Nigeria in the Eve of MDGs Final: A Progressive Analysis

This paper analyses Nigeria progress towards achieving each of the Millennium Development Goals, using the most recently updated data. In all, this study report that, the poverty prevalence is on the increase, while hunger level has drastically reduced.  Nigeria does not have concrete evidence that the MDG-2 (universal primary education) will be achieved, it also failed to meet gender equality target on primary and secondary school enrolment in 2005 and yet to achieve it in 2010. Gender equality at all levels is not likely to be achieved either. Though progress is made on the MDG-4 & 5, but Nigeria is not likely to achieve the target. Nigeria has achieved MDG-6 of halting the trend of HIV/AIDS and other diseases and begins to reverse it; however much attention is needed in the North than is needed in the South. Progress has been made on MDG-7 to achieve the improved access to water, but it is unlikely 2015 target will be achieved. Access to improved sanitation has degenerated over the years. Overall, the little achievement on development is through increased life expectancy, adult literacy rate and gender equality while human development is still far below the average in Africa and sub-Sahara African countries Keywords: Nigeria MDGs, Poverty, Inequality, Development, Challeng

Modeling Optimal Debt and Expenditure in Malawi: A Dynamic Optimization Approach

This study models optimal debt and spending in Malawi using Dynamic Optimization Approaches. The study found that the economy of Malawi is not free from debt crisis, despite the benefits of Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI) that was extended to Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) in 2005. The optimal trends show that the country has been and remains vulnerable to debt and fiscal crises despite the various palliative measures that were introduced by International Monetary Funds (IMF), especially the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) offered the country in 2008, during the global financial crises

A Cross-Cultural Survey of Ethical Reasons for Tax Evasion among Nigerian Taxpayers

The study empirically assessed tax evasion and the ethical reasons put up to justify it across major tribes/cultures of individual Nigerian taxpayers. Earlier studies were reviewed before questionnaire administration on respondents (n=500). Data were analysed with parametric and non-parametric statistics using SPSS 19. The results show high level of tax evasion and the three ethical reasons examined are found to have strong influence on tax evasion with significant difference along culture and religion. Generally, group identity (tribe/culture and religion) is found to show highest influence on tax evasion as well as its ethical reasons, but the difference is more pronounced for religious identification and participation. Hausas are found to be highest evaders among Nigerians. Similarly, worshipers of traditional religions evade taxes more than any others. Igbos and Yorubas exhibited similar pattern of opinions on ethical reasons for evasion as well as tax evasion. Other variables showing significant relationships include employment category (measuring opportunity to evade), income level (economic factor) and gender. It was concluded that the study support the position from earlier studies that there is a significant relationship between tax evasion and ethical reasons for it and that it varies along tribe/culture and religion groups. Recommendations were made for stakeholders especially revenue authorities and researchers. Keywords: Tax evasion ethical reasons, culture, developing economy

Teachers’ Academic Qualification, Gender and Teaching Experience as Correlate of Students’ Academic Performance in Biology in Oyo State, Nigeria

Many studies have pointed out different variables as factors determining the student achievement in biology. Such factors include parental, students, teachers and school factors. Previous studies show that these factors prevent students to actively involve in the teaching and learning process. Teachers’ qualification, teaching experience and teachers’ gender have been established to facilitate the teaching and learning process. This study therefore examined the influence of teacher’s academic qualifications, gender and teaching experience on students’ academic performance of Senior Secondary school Students in Biology. The area of the study was Ido LGA. A case study of ten secondary schools formed the research design. Sample consisted of 20 teachers and 200 SSS II Biology students. Random sampling technique was used to select ten schools from the study area. Teacher’s academic qualifications, gender, teaching experience and the SSS II student’s first term result formed the data which was analysed using simple percentage, ANOVA tested at 0.05 level of significance and multiple regression. Four null hypotheses were tested in this study. The findings of the research shows that there was a great significant influence of the teacher’s academic qualifications [F = 0.216, p=.049], gender [F = 0.298, p=.027] and teaching experience [F = 0.012, p=.042] on student’s academic performance. The result also revealed a great significant joint influence of qualification, teachers’ gender and teaching experience on students’ academic performance. These results were further subjected to Scheffe`s post hoc Tests and the results were highly significant. Since teachers professional qualification, gender and teaching experience influence students’ academic performance in Biology, the government and all stakeholders in education sector should endeavour to implement its policy on basic education for all, retain experience teachers through better conditions of service, fund education through provision of teaching aids  and thus, create an enlightened society in which every Biology teacher would be educated, experienced and competent enough to have a positive influence on their Biology students for better performance in the subject Keywords: Teachers’ Qualification, Gender, Teaching Experience, Biology, Students’ Academic Performance DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/11-9-03 Publication date:May 31st 202

Gender variation in self-reported likelihood of HIV infection in comparison with HIV test results in rural and urban Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Behaviour change which is highly influenced by risk perception is a major challenge that HIV prevention efforts need to confront. In this study, we examined the validity of self-reported likelihood of HIV infection among rural and urban reproductive age group Nigerians.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This is a cross-sectional study of a nationally representative sample of Nigerians. We investigated the concordance between self-reported likelihood of HIV and actual results of HIV test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess whether selected respondents' characteristics affect the validity of self-reports.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The HIV prevalence in the urban population was 3.8% (3.1% among males and 4.6% among females) and 3.5% in the rural areas (3.4% among males and 3.7% among females). Almost all the respondents who claimed they have high chances of being infected with HIV actually tested negative (91.6% in urban and 97.9% in rural areas). In contrast, only 8.5% in urban areas and 2.1% in rural areas, of those who claimed high chances of been HIV infected were actually HIV positive. About 2.9% and 4.3% from urban and rural areas respectively tested positive although they claimed very low chances of HIV infection. Age, gender, education and residence are factors associated with validity of respondents' self-perceived risk of HIV infection.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Self-perceived HIV risk is poorly sensitive and moderately specific in the prediction of HIV status. There are differences in the validity of self-perceived risk of HIV across rural and urban populations.</p

Influence of knowledge of spousal fertility cycles on male reproductive health participation in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

Despite the established roles and influence of men on women‟s uptake and utilization of reproductive health care interventions, the degree of involvement with intimate issues within the household which could help to understand male involvement and support remains an under-researched topic. The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of involvement at the family level of men within sub-urban communities of Ibadan in South-West Nigeria. A cross sectional survey design was conducted among 380 men selected from sub-urban communities in Ibadan, Oyo State using multi-stage sampling. Data was obtained using pre-tested, semi-structured, interviewer administered questionnaires. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis and logistic regression with level of significance set at 5%. Mean age of respondents was 41.1 ± 7.6 years. Men who were knowledgeable of spouse‟s menstrual cycles and ovulation dates were significantly more likely to have supported some form of public health intervention before (p&lt;0.001). Age over 30, above secondary education, and men aware of menstrual dates of spouse were significant predictors of reproductive health interventions. Men who were aware of menstrual cycles of spouse were 96.6% more likely to be supportive or involved in reproductive health matters compared to those who were not (OR =0.034; 95% CI = 0.02 - 0.07; p&lt;0.001). Involvement of men at family level as demonstrated in this study serves to influence and explain the level of involvement with reproductive health. Further research investigating other proximal factors that influence male participation is recommended.Keywords: reproductive health, health disparities, male involvement, menstrual cycle, ovulatory cycles, fertilit

Response of Broiler Chickens in the Starter and Finisher Phases to 3 Sources of Microbial Phytase

A broiler chicken study was conducted for 42 D to evaluate their responses to 3 commercially available microbial phytases. Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and bone mineralization at days 21 and 42 posthatching were used as parameters of evaluation. The study was a randomized complete block design with 12 treatments, 8 replicate pens, and 25 birds per pen. Treatments included a positive control (PC), a negative control (NC) with crude protein (CP), nonphytate phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca) reduced by 18, 1.5, and 1.8 g/kg, respectively; the NC + 4 levels of phytase A (250, 500, 750, 1,000 FTU/kg), 3 levels of phytase B (250, 500, 750 FTU/kg), and 3 levels of phytase C (500, 750, 1,000 FTU/kg). Broilers fed the NC diet had reduced (P \u3c 0.05) performance and digestibility measures at days 21 and 42 relative to the PC. All phytase enzymes improved (P \u3c 0.05) BW, gain, feed efficiency, and tibia ash weight and percent. Inclusion of phytase at the highest levels improved (P \u3c 0.05) tibia ash weight by an average of 18.5 and 22% at days 21 and 42, respectively, over the NC. Phytase A linearly improved (P \u3c 0.05) the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of DM, Ca, P, copper, and sodium at day 21, and the AID of energy, nitrogen, and all amino acid (AA) digestibility at day 42 posthatching. Phytase B linearly (P \u3c 0.05) improved BW gain and feed efficiency of birds at day 21 and quadratically improved (P \u3c 0.05) the AID of nitrogen and all AA in birds at day 42. Supplementation of birds fed the NC with phytase C linearly improved (P \u3c 0.05) the BW gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, and AID of DM, energy, nitrogen, all AA, and all minerals except manganese at day 42. In conclusion, all 3 phytase products improved the growth performance, nutrient and mineral digestibility, and bone mineralization of birds fed diets deficient in nitrogen, Ca, and P similar to or more than birds fed diet adequate in P and CP

Tracking professional conduct of graduates of Federal College of Education, Yola, Nigeria between 2000 and 2010

INTRODUCTION: The fundamental obligations of Colleges of Education is to breed fleet of teachers that are employed in primary and Junior Secondary Education levels to impart knowledge, moral and societal values for better change and stability, hence the need for institutions to have regular feedbacks from the adjoining societies so as to breed developmental policies and planning to ascertain development. PURPOSE: The study’s purpose was to survey the students’ experiences shortly after completing their NCE and to examine the impact of their academic training, social engagement and inter-personal relationship while they were at the College on their present professional conduct. METHOD: A multi-faceted methodological approach was engaged in this study. This made room for a wide range of data collection. Robust discourse questionnaires and interviews were employed. RESULTS: The results showed 35% of the graduates have gone for further studies, 58.2% still with NCE and 6.1% are currently pursuing additional qualification. Most of the alumni are fully engaged in teaching either at Primary or Secondary school levels for permanent and pensionable appointments and only a few are engaged by Parent Teacher Association (PTA). It also revealed that collection of statement of results after graduation was very difficult and that graduates’ relationship with staff and others was very pleasant. The training received from the college was also found to be impressive by most graduates. CONCLUSION: The study recommended that there should be room for quality in the teaching/learning environment and that lecturers should make maximum impact on the would-be teachers as they go through learning in the College

Clients' reasons for prenatal ultrasonography in Ibadan, South West of Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Prenatal ultrasonography has remained a universal tool but little is known especially from developing countries on clients' reasons for desiring it. Then aim was to determine the reasons why pregnant women will desire a prenatal ultrasound.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>It was a cross-sectional survey of consecutive 222 women at 2 different ultrasonography facilities in Ibadan, South-west Nigeria.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean age of the respondents was 30.1 ± 4.5 years. The commonest reason for requesting for prenatal ultrasound scans was to check for fetal viability in 144 women (64.7%) of the respondents, followed by fetal gender determination in 50 women (22.6%. Other reasons were to check for number of fetuses, fetal age and placental location. Factors such as younger age, artisans profession and low level of education significantly influenced the decision to check for fetal viability on bivariate analysis but all were not significant on multivariate analysis. Concerning fetal gender determination, older age, Christianity, occupation and gravidity were significant on bivariate analysis, however, only gravidity and occupation remained significant independent predictor on logistic regression model. Women with less than 3 previous pregnancies were about 4 times more likely to request for fetal sex determination than women with more than 3 previous pregnancies, (OR 3.8 95%CI 1.52 – 9.44). The professionals were 7 times more likely than the artisans to request to find out about their fetal sex, (OR 7.0 95%CI 1.47 – 333.20).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study shows that Nigerian pregnant women desired prenatal ultrasonography mostly for fetal viability, followed by fetal gender determination. These preferences were influenced by their biosocial variables.</p