External debt, debt overhang, crowding out effects and capital formation in Nigeria and South Africa

The deficiency of saving in Sub-Saharan Africa, as represented by Nigeria and South Africa has led to shortages in funding capital formation, thereby necessitating external borrowing. This has slowed down and restrained economic growth and development. The questions of external debts determinants, effects and causal relationships with capital formation are yet to be adequately responded to; mainly due to weak and nonrigorous methods employed in the previous studies. The focus has not been effective and specific. The objective of this study is fourfold; determine factors affecting external debt accumulation, examine effects of external debt on capital formation, assess impact of debt overhang and crowding out effects on capital formation and investigate causal relationships between external debt and capital formation in Nigeria and South Africa. Autoregressive distributive lag (ARDL) and Vector Autoregressive (VAR) modeling on time series data covering three decades were employed in the study. The results have established that, interest rate and external debt service are the most statistically significant variables explaining external debt accumulation scourge in the selected countries. Additionally, the study has discovered that, external debt has significant negative effects on capital formation in the same manner with debt overhang and crowding out effects. However, these impacts are proven to be more pronounced on capital formation in Nigeria than in South Africa. It is also established that external debt and capital formation Granger causes each other. The overall implication of the research findings is that speed of capital formation has been retarded by the negative effects of external debts. Measures by the government should be tailored towards improving capital formation by designing policies that will reduce the burden of debt accumulation and reducing the cost of external debt services. This can be done through enhancing the debt management process and improving efficiency in funds utilization, so as to ensure timely repayment and servicing of debts

Analysis of spatial dynamics and time delays in epidemic models

Reaction-diffusion systems and delay differential equations have been extensively used over the years to model and study the dynamics of infectious diseases. In this thesis we consider two aspects of disease dynamics: spatial dynamics in a reaction-diffusion epidemic model with nonlinear incidence rate, and a delayed epidemic model with combined effects of latency and temporary immunity. The first part of the thesis is devoted to the analysis of stability and pattern formation in an SIS-type epidemic model with nonlinear incidence rate. By considering the dynamics without spatial component, conditions for local asymptotic stability are obtained for general values of the powers of nonlinearity. We prove positivity, boundedness, invariant principle and permanence of our model. The next generation matrix method is used to derive the corresponding basic reproductive number R0, and the Routh-Hurwitz criterion is used to show that for R0 ≤ 1, the disease-free equilibrium is found to be locally asymptotically stable, for R0 > 1, a unique endemic steady state exists and is found to be locally asymptotically stable. In the presence of diffusion, Turing instability conditions are established in terms of system parameters. Numerical simulations are performed to identify the spatial regions for spots, stripes and labyrinthine patterns in the parameter space. Numerical simulations show that the system has complex and rich dynamics and can exhibit complex patterns, depending on the recovery rate r and the transmission rate β. We have discovered that whenever the transmission rate exceeds the recovery rate the system exhibits stripe patterns which correspond to a disease outbreak, and in the opposite case the system settles on spot patterns which imply the absence of disease outbreaks. Also, we find that increasing the power q can lead to epidemic outbreak even at lower values of the transmission rate β. All numerical simulations use an Implicit-Explicit (IMEX) Euler’s method, which computes diffusion terms in Fourier space and reaction terms in the real space. Numerical approximation of the model is benchmarked to prove stability of the numerical scheme, and the method is shown to converge with the correct order. Experimental order of convergence (EOC) and estimates for the error in both L2, H1 and maximum norms have also been computed. Also, we compare our results to those on infectious diseases and our model shows good predictions. In the second part of this thesis, we derive and analyse a delayed SIR model with bilinear incidence rate and two time delays which represent latency Τ1 and temporary immunity Τ2 periods. We prove both local and global stability of the system equilibria in the case when there are no time delays, i.e. both the latency and temporary immunity periods are set to zero. For the case when there is only latency (Τ1 > 1, Τ2 = 0) and the case when the two time delays are identical (Τ1 = Τ2 = Τ ), we show that the endemic steady state is always stable for any parameter values. For the case when there is only temporary immunity (Τ2 > 0, Τ1 = 0) and the case when there are both latency and temporary immunity in the system (Τ1 > 0, Τ2 > 0), we prove the existence of periodic solutions arising from the Hopf bifurcation. The endemic steady state undergoes Hopf bifurcation giving rise to stable periodic solutions. For the last two cases, we show interesting regions of (in)stability of the endemic steady state in the different parameter regimes. We find that by varying the transmission rate β, the natural death rate γ and the disease-induced death rate μ increase the regions of (in)stability. Also, we find that the dynamics of the system is richer when we have the two time delays in the model. Analytical results are supported by extensive numerical simulations, illustrating temporal behaviour of the system in different dynamical regimes. Finally, we relate our results to modelling infectious diseases and our results show good predictions of safety and epidemic outbreak

LAVISH WEDDING AMONG MUSLIMS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

Spending huge amount of money during wedding ceremony among Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups who are predominantly Muslims in Northern Nigeria is a new phenomenon. There is a change in the trend at which potential husband and wife spend ostentatiously at pre and post wedding events to impress the friends, relatives and the general public. The study adopted a Theory of Conspicuous consumption by Thorsten Veblen to explain the behaviour of some bride and groom in spending money to impress others. Methodologically, qualitative data were elicited from ten IDI with some newly wedded couples in Kano and Katsina metropolises. The study found that in an attempt to demonstrate one’s social and economic class in the society, some people spend money uncontrollably during their wedding or that of their children or relatives. The result further showed that the essence of the wedding spending is not to impress the couples but it is targeted at the audience, spectators or guests at the wedding which contravenes the teachings of Islam which admonish Muslims to be modest in all their social interactions and activities. The paper concluded that spending huge amount of money during wedding deter young people from getting married which leads to delay marriage among people of child bearing age in Kano and Katsina. This is rampant because the neglect of the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Benediction of Allah be upon him) in wedding rites

Ramadan tafsir of the glorious Qur’an goes virtual during Covid-19 lockdown in Nigeria

The researchers were motivated by the adoption of digital communication applications and social media platforms by some Islamic scholars in Nigeria to conduct annual Tafsir of the glorious Qur’an in Ramadan 2020 in the midst of coronavirus lockdown. The paper adopted Lull’s Gratification Theory for theoretical explanation of virtual interaction between the scholars who conducted the Tafsir from an isolated places and the audience who watched or listened from their homes in adherence to safety measures to stop the spread of the disease. Methodologically, the study adopted a cross-sectional research design and purposive sampling technique to elicit secondary data from the target participants. The study found that there is usage of digital medium of communication and interaction between Islamic clerics and their followers. This explains the flexibility of Islam to embrace development, adopt and adapt it in conformity with Islamic rules and regulations. The findings also show that Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram are the most common internet based interactive platforms which Islamic scholars explored and disseminated their Tafsir virtual to the audience. The paper concludes that internet has enabled people not only to interact virtual but Tafsir and other forms of Islamic preaching can be conducted without co-presence of the preachers and the audience. The option of live streaming video on Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram which consume a lot amount of data has enabled Muslim users to followed the Ramadan Tafsir from distant places

Characterization and Modification of Activated Carbon Generated from Annogeissus Leiocarpus

Activated carbon (AC) is a versatile adsorbent that is used in the treatment of waste water, colour, odour removal and CO2 capture. Annogeissus leiocarpus is one of abundant agricultural precursor that can be used for the production of activated carbon. Characterization was done to investigate some proximate parameters. The modifications were made by soaking AC in 40% H2SO4 and 40% NaHCO3 for 24hours in the ration of 1:3 w/v. The FT-IR and SEM was conducted for surface functional group and morphology respectively. The result of this study revealed that the activated carbon produced possessed high yield, low Ash content, low Burnt off, low moisture content Average bulk density and large pore volume. The results from FT-IR analysis identified appearance and disappearance of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups which contributed in the creation of more adsorptive site for adsorption process. The results for SEM indicated the development of pores all over the surface of adsorbent with Acid modified activated carbon (AMAC/ H2SO4) having the highest pore distribution followed by Base Modified Activated Carbon (BMAC/NaHCO3) and finally ordinary (AC). The results suggest that the modification of AC using Acid and Base can significantly enhance the surface properties which improves adsorptive properties of the activated carbon produced and enhances it adsorption potentials for wastewater treatment

Bridging the gap between policy intent and implementation

The paper is about bridging the gap between policy intent and implementation. The gap is due to the lack of a link between policymakers and implementers and the absence of a clear policy goal. Policy implementation is the subsequent activity after the policy is made; it is the process in which ideas are translated into actions however most of the time attention had never been paid to such an important stage, at the same time as most attention is paid to the policy formulation stage. There are appropriate and nicely-formulated policies but ineffectively carried out, as a result, lead to a wide gap between policy intent and implementation. The study was conducted based on selected reviewed works of literature on policy implementation aim at describing the gap between policy intent and implementation and policy recommendation. The study found out that policymakers and implementers carry out a significant role in implementing policy also the frontline workers provide information to the policymakers at the top and ascertain whether the policy can be applied or not with the available resources. The paper recommends linkage between policymakers and implementers and engagement of the people and community in policy formulation and implementation

Assessment of the toxic potentials of some plants powders on survival and development of Callosobuchus maculatus

Dried leaves powders of Guirea senegalensis, Piliostigma reticulatum and dried fruit powder of Piper guineense, were tested along side a conventional insecticide, Actellic-2-Dust, to compare their efficacies on survival of cowpea weevil (Callosobuchus maculates) during storage. Both the treated and untreated cowpeas (control) were then infested with newly emerged adult bruchids of both sexes. In all the trials, 83 to 100% mortality rates were observed in the treated samples. The rates in the untreated control ranges from 33.3 to 43.6%. The effects of the powders on fecundity were more pronounced on P. guineense and Actellic-dust treated samples. Similar effects were observed on development of immature stages and emergence of adult weevils. P. guineense had the highest larvicidal effects and lower productivity result especially. P. reticulatum had the lowest mortality rate and higher productivity result. The effects of the different powders were found to be dose related. Key Words: Cowpea weevil, Callosobuchus maculates, biological insecticides, Vigna unguiculata. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.3(1) 2004: 60-6

Influence of different learning environments in the implementation of technical vocational education and training policy in Nigeria

Technical vocational education and training (TVET) are seen as an important tool in economic growth and poverty reduction in many developing countries. There is evidence that creating a work environment and duplicating the industries equipment in the TVET institutions is costly and pushed the budget high and cannot be afforded by the government. This lead to vocational education to be done in an academic setting, working on fictional tasks that are not in line with daily real work tasks. Although the influence of the learning environment on TVET policy implementation has been reported, little is known on the perspective of school leaders in the use of different learning environments. The study aims to understand the combination of different types of learning and learning environments influence the implementation of TVET policy. The study is based on a semi-structured qualitative interview with nine school leaders in TVET institutions in Nigeria. The study used thematic analysis to analyze the data and NVIVO qualitative data analysis software to organize the data. The paper and pencil coding method was also used for the analysis. The study finds out that combining different types of learning and learning environment may contribute to the effective implementation of TVET policy and increase the employability of TVET graduates. From the perspective of the school leaders combining different types of learning and learning environments will facilitate job-ready graduates. The results of the study should be used to guide the implementation of TVET policy and facilitate the combination of learning environments

Covid-19 Lockdown and The Plights of People Remanded in Security Detention Centres: A Socio Legal Analysis

The researchers analyzed from sociological and legal perspectives the COVID-19 lockdown and the plights of people remanded in security detention centers in Nigeria. The objective of the study is to identify the loopholes in the Constitution of the Federal Republic 1999 as amended and other relevant legal provisions in Nigeria. The study is an exploratory type of research whose goal is to explore the phenomenon under investigation. This research design is considered appropriate for this paper because the COVID-19 lockdown has explored the weaknesses of the extant legal provisions in Nigeria in a situation like the Lockdown. Data were from secondary sources and were subjected to content analysis. The result revealed that during the COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria, accused persons, awaiting trial persons and prisoners in different detention centers were detained beyond the legal requirements whereas there is no legal provision that clearly stated remedies.Tulisan ini mengkaji hak-hak orang yang ditahan oleh aparat keamanan atau dijebloskan ke dalam lembaga pemasyarakatan oleh Pengadilan sebelum lockdown COVID-19 dan menjalani masa karantina COVID-19 dalam tahanan. Para peneliti mengidentifikasi ketentuan hukum yang terkandung dalam Konstitusi Republik Federal Nigeria 1999 celah di dalamnya yang gagal membuat ketentuan untuk keadaan darurat seperti penguncian. Konsekuensi yang tidak diinginkan dari tindakan purposive oleh Robert Merton diadopsi sebagai penjelasan teoretis. Makalah ini mengadopsi desain penelitian eksplorasi untuk mengeksplorasi kekosongan dalam Hukum Nigeria di mana data bersumber dari sumber sekunder dalam teks terdokumentasi. Makalah ini menemukan bahwa semua Undang-undang dan Undang-undang di Nigeria tidak memiliki ketentuan tentang bagaimana memberi kompensasi kepada orang-orang yang mengalami masalah emosional, keuangan sosial, dan psikologis sebagai akibat dari waktu yang mereka habiskan di sel tahanan di luar waktu yang diharapkan karena penguncian

The Impacts of Oil Price and Exchange Rate on Food Prices in Nigeria

This empirical research examined the interconnecting relationship between oil price, exchange rate and food prices in Nigeria. The study applied annual time series data from 1972 to 2016. Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) techniques were used in the process of estimating the model. The main results disclosed that there is a long run association among the considered variables. The error correction term indicates significant negative sign. Among the two independent variables in the model, exchange rate is affecting food price more than the oil price counterpart since some of the food items are imported. The result has robust implication on policy recommendations in Nigeria. Food production has a vital role in influencing food prices in Nigeria. The Central Bank of Nigeria must consider exchange rate as a factor influencing food price in its quest for achieving inflation target. Keywords Oil price; exchange rate; food price; ARDL; Nigeria DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-8-08 Publication date: April 30th 201