Colonialism: nexus for myriad religious contentions in post-colonial Igboland (an historical overview)

The contact between African Traditional Religion (ATR) and Christianity is inextricably linked to European economic activities that culminated into colonialism. The contact was in fact, between two opposing cultures –African and European. Christianity since its introduction is perceived as an embodiment of Western culture, civilization and education. Over time, scholars have expressed opinions on the impact and influence of one religion over another. Many pro- Christian scholars maintain covertly and overtly that Christianity overwhelmingly overshadowed African Traditional Religion, and by extension, culture, tradition, customs and norms. Similarly, traditionalist scholars and adherents of ATR have conscientiously decried the extant views of the pro-Christian scholars as purely pretentious and presumptuous. Rather, the argument has been that ATR has remained very active and potent in spite of the perceived domineering posture of the Christian religion. References are made to the seeming clandestine cooperation between adherents of the two religions. There are obvious issues relating to oracular consultations, the use of magic and charms or voodoo powers which are characteristic features of ATR. Aspects of these features of ATR appear also identified among many Christian bodies. Outwardly, both religions appear to be at loggerheads, but inwardly, their cooperation is seemingly certain. There is palpable shift from the initial situation of “nemo dat quad non habet” (none gives to the other, what it does not have), to a more mutually interactive relationship. This paper attempts to reexamine and re-asses the contentions between ATR and Christianity in Nigeria. It questions the sanctity of the Christian religion against its unsuspecting mutual relations and romance with ATR in present day Nigeria. The historical-descriptive design was adopted and it was approached thematically, analytically and chronologically. Primary and secondary materials were consulted. The conclusion is interspersed with suggestions.Key words: Colonialism, Nexus and Contentions, African Traditional Religion, Religion and Christianit

Optimisation of Spray Deposited SnO2 Thin Film for Solar Cell Fabrication

The use of conducting tin-oxide (SnO2 ) films for fabrication of  solar cell is becoming increasingly important because of reasonably high efficiency and ease in fabrication. The role of the thin-oxide film is very critical for high efficiency. Resistivity, thickness and transmittance of the film should be of correct order. The most favourable conditions for fabrication of SnO2 layer with low resistivity and high transmittance is reported in this paper. Effect of doping and annealing on these properties has also been studied. It is observed that doping with antimony gives better layer with sheet resistivity of approximately 60 ohm/square (Ω/◊) and transmittance of the order of 80%. Annealing in air and vacuum shows a decrease in resistivity while it has negligible effect on its transmittance.Attempts have also been made to fabricate Sn2/Si solar cell with the present set up, and efforts are being made to optimize its performance

A review of Lassa fever outbreaks in Nigeria From 1969 to 2017: Epidemiologic profile, determinants and public health response

Introduction: Lassa fever outbreaks have occurred in Nigeria since the 1969 till date. This is in spite of the fact that the reservoir and modes of transmission have been known for all these years. This review aimed at describing the epidemiology and determinants of the Lassa fever outbreaks in Nigeria from 1969 to 2017 and the public health response to these outbreaks.Method: The guidelines for the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) were used to conduct the review between May 2017 and January, 2018. We searched PubMed, Science direct, WHO library databases and Google Scholar for articles published from 1970 till January 2018. Other relevant websites such as those of the World Health Organization, Nigeria Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were searched for Lassa fever outbreak reports.Results: Twenty-six articles and reports were included in the final review. These described twenty-one outbreaks involving 5442 suspect cases, 768 confirmed cases and 631 deaths from suspected or confirmed Lassa fever. Thirty-two states and the Federal Capital Territory have ever recorded outbreaks of Lassa fever. Lassa fever cases now occur in various states in Nigeria all year round with dry season peaks. Nosocomial transmission has remained a consistent determinant. Public health responses have changed over time starting from predominantly case management in initial outbreaks to a centrally coordinated response supporting states and institutions over the years.Conclusion; Lassa fever outbreaks have increased in frequency and geographic spread with case fatality ratio remaining unacceptably high. The same determinants have persisted with nosocomial transmission a consistent factor. Public health response has consistently improved with the last two years showing the most coordinated response. We recommend that the definition of Lassa fever in the Nigerian Integrated Disease Surveillance and Notification System (IDSR) be revised to reflect the current reality to ensure better Lassa fever control.Key words: Lassa fever, Outbreak, Viral haemorrhagic fevers, Nigeria

The effect of age on knowledge of HIV/AIDS and risk related behaviours among army personnel

Background: HIV/AIDS has been described as the fourth largest cause of death globally and leading cause of death in Africa. HIV/AIDS has been a devastating inferno for nearly 30 years, and has particularly impacted countries in sub-Saharan Africa. In most African countries, it has been reported that the HIV infection amongst the military has been shown to beabout 2 to 5 times higher than their civilian counterparts.Objective: To address the knowledge level of HIV/AIDS and risk-related behaviours in military personnel, a well described high risk groups for HIV/AIDS.Methods: A cross-sectional study among army personnel in 82 Division Nigerian Army Headquarters Enugu, which has a population of about 1777. A random sampling in all the departments of 82 Division Nigerian Army Headquarters was done using the ballot method to select the respondents. Approval for the study was obtained from the General Officer in Command (GOC) of the 82 Division Nigerian Army Headquarters Enugu.Results: There were no significant differences between the risk related behavior variables when comparisons were made between those under 30 years, and those 30 years and above. Furthermore, more respondents under 30 years (48.0%) did not seek medical treatment when infected with another STI before having sex again as against 45% of those above 30 years. Most of the respondents (9.1%) under the age of 30 years believed that HIV/AIDS could be contracted through mosquito bites as against 2.8% of those above 30 years.Conclusion: The knowledge level of HIV/AIDS among the army personnel was high, though misconceptions about transmission modes like getting HIV through the bites of mosquitoes and casual body contacts were noted, especially among those under 30 years of age.Key words: army personnel, age, HIV/AIDS, knowledge, risk related behaviour, Enug

The effect of age on knowledge of HIV/AIDS and risk related behaviours among army personnel

BACKGROUND: HIV/AIDS has been described as the fourth largest cause of death globally and leading cause of death in Africa(.) HIV/AIDS has been a devastating inferno for nearly 30 years, and has particularly impacted countries in sub-Saharan Africa(.) In most African countries, it has been reported that the HIV infection amongst the military has been shown to be about 2 to 5 times higher than their civilian counterparts. OBJECTIVE: To address the knowledge level of HIV/AIDS and risk-related behaviours in military personnel, a well-described high risk groups for HIV/AIDS. METHODS: A cross-sectional study among army personnel in 82 Division Nigerian Army Headquarters Enugu, which has a population of about 1777. A random sampling in all the departments of 82 Division Nigerian Army Headquarters was done using the ballot method to select the respondents. Approval for the study was obtained from the General Officer in Command (GOC) of the 82 Division Nigerian Army Headquarters Enugu. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the risk related behavior variables when comparisons were made between those under 30 years, and those 30 years and above. Furthermore, more respondents under 30 years (48.0%) did not seek medical treatment when infected with another STI before having sex again as against 45% of those above 30 years. Most of the respondents (9.1%) under the age of 30 years believed that HIV/AIDS could be contracted through mosquito bites as against 2.8% of those above 30 years. CONCLUSION: The knowledge level of HIV/AIDS among the army personnel was high, though misconceptions about transmission modes like getting HIV through the bites of mosquitoes and casual body contacts were noted, especially among those under 30 years of age

Models of oral and vaginal candidiasis based on in vitro reconstituted human epithelia

This protocol describes the setup, maintenance and characteristics of models of epithelial Candida infections based on well-established three-dimensional organotypic tissues of human oral and vaginal mucosa. Infection experiments are highly reproducible and can be used for the direct analysis of pathogen–epithelial cell interactions. This allows detailed investigations of Candida albicans wild type or mutant strain interaction with epithelial tissue or the evaluation of the host immune response using histological, biochemical and molecular methods. As such, the models can be utilized as a tool to investigate cellular interactions or protein and gene expression that are not complicated by non-epithelial factors. To study the impact of innate immunity or the antifungal activity of natural and non-natural compounds, the mucosal infection models can be supplemented with immune cells, antimicrobial agents or probiotic bacteria. The model requires at least 3 days to be established and can be maintained thereafter for 2–4 days