FACULTY OF ARTS

This project looks at how heroism is shown as a social responsibility in Wole Soyinka's Death and the King's Horseman and Ola Rotimi's Kurunmi. In Soyinka's play, the horseman is expected to carry out a duty that will keep the community's tradition alive, but his failure shows how ignoring responsibility can bring disorder to society. In Rotimi's Kurunmi, the leader stands firmly by tradition, but his pride and strictness raise questions about whether his actions truly serve the people. By comparing both plays, the study shows that heroism is not just about bravery but also about serving the community and protecting its values. The project also portrays that in African drama, true heroism is tied to the well-being of society and the choices individuals make for the common good

Cette étude examine l'influence de la langue anglaise sur la prononciation du français chez les étudiants de la première promotion du Département des Langues Étrangères à l'Université de Benin (UNIBEN), Nigeria. L'objectif est d'identifier les erreurs phonétiques dues à l'interférence de l'anglais et d'évaluer leur impact sur l'expression orale des apprenants. À travers une approche descriptive, les données ont été collectées par des enregistrements audio et des tests de lecture orale, puis analysées selon l'Analyse Contrastive et l'Analyse des Erreurs. Les résultats montrent que l'anglais perturbe fortement la prononciation des voyelles nasales, des consonnes et le respect des lettres finales muettes en français. L'étude suggère l'intégration d'exercices phonétiques intensifs au laboratoire de langues pour corriger ces interférences.

The Middle Belt of Nigeria has increasingly become a focal point of conflict and insecurity, primarily due to the alarming rise of banditry. This region, known for its rich cultural diversity and complex socio-political landscape, has faced a significant escalation in violent attacks, kidnappings, and other forms of criminality. Banditry is not merely a law enforcement challenge; it intertwines with historical grievances, economic disparities, and social dynamics that have developed over decades. The consequences of this violence are profound, leading to loss of life, displacement, and a pervasive atmosphere of fear that affects everyday life in the region 1. Historically, banditry in Nigeria has evolved from a combination of socio-economic stressors, including poverty, unemployment, and competition for resources 2. In the Middle Belt, issues such as land disputes and struggles over access to grazing routes have intensified tensions among different ethnic groups. These historical conflicts, often exacerbated by a lack of effective governance and security, have created an environment where armed groups can thrive 3. Communities are left vulnerable, often relying on traditional forms of conflict resolution that may no longer be effective in the face of modern criminal tactics. In recent years, social media has emerged as a crucial tool in the fight against banditry. Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp have reshaped the way information is disseminated, enabling rapid communication and mobilization of community responses to threats. The immediacy of social media allows individuals to report incidents of violence and share updates on security situations, which is particularly vital in areas where traditional media coverage is limited 4. This real-time information sharing has empowered communities to act swiftly in the face of danger, fostering a sense of solidarity and collective action. Moreover, social media has catalyzed grassroots activism that challenges prevailing narratives surrounding banditry. Activists and community leaders leverage these platforms to raise awareness about the impacts of banditry on local populations, advocating for stronger government intervention and increased community engagement. Campaigns utilizing hashtags and viral content have garnered significant public attention, compelling authorities to take more decisive action against the crisis 5. This digital activism represents a critical avenue for advocacy, showcasing the potential of social media to drive change and mobilize support. As we consider the period from 2010 to 2024, the intersection of technology and grassroots activism becomes increasingly relevant. Communities navigating the complexities of banditry must understand how social media influences public perception and action. This understanding is essential for developing effective strategies to combat the persistent issue of banditry. While social media presents numerous opportunities for engagement and mobilization, it is crucial to recognize its limitations. Misinformation, online harassment, and the digital divide pose challenges that can hinder the effectiveness of social media campaigns, complicating the landscape of advocacy 6. In summary, this introduction sets the stage for an exploration of the dynamics at play in the Middle Belt of Nigeria, highlighting the role of social media as both a tool for awareness and a platform for community resilience. By examining how social media influences responses to banditry, this study aims to contribute to a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for affected communities. The subsequent chapters will delve deeper into the historical context, causes, and implications of banditry, ensuring a comprehensive analysis of this pressing issue.

This study investigates the sociolinguistic construction of power and gendered authority in the context of queenship in ancient Benin, with particular focus on the Iyoba (Queen Mother). The research explores how language, as a system of symbolic communication, encodes and legitimizes political and spiritual authority within the Benin monarchical tradition. Anchored in Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as proposed by Fairclough (1989, 1992) and van Dijk (1993), the study examines the ways linguistic forms and discursive practices reflect the ideological structures of power, hierarchy, and gender in precolonial Benin society. The study adopts a qualitative descriptive methodology, relying on both primary and secondary data sources such as historical texts, oral traditions, court poetry, and ethnographic accounts. These data were critically analyzed through the CDA lens to uncover the relationship between discourse, ideology, and social structure. The analysis revealed that the titles and honorific expressions associated with the Iyoba, such as Oba N’erie (Mother of the King) and Eson n’Oba (the King’s Eye), are not merely linguistic adornments but powerful semiotic instruments through which authority, motherhood, and divine legitimacy are discursively constructed. Findings further indicate that the linguistic representation of the Iyoba differs significantly from that of the Oba, emphasizing intercession, wisdom, and maternal guardianship rather than absolute sovereignty. These distinctions reflect the gender complementarity inherent in Benin’s conception of rulership. The study also identifies strategies of persuasion and ritualized deference in palace women’s speech, revealing language as a tool for negotiating influence within a patriarchal order. Comparative insights show parallels between the Benin Iyoba, the Oyo Iyálóde, and the Dahomean Kpojito, highlighting shared West African patterns of female authority constructed through discourse. Based on these findings, the study recommends amongst other that (1) further ethnographic documentation of contemporary palace discourse in Benin to preserve linguistic heritage, (2) comparative discourse studies across African monarchies to expand theoretical understanding of gendered power, and (3) interdisciplinary research combining linguistics, anthropology, and art history to explore how verbal and visual semiotics jointly construct royal ideology.

This study critically evaluates Immanuel Kant’s concept of space and time as presented in his Critique of Pure Reason, examining its implications in the context of human existence. Kant revolutionized metaphysics by proposing that space and time are not empirical realities existing independently of human experience, but rather a priori forms of intuition through which the human mind structures all sensory data. This transcendental idealism asserts that space and time are subjective conditions that make experience possible, rather than external entities. The study explores how Kant’s notion redefines human existence by situating individuals as active participants in the construction of reality, emphasizing the centrality of human cognition in shaping the phenomenal world. Through this evaluation, the research highlights the profound philosophical implications of Kant’s theory for understanding human perception, knowledge, and existence. It argues that Kant’s framework bridges the gap between empiricism and rationalism, providing a foundation for existential reflection on human limitations and possibilities within the bounds of perception. Ultimately, the study affirms that Kant’s concept of space and time remains crucial in understanding the human condition as one that is both finite and meaningfully engaged with the world of appearances.

This study explores David Humes skepticism and its implication for human knowledge. Emphasizing the challenges posed by his empirical approach of philosophy, Hume argues that all human understanding is rooted in sensory experience, yet he questions the validity of inferences made beyond immediate observation. His skepticism (extent) to concepts of causation induction, and the self-suggesting that our beliefs about the world are often unfounded. The study examines Humes critique of rationalism particularly his assertion that reason is subordinate to passion in guiding human 9 behavior. It also discusses the implications of human’s skepticism for epistemology, particularly the limitations of certainty in knowledge acquisition. By analyzing Humes contributions, the study highlights the enduring relevance of his philosophical inquiries in contemporary discussions about the nature and limits of human’s knowledge.

NIL

Justification du sujet Ce sujet est d’une importance majeure dans un contexte mondial où de nombreux pays, notamment du Sud, continuent de faire face à des régimes politiques oppressifs et violents. Le Cercle des Tropiques s’inscrit dans cette réalité en dénonçant avec force la brutalité du pouvoir et la perte de dignité humaine. La littérature africaine et caribéenne francophone s’est souvent faite la voix des sans-voix, et cette œuvre d’Alioum Fantouré illustre parfaitement cet engagement. Étudier cette œuvre permet d’analyser comment la fiction peut critiquer la réalité, éveiller les consciences et susciter le changement. Ce choix est donc motivé à la fois par sa portée littéraire et sa pertinence sociale et politique.

This study explores the aesthetics significance of Ofo as a symbol of authority and justice in Igbo cosmology. Ofo is aesthetically significant within the Igbo cosmology because it represents not only spiritual and temporal power but also serves as a tool for ensuring justice and maintaining order in the society. The study investigates how this emblem functions in the cultural and religious practice of the Igbo people, while examining its symbolic values, aesthetic qualities and role in the socio-political system. The study employs the conceptual-analytical and reconstructive tool in the field of philosophy, while evaluating the virtual analysis of the Ofo symbol and representation in various Igbo settings. The findings reveal that Ofo is a multifaceted symbol, embodying both the spiritual authority of ancestors and the practical responsibility of adjudicating justice in the community. Ofo is not only a symbol of authority and power but also a conduit for enforcing moral order, as it is frequently used in ritualistic practice aimed at ensuring fairness and equity. The study concludes that Ofo remains a central symbol in Igbo culture, deeply intertwined with the concept of justice, leadership and social harmony.

This study examines how negation is expressed in Ẹdo basic clauses by analyzing different types of negators used in the language. Negators are words or expressions that indicate when something is not happening, did not happen, or should not happen. The research explores how these negators are formed, how they function in different sentence structures, and what they mean in various contexts. Using data from native speakers and previous studies, this research identifies and categorizes different types of negators, showing their roles in communication. The study finds that Ẹdo has specific negators that indicate different kinds of negation. For example, the negator "ma" is used to show that an action did not take place, as seen in Òzó ma yó ("Ozo did not go"). The negator "ɡhẹ" expresses that an action should not happen, such as in ghẹ́ ye obọ́ kan ọ̀re ("Do not touch it"). Additionally, there are negators that show a loss of ability, like "Ẹ ghi khian" (He no longer walks...), and those that indicate a discontinued habit, such as "Ẹ ghi yo evba" (He no longer goes there). The research also looks at how these negators interact with different clause structures and the patterns they follow. Findings reveal that Ẹdo negators are structured in a way that changes both the form and meaning of sentences, influencing tense and aspect. By explaining the role of each negator with examples, the study highlights the richness of Ẹdo negation and its importance in effective communication.