Ethnic Nationalism and the Nigerian Democratic Experience in the Fourth Republic

This paper is an inquiry into the impact of ethnic nationalism on the Nigerian nascent democracy. Data for the paper were collected from (i) primary and (ii) secondary sources. The former from interviews and Focus Group Discussions, while the latter is from documents comprising of (i)Newspapers and (ii) Magazines. The paper started by identifying the factors responsible for the predominance of ethnic nationalism and these include: (i) the legacy of colonialism; (ii) the pluralistic nature and the heterogeneity of the polity; (iii) problem of a universally acceptable revenue allocation formular; (iv) lack of patriotism and loyalty of the people to their ethnic nationalities; (v) the recent on-shore/off-shore dichotomy; (vi) party formation along ethnic lines; (vii) monopoly of power by the major ethnic groups and the consequent marginalization of the minority groups. The paper posited that the impact has been very devastating as it meant a threat to political stability, thwarted efforts aimed at national integration, increased the level of political violence and fragmented and divided the civil society. In order to get out of the problems the paper suggested that Nigeria should embrace power rotation, secularism, federalism, Two-party system, reduce power in the Presidency, curtail corruption, empower the civil society, reorientate the populace and convocate a national conference. Using the functionalist framework, the paper hypothesized and concluded that the convocation of a national conference becomes a categorical imperative if Nigeria is to overcome many of the problems associated with the predominance of ethnic nationalism and thus become a strong, virile, united and vibrant democracy.Key Words: Ethnic Militias, On-Shore/Off-Shore dichotom

Community Based Fishery Management: A Case Study Of Acadja Method Of Fishing On The Badagry Creek, Ogun State, Nigeria

The objective of the study was to elucidate and analyze key conditions for communal acadja system on the Badagry creek in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State. A sample size of 120 respondents was used for the study. Data were collected with structured questionnaires and analysed with the use of descriptive statistics such as means and percentages. The study revealed that most (86.9%) of the respondents were fully involved in the communal acadja with only 9% of them participated primarily for income generation while the larger percentage of the respondents involved for subsistence. It was observed that the fishers have some degree of tenure on the area of installation because of traditional regulatory mechanism in place. However, some constraints faced by the fishers as a result of implantation of acadjas include abandon of certain fishing gears, changing of fishing grounds, small fishing grounds and destruction of fishing gears. It was therefore recommended that acadja systems should be planned and implanted in the context of multiple uses of water body that integrated acadja systems with fishing and migration. Keywords: Acadja, , Community, Creek, fishery.Journal of Agriculture and Social Research Vol. 8 (1) 2008: pp. 28-3

Improvised venous canula myringostomy in acute otitis media: Analysis of outcome in Nigeris

Background: This case control study was based on the hypothesis that myringostomy done on an a bulging but inflamed tympanic membrane before perforation might improve healing of the middle ear and tympanic membrane, thus reducing the probability of progression to chronic suppurative otitis media.Our objective was to compare outcome of tympanic membrane healing in acute otitis media (AOM) patients who had myringostomy and those presenting with perforation and suppuration. In this study we also examined the suitability of a venous canula as an improvisation in the absence of conventional myringostomy tube.Methods: This prospective study, carried out in the Otolaryngology Unit, Department of Surgery, Federal Medical Center, Lokoja between February 2006 and August 2008, included consecutive AOM patients who presented with excruciating otalgia and bulging, hyperaemic tympanic membrane and another group with ruptured tympanic membrane both within 2 weeks duration. The patients with bulging tympanic membrane had venous canula myringostomy done in the local anaesthesia and the canula was kept in situ until the ear became dry and until the myringostomy site closed up. While the group with tympanic membrane perforation at presentation had ear suction toileting and daily ear dressing, until ear became dry. The 2 groups were followed up daily to determine duration of stay of the improvised myringostomy tube and the closure of the myringostomy site or tympanic membrane perforation and they were compared using Pearson’s correlation test at 0. 05 significance.Results: Subjects comprised of 42 AOM (15 males and 27 females (M: F = 1.7:3) and 26 with tympanic membrane perforation (11 males and 15 females), aged between 3 years to 48 years (mean+ SD = 13+ 6 years). Relief of otalgia was seen all the subjects in the myringostomy group (100%).The mean number of days to achieve dry ear after myringostomy tube was 3 days after myringostomy while it was 3 weeks in the perforation group (P = 0.002). The mean number of days to achieve closure of the myringostomy was 3.7 days after dryness while among the perforation group, it was 3 months (P= 0.000).Conclusion: Venous canula, which is cheap and readily available, could be an improvisation for myringostomy in AOM; and this aided early relief of otalgia, resolution of disease and significant reduction in treatment durations

Economic complexity and environmental degradation: Evidence from OECD countries

We augment the existing knowledge on the role of economic complexity in the environment and sustainable development debate by examining the effect of economic complexity on environmental degradation (measured by ecological footprint, CO2 emissions, N2O emissions and greenhouse gas emissions) contingent on income, using data from 35 OECD countries between 1998 and 2017. With the fixed effects model estimator, we find that income facilitates economic complexity to mitigate ecological footprint, CO2 emissions, N2O emissions and greenhouse gas emissions. Also, we fit a partial linear functional-coefficient model to find that income influences economic complexity to exert a nonlinear effect on ecological footprint, CO2 emissions, N2O emissions and greenhouse gas emissions. We find that economic complexity leads to an increase in ecological footprint, CO2 emissions, N2O emissions and greenhouse gas emissions at lower income levels but gradually dampens them as income rises. Finally, by applying the Method of Moments Quantile regression to control for distributional heterogeneity, we also find that the mitigating effect of economic complexity on ecological footprint, CO2 emissions, N2O emissions and greenhouse gas emissions is transmitted through income across quantiles. The policy implications are discussed

Information technology and productivity among women: A case study of Ondo State Civil Service

The development in information technologies has increased productivity amongst workers across the globe. This is so because workers now have more access to information, both for research purposes and for effective decision making. By implication, workers get developed and enhanced on their jobs with considerable increase on their salaries and personal emoluments. But, the above picture has not been clearly the case in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular. Most workers are still cut off the opportunities provided by the advances in information technology. This category of excluded workers is predominantly women in the civil service in Nigeria, most of who have been unable to get to management positions. This paper elucidates the reasons for the limited access of female workers to information technology in Ondo State civil service and identifies the social forces that have sustained this phenomenon. It argues that the character of public policy and programmes in Nigeria promotes inequality between male and female workers and thus reduces the opportunities for self development and actualization among women. Women hardly get to positions that give them access to basic information technologies like computers and access to internet facilities the Ondo State civil service. The paper concludes that unless this is addressed, women will continue to be excluded and deprived in Nigeria. It therefore suggests that a deliberate and conscious policy of massive inclusion of women in management positions should be put in place as an imperative. Gender and Behaviour Vol. 4 (2) 2006: pp. 916-92

Awareness Of Breast Cancer Screening Among Female Undergraduate Students Of University Of Ibadan, Nigeria

The mortality and morbidity rate of carcinoma of the breast among Nigerian women is alarming and is a serious health issue to health professionals especially nurses. The high rate of mortality and morbidity associated with breast cancer can be reduced through early detection measures which include mammography, clinical breast examination (CBE) and breast self examination (BSE). The aim of this study therefore is to determine the level of awareness of breast cancer screening methods among the female undergraduate students of University of Ibadan who are future mothers. This is a non-experimental descriptive study that utilised a self-structured questionnaire for collection of data. Three hundred willing female undergraduate students drawn proportionately from the three halls of residence participated in the study. Only 286 out of the 300 questionnaires distributed, were correctly filled, and fit for analysis. The Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) was utilised for analysis of data. The age of the respondents ranged from 16 to 40 years. Majority (92.6%) were single. Those who have heard about BSE, CBE and mammography were 82.7%, 59.8% and 46% respectively. The mass media top the list of sources of information. However, only 33.8% demonstrated good knowledge of appropriate time BSE should be carried out. Larger proportion; 81.2% had never accessed CBE at any particular time in life. There is a significant association between the respondents\' level of awareness of mammography and the respondent mothers\' level of education, (P ? 0.05). The findings of the study revealed high level of awareness of BSE but low level of knowledge. Similarly, the number of respondents who had benefited from CBE was very low. Therefore, nurses, midwives and doctors are encouraged to teach their clients BSE and incorporate CBE into the routine physical examination of their clients. Keywords: Awareness, Breast cancer, Screening, Undergraduate students.African Journal for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Vol. 11 (1&2) 2008: pp. 161-17

Studies on seed yield potential of some selected kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) genotypes

Kenaf seed yield depends on morpho-physiological traits between varieties, and the interaction between genotype and the environment. Studies were conducted in Ibadan, Ilora and Kisi stations of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria during 2009 and 2010 cropping seasons to determine the influence of location and genotypes on seed yield potentials in 20 kenaf genotypes. The experiment was carried out using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Result shows that, kenaf plants had tallest average capsule height in Ilora in both years, while higher numbers of capsule/plant and seed number/capsule were recorded in Kishi. There were no significant differences among all the genotypes planted irrespective of the location on seed weight/plant, 100 seed weight and seed yield/ha. Average highest capsule height was recorded in 2009 across genotypes. However, average number of capsule/plant, seed number/capsule, seed weight/plant and seed yield/ha were higher in 2010. Local kenaf had highest number of capsules (55.04) with about the least seeds per capsule (9.45) and least weight of seed per plant (3.30 g). While BS-1 had the least capsule number (18.86) and highest seeds per capsule (15.74) was recorded in SF-549. AU-75 recorded the highest seed weight/plant. The 100 seed weight ranged from 3.37 to 2.19 g. Seed yield/ha across genotypes ranged from 660 kg/ha in Local line 36 to 1454.3 kg/ha in AU-75.Keywords: Kenaf, capsule height, capsule number, seed number, seed weight/capsule, 100 seed weight and seed yield/ha.African Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(24) 2420-242

Knowledge And Utilization Of Cervical Cancer Vaccine Among Female Undergraduates In University Of Ibadan, Ibadan

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality among women in developing countries. An estimated 529,409 new cases and approximately 274,883 deaths are recorded annually. Vaccination has been identified as the surest way of preventing cervical cancer. Cervical cancer vaccines were licensed and introduced in Nigeria in 2009, but they are being utilized by only a few privileged population. Although cervical cancer is known to be preventable, poor knowledge of the disease and the possible preventive measures are responsible for late presentation of cases and consequently high cases of mortality in Nigeria. This study identified the knowledge and utilization of such vaccines available for cervical cancer prevention.This Study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey to assess the level of knowledge and utilization of cervical cancer vaccine. The instrument for the study was a semi-structured questionnaire. Data obtained was coded and entered into spread sheet, and analysis was done using SPSS (version 20.0). Chi-square test and independent sample t- test was used to determine whether the relationships between the variables are statistically significant at P < 0.05.A very low level of knowledge and awareness, 45.6% was seen among the female undergraduates. This also amounted to a low utilization; as 99.5% had never utilized the services. Different factors were also identified as barriers to utilization of screening services such as affordability, accessibility, fear of procedure among many others.The menace cervical cancer is very high in Nigeria. There is urgent great need to establish adequate measures to ensure that services are available, knowledge about the disease is adequate and that available services are being utilized.Key words: Cervical Cancer, Knowledge, Utilization, Vaccine, Female Undergraduate

Put on the light! Foreign direct investment, governance and access to electricity

Despite efforts and commitments to achieve universal coverage of electricity, overall access in Africa is below expectation, making the attainment of the United Nations' Sustainable Energy for All Initiative almost a mirage for this region. The inability to mobilize adequate domestic financial resources and a seeming lack of political will (reflected in governance) have been highlighted as two of the major bottlenecks in the development of electricity infrastructure in African regio. Regarding inadequate financial resources, we argue that inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) and the influx of multinational enterprises can help a great deal. To this end, we investigate the impact of FDI on access to electricity and further examine whether this impact is contingent on the governance architecture. Using a sample of 36 African countries, and the instrumental variable (IV) approach to the generalized method of moments (GMM), our results suggest that, for the most part, the direct impacts of FDI and governance on access to electricity are positive. The role of governance in the FDI impact on electricity was established