Effect of Mobile Telecommunication Technologies on Globalization of Nigerian Rural Areas

The globalization of a country is today measured with respect to indices of globalization such as the Maastricht Globalization Index (MGI) and the Konjunkturforschungsstelle (KOF). These indices of national globalization often have an urban bias. This study however explores the extent to which these international measures include rural environments of the globalizing country. Application of the MGI/KOF indices for determination of the Nigerian rural environment inclusion in globalization showed that the country’s rural communities were mainly integrated technologically by virtue of telephony (communication technology) penetration of rural areas. An attempt to modify the MGI/KOF globalization indexes for rural inclusion showed that the Nigerian rural communities were technologically integrated but only partially integrated politically and socio-culturally. Based on this, it was recommended that a globalization index for rural inclusion needs to be developed to establish countrywide globalization in absolute terms

Environmental scanning strategy of manufacturing companies in Southwestern Nigeria

In this paper, we examine the environmental scanning strategy of manufacturing companies in Southwestern Nigeria against the background that manufacturing companies in Nigeria exist in a challenging environment characterised by high import dependency, inappropriate policies, lack of transparent governance and weak industrial capabilities. Empirical data was collected with a questionnaire from a sample of 84 manufacturing firms in Southwestern Nigeria. We found that generally, companies in the industry actively engage in systematic gathering, analyses and assimilation of information about the business environment as strategic input into planning. The main objective of search was to obtain information required to initiate or support strategies for competing in the domestic market. Central among the factors determining the companies' level of intrusiveness into the environment are companies' capacity to interpret changes in the environment, available channels of information and quality of information.business environment; environmental scanning; environmental analysability; environmental uncertainty; manufacturing, strategy; technology; capabilities

Estimation of total dissolved solid in groundwater using multiple linear regression analysis around Igando dumpsites in Lagos, South-West, Nigeria

This study presents a multiple linear regression (MLR) TDS model that relates the TDS data obtained from groundwater samples to the geophysical data obtained from Electromagnetic (EM) data, as an alternative approach to mapping and monitoring the impact of TDS in groundwater. The predictive power of the developed MLR TDS model was appraised to determine the feasibility of using the TDS model to predict groundwater TDS around the study area. Although, the accuracy of the developed TDS model is site specific, the EM data around the area can be applied to the model to determine TDS concentration in groundwater, thus reducing the time and cost of acquiring and monitoring both parameters separately. The utilisation of the proposed MLR TDS model could assist in the implementation of seasonal groundwater quality monitoring programmes around the dumpsites. From the results also, association between TDS and EC and between TDS and N03 are 0.93 and 0.67 respectively, while that between TDS and hardness is 0.81, suggesting common source of contamination around the sites. Generally, there are relatively higher values of the measured physicochemical properties of water around the North-western part of Solous 1, North-western and South-western part of Solous 2, South-western and Southeastern part of Solous 3 dumpsite when compared with other parts investigated. Therefore, groundwater within the study area may have been impacted by the leachates from the decomposed refuse, and boreholes located at positions other than these zones are likely to yield uncontaminated wate

Functional and pasting properties of a tropical breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) starch from Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to determine the proximate, functional and pasting properties of breadfruit starch. Breadfruit starch was isolated from matured breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) and was analyzed for its functional, proximate and pasting properties. The starch contains 10.83%, 0.53%, 0.39%, 22.52%, 77.48% and 1.77% moisture, crude protein, fat, amylose, amylopectin and ash contents respectively. The average particle size, pH, bulk density and dispersibility of the breadfruit starch were 18 μm, 6.5, 0.673 g/mls, and 40.67% respectively. The swelling power of the breadfruit starch increases with increase in temperature, but there was a rapid increase in the swelling power from 70 to 80°C. The pasting temperature of the starch paste was 84.05°C, setback and breakdown values were 40.08 and 7.92 RVU respectively. The peak viscosity value was 121.25 RVU while final viscosity value was 153.42 RVU. This study concluded that breadfruit starch has an array of functional, pasting and proximate properties that can facilitate its use in so many areas where the properties of other starches are acceptable

Childbearing dynamics among married women of reproductive age in Nigeria: re-affirming the role of education

Nigeria ranks among the high-fertility countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Studies that examine relationship between fertility dynamics and education are important to improving maternal and child health. This study uses 2008 NDHS dataset on births history of married women of childbearing age. Data were analysed using ANOVA, Kaplan-Meier and Cox-proportional hazard models. Mean CEB were 6.72 and 4.31 among women with no formal education and higher education respectively. Majority (38.6%) of the women left 24-35 months births-interval. Women with lower education exhibited shorter births-interval and higher completed fertility than more educated women. The Births Progression Hazard Rate from marriage to 1 birth was higher among highly educated women than those with no education, but reverse pattern was observed at higher order births. This pattern barely changes after controlling for other socio-demographic variables. Education remains an important factor in fertility dynamics in Nigeria; therefore, existing policies addressing female education should be sustained

Determinants of Unmet Need for Modern Contraception and Reasons for Non-use among Married Women in Rural Areas of Burkina Faso

Burkina-Faso (TFR=6.0) is among the top-ten high fertility countries world-wide and CPR (15%) among women is low. This study examined the factors associated with non-use of modern contraception among married women residing in the rural areas of Burkina-Faso. The study used 2010 Burkina Faso Demographic and Health Survey data-set and focussed on married women aged 15-49 years (n=7,191). Chi-square and logistic regression techniques were used for the analysis (a=5%). Mean number of living children was significantly higher among women who have UNMC (3.92) than those with met need (3.01). Modern CPR and UNMC among married women was 12.7% and 40.7% respectively. The multivariate analysis reveals that being married more than once increases the likelihood of UNMC (OR=1.304; C.I=1.0821.571, p<0.05). Husbands’ approval of FP is a protective factor of UNMC (OR=0.858; C.I=0.7560.975, p<0.05). Husbands’ approval and health education on benefits of FP are important factors to consider in strategies aimed at reducing UNMC in Burkina-Faso.

CHEMICAL AND MICROBIAL SAFETY OF STREET VENDED EGG ROLL IN ABEOKUTA METROPOLIS

A total of 12 samples of egg rolls retailed in three locations in Abeokuta and a laboratory prepared sample serving as control were analyzed for their microbial load and presence of heavy metals (Lead, Cadmium, Chromium). The samples were analyzed for bacteria using standard procedures. Analysis of the food samples showed that total viable bacterial count ranged from 1.2 x 105 to 4.2 x 105 cfu/g, total staphylococcus count ranged between 1.2 x 104 and 6.4 x 104 cfu/g, coliform count ranged from 1.0 x 104 to 3.0 x 104cfu/g, total campylobacter count ranged between 1.0x104 and1.3x104 cfu/g and there were no growths for the total listeria count. Five bacteria genera were isolated including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella aerogenes, Salmonella typhi, Campylobacter coli. Cadmium and Chromium contamination ranged from 3.50±0.71 - 12.50±0.71 and 0.75±0.35 - 3.50±0.00 respectively. Statistical analysis of the heavy metals shows a significant difference (p<0.05) between the control and samples. The level of microbial contamination could be associated with inadequate handling and processing by processors and vendors, contamination caused by either poor hygiene or poor quality of water used. Moreover, contamination of cadmium and chromium in all the samples could be incident upon the water used in producing it, however lead was absent in all the samples. It is therefore recommended that health education should be done for food handlers and consumers about food safety.     &nbsp

Hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria isolation and surfactant influence on the growth of organisms: A case study in Ibadan, Nigeria

Hydrocarbons are substantially insoluble in water, often remaining partitioned in the non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL). However, there had been little or no attempts to advance the bioavailability of hydrocarbons through the use of surfactants. This study was conducted based on the need to isolate hydrocarbon degrading bacteria and to establish the effect of surfactants on the growth of organisms. Ten organisms were isolated and classified into five genera based on their physiological, morphological and biochemical characteristics. These genera include Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Micrococcus, Flavobacterium and Corynebacterium. In determining the effect of surfactant on isolated organisms, Bacillus strain and Corynebacterium strains were enhanced by palmitic acid. Detergent was found to have stimulatory effect on Bacillus and Pseudomonas. There is a significant difference between separate applications of palmitic acid and detergent on the samples with respect to the growth of Micrococcus sp. (p < 0.01). There was also a significant difference between the applications of detergent and control on the selected samples with respect to Flavobacterium sp. (p < 0.001). Surfactant which stimulated bacterial growth is highly recommended in bioremediation, although the use of improved strains may be preferable.Keywords: Hydrocarbons, surfactants, biodegradation, pollutants, microoganism

Challenges of Small Ruminants Production in Selected Urban Communities of Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

Livestock production has become a common trend in urban communities whereby a number of people reared farm animals such as sheep and goats for social and economic reasons. Notwithstanding the associated advantages of livestock production, effective urban production of the small ruminants is greatly challenged by a number of factors. Based on this, the study was conducted with a view to identifying factors that challenged effective sheep and goat production in selected urban communities of Abeokuta, Ogun State. From the selected 12 urban communities where sheep and goats were reared, a total of 217 rearers were non-randomly selected using snow balling sampling method. A reliable and validated interview guide was used alongside field observation to obtain information on challenges to sheep and goats production in the urban areas. The results showed that the challenges were feed, health/disease, environmental, marketing and routine management related. All the respondents (100%) experienced challenges such as high cost of feeding, theft of the farm animals, problem of off -season feeding and problem of sourcing feed variety for the animals. The chi-square test showed that a significant relationship exists between the respondents’ socioeconomic characteristics (sex: χ2 = 21.06, df =4; age: χ2 = 43.26, df = 16; education: χ2 = 78.09, df = 12; occupation: χ2 = 62.57, df = 16; income: χ2 = 56.35, df =16) and the encountered challenges (p < 0.05). Based on this, it was concluded that the identified challenges to urban sheep and goat production remained serious issues in the study area. It was thus recommended that conscious efforts should be put up by rearers of the small ruminants to ensure safety of their animals and good feeding routine for increased productivity and beneficial returns