External debts and the financing of education in Nigeria from 1988 – 2018: Implication for effective educational management.

This study assessed external debts and the financing of education in Nigeria using time series data obtained from World Bank, and CBN Statistical Bulletin covering a period of 31 years from 1988 -2018. The model of the study was derived, while the data collected were analysed using the Ordinary Least Squares. Diagnostic tests such as Augmented Dickey- Fuller (ADF) unit root test, Johansen co-integration, Vector Error Correction (VEC) techniques of estimation, and Granger Causality tests were all performed. Findings revealed a significant long-run relationship between external debts and the financing of education; external debts have a significant effect (F=39.07055, p\u3c.05) on the financing of education in Nigeria; external debt stock and external debt service payment have no significant effect on the financing of education; real GDP and Exchange rate have a significant effect on the financing of education in Nigeria respectively. Based on these findings, it was concluded that external debt is a big hindrance to the financing of education and consequently, the economic growth of Nigeria. It was recommended amongst others that the government should use borrowed funds from external sources for productive capital projects or development initiatives such as investment in education and the eradication of illiteracy

Proximate and mineral composition of Pelusios castaneus (West African mud turtle) flesh sold in Edo State, Nigeria

This study was undertaken to determine the proximate and mineral composition of Pelusios castaneus (West African-mud turtle) so as to contribute to the availability of data in Nigeria. A total of thirteen (13) male and female each of African mud turtle (Pelusios casteneus) were purchased in Benin City, Nigeria. Specimen were identified to species level, stunned and slaughtered; then each of the turtle were dissected into flanges and Microwave digestion system (Closed Vessels Acid Digestion – MARS System - CEM) procedure was used for the digestion of all the samples based on organic extraction technique before the proximate composition and the mineral contents of the flesh were determined using AOAC methods and standard technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 21) and statistically using ANOVA and DMRT. Result shows that there were significant variations in the different parameters studied; the highest and lowest moisture content values of 67.00% and 52.56% were observed in the male and female respectively. Highest crude protein and lipid values of 26.78% and 15.00%, were observed in the female respectively; while the highest ash content value of 11.33% was observed in the male. While the mean mineral concentrations in the flesh varied among the different elements studied, the overall potassium had the highest value of 4030.82mg while the least value was observed in magnesium (871.04mg). Though Pelusios castaneus has been culturally important to Nigerians, the finding shows that the flesh is a valuable source of mineral elements and proximate components required in diet. Domestication in Nigeria is therefore encouraged to make them commercially available to reduce the pressure on their harvest from the wild thus preventing their going into extinction. &nbsp

The Current State of the Clam, Galatea paradoxa, Fishery at the Lower Volta River, Ghana

The clam, Galatea paradoxa has for decades been an important source of protein to the riparian communities of the lower Volta River and provides employment to about 2000 people, especially women. The fishing grounds have dwindled from 100 km from the pre-dam era to a narrow stretch of 10 km as a result of the development of sand bars at the estuary. This study was conducted to ascertain the socio-economic importance of the clam fishery to the people of the lower Volta, Ghana. The research found out that there were 251 fishing canoes and 503 fishers engaged in the clam fishery. The average daily catch per fishing canoe was 130 kg of clams, with an annual harvest of 7700 tonnes worth 4,620,408 Ghana Cedis. Commercial extinction of G. paradoxa is imminent in the lower Volta as a result of habitat alteration and overfishing. There is the need to put in place a sustainable harvesting measure that will target medium to large size clams against the current situation where the catch is dominated by smaller clams. It is recommended that a minimum landing size of 50 mm should be imposed. This should be done in consultation with the chiefs and traditional authorities in the communities which have managed the fishery to date. The marketing of clams below the 50 mm shell length limit should be abolished and enforced by the traditional authorities. Secondly, the farming of smaller clams, which is a traditional activity in the estuary, should be encouraged so that fishers who harvest undersize clams can seed them onto their culture plots

Policy Issues in the Structure, Conduct and Performance of Banana Market in Anambra State, Nigeria

This study described the structure, conduct and performance of banana market in Anambra State of Nigeria. The specific objectives are to describe the structure of the banana market; analyze the conduct of the banana market; determine banana market performance; and examine the major problems of banana marketing in the area. One hundred and twenty respondents spread in six major urban centers in the State and their concomitant major markets were randomly selected for interview. Descriptive statistics, Gini coefficient measure and the price spread analysis were used to analyse data. The study revealed that the activities of the banana market structure is almost optimum with a good conduct and performance as farmer’s share of the consumer spending is 56%. The study also shows that lack of storage facilities and capital were the most pressing problems of the middlemen while the farmers were constrained from increased production by lack of capital, high yielding and disease resistant banana varieties.  Policy recommendation to this effect was suggested

Policy Issues in the Structure, Conduct and Performance of Banana Market in Anambra State, Nigeria

This study described the structure, conduct and performance of banana market in Anambra State of Nigeria. The specific objectives are to describe the structure of the banana market; analyze the conduct of the banana market; determine banana market performance; and examine the major problems of banana marketing in the area. One hundred and twenty respondents spread in six major urban centers in the State and their concomitant major markets were randomly selected for interview. Descriptive statistics, Gini coefficient measure and the price spread analysis were used to analyse data. The study revealed that the activities of the banana market structure is almost optimum with a good conduct and performance as farmer’s share of the consumer spending is 56%. The study also shows that lack of storage facilities and capital were the most pressing problems of the middlemen while the farmers were constrained from increased production by lack of capital, high yielding and disease resistant banana varieties.  Policy recommendation to this effect was suggested

Trypanosoma brucei gambiense group 1 is distinguished by a unique amino acid substitution in the HpHb receptor implicated in human serum resistance

Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (Tbr) and T. b. gambiense (Tbg), causative agents of Human African Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) in Africa, have evolved alternative mechanisms of resisting the activity of trypanosome lytic factors (TLFs), components of innate immunity in human serum that protect against infection by other African trypanosomes. In Tbr, lytic activity is suppressed by the Tbr-specific serum-resistance associated (SRA) protein. The mechanism in Tbg is less well understood but has been hypothesized to involve altered activity and expression of haptoglobin haemoglobin receptor (HpHbR). HpHbR has been shown to facilitate internalization of TLF-1 in T.b. brucei (Tbb), a member of the T. brucei species complex that is susceptible to human serum. By evaluating the genetic variability of HpHbR in a comprehensive geographical and taxonomic context, we show that a single substitution that replaces leucine with serine at position 210 is conserved in the most widespread form of Tbg (Tbg group 1) and not found in related taxa, which are either human serum susceptible (Tbb) or known to resist lysis via an alternative mechanism (Tbr and Tbg group 2). We hypothesize that this single substitution contributes to reduced uptake of TLF and thus may play a key role in conferring serum resistance to Tbg group 1. In contrast, similarity in HpHbR sequence among isolates of Tbg group 2 and Tbb/Tbr provides further evidence that human serum resistance in Tbg group 2 is likely independent of HpHbR functio

Assessment of animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) vulnerability in cattle-owning communities of sub-Saharan Africa

Background: Animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) is one of the biggest constraints to livestock production and a threat to food security in sub-Saharan Africa. In order to optimise the allocation of resources for AAT control, decision makers need to target geographic areas where control programmes are most likely to be successful and sustainable and select control methods that will maximise the benefits obtained from resources invested. Methods: The overall approach to classifying cattle-owning communities in terms of AAT vulnerability was based on the selection of key variables collected through field surveys in five sub-Saharan Africa countries followed by a formal Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) to identify factors explaining the variations between areas. To categorise the communities in terms of AAT vulnerability profiles, Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) was performed. Results: Three clusters of community vulnerability profiles were identified based on farmers’ beliefs with respect to trypanosomiasis control within the five countries studied. Cluster 1 communities, mainly identified in Cameroon, reported constant AAT burden, had large trypanosensitive (average herd size = 57) communal grazing cattle herds. Livestock (cattle and small ruminants) were reportedly the primary source of income in the majority of these cattle-owning households (87.0 %). Cluster 2 communities identified mainly in Burkina Faso and Zambia, with some Ethiopian communities had moderate herd sizes (average = 16) and some trypanotolerant breeds (31.7 %) practicing communal grazing. In these communities there were some concerns regarding the development of trypanocide resistance. Crops were the primary income source while communities in this cluster incurred some financial losses due to diminished draft power. The third cluster contained mainly Ugandan and Ethiopian communities which were mixed farmers with smaller herd sizes (average = 8). The costs spent diagnosing and treating AAT were moderate here. Conclusions: Understanding how cattle-owners are affected by AAT and their efforts to manage the disease is critical to the design of suitable locally-adapted control programmes. It is expected that the results could inform priority setting and the development of tailored recommendations for AAT control strategies

Persistent hypertension up to one year postpartum among women with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy in a low-resource setting:A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDPs) are associated with lifelong cardiovascular disease risk. Persistent postpartum hypertension in HDPs could suggest progression to chronic hypertension. This phenomenon has not been well examined in low- and middle-income countries (LIMCs), and most previous follow-ups typically last for maximally six weeks postpartum. We assessed the prevalence of persistent hypertension up to one year in women with HDPs in a low resource setting and determined associated risk factors. METHODOLOGY: A prospective cohort study of women conducted at eight tertiary health care facilities in seven states of Nigeria. Four hundred and ten women with any HDP were enrolled within 24 hours of delivery and followed up at intervals until one year postpartum. Descriptive statistics were performed to express the participants’ characteristics. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to identify associated risk factors. RESULTS: Of the 410 women enrolled, 278 were followed up to one year after delivery (follow-up rate 68%). Among women diagnosed with gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, 22.3% (95% CI; 8.3–36.3) and 62.1% (95% CI; 52.5–71.9), respectively, had persistent hypertension at six months and this remained similar at one year 22.3% (95% CI; 5.6–54.4) and 61.2% (95% CI; 40.6–77.8). Maternal age and body mass index were significant risk factors for persistent hypertension at one year [aORs = 1.07/year (95% CI; 1.02–1.13) and 1.06/kg/m(2) (95% CI; 1.01–1.10)], respectively. CONCLUSION: This study showed a substantial prevalence of persistent hypertension beyond puerperium. Health systems in LMICs need to be organized to anticipate and maintain postpartum monitoring until blood pressure is normalized, or women referred or discharged to family physicians as appropriate. In particular, attention should be given to women who are obese, and or of higher maternal age

Metabolic syndrome following hypertensive disorders in pregnancy in a low-resource setting:A cohort study

Objectives: Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDPs) are associated with risk of future metabolic syndrome. Despite the huge burden of HDPs in sub-Saharan Africa, this association has not been adequately studied in this population. Study design: This was a prospective cohort study on pregnant women recruited between August 2017 - April 2018 and followed up to one year after their deliveries and evaluated for presence of metabolic syndrome at delivery, nine weeks, six months and one year. Main outcome measures: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome Results: A total of 488 pregnant women were included: 410 and 78 with HDPs and normotensive, respectively. None of the normotensive had metabolic syndrome until one year (1.7% = 1 out of 59 observations), while among those with HDPs were 17.4% (71 of 407), 8.7% (23 of 263), 4.7% (11 of 232) and 6.1% (17 of 278), at delivery, nine weeks, six months and one year postpartum, respectively. High BMI and blood pressure were the drivers of metabolic syndrome in this population. The incidence rate in HDPs versus normotensive at one year were, respectively, 57.5/1000 persons’ year (95%CI; 35.8 – 92.6) and 16.9/1000 persons’ years (95%CI; 2.4-118.3), with incidence rate ratio of 3.4/1000 person's years. Only parity significantly predicted the presence of metabolic syndrome at one year [(aOR= 3.26/delivery (95%CI; 1.21-8.79)]. Conclusion: HDPs were associated with a higher incidence of metabolic syndrome up to one year postpartum. Women with HDPs should be routinely screened for metabolic syndrome within the first year postpartum to reduce cardiometabolic risks.</p