Aphrodisiac Plant Pausinystalia yohimbe Induces Myocardiac Histological Normalcy in Wistar Rats

The root of Pausinystalia yohimbe (k. Schum.) Pierre ex Beille, is commonly used by traditional herbal practitioners in Nigeria and around the globe without a safe dose regimen to treat erectile dysfunction and other related reproductive disorders. The present study examines some histological indices in male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) treated orally with P. yohimbe methanol root using twenty five Wistar rats divided into five groups (n=5) of four treatment groups and one control group. The control group was administered 10 mL/kg distilled water only, while treatment groups received 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w of P. yohimbe root extract by oral cannula for 14 days. On day 15, animals in all group were anaesthetized, their heart were isolated and processed histologically. The results showed normal histological indices of the hearts examined, which were resemblance of, and significantly not different from the control. Therefore, the present study provides support for the safety profile of P. yohimbe herbal preparation in a concentration of doses administered to male Wistar rats. However, further studies may attempt to look at higher doses under similar circumstances

Trend Analysis of Teenage Pregnancy in Nigeria (1961-2013): How Effective is the Contraceptive Use Campaign

Teenage pregnancy (TP) is a recurrent global and public health problem. It poses both social and health challenges. Considering the massive campaign on the use of modern contraceptives to prevent TP in recent decades, we assessed trends in TP in Nigeria between 1961 and 2013. Pregnancy and contraception history of 70,811 women who were at least 20 years old when the Nigerian DHS was conducted in 1990, 2003, 2008, and 2013 respectively were used for the study, and descriptive statistics, time analysis techniques and multiple logistic regression were used to analyze the data at 5% significance level. The overall prevalence of TP between 1961 and 2013 was 49.5% which fluctuated insignificantly during the studied period. The TP prevalence among women who entered adulthood in 1961 was 39.2%; it peaked in 1978 at 58.9% before its unsteady decline to 39.6% in 2012, and then rose sharply to 55.6% in 2013. We predicted TP prevalence as 49.0%, 49.9% and 51.0% in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively. The odds of TP were over 4 times higher in the North East and 5 times higher in the North West than in the South West. Teenagers with no education had higher odds of TP and it was higher among teenagers from the poorest households (OR=5.64, 95% CI: 5.36-5.94). Rather than reducing with the worldwide acknowledged increase in contraceptive campaigns, TP increased over the years studied. As far as TP is concerned in Nigeria, the impact of the campaign on MC use is far from being effective. To achieve the objective of fewer TPs, fewer resources should be spent on access to contraception and instead diverted to areas more likely to achieve results such as improvements in educational achievement amongst girls

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC DRIVERS OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN MEGACITIES

The exponential growth in the world population, coupled with the high ruralurban migration is leading to the graduation of ordinary cities to Megacities. With the status of mega-cities comes their special need in terms of housing and other urban development infrastructures. The study aimed to carry out a quantitative analysis of socio-economic drivers of housing and urban development projects in Megacities. The research design used a cross-sectional survey through a questionnaire instrument.Out of two hundred (200) questionnaires distributed to policy makers and construction professionals employed in government agencies, a total of one hundred and fifty seven (157) questionnaires were retrieved. Using Statistical tools of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Categorical Regression the Housing and Urban Development project crucial for the sustenance of Megacities were grouped while the socio-economic drivers that engender investment towards housing and urban development projects were identified. It is important that population growth in megacities are properly controlled as to forestall pressure on available infrastructures. Politics and the supply of necessary housing and urban development projects should not mix, as they are separate entities. In project financing, government should intensify adequate taxation policies to effectively fund different classes of housing and urban development projects in megacities

Sustainability strategies in the construction industry: implications on Green Growth in Nigeria

The construction industry is a major driver of economic growth. However, activities from the construction industry contribute significantly to environmental pollution and unsustainable consumption of depleting natural resources. Green growth on the other hand, is an innovative growth which motivates businesses to adopt environmental friendly activities.This paper assessed sustainability strategies in the construction industry. A quantitative research design was adopted with the use of questionnaires distributed to construction organizations in Lagos, Nigeria. Findings reveal that many of the construction organizations surveyed do not have sustainability strategies because of low awareness about sustainability issues in construction. However, of the three pillars of sustainability (environmental, economic and social sustainability), environmental sustainability was found to yield greatest benefit. For the construction industry to contribute to Nigeria’s green growth agenda there should be increased awareness of sustainability issues and institutional policies to drive sustainabilit

Correlation between manufacturing sectors and foreign direct investment

Abstract : The manufacturing sectors of nation’s economies have without doubt been noted as the chief driver of economic growth the world over. The connection between the Nigerian manufacturing sector and foreign direct investment (FDI) was assessed in this work. The study, in order to empirically examine how the variables are related in the long term and short term, utilised time series data spanning 36 years, while the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) and co- integration technique were used. From the result, it is seen that the dependent variables explained R2 of 97% of the variations in manufacturing sector indicators (MFI), while Foreign direct investment, (FDI), Inflation rate (INF), government expenditure (GOE), and money supply (MSP) represent the independent variables. One of the recommendations of the study is that the federal government should consciously increase amount of foreign direct investments (FDI) made available to this all-important sector-manufacturing sector to boost its efficiency especially with respect to percentage impact on GDP and employment generation in Nigeria

Construction Waste Prevention as a Sustainable tool in Building Mega Cities: A Theoretical Framework

In building of mega cities, the construction industry is contributing to alarming volumes of construction materials waste being generated causing an imbalance in the world’s ecosystem. The study developed a framework for construction waste prevention strategies as a sustainable tool in building mega cities. Using content analysis of various literatures reviewed,the study developed a framework for preventing waste generation in construction projects in mega cities. In the building of present and future mega cities, there is need to submit mandatory construction waste prevention strategies as part of the contract documentation to the client, client representatives and the town planning authorities in order to build liveable and sustainable cities

FACTORS AFFECTING PERSISTENCE OF FRESHMEN: A CASE OF BUILDING TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMME

Progressing from secondary school to the university can be a difficult transitioning period for most secondary school leavers. The higher institution presents new sets of experiences for first year students. Adapting to the new environment could be so challenging a task for most freshmen as to affect their performance, leading to eventual drop out. This research presents the results of a preliminary study on the persistence of first year students in a Nigerian University. The study adopted Astin’s Model of persistence to provide insight into factors influencing first year students’ persistence. Survey research design was used in the study with the aid of questionnaires distributed to sixty five first year students of building technology in a Nigerian university. Data obtained were analyzed by means of frequencies, cross tabs and categorical regression. The significant factors influencing first year students’ persistence included clinic, cafeteria, library and hostel. Gender and classroom had no significant effect on the persistence of freshmen surveyed. Majority of the students describe their classmates, roommates and teachers as very supportive. In addition, 75% of the students surveyed, prefer to remain in the course till the point of graduation. Universities can experience greater retention of freshmen by improving on the quality of facilities identified in this study particularly, clinic, cafeteria, library and hoste

SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL CAPITAL OF CRAFTSMEN IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

The construction industry is one of the largest employers of labour with the ability to generate jobs for local people resulting in a multiplier effect on the national and local economy. However, intense competition from migrant craftsmen has reduced the volume of work available to indigenous craftsmen which negatively affects their income. Social capital has been found to provide a good platform for enhancing the human capital of households, thereby improving their financial status. This study assessed the social and financial capital of 50 construction craftsmen in Lagos, Nigeria. Cross-sectional survey research design with the use of structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from the respondents based on a purposive sampling technique. The study indicated that social capital of the craftsmen surveyed was poor. Majority of the craftsmen did not belong to any crafts association. Lack of trust was found to be the most significant factor discouraging craftsmen from joining crafts association. From the study, the average daily wage of the craftsmen was between $6 and$15 while average savings was between $150 and$300. Leaders of crafts associations should be selfless, empathic and transparent. This will encourage more craftsmen to join crafts associations so as to benefit from skills development and more job opportunities

Adapting Flat Design Concept in Digital Graphics to Wayfinding Signage Development: Redirecting Movement and Recreating the Environment

People visiting built environments are desirous of accomplishing their aim of visiting such place within the shortest possible time, devoid of negative feelings/ spatial anxiety. Meanwhile, some environment such as hospital, academic setting among others are known for complex structures whereby navigation can become daunting especially when characterised by poor wayfinding system. This therefore necessitated a study on development of wayfinding signage adapting flat design which ordinarily was a design concept invented for digital screens. Innovatively, the wayfinding system was printed for Fine and Applied Arts Building, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ibogun Campus, relying also on colour psychology, typography, shape and user experience. Research method adopted for the study was mixed method: experimental and survey. User perception of the wayfinding system was sampled using questionnaire administered to 313 respondents. After thorough analysis, results indicated there is consistency in the interior and exterior signage colours, signage textual information are bold and descriptive. The wayfinding system with its shapes added better aesthetic to the environment. This study succeeded in demonstrating how creativity can be put into practise. Thus, recommended that Visual designers (especially in Africa) should be open to new and diverse design concepts for effective visual solution

Five-years retrospective study on utilization and uptake pattern of family planning services in primary health centres in a peri-urban settlement in southwest Nigeria

Background: Family planning is one of the most basic and essential healthcare services that can promote and ensure women's reproductive health worldwide. However, there has been a low level of utilisation of family planning services by women in developing countries. Therefore, the paper documented the utilisation rate, the uptake pattern of family planning services, and the socio-demographic characteristics of the women who attended the selected primary health centres in the Ife-Central local government area. Method: A five-year retrospective review of primary health centre’s records of clients who attended selected health centres from January 2017-December 2021. Data was obtained from the client cards and the family planning record book. A total of 2572 clients’ records were evaluated. Results: the study revealed the modal age group of 25-34 (58%) and modal parity of 3-4 (51%) children. The most significant proportion of the women was married (94.6%), with a secondary level of education (89%). Injectables were the most utilized family planning services among women in primary health centres, followed by the uptake of condoms. The Implant was the only increasing uptake pattern of family planning services within 5 years in primary health centres. Conclusion: Injectable contraceptives have a higher utilization rate, and the uptake pattern of family planning services varied in selected PHCs. However, the uptake pattern of implants increased consistently. Therefore, there is a need for continuous awareness creation and advocacy for the uptake of family planning services to promote women’s health and well-being. Trial registration: It was not retrospectively registered