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Exploring the Symbolic Meanings and Cultural Significance of Pottery in Africa
(East African Scholars Publisher, Kenya, 2026-01-28) Omonijo, D.O & Abakun A.O
Western scholarship and media have often emphasized the negative aspects of African culture, frequently employing terms such as “barbaric” or “outdated.” These portrayals, whether deliberate or uninformed, neglect the imperfections of Western societies and perpetuate a biased understanding of global cultural realities. This review article challenges such imbalances by examining the symbolic meanings and cultural significance of pottery in African traditions through the lens of hegemonic theory. Focusing on selected regions in Western, Northern and Eastern Nigeria, the study explores the types of clay pots used by worshippers, the processes of molding and design, and the individual and communal taboos that govern their creation and use. It further highlights emerging trends in pottery that mirror traditional religious clay pots, situating them within the dynamics of contemporary Nigerian society. By assessing the adaptability of these cultural artifacts in an era of rapid technological advancement, the article underscores the resilience of African traditions and their capacity to evolve while retaining symbolic depth and cultural relevance
Purification and characterization of thermostable cellulase from Enterobacter cloacae IP8 isolated from decayed plant leaf litter
(2017) Akintola Isaac Abayomi
Cellulases are important in the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials and thereby contribute to biomass conversion into fuels and chemicals. A cellulase-producing bacterium was isolated from decayed plant leaf litter in soil of a botanical garden. Based on morphological, biochemical and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, it was identified as Enterobacter cloacae IP8, with gene bank accession number NR118568.1. The bacterial cellulase was purified in a three-step procedure using lyophilization, ion exchange chromatography (QAE Sephadex A-50) and gel filtration (Biogel P100). Two isoforms of the enzyme were purified 1.21 and 1.23 folds, respectively, with yields of 30 and 29% for isoforms A and B, respectively. Apparent molecular weights of 36.61 ± 1.40 and 14.1 ± 0.10 kDa were obtained for isoforms A and B, respectively, using gel filtration chromatography. Kinetic parameters Km and Vmax were 0.13 ± 0.04 mg/ml and 3.84 ± 0.05 U/ml/min, respectively, for isoform A and 0.58 ± 0.06 mg/ml and 13.8 ± 0.10 U/ml/min, respectively, for isoform B. Optimum pH (7.0) and temperature (60 C) of cellulase activity were determined for both isoforms A and B. Naþ and Ca2þ enhanced the activities of both isoforms. Mg2þ inhibited the enzyme activity at concentrations 4–15 mM but, while it stimulated the activity of isoform A at concentrations 15–200 mM, it inhibited that of isoform B at same concentration range. The strong inhibition of the enzyme by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) confirmed the enzyme as a metalloenzyme. These results reveal the purified cellulase from E. cloacae IP8 as a thermostable, acidic to neutral metalloenzyme, suggesting that it has good potential for biotechnological applications
Proverbialism Theory: Owe L’esin Oro, Bi Oro Ba Sonun, Owe La Fi Un Waa—As Search Engine Theory
(Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, 2026) Oyinloye, Oloyede
In mapping the territories which communication theories cover, in order to comprehensively study communication phenomena in terms of nature, processes and functions, a wide range of collective wisdom found in the entire body of human communication experience were established. This offers thorough understanding of a wide range of communication processes with scant attention paid to the multi-theoretical orientations of proverbs and proverbial expressions. If communication theories offer abstract explanations of communication phenomena and proverbs provide explanations about complex human social situations and behaviour, then there must be points of convergence between theories and proverbs. It is upon this convergence that the theoretical flag of Proverbialism is hoisted. Proverbialism theory takes its root from a popular proverbial expression (owe) among the Yoruba of South western Nigeria that “Owe lesin oro, bi oro ba sonu owe la fi n wa.” Meaning that proverbs are keys to complex behavioural expressions and situations that are frequently lost during social interactions, or when words defy mutual intelligibility or literally lost its sense-making value, proverbs are invited as the search engines to locate the lost meaning thereby rendering the rather complicated situations or behaviour more understandable for all. Situated on the socio-cultural orientations of the wise, Proverbialism is driven by a good measure of experience, wisdom and common sense. This chapter presents Proverbialism as a normative theory of proverbs and proverbial expressions which offers insights into human social interactions situated on the conventional wisdom of elders for explaining and predicting complex communication behaviour and situations.
Maternal and community factors associated with unmet contraceptive need among childbearing women in Northern Nigeria
(Contraception and Reproductive Medicine, 2019) Solanke Bola Lukman
Background: Unmet need for modern contraceptive remains a critical reproductive health challenge in Nigeria. Numerous studies in Nigeria and other countries have investigated the patterns, prevalence and associated factors of unmet contraceptive need. In spite of these, the associated factors of unmet contraceptive need in Northern Nigeria have remained insufficiently explored. The few studies that focused on Northern Nigeria have mainly examined maternal individual factors leaving out higher level factors such as community-level factors that may be associated with unmet contraceptive need. This study examines the extent to which maternal and community factors are associated with unmet contraceptive need in Northern Nigeria. Method: Data was pooled from 2008 to 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys. A weighted sample size of 26, 730 women was analysed. The outcome variable was unmet contraceptive need, dichotomised into no unmet need and unmet need. The explanatory variables were individual maternal characteristics such as age, education, number of living children, age at marriage, pregnancy termination experience, and death of a child, and selected community characteristics such as community socioeconomic status, community literacy level, community knowledge of modern contraceptive and geo-political zone. The Multilevel Logistic Regression Model (MLRM) was applied. Result: Results showed a prevalence of 18% unmet contraceptive need among Northern women in Nigeria. Maternal age of 35years or older (AOR = 0.873; p< 0.05, CI: 0.780–0.976), having five or more living children (AOR = 1.813; p< 0.001, CI: 1.663–1.977), higher maternal education (AOR = 0.787; p < 0.05, CI: 0.625–0.993), and never experience death of a child (AOR =0.866; p<0.001, CI: 0.805–0.933) are the maternal factors significantly associated with unmet contraceptive need, while high community literacy level (AOR = 1.230; p< 0.05, CI: 1.041–1.454), moderate (AOR = 0.862; p< 0.05, CI: 0.767 0.968) or high (AOR = 0.821; p< 0.05, CI: 0.726–0.929) community knowledge of modern contraceptive, and geo-political zone of residence are the community-level characteristics significantly associated with unmet contraceptive need among women in Northern Nigeria. Conclusion: Maternal and community factors are significantly associated with unmet contraceptive need, but based on the ICC maternal factors have more significance in Northern Nigeria. The expansion of existing family planning delivery points to cover all communities including rural and remote areas in the region is imperative.
Nigeria’s Juvenile Crime: A Historical Trajectory
(SCaRPE-A Nigeria, 2024) AKANBI Bode Oladayo
Juvenile crime in Nigeria has been a growing concern through the years. Hence, this study embarks on an exploration of the evolution of juvenile crime within the Nigerian context. Drawing upon a wealth of archival records, legal documents, and historical narratives, it traces the shifting patterns of juvenile delinquency from the pre-colonial era through to the present day. It explores the shifting definitions of juvenile crime, the changing demographics of young offenders, and the emergence of new criminal trends. The study illuminates how socio-economic changes, cultural dynamics, and legislative reforms have influenced the nature and prevalence of juvenile crime over time. Furthermore, it critically examines the impact of colonial rule and postcolonial rule on the juvenile justice system, highlighting the enduring legacies and contemporary challenges. It considers the impact of colonialism, economic and social changes, and the evolving legal framework on the nature and perception of juvenile delinquency. The paper argues that understanding the historical context of juvenile crime is crucial for developing effective preventative and rehabilitative strategies in contemporary Nigeria.