Antibacterial Activity, Phytochemical and Proximate Analysis of Moringa Oleifera Seeds Against Clinical Isolates

This study was carried out to determine the antibacterial activity, phytochemical and proximate analysis of Moringa oleifera seeds extracts against some clinical isolates. The antibacterial activity for Aqueous and Ethanol extracts was determined using the agar diffusion method. The Phytochemical Screening of the seed was carried out using Qualitative Analysis (QA) and proximate analysis was carried out according to AOAC methods. The aqueous seed extract showed varying degrees of antimicrobial activity over that of ethanol extract on the microorganisms tested. Two species (Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi) presented the lowest MIC of 31.25 and 125mg/ml compared to MBC of 250mg/ml respectively. The phytochemical revealed the presence of Flavonoids, Tannins, Alkaloid, and Saponins. The Proximate Analysis revealed high concentration of Crude lipid (35.58 ± 0.42%) and lowest concentration of Moisture content (2.03 ± 0.01%). This study shows that moringa oleifera seeds can be as effective as synthetic medicine to combat pathogenic microorganisms if properly utilized. Keywords:   Moringa oleifera seeds; Proximate analysis; Phytochemicals; Staphylococcus aureu

Inter-professional rivalry in nigerian health sector: a search for a potential beginning

Inter-professional rivalry (IPR) in Nigerian health sector has become a commonpractice for over a decade due to abuse of the existing laws and ethics governing the operations of the professional cadres manning the health institutions in the country. This has led to incessant strikes by the different cadres in the hospitals across the country, thereby affecting the quality of services delivered by all the categories of healthcare staff. This study was aimed at identifying the initial source of the problem by interviewing the students of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences of Bayero University Kano (BUK) and that of Yusuf Maitama Sule University (YUMSUK) and those that have passed their examinations and joined the clinical and allied science departments in Bayero University Kano. The Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences is the initial confluent point where all medical and students of allied sciences receive their training together especially in the first and second year of their training. Method: A random sampling method was used to select the subjects. Two hundred questionnaires were distributed but 139 (69.5%) students at various levels of training filled and returned the questionnaire. Results: Females constituted 62 (44.6%), while the male were 77 (55.4%). Those in level 4 and 6 dominated the study with 55 (39.6%) and 41 (29.5%) respectively. Medical students and students of Physiology program constituted 42(30.2%) and 23(16.5%) respectively. Majority of the students 126 (90.6%) chose their respective courses without external influence and 85 (61.2%) believed that their course of study has a supportive role in the health care system. Up to 63 (45.3%) believed there is no superiority among the various courses of study. Of the factors fueling superiority feelings among students, 70 (50.4%) did not provide any reason, while those that believe professional bodies encourage it constituted 40 (28.8%), followed by teachers 11 (7.9%) and students themselves 10 (7.2%). Superiority feelings lead to rivalry among the various programs as opined by 78 (56.1%), chaos in the health sector 26 (18.7%) and poor patients management 12 (8.6%). Majority, 61 (43.9%) believed that rivalry in health sector can be prevented by giving uniform opportunity to all professional group. Conclusion: It is clear that half of the students interviewed were not aware of superiority feeling among the different programs of study. However, professional bodies rank first among the factors fueling superiority feeling during undergraduate training. Superiority feeling has negative effects on the healthcare system, one of which is rivalry among the healthcare staff and it can be avoided by giving uniform opportunity to different professional groups

THE IMPACT OF LIQUIDITY RISK ON PROFITABILITY OF LISTED DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS IN NIGERIA

Objective: The study examined the relationship between liquidity risk and the profitability of Nigeria's listed deposit money banks in Nigeria over a 16 years period from 2008 to 2023.   Method: Panel data on cash reserve ratio, liquidity ratio, loan to deposit ratio, and return on equity were collected from the annual reports and financial statements of the five systemic banks listed on Nigerian Exchange Group from 2008-2023. Ordinary least square regression analysis, panel unit root test, Hausman test were used in analysing the data.   Results: The study found a significant positive relationship between the cash reserve ratio, loan to deposit ratio and profitability of Nigerian deposit money banks. But liquidity ratio has a negative but insignificant relationship with profitability of deposit money banks in Nigeria.   Conclusion: Based on the findings, the research recommends that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) must act quickly to lower cash reserve ratios in order to help Nigeria's deposits banks operate more effectively. Banks should engage competent and qualified personnel in order to ensure that right decision are adopted with regard to the optimal level of liquidity and the loan-to-deposit ratio should be fully utilized by banks to support sales initiatives

EMPLOYEE JOB SATISFACTION AND EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY IN NIGERIA'S FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE: AN EMPIRICAL EXAMINATION OF COMMUNICATION AS METRIC FOR JOB SATISFACTION

Purpose: The study examined the effect of employee job satisfaction on employee productivity, assessing the impact of communication as an indicator of job satisfaction in the Nigerian federal civil service. A part of efforts to achieve the eight Sustainable Development Goal of Decent Work and Economic Growth by 2030.   Theoretical Framework: Low performance and high turnover rates can result from job dissatisfaction which has been peculiar case in the public and private sector, attempt to deal with it has not been yielding positive result in the civil service in Nigeria (Rinny et al., 2020; Sadiq et al. 2020). Therefore, there is need to empirically investigate the impact of communication on employee productivity in Nigerian federal civil service which lacks sufficient research.   Methodology: The study used a survey research design and purposive non-probability sampling where the data are collected through the distribution of 2,836 questionnaires to the staff of 10 Nigerian federal civil services. In order to gather data for the study, Demographic data were analyzed using basic descriptive statistical methods like mean, percentages, and standard deviations, while inferential statistics were analyzed using econometric methods like multiple and logistic regression, as well as Karl Pearson's Product Moment Correlation Coefficients.   Findings: Finding of the study showed that employee productivity is strongly and favorably affected by (communication) as proxy for job satisfaction. Nonetheless, in the Nigerian Federal Civil Service, the interaction of work environment moderating between communication had no impact on employee productivity.   Research, Practical & Social Implication: The study recommends that organizations should establish transparent and accessible communication channels that involves implementing regular feedback mechanisms to ensure that employees feel heard and valued   Originality/Value: It is quite unusual with previous study using communication as proxy for job satisfaction as an independent variable, Also, none of the previous used work environment as mediating variable in the interplay between communication and employee productivity in civil service in Federal Capital Territory Abuja Nigeria

Histopathological and Biochemical effects of aqueous leaf extract of Cadaba farinosa on the liver of adult Wistar Rats

Background: Plants are important source of chemical substances with therapeutic effects. Although, the promising potentials for good number of medicinal plants are being established, there exists in developing countries where people resort to herbal plants without proper awareness of the associated risks particularly in event of excessive or chronic use. Hence, the need to evaluate the histological and biochemical effects of aqueous leaf extract of Cadaba farinosa used traditionally for treatments of gastrointestinal parasites, cancer and diabetes in North-Eastern Nigeria. To evaluate the histological and biochemical effects of aqueous leaf extract of Cadaba farinosa on liver of adult Wistar rats.Methods: Twelve adult Wistar rats of both sexes were used and divided into four groups of three rats each. Group 1 served as control. Aqueous leaf extract were orally administered for 28 days at doses of 100, 200 and 300mg/kg respectively. Biochemical and histological analysis were performed.Results: This study showed significantly elevated levels of aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and alanine transaminase in animals treated with Cadaba farinosa (especially the highest dose 300mg/kg) compared to negative control. Elevated liver enzymes were corroborated by histopathological changes of liver exhibiting ballooning degenerations and steatohepatitis.Conclusions: Cadaba farinosa causes hepatic injury. Hence, further work needs to be done to ascertain whether reducing the dose of Cadaba farinosa would ameliorate this effect. Authors speculate that injury to multiple organelles including fat droplets and endoplasmic reticulum contribute to this characteristic finding

Perception of Librarians on COVID-19 Information and Sensitization: Challenges and Change Agenda

Librarians across Africa have had to portray proactive measures in combating the spread of Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic. They were faced with the probability of how libraries would function amidst employees calling for closures while seeking for safety and looking for how to activate open access e-resources, minding workers’ rights and copyright guidelines on these e-resources. Their perception on providing health information sensitization to their immediate community, the challenges and facing the change agenda was the focus of this paper. Respondents were drawn from different libraries for the survey which adopted qualitative research methodology through interviews. The data collected were thematically analyzed to answer the research questions. Findings indicated that librarians perceived the COVID-19 sensitization as a challenge that could be overwhelming, but achievable with support from stakeholders, the government and non-governmental agencies. Recommendations were that the new normal has brought changes to information processing and dissemination. Librarians and libraries should thrive in this new reality and remain more responsive. Furthermore, enhanced impact assessment should be carried out to find out how the measures of sensitization on the pandemic became effective

JOINT VENTURE, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND THE PERFORMANCE OF NIGERIAN OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY

Purpose: The objective of this study is to examine joint venture, technology transfer on the performance of Nigeria's oil and gas sector between 1981-2021.   Theoretical Framework: It is indisputable that the Nigerian oil and gas sector is not at peak performance when compared to what is obtainable from its peers in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) (Iheukwumere, 2021; OPEC, ASB 2020). One of the factors responsible for the abysmal performance is ineffective and incoherent technology transfer management through joint venture arrangements (Odusina, 2022). Therefore, there is a need to empirically investigate the impact of joint venture arrangements on Nigeria's oil and gas sector production which lacks sufficient research.   Methodology: The ex-post facto design was used where data were collected through secondary sources on the aggregate output of the joint venture companies and the total yearly output of the upstream sector of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry represented the performance of the Nigerian oil and gas sector in the period 1980 to 2021. The collected data were analyzed using the Quantile Autoregressive Distributed Lag (QARDL) approach to test for short and long-run impacts.   Findings: The study revealed that there is a significant impact of joint venture arrangements on oil and gas production in both the short run and long run.   Research, Practical & Social Implication: The study therefore recommends that policymakers and industry stakeholders should carefully evaluate the terms and conditions of joint ventures to ensure their alignment with the goals of maximizing oil and gas production.   Originality/Value: The use of joint venture as a proxy for technology transfer in the production of oil and gas in Nigeria and use of secondary data between 1980-2021 for joint ventures is an eye-opener for further exploration of the study areas in oil and gas production management, particularly in the area of technology transfer, which lacks sufficient research

SENSITIZATION AND PROMOTION OF INFORMATION LITERACY ON COVID-19 PANDEMIC BY LIBRARIANS IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIA

The global spread of coronavirus and the associated lock down by various countries, communities and organizations is worrisome. However, literature has revealed that one of the biggest roles librarians can to play in the national response to the pandemic is that of information literacy specialist. This study, therefore, evaluated sensitization and promotion of information literacy on COVID-19 pandemic by librarians in Public University Libraries in South-Western Nigeria. The descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The data for the study was collected from librarians in Public University Libraries in South-Western Nigeria. A total of 315 librarians participated in the study through an online questionnaire due to the COVID-19 pandemic while 233 (74.0%) returned copies of filled questionnaire by the respondents was analysed. Frequency counts, percentages and mean were used to analyse the data collected. Librarians sensitized their communities through various ways on preventive COVID-19 information and used mobile phones and social media very effectively in disseminating preventive COVID-19 information. A significant relationship existed between sensitization and promotion of information literacy on COVID-19 pandemic by librarians. However, librarians were confronted with many challenges in promoting preventive COVID-19 information. It is therefore, recommended that librarians and other information stakeholders should put more efforts on sensitizing their communities about this COVID-19 pandemic, so as to reduce the high level of ignorance about the pandemic in the communities

Acute toxicity study on aqueous extract of the leaf of Cassia sieberiana D.C. ( Caesalpiniaceae ) in albino rats

In order to evaluate the toxicity of Cassia sieberiana leaf extract in albino rats with the aim of establishing its safe application in experimental and field trials, the acute toxicity of the aqueous extract of the leaves was studied in albino rats. Four experimental groups of albino rats (A, B, C, D) were respectively given intraperitoneal doses of 400, 800, 1600 and 3200 mg/kg body weight of the extract, while the fifth group (E) was control. The LD50 was calculated, clinical signs and gross and microscopic lesions of the liver and kidney were recorded. Immediate clinical signs observed were weakness, depression, starry hair coat, anorexia, while abnormal gait, lordosis, opthalmia, coma and death appeared after 2 hours. Hepatomegaly and focal necrosis were observed on gross examination, while sinusoidal congestion with periportal necrosis and Kupffer cell proliferation were the microscopic lesions observed. Gross enlargement of the kidneys, vascular degeneration, and interstitial mononuclear cell infiltration were observed. The calculated median lethal dose (LD50) was 960 mg/kg, and the severity of clinical signs and hepatic and kidney lesions was dose dependent. This study has shown that Cassia sieberiana leaf aqueous extract could be toxic in a dose-dependent way, and should be used with caution in veterinary practice

Social Media Efficacy on Prevention and Control of Covid-19 Pandemic in Ilorin South Local Government Area, Kwara State

This study investigated social media efficacy on prevention and control of Covid – 19 pandemic in Ilorin South Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria. This study examines the effectiveness of awareness created by Facebook, NCDC messages, and Twitter on prevention and control of Covid – 19 pandemic in Ilorin South LGA, Kwara State. The study adopted a descriptive research design of survey type. A multi-stage sampling technique of stratified and purposive techniques was employed to select 150 respondents for the study. A structured questionnaire was validated and pilot tested with the use of test re-test reliability method and 0.75r were obtained. The findings revealed that awareness created through Facebook, NCDC, and Twitter has many impacts on the prevention and control of the Covid – 19 pandemic. Based on these findings, the study recommends that health officers should encourage people on the need to use social media tools like Facebook, NCDC messages, Twitter, Youtube and soon to gain insight on prevention and control of Covid – 19 pandemic