Bond Market Development and Economic Growth in Nigeria (1982-2014). A Gmm Approach

There has beenan upsurge in bond market trading in Nigeria since the advent of civilian rule.However, there are concerns over whether or not bond market trading have anysignificant effect on the Nigerian economy. This study sought to: (i(i) toanalyze the impact of Bond market development on the economic growth of Nigeria (ii) ascertain the direction of causalitybetween bond market development and economic growth in Nigeria. Annual timeseries data were sourced from Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletinvarious issue and World Development Indicators (WDI) (2014) edition of theWorld Bank for the period 1982-2014. We employed both Generalized Method ofMoment (GMM-IV) Instrumental variables estimator and Granger Causality Test toexamine relationship between bond market development and economic growth inNigeria. Result from the study revealed that bond market bond market havepositive but statistically insignificant effect on economic growth in Nigeria(β= 0.0148; t = 0.4106).  It was alsodiscovered that there is no causal relationship between bond market and economicgrowth in Nigeria. It is therefore recommended, amongst others, that Nigerianbond market be deepened by instituting incentives that can attract corporatepatronage and intuitional investors.Keywords: Bond Market, Economic Growth, GMM, Granger Causality

Perceptions of malaria and the utilisation of long lasting insecticide treated nets in a rural Niger delta community in Nigeria

Malaria represents a heavy disease burden with high death tolls in sub-Saharan countries, particularly among children less than five years of age and pregnant women. Misconceptions about the disease are reported to still exist in malaria endemic countries. Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) have since been advocated as effective control measures against malaria, but how well are they utilised? Objectives: To explore and ascertain the perception of malaria and the utilisation of ITNs in a rural community in the swampy areas of Nigeria's Niger Delta region. Method: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected from household heads with the aid of pre-tested, semistructured, interviewer-administered questionnaires and analysed using SPSS version 17.0 Results: A good perception of the cause (86.9%), mode of transmission (92.8) and preventive measures of malaria were demonstrated. Although, the awareness of ITNs was high (75.6%) with health facilities (35.5%) and radios (33.5%) being the major sources of information, the utilisation rate of ITNs was poor (29%). Conclusion: Intensified efforts by government agencies and diverse stakeholders are recommended to increase the availability and access to ITNs, in order to improve their utilisation rate in rural communities, with adequate priority given to groups at higher risk. Such interventions when implemented consistently and comprehensively are likely to contribute to moving the nation further from malaria control and elimination, towards the possibilities of malaria vaccines and ultimate eradication

Malaria transmission blocking activity of sesquiterpene lactones from Vernonia amygdalina

Background: Most of the currently available anti-malarial drugs act on asexual stages of the Plasmodium parasite and have limited impact on the sexual stages to block transmission. Search for drugs active against transmissible stages imperative for the development of transmission blocking interventions. This study aimed to assess whether Vernonia amygdalina, a plant used traditionally to treat malaria fever, contains secondary metabolites interfering with the development of early sporogonic stages (ESS): gamete, zygote formation and/or ookinete maturation. Methods: Plasmodium berghei CTRPp.GFP was used to determine in vitro activity of fractions and isolated molecules against ESS. Gametocytemic blood from BALB/c mice was incubated in microplates with the test substances. Zygote and ookinete formation was scored after 40h of incubation under the fluorescent microscope (400x). The fractions, found active on P. berghei, were then examined on P. falciparum field isolates. Gametocytemic blood from volunteers was supplemented with fractions (at 100 ppm) and membrane fed to Anopheles coluzzii mosquitoes. A week later, mosquito midguts were dissected and examined for oocysts. Results: Organic fractions from the methanol extract of V. amygdalina leaves proved to be strongly active against ESS of P. berghei. Fraction 11 (eluted with n-hexane:ethylacetate 1:1 and 7:13) and fraction 13 (eluted with ethylacetate) suppressed ESS development by 98- 100% at a concentration of 50 ppm . In the experiments with P. falciparum field isolates, control mosquitoes displayed an oocyst prevalence ranging from 30 to 50%, whereas the oocyst prevalence in mosquitoes membrane fed with gametocytemic blood treated with fraction 11 and 13 at 100 ppm ranged from 0 to 32% and 0 to 8%, respectively. The oocyst density among oocyst-positive mosquitoes varied from 3.5 to 4.2 per mosquito in controls, compare to 1.8 to 2.4 and 1.3 to 1.8 in fraction 11 and 13, respectively. Subsequent chemical analysis revealed sesquiterpenes vernolide and vernodalol to be the major components of fraction 11 and 13, respectively. The isolated molecules confirmed their effects on P. berghei ESS in vitro, with vernodalol displaying a relatively stronger inhibitory activity than vernolide on the transmissible stages. Conclusion: Vernolide and vernodalol rich fractions from V. amygdalina leaves hold promise for the development of medicines impacting on the transmissible stages of the malaria parasites