School Security and Safety Challenges in Nigeria: Evaluating the Existential Threats of Domestic Terrorism in the North East Region

  Abstract The ubiquity of terrorism cannot be overemphasized as it has become a global common phenomenon. Schools are easy prey of terrorist attack since they lack the maximum security apparatuses that other state institutions possess. All over the world,   terrorist attacks have taken place inside and beside school premises raising serious concern for government, security experts and school authorities. The recurring events of school shootings that keep taking place in the United States of America, Beslan Russia and even in Norway have proven that no school is   totally immune from attacks by insiders, criminals, terrorists and non-state actors. Consequently, schools should be protected from these threats given the public emotion, sensitivity and global concerns about places of learning. In the last decade or so, Nigeria has gone through the harrowing experiences of terrorist attacks on schools especially in the Northern part of the country and the North East in particular by Boko Haram, ISWAP and currently armed bandits. This study therefore examines this ugly menace that has defied sustainable solutions to insecurity and safety threats in Schools.  The study is descriptive in nature and gathered information from materials already available and questionnaires from individuals and schools authorities

An Evaluation of the Challenges of Forensic Investigation and Unsolved Murders in Nigeria

The work attempts to evaluate the challenges facing forensic investigation capacity of the police and other internal security agencies in Nigeria in the face of high prevalence of unsolved murders in Nigeria in the past three decades. In carrying out this research both primary and secondary data were employed to add to the scientific fervour of the work. Consequently, the work discovered that poor/lack of forensic skills and equipment negatively impacts on the forensic investigation capacity of the police and other security agents. These impediments tend to further complicate the mystery of unsolved murders in a nation where even high profile politicians have been assassinated without any forensic clue. The study therefore advocates that forensic experts in the country needs to improve on their skills and acquire equipment that will enhance the cracking of unsolved murder cases and improve public safety in Nigeria

Police corruption and the national security challenge in Nigeria: a study of Rivers State Police Command

This paper tries to make a modest attempt to examine the linkage between police corruption and national security in such a developing country like Nigeria. In doing this, the study selected Rivers State - a key state in the Niger Delta for specific analysis. The study employed a combination of qualitative and quantitative research approach to get an in-depth insight into the problem under study. A sample size of 200 was selected, while a 4-Likert questionnaire was administered to the selected respondents. The study found out that police corruption in Nigeria is structural as part of the wider web of corruption in Nigeria. It also showed that poor working conditions/ poverty are aggravating factors of police corruption in Nigeria. Furthermore, poor recruitment policies also contribute to police corruption. More so, the study found out that there is an inverse relationship between police corruption and national security in Nigeria. Finally, on the basis of these findings, the study offered useful recommendations that could help stem this social problem

Profile Distribution of Soil Physicochemical Properties under Two Land Use Systems in Abakaliki, Southeastern Nigeria

Five profile pits were dug respectively in forest land use (20 m x 10 m) and continuous cropping land use (20 m x 10 m) to study profile distribution of physic-chemical properties of soil. Core and auger samples were collected from each horizon (0-15, 15-30, 30-45, 45-60 cm and 60-90 cm). The soil data were analyzed and result showed that textural class ranged from sandy clay loam (SCL) in forest land use to sandy loam (SL) in continuous cropping land use. Bulk density, total porosity, macro-porosity, micro-porosity, aggregate stability, mean weight diameter and hydraulic conductivity ranged from  a mean of 1.42 g cm-2, 46, 29, 21, 19.5, 51% and 46 cmhr-1 to 1.48gcm-3, 45, 38, 21,17.5, 1.57% and 43 cmhr-1 for forest land use and continuous cropping land use, respectively.   Soil pH, N, OC, P, Ca, Mg, K, Na, and CEC varied from a mean of 5.0, 0.21, 2.6%, 18.1 mgkg-1, 2.12, 1.61, 0.31, 0.14 and 4.17 cmolkg-1 in forest land use to 4.6, 0.11, 1.9%, 16.5 mgkg-1, 2.12, 1.62, 0.12, 0.13 and 3.98 cmolkg-1 in continuous cropping land use. The soil physicochemical properties consistently decreased within the profiles in the two land use systems. Aggregate stability (AS), hydraulic conductivity, total N, exchangeable K, Na and CEC at 60 to 90 cm depth were within limiting values for soil productivity in the two land use systems. Sound evaluation of physicochemical properties of soil is advocated for higher and sustainable productivity in Ebonyi State Nigeria. Keywords: Continuous cropping, Forest Land use, Profile distribution, Soil Physicochemical Propertie

The use and ‘ab-use’ of intelligence in a transitional democracy: Evidence from Nigeria

This work is concise evaluation of the use and abuse of the intelligence gathering efforts by any given State. This trend tends to more pronounced in such transitional democracies such as that of Nigeria. In carrying out this research, there was extensive reliance on ethnographic observation of events as they evolved, and are still evolving over the years in Nigeria spanning about fifteen decades. Other sources of information include critical analysis of archival Documents/ Reports, Nigerian Newspapers, Magazines, Academic Journals, Articles, Books and Internet Based Documented Source Materials. Similarly, data generated from convenient sample (clarification) interviews of selected individuals and officials from whom, in my opinion have something relevant to the validity and reliability of the work was used. The work tried to make modest, but valid attempt to identify the factors that have the capacity to increasingly dent the worth of the intelligence gathering capacity of the Nigerian State. These factors include; Colonialism, neo-colonialism, militarism of the polity, legitimacy crisis, and a significantly stunted democratization process in Nigeria. The study found out that a State battling with the aforesaid crises will most likely fall prey to punitive intelligence gathering that will serve the interest of the minority ruling and oppressive class. In the same way, intelligence gathering will be targeted at dissent and opposition voices, groups and regions to silence them and consolidate illegitimate political power. Nigeria as a nation state has been grappling with these myriads of problems in ways that so far, her intelligence community has been transformed into a tool of repression leading to magnified escalation of security crisis in the country .It is therefore pertinent that democratic principles including separation of powers be implemented to ensure parliamentary and judicial oversight of the intelligence sector to reduce executive recklessness and manipulation of the intelligence sector for undue executive advantage as a state policy

Neonatal Tetanus: A Continuing Menace

Background: Tetanus especially that affecting the newborn has continued to contribute to morbidity and mortality in developing countries such as Nigeria despite the availability, for over 30 years of an effective vaccine. Its contributing factors include low immunization coverage, poor obstetric services and illiteracy. This study aims at reviewing the status of neonatal tetanus in UPTH with its characteristics and outcome while highlighting the need for instituting sustainable control measures.Methods: This is a retrospective analysis, involving the review of hospital records on neonatal tetanus cases treated at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital from 1995 to 2009. The case notes of all neonatal tetanus patients in the department of paediatrics from 1995-2009 were retrieved and reviewed for age, sex, presenting complaint, immunization status, examination finding, duration of hospitalization and outcome of illness.Results: Two hundred and ninety six neonates, comprising 174 (58.8%) males and 121(40.9%) females were treated 1(0.3%) of them did not have any record of his or her sex. Most of the mothers did not receive any doses of Tetanus Toxoid [TT] vaccine and delivered outside health facilities. Fifty percent of the cases died. The number and characteristics of the cases and deaths did not change significantly over the period.Conclusion: Essential obstetric care, strengthening of routine immunization, compulsory immunization of all women of childbearing age and school-age children should be adopted to reduce the incidence of neonatal tetanus in the country, while improved health care will reduce the associated high case fatality rate.Key Words: Neonatal tetanus, Outcome and trends; Port Harcourt; Nigeria

Tetanus with multiple wedge vertebral collapses: A case report in a 13 year old girl

Data from the case records dary School Class two girl managed at the Department of Paediatrics of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital were extracted for presentation to highlight vertebral collapse as an uncommon complication of paediatric tetanus and the associated management challenges. The girl presented with complaints of back pains-11 days, inability to open her mouth- 9 days, jerking of the body- 8 days and upper back swelling-6 days following bruises from corporal punishment in her school. She was diagnosed to have tetanus with vertebral collapses of T3-T6. Tuberculosis and other causes of vertebral collapse were excluded. The tetanus was successfully treated but she left against medical advice and defaulted from follow-up for the management of the vertebral collapses. Poverty, ignorance and belief in traditional health care were major obstacles to her management.Key words: Multiple wedge vertebral collapses in tetanu

Estimation of Soil Hazard Quotient of Some Identified Heavy Metals from an Abandoned Municipal Waste Disposal Site in Aba, Nigeria.

The soils of an abandoned waste disposal site reclaimed for commercial activities have been investigated for heavy metal concentration using an Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) Spectrometer. 20 samples were collected with a coring material 5 cm below the soil from five representative points (each of the points in regular grids of 50 m by 50m). The results obtained showed that the mean heavy metal concentrations were 5327.5 mg/kg, 2273.4 mg/kg, 797.1 mg/kg, 11104.7 mg/kg, 862.6 mg/kg for chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and Lead (Pb) respectively. These results were found to be higher than the international permissible limits and the world average concentration of heavy metals in soil. All the identified heavy metals had their Hazard Quotient far greater than unity implying that the site has been heavily polluted by disposed wastes and may pose significant health risk to occupants of the site. Certain remediation processes were suggested to make the place less toxic and more accommodating for humans. Keywords: Soil, Heavy Metal, Hazard Quotient, Wast

Childhood Pneumonia and under-five morbidity and mortality at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital- a situational analysis

Background: Childhood mortality which remains high in children under the age of 5years is largely due to infectious and other preventable causes such as Human immunodeficiency virus/ Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ((HIV/AIDS), pneumonia and malaria1 . The prevention of pneumonia deaths is therefore an important th approach if the 4th Millennium Development Goal (MDG4) is to be attained.Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the pattern, clinical features, management and complications of pneumonia in under-five children admitted in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and to highlight their morbidity and mortality.Methods: This was a retrospective cross sectional descriptive study of children diagnosed with pneumonia who were admitted into the children's wards between January 2007 and December 2009. The case notes of all children diagnosed of pneumonia who were admitted into the paediatric wards as recorded in the ward register, were reviewed.Results: Five hundred and ninety-two children met the inclusion criteria. The yearly number ranged from 107 in 2007 to 213 in 2009. The quarterly distribution showed a peak during the north east wind (harmattan) season. Their ages ranged from <1-168 months (mean age 13.2 months, SD=19.84). Neonates accounted for 24.5% of all cases, while 66.9% were Infants and Under-fives were 97.1%. They were 333(56.3%) males and 251(42.4%) females, with a M: F ratio of 1.3:1. Pneumonia alone was the diagnosis in 127(54 .7%) while 106(45.7 %) had pneumonia plus other associated conditions, the commonest being malaria. Heart failure was the commonest complication 69(29.7%). The children who completed their immunization in infancy according to the National program on immunization schedule were 61.2% of cases, those who were exclusively breast feeding for the first six months of life - 31.9%, while HIV/AIDS was observed in 9.1%. The case fatality rate was 9.0% with 79.2% of them as infants.Conclusion: Pneumonia which is still prevalent in underfives in this environment is associated with significant morbidity and mortality especially among infants. Efforts to address this contributor to under-five morbidity and mortality is required if MDG4 is to be attained.Keywords: Pneumonia, under-five mortality, morbidity, MDG4

Competitive Intelligence and Resilience of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Developing Economies

Small and Medium Enterprises SMEs hold the key to economic progress and development in developing economies including Nigeria.  This study therefore examined the effect of competitive intelligence on the survival of SMEs in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. To achieve these objectives three hypotheses were formulated to establish whether or not there is a relationship existing between the two intervening variable i.e. competitive intelligence and the survival of SMEs in Benin City, Edo State and by extension Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted, while data were obtained from structured questionnaire and analyzed using Pearson’s product-moment coefficient of correlation. From the analysis, the results indicated that there is an existing relationship between the variables. Based on the findings it was concluded that for SMEs to survive and expand its market frontiers in the face of the escalating competition in the business environment, there is the need to take a holistic view of their strategies and offer innovative products that can provide customers with valued and satisfying benefits better than the ones offered by competitors and engaging in superior marketing strategies to enhance performance and productivity. The study recommended among others that SMEs should identify and prune down unwarranted business expenses without necessarily impacting negatively on the operations of the firm. Keywords: Innovative Products, Performance, Productivity, Satisfying Benefits, SMEs, Survival