Resource Management and Food Insecurity in Nigeria

The increasing spate of fluctuations in the world price of crude oil and the global food crisis in recent years have been issues of concern to policymakers the world over. Since the first oil shock in 1974, oil has annually produced over 90 per cent of Nigeria's export income. In 2000, Nigeria received 99.6 per cent of its export income from oil, making the world's most oil-dependent country. Despite the huge earnings from oil Nigeria remains one of the most food insecure countries in the world. In addition, one of the thorniest issues in Nigeria's policy arena today is how to provide food for her teeming population. Oil price shocks have also had profound effects on Nigeria's domestic sector. This paper thus analyses the dynamic relationship between oil prices and food insecurity in Nigeria using a VAR approach. The results of the estimation reveal that the over dependence on oil resulted in the neglect of the agricultural sector, hence decline in the production of food for the teeming population in Nigeria. The variance decomposition also shows high imports of food have contributed significantly to shocks in food supply, but not significant in determining food security There is therefore an urgent need for policies that will enhance domestic production of staple foods and reduce the over dependence on oil resource in Nigeria. Key words: oil Resource, food insecurity, VAR, Nigeri

Effects of Raw Ethanolic Seed Extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum on Heamatological and Histopathological Parameters in Swiss Albino Mice Infected with Plasmodium berghei

Study was carried out to determine the heamatological and histopathological effects of raw ethanolic seed extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum in swiss albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei (NK65). Standard methods were employed to determine the heamatological, histopathological indices and biochemical assay. The experimental mice were acclimatized for seven days before the commencement of treatment. Mice were grouped into six groups (A, B, C, D, E and F) of four mice each. The mice in group B were treated with a standard antimalarial drug (chloroquine as positive control) at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight, while mice in groups D, E and F was administered with increasing dosages (200, 400, 600 mg/kg body weight) of seed extracts for four consecutive days respectively. Group C (Normal control) served as mice that was not infected and treated. Heamatological analysis revealed an increase in Packed Cell Volume, Red Blood Cells, Heamoglobin and Platelet values of all mice in groups D, E and F (mice administered different concentrations of the extract). Mice in group B (chloroquine treated group) have the highest value. Mice in group A (negative control) exhibited lowest values of Heamoglobin, Platelet, Red blood cells, and Packed Cell Volume. There was significant increase in the levels of Alanine Transaminase and Aspartate Transaminase in group A (infected and not treated) compared to mice in groups C, D, and E. Restorative effects of seed extract was observed on the liver and kidney of mice at dose levels (400 and 600 mg/kg) used, but the seed extract at the dose of 600 mg/kg was observed to have adverse effects on the liver of the mice. This study therefore shows that Tetracarpidium conophorum was able to boost the formation of heamatological indices and was not toxic to the organs (liver and kidney) in mice

Application of Presumption of Innocence in Nigeria: Bedrock of Justice or Refuge for Felons

This article examines the meaning, contents and legal framework of presumption of innocence which in our world of plurality, diversity and interdependence, is globally recognised and celebrated as a bedrock of justice.  By this presumption an accused is to be presumed innocent of the offence for which he is standing trial, his notoriety, criminal antecedent and the gravity of the offence which he is accused of being irrelevant. This paper demonstrates that the application of this otherwise laudable presumption in Nigeria, especially in relation to Politically Exposed Persons, [PEPs], has been exploited and abused, such that it is now a shield for criminality and license for impunity.  It argues and recommends that as part of the efforts to curb the cancerous plague, called corruption, the burden of proof should be placed on those accused of corruption

Decline in adolescent treatment admissions for methamphetamine use in Cape Town

Background and objectives. The purpose of this report is to describe the changing trends in adolescent treatment admissions for methamphetamine in Cape Town, and to discuss possible implications.Method. Data were collected on admissions for drug abuse treatment through a regular monitoring system involving drug treatment centres and programmes in Cape Town, every 6 months as part of the South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (SACENDU). A one-page form was completed by treatment centre personnel for each patient to collect demographic and substance abuse data.Results. The results indicate that between 2004 and 2006, a significant increase in the proportion of adolescent treatment admissions for methamphetamine abuse occurred, while a significant decrease occurred between 2006 and 2011.Conclusions. The initial increase in adolescent treatment admissions for methamphetamine abuse from 2004 to 2006, and subsequent decrease between 2006 and 2011, may suggest a change in methamphetamine  abuse patterns among adolescents in Cape Town

Feeding habits, Overweight, Obesity and Hypertension and Associated Factors among Polytechnic Students in Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria

Overweight and obesity is a risk factor to chronic non-communicable diseases. This study assessed level of overweight/obesity and blood pressure among students of a higher institution in Southwest Nigeria. This cross-section study involved 300 students of a public higher institution in Ado-Ekiti, Southwest, Nigeria. A validated self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on personal characteristics, feeding pattern and lifestyle of the students. Body Mass Index (BMI) was categorized into normal weight (BMI<25) and overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 25). Waist circumference and waist-hip-ratio (WHR) were classified as normal and at risk. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg. Chi square test was used to establish relationship between variables at 5% level of significance. The mean age of the students was 22.25 years and 62.8% were above 20years. Monthly allowanceless than ₦30000.00 was received by 64.4% of the students, 47.3% skipped breakfast meal, 96% consumed carbonated soft drinks and 37.1% did not engaged in physical exercise. Prevalence of general obesity was 17.1% (BMI≥25); 7% and 15.5% were at risk of abdominal and central obesity respectively. Students in systolic pre-hypertension and stage I hypertension were 33.3% and 3% respectively whereas 15.5% and 2.4% were in diastolic pre-hypertension and stage I hypertension respectively. Female gender, monthly allowance less than ₦30000.00 and adolescent stage were associated with obesity. Older age, male gender and monthly allowance less than ₦30000.00 were associated with BP. Nutrition education is recommended for this population group

Konsep Agama Suku Wana Tentang Kematian, Implikasinya Bagi Misi Kristen di Wana

Wana, one of the tribes in Central Sulawesi, has a custom of demolishing houses and moving when one of the inhabitants dies. This custom is an expression of their fear of death. In theory, cultural activities around death are always associated with religious concepts. This study aims to explore the religious ideas behind their habits. The research method used was an ethnographic study using an interview as data collection techniques. Informants are 8 (eight) original Wana people. Data is analyzed through reduction, display, and conclusions/verification. The results show that the custom is related to the religious concept they professed regarding death. According to the Wana, death is related to Pue, the end of everything, and caused by evil spirits. The Purpose of dismantling the house and moving after death is to avoid the influence of evil spirits against the living. For Christian mission activities that want to contribute to the development in Wana, the results show that religious concept needs to be transformed through a contextual approach

Heat And Mass Transfer Of Magnetohydrodynamic (Mhd) And Dissipative Fluid Flow Past A Moving Vertical Porous Plate With Variable Suction

An investigation was carried out on the radiation effect on unsteady heat and mass transfer of MHD and dissipative fluid flow past a moving vertical porous plate with variable suction in the presence of heat generation and chemical reaction. The dimensionless governing equations for this model were solved analytically using perturbation method. The effects of various parameters on the velocity, temperature and concentration fields as well as the Coefficient of skin-friction, Nusselt number and Sherwood number were presented graphically and in tabulated forms. Keywords: Chemical reaction, Unsteady, Porous medium, MHD, Radiation, Mass transfer and Heat sourc