Market Expansion, Private Sector Growth and Economic Development

The rate of growth in economic activities in the private sector and the level of economic development depends on the width and depth of market activities in an economy. Increased in market participation is dependent on a number of co-determinant factors working together. These factors include the level of monetization of economic activities with the resulting boost in the level of specialization (implying a fall in the level of subsistent activities); direct physical development of market; increased in the supply of infrastructure, especially those of transportation and communication; improvement the moral (social) capital of trust among the people in the society; promotion market-oriented policies by the government; among other things. If these factors are adequately available in the economy, jobs will be created through increased participation in income-generating activities, which naturally lead to market expansion, growth in directly productive activities of the private sector, and development. Even though market expansion will result in economic development, market activities must be regulated and given proper policy guide and direction for sustainable beneficial outcomes to be realized. Keywords: Market expansion, growth in economic activities, government policies, infrastructure provision, economic developmen

Natural Resources, Human Capital and Economic Development in Nigeria: Tracing the Linkages

The proposition that natural resource abundance tends to slow down economic growth through its deleterious impact on human capital accumulation is studied in the Nigerian context. Three main channels of transmission from natural resource abundance to stunted economic growth are discussed. They include: (a) the voracity effect, (b) the Dutch disease and (c) the neglect or crowding out effect. Estimating a system of seemingly unrelated regressions (SUR), we find evidence that natural resource abundance through its adverse effects on institutional quality, crowds-out human capital and affects economic growth negatively. The policy implication of our result makes the case for increased funding and participation in education, since more and better education tends to shift comparative advantage away from natural resource production towards manufacturing and services provision which accelerates learning by doing and guarantees economic development that is sustainable

Phytoremediation of Diesel Oil Polluted Soil by Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia Occidentalis Hook F.) in Uyo, Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

Phytoremediation is an emerging technology for cleaning contaminated soils. In this study, the effect of fluted pumpkin (Telfaira occidentalis Hook F.) on the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbon in a diesel oil contaminated soil was investigated. Fluted pumpkin seeds were planted in each treatment (0.00, 1.11, 1.59, 2.50 and 3.06%) for a period of 18 weeks. The following parameters were determined: germination percentage, length of vine, number of leaves per vine, leaf yield and the dry weight of leaves and vines on the 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th and 15th weeks after planting (WAP). Total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) was determined on the 2nd and 18th weeks after oil pollution (WAOP). Total bacterial and fungal counts were determined on the 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th, 15th and 18th WAOP. The results demonstrated that diesel affected soil depressed seed germination. Length of vine and number of leaves per vine were observed to increase from 3rd to 15th WAOP. Leaf yield increased from 3rd to 9th WAOP and thereafter declined from 12th to 15th WAOP. The results further revealed reduction in dry matter of leaves as concentration of oil increases, whereas dry weight of vines increased with increasing oil pollution. The result also demonstrated that fluted pumpkin stimulated total bacterial and fungal number. Total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) removal in the polluted soil was observed to be 86.53, 94.38, 92.80 and 92.97% in 1.11, 1.59, 2.50 and 3.06% concentration respectively. Thus, fluted pumpkin has proved to be efficient for removal of TPH from oil-contaminated soil. Keywords: Phytoremediation, diesel oil, fluted pumpkin, contaminated soils, petroleum hydrocarbo

Governance and Development Performance: A Cross-Country Analysis of Sub-Saharan Africa

Based on a panel data analysis of 21 Sub-Saharan Africa countries for the period 1998- 2007, we examined therelationship between governance and development performance following World Bank observation linkingAfrica’s development problems to governance crisis. We use the datasets from Worldwide Governance Indicatorsto measure the quality of governance and investigate the hypothesis that governance matters for development.We find that the rule of law, regulatory quality and political stability are positive and significantly associatedwith development outcomes. The results suggest that the aspect of governance relevant to SSA has to do withstrong rule of law, regulatory framework and political stability with the usual policy prescription of institutionalreforms for re-invigorating development in the region.Keywords: Governance; Development; Sub-Saharan Africa; Panel Data Analysis; Institutional Reforms

An Assessment of the Effectiveness of Open Market Operations Instrument of Monetary Policy Management in Nigeria

This study empirically examined the effectiveness of Open Market Operations (OMO) instrument of monetary policy management in Nigeria. In doing this, the study adopted the monetarist theory as the basis for measuring the effectiveness of OMO instrument of monetary policy management in Nigeria. The investigation was carried out using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method of estimation. Unit Root and Co-integration tests were performed on all the variables and the results revealed that the variables have long run relationship and are suitable for OLS estimation. The empirical results indicated a significant relationship between monetary policy instruments such as open market operations, required reserve and monetary policy rate with broad money supply which is the proximate target for monetary policy management. This implies that Open Market Operations has been an effective instrument of monetary policy management in Nigeria. The study further showed that monetary policy rate could serve as a veritable instrument for the control of money supply and effective monetary policy management in the economy. It is recommended, among others, that the CBN should review periodically the performance of monetary policy with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of monetary policy instruments in order to achieve macroeconomic stability. Keywords: OMO, Monetary policy effectiveness, Macroeconomic stability, Nigeria

Evaluation of nephrotoxicity effects of the methanol leaf extract of A. angustifolia in Wistar rats

Background: Agave angustifolia is a common traditional remedy in localities for disease treatment. This study focussed on evaluating the nephrotoxicity activity of the methanol extract of A. angustifolia leaf. Methods: Twenty-five Wistar rats of both sex were randomly shared into five groups. Group 1 received 10 mL/kg distilled water, group 2 gentamicin 80mg/kg, extract groups (3, 4 and 5) were placed on 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of A. angustifolia leaf extract  administered orally through an orogastric tube for 14 days. The rats were sacrificed using chloroform, and their kidneys were harvested, weighed and immediately fixed in 10% buffered formalin for histological analysis and blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture for biochemical and haematological analysis. Results: Results showed there was no marked difference in the levels of the packed cell volume (PCV) in all the concentrations of the extract as well as the controls. The gentamicin group showed a remarkable rise in the serum urea and creatinine level when compared to both the control and extract groups. Similar effects were observed in the 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of the extract. However, severe kidney injury was observed in the group treated with 400 mg/kg of the extract. Conclusions: Despite the beneficial potential of A. angustifolia, it also exhibited toxic effects on the kidney thereby causing significant damage to the kidney morphology at higher doses. The damages inflicted in these tissues are dose-dependent. Therefore A. angustifolia should be taken in low doses within shortest period of time

The Contribution of Energy Consumption to Climate Change:A Feasible Policy Direction

Mitigating climate change is one of the biggest challenges that confront mankind in the present millennium. The problem has continued to dominate public debates in terms of its origin, sources, potential impacts and possibly adaptation strategies. In this paper, the contributions of energy to the climate change debate are explored. The analysis shows that since about 1850, the global use of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) has increased and dominated world energy consumption and supply. The rapid rise in fossil fuel combustion has produced a corresponding rapid growth in CO2 emissions and accounts for over 80% of global anthropogenic green house gas emissions (GHGs) in 2008. It was shown that a substantial amount of CO2 emissions still emanates from the increased use of heavy polluting fuel like coal by industrializing countries like the United States, Japan and China. Historically, the developed countries have contributed the most to cumulative global CO2 emissions and still have the highest total historical emission. A disaggregated analysis indicates that two sectors of the economy, electricity and heat as well as the transport sector (majorly road transport), emit greater amounts of GHGs. Some mitigation mechanisms have been suggested including improved energy efficiency, energy pricing reforms, imposition of carbon emission taxes, promoting investment in renewable energy technologies and creating public environmental awareness.Climate change; Fossil fuel; CO2 emissions

Potential distribution of dominant malaria vector species in tropical region under climate change scenarios.

Risk assessment regarding the distribution of malaria vectors and environmental variables underpinning their distribution under changing climates is crucial towards malaria control and eradication. On this basis, we used Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) Model to estimate the potential future distribution of major transmitters of malaria in Nigeria-Anopheles gambiae sensu lato and its siblings: Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto, and Anopheles arabiensis under low and high emissions scenarios. In the model, we used mosquito occurrence data sampled from 1900 to 2010 alongside land use and terrain variables, and bioclimatic variables for baseline climate 1960-1990 and future climates of 2050s (2041-2060) and 2070s (2061-2080) that follow RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 scenarios. The Anopheles gambiae species are projected to experience large shift in potential range and population with increased distribution density, higher under high emissions scenario (RCP8.5) and 2070s than low emission scenario (RCP2.6) and 2050s. Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto and Anopheles arabiensis are projected to have highest invasion with 47-70% and 10-14% percentage increase, respectively in Sahel and Sudan savannas within northern states in 2041-2080 under RCP8.5. Highest prevalence is predicted for Humid forest and Derived savanna in southern and North Central states in 2041-2080; 91-96% and 97-99% for Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto, and 67-71% and 72-75% for Anopheles arabiensis under RCP2.6 and RCP8.5, respectively. The higher magnitude of change in species prevalence predicted for the later part of the 21st century under high emission scenario, driven mainly by increasing and fluctuating temperature, alongside longer seasonal tropical rainfall accompanied by drier phases and inherent influence of rapid land use change, may lead to more significant increase in malaria burden when compared with other periods and scenarios during the century; especially in Humid forest, Derived savanna, Sahel and Sudan savannas

Dominant malaria vector species in Nigeria: Modelling potential distribution of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato and its siblings with MaxEnt.

Malaria is a major infectious disease that still affects nearly half of the world's population. Information on spatial distribution of malaria vector species is needed to improve malaria control efforts. In this study we used Maximum Entropy Model (MaxEnt) to estimate the potential distribution of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato and its siblings: Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto, and Anopheles arabiensis in Nigeria. Species occurrence data collected during the period 1900-2010 was used together with 19 bioclimatic, landuse and terrain variables. Results show that these species are currently widespread across all ecological zones. Temperature fluctuation from mean diurnal temperature range, extreme temperature and precipitation conditions, high humidity in dry season from precipitation during warm months, and land use and land cover dynamics have the greatest influence on the current seasonal distribution of the Anopheles species. MaxEnt performed statistically significantly better than random with AUC approximately 0.7 for estimation of the Anopheles species environmental suitability, distribution and variable importance. This model result can contribute to surveillance efforts and control strategies for malaria eradication

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among adults in Liberia, April-May 2021.

BackgroundVaccination is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions used to prevent diseases in susceptible populations. Despite the established efficacy of vaccines, there are many reasons people are hesitant about vaccination, and these reasons could be complex. This rapid survey estimated the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and potentially contributing factors in Montserrado and Nimba counties in Liberia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among adults living in Liberia. The relationship between vaccine non-acceptance and sociodemographic characteristics was examined using chi-square statistics. The variables with a p-value less than 0.2 at the bivariate analysis were modelled in a binary logistic regression at a 5% level of significance. The adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval are reported.ResultsThere were 877 participants in the study. Majority were 25-34 years of age (30.4%, 272/877), females (54.05%, 474/877), and Christians (85.2%, 747/877). Most of the participants were aware of the COVID-19 vaccine (75%, 656/877), single (41.4%, 363/877), self-employed (37.51%, 329/877), and live-in rural communities (56.1%, 492/877). Vaccine hesitancy was (29.1%, 255/877; 95% CI:26.2-32.2). Vaccine hesitancy was greater among adults living in urban areas (41%) compared to persons living in rural communities (59%) (aOR; 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.1) and respondents aged 45-54 years (aOR:0.5; 95% CI: 0.2-0.9; p = 0.043) were 50% less likely to be hesitant to COVID-19 vaccination compared to those more than 55 years. The most common source of information was the media (53%, 492/877) and the main reason for being hesitant was a need for more information about the vaccine and its safety (84%, 215/255).ConclusionsThe majority of study participants were aware of the COVID-19 vaccines and their most common source of information was the media (television, radio). Vaccine hesitancy was moderate. This could pose a challenge to efforts to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the health authorities should provide more health education on the importance of vaccines and their safety to the populace