A Wetness in Dry Places: Sex and Taboo in Abubakar Ibrahim’s Season of Crimson Blossoms

Contemporary critique of trope of sexual liberation in African literature is mostly replete with analysis of prostitution narratives, giving rise to an assumption and monolithic view of what sexual freedom or self-determination could mean. Such narratives, however, often do not yield arguments related to the critical capital of the salacious, since prostitution primarily involves transactional sex and not necessarily an inordinate sexual affair. This study privileges a generic divergence whereby analysis is hinged on the literary appreciation of salaciousness. Abubakar Adam Ibrahim’s Season of Crimson Blossoms departs from prostitution plot to a pornographic depiction of sexual obscenity: the venereal affair between Binta Zubairu, a 55 year old widow and grandmother, and Hassan Reza, a 25 year old street gang leader. The study investigates the existential tragedy of sexual freedom by examining the extent to which sexual relationship that is considered a taboo in a given social milieu is a recipe for self-realisation. Using a feminist view of existentialism, I demonstrate how the individual will to rise above the conventional, by escaping from being a sexually deprived human to becoming one who responds to the body’s need for unbridled sexual pleasure, constitutes George Lukács and Arthur Miller’s ideas of modern tragedy

Appraisal of Heavy Metal Concentration in the Plants and Soils at Onitsha, Anambra State, Southeastern, Nigeria

Present investigation was ventured to examine the mobility, bioaccumulation and transfer of the heavy metals; Zn, Mn, Pb, Cd, As and Fe from analyzed plant roots tissues to shoots tissues using bioaccumulation factor (BAF), enrichment factor (EF) and translocation factor (TF) in the Onitsha, Southeastern, Nigeria. The analyzed plant species were sampled from dumpsites, mechanic workshop, abattoir, traffic, and mining sites. Current results indicated that concentrations of the examined metals in the root and shoot tissues of these plant species obtained from dumpsites exceeded those collected from mining sites and mechanic workshops. Bioaccumulation factor and enrichment factor values in Brachiaria decumbens, Acacia modesta and Minuaria verna species were above 1, indicating that these plants mighty be regarded as trace metals accumulators with potential for phytostabilization and phytoextraction. The ranking order of bioaccumulation factor for the analyzed heavy metals was Zn > Fe > Pb > Mn > As > Cd. Translocation factor values for Cr, Mn and Cu was higher than 1 by Acacia modesta and xanthium strumarium, indicating that the uptake and accumulation of these metals were higher in the shoot tissues rather than root tissues of the tested plant species. Keywords: Onitsha; Bioaccumulation factor (BAF); Enrichment factor (EF); Translocation factor (TF); Heavy metals. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/13-4-06 Publication date:June 30th 202

The Role of Entrepreneurial Competencies in Promoting Entrepreneurship in Nigeria: A Study of Practicing Entrepreneurs in Anambra State, Nigeria

This study examined the role of entrepreneurial competencies in promoting entrepreneurship in Nigeria using selected practicing entrepreneurs in Anambra State as case study. The study adopted descriptive survey design. Eight hundred and fifty-one (851) business owners and managers within the defined category were identified. An item structured instrument designed to reflect a likert scale format was used to elicit information from the 272 respondents estimated as the sample through Taro Yameni’s formula for estimating sample size from a finite population. The data generated in the study were analyzed through simple summary statistics of percentages and the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). All tests were carried out at 0.05 level of significance. Majorfindings are that entrepreneurial failures in Nigeria should not be seen only in the area of inadequate access to financial resources, as the entrepreneur also needs to acquire competencies in the areas of time management, communication, marketing, decisionmaking and financial management. In the light of the findings, it was recommended that the government should encourage the entrepreneurs to develop the identified competencies for effective performance in their business among other recommendations.Key Words: entrepreneurial, competencies, entrepreneurship, development, Nigeri

Effect of Vitamin C Supplementation on platelet aggregation and serum electrolytes levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disease condition characterised by hyperglycemia; free radical and abnormal haematological indices. Vitamin C can reduce free radical generation and ameliorate adverse conditions of diabetes mellitus. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of vitamin C on platelet aggregation and electrolyte levels in Type 1 DM. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups namely control, DM, DM +Vitamin C and Vitamin C groups. Rats were made diabetic with a single dose of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Vitamin C was administered orally to diabetic and normal rats at 200 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. Blood samples were analyzed for hematological parameters, platelet aggregation, and serum electrolyte levels. Blood glucose in DM+ Vitamin C group (9.9 ± 1.8 mmol/L) was significantly reduced (p<0.01) compared to DM group (32.2 ± 2.1 mmol/L) and significantly higher (p<0.05) than control (4.4 ± 0.8 mmol/L). Haemoglobin (Hb) concentration in DM group (12 ± 0.1 g/dL) was significantly reduced (p<0.01) when compared with control groups (14 ± 0.24 g/dL) and significantly increased (p<0.05) in the DM+vitamin C group (13.5 ± 0.5 g/dL) compared with the diabetic group. The mean corpuscular volume values in DM (68.66 ± 0.5 fL) and DM+vitamin C groups (68.11 ± 0.4 fL) were significantly higher (p<0.01) than the control (59.49 ± 0.5fL). Platelet count in DM group (523 ± 8.5 x109/L) was significantly raised (p<0.01) when compared to control (356 ± 6.2 x109/L) and significantly reduced (p<0.01) in DM+ vitamin C-treated group (385 ± 7.8 x109/L) compared with DM group. Platelet aggregation and serum sodium/potassium ratios was significantly reduced (p<0.01) in DM+vitamin C compared with DM group. These results suggest that oral vitamin C administration increases haemoglobin, reduced plasma glucose level, platelet count, serum sodium/potassium ion ratio and inhibits platelet aggregation in streptozotocin-induced DM in rats.Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, electrolytes, Haematological parameters, Platelet aggregation, Red cell indices, Vitamin

Faculty Awareness, Perception and use of Information Resources and Services in a Private University in Nigeria

The study investigated faculty awareness, perception and use of information resources and services in Afe Babalola university college libraries. The study adopted survey method. A total of hundred (100) academic staff that uses their college libraries was randomly sampled. Five (5) research questions guided the study and data were collected using structured questionnaire. It was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings shows that majority of the respondents do not use e-book, e-journals, CD-ROM databases, OPAC and electronic databases in the library. The findings also shows that the respondents are fully aware of the availability of the information resources in the library; although it was discovered that annual report/brochure, phone calls/sms, exhibition and display are not used to create awareness which has invariably resulted to poor patronage. Considerably, majority of the respondents have a positive perception of information resources and services. The study finally recommends that there should be proper sensitization of faculty members on the availability of electronic information resources and also college librarians should ensure effective provision of library services among faculty members

Screening of Kunun-zaki for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) and Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) Producing Salmonella spp.

Kunun-zaki is an indigenous, fermented, non-alcoholic cereal-based beverage produced and consumed primarily in Northern Nigeria. Due to its high nutritional and moisture content, it provides an ideal environment for the growth of foodborne pathogens. This study determined the presence of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) and Extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) producing Salmonella spp in Kunun-zaki sold in Umuahia metropolis, Nigeria. Out of the 40 Kunun-zaki samples examined, Salmonella spp was detected in 19 (47.5%), whereas S. aureus was detected in 22 (55%) of the samples. The total Salmonella count ranged from 1.90×105-9.70×106 (CFU/ml), whereas the total S. aureus count ranged from 3.40×104-7.50×106 (CFU/ml); these microbial counts do not conform to the standard limits of detectable microbes in ready-to-eat food samples as stipulated by the Center for Food Safety. All the isolates were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing using the modified Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. On the one hand, most of the Salmonella spp were resistant to the beta-lactam class of antibiotics used (IMP 58%, MEM 90%, AMP 53%). On the other hand, the Salmonella isolates showed the highest sensitivities to ceftazidime (95%) and ofloxacin (90%). The S. aureus isolates revealed high susceptibility to the ofloxacin (96%), and major resistance to oxacillin (41%) and the oxyimino-cephalosporin antibiotics used (CAZ 55%, CTR 41%). MRSA, VRSA and ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae are amongst the most critical multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens. In this study, 26% of the Salmonella spp isolates were confirmed to be ESBL producers, whereas 41% of the isolates were MRSA, 23% were VRSA, and 68% were Vancomycin intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA). Hence, the Kunun-zaki could constitute a reservoir for the dissemination of multidrug-resistant foodborne pathogens if not correctly quality controlled

The Implications of Carbonated Drinks on Weight Gain: A Purposive Approach on a Group of Civil Servants in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria

The implications of carbonated drinks on weight gain were carried out by purposively selecting a total of 35 (16 males and 19 females) volunteer human adults. Questionnaires were used to assess the dietary habit while standard biochemical methods were employed for the lipid profile. The results from the anthropometric measurements showed that the mean weights (kg), heights (m), and body mass indices (BMI) (kg/m2) were 80.13 ± 13.41, 1.66 ± 0.18, and 26.98 ± 5.17 respectively for the males and 79.00 ± 16.14, 1.61 ± 0.12, and 26.89 ± 4.78 respectively for the females. The desirable BMI for both males and females are 18.5 to 24.9. Lipid profile result showed that the mean total cholesterol (TCH) was within desirable range of 188.13 ± 45.04 for the males and 196.42 ± 42.39 for the females and the mean high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was within low range of 44.87 ± 10.83 and 43.26±8.58 for the males and the females respectively. However, the mean low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was within the optimal range of 95.56 ± 38.86 and 114.37 ± 30.75 for males and females respectively. The mean triacylglycerols (TG) was within the borderline range of 173.63 ± 113.41 for the males and within normal range of 149.32 ± 100.28 for females. The total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein ratio (TCHDL ratio) showed that the mean values for males and females were 4.64 ± 1.13 and 4.56 ± 2.02 respectively. The desirable range of TCHDL ratio for both males and females are 3.5 to 6.0. Correlation analysis showed positive correlations between BMI and LDL-C, Waist to hip ratio (WHR) and TAG, Waist circumference (WaistCir) and TAG. The implications of these findings as it relates nutrition and health are discussed. Keywords: Obesity, overweight, carbonated drinks, lipid profile, and anthropometry

Statistical Comparison of Clinical and Histologic Diagnoses of Breast Tumours in Public and Private Hospitals

Background: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Nigerian women. Most cases present in late or advanced stages with consequent poor prognosis. There are also instances of false clinical diagnoses with resultant patient adversity. Population screening based on genetics is largely unavailable to the citizens. Therefore, early diagnosis is the immediate choice available to the health system.Methods: Retrospective data were collected including all open-breast-biopsies submitted to three histopathology laboratories. The clinical and histologic diagnoses for each sample were compared. Statistical estimate of the accuracy of clinical diagnoses of breast cancer by clinicians was calculated using histologic diagnoses as the reference standard, and by calculating the sensitivity, specificity, false rates and odds ratio. Diagnostic accuracies of clinicians working in public and private hospitals were also compared in terms of these rates.Results: Our result showed that the diagnostic accuracy of the doctors working in public hospitals is more sensitive than that of those working in private hospitals. The overall false positive rate in both hospital groups combined is found to be high. This is probably due to unavailability of modern radiodiagnostic facilities that may otherwise enhance clinical assessment and diagnoses. The doctors in the public hospital group are generally more efficient in breast cancer diagnoses than those working in private hospitals.Conclusion: The authors believe that better funding of the audited hospitals, regular training of the medical personnel and provision of modern radiodiagnostic facilities may probably enhance clinical accuracy of breast cancer diagnoses in these hospitals