The Right to Research in Africa: Making African Copyright Whole

The imbalance existing within the African copyright ecosystem in relation to access to information for research and education became more prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic. As teaching, learning and research inevitably occur on digital platforms, learners and researchers continue to grapple with the challenges of accessing materials owing largely to the protection of these resources under copyright law. Similarly, African libraries and knowledge curators found themselves ill-equip to perform their role of enabling access to information. To create the balance, therefore, there is a dire need for the recalibration of the African copyright system from the perspective of human rights law. Can the balance be achieved through the construction of a human right to research? In view of the existing broad freedom of expression, right to science and culture, education, and property in the global, regional and national human rights regime, is a specific right to research in Africa necessary and justifiable? If it is necessary and justifiable, what should be its minimum core components? Are there existing international and national regimes to support the formulation of a human right to research in Africa? Conducted as desk research and scoping study, this work unpacks and addresses the issues with the aim of constructing a human right to research in Africa

Data Journalism: Placing Content and Practice among Nigerian Journalists

This study attempts to provide the basis for restructuring data-driven reporting among Nigerian journalists by examining its content and practice. Field Theory and Normalization Theory provide the theoretic framework, while focus group discussions by 30 respondents help generate the requisite data. Findings show that Nigerian journalists are not only knowledgeable about the concept of data-driven journalism, but they are also actively engaged as practitioners. Discussants attest to the factuality, verifiability, and reliability associated with data-driven journalism, the challenges notwithstanding. It turned out that its reshaping and sustainability would hinge on two factors. The first is to intensify data-driven journalism training and research. The second is for government to formulate policies or popularize the legislations that guarantee access to data and make data-driven journalism more professional

Mobility and safety issues in drivers with dementia

ABSTRACTAlthough automobiles remain the mobility method of choice for older adults, late-life cognitive impairment and progressive dementia will eventually impair the ability to meet transport needs of many. There is, however, no commonly utilized method of assessing dementia severity in relation to driving, no consensus on the specific types of assessments that should be applied to older drivers with cognitive impairment, and no gold standard for determining driving fitness or approaching loss of mobility and subsequent counseling. Yet, clinicians are often called upon by patients, their families, health professionals, and driver licensing authorities to assess their patients’ fitness-to-drive and to make recommendations about driving privileges. We summarize the literature on dementia and driving, discuss evidenced-based assessments of fitness-to-drive, and outline the important ethical and legal concerns. We address the role of physician assessment, referral to neuropsychology, functional screens, dementia severity tools, driving evaluation clinics, and driver licensing authority referrals that may assist clinicians with an evaluation. Finally, we discuss mobility counseling (e.g. exploration of transportation alternatives) since health professionals need to address this important issue for older adults who lose the ability to drive. The application of a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to the older driver with cognitive impairment will have the best opportunity to enhance our patients’ social connectedness and quality of life, while meeting their psychological and medical needs and maintaining personal and public safety.</jats:p

Development, concept and scope of copyright protection in Nigeria: an overview

The development of copyright protection regime has an inexorable link with economic development and growth. This is so because as the economy of a nation advances, so the creative industry grows; and so also does the need for access to the products of this industry on the part of the public grow. This brings with it the risk of a rise in the unjustified exploitation of copyright works to the disadvantage of rights owners. Thus, it is imperative to constantly review particular copyright systems to determine conformity with basic global standards. This forms the aim of this paper which focuses essentially on basic issues relating to the development, concept and the scope of protection afforded copyright in Nigeria. The paper finds that the scope of copyright protection in the Nigerian legal system is quite extensive as it complies with basic global best practice. It recommends that for a more complete meaning of the concept ‘copyright,’ focus should not only be on the creators but on owners of the work. It also suggests a way for more effective administration of folklore protection.Key words: Copyright Protection; Intellectual Property; Performing Rights; Folklore

Statutory limitations to testamentary freedom in Nigeria: A comparative appraisal

In Nigeria, a person when alive often has the freedom to dispose of his property to whomever he chooses. However, when he dies, limits have been put upon that freedom by legislation in some states of the country, when he has made a will concerning the disposition of his estate. These restrictions to testamentary freedom are often justified on cultural, religious, moral and social grounds. This paper appraises these limits to testamentary freedom in Nigeria, while comparing it with the positions in England, Ghana and South Africa. The question as to whether or not the limitations to testamentary freedom are justified is also considered in the paper. The paper finds that some limitations whilst worthy ideals and thus justified, could bring about unrealistic and impracticable results while some totally take away freedom from the testator. The paper recommends that a balance between the wishes of the testator and following the strict letter of the statutes as to the limitations be found so as to as much as possible, give effect to the desires of the deceased testator as stated in his will.Keywords: Testamentary freedom, Testator, Will; Igiogbe, Successio

Perceptions of a Bible Belt State\u27s Proposed Casino Gaming Legislation by Religious Affiliation: The Case of Kentucky Residents

This study seeks to explore whether differences exist among Kentucky residents\u27 perception of casino gaming based on religious affiliation. A survey was conducted to sample 600 residents regarding currently a widely debated introduction of land-based casinos in the state, yielding a response rate of 38.4%. The results support earlier studies regarding the impact religion has on people\u27s attitudes toward gaming. The findings suggest that Catholics have a more positive attitude toward the legalization of gambling than persons of Protestant faiths

Long term outcome of stroke: Stroke is a chronic disease with acute events.

Long term outcome of stroke: Stroke is a chronic disease with acute events

Casino Gaming From a Border State Perspective: Impact on the Hospitality Industry

Stakeholders of the hospitality industry, defined as owners and managers of hotels and restaurants, from a state contiguous to states where casino gaming is legalized were questioned regarding their attitudes toward the legalization of casino gaming and their perceptions of its impact on business currently and if gaming were legalized in the state. The data were analyzed using frequency distributions, cross tabulations, and Chi Square statistics. Results included the following: Opinions about legalizing gaming in the state were evenly divided between favor and disfavor. Based on region, organizational structure and job title, observable differences in opinion were noted concerning the effects on business. These findings should be of interest to other states or provinces that border casino gaming areas

Irish Heart Foundation National Audit of Stroke Care

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and disability worldwide. It constitutes a formidable burden of disability for patients, their families, health professionals and the wider community. It combines aspects of both acute and chronic disease, and there is increasing evidence that those affected by stroke can benefit to a very significant extent from organised stroke care throughout the course of the illness. Delivering this care requires a unique combination of skills, drawing on neurosciences, cardiovascular medicine, general medicine, the science of ageing, rehabilitation, vascular surgery, and public health. Local and timely evidence on the service performance is essential to assess quality of care and to improve services. This has not been available to date in Ireland. The aim of this project was to conduct a national audit of stroke care in hospital and the community in the Republic of Ireland. This was achieved by completing six separate surveys and by drawing conclusions based on complementary information across the studies. The six surveys are described next. Where possible, audit systems used in the UK’s Sentinel audit were used to provide an opportunity for comparison of relative, as well as absolute, levels of achievement of recommended standards of care