Alternative Modes of Financing Higher Education in Nigeria and the Implications for University Governance

Under-funding has been identified as one of the major problems presently facing the university system in most of the African nations, Nigeria inclusive. The study documented both financing and expenditure patterns in the Nigerian universities, and found that most monies, which go on direct teaching, are in fact used for the payment of salaries and entitlements of staff

Regression modeling of the strength properties of concrete reinforced with polypropylene fiber and alkali resistant glass fibre

This paper presents the result of the regression modeling of the strength properties of hybrid fiber reinforced concrete made with polypropylene fiber (PPF) and alkali resistant glass fibre (ARGF). The fibres were added to grade 25 concrete at different proportion of 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0% of volume of concrete. A total of sixty three cubes samples were tested for compressive strength, twenty four cylindrical samples for split tensile strength and twenty four beam samples for flexural strength. Maximum compressive strength was attained at 1.5% fibre volume with hybrid fibre ratio of 80% ARGF and 20% PPF, maximum split tensile strength was attained at 1.0% fibre volume with hybrid fibre ratio of 80% ARGF and 20% PPF. The beam samples attained its maximum flexural strength at 1.0% fibre volume with hybrid fibre ratio of 60% ARGF and 40% PPF. Empirical expressions were established by using multiple regression analysis to predict the compressive, split tensile and flexural strengths of the hybrid fibre reinforced concrete made with PPF and ARGF. The predicted values compared favourably with the experimental results from all specimens.Keywords: alkali resistant glass fibre, compressive strength, flexural strength, hybrid fibre concrete, polypropylene fibre, regression modeling. reinforced concrete, split tensile strengt

Sustainable Housing Development in Africa: Nigerian Perspective

The subject, 'Sustainable development' is relevant and applicable in all areas of development and management. Its grand characteristics are its abilities to enhance, protect as well as sustain growth in all ramification. This paper aims at defining sustainability or sustainable development by emphasizing the importance and implications of cultural values, which is believed to be a source of a sustainable development, by positioning 'cultural values' as a critical key to sustainable development in Africa. It seeks to promote the blend of low-cost indigenous practices and high technology of the contemporary building practices (trado-modern approach) for mass housing development for low income earners. In order address the ever growing concern of housing poverty, it is a vital necessity to review cultural legacies embedded in society. Sustainable strategies which dictate a new direction in this mainstream will bring a positive impact on the environmental, social and economic systems. The paper reviews literature on African developments in relation to low-income mass housing provision in Nigeria. It is relevant in sustainability in its emphasis on adherence to cultural values which is believed to be a pillar for sustaining any development. The paper is a developmental discourse on Nigerian perspective with an overview of Sub-Saharan Africa for low-cost (affordable) mass housing development. Key word: Africa; Nigeria; culture; Indigenous architecture; Sustainable developmen

Ambulatory Devices: Assessment and Prescription

Injuries or disabilities associated with the lower extremities and aging frequently result in ambulation difficulty and this usually necessitates the prescription of ambulatory assistive device (e.g., cane, crutch and walker) in an attempt to restore locomotory function. Ambulatory devices are orthotic devices that provide support, stability and balance for users to able to move from one point to another. Users can progress or retrogress from one ambulatory device to another while some are permanently fit on a particular device throughout lifetime. The progression is dependent on the medical condition, user’s abilities, user’s anthropometric and environment. Physiotherapist prescribes ambulatory device to users and helps with the fitting and proper use of the ambulatory device. A correct prescription and well fitted ambulatory device minimize functional limitation and promote functional ability and improve quality of life. Incorrect prescription, fitting and use of ambulatory device may result in early fatigue, frustration, fall and damage to blood vessels, muscles or nerves

Social Studies Curricula: Interpreting and Using African Primary Source Documents

While many US residents like listening to African stories, hearing African stories is difficult because designing effective curricula and teaching about African contexts appear to be a major challenge in US social studies education.  Drawing on postcolonial theory, we analyzed the discourses of two contemporaneous historical documents to demonstrate the complexities in meaning making processes inherent in the indigenous Yorubas’ social practices, in the southwestern part of Nigeria.  Differential complex perspectives on Yoruba social practices are evident in both colonialist and native authored historical documents from the same time period when colonialist authority had been established but indigenous cultural practices were evident and continuing.  The Colonialist authored historical document indicate misunderstanding of the meaning of some Yoruba social practices.  The native authored historical document provides underlying meanings for social practices and ties portrayal of social practices to indigenous ways of being.  The discussion calls attention to how colonial legacies influence meaning making, meaning made from, and knowledge made available by, historical documents, as well as ways forward in addressing contemporary discourse on Africa in US social studies curriculum

Economic Growth, Air Pollution Standards Enforcement and Employment Generation Nexus in the Nigerian Context

Contrary to theoretical expectation, available data show a positive correlation between economic growth and unemployment in Nigeria between 2000 and 2014 (WDI, 2015). At 7.87 percent average annual growth rate from 2000 to 2014, Nigeria’s economic performance could be classified as a growth miracle. This impressive performance resulted in more than eight-fold increase in the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) per capita($377 in 2000 to$3184 in 2014). In spite of this performance unemployment rate in the country has continued to soar. Overall unemployment rate increased persistently from 12.3 percent in 2006 to 23.9 percent in 2011. Youth unemployment has remained consistently high at over 13 percent since 2000. This is an indication of non-inclusive growth. Economic growth is associated with a variety of costs such as pollution and environmental degradation. An ineffective regulation of firms’ productive activities and household consumption has a chain effect on sustainable economic growth. For instance, increased output in Nigeria will result in an increase in carbon monoxide emission. The health effect of carbon monoxide (CO) has two adverse economic implications: first, the health effect of CO could lead to loss of productivity and death; secondly, it leads to higher expenditure on health, lower savings and eventually lower investment. An effective enforcement of existing environmental and air pollution rules could serve the dual purpose of engendering both inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Thus, the paper presents a dynamic model that explains the relationship among economic growth, air pollution standards enforcement and employment generation

Factors Influencing Number of Physiotherapy Treatment Sessions for Patients with Low Back Pain

Little is known about the influence of physiotherapists’ characteristics and treatment modalities on the number of treatment sessions in Nigeria. This study was designed to evaluate the factors influencing the number of treatment sessions for patients with low back pain (LBP). Three hundred and eleven practising physiotherapists based in Nigeria participated in this study (77.8% response rate). They were required to complete a 31-item closed-ended questionnaire, which collected information on demographic data, work experience and treatment activities. Data was represented using bar charts, frequency and percentage. Chi-square was used to determine significant difference at p = 0.05. About 114 (38.10%) of the respondents employed 10 treatment sessions in the treatment of patients with LBP. Gender, age, areas of interest and educational attainment influenced the number of treatment sessions (p<0.05). Older male respondents, with higher educational attainment, especially those who are specialized in orthopaedics had fewer treatment sessions with their patients. However, working experience, acquisition of additional training (through continuous professional education) and types of treatment modalities did not have any significant relationship with number of treatment sessions (p>0.05). The average number of treatment sessions administered to patients with LBP before they are discharged in Nigeria is ten sessions. This was influenced by gender, age, areas of interest and educational attainment. There was a general consensus that a treatment guideline is needed for proper management of patients with LBP

Communities` attitudes towards conservation in Gashakagumti National Park Nigeria

This study assessed the attitudes of communities around GashakaGumti National Park towards conservation. It also investigated factors that influence these conservation attitudes. Data were obtained through structured questionnaire which covered demographic characteristics, perceived benefits and  challenges derived from the park and responses to attitudinal statements. Data were subjected to  descriptive and inferential analysis. The result indicated that 79.3% of the respondents had a positive  attitude towards conservation on GashakaGumti National Park. Perceived benefits derived from the Park  included construction of classrooms, roads, medical centre, employment opportunity, improved  economy through tourist inflow while perceived challenges included destruction of farm produce by wild  animals and lack of access to fodder for livestock. 78.9% of the respondents were willing to be involved in community based projects planning and execution. 94.7% accepted and supported community  development projects. 100% supported the continued existence of the park. The positive conservation  attitude of the respondents might be attributed to the perceived economic benefits derived from the park and the communities` willingness to be involved in  community based projects. Result of the chi square and correlation analysis indicated gender, occupation, level of education, perceived benefits and distance from the park had significant relationship with attitude towards conservation in GashakaGumti National Park. The authorities of the park should not relent in their effort in maintaining their peaceful co existence with the surrounding communities but ensure consolidation of this feat. The park management should look into the issues  considered as challenges by communities to avert conflict, animosity and breeding of negative conservation attitudes. It is also recommended that attitudinal  studies should be conducted periodically and incorporated into National Park Service Management Plan.Key words: Attitudes, Conservation, Benefits, GashakaGumti National Par

Growth performance of juvenile Clarias gariepinus fed Ipomoea aquatica based diets

A feeding trial was conducted to assess the replacement value of I. aquatica-based diet as dietary replacement of maize in the diets of C. gariepinus. Five isonitrogenous diets were formulated to contain 0% (control diet), 15% 30%, 45%, and 60% I. aquatica. Treatment was carried out in triplicate using ten C. gariepinus juvenile per replicate with mean initial weight of 9.0g. The fish at 5% body weight per day for a period of 8 weeks. The best growth response in terms of mean weight gain was obtained in 15% I. aquatica diet inclusion (35.57 ~c 3.44g), while fish fed 60% I. aquatica diet had the lowest growth response (23.80 ~c 1.18g), FCR was obtained in fish fed 60% I. aquatica (1.79 ~c 0.04), while the lowest was obtained in fish fed 15% I. aquatica. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in all the parameters of the treatments. The results revealed that any of the inclusion level can be used up to 60% inclusion level of I. aquatica. However, 15% inclusion level gave the best result in terms of growth

Effect of Planting Dates on the Performance of Pigeonpea Varieties in Southern Guinea Savanna Ecology of Nigeria.

A field experiment was conducted for two years (May, 2011 to February, 2012 and May, 2012 to February, 2013) at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi. The objective of the study was to investigate the performance of some improved pigeonpea varieties planted at different dates with a view of selecting the optimal date(s) of planting for each of the varieties. The experiment comprised of thee  planting dates (25th day of each month of May, June and July) as main plot treatments and six pigeonpea varieties (ICPL332, ICPL87119, ICPL187-1, ICPL84060, ICPL88039 and a local check, var.’igbongbo’) as sub-plot treatments. The experiment was laid out as split plot in randomized complete block design with three replications. The plant height of all the varieties of pigeonpea tested decreased from May planting to July planting, except in ICPL88039, which had erratic response. Planting date x variety interaction effects on plant height, number of pods per plant, pod weight, grain and straw weight were significant, indicating the varieties performed better at different planting dates,e.g.,ICPL84060 and the local check performed better in May planting, while ICPL332 and ICPL187-1 gave higher yields in July planting. Keywords: Planting date, Variety, Pigeonpea, Makurd