IOSR-JHSS   Volume-4 ~ Issue-1 ~ Nov-Dec-2012

Paper Type	:	Research Paper
Title	:	The Role of Parliament on Economic Integration in Africa: Evidence from ECOWAS Parliament
Country	:	Nigeria
Authors	:	Ehigiamusoe Uyi Kizito, Udefuna Nnadozie Patrick
	:	10.9790/0837-0410110
Downloads : Times

Abstract:The paper examines the role of the Parliament on Economic Integration in Africa, with focus on ECOWAS Parliament. The paper compared the activities of the ECOWAS parliament to similar parliaments in the globe such as the European Parliament, the Pan African Parliament, the Caribbean Parliament, and the East African Parliament. Using descriptive approach, the paper discovered that unlike other parliaments in the globe, the ECOWAS parliament is only a consultative and advisory body and lacks legislative powers. Consequently, trade between member states is still far from what it ought to be, while the movement of persons within the West African Sub-region is yet to be fully realized. Other issues such as single currency and a common position in trade with other regional blocks such as the European Union are still huge challenges. The paper therefore recommends the promotion of economic integration in Africa by transforming the parliament from a forum for dialogue, consultation and consensus among representatives of the people to a co-decision making and subsequently a law making parliament. It also recommends the swift adoption of a case for the enhancement of the power of the ECOWAS Parliament presented to the president of the ECOWAS Commission without further delay. This would help to improve trade and investment in the Sub-region and enable ECOWAS compete favourably in the global economy.
KEY WORDS: ECOWAS, Economic integration, ECOWAS Parliament JEL CLASSICATION: R11, F15, K33

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Common Market Studies 31 (4): 473–524.
[5] Regional Integration by Implementing ECOWAS Commitments. Africa Trade Review
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(2011), Central Africa Regional Integration Strategy Paper (Risp) 2011-2015.
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[10] Development Prospects Group, November 2009, http://go.worldbank.org/QGUCPJTOR0

Abstract:Literature serves as a valuable resource for imparting soft skills to the students because of its nature to influence the person who comes in touch with literature emotionally regardless of age and gender. This article emphasizes the importance of using literature to coach students in soft skills through J.K.Rowling's 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' using the VARK learning style method. Students often fail to show interest in acquiring soft skills through classroom teaching method. So VARK method is adopted to create interest in the students for equipping themselves with Soft Skills. Two different classes (Class A &B) are taken to test the approach and a test was conducted with the same pattern of questions after regular lecturing class and after using VARK learning style. The results depicted through a statistical analysis show that the visual, auditory, reading and kinesthetic (VARK) model will help in improving soft skills.
Key words: Soft Skills, Stress Management, Team Work, Literature, Lecturing, VARK Inventory Method (video, Aural, Reading and Kinesthetic).

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Madrid.
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La Salle, Illinois http://www.ehow.com/about_6612058_vark-learning-styles-theory.html
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[10] Kolb, David (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-
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Abstract:Shashi Deshpande has many avatars. At intellectual discussions, she champions the cause of English as an Indian language, and fights for the recognition of women as individuals. She speaks her truth gently but firmly, her words lingering, long after her exit. The present paper projects the fact tale about woman, who speaking for herself or for the whole of womankind is quite different from a man telling a woman's tale Also it brings out the idea of woman explicating herself and emerging out of the cocoon of self pity to spread her wings of self-confidence.

[1] Deshpande, Shashi. 2003, Writing From The Margin, New Delhi: Penguin Books, p.87.

[2]. Beauvoir, Simone de. 1997. The Second Sex. Trans. H.M. Parshley. London: Vintage, p. 295.

[3] Bartky, Sandra Lee. 1998, "Body Politics." A Companion to Feminist Philosophy. Oxford: Blackwell. p.85.

[4] Kuortti, Joel. 2003, "Maybe Only Your Wife Can Read." Interview with Shashi Deshpande. Tense Past, Tense Present. Woman Writing in English. Kolkata: Street, p.36.

[5] Deshpande, Shashi. 1988. "Why I am a Feminist." Writing from the Margin. New Delhi: Penguin, p.85.

[6] Sebastian, Mrinalini. 2000. The Novels of Shashi Deshpande in Post Colonial Arguments. Delhi: Prestige, p.143.

[7] Chatterji, Lola. Ed. 1986. Woman Image Text. Delhi: Trianka, p.6

[8] Deshpande, Shashi. 2004, Moving On. New Delhi: Penguin Books India, p.88.

[9] Ibid.,p.191.

[10] Viswanath, Gita. 2005, "In Conversation with Shashi Deshpande." Writing Difference: The Novels of Shashi Deshpande. Ed.Chanchala K.Naik, New Delhi: Pen craft International, p.229.