Application of normative frameworks for assessing availability of socio-economic policies based on maqasid al shari’a principles in Muslim countries: A proposal / Mustapha Abubakar and Kabiru Jinjiri Ringim

The objective of this paper is to propose a framework that will assess the availability of maqasid al shari’a based socio-economic policies in Muslim countries, and whose nebulous institutions are perturbed by the statistic that 504 million people are living in multi-dimensional poverty, suffering from range of deprivations in forty-three member countries of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). Lack of or weak access to adequate resources remain the primary issues faced by many nations. In the midst of this though, there is a recurring argument that the level of socio economic development of human well-being must be improved. To understand development challenges of socio-economic framing in the current Muslim world, factors such as education, health, spirituality, lives and property, economy, food security as well as youth employment as based on maqasid al shari’ah framework model merit consideration. Accordingly, this paper seeks to address the gap in the current literature by incorporating education and youth unemployment factors into the socio-economic development model which is based on maqasid al sharia’h framework. The study adapted the principles of Islamic divine law that ensures an inclusive socio-economic development policy devoid of tribal, ethnic or religious sentiments. The study offered recommendations for further research on maqasid al sharia’ah applications on the socio-economic development of both Muslim and Muslim-minority countries

THE SPIRITUAL AND RELIGIOUS PRACTICE OF “JEEDOâ€AMONG ELDERLY WOMEN IN BAUCHI EMIRATE OF NORTH EASTERN NIGERIA

Abstract Population ageing has been identified as one of the most potential crises across the globe that requires urgent attention.  One of the most crucial issues related to this development is the issue of the quality life of older adults. The study describes a spiritual practice among elderly women that has stood the test of time, referred to as Jeedo. The study uses participatory research methods and data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed that, the Jeedo has been practiced for over two hundred as system of spiritual devotion and getting closer to Allah (SWT) in preparation for death. The practice has eventually expanded into a formidable network of elderly women who are devoted to the service of the society and mutual help within them. It is recommended that, with empowerment sensitization and change of attitude the Jeedo can be modelled across the eastern Nigeria and beyond.        Â

Performance Evaluation for an Optimized Wenner (ALPHA, BETA, AND GAMMA) Arrays Using Synthetic Geological Models

The study aimed at comparing the resolution and effectiveness of three-electrode arrays (Wenner-α, Wenner-β, and Wenner-γ) in the 2D Electrical resistivity method using Numerical analysis of geological models. Three synthetic geological models that simulate block-one dyke and water layer were generated using RES2DMOD software. The inversion used for the geological models was based on smoothness-constrained least-square inversion which was carried out with RES2DINV. The inversion results were imputed into surfer11 software to examine the image resolution, thereafter absolute percentage error (APE) was calculated to measure the effectiveness of the arrays. The result for the block-one model shows that the Wenner-β array has an APE of 14.45%, the Wenner-α array has an APE of 32.67%, and the Wenner-γ array with an APE of 29.15%. Similarly, for the dyke model, the Wenner-α array, Wenner-β array, and Wenner-γ array have an APE of 69.61%, 57.43%, and 45.49% respectively. However, the results for the water layer model show that the Wenner-α array has an APE of 17.11%, the Wenner-β array has an APE of 12.16%, and that the Wenner-γ array has an APE of 16.21%.  Wenner-α is expected to produce an image with the best resolution having the highest APE, henceforth APE suggests the resolution capacity of an array

Manpower Training and Development: A Tool for Higher Productivity in Zenith Bank Plc, Maitama Branch, Abuja

The quality of human beings in an organization determines the success of that organization. The improved skills, attitudes and productivity can only be possible through adequate training. Manpower training and development is based on the premise that staff skills need to be improved for organization to grow. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between manpower training and productivity in Zenith Bank Plc. Data collected by the use of questionnaire was analyzed using chi-square method. Also secondary data obtained from the account statement of Zenith Bank was analyzed using simple regression analysis. The study revealed that there is a positive relationship between cost of manpower training and productivity of Zenith Bank Plc. The researcher recommended that the management should support the training of staff at all levels and also vote a reasonable amount for manpower training and development. Keywords: banking, profitability, employees, skills

Modified PSO-Based Virtual Inertia Controller for Optimal Frequency Regulation of Micro-Grid

Owing to the growing need to address the energy crisis by the traditional sources (e.g. Thermal power plants), as well as the associated environmental concerns posed, the power system witnessed increased penetration of power electronics-based power sources like solar, wind, and energy storage in terms of battery technologies. Consequently, modern compared with traditional power systems have become more susceptible to large frequency fluctuations due to the emergence of stability issues. Prominent among these include the reduction of system properties such as damping and inertia which are significant characteristics of system stability. Insufficient inertia drives the grid frequency outside the acceptable range under severe disturbances and this may lead to an outage of generators and tripping, unscheduled shedding of load, system collapse, and in the severe scenario, an entire power blackout, this threatens the system dynamic security. To preserve the system's dynamic security, this paper proposes an alternative approach to frequency regulation built upon a PID-based Virtual Inertia Control (VIC) which imitates the inertia property. The proposed virtual inertia uses the frequency derivative to emulate virtual inertia. The optimality search capability of the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) technique is used to design the proposed controller. Evaluation of the robustness of the proposed controller is demonstrated through Time Domain Analysis, considering different system operating ranges for improving frequency stability and resilience. Improved performance of the proposed controller when paralleled with the traditional virtual inertia controller shows a 69.2% reduction in frequency nadir under the condition of reduced system inertia, 70% without RESs integration. Also, 50.7% and 44.4% improvement in the reduction of frequency nadir and maximum overshoot respectively were observed under the situation of nominal system inertia, 100%, and Renewable Energy Systems (RESs) penetration

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Among Healthcare Workers in Selected Health Facilities in Abuja

Background: In recent years, deaths due to adverse drug reaction (ADR) have been on the increase. In order to reduce the untoward effects and to prevent deaths, reporting of ADR remains the cornerstone in improving patients safe use of drugs. Aim: This study aimed at assessing knowledge, attitude and practice of adverse drug reaction reporting amongst Medical Doctors, Pharmacists, and Nurses in selected health facilities within Abuja, Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken using questionnaire to assess knowledge attitude, and practice of reporting adverse drug reaction among the categories of healthcare workers included in the study.Results: The findings from the study showed that 99% of the study participants had knowledge about the standard definition of pharmacovigilance, majority of the study participants (58.7%) indicated that ADR reporting should be made mandatory, more than two third of the study participants (67%) had encountered cases of ADR in their practice, only a quarter of the participants (26%) had reported cases of adverse drug reaction. Conclusion: This study revealed that almost of the study participants were aware of ADR, they had sound knowledge and positive attitude towards ADR reporting but unfortunately the practice of reporting was low among healthcare professionals included for this study. Keywords: Pharmacovigilance, Adverse Drug Reaction, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Yellow Form DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-8-05 Publication date: April 30th 202

Prevalence and associated morbidities of preterm neonatal admissions at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, North-Eastern Nigeria

Introduction: Preterm delivery is of considerable concern to clinicians and researchers being a leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality in the industrialized countries and also contributes to substantial complications among survivors. Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria accounts for significant proportion of preterm births, with over million deaths due to complication of prematurity. Objectives: The study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated morbidities of preterm deliveries at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, North-Eastern Nigeria. Patients and methods: This is a retrospective review of neonates delivered before 37 completed weeks of gestation and admitted into the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, from 1st January 2008 to 31st December 2015. Results: There were 3435 admissions into the Special Care baby Unit (SCBU) during the 8 year period. Out of these 1129 were preterm babies giving a prevalence of 32.9%. Of the 1129 preterm babies managed in SCBU, 714 case records were retrieved and analyzed giving a retrieval rate of 63%. There were 372 (52.1%) males and 342 (47.9%) females; with the male to female ratio of 1:1.08. There were 17(2.3%) extreme low birth weight  (<1000g), 288 (40.3%) very low birth weight (1000-1499 g), 406 (56.9%) low birth weight (1500- 2499 g) babies. The range of admission weights was 700-2500g with mean of 1600±900g. Conclusion: The burden, complications and mortality from preterm newborns remain significant public health challenges to care givers in Nigeria. Key words : Prevalence, preterm babies, associated morbidities, Maiduguri&nbsp

A Systematic Review of Cryptocurrency Scholarship

AbstractPurpose – The purpose of this paper was to conduct a systemic review of extant cryptocurrency research in order to identify important features of these studies and to provide directions for future cryptocurrency research. Methodology - The Systematic Quantitative Assessment Technique (SQAT) was used to identify and review relevant peer-reviewed journal articles that investigated various facets of cryptocurrency.Findings – 54 journal articles were identified from 12 high-quality databases. The findings of the review revealed that most of the studies took place in Europe, North America and Asia, while Africa has been largely ignored. The main focus of cryptocurrency articles has been on a call for regulation of cryptocurrency without much work done on how to mitigate its vulnerability to the financing of terrorism and as a tool for money laundering. Finally, most cryptocurrency articles adopted a single research method – survey. There is a need for future studies to combine a variety of methods so as to gain additional insight into the issues of cryptocurrency’s vulnerability, risk identification and mitigation, regulation and acceptability.Research limitations - The use of limited but high quality academic databases means that some articles were not considered for this review.Originality/value – This study is one of the few studies to conduct a systematic review on a phenomenon which has the potential to transform the global financial landscape. Keywords – Cryptocurrency, Systematic review, Regulation.JEL Classification – G23, G38

Bioconcentration of Heavy Metals by Wild Plants Along Holomorphic Soils in Sule-Tankarkar Local Government Area, Jigawa State, Nigeria

This study aims at assessing the heavy metals concentration levels in wild plants along the holomorphic soil in Suletankarkar Local Government Area of Jigawa State, Nigeria. Soil and Plant samples were collected from 7 different locations. Two (2) locations each from Danaldi and Danzomo districts while a location each from Dangwanki, Jeke and Suletankarkar districts. A 20cm2 quadrant was thrown at random. At each location, soil sample was collected from 0 – 10cm depth and mixed to obtain one composite sample. Samples of all plant species found growing within 1 m radius of each sampling point were collected and preserved in pressed paper. Both Soil and Plant samples were analyzed for heavy metals concentration using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results show that; Cd with 3.6 ppm has the highest while Zn with 0.28 ppm has the least concentration in the soil at Danzomo I. The plants have varying concentrations ranging from Pd with 0.04 ppm to Zn with 5.42 ppm in Mitracarpus hirtus; Cr with 0.07 ppm to Zn with 6.42 ppm in Spermacoce radita; Co and Cr both with 0.04 ppm to Mn with 1.47 ppm in Corchonis olitorius. The elemental concentration in the soil at Danzomo II ranges from Co with 0.4 ppm to Cd with 2.75 ppm. In plants, the concentration ranges from Cr with 0.04 ppm to Mn with 1.87 ppm in Cenchrus biflorus; Cr with 0.04 to Mn with 11.8 ppm in Commelina erecta; Cr with 0.04 ppm to Mn with 21.5 ppm in Guiera senegalensis; again Cr with 0.04 ppm to Mn with 3.1 ppm in Cassia singueana. Zn with 0.28 ppm has the least while Mn with 4.0 has the highest elemental concentration value in the soil at Danladi I. The mineral concentration ranges from Cr with 0.04 ppm to Mn with 2.54 ppm in Philliostigma thonningii; Co with 0.04 ppm to Mn with 16.8 ppm in Sida cordifolia; Co and Cr both with 0.04 ppm to Mn with 5.15 ppm in Alysicarpus vaginalis. These results support the conclusion that the heavy metal concentration in all the sampled plants exceeded the WHO standard limit for consumption. Therefore, the authors recommended that the heavy metal concentrations in plants, soils, water and air should be frequently monitored by the appropriate authority in the State. Keywords: Heavy metals, Concentration, Plants, Soil

Assessment on the Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) For Teaching And Learning In Arabic Secondary Schools (Case Study: Kano State, Nigeria)

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has changed the world entirely. These change span across all sectors, ranging from transportation, economic, health, military, banking, education, to mention a few. The rise of communication technologies has provoked great interest in the way in which they can be applied in education to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. This study aimed at determining the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for teaching and learning in Arabic Secondary Schools in Kano State, Nigeria. The study focused on six (6) Arabic Secondary Schools in Kano Municipal, among the schools are: School for Arabic Studies Kano (SAS), Government Arabic College Gwale (GAC Gwale), Abdullahi Bayero College of Qur’an, UmmuWarqa Government Girls Arabic School, Hasiya Bayero Government Girls Arabic School and Balarabe Haladu Government Arabic School Kano. A survey research design method was adopted to conduct the study. The population used for the study consisted of the teachers and students from the six Arabic schools. Two different questionnaires were designed and distributed among the teachers and their students. The first questionnaire is for the students which consist of four sections and the second questionnaire is for the teachers which are under six sections, two hundred samples are used in each case. The findings showed that 26% of the teachers are using ICT applications for teaching and learning, while 74% of the teachers are not using ICT tools for teaching and learning. On the other hand, 34% of the students are using ICT applications for teaching and learning, while 66% of the students are not using ICT tools for teaching and learning Keywords: Arabic, Qur’an, Secondary, School, Information Communication Technology