Money Lending Law and Regulation of Consumer Credit in Nigeria

Money lending is an indispensible consumer credit device in Nigeria as it is elsewhere. At the outset of the practice it was rift with abuses on the part of the lenders as desperate borrowers had no choice but to accept oppressive terms. The Moneylenders Ordinance 1927 was enacted at the federal level to check these abuses. Subsequently, the various States of Nigeria enacted their own Moneylenders Laws, all of which are a virtual reproduction of the Moneylenders Ordinance. This article examines the adequacy or otherwise of the Moneylenders Laws of Nigeria as consumer credit laws, and opines that not only do the laws sufficiently protect the consumers (borrowers), but that they also unduly fetter the lenders, which development is bad for modern business efficacy. This article concludes with recommendations for review of the Moneylenders Laws

Hand Grip Strength: age and gender stratified normative data in a population-based study

Extent: 5p.Background: The North West Adelaide Health Study is a representative longitudinal cohort study of people originally aged 18 years and over. The aim of this study was to describe normative data for hand grip strength in a community-based Australian population. Secondary aims were to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and hand grip strength, and to compare Australian data with international hand grip strength norms. Methods: The sample was randomly selected and recruited by telephone interview. Overall, 3 206 (81% of those recruited) participants returned to the clinic during the second stage (2004-2006) which specifically focused on the collection of information relating to musculoskeletal conditions. Results: Following the exclusion of 435 participants who had hand pain and/or arthritis, 1366 men and 1312 women participants provided hand grip strength measurement. The study population was relatively young, with 41.5% under 40 years; and their mean BMI was 28.1 kg/m2 (SD 5.5). Higher hand grip strength was weakly related to higher BMI in adults under the age of 30 and over the age of 70, but inversely related to higher BMI between these ages. Australian norms from this sample had amongst the lowest of the hand grip strength of the internationally published norms, except those from underweight populations. Conclusions: This population demonstrated higher BMI and lower grip strength in younger participants than much of the international published, population data. A complete exploration of the relationship between BMI and hand grip strength was not fully explored as there were very few participants with BMI in the underweight range. The age and gender grip strength values are lower in younger adults than those reported in international literature.Nicola M Massy-Westropp, Tiffany K Gill, Anne W Taylor, Richard W Bohannon and Catherine L Hil

Knowledge, Attitude And Perception Of Epilepsy Among Traditional Healers In Uyo, Nigeria

The poor knowledge of epilepsy among traditional healers is due to cultural prejudices and environment. The resultant deep-rooted misconceptions and myths negatively affect the attitudes and encourage traditional care with high morbidity and mortality. The objectives of the study were to assess knowledge of epilepsy among traditional healers and to determine the modalities used in the care. One hundred and seventy three traditional healers from villages/communities in Uyo were assessed for knowledge; attitude and perception of epilepsy, using an interviewer assisted Attitude Questionnaire. Data from 166 (95.9%) healers, consisting of 123 (71.1%) males and 43 (24.8%) females were analyzed. Many of the healers, 139 (83.7%) had little or no formal education. Knowledge about causes, diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy was poor; 74 (44.6%) attributed the cause of epilepsy to witchcraft, 53 (31.9%) to spiritual attacks, 23 (13.9%) punishment for sins. A total of 121 (72%) of them diagnosed epilepsy through oracles/gods. Majority, 161 (97.0%) of the healers preferred native treatment; 54 (32.5%) appeased gods/ancestors, 47 (28.3%) used herbs, roots/animal residues as cure, 10 (6.0%) preferred spiritual/prayers; while 48 (28.9%) used a combination of the rituals. There were prevalent negative attitudes and perception about epilepsy among the healers, as 146 (88.0%) of them viewed it as contagious; 149 (89.8%) would decline either marrying or eating with epileptic persons. Although traditional healers are frequently involved in the care of epilepsy in our environment, they have little or no scientific knowledge about the condition. Adequate knowledge about epilepsy is essential for diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, there is need to improve the knowledge about epilepsy in order to encourage positive attitudes and care. KEY WORDS: Knowledge; Attitude; Perception; Epilepsy; Traditional healer

Percentage absorbance and transmittance of various types of glasses

Studies have been made on the Percentage Absorbance and Transmittance of various types of glasses in the Ultra-Violet (UV) and Visible (Vis.) Spectrum (between the wavelength range of 200nm and 800nm). The 6mm thick plain louvre glass absorbed more than other plain louvre glasses with smaller thickness. The same results were obtained for coloured glasses. The coloured glasses absorb less in their respective colour range and hence transmit more in such range. Hence, it is recommended that thick coloured and 6mm plain louvre glasses should be used to reduce the load on the air-conditioners inside buildings, while plain louvre glass of smaller thickness be used as glazing material in flat plate solar collectors and possibly in long term storage elements. KEY WORDS: Absorbance, Transmittance, Glass. Global Jnl Pure & Applied Sciences Vol.10(2) 2004: 327-33