Local Government and Intergovernmental Relations in Nigeria's Fourth Republic

The paper examines local government and intergovernmental relations in Nigeria's Fourth Republic, with special attention on the period of 1999 to 2014. The paper argues that Local Government is not mutually exclusive of other levels of government and that as such there is bound to be an interaction between the local and other levels of government. The study reveals that intergovernmental relations among the levels of government in the Fourth Republic up to 2014 were in disarray due to the conflicts over issues of tax jurisdiction, revenue allocation, intergovernmental relations, fund transfers, overconcentration of power at the center, illegal removal of government officials, among other factors. The paper posits that for cordial relationship between the local and other levels of government to take place, the constitutional status of local government must be clearly spelt out,the issue of joint state-local government account should be reversed, election rather than appointment should be the means of choosing leaders at the local level, judiciary should be made to be independent and the undue interference on the local government by the state or federal government has to be properly addressed. Also, there should be direct disbursement of federation allocation to all the levels of government

Ileal lipoma: a rare lead point for adult ileocolic intussusception

Intussusception is the telescoping of a segment of the gastrointestinal tract within the lumen of an adjacent segment. Adult intussusceptions are rare, with ileal lipoma responsible for only 6% of cases. Clinically, adult intussusception remains an elusive diagnosis. The triad of abdominal pain, vomiting and passage of bloody stool is not frequently seen in adults. Abdominal computed tomography is the gold standard for identifying ileal lipoma as the lead point of an adult intussusception. Definitive management is by surgical excision of the involved segment. This is a case report of a 38-yearold female with intussusception with a 5-cm subserosal ileal lipoma as the lead point. This is the first (to the best of our knowledge) reported case of adult intussusception caused by ileal lipoma in Africa.Keywords: Intussusception, Ileal, Lipoma, Subserosal, Intestinal obstruction, Adul

Examining intergovernmental relations in Nigeria’s Second Republic (1979-1983) and the Fourth Republic (1999-2007): insights from selected states in the South West, Nigeria.

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.This study is an empirical research work that employed the use of primary and secondary data to interrogate the nature of intergovernmental relations in Nigeria’s Second and Fourth Republics with insights drawn from Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Lagos and Ekiti states in South Western Nigeria. Primary data were collected through a field survey and public documents. Sources of secondary data include texts, journals, newspapers, and other published literature. A hybrid of two models, the overlapping-authority model and the coordinate-authority model, was adopted to analyse the authority structure of different political actors saddled with different constitutional responsibilities. The findings of the study revealed that the central government has more fiscal power for policy direction, than the subnational levels of government. The empirical analysis showed structural imbalance in Nigeria’s federalism, which constituted obstacle to federal stability. In addition, the central government has the prerogative to legislate on matters under the exclusive legislative list, which defines the nature of power relations between the central government and the government of the subnational units. The increase in the number of the subnational units from 19 to 36 states in the 1979 and 1999 constitutions respectively, and the expanded expenditure obligations, weakened the revenue base of the subnational levels of government. The subnational levels, in the Fourth Republic, unlike those of the Second Republic, are less viable. This development weakened their fiscal strength for effective service delivery, because they lacked fiscal resources to fulfil their expenditure obligations. The federal government retains the bulk of government revenue. Additionally, appointments to public offices did not reflect the federal character. Through the exploration of the provisions of the 1979 and 1999 constitutions, there existed discrepancies between the constitutional provisions and their practice. The attitudes and behaviours of the actors at different levels of government were not in tandem with the constitutional provisions, with clear evidence of outright violation of the rule of law. The study, therefore, recommends the need to reassess intergovernmental fiscal relationship, strengthen the mechanisms and institutions for intergovernmental policy coordination, reliance on economic expert for effective service delivery, obedience to law, and maximization of states resources as a way of improving federal-state-local relations

Effect of Forensic Accounting on the Financial Performance of Commercial Banks on Nigeria

The current study was on the effects of forensic accounting on the performance of commercial bank in Nigeria. Fraudulent activities in a commercial bank setting may have a negative effect on the viability, performance, sustainability and reputation of commercials banks.  This study was conducted through explanatory research design which required the analysis of how a set of independent variables affect the dependent variable.  The target populations comprised of all 609 forensic managers, their staff and internal control managers and their staff. For the purpose of this study, sampling frame of 21 commercial banks was taken.  A sample of 61 respondents was used which was spread proportionately across 6stratum. The stratum included Forensic Managers, Forensic Assistant Manager, Internal Audit Manager, Internal Audit assistant manager, forensic staff and internal audit staff. The study used primary data that was collected through self-administered questionnaires. The findings indicated that forensic investigation and forensic litigation was statistically significant in explaining changes in financial performance of commercial banks. The findings of this study were crucial in the formulating study conclusions. However, the study also took into account the expectations of the study. It was possible to conclude from the study findings that forensic investigation and forensic litigation were statistically significant in explaining changes in financial performance of commercial banks in Nigeria. It was also possible to conclude that use of forensic financial information influenced and improved performance of commercial banks in Nigeria.  The unique contribution of this paper is that it clearly addresses the effects of forensic accounting on the performance of commercial bank in Nigeria, upon which majority of commercial banks in a developing economy ought to adapt to mitigate financial irregularities. Key Words: Forensic Accounting, financial performance, financial informatio

Typological analysis of housing development in lagos peri-urban settlements

The research examined the typological analysis of housing development in the peri-urban settlements of Lagos State, Nigeria. Case study methodology was adopted using random sampling to select housing developments, under different housing initiatives, in purposively selected peri-urban settlements in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Areas of Lagos State. Primary data were sourced from survey questionnaires, direct observations and in-depth interviews administered to household heads in the case study area. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics to generate frequencies, percentages, cross tabulations of the variables. Findings show different housing typologies under three categories; owneroccupied,part-rental and full-rental housing. Housing typologies in the study area were influenced by different housing initiatives, and the socio-economic attributes of the residents which revealed a heterogeneous mix of the population in terms of culture, literacy level and household size. It is recommended that the residents' socio-demography should be put into consideration in building typology designs to enhance effective user performance in periurban housing development under different housing development schemes in Lagos State.Keywords: Peri-urban; housing typology; architecture; socio-demography; housing initiative

Lagos peri-urban housing developments and management: challenges and planning intervention / Funmilayo Mokunfayo Adedire and Mike Adebamowo.

The aim of this study is to assess the existing challenges in the management of Lagos peri-urban and the intervention measures put in place by the regional government. Using case study approach and twostage sampling techniques, the sample size constitutes heads of 370 housing units selected randomly from clusters of purposively selected 16 settlements in Ibeju-Lekki peri-urban. Purpose sampling was adopted to minimise cost because the settlements were dispersed over a wide geographical area. The Primary sources of data were structured interview and questionnaires administered through field survey to planning personnel and selected household heads respectively. Data analysis was done by using descriptive statistics. Findings show three levels of challenges as environmental, socio-economic and institutional. Notable among the challenges were flooding, industrial pollution, traffic congestion, rising cost of commodities, unaffordable land, lack of social facilities, land regularisation, inadequate land data and land speculation. Measures put in place to counter challenges include zoning, and effective town planning policy and management. It is recommended that the regional government should design a policy that would guide in managing the spatial pattern of growth and infrastructure distribution in Lagos peri-urban settlements. Also, this study should be conducted in other peri-urban settlements in developing countries

Visitors’ motivation and willingness to pay for conservation in selected zoos in southwest Nigeria

The motivation and willingness to pay for ecotourism and wildlife conservation at the University of Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University Zoos in Southwest Nigeria were investigated. Structured Questionnaire was used to elicit information from two hundred and forty (240) visitor and data were analysed using descriptive and inferential (Chi-Square, Correlation) statistics. Findings from this study show that 50.4% of the visitors were female, 37.9% and 37.1% were within the age range of 15-24 years and 25-54 years respectively, 46.7% were married, and 43.3% attained to tertiary level of education. Furthermore, 66.2% of the visitors were employed with 39.6% earning ₦81, 000 (265.57 USD) and above as their monthly income. The main motivations of the zoo visitors are to see the condition of habitat and diversity of wildlife at the zoos, proximity to their residence and viewing wild animals. The starting bid for visitors to the zoos shows their willingness to pay for conservation services at the zoos. Income (r = 0.25, p = 0.00) had effect on the visitation pattern of the visitors. Relationship exists between the visitors’ motivation (r = 0.23, p = 0.00) and their level of satisfaction. The age (r = 0.15, p = 0.02), income (r = 0.13, p = 0.04), marital status (χ2 = 68.79, p = 0.01), religion (χ2 = 45.06, p = 0.04) of the visitors have impact on their willingness to pay for conservation at the zoos.Keywords: Zoo, Ecotourism, Wildlife conservation, and Wildlife managemen

Assessment of housing quality in Ibeju-Lekki peri-urban settlement, Lagos State, Nigeria

This article assesses housing quality in Ibeju-Lekki, a peripheral settlement outside Lagos metropolitan region. Using purposive sampling, 370 housing units from clusters of 16 peri-urban settlements constituted the sample size. Primary data was sourced through structured questionnaires, interview (with local planning personnel) and observation schedules adminis-tered through a field survey. Using Statistical Package for Social Sciences, data analysis was done using descriptive analysis to generate frequen cies and percentages on socio-economic profile, neighbourhood quality, locational quality, dwelling quality, and building materials used. Tests of correlation were conducted on the mean of variables of neighbourhood quality, locational quality and building materials, derived through recoding of variables by means of Transform statistical tool, to establish the factors influencing housing quality in the study area. The findings show a significant positive correlation between household income and housing quality. The latter is found to be influenced by respondents’ socio-economic attributes, building materials, neighbourhood quality, and locational quality in the study area. It can be concluded that socio-economic characteristics, predominantly income of households, play a major role in the level of housing quality that can be accessed in the study area. It is, therefore, recommended that the state government and private developers should promote alternative building materials, in order to enhance housing affordability by the low-income group. This will reduce the spread of informal housing development. In addition, the state govern ment should align urban policy to eliminate disparity in infrastructural development which has impacted on poor neighbourhood and locational quality in Lagos peri-urban settlements.&nbsp

The Impact of Peri-Urbanisation on Housing Development: Environmental Quality and Residents' Productivity in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos

This paper assesses the impact of peri-urbanisation on housing, environmental quality and residents’ socio-demography in Ibeju-Lekki peri-urban in Lagos, Nigeria. Primary data was collected through administration of 370 questionnaires to household heads in purposively selected sixteen settlements in the study area while secondary data was sourced from spatial images, land use maps and satellite images of the study area. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analysed using time series and satellite image analysis. The result shows a spatial expansion due mainly to increased housing development, a multi-dimensional environmental and socio-cultural challenges that impact negatively on the quality of living and a literate, high-income group dominance in the selected peri-urban settlements in Ibeju-Lekki. The study recommends the creation of a database to capture the pattern of housing development, residents’ socio-economic demography and infrastructure needs for intervention in policy design for sustainable development

Factors Influencing the Use of Low Carbon Emissivity Features and Strategies in Office Buildings

This study identified the factors influencing adoption, integration and use of low carbon emissivity strategies including features in office buildings which professional outfits and consultants who were responsible for conceiving the designs which involved 16 green office buildings located within Central Business District area of the FCT North Central Zone of Abuja, Nigeria. This was with a view to adopting them and making solid contributions on enhancing office user’s comfort within the office buildings studied. Key factors investigated were 26 and they included nature of the client, availability of skill sets by the respective vendors and the sizes of the office buildings facilitated. A quantitative research methodology was adopted which included administration of the research instrument which had eighty professionals in construction and design responding to structured questions on their understanding of the subject matter. Data obtained from the field was analyzed descriptively using the SPSS software for analyzing data by social scientists. The statistics obtained from the field reveals that mean scores attributed to the individual factors which were 26 ranges from 2.72 and 3.76. Ranked in the order of influence of each of the 26 factors, the results further show that the three top most influential factors with mean values of 3.76, 3.60 and 3.51 were nature of the client, availability of skill in the firms to handle the design features and strategies and sizes of the buildings in the selected office buildings. Further analyzing the data indicates a majority of the 26 factors investigated had influence on applications of these low carbon emissivity reducing products in the buildings investigated in the research. It is believed that understanding these factors will contribute towards adopting more of these carbon emissivity reducing products in future office construction projects within the city of Abuja thereby enhancing further mitigation of the effects of the further release of the harmful carbon elements by the constructed offices into the cities landscape. That way, climate change and its effects on the built environment will be further understood in the context of the research thereby enhancing office buildings users’ comfort. Keywords: Low Carbon, Emissivity, Energy, Efficiency, Design,  Strategies, Design Features, Buildings DOI: 10.7176/JESD/14-12-02 Publication date:June 30th 2023