International Organizations and Development in Nigeria: A Study of International Monitoring Fund (IMF) and World Bank

This study is an attempt to investigate the responsibilities of international monetary fund (IMF) and World Bank in the development of Nigeria from 2010-2015. The objective of the study is to assess the relationship between the level of implementation of loan conditions and an increase in development loan assistance to Nigeria by World Bank and IMF, to ascertain whether there is a link between Nigeria’s economic growth and development loan assistance to Nigeria by World Bank and IMF and investigate whether there is any significant relationship between Nigeria’s higher ability to service loans and increase in World Bank and IMF credit portfolio to Nigeria within the period under review. The dependency theory was adopted as the theoretical framework of analysis. The research adopted a qualitative design to describe the various tranche of loan and grants by IMF and World Bank. The result of the findings indicates that although IMF and World Bank claimed to be helping Nigeria and other African countries to deal with the issues of underdevelopment and stagnation through their so called policies that necessitate growth and development, it is found out that these policies are the basic cause of the underdevelopment for Nigeria, that instead of improving equality, has done the reverse by widening income inequality, poverty, food insecurity and hence deteriorating the standard of living of the Nigerian people. However, this study recommends that Nigeria must move on, from solely depending upon International Organisations. An emerging industrialising country would need a number of policies to develop the tangible and intangible infrastructure required to build up a competitive industrial sector. These would involve massive investment in providing such tangible infrastructures as roads, ports, efficient telecommunication and postal services, electricity, and water supply. For this reason, the governments should focus on developing one infrastructure at a time and, must be transparent and accountable and desist from foreign dependence for infrastructural capital. Keywords: International Organizations, International Monitoring Fund (IMF) and World Bank DOI: 10.7176/JESD/13-14-05 Publication date:July 31st 202

Analysis of Fuelwood Consumption in Pampaida (Millenium Village) of Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study examined fuelwood utilisation in Pampaida, a village in Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Finding of the study revealed that fuelwood is the dominant primary energy used in the area. Majority of the people (90%) preferred fuelwood because it is easily accessible, affordable to them in the area. Most of the fuelwood is obtained freely from the forest, and farmlands. In addition, results showed that the level of fuelwood consumption in the area is very high because close to two-third of the respondents use up between 1-3 bundles of fuelwood daily; and one-third of them require between 4-6 bundles/cords per day. Moreover, it was found that a large part of household expenditure goes to fuelwood. However, majority of the respondents (85%) are unaware of the environmental effects of fuelwood consumption. The study therefore recommended the need for conscious efforts in providing alternative cheap and accessible renewable energy sources for use in Pampaida

Analysis of Fuelwood Consumption in Pampaida (Millenium Village) of Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study examined fuelwood utilisation in Pampaida, a village in Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Finding of the study revealed that fuelwood is the dominant primary energy used in the area. Majority of the people (90%) preferred fuelwood because it is easily accessible, affordable to them in the area. Most of the fuelwood is obtained freely from the forest, and farmlands. In addition, results showed that the level of fuelwood consumption in the area is very high because close to two-third of the respondents use up between 1-3 bundles of fuelwood daily; and one-third of them require between 4-6 bundles/cords per day. Moreover, it was found that a large part of household expenditure goes to fuelwood. However, majority of the respondents (85%) are unaware of the environmental effects of fuelwood consumption. The study therefore recommended the need for conscious efforts in providing alternative cheap and accessible renewable energy sources for use in Pampaida

Resource supervision and teaching effectiveness: Perspectives of physical and health education lecturers in train-the-trainer institutions in Nigeria

The study assessed perspectives in the supervision of human and material resources and its contribution to the teaching effectiveness of Physical and Health Education Lecturers’ in Colleges of Education in South-South region of Nigeria. Two null hypotheses were formulated based on the specific objectives of the study. A 35-item questionnaire was developed by the researchers and used for data collection. A sample of 69 Physical and Health Education lecturers from 7 colleges out of 12 who offer Physical and Health Education were selected through the status sampling technique. Pearson Product Moment correlation was used in data analyses. It was revealed that teaching effectiveness of Physical and Health Education lecturers had significant relationship with the supervision of human resources in the colleges of education; also, involvement of lecturers in facilities supervision had significant influence on Physical and Health Education lecturers teaching effectiveness. Based on the findings, it is concluded that human resource and facilities supervision are institutional predictors of Physical and Health Education lecturers teaching effectiveness in these colleges of education. It was recommended that staff selection process should strictly be supervised by credible academics and recruitment based on merit. In addition, that lecturer (human resource) should be given opportunity to develop their professional capacities, through in-service training, conference and workshop. Thirdly, Lecturers of Physical and Health Education should be made to participate in practical supervision of equipment, facilities and other materials used in the facilitation of physical and health education activities

A Descriptive Analysis of Social Media Usage as Predictors of Study Habits among Students with Intellectual Disabilities in Calabar Metropolis: Implications for Inclusive Education

Aim: This study is a descriptive analysis of Facebook and WhatsApp as predictors of study habits among SSII students with disabilities in Public Secondary Schools of Calabar Metropolis of Cross River State, Nigeria: Implications for inclusive education. Two study objectives were stated to guide the study and achieve its goals. Two research questions were formulated. A literature review was carried out based on the variables under study, as research gaps were also stated. Method: The study utilised the descriptive survey research design. The population of Senior Secondary School II (SSII) students with disabilities in Calabar Metropolis comprises 3,814 from 24 public Secondary Schools. The study used a stratified random sampling technique. Out of 3,814 respondents, 763 respondents were sampled for the study. A validated 15-item four-point modified Likert scale questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. The face and content validity of the instrument was established by experts in Test and Measurement from the University of Calabar, Calabar-Nigeria. The reliability estimates of 0.82 for the instruments were established using the Cronbach Alpha method. A descriptive analysis of frequency, percentages, mean, and standard deviation was used to test the research questions posed for the study. Results: The results obtained from the data analysis revealed there is a high extent of the impact of Facebook on study habits among SSII students with disabilities, and there is also a high extent of the impact of WhatsApp on study habits among SSII students with disabilities in Public Secondary Schools of Calabar Metropolis of Cross River State, Nigeria Conclusion: Based on the study's findings, it was concluded that Facebook and WhatsApp utilisation significantly impact study habits among SSII students with disabilities in Public Secondary Schools in the study area. Recommendation: Based on the result of the study, it was recommended that there should be a continuity of inclusive education policies and social media usage in Cross River State and Nigeria at large

Fecal sludge management : Insights from selected cities in Sub-Saharan Africa

Recent studies have shown that over half of the world’s population lives in urban areas, with the number of people living in slums growing by over 20 million per year and people living in urban areas lacking access to adequate sanitation. This study presents a review of the challenges facing fecal sludge management (FSM). A globally relevant issue in developing urban centers, especially in selected developing countries in West Africa was discussed. Some key findings of the review are that effective sanitation in developing areas depends on the chain of services and that one of the largest problems in sanitation is FSM. This study presents the initial steps toward understanding the main issues involving FSM in developing cities of West Africa. Results are intended to be used as a support for decisions on policies, strategies for FSM, and investments for improved treatment facilities in the region. The study suggests that governments and private sector organizations should develop adequate measures for handling fecal sludge

Microchemical characterization and stream sediment composition of alluvial gold particles from the Rafin Gora drainage system, Kushaka schist belt, North Western Nigeria

Communication in Physical Sciences, 2023, 9(3):230-255 Authors: Benjamin Odey Omang*, Akumbom Vishiti, Godwin Terwase Kave,  Enah Asinya Enah, Michael Ekuru Omeka, Cheo Emmanuel Suh   and Mohammed Ali Garba Received: 01 May 2023/Accepted 18 June 202 The Proterozoic Kushaka schist belt of northwestern Nigeria is well known for its alluvial gold occurrence, although the primary source of gold is unknown due to the extensive thick weathering blanket. In this study, we integrate the morphology and microchemistry of alluvial gold to identify the probable primary source of gold in the area. Scanning electron microscope images of gold grains recovered by panning from the Rafin Gora drainage system indicated morphologies that vary from irregular, elongated   subrounded, which suggested that they belong to the proximal primary source.The grains shown scorched, pitted, and grooved surfaces  that were partly adorned with canals. These features coupled with gold fragments partially detached from the principal grains are indicative of gold grain transportation in a high-energy alluvial system. Polished gold grains show remarkable core-rim zonation with inclusions of galena and pyrite entombed in them. From EMPA analysis the BSe images that the gold grains are dominantly Au-Ag alloys although Cu levels may reach 1.12 wt%. The gold grain fineness values vary between 838 and 998.1 with an average of 933. These compositional characteristics are consistent with primary mineralization linked to orogenic processes. The Ag-rich rims attest to preferential Ag leaching from the margins of the grains, a feature common in alluvial gold grains. Reconnaissance stream sediment compositional data indicate elevated levels of Au-Ba-Ce-Hg-La-Cr-Cu-Mn-Pb-Th-V-Y-Zn a metal association suggestive of intrusion-driven hydrothermal quartz vein systems consistent with gold microchemical data. Results obtained in this study provide insight into the nature of gold mineralization and serve as a baseline exploration tool in the Kushaka schist belt in northwestern Nigeri

Ibuprofen versus paracetamol for treating fever in preschool children in Nigeria: a randomized clinical trial of effectiveness and safety

Introduction: fever is the primary symptom of most childhood illnesses and a cause of concern to their caregivers. The antipyretics commonly used to treat fever are ibuprofen and paracetamol. Most studies on the effectiveness of ibuprofen and paracetamol in treating fever in under-fives were conducted in Europe and North America with very few in African children. This study was aimed at assessing the effectiveness and safety of a single dose therapy of ibuprofen versus paracetamol for treating childhood fever in Nigeria. Methods: a randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, in Nigeria. A total of 140 eligible children aged 6-59 months with tympanic temperature of 38°C-40°C were enrolled, and 70 of them were assigned to one arm that received a single dose of ibuprofen (10mg/kg) and 70 had paracetamol (15mg/kg). After drug administration, the children were admitted and observed in the hospital for six hours during which period a half-hourly temperature measurement and monitoring for adverse events were done. Results: the overall result showed that ibuprofen had a better fever reducing effect compared to paracetamol. The proportion of afebrile children in the ibuprofen versus paracetamol group at 1.5-2.5 hours of administration of the drugs was statistically significant (p = 0.04). The adverse events of both drugs were mild and quite comparable with vomiting being the commonest. Conclusion: ibuprofen is more effective in the treating fever in under-fives compared to paracetamol. The adverse events of both drugs were mild and comparable