THEOLOGY OF MARRIAGE IN GENESIS TWO AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR PRE-MARITAL COUNSELLING

This paper examined the theology of marriage in Genesis 2 and how it impacts premarital counselling within the Christian ideology, through biblical principles for marital harmony. Using a theological and doctrinal dimension, the paper analysed Genesis 2 narrative and its relevance to modern Christian marriage. It also reviewed existing literature, scriptural interpretations, and current views on premarital counselling. The study revealed that Genesis 2 presented marriage as a divine institution, which was instituted by God for man companionship, procreation, and spiritual fulfilment. It further emphasized that marriage should be between a man and a woman (heterosexual) and should be monogamous, not polygamous. It also suggested that God’s will for humanity is to form unions through marriage to prevent loneliness. In addition, premarital counselling, that is rooted in these biblical principles, empowers couples with communication skills, emotional and spiritual readiness, and conflict resolution strategies, which contribute to the stability and success of Christian marriages. Premarital counselling that is based on Genesis 2 can also address common misconceptions, such as the importance of marriage preparation, thereby providing a framework for understanding marriage as a sacred, lifelong commitment. It was concluded that the implications for premarital counselling derived from Genesis 2 are important for guiding couples toward building a God-centred marriage. The findings recommended that pastors and counsellors should uphold biblical teachings as foundational in their guidance, to ensure a healthier, and more enduring marriages within the Christian household.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMPLOYEE WELFARE, PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AMONG ACADEMIC STAFF OF STATE UNIVERSITIES IN NORTH EAST NIGERIA

This study explored how employee welfare and psychological wellbeing affect human development among academic staff in state universities in North East Nigeria. It was based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory. The study had two objectives: (1) to examine the link between employee welfare and psychological wellbeing, and (2) to assess how psychological wellbeing influences staff development. A correlational research design was used. The population of the study consisted of 2,600 academic staff from six state-owned universities. The sample of the study was 780 respondents which made up 30% of the total number of academic staff population. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select the sample of the study. Data were collected through structured questionnaires. A total of 780 academic staff were selected using stratified random sampling from six out of seven state-owned universities. This number made up 30% of the total academic staff population of 2,600.Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The mean score and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while the Pearson Product Correlation Movement (PPMC) was used to test the hypotheses. Results showed a strong positive relationship between employee welfare and psychological wellbeing. They also showed a positive link between psychological wellbeing and human development. The study concluded that better welfare and mental health support improve staff satisfaction, emotional balance, and work performance. It recommended that universities provide better welfare packages and mental health services, like
counseling and stress management.

PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTIONS FOR CONTROL AND PREVENTION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN SOME SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF TARABA STATE

This paper investigated organizational culture as a determinant of teachers’ job performance in public secondary schools in Benue State, Nigeria. Two research questions guided the study, while two hypotheses were formulated and tested. The study adopted Edgar Schein’s organizational culture model (1971) and Victor Vroom’s expectancy theory (1964). The study adopted Correlational research design. The population comprised 2,472 teachers in 319 public secondary schools with a sample size 247 teachers. The sample was selected using multistage sampling procedure. Organizational Culture Questionnaire (OCQ) and Teachers’ Job Performance Questionnaire (TJPQ) were used for data collection. The questionnaires were structured on 4-point rating of Strongly Agree (SA)=4, Agree (A)=3, Disagree (D)=2 and Strongly Disagree (SD)=1. It was validated by three experts in Faculty of Education, Benue State University, Makurdi. Cronbach Alpha statistic was used to determine the reliability of the instrument using 40 teachers. The result yielded co-efficient value of 0.84. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to answer the research questions and test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study showed that there was a strong significant positive correlation of teamwork and equitable reward system with teachers’ job performance in public secondary schools. The study concluded that there was a strong positive significant correlation of organizational culture with teachers’ job performance in public secondary schools in Benue State, Nigeria. It was recommended that principals should ensure that there is improved teamwork among teachers and they should also ensure equitable reward system is maintained in public secondary schools. This could help in improving teachers’ job performance in public secondary schools.

A CORRELATIONAL STUDY OF ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AND TEACHERS’ JOB PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

This paper investigated organizational culture as a determinant of teachers’ job performance in public secondary schools in Benue State, Nigeria. Two research questions guided the study, while two hypotheses were formulated and tested. The study adopted Edgar Schein’s organizational culture model (1971) and Victor Vroom’s expectancy theory (1964). The study adopted Correlational research design. The population comprised 2,472 teachers in 319 public secondary schools with a sample size 247 teachers. The sample was selected using multistage sampling procedure. Organizational Culture Questionnaire (OCQ) and Teachers’ Job Performance Questionnaire (TJPQ) were used for data collection. The questionnaires were structured on 4-point rating of Strongly Agree (SA)=4, Agree (A)=3, Disagree (D)=2 and Strongly Disagree (SD)=1. It was validated by three experts in Faculty of Education, Benue State University, Makurdi. Cronbach Alpha statistic was used to determine the reliability of the instrument using 40 teachers. The result yielded co-efficient value of 0.84. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to answer the research questions and test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study showed that there was a strong significant positive correlation of teamwork and equitable reward system with teachers’ job performance in public secondary schools. The study concluded that there was a strong positive significant correlation of organizational culture with teachers’ job performance in public secondary schools in Benue State, Nigeria. It was recommended that principals should ensure that there is improved teamwork among teachers and they should also ensure equitable reward system is maintained in public secondary schools. This could help in improving teachers’ job performance in public secondary schools.

EXPLORING THE CHALLENGES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT IN NIGERIA

This study discussed on the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act was passed in 2011, anticipating a remarkable milestone in transparency, accountability and democratic governance in Nigeria. However, legal enactment does not necessarily guarantee the effective enforcement of the law, thus the implementation of the FOI has been beset with a myriad of challenges. The Public Sphere Theory propounded by Jürgen Habermas in 1962 was used as theoretical framework. This study analyzes key factors hindering the successful implementation of the FOI Act in Nigeria which include institutional apathy, nonchalance and lack of adequate enforcement, as well as devoid of technological means. This investigation, along with checking literature and other jurisdictions, convinces us that persistent cultural, legal and infrastructural constraints restrict the fulfillment of the democratic intents of the FOI Act. The study also investigates the impact of advocacy and suggested further public education campaigns, comprehensive institutional restructuring and an autonomous monitoring agency for the proactive civil society needed alarming oversight gap. The gaps exposed in this investigation urge reform suggesting loose legal frameworks, technology gaps and action gaps alongside constitution and governance principles engineering direct legislative-driven impact on states to free information access barriers sought by citizens to achieve.