YOUTHS’ UNEMPLOYMENT AND CRIME CONTROL: AN ANALYSIS OF NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE

Sub-Saharan Africa population is characterized with young people. Economic active population group constitutes an average of 53% of the total population of the region for the past two decades as reported by the World Bank (2011). Over 40 % of these youths are without jobs or stable economic income. Also, 64.1% and 50.7% of the region’s total youth population live below U.S$1.2 per day. The implications of characteristics of the population are very important. Youth unemployment is a global problem affecting both developed and developing countries alike. But while the developed countries are taking the threat seriously and restructuring their education and social security systems to abate its growth and escape the eminent catastrophic retrenchments, Nigeria seem not to be doing enough. This paper therefore examines the youths’ unemployment situation and its connection to growing crime wave in Nigeria. Literature is extensively reviewed; methodology is based on the exhaustive consultation of journals and records

A Sociolinguistic Approach to Security Challenges and Sustainable National Development in Nigeria

The study is a sociolinguistic approach to solving security challenges and enhancing sustainable national development in Nigeria. It argues that language and society influences each other and as such language could be used to solve societal problems. In doing so, the paper x-rays the functions of language in human society as propounded by Halliday and Stubbs. It discusses the multilingual nature of Nigeria, the concept of national development as well as security challenges facing the country. The paper notes that the dominant use English language against the indigenous languages in nearly all communicative domains in Nigeria has failed the nation in its bid to overcome numerous security threats. This may not be unconnected with the low literacy level in the country. As a result, the paper recommends a tripartite language policy vis-à-vis the use of English language, the indigenous languages as well as the Nigerian Pidgin depending on the contextual demand. The paper also advocates the adoption of more indigenous languages, apart from the three major ones- Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, for use. This will imply a revision of Nigeria's language policy and the constitutional provisions on language

FUNDING STRATEGIES AND SUSTENANCE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IN NIGERIA: THE WAY FORWARD

This paper examined the existing funding strategies of Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Nigeria with a view to suggesting strategies for its better funding and sustenance. The paper recognised the commitment of the Nigerian Governments and the support of the community, individuals and foreign sponsors in funding ECE programmes. The paper however submitted that much more still needs to be done towards providing adequate funds for quality teachers/caregivers, supply of appropriate facilities and stimulating learning materials as well as supervision of ECCD programmes. Towards this end, increased government allocations, sustained international support, financial allocation to ECE teacher training institutions, equity funding and cost-sharing strategies were recommended

Does Tribolium brevicornis Cuticular Chemistry Deter Cannibalism and Predation of Pupae?

The cuticular hydrocarbons of insects are species-specific and often function as semiochemicals. The activity of Tribolium brevicornis cuticular hydrocarbons as feeding deterrents that ostensibly function to prevent pupal cannibalism and predation was evaluated. The cuticular hydrocarbons of T. brevicornis pupae were characterized and flour disk bioassays conducted with individual and combined extract components incorporated into artificial diets on which Tribolium adults fed for six days. Feeding by T. brevicornis and T. castaneum on flour disks containing cuticular extracts of T. brevicornis pupae resulted in reduced consumption and weight loss relative to feeding on control flour disks. In both cases, feeding deterrence indices exceeded 80% suggesting that T. brevicornis cuticular hydrocarbons could function to deter cannibalism and predation of pupae by larvae and adult beetles. Sixteen different cuticular hydrocarbons were identified in T. brevicornis pupal extracts. Eight of the commercially available linear alkanes were tested individually in feeding trials with eight Tribolium species. One compound (C28) significantly reduced the amount of food consumed by three species compared to control disks, whereas the compounds C25, C26, and C27 elicited increased feeding in some species. Four other compounds had no effect on consumption for any species. When four hydrocarbon mixtures were tested for synergistic deterrence on T. brevicornis and T. castaneum, none significantly influenced consumption. Our results indicate that the cuticular chemistry of T. brevicornis pupae could serve to deter predation by conspecific and congeneric beetles

Effects of Saccharum officinarum Molasses on Hematology and Hepatic Functions of Male Wistar Rats

Background: Sweeteners are a utile source of nourishment for cuisine preparation but are linked with the risk of occurrence of several diseases. Hence, the quest for healthier sweetening agents with lesser harmful effects cannot be ignored. Saccharum officinarum molasses, a natural nutritive sweetener, has become a popular substitute despite a dearth of knowledge on its healthiness. Aim: To assess the effects of Saccharum officinarum molasses on hematology, serum electrolyte, lipid profile, liver histology, and redox status of male Wistar rats. Methods: Blackstrap® Saccharum officinarum molasses (SOM) was fractionated to obtain Saccharum officinarum molasses methanol fraction (SOMMF) and Saccharum officinarum molasses aqueous fraction (SOMAqF). Seven groups (n = 5) of adult male Wistar rats received distilled water (Control); 1.0, 3.2, 10.0 g/kg SOMMF and 0.6, 2.0, 6.4 g/kg SOMAqF, respectively. Administrations were done daily via oral gavage for eight weeks. Full blood indices were determined with an automated hematology analyzer, serum electrolyte by monoliquid colorimetric test, and serum lipid profile using the enzymatic colorimetric test. Liver malondialdehyde and antioxidant levels were assayed by spectrophotometry. Liver histology was assessed using microscopy. Data were analyzed using ANOVA at p < 0.05 significance. Results: SOM increased liver catalase activity and serum levels of iron and potassium. It reduced serum levels of lipid profile, zinc and sodium ions, hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, packed cell volume, superoxide dismutase activity of the liver, and concurrently disrupted liver cytoarchitecture. Conclusion: Saccharum officinarum molasses adversely disrupted the hematological and hepatic functions of male Wistar rats

Effects of Saccharum officinarum Molasses on Hematology and Hepatic Functions of Male Wistar Rats

Background: Sweeteners are a utile source of nourishment for cuisine preparation but are linked with the risk of occurrence of several diseases. Hence, the quest for healthier sweetening agents with lesser harmful effects cannot be ignored. Saccharum officinarum molasses, a natural nutritive sweetener, has become a popular substitute despite a dearth of knowledge on its healthiness. Aim: To assess the effects of Saccharum officinarum molasses on hematology, serum electrolyte, lipid profile, liver histology, and redox status of male Wistar rats. Methods: Blackstrap® Saccharum officinarum molasses (SOM) was fractionated to obtain Saccharum officinarum molasses methanol fraction (SOMMF) and Saccharum officinarum molasses aqueous fraction (SOMAqF). Seven groups (n = 5) of adult male Wistar rats received distilled water (Control); 1.0, 3.2, 10.0 g/kg SOMMF and 0.6, 2.0, 6.4 g/kg SOMAqF, respectively. Administrations were done daily via oral gavage for eight weeks. Full blood indices were determined with an automated hematology analyzer, serum electrolyte by monoliquid colorimetric test, and serum lipid profile using the enzymatic colorimetric test. Liver malondialdehyde and antioxidant levels were assayed by spectrophotometry. Liver histology was assessed using microscopy. Data were analyzed using ANOVA at p < 0.05 significance. Results: SOM increased liver catalase activity and serum levels of iron and potassium. It reduced serum levels of lipid profile, zinc and sodium ions, hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, packed cell volume, superoxide dismutase activity of the liver, and concurrently disrupted liver cytoarchitecture. Conclusion: Saccharum officinarum molasses adversely disrupted the hematological and hepatic functions of male Wistar rats

Survey of Education, Engineering, and Information Technology Students Knowledge of Green Computing in Nigerian University

The use of computer system is growing rapidly and there is growing concern on the environmental hazard associated with its use. Thus, the need for every user\u27s to possess the knowledge of using computer in an environmental friendly manner. This study therefore, investigated the knowledge of green computing possessed by university students in Nigeria. To achieve this, survey method was employed to carry out the study. The study involved students from three schools (Computer Science, Engineering, and Education). Purposive sampling method was used to draw three hundred (300) respondents that volunteer to answer the questionnaire administered for gathering the data of the study. The instrument used was adapted but modify and subjected to pilot testing to ascertain its validity and internal consistency. The reliability of the instrument showed a .75 Cronbach alpha level. The first research question was answer with descriptive statistic (perecentage). T-test and ANOVA was used to answer question two and three. The findings showed that the students do not possess adequate knowledge on conscious use of computing system. Also, the study showed that there is no significant difference in the green computing knowledge possesses among male and female as well as among student from the three schools. Based on these findings, the study suggested among other an aggressive campaign on green computing among university communities