Globalization, gender equity and local identity in Nigeria Globalization, gender equity and local identity in Nigeria

The author, holder of a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, a Masters'degree in Education Sociology, both from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and a Ph.D in Sociology of Education from the University of Birmingham, England, is currently an Associate Professor of Sociology of Education at Lagos State University, and an Adjunct Professorat Union Institute and University Graduate College, Cincinnati, Ohio,USA. She has over 40 publications (national and international) which include journal articles, book chapters, monographs, text books and commissioned empirical research reports. Dr Omokhodion is an external examiner to some Nigerian universities, a consultant to UNICEF, UNESCO and UNDP, Nigeria Country Offices, Federal Ministry of Education, National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal education, and does accreditation of Courses for Nigerian Colleges of Education. She is currently working on an expanded version of her book on the Sociology of Esan, Edo State, Nigeria and on another book on The Sociology of African Families. Dr Omokhodion is a member of the World Society for Ekistics. The text that follows is a slightly revised and edited version of a paper presented at the international symposion on "Globalization and LocalIdentity," organized jointly by the World Society for Ekistics and the University of Shiga Prefecture in Hikone, Japan, 19-24 September 2005.