The tracheophytes (Angiosperms and Pteridopytes) of Augustine University Campus, Ilara-Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to assess the avalanche of species existing in an undisturbed vegetation in Lagos State, Nigeria, prior to developmental activities. One hundred and eighty-eight (188) plant species (Angiosperms and Pteridopytes) across 68 families were recorded, following standard taxonomic protocols. The trees and shrubs were dominant and cut across 25 and 24 families, respectively. The family Rubiaceae had the highest number of species represented, with 18, followed by Euphorbiaceae with 17, then Papilionaceae and Apocynaceae with 10 each. This preliminary survey showed that the study area is a rich biodiversity hotspot especially as it accommodated some unique species of South-Western Nigeria. Even though urbanization and the development of the study site is inevitable, the conservation of the Eredo-Sugbo area of the site should be encouraged as much as possible

Valuers' perception of the effect of client influence on valuation practice

The literature indicates that valuers yield to client influence to bias valuations. Studies also show that client influence has several effects on valuation practice. This study investigated valuers' perception of the effect of client influence on valuation practice with the objective of determining whether the perception differs for valuers of different characteristics. The investigation focused on secured lending valuations in Nigeria. The research design was cross-sectional survey. The sample comprised 270 valuation firms selected through the stratified random sampling design. Data collection utilised questionnaire structured on 5–point Likert format. Data analysis employed mean statistics and Kruskal-Wallis test. The results revealed that valuers perceive that client influence undermines integrity of the valuers; the valuation firm and the valuation profession; as well as questions valuers' expertise and, constrains the development of the valuation profession. This perception is the same irrespective of the characteristics of the valuer. It can be inferred that valuer characteristics are not important in explaining valuers' perception of the effect of client influence on valuation practice. The policy implication of the research is the necessity for the regulatory agencies to review valuation practice standards to institute measures to check the intervention of clients in valuations. The limitation of the research is that it investigated only valuers. It suggests that research be conducted on the subject from clients' perspective.Keywords: Client influence; valuation; bias valuation; valuer characteristics; valuation practic

The tracheophytes (Angiosperms and Pteridopytes) of Augustine University Campus, Ilara-Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to assess the avalanche of species existing in an undisturbed vegetation in Lagos State, Nigeria, prior to developmental activities. One hundred and eighty-eight (188) plant species (Angiosperms and Pteridopytes) across 68 families were recorded, following standard taxonomic protocols. The trees and shrubs were dominant and cut across 25 and 24 families, respectively. The family Rubiaceae had the highest number of species represented, with 18, followed by Euphorbiaceae with 17, then Papilionaceae and Apocynaceae with 10 each. This preliminary survey showed that the study area is a rich biodiversity hotspot especially as it accommodated some unique species of South-Western Nigeria. Even though urbanization and the development of the study site is inevitable, the conservation of the Eredo-Sugbo area of the site should be encouraged as much as possible

Removal of hydrocarbons from crude oil contaminated agricultural soil by phytoremediation using Mariscus alternifolius and Fimbristylis ferruginea

Crude oil extraction is one major route through which hydrocarbons are released into the environment and hydrocarbon contamination is highly hazardous to the ecosystem. This study investigated the removal of hydrocarbons from crude oil contaminated agricultural soils using Mariscus alternifolius Vahl. and Fimbristylis ferruginea plant species. Before planting, the polluted soil (negative control) had a total petroleum hydrocarbon concentration of 17962.11±1000.00 mg/kg and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentration of 440.97±1.00 mg/kg. Likewise, the soil oil and organic carbon contents were 3.25±0.10 ppm and 3.06±0.02% respectively. Results, 90 days after planting, indicated a significant decrease in the total petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations of M. alternifolius (100.82±46.31 mg/kg) and F. ferruginea (110.41±39.68 mg/kg) treated soils. Likewise, there was a significant decrease in the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentration of M. alternifolius treated soil (95.69±65.44 mg/kg). The oil content of the treated soils significantly decreased to 1.03±0.28 ppm and 0.84±0.33 ppm in M. alternifolius and F. ferruginea treated soils respectively, while the organic content of the treated soils significantly decreased to 2.16±0.09% and 2.20±0.20% in M. alternifolius and F. ferruginea treated soils respectively. Phytoremediation using M. alternifolius and F. ferruginea has proven to be potent in the remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil through enhancement and recovery of the polluted soil. These plant species which improved the cultivation and germination competence of the treated soils thus making the soil probable for agricultural and other related purposes are therefore recommended for used in the phytoremediation of crude oil contaminated soils. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.260391

The Application of Real Estate as Loan Collateral in Nigeria’s Banking Sector

The recent reforms in Nigeria’s banking sector have underscored the need for due diligence in lending. The study investigates the application of real estate as loan security to establish the extent and process of its use by commercial banks in Nigeria. Questionnaire survey was used to elicit response from a sample of commercial banks selected randomly. The findings demonstrate that real estate is the most widely used collateral instrument and banks follow due process in its application as collateral. However, the use is hindered by documentation and foreclosure problems. The findings are consistent with literature that real estate plays a significant role in secured lending, especially in developing countries. Overall, the borrower’s title to the collateral, the nature and quality of the title as well as the value of the real estate are important considerations when banks apply real estate as loan collateral. Thus, real estate, and especially property values, land titles and records are significant factors in contemporary Nigeria’s bank lending and with the greater emphasis on the security of credit, real estate is likely to assume even more vital role. Key words: Bank lending, Banking sector, Collateral, Real estate, Secured credit transaction

Credit Risk Mitigation with Real Estate Collaterals in Nigeria’s Commercial Banks

The practice of posting collaterals to mitigate credit risk is commonplace in bank lending. Real estate is an important collateral instrument especially in developing countries. This study investigated credit risk mitigation with real estate collaterals by commercial banks in Nigeria to establish if real estate is a reliable collateral instrument, the role of real estate valuation and the key issues the banks consider in the process. Response was elicited from a sample of commercial banks in a cross-sectional survey with a structured questionnaire. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics. Findings indicate that real estate is a very reliable collateral instrument and that its valuation is a significant aspect of the risk mitigation process. The reliability of valuation opinion is the most important expectation of the banks from the valuers and the banks are satisfied with valuation advice provided by valuation firms. The banks consider the reputation of the borrower the most important factor to mitigate credit risk with real estate collateral and the quality of borrower’s title to the real estate the most important aspect of the collateral instrument for risk mitigation. Overall, the findings suggest negligence and inadequate due diligence on the part of the banks in the process of credit risk mitigation with real estate collaterals. There is need for adequate documentation of real estate titles and transactions for more efficient risk mitigation practice. Key words: Bank lending, Credit risk mitigation, Collateral, Nigeria; Real estate, Secured lendin

From ‘Vagabonds’ to Ethnobotanical Relevance: Weeds of the Campus Sites of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria

A survey of the weed flora of the campus sites of the Olabisi Onabanjo University was undertaken. Several visits were made to the disturbed and undisturbed vegetation of the sites for collection of weeds after which the weeds were prepared in accordance with conventional herbarium practice. A total of seventy-three (73) weed species belonging to twenty-seven (27) families were identified and found to be present within the area of study. The family Poaceae seems to have the highest number of weed species (twelve) available within the area followed by Asteraceae with ten (10) species. Amaranthaceae, Cyperaceae and Euphorbiaceae are also in abundance. These weeds have been discovered to be useful, against the mindset of the uninformed that they are useless or ‘vagabond’ plants. Medicinal uses as well as percentage occurrence of each family are presented. From this study it is obvious that the University sites are not only rich in plant biodiversity but that the plants are also very rich in socio-economic values. It is therefore advisable that these plants should be protected from going into extinction so that all would not be lost due to developmental activities

Sexual Behavior and Abuse: A Case Study of University Undergraduates in Tertiary Institutions in Imo State, Nigeria

Introduction: In young people including adolescents, risky sexual behavior has been recognized as an important health, social and demographic concern in the developing world. Aim: To assess sexual behaviors and their association with current and life-time occurrence of sexual abuse among female undergraduates in tertiary institutions in Imo State, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a school based cross sectional study involving 600 female students selected from tertiary institutions in Imo State Nigeria, using the multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using a data software (EPI-INFO version 3.3.2). Descriptive variables were presented using summary indices, frequency tables/percentages, and graph while associations between variables were done using the Chi-square and binary regression. A p-value of 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of the students was 21.73.2 years. About 65.2% of the respondents have initiated sexual intercourse and of this proportion, 75.6% were sexually active in the last one year preceding survey. The mean age at initiation of sexual debut among the students was 18.93.8 years and the commonest form of sexual act practiced was penile/vaginal sex. About 15.2% of the students had been currently abused. Predictors of current sexual abuse were; ever had sexual intercourse (OR.4.63), being within 14-19 years of age at first sexual initiation, (OR: 0.42), had first sexual exposure with a casual partner (OR: 12.38), and being sexually active in the last 1 year preceding study, (OR: 2.16). Conclusion: Risky sexual behaviors were prevalent and were found to influence the occurrence of sexual abuse, among the students. Thus, there is need to institute appropriate prevention strategies to limit risky sexual behaviors and it consequences among adolescents and young adults

Using allocative efficiency analysis to inform health benefits package design for progressing towards Universal Health Coverage: Proof-of-concept studies in countries seeking decision support

Background: Countries are increasingly defining health benefits packages (HBPs) as a way of progressing towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Resources for health are commonly constrained, so it is imperative to allocate funds as efficiently as possible. We conducted allocative efficiency analyses using the Health Interventions Prioritization tool (HIPtool) to estimate the cost and impact of potential HBPs in three countries. These analyses explore the usefulness of allocative efficiency analysis and HIPtool in particular, in contributing to priority setting discussions. / Methods and findings: HIPtool is an open-access and open-source allocative efficiency modelling tool. It is preloaded with publicly available data, including data on the 218 cost-effective interventions comprising the Essential UHC package identified in the 3rd Edition of Disease Control Priorities, and global burden of disease data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. For these analyses, the data were adapted to the health systems of Armenia, Côte d’Ivoire and Zimbabwe. Local data replaced global data where possible. Optimized resource allocations were then estimated using the optimization algorithm. In Armenia, optimized spending on UHC interventions could avert 26% more disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), but even highly cost-effective interventions are not funded without an increase in the current health budget. In Côte d’Ivoire, surgical interventions, maternal and child health and health promotion interventions are scaled up under optimized spending with an estimated 22% increase in DALYs averted–mostly at the primary care level. In Zimbabwe, the estimated gain was even higher at 49% of additional DALYs averted through optimized spending. / Conclusions: HIPtool applications can assist discussions around spending prioritization, HBP design and primary health care transformation. The analyses provided actionable policy recommendations regarding spending allocations across specific delivery platforms, disease programs and interventions. Resource constraints exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic increase the need for formal planning of resource allocation to maximize health benefits

A Comprehensive Review On Zinc(Ii) Complexes As Anti-Diabetic Agents: The Advances, Scientific Gaps And Prospects

ArticleZinc has gained notable attention in the development of potent anti-diabetic agents, due to its role in insulin storage and secretion, as well as its reported insulin mimetic properties. Consequently, zinc(II) has been complexed with numerous organic ligands as an adjuvant to develop anti-diabetic agents with improved and/or broader scope of pharmacological properties. This review focuses on the research advances thus far to identify the major scientific gaps and prospects. Peer-reviewed published data on the anti-diabetic effects of zinc(II) complexes were sourced from different scientific search engines, including, but not limited to “PubMed”, “Google Scholar”, “Scopus” and ScienceDirect to identify potent anti-diabetic zinc(II) complexes. The complexes were subcategorized according to their precursor ligands. A critical analysis of the outcomes from published studies shows promising leads, with Zn(II) complexes having a “tri-facet” mode of exerting pharmacological effects. However, the promising leads have been flawed by some major scientific gaps. While zinc(II) complexes of synthetic ligands with little or no anti-diabetic pharmacological history remain the most studied (about 72 %), their toxicity profile was not reported, which raises safety concerns for clinical relevance. The zinc(II) complexes of plant polyphenols; natural ligands, such as maltol and hinokitiol; and supplements, such as ascorbic acid (a natural antioxidant), L-threonine and L-carnitine, showed promising insulin mimetic and glycemic control properties but remain understudied and lack clinical validation, in spite of their minimal safety concerns and health benefits. A paradigm shift toward probing (including clinical studies) supplements, plant polyphenol and natural ligands as anti-diabetic zinc(II) complex is, therefore, recommended. Also, promising anti-diabetic Zn(II) complexes of synthetic ligands should undergo critical toxicity evaluation to address possible safety concerns