A multivariate analysis of an enterprise development strategy for the development of functional foods derived from African indigenous plants

Abstract: An enterprise development strategy linking science with business applications moderates effective development and commercialisation of a functional food production plant. However, as most theories agitate a largely scientifically skewed process, poor interplay between science and business applications often undermines effective development and commercialisation of functional foods derived from a variety of indigenous African plants. This research seeks to address this gap by using multivariate analysis to evaluate the null hypothesis that a scientific process intricately intertwined with critical business processes for the development of a functional food production plant catalyses its successful establishment, growth, sustainability and profitability. Using statistical data drawn from 40 firms in the food and beverage industry, results of multivariate analysis revealed that irrespective of the attractiveness of the scientific values of the new functional food concept, a scientific process intricately intertwined with critical business processes is still often critical for leveraging the initial marketing and promotion of new functional food concepts as well as the adoption of the appropriate manufacturing strategy. As the adoption of an appropriate manufacturing strategy enhances cost minimisation and resource optimisation, all these combined with the moderating effects of the improved linkages between the functional food production plant with suppliers and distributors were found to catalyse the overall competitiveness and sustainability of the new functional food concept, even in the midst of the increasing proliferation of the often equally competitive new rival functional food concepts

Rethinking displacement and the protection of female asylum seekers in Nigeria

Displacement has over the years become one of the major causes of migration of persons en masse from one part of the world to another. The victims of the displacement are usually in dire need of legal protection which actually exists having been codified by various enactments but which is often times illusory. The procedure to follow before legal status is granted to persons seeking asylum in a host country is also cumbersome. This position is the same for men, women and children. However, due to the vulnerability of women and children, the consequences of displacement affect them differently. The study investigated the effects of displacement on women and their protection regime as asylum seekers. It mainly considered and appraised the adequacy or otherwise of the legal regime for the protection of female asylum seekers and victims of displacement.Keywords: displacement, asylum seekers, protection, migrants, immigrants, refugee

Rising cases of rape offences in Nigeria: new measures to the rescue

Before now the offence of rape in Nigeria was an isolated incident. It occurred once in a while and when it did it was greeted with incredulity and surprise. However, despite the fact that the offence carries a life term imprisonment, it has now become a daily occurrence Nigeria. It seems that the law as it is, is incapable of deterring the naked and raw urge to subdue and abuse a woman. There exists a conspiracy of silence whenever the offence of rape is committed. It is this conspiracy of silence in relation to rape that this work seeks to unravel with a view to pointing out the areas where the law appears to be encouraging the offence.Key words: Rape, Rising Cases, New Measures, Penetration, Criminal Justice System, Tripo

Interpersonal Influences in the Scale-up of Male Circumcision Services in a Traditionally Non-circumcising Community in Rural Western Kenya

Promoting male circumcision (MC) is now recognized as an additional, important strategy for the prevention of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men, and plans are underway to scale-up this intervention especially in non-circumcising communities, with generalized HIV pandemic. This qualitative study identifies and characterizes the role of social and interpersonal factors in the scale-up of MC services in a rural non-circumcising community in western Kenya. Twenty-four sex-specific focus group discussions were conducted with a purposive sample of Luo men and women (15-34 years). Peer and youth groups, girlfriends and women, parents, and cultural political, religious, school leaders were identified as key influences in the scale-up of MC services. The study concludes that social and interpersonal forces create opportunities and constraints for scaling up the MC intervention. Planners of MC projects should therefore harness the power of informal networks and social structures to enhance community engagement, motivate behaviour change and increase demand for MC services

Interpersonal Influences in the Scale-up of Male Circumcision Services in a Traditionally Non-circumcising Community in Rural Western Kenya

Promoting male circumcision (MC) is now recognized as an additional, important strategy for the prevention of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men, and plans are underway to scale-up this intervention especially in non-circumcising communities, with generalized HIV pandemic. This qualitative study identifies and characterizes the role of social and interpersonal factors in the scale-up of MC services in a rural non-circumcising community in western Kenya. Twenty-four sex-specific focus group discussions were conducted with a purposive sample of Luo men and women (15-34 years). Peer and youth groups, girlfriends and women, parents, and cultural political, religious, school leaders were identified as key influences in the scale-up of MC services. The study concludes that social and interpersonal forces create opportunities and constraints for scaling up the MC intervention. Planners of MC projects should therefore harness the power of informal networks and social structures to enhance community engagement, motivate behaviour change and increase demand for MC services

Study on Avian Utilization of Gmelina arborea in General Hassan Usman Katsina Park, Kaduna, Nigeria

A study on the avian utilization of Gmelina arborea in General Hassan Katsina Park (Gamji Park) was carried out between 0630hr to 0830hr, from December 2015 to January 2016. Four G. arborea trees spaced 100 m apart were identified and each observed from a 50 m distance while recording the bird species, time spent and behavioral activities carried out on the trees. A total of 26 bird species belonging to 18 families were recorded in five height classes of the tree, using focal observation. Bird diversity index was highest (2.50) in the fourth stratum, 16-20 m, and reduced to the second stratum, 6-10 m (2.18). The topmost stratum (21-25 m) recorded the least diversity index value (1.23), other than the 1-5 m height stratum where no bird was recorded. Six bird species that included members of the family: Psittacidae encountered and the Yellow-billed kite (Milvus migrans) however, utilized the topmost height. Bird abundance closely followed the same trend. Vinaceous dove (Streptopelia vinacea) spent the highest mean time (268 seconds) on the tree perching, closely followed by Piacpiac (Ptilostomus afer) (249 seconds). Yellow-billed kite (Milvus migrans) spent the least time of 36 seconds. Highest frequencies of bird activity were perching (29.67 %), gleaning (27.25 %), hopping (24.39 %) and preening (19.69 %). Yellow-billed kite and Grey kestrel spend the least time but often seen hovering and scanning in the park. The results indicate predominance of selectiveness over random utilization of G. arborea for most bird species observed. Key words: Bird species, Height class, Gmelina arborea, utilization, Kaduna

Religious freedom and its limitations under the 1999 constitution of Nigeria

This paper critically reviewed the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria on freedom of religion and its limitations as a result of the long history of religious  tensions Nigeria has witnessed particularly between the two major religious groups,  Christians and Muslims and as a result of the violence created constantly by the Boko Haram which desires to Islamize the country. It has caused many deaths, created  internally displaced people and a pall of anxiety all over the country. 250 Chibok girls still remain missing. The review was done with a view to finding the adequacy of the provision of the Constitution in guaranteeing freedom of religion. Insight was drawn  from international legal instrument on the subject. The finding is that the constitutional provisions are adequate in themselves for arresting religious extremism as they are in tandem with the provisions of many international legal instruments. However, the  repudiation of the supremacy of the Constitution by Islamic law withdraws the  commitment of many Muslims to the provisions of the Constitution on freedom of  religion. Internal reform is recommended for Muslims to bring Islamic law to accept the supremacy of the Constitution.Key words: Freedom of religion, limitations, 1999 Nigerian Constitution, Supremacy of Constitutio

Psychosocial Factors Influencing Promotion of Male circumcision for HIV Prevention in a Non-circumcising Community in Rural Western Kenya

Male circumcision (MC) is now recommended as an additional HIV preventive measure, yet little is known about factors that may influence its adoption, especially in non-circumcising communities with generalized HIV pandemic. This qualitative study explored factors influencing MC adoption in rural western Kenya. Twenty-four sex specific focus group discussions were conducted with a purposive sample of Luo men and women (15-34 years). Perceived barriers to circumcision were pain and healing complications, actual and opportunity costs, behavioral disinhibition, discrimination, cultural identity, and reduced sexual satisfaction; perceived facilitators were hygiene, HIV/STI risk reduction, ease in condom use, cultural integration, and sexual satisfaction. To enhance MC adoption, community education, and dialogue is needed to address the perceived fears

Biochemical implication of administration ofmethanol extract of Ocimum gratissimum leaf on haematological profile of Wistar rats

In the search for medicinal plants that will provide ameliorative measure to patients with anaemic disorders. The methanol extract of O. gratissimum leaf was administered to Wistar rats for its effect on haematological profile. Twenty-eight (28) male Wistar rats ranging from 180-200g was randomly picked and placed into plastic cages labeled A-D. Group A served as the control group while groups B-D was the test groups. The  animals in group A was administered with distilled water orally by gavage. Group B were administered 50mg/ kg body weight of methanol extract of O. gratissimum, group C were administered with 100mg/kg bodyweight while group D were administered with 200mg/body of methanol extract of O. gratissimum for 14 days. Blood was collected from all the test rats and control by cardiac puncture using disposable syringe and needle then dispensed into tubes containing EDTA. The extract displayed a significant increase (p<0.05) in RBCs, Hb, PCV and platelet counts. More so, the  extract produced no significant (p>0.05)difference in MCV, MCH, MCHC and RDW WBC counts when compared with the normal control .Therefore, it will be logical to conclude that the extract of O. gratissimum might be a panacea in the management of anaemic conditions when properly harnessed due to its erythropoietic, haematopoietic and thrombopoietic effect. Keywords: Anaemia, erythropoietic, haematopoietic, thrombopoietic and phytochemicals

Occurrence, distribution and alternative hosts of Wheat streak mosaic virus infecting ginger in Kaduna State, Nigeria

A field survey was conducted during the 2018 rainy season (June – October) in three major ginger producing Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kaduna State, Nigeria to determine the occurrence and spread of wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) infecting ginger. Symptomatic and asymptomatic ginger leaf samples (n=180) and weed samples (n=45) were collected from the surveyed fields and indexed against WSMV using Double Antibody Sandwich Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (DAS-ELISA). The results obtained showed that WSMV occurred in all the LGAs surveyed but with significant (P = 0.05) variation in distribution. Jaba had the highest virus incidence (22.67\,\%) followed by Kagarko (17.67\,\%) while Kachia had the lowest virus incidence of 10.00\,\%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of WSMV infecting ginger in Nigeria. Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) Clayton and Setaria barbata (Lam.) Kunth tested positive against WSMV as alternative weed hosts of the virus. The incidence of WSMV even at lower percentage is significant as population build-up could lead to a disease outbreak. Awareness programs need to be organised for farmers on yield loss potential of WSMV on ginger crop and the role of cultural practices on the incidence and management of the virus