This topic is about “Lhashukgen,” who is also known as “sku rten pa”, basically a native Oracle of Monpa community of Arunachal Pradesh. It explores the whole concept of a local Oracle in Monpa Community, his works, his nature, his importance in monpa community etc. This topic also attempts to understand the genealogy and origin of institution of sku ten pa. It also explores the full process and step through which one becomes an Oracle being chosen by the deity and how it becomes hereditary in nature. It also tells that why being chosen by deity one cannot refuse to become an Oracle. Given the limited availability of written records, my research on this topic was largely based on oral sources and accounts. Although there are some books available on Oracle, they are primarily based on the Oracle of either Tibet or of other areas.

The study painstakingly assessed ''Blue Resources under-exploitation and Development Impediment along Atlantic Coastline: Example from Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria’’. Reconnaissance survey was done prior to field work between September 2024 to February 2025. The study employed descriptive method of data analysis alongside in-depth interview using community leaders, Women Association and Youth Forum and other concerned social groups. Focus Group Discussion was further employed using 15 males and 15 females with participants ranging from 28 years and above. Forty (40) structured questionnaires were distributed to heads of household in ten (10) selected communities making a total of 400 questionnaires. Findings revealed that there are numerous blue resources potentials in Akwa Ibom State including blue food, blue tourism resources, blue mineral, blue energy, blue-green resources and blue transport. The study revealed that in order of resource utilization, blue minerals and blue tourism take the leads, while investment in blue energy, maritime services, wetlands farming and aquaculture was under-utilised. Linking this finding with the level of economic development of the region, blue resource under-utilisation contributed significantly to the declining economic situation. It was further realized that household economic status was relatively low in comparison to the huge natural resources availability. The study however, recommended that more efforts should be re-directed towards multi-sectoral and holistic resource management that could ensure that all dimensions of blue resources in the region are incorporated into the economic sector for development. Hence, an organized, participatory and multi-lateral investment, laced with modern skills on environmentally friendly resource exploitation, resource marketing and resource value-chain optimization are suggested.

The study examined the contribution of community based natural resources on the socio-economic development of indigenous coastal dwellers in Odukpani LGA, Cross River State. Four hundred copies of questionnaires were administered to the indigenous coastal dwellers including farmers, hunting, fishing and many others. A total of eleven (11) villages naturally endowed with resources were sampled. Adequate consultation with community stakeholders was carried out so as to fully incorporate their opinion into the study. The various community based resources found were sand aggregate, fisheries, wildlife, forest and swamp cultivation. The factors influencing the exploitation of community based resources were not limited to community institutions, poor technology/capital and land tenure. Chisquare was used in testing hypothesis. The result produces Pearson Chi-Square value of 207.162a, and a P-value (2-sided) of 0.000, with implication that, natural resources availability contributed less on the development of Odukpani LGA, Cross River State. Further result produces Pearson Chi-Square value of 219.100a, degree of freedom (df) of 12 and a P-value (2-sided) of 0.000, revealing that community based resource exploitation does not contribute significantly to household income for indigene of Odukpani. During interactive session, it was revealed that resources control is basically in the hands of few and similarly, management practices tends to contradict the principles of sustainable development. Suggestions such as setting up of committees on indigenous people’s rights and development, self-help development, increased political participation and effective implementation of government policy on financial autonomy at grass root level were raised for a transformative community development.

The study examined ‘Forest Resources Extraction, Indigenous Livelihood and Sustainability Dilemma in Tropical Africa: Case Study of Akwa Ibom State’ in a bid to restore the forestry sector that is threatened by an alarming rate of deforestation, urban expansion, over-population and high demand for forest based products. 400 copies of questionnaires were administered to respondents in the study area who were farmers, fish processors, canoe builders, fuel wood dealers, timber dealers and furniture designers. Questionnaires as well as semi-structured interviews were used in the study for data analysis. Following the interview done as well as the results of questionnaires retrieved from the study area, it was realized that though forest resource extraction was laced with sufficient economic benefits, yet little efforts were made towards re-afforestation and this challenge the sustainability of the forestry sector in the entire state. At field reconnaissance, illegal logging as well as conversion of forested landscape into peasant farmlands/plantation was spotted. Nevertheless, the study recommended that there should be improved legislation in the forestry sector, provision of alternative job to reduce dependence on forest based services, selective logging and primarily mass campaign on re-afforestation in order to stabilize the ecosystem and protect inter-generational utilization of forest-based products.

This study evaluates the impact of community policing strategies on crime control in local communities within Imo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study focuses on two key objectives. The first, is to ascertain whether the implementation of regular community patrols by vigilante groups and the police, contributed to the prevention of kidnapping, and second, to determine if the strategy of setting up security checkpoints by Ebube Agu has been successful in curbing the movement of illegal arms and reducing communal clashes. The study is anchored on Structural-Functionalism Theory. The study integrates both quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide a comprehensive analysis. Findings of the study reveal that regular community patrols effectively deterred criminal activities such as kidnapping, by fostering collaboration between local communities and law enforcement agencies. The visible presence of patrol teams, combined with local intelligence gathering, created a secure environment that disrupted kidnapping operations. In addition, the establishment of security checkpoints by Ebube Agu proved instrumental in intercepting illegal arms, monitoring suspicious movements, and reducing the frequency of communal clashes. Despite these achievements, challenges such as limited resources, lack of trust in some communities, and occasional conflicts between security operatives and residents hindered the full potential of the strategies. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for sustained efforts, improved funding, and creations of stronger partnerships between all stakeholders, in order to enhance their effectiveness.

This paper examines how Former First Lady Michelle Obama (henceforth, the speaker) deploys language in her political campaign speech in support of Kamala Harris, a presidential candidate, delivered on August 21st, 2024 at the 2024 Democratic National Convention (henceforth, DNC) held in Chicago, to encode interpersonal meaning. Guided by theoretical underpinnings (Mood and Appraisal) from Systemic Functional Linguistics (henceforth, SFL) and the descriptive mixed-method research design, the study specifically analyzes the interpersonal resources the speaker employs in her speech to negotiate social relations and construe feelings as well as a relationship of solidarity. The findings reveal that she uses, in varying proportions, Mood features (Mood, Modality and Adjunct). They also indicate that the speaker employs, in varying proportions, Appraisal features (Attitude, Engagement and Graduation) to construe feelings in her speech. The study concludes that the speaker deliberately makes use of the aforementioned interpersonal resources to influence or persuade and manipulate her recipients with a view to getting them to act in her own interest; i.e. vote for her candidate, Kamala Harris, whom she depicts positively, while she at the same represents her opponent, Donald Trump, exclusively in negative terms. While this analysis has demonstrated how the speaker deploys interpersonal resources to interact and bond with her recipients, unveiling the stance she takes towards what she communicates to them, including the two vying candidates, it has not explored how she uses language to encode ideational (experiential and logical) and textual meanings. Future research can look at these aspects.

Soot pollution, also known as black carbon, is a type of air pollution caused by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. In the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, it is a major environmental issue, largely due to the extensive oil and gas operations in the area. This abstract will discuss the causes, effects and potential solutions to soot pollution in the Niger Delta. The primary cause of soot pollution in the Niger Delta is the flaring of natural gas during oil extraction and production. The flaring of gas releases large amounts of black carbon into the air, along with other harmful pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. In addition, the use of old and poorly maintained diesel generators in the region contribute to the high levels of soot pollution. The effects of soot pollution in the Niger Delta are wide-ranging and severe. The most immediate impact is on human health, as exposure to black carbon can lead to respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and even premature death. Soot pollution also has detrimental effects on the environment, such as damaging vegetation and contributing to climate change. It has been estimated that soot pollution from gas flaring alone emits the equivalent of over 72 million tons of carbon dioxide annually. There are several potential solutions that could help reduce soot pollution in the Niger Delta. One approach is to reduce gas flaring by investing in infrastructure and technologies that capture and utilize the gas rather than burning it. This would not only decrease soot pollution, but also provide a valuable energy source for the local communities. Additionally, promoting the use of cleaner energy sources and enforcing stricter regulations on emissions from industrial activities could also help mitigate soot pollution. In conclusion, soot pollution in the Niger Delta is a significant problem with detrimental impacts on both human health and the environment. It is caused by the flaring of natural gas during oil extraction and production and has far-reaching effects. The key to addressing this issue is investing in cleaner technologies and promoting sustainable practices to reduce gas flaring and other sources of soot pollution in the region.