HEZEKIAH UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES & EDUCATION

The research examined how classroom facilities influence the educational success of undergraduates in universities located in Bayelsa State. The paper employed a descriptive survey design. The population consists of 400-level students within the Faculty of Education at Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State. The purposive sampling was used to select 416 participants, comprising of 267 males and 149 females. Data were gathered through a structured questionnaire titled “Impact of Classroom Facilities on Undergraduate Students’ Academic Performance in Universities Questionnaire (ICFUSAPUQ).” The instrument underwent validation by two specialists in the Faculty of Education, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State. Reliability was assessed using the Cronbach Alpha technique, yielding a coefficient of 0.73. Data analysis involved the use of arithmetic mean to address the research questions, while the t-test was employed for hypothesis testing. Findings revealed that seating facilities, such as chairs and desks, are both sufficient and in good working condition in undergraduate classrooms across universities in Bayelsa State. Consequently, the research suggested that, university managements in the state should sustain regular maintenance of classroom seating facilities to ensure continuous comfort and support for undergraduate learning.

The research examined how classroom facilities influence the educational success of undergraduates in universities located in Bayelsa State. The paper employed a descriptive survey design. The population consists of 400-level students within the Faculty of Education at Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State. The purposive sampling was used to select 416 participants, comprising of 267 males and 149 females. Data were gathered through a structured questionnaire titled “Impact of Classroom Facilities on Undergraduate Students’ Academic Performance in Universities Questionnaire (ICFUSAPUQ).” The instrument underwent validation by two specialists in the Faculty of Education, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State. Reliability was assessed using the Cronbach Alpha technique, yielding a coefficient of 0.73. Data analysis involved the use of arithmetic mean to address the research questions, while the t-test was employed for hypothesis testing. Findings revealed that seating facilities, such as chairs and desks, are both sufficient and in good working condition in undergraduate classrooms across universities in Bayelsa State. Consequently, the research suggested that, university managements in the state should sustain regular maintenance of classroom seating facilities to ensure continuous comfort and support for undergraduate learning.

This paper examines the imperative of interdisciplinarity in the production of knowledge in the academic community using history and other disciplines as reference point. Adopting secondary sources, the work establishes that fresh insights, approaches, methodologies, toots, theories and concepts from other cognate disciplines can be integrated to address historical research problems no matter their complex nature or forms. Moreover, since history is both a humanist and never a stand alone academic discipline, it can combine are blend new perspectives from one of more disciplines in the humanities, social sciences, natural and applied sciences, and medical science to tackle complex and contemporary societal problems. The study maintains that the approach would be of great benefit to the historian and wary researchers as it would enable them to ask new questions and find flesh answers as to why things happened the way it did. On the other hand, history is capable of providing contexts and backgrounds to researchers from other disciplines. The paper concludes that scholars should depart from their disciplinary silos and embrace interdisciplinary approach which is capable to find actionable solutions to man’s complex problems.

The God Fantasy and the Search for Conscious Artificial Intelligence (AI) delve into the human desire for a supernatural and superintelligent being, drawing parallels from this yearning and the contemporary quest to create conscious artificial intelligence. This paper examines how the human fascination with a divine entity reflects our need to develop AI that shares human and supersensible traits, comparing modern theories of AI consciousness, such as Turing’s computationalism and Searle’s Chinese Room argument. Applying an interdisciplinary lens, the study traces the historical evolution of AI consciousness, exploring foundational theories and raising ethical questions. These include the moral responsibility of creating conscious machines and the potential for AI to reshape our understanding of ourselves. It also explores the notion of godlike machines and their influence on theological thought, arguing that the pursuit of conscious AI is a secular expression of our God Fantasy. The paper concludes with key insights, suggesting that our continuous fascination with AI consciousness is rooted in an inherent desire for transcendence. It also discusses the broader implications for future research in philosophy, theology, and AI ethics, offering an insightful perspective on the intersection of the God fantasy and the quest for AI consciousness in our rapidly advancing technological world.

This study examines the relationship between regulatory reforms and industrial performance in the Nigerian sugar sector. Over the past decades, the Nigerian government has introduced various regulatory and institutional reforms aimed at improving transparency, attracting private investment, enhancing production efficiency, and reducing dependence on sugar importation. Despite these policy interventions, concerns remain regarding capacity utilization, productivity levels, and competitiveness within the sector. Using a quantitative research design, the study analyzes data collected from major sugar manufacturing firms and relevant regulatory agencies in Nigeria. Key performance indicators such as output growth, capacity utilization rate, profitability, and investment inflows were examined before and after major reform initiatives. The findings reveal that regulatory reforms have had a mixed impact on industrial performance. While reforms contributed to increased private sector participation and moderate growth in investment inflows, challenges such as policy inconsistency, infrastructural deficits, and regulatory bottlenecks continue to constrain optimal production efficiency and full capacity utilization. The study concludes that although regulatory reforms are essential for industrial development, their effectiveness depend largely on policy stability, institutional capacity, and supportive infrastructure. It recommends strengthening regulatory enforcement, ensuring policy consistency, improving energy supply, and promoting backward integration strategies to enhance sustainable performance in the Nigerian sugar sector.

This study examines the effectiveness of peer counseling in enhancing the academic performance of secondary school students in the Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area, Lagos State. Academic achievement remains a key indicator of educational success, yet students in urban Nigerian communities often face psychosocial challenges that hinder learning, including peer pressure, economic constraints, and family instability. Peer counseling, a structured program in which trained students provide academic, emotional, and social support to their peers, was investigated as a potential intervention to mitigate these challenges. A descriptive research design was employed, and data were collected from secondary school students using structured questionnaires. Analyses included descriptive statistics and regression to determine the relationship between peer counseling and academic performance. The findings revealed that peer counseling significantly improves students’ academic outcomes, accounting for 26% of the variance in performance scores. Specifically, students participating in peer counseling reported enhanced study habits, greater academic self-efficacy, and increased engagement in school activities. These results align with Bandura’s Social Learning Theory and Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory, emphasizing the importance of peer modeling, emotional support, and collaborative learning. The study concludes that peer counseling is an effective strategy for promoting academic success and psychosocial well-being among secondary school students. Recommendations include expanding peer counseling programs, providing structured training for peer counselors, and integrating peer support with formal school counseling services to maximize positive educational outcomes.

Electricity metering systems are essential components of efficient energy distribution and consumer satisfaction. In Nigeria, the transition from postpaid to prepaid metering was designed to promote transparency, accountability, and user empowerment. This paper conceptually examines the impact of prepaid metering on consumer satisfaction within Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja. Drawing from theoretical models and studies published between 2020 and 2024, it explores billing accuracy, control, and trust. Findings suggest that prepaid metering enhances satisfaction by improving fairness and eliminating estimated billing, though challenges such as delayed meter access, technical issues, and inconsistent power supply persist. The paper recommends consumer education, infrastructure development, and broader policy reinforcement to sustain satisfaction and energy sector efficiency.

This study investigates self-concept as correlate of emotional stability among single parents in Rivers State. Three research questions and three hypotheses guided the Study. Correlational research design was used for the study. The population of the study comprised all the single parents in Rivers State, estimated at5,000. Multi-stage sampling technique was used for the study. Fluid survey sample size online calculator was used to determine the sample size of 400 single parents for the study. Four self-constructed instruments titled ‘‘Selfconcept Scale’’ (SCS) and ‘‘Emotional Stability Scale’’ (ESS) were used to collect data. The instruments SCS and ESS were validated by experts. The reliability of the instruments was estimated through test –retest method and yielded reliability indices of; SCS r=0.85, and ESS r=0.87. The researcher administered the instruments to the respondents with the assistance of two research assistants. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to answer and test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance using SPSS. The findings of the study revealed that there was significant relationship between self-concept and emotional stability among single parents in Rivers State. The study recommended among others that: the Rivers State Government should organize seminars, workshops and conferences regularly on self-concept since it has positive relationship on single parents’ emotional stability.

Peace and communality are virtues in African culture that African Christian theology have enculturated. Since independence, both the church and the nation have battled disunity, instability, ethnic and class conflicts. This is a major distraction that has hindered the church from effective execution the Great Commission and mission. This study explores Pauline teaching on harmonious relationships in 1 Cor. 1:10-12 as a model for promoting unity in the Roman Catholic, Lagos Province, and sustainable democracy in Nigeria. Scholars have expressed different views on the divisions reported in 1 Corinthians. Grace (2011), Naselli (2018), Rhodes (2020) and others viewed the conflicts and division in the Corinthian church as a departure from the centrality of Christ. This paper however examined 1Cor.1:10-12 and the need to embrace peace as Christians and promote unity in the Church. The study adopts mixed methods which comprises the historico-critical method and the existential method in the analysis of 1 Corinthians 1:10-12; secondary data and participant observation. Peacebuilding in the church will serve as catalyst for sustainable democracy because many of the people in governance are members of the church.  The Church must imbibe the virtues of peace and communality as enshrined in African culture and the Bible.

The present study is aimed at examining land use and land use changes in peri urban areas surrounding State capitals in the South-South region of Nigeria. Land use is the reason for which a land is used, peri-urban areas play key roles in the development and quality of life in the urban centres. The study was hinged on the theory of Urban Bias. The study adopted the cross-sectional research design with the use of survey method to achieve the purpose of the study. A structured checklist and questionnaire was used for the study and in order to examine the land use change patterns, to determine changes in land uses, land use maps for 1992 and 2022 was developed with the aid of Satellite Images (Landsat of 1990 and Google Earth Images for 2013) supported by field work. The study revealed that the peri urban areas surrounding State Capitals were densely populated with fragmented and multi sectorial land uses ranging from housing for residential, commercial as well as industrial usages, agricultural uses and that there is a dynamic rapid transition in the land use demography of the peri urban areas. The finding shows that development trends in the peri urban signifies steady advancement in basic infrastructural facilities such as educational, health, housing and transportation. The study recommends that Government implement effective land use policies that promote compact and mixed- use development, protect natural resources, and preserve agricultural land and that infrastructure investments be strategically planned to support the growing urban population, enhance connectivity, and improve the quality of life for residents.

This research explored the relationship between pastoral care and church growth in the Ikwerre South District of the Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria. This is predicated on the fact that since its establishment in the 1950s, the district has expanded to 142 churches by 2022. It examined the historical background of the district, analyzed the link between effective pastoral care and church expansion, evaluated the impact of pastoral care practices on growth, identified challenges affecting their delivery and proposed strategies for improvement. It also highlighted relevant tools and platforms that can enhance pastoral effectiveness and promote church development in the district. The study was anchored on the Transformational Leadership Theory and the Systems Theory of Church Growth. A descriptive survey design was employed. The target population consisted of 2,000 members of the Assemblies of God Church in Ikwerre South District, with a sample of 100 participants drawn from 50 different churches in the district. The sample includes 30 pastors, 25 deacons, 20 deaconesses, and 25 full members (communicants). Data were obtained through oral interviews, observations and secondary materials and analyzed descriptively. The findings revealed that pastoral care activities such as intentional discipleship, counselling, visitation, community outreach, mission participation and welfare support, revival meetings, contemporary musical instruments, improved worship facilities, prayer groups, digital innovations, and leadership training are essential resources that enhance both spiritual and numerical growth. The study concluded that pastoral care serves as the cornerstone of the Assemblies of God Church’s spiritual vitality and numerical expansion in Ikwerre South District. It recommendedstrengthening discipleship structures, broadening welfare support, ensuring steady mission funding, and adopting digital technologies to boost pastoral effectiveness.

This study examines extrajudicial killings by government and non-state actors, as well as abuse and violation of human rights, which have been a major challenge in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Both state and non-state actors have been implicated in the perpetration of these violations, resulting in a climate of fear, insecurity, and mistrust among the population. The Nigerian government has a legal obligation to protect the rights of its citizens, including the rights to life, education, and health, which are enshrined in the Nigerian constitution and international human rights law. However, the failure to hold perpetrators accountable has perpetuated a culture of impunity, leading to more abuses. Urgent action is needed by the Nigerian government and law enforcement agencies to investigate and hold perpetrators accountable, provide adequate compensation and redress to victims, and implement comprehensive reforms to strengthen the rule of law and respect for human rights.

This study looks at how the conflict paradigm affects adult learners' empowerment in Nigerian rural areas. The conflict paradigm, which has its roots in Marxian sociology, sees society as being marked by power struggles, inequality, and competitiveness, all of which have an impact on educational achievements and access. Adult learners in rural Nigeria frequently encounter systemic obstacles that limit their chances for empowerment, including poverty, gender inequity, cultural norms, and a lack of government assistance. The study emphasizes how adult education can be a place of contestation as well as a tool for emancipation by utilizing the conflict paradigm. On the one hand, it highlights how unequal distribution of chances and resources can cause educational systems to perpetuate social inequality. However, it also highlights how adult education may change lives by increasing critical consciousness, encouraging group action, and enhancing social and economic involvement skills. The paper concludes that conflict paradigm remains highly relevant in understanding empowerment through adult education. By foregrounding issues of inequality, class struggle, and power, it provides a critical lens for examining how adult education can either entrench existing disparities or serve as a platform for transformation.

This study investigated school location and students' attitudes on achievement in business studies in junior secondary schools in Port Harcourt City, Rivers State, Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive research design. The study population included 688 teachers and 16,663 students in the 20 public Junior Secondary Schools in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area. A sample of 224 respondents (56 Business studies teachers and 168 JSC III students) was selected using multistage sampling in 20 public Junior Secondary Schools. A 20-item non-cognitive instrument titled “School Location and Students' Attitude on Achievement in Business Studies Questionnaire” (SLSAABSQ), and a 40-item cognitive instrument “Business Studies Achievement Test” (BSAT), with reliability coefficients of 0.869 and 0.852, were used for data collection. Data collected was analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Corelation (PPMC) to answer research questions 1 and 2, while Multiple Regression Analysis was used to answer question 3. The study revealed Pearson Correlation Coefficients (r) of 0.830, and 0.842, as well as same p-value of 0.000, which indicated a positive, very strong and significant contribution of school location, and students’ attitude, respectively to students’ achievement in Business studies in Junior Secondary schools in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Rivers State. The study recommended, among others, that the government should ensure that policymakers and planners focus on effectively addressing environmental and infrastructural disparities, as well as integrate interventions to improve student attitudes and teachers' enthusiasm, which can have a direct and measurable impact on student achievement in Business Studies, irrespective of their school location.

This study assesses the ethnobotany of contraceptives among the adolescents of Omudioga in Emohua Local Government Area. An exploratory research design was adopted and the respondents were selected among people of ages 9-20 years using purposive non-probability sampling method. The study randomly selected 187 (98 males and 89 females) respondents as the sample size. A questionnaire titled; Questionnaire on Ethnobotany of Contraceptives (QEC) was specifically designed as the instrument for the study. A reliability coefficient of 0.89 was obtained using Cronbach’s Alpha method. Frequencies and percentages were employed in data analysis to answer research questions. The findings of this study revealed a remarkably high level of contraceptives awareness, though only 5.3% of respondents identified herbal contraceptives. There was a low level of herbal contraceptive awareness as well as level of actual herbal contraceptives knowledge was low at 6.6%. The study also revealed that 10.7% of the teenagers had sex more than once in a week, while 20.3% had sex several times in a month. 8.0% of the teenagers had sex at least once in every month. Findings also indicated egalitarian decision making (35.8%) on the issue of herbal contraceptives use. Based on the findings, this study recommends among others that due to the low level of herbal contraceptive knowledge accurate and detailed information should be passed to teenagers with the aim of creating more positive attitude towards herbal contraceptives.

Urbanization in Nigeria has profoundly shaped intergroup relations, fostering both opportunities for integration and sources of tension. From the colonial times to present, rapid urban growth transformed Nigeria’s social, cultural, and political landscapes as rural-urban migration brought diverse ethnic, religious, and linguistic groups into close proximity in cities such as Lagos, Ibadan, Kano, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Abuja among others. This process facilitated cultural exchange, economic collaboration, and the emergence of cosmopolitan identities that challenged rigid communal boundaries. However, the pressures of competition for resources, housing, employment, and political representation also generated conflict and reinforced ethnic and religious cleavages. This study, used the primary and secondary sources to generate the data needed for the study. It adopted the Intergroup Contact Theory as template for analysis. The work revealed that colonial policies of spatial segregation, post-independence struggles for indigene-settler rights, and contestations over urban governance further complicated intergroup relations. It showed that the oil boom of the 1970s, structural adjustment in the 1980s, and democratic transitions from 1999 accentuated urban inequality, shaping patterns of inclusion and exclusion. The study established that in contemporary Nigeria, urban centers remain both melting pots of, intergroup relations, cultural and religious ties, national integration on one hand and flashpoints of violence, as seen in ethno-religious clashes in Jos and identity politics in Lagos and Port Harcourt on the other hand. The paper recommended promotion of inclusive urban governance and political representation, integration of cultural education and national identity programs in urban schools, and support for community-led initiatives for intergroup dialogue and collaboration among others. It concluded that inclusive urban governance and equitable development are crucial to transforming Nigerian cities into engines of peaceful coexistence and national integration.

This study examines policy implementation and enforcement strategies for technical and vocational education in Rivers State. Although national policies outline clear expectations for curriculum delivery, teacher preparation and skill development, implementation gaps remain widespread. A descriptive survey design was used to assess teachers’ and students’ perceptions across four Government Technical Colleges and seven Government Craft Development Centres. A sample of 532 respondents was selected through proportional stratified random sampling. Data were gathered using a validated questionnaire, interviews and document analysis, and were analysed using mean scores, z-test and t-test statistics at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings showed that most policy provisions guiding technical and vocational education are not effectively implemented in the state. Only the design of technical courses for industry relevance and the provision of practical skills for students were consistently carried out. Other essential policy elements such as teacher training, resource provision and staffing showed low implementation levels. Enforcement strategies were also largely ineffective, with only supervision of staff and students identified as a consistently applied strategy. Hypothesis testing revealed no significant differences in perceptions between teachers and students on policy implementation and between teachers in technical colleges and vocational centres on enforcement strategies. These results indicate systemic weaknesses rather than isolated lapses. Strengthening implementation and enforcement structures is therefore essential for improving training quality and ensuring alignment with national TVE goals. 

This study examines the influence of religious-induced interventions on sustainable development of secondary school students from disintegrated families in South South, Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive research design. The study population included 1543 principals, 3086 vice principals, 37,453 teachers, and  1,834,995 students in South-South Nigeria’s public senior secondary schools. A sample of 918 respondents was selected using multistage sampling across 102 public senior secondary schools in four South-South Nigerian states. A 24-item instrument titled “Religious-Induced Interventions and Sustainable Educational Development of Secondary School Students from Disintegrated Families Scale” (RISEDSSDFS), with 0.917 reliability, was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The study revealed a grand mean score of 3.60, indicating that religious-induced interventions strongly influenced the sustainable educational development of secondary school students from disintegrated families. Also, the category of the respondents’ administrators, teachers, and students) significantly influenced their rating on how religious-induced interventions influenced the sustainable educational development of secondary school students from disintegrated families in South-South, Nigeria (F2, 870=.000, p˂.05). The study recommended among  others that religious organizations should conduct pre-marriage classes and marriage seminars that emphasize love, forgiveness, tolerance, unity, honesty, hard work, prudence, ethical values and dedication as essential traits for building strong bonds, shared responsibilities, and stable families that support their children’s educational development in senior secondary schools. 

This study investigates the implications of community-induced strategies on the sustainable educational development of secondary school students from disintegrated families in Delta State, Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive research design. The population of this study comprised the 283 principals, 566 vice principals, 7,471 teachers, and 336,131 students in the 283 public senior secondary schools in Delta State. A sample of 377 respondents (29 principals, 29 vice principals, 87 teachers, and 232 students) was selected using a five-phase multistage sampling technique in 29 public senior secondary schools. A 24-item structured instrument titled “Community-Induced Strategies and Implications for Sustainable Educational Development of Students from Disintegrated Families Questionnaire” (CISISEDSDFQ), with a reliability coefficient of 0.914, was used to collect data. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the hypothesis at a 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed among others that category of the respondents (school administrators, teachers and students) significantly influenced the community- induced strategies integrated for sustainable educational development of secondary school students from disintegrated families in Delta State, Nigeria (F2, 351=.000, p˂.05). The study recommended among others that school administrators and community stakeholders should establish structured mentoring programmes and vocational life-skills workshops to provide students from disintegrated families with role models, emotional support, and essential academic skills.