Application of Geo-Information Technology to National Security, Conflict Resolution and Transborder Cooperation: A Case Study of Nigeria-Sao Tome and Principe

This paper examines the evolution of boundaries in Africa with emphasis on Nigeria and São Tomé. It also appraises the existing bilateral relationship (treaty) between Nigeria and São Tomé with particular interest on the need for trans-border cooperation and peaceful co-existence as a panacea for conflict resolution. It further relates the importance of monitoring and managing the border and the territorial maritime space between the two countries using geoinformation science and technology (Satellite imaging/Remote Sensing, GIS and GNSS). Using documents appraisal and geo-spatial methodologies, Nigeria’s mile stone in space programmes was identified as a veritable area of joint partnership that can bridge the gap of conflicts arising from territorial spatial coverage, technical know-how, socio-cultural and political ventures. It was further highlighted that Strict adherence to the law of the sea and the already signed treaty would prevent possible conflicts considering the provisions inherent in it. This combined with an up-to-date digital map and satellite monitoring of the Joint Development Zone (JDZ) will ensure peaceful co-existence and respect for contiguous sovereign nation’s territorial right over the bordering waterways. The paper concluded that the fact that conflict exists, however, is not necessarily a bad thing: as long as it is resolved effectively, it can lead to national and international growth and development and this can be achieved chiefly through geoinformation science and technology. Keyword: Border, Geoinformation, Joint Development Zone (JDZ), Treaty,  Satellite

Implementation of Family Life and HIV/AIDS Education in Nigerian Schools: A Qualitative Study on Scope, Delivery and Challenges

This study utilized data from Focus Group Discussions and In-depth Interviews among secondary school students and teachers to examine the scope, delivery and challenges of FLHE implementation within states and across geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Structural Functionalism, Rational Choice and Differential Association theories were adopted as theoretical framework. Results show that several patterns in classroom teaching of FLHE are identifiable across the country. The study found that FLHE is taught at the Junior Secondary and Senior Secondary levels with variations among States on the beginning levels. The main mode of FLHE delivery is classroom instruction; other modes include assembly talk and sensitization by organizations. Despite paucity of Information, Education and Communication materials and inadequate personnel requirement, different stakeholders noted that FLHE has been beneficial to students. Therefore, effective implementation of FLHE will go a long way to ensuring that young people in Nigeria are equipped with necessary information to enable them exhibit the right attitude and behaviour towards sexuality issues. Keywords: FLHE implementation, reproductive health, young people, youth corpers, sexual attitude.RésuméCette étude a utilisé des données provenant des groupes de discussion à cible et des entrevues en profondeur entre élèves et enseignants des écoles secondaires afin d'examiner la portée, l’actualisation et la mise en oeuvre de défis de la VFES au sein des Etats et entre les zones géopolitiques au Nigeria. Le fonctionnalisme structural, le choix rationnel et les théories l’association différentielle ont été adoptés comme cadre théorique. Les résultats montrent que plusieurs tendances dans l'enseignement en classe de la VFES sont identifiables à travers le pays. L'étude a révélé que la VFES est enseigné dans les deux cycles de l’école avec des variations entre les États à l’égard du niveau de commencement. Le principal mode de la réalisation de la VFES est l'enseignement en classe; d'autres modes comprennent des discours pendant la réunion matinale et la sensibilisation par les organisations. Malgré la rareté de l'information, l’éducation et les matériels de communication et les besoins insuffisants en personnel, les différents intervenants ont noté que la VFES a été bénéfique pour les élèves. Par conséquent, la mise en oeuvre effective de la VFES aidera beaucoup à assurer que les jeunes gens au Nigeria sont équipées d’informations nécessaires pour leur permettre de démontrer une bonne attitude et un bon comportement à l'égard des questions de sexualité. Mots-clés: la mise en oeuvre FLHE, santé de la reproduction, les jeunes, jeunesse, attitude sexuell

Relationships, love and sexuality: what the Filipino teens think and feel

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In order to achieve a change among teens' sexual behavior, an important step is to improve our knowledge about their opinions concerning relationships, love and sexuality.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A questionnaire including topics on relationships, love and sexuality was distributed to a target population of 4,000 Filipino students from third year high school to third year college. Participants were obtained through multi-stage sampling of clusters of universities and schools. This paper concentrates on teens aged 13 to 18.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Students reported that they obtained information about love and sexuality mainly from friends. However, they valued parents' opinion more than friends'. They revealed few conversations with their parents on these topics. A majority of them would like to have more information, mainly about emotion-related topics. Almost half of respondents were not aware that condoms are not 100% effective in preventing STIs or pregnancies. More girls, compared to boys, were sensitive and opposed to several types of sexism. After adjusting for sex, age and institution, the belief of 100% condom effectiveness and the approval of pornography and sexism were associated with being sexually experienced.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>There is room for further encouraging parents to talk more with their children about sexuality, specially aspects related to feelings and emotions in order to help them make better sexual choices. Indeed, teens wish to better communicate with their parents on these issues. Condoms are regarded as safer than what they really are by almost half of the participants of this study, and such incorrect knowledge seems to be associated with sexual initiation.</p

Webometrics benefitting from web mining? An investigation of methods and applications of two research fields

Webometrics and web mining are two fields where research is focused on quantitative analyses of the web. This literature review outlines definitions of the fields, and then focuses on their methods and applications. It also discusses the potential of closer contact and collaboration between them. A key difference between the fields is that webometrics has focused on exploratory studies, whereas web mining has been dominated by studies focusing on development of methods and algorithms. Differences in type of data can also be seen, with webometrics more focused on analyses of the structure of the web and web mining more focused on web content and usage, even though both fields have been embracing the possibilities of user generated content. It is concluded that research problems where big data is needed can benefit from collaboration between webometricians, with their tradition of exploratory studies, and web miners, with their tradition of developing methods and algorithms

Participatory Gender-Oriented Study of the Information Needs of the Youth in a Rural Community in South-Eastern Nigeria

An adequate understanding of the information needs of the youth is crucial in planning programmes that address their socio-economic wellbeing. This study investigated the information needs of the youth in Uzoagba, a rural community in South-Eastern Nigeria. Data were collected from the youth through focus group discussions involving 220 participants, and a questionnaire survey involving 250 respondents. One female, one male and one mixed-gender focus groups for each of three age categories, 7-12 years, 13-19 years, and 20-30 years, were used to generate information on the information needs of the youth. The questionnaire which consisted of closed and open questions was used to collect data on demographic characteristics, information needs and current sources of information of the respondents. Two categories of the youth could be identified. The first comprised those aged 12 years or less who desired information concerning their education, health/HIV/AIDS and income. The second group comprised those older than 12 years whose needs concerned income/employment and education. The youth wanted to develop their personal capacities through education in order to integrate themselves into productive  activities in the community. The expressed need for information about how to participate in income-generating activities relates to the youth’s desireto contribute resources to their family and community. It is recommended that governments should provide appropriate forums for the youth to articulate their information, educational and social needs as input into policies and programmes that affect them

A Comparative Study of the Productivity of HIV/AIDS Literature on Nigeria and South Africa in Medline and Science Citation Index

Bibliographic data on HIV/AIDS literature on Nigeria and South Africa were drawn from Medline and Science Citation Index (SCI) respectively, covering the period 2000-2004, to study the productivity of literature produced by ‘all authors', ‘first authors', ‘non-collaborative authors' and ‘co-authors' using Lotka's Law. The first authors in Medline did not yield usable result for Nigeria, but the characteristic exponents for the other categories of authors are higher for Nigeria (&#945; ranging between 2 and 4) than South Africa (&#945; ranging between 2 and 3). Based on SCI, the model yielded only useful result for the Nigerian co-authors, whereas all other categories of authors yielded exponents that ranged between 1 and 3 for South Africa. We deduce that Medline appears to accommodate HIV/AIDS literature emanating from Nigeria more than it does those coming from South Africa while the opposite is the case with SCI. Finally, scientific productivity in Nigeria is more significant when assessed based on Medline than SCI. The reverse is the case for South Africa. African Journal of Library Archives and Information Science Vol. 17 (1) 2007: pp. 1-1

Problematizing ‘predatory publishing’: A systematic review of factors shaping publishing motives, decisions, and experiences

This article systematically reviews recent empirical research on the factors shaping academics' knowledge about, and motivations to publish work in, so‐called ‘predatory’ journals. Growing scholarly evidence suggests that the concept of ‘predatory’ publishing’ – used to describe deceptive journals exploiting vulnerable researchers – is inadequate for understanding the complex range of institutional and contextual factors that shape the publication decisions of individual academics. This review identifies relevant empirical studies on academics who have published in ‘predatory’ journals, and carries out a detailed comparison of 16 papers that meet the inclusion criteria. While most start from Beall's framing of ‘predatory’ publishing, their empirical findings move the debate beyond normative assumptions about academic vulnerability. They offer particular insights into the academic pressures on scholars at the periphery of a global research economy. This systematic review shows the value of a holistic approach to studying individual publishing decisions within specific institutional, economic and political contexts. Rather than assume that scholars publishing in ‘questionable’ journals are naïve, gullible or lacking in understanding, fine‐grained empirical research provides a more nuanced conceptualization of the pressures and incentives shaping their decisions. The review suggests areas for further research, especially in emerging research systems in the global South