Ethnicity and the dilemma of ethno-communal conflicts in North-Central Nigeria : the case of Nasarawa State

This paper considers the contemporary phenomenon of ethno-communal conflict and its dilemmas in north-central Nigeria, with particular reference to Nasarawa State. By way of a synthesis of primary and secondary research, enabled by a combination of field interviews/discussions and library sources, the paper posits that the incidence and prevalence of ethno-communal conflict in north-central Nigeria has been influenced by the socio-ecological dialectics of the region. It observes that existence of multiple primordial cleavages in the area has created an enabling ambience for volatile inter-group relations and identity contestations. Hence, it is submitted that contemporary trajectories of communal conflict in Nasarawa State reflect a fundamental contradiction of identity/ethnic politics; situation that has been complicated by elite politicking and the apparent failure of the government to moderate conflict drivers and fault lines in a manner that leverages mutual and sustainable inter-group coexistence/inter-ethnic relations

Knowledge and Perception on Sexual Abuse Amongst Female Secondary School Students in Abia State Nigeria

Knowledge and perception on child sexual abuse has been poorly determined in developing countries. Female children are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse due to ignorance of behaviours that are known to be abusive. The study was conducted to access the knowledge and perception on sexual abuse among female secondary school students in Abia State, Nigeria to raise awareness.The study employed a cross sectional design where 350 students between the ages of 13-17 years from six secondary schools were interviewed using a validated semi – structured questionnaire to collect information on knowledge and perception on child sexual abuse. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square. Three hundred and eleven (88.9%) of the respondents, believed that some children were sexually abused by older children, 72.3%  believed that most people who sexually abuse children were not members of the child’s family, 89.7% believed that most sexually abused children were vulnerable to abuse at night, when alone and outside their home. Seventy eight percent of respondents could correctly define child sexual abuse. The sources of information on sexual abuse were from teachers (48.7%), mothers (25.2%), media (23.8%), internet (15.5%) and friends (15.2%). Respondents that come from monogamous households were more knowledgeable on sexual abuse behaviours than respondents from either polygamous or single parent households (p = 0.043).This study showed that most respondents were knowledgeable about sexual abuse and teachers were the highest source of information. The fact that school played a significant role in the knowledge of sexual abuse in this study, poses a need to focus attention on increasing the awareness of students by integrating topics on sexual abuse in primary and secondary school curriculum. Keywords: Child sexual abuse, Knowledge, Perception, Female Secondary school students.

Morphometric Study of the Supraorbital Notches And Foramina In Adult Human Skulls In South-South Nigeria

Background: The supraorbital foramen is a bony elongated path located above the orbit (eye socket) and under the forehead. The supraorbital foramen/notch transmits the supraorbital artery, veins and nerve. Thisstudy is aimed at determining the anatomical variation in size in respect to gender and content of the supraorbital foramen.Methods: A morphometric study of the supraorbital foramen/notch was carried out on 120 human skulls (72 male, 48 female) from the Departments of Anatomy of the University of Benin, University of Calabar, Niger Delta University and University of Port Harcourt all in southsouthNigeria. A pair of dividers and a meter rule were used to measure the lengths and widths of the supraorbital notch/foramen and then placed on a meter rule for readings to be taken. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS analyzer software.Results: The result revealed that the mean length of the supraorbital foramen in males is 1.61±0.60mm for right and1.15±0.50mm for the left while in females it is 1.91±0.60mm for the right and 2.00±0.09mm for the left. The mean width of the supraorbital foramen in males is 3.12±1.23mm for the right and 3.18±1.21mm for the left while for the females it is 3.17±1.05mm for the right and 3.17±0.12mm for the left. The mean length of the supraorbital notch in males is 2.24± 0.60mm for the right and 2.34±0.65mm for the left while for the females it is3.06±1.36mm for the right and 2.53± 0.65mm for the left. The mean width of the supraorbital notch in males is 5.21±1.65mm for the right and 5.40±1.89mm for the left while for the females it is 4.97±0.18mm for the right and 5.00±0.20mm for the left .Conclusion: There is no significant difference between the length and width of the supraorbital foramina/notches in both males and females (P>0.05).Key Words: Supraorbital notch, supraorbital foramina, Skulls, Southern Nigeria