49 research outputs found

    Banditry-Herdsmen Activities in Nigeria and National Development

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    This study examines the interface between banditry-herdsmen activities in Nigeria and how it undermines national development. The study upholds that banditry-herdsmen activities ranging from kidnapping, raping, maiming, destruction farm land etc. have forcefully mutilated cultivation for fear of been unjustly attacked in the process. Consequently, trade and commerce have suffered tremendously as a result. The study anchored on the propositional trappings of structural functionalism theory to explain and bear witness to the argument that the failure of government in its primary responsibilities of providing the basic needs for its citizens resulted in the banditry-herdsmen activities in the country. We relied on documentary method for data collection, and content analysis for analysing the materials collected. The study revealed that many of the best brains and man power have fled for fear of either being kidnapped, killed or maimed, this not only resulting in inflation, but also undermining national development in the country. Recommended amongst other things, a window of dialogue utmost importance between the aggrieved parties within the government setting, community stakeholders, community youths among others

    The impact of social and environmental extremes on cholera time varying reproduction number in Nigeria

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    Nigeria currently reports the second highest number of cholera cases in Africa, with numerous socioeconomic and environmental risk factors. Less investigated are the role of extreme events, despite recent work showing their potential importance. To address this gap, we used a machine learning approach to understand the risks and thresholds for cholera outbreaks and extreme events, taking into consideration pre-existing vulnerabilities. We estimated time varying reproductive number (R) from cholera incidence in Nigeria and used a machine learning approach to evaluate its association with extreme events (conflict, flood, drought) and pre-existing vulnerabilities (poverty, sanitation, healthcare). We then created a traffic-light system for cholera outbreak risk, using three hypothetical traffic-light scenarios (Red, Amber and Green) and used this to predict R. The system highlighted potential extreme events and socioeconomic thresholds for outbreaks to occur. We found that reducing poverty and increasing access to sanitation lessened vulnerability to increased cholera risk caused by extreme events (monthly conflicts and the Palmers Drought Severity Index). The main limitation is the underreporting of cholera globally and the potential number of cholera cases missed in the data used here. Increasing access to sanitation and decreasing poverty reduced the impact of extreme events in terms of cholera outbreak risk. The results here therefore add further evidence of the need for sustainable development for disaster prevention and mitigation and to improve health and quality of life

    Contributions of Women Empowerment Strategies: And Poverty Reduction in Isoko South L.G.A Delta State

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    No doubt, women empowerment programmes cannot be overemphasized due to its positive contribution in poverty reduction and overall development of the society, particularly in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State. In view of the above, this study was guided by the following research questions: (1) what are the available women empowerments programmes aimed at poverty reductions in Isoko South L.G.A., Delta State (2) What are the obstacles militating against effective women empowerment programmes in Isoko South L.G.A., Delta State? The objectives of the study are to determine the available women empowerment programmes aimed at poverty reductions in Isoko South L.G.A., Delta State. The study adopted Feminist theory for its analytical framework. The study adopted both survey and documentary methods of data collection, descriptive/inferential statistics and content analysis method for the analysis of both primary and secondary data. The study revealed that there were existing women empowerment programmes in Isoko South L.G.A. of Delta State which the women were actually aware, but never participated actively due to lack of proper sensitization and commitment on the part of government and its agencies. Furthermore, it also revealed the various obstacles such inconsistency of the personnel, poor funding, amongst other things, militated against the effectiveness of women empowerment programmes and the active participation of the women in such programmes. The study recommended for commitment, fairness and transparency in discharging of duties on the part of the government; and policy sustainability of women empowerment programmes

    Mecanismos para garantizar la seguridad alimentaria y el medio ambiente sostenible a través de la participación de los jóvenes en la educación agrícola

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    Agricultural education play a central role in disseminating knowledge, skills and attitudes toward managing environmental resources which support food productivity. Its goals are basically achieved through formal education. Hitherto, youth have been involved in environmental stress mitigation efforts both at the school and community levels but are still short of adequate knowledge. Current trends of environmental stress and its associative impact on the food growing soils and space call for its integration into agricultural education programme. This paper identifies mechanisms for ensuring Food Security (FS) and Sustainable Environment (SE) through Youth’s participation in Agricultural Education. First, the paper discussed the concepts of sustainability as it affects the environment and food security. It also discussed constraints of FS and SE. Mechanisms discussed includes: curriculum content review and update, adequate funding by government, training and retraining of manpower, and involvement of youth clubs and organizations. Furthermore, use of mass media; extension services; school farm; and organizing workshops, seminars; and integration of population studies in the curriculum were also considered. Finally, it was suggested among others that government should review school curriculum and renew her commitment through designing and implementing policies and programmes aimed at ensuring FS and SELa educación agrícola desempeña un papel central en la difusión de conocimientos, habilidades y actitudes hacia la gestión de los recursos ambientales que apoyan la productividad de los alimentos. Sus objetivos se logran básicamente a través de la educación formal. Hasta ahora, los jóvenes han estado involucrados en los esfuerzos de mitigación del estrés ambiental tanto a nivel escolar como comunitario, pero aún les falta el conocimiento adecuado. Las tendencias actuales de estrés ambiental y su impacto asociativo en los suelos y el espacio de cultivo de alimentos requieren su integración en el programa de educación agrícola. Este documento identifica mecanismos para garantizar la Seguridad Alimentaria (FS) y el Medio Ambiente Sostenible (SE) a través de la Educación Agrícola Juvenil. Primero, el documento discutió los conceptos de sostenibilidad ya que afecta el medio ambiente y la seguridad alimentaria. También discutió las limitaciones de FS y SE. Los mecanismos discutidos incluyen: revisión y actualización del contenido curricular, financiamiento adecuado por parte del gobierno, capacitación y reciclaje de personal, y participación de clubes y organizaciones juveniles. Además, el uso de los medios de comunicación; servicios de extensión; granja escolar; y organización de talleres, seminarios; y también se consideró la integración de los estudios de población en el plan de estudios. Finalmente, se sugirió, entre otros, que el gobierno debería revisar el currículo escolar y renovar su compromiso mediante el diseño y la implementación de políticas y programas destinados a garantizar la FS y la S

    Public risk perception and behaviours towards COVID-19 during the first and second waves in Nigeria: a secondary data analysis

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    Objectives To describe changes in public risk perception and risky behaviours during the first wave (W1) and second wave (W2) of COVID-19 in Nigeria, associated factors and observed trend of the outbreak. Design A secondary data analysis of cross-sectional telephone-based surveys conducted during the W1 and W2 of COVID-19 in Nigeria. Setting Nigeria. Participants Data from participants randomly selected from all states in Nigeria. Primary outcome Risk perception for COVID-19 infection categorised as risk perceived and risk not perceived. Secondary outcome Compliance to public health and social measures (PHSMs) categorised as compliant; noncompliant and indifferent. Analysis Comparison of frequencies during both waves using χ2 statistic to test for associations. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses helped estimate the unadjusted and adjusted odds of risk perception of oneself contracting COVID-19. Level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results Triangulated datasets had a total of 6401 respondents, majority (49.5%) aged 25–35 years. Overall, 55.4% and 56.1% perceived themselves to be at risk of COVID-19 infection during the W1 and W2, respectively. A higher proportion of males than females perceived themselves to be at risk during the W1 (60.3% vs 50.3%, p<0.001) and the W2 (58.3% vs 52.6%, p<0.05). Residing in the south-west was associated with not perceiving oneself at risk of COVID-19 infection (W1—AOdds Ratio (AOR) 0.28; 95%CI 0.20 to 0.40; W2—AOR 0.71; 95%CI 0.52 to 0.97). There was significant increase in non-compliance to PHSMs in the W2 compared with W1. Non-compliance rate was higher among individuals who perceived themselves not to be at risk of getting infected (p<0.001). Conclusion Risk communication and community engagement geared towards increasing risk perception of COVID-19 should be implemented, particularly among the identified population groups. This could increase adherence to PHSMs and potentially reduce the burden of COVID-19 in Nigeri

    Patient characteristics associated with COVID-19 positivity and fatality in Nigeria: retrospective cohort study

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    Objective: Despite the increasing disease burden, there is a dearth of context-specific evidence on the risk factors for COVID-19 positivity and subsequent death in Nigeria. Thus, the study objective was to identify context-specific factors associated with testing positive for COVID-19 and fatality in Nigeria. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting: COVID-19 surveillance and laboratory centres in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory reporting data to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. Participants: Individuals who were investigated for SARSCoV-2 using real-time PCR testing during the study period 27 February–8 June 2020. Methods: COVID-19 positivity and subsequent mortality. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors independently associated with both outcome variables, and findings are presented as adjusted ORs (aORs) and 95% CIs. Results: A total of 36 496 patients were tested for COVID-19, with 10 517 confirmed cases. Of 3215 confirmed cases with available clinical outcomes, 295 died. Factors independently associated with COVID-19 positivity were older age (p value for trend<0.0001), male sex (aOR 1.11, 95%CI 1.04 to 1.18) and the following presenting symptoms: cough (aOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.32), fever (aOR 1.45, 95% CI 1.45 to 1.71), loss of smell (aOR 7.78, 95% CI 5.19 to 11.66) and loss of taste (aOR 2.50, 95% CI 1.60 to 3.90). An increased risk of mortality following COVID-19 was observed in those aged ≥51 years, patients in farming occupation (aOR 7.56, 95% CI 1.70 to 33.53) and those presenting with cough (aOR 2.06, 95% CI 1.41 to 3.01), breathing difficulties (aOR 5.68, 95% CI 3.77 to 8.58) and vomiting (aOR 2.54, 95% CI 1.33 to 4.84). Conclusion: The significant risk factors associated with COVID-19 positivity and subsequent mortality in the Nigerian population are similar to those reported in studies from other countries and should guide clinical decisions for COVID-19 testing and specialist care referrals

    Fishing for mammals: Landscape-level monitoring of terrestrial and semi-aquatic communities using eDNA from riverine systems

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    Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding has revolutionized biomonitoring in both marine and freshwater ecosystems. However, for semi-aquatic and terrestrial animals, the application of this technique remains relatively untested. We first assess the efficiency of eDNA metabarcoding in detecting semi-aquatic and terrestrial mammals in natural lotic ecosystems in the UK by comparing sequence data recovered from water and sediment samples to the mammalian communities expected from historical data. Secondly, using occupancy modelling we compared the detection efficiency of eDNA metabarcoding to multiple conventional non-invasive survey methods (latrine surveys and camera trapping). eDNA metabarcoding detected a large proportion of the expected mammalian community within each area. Common species in the areas were detected at the majority of sites. Several key species of conservation concern in the UK were detected by eDNA sampling in areas where authenticated records do not currently exist, but potential false positives were also identified. Water-based eDNA metabarcoding provided comparable results to conventional survey methods in per unit of survey effort for three species (water vole, field vole and red deer) using occupancy models. The comparison between survey ‘effort’ to reach a detection probability of ≥.95 revealed that 3–6 water replicates would be equivalent to 3–5 latrine surveys and 5–30 weeks of single camera deployment, depending on the species. Synthesis and applications. eDNA metabarcoding can be used to generate an initial ‘distribution map’ of mammalian diversity at the landscape level. If conducted during times of peak abundance, carefully chosen sampling points along multiple river courses provide a reliable snapshot of the species that are present in a catchment area. In order to fully capture solitary, rare and invasive species, we would currently recommend the use of eDNA metabarcoding alongside other non-invasive surveying methods (i.e. camera traps) to maximize monitoring efforts. © 2020 British Ecological Societ
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