Securing Land Title/Ownership Rights: A Survey of the level of Compliance with Land Registration in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

This study aimed at assessing the level of compliance with land registration with a view to determining the extent of securing landed properties in Akwa Ibom State. Information regarding the procedures of land registration and issuance of Certificates of Occupancy were obtained through structured interviews and discussions with the Director, Lands Directorate, Ministry of Lands and Town Planning, Uyo. The data on land parcels surveyed and Certificates of Occupancy issued to respective applicants were obtained after a critical assessment of the public register where all interests in landed properties were recorded at the office of Akwa Ibom State Surveyor-General and Lands Directorate, Ministry of Lands and Town planning respectively. A comparative analysis of the data amongst the three senatorial districts in the State was done with the Analysis of Variance - one way classification (ANOVA). However, records revealed that a total number of 33,100 parcels of land were surveyed between 2000 and 2009 in the State. Of this number, only 1,933 parcels representing six (6) percent were completely registered and Certificates of Occupancy issued. The ANOVA result revealed a landmark variation in the distribution of these title documents across the three Senatorial Districts in the State. In conclusion, and based on available records, the level of compliance with land registration in Akwa Ibom State was far below expectation. By implication, securing landed properties, enhancing effective land markets and accessing credits for business developments could be undermined in the State. However, with the possibilities offered in the information technology (IT) in recent times, the development of a dependable and more automated land information management system where data storage, processing, and retrieval could be facilitated is highly recommended in the State. Keywords: Land Policy and Administration, Land registration, and Certificates of Occupancy

Shoreline Change Detection in the Niger Delta: A Case Study of Ibeno Shoreline in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

This research presents remote sensing and Geographic Information System GIS based application in the analysis of Shoreline change in Ibeno L G Area Akwa Ibom State Satellite imageries of 1986 2006 and 2008 were used to extract the shoreline through heads-up digitization The rate of shoreline change was assessed using Linear Regression LRR and End Point Rate EPR methods The shoreline change detection was conducted using the Digital Shoreline Analysis System DSAS The result however indicated that the rate of erosion is found out to be very high with maximum value of -7 8m yr recorded at Itak Abasi community On the other hand some portions of the shoreline are accreting at an average rate of 2m yr Based on this result however it is concluded that Ibeno shoreline is eroding at an average rate of -3 9m yr Areas mostly affected by accretion processes are identified near Qua Iboe River Estuary and ExxonMobil Jetty where sand filling is usually done for settlement purposes This best explains the reason for the submersion of school buildings residential buildings and the persistent inundation of large portions of land in the area However acquisition of high resolution satellite images which is believed will facilitate regular assessment monitoring and modeling of the Nigerian shorelines has been recommended This will help to model the scenario and proffer proactive measures towards curbing the menace by ensuring effective environmental management practices timely emergency responses and salvage the immediate physical environmen

Knowledge, attitudes and practices related to stroke in Ghana and Nigeria: A SIREN call to action.

INTRODUCTION:Stroke is a prominent cause of death, disability, and dementia in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The Stroke Investigative Research and Education Network works collaboratively with stroke survivors and individuals serving as community controls to comprehensively characterize the genomic, sociocultural, economic and behavioral risk factors for stroke in SSA. PURPOSE:In this paper, we aim to: i) explore the attitudes, beliefs, and practices related to stroke in Ghana and Nigeria using the process of qualitative description; and ii) propose actions for future research and community-based participation and education. METHODS:Stroke survivors, their caregivers, health care professionals, and community representatives and faith-based leaders participated in one of twenty-six focus groups, which qualitatively explored community beliefs, attitudes and practices related to stroke in Ghana and Nigeria. Arthur Kleinman's Explanatory Model of Illness and the Social Ecological Model guided the questions and/or thematic analysis of the qualitative data. We hereby describe our focus group methods and analyses of qualitative data, as well as the findings and suggestions for improving stroke outcomes. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:The major findings illustrate the fears, causes, chief problems, treatment, and recommendations related to stroke through the views of the participants, as well as recommendations for working effectively with the SIREN communities. Findings are compared to SIREN quantitative data and other qualitative studies in Africa. As far as we are aware, this is the first paper to qualitatively explore and contrast community beliefs, attitudes, and practices among stroke survivors and their caregivers, community and faith-based leaders, and health professionals in multiple communities within Nigeria and Ghana