder, our position is that ritual killing is nothing more than a social construction providing emotionally satisfying explanation about wealthy people whose sources of wealth are unknown. On the other hand, our sceptical stance on the potency of ritual murder in aiding the acquisition of political power is held because this act of sacrificing humans, in order to bear political dominance fails, seeing that some politicians accused of perpetrating this heinous crime in order to gain victory at the polls still lose elections. However, we acknowledge that superstitious beliefs about the potency of ritual killing in enabling one become either wealthy or gain political victory are dangerous for members of the public, if not challenged, because they spur some members of the public to act in ways that are injurious to others by committing wicked crimes.

The paper advocates for education aimed at disabusing the minds of those who stigmatise children ... more The paper advocates for education aimed at disabusing the minds of those who stigmatise children as witches, with the belief that at the foundation of the malady is misinformation from home video and lack of access to formal education

The crux of the issue addressed in this paper is that the children who are errondously tagged wit... more The crux of the issue addressed in this paper is that the children who are errondously tagged witches in certain parts of Africa' are helpless victims of the socio-economic misfortune that is plaguing the continent. We tried to show how the economic misfortune confronting the continent is seen as an avenue to be exploited by some churches and how the children

Engaging the Future in the Present: Issues in Culture and Philosophy, 2015

In this chapter, the author discusses the nature of Philosophy. This is done by looking at the ac... more In this chapter, the author discusses the nature of Philosophy. This is done by looking at the activities of philosophers, using the Milesian Philosophers as examples, to show how Philosophy is done, since its genesis. The problems addressed in the various primary and secondary branches of Philosophy are also succinctly discussed

In this essay, we argued that the plural nature of the Nigerian state is being exploited through ... more In this essay, we argued that the plural nature of the Nigerian state is being exploited through religion and ethnicity, to further deepen fragmentations among groups in a manner that hinders the flourishing of values that would promote the kind of relationship needed to foster human cooperation and solidarity and the evolution of a proper sense of nationalism. To underscore the import of the moral dimension in addressing problems arising from the unfortunate exploitation of ethnoreligious differences by some, the essay identifies a derisory of essential human values and norms as what continues to stifle the quality of human relations, fuel ethno-religious crises and hinder the development of the kind of group psychology needed for a harmonious relationship among the various groups in the country. Consequently, the essay recommends the building of bridging values and norms, not restrained by primordial considerations, as encapsulated in the social capital resources of trust, tolerance, cooperation and mutual respect. These, the essay concludes, would serve as relational principles for promoting internal cohesiveness and bridging relations among the disparate ethno-religious groups in Nigeria. The study employs the qualitative method of research through critical analysis of texts, library and archival materials.