A critical evaluation of the effectiveness of local content policy (LCP) and transparency practices in LCP implementation in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

One of the aims of the Local Content Policy (LCP) is the economic development of Nigeria through the utilisation of local personnel and resources in the activities of the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Many studies have investigated the LCP, but limited work has been undertaken in investigating the transparency practices involved in the implementation of the LCP in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The study critically evaluates the effectiveness of the LCP and the transparency practices associated with its implementation. A conceptual framework based on accountability was developed and employed in designing the research instrument. This framework was underpinned by the institutional theory, which links accountability discourse to regulatory institutions where organisations within a particular field are subject to pressures to exhibit legitimacy through socially and culturally authorised administrative routines that are intended to render accountability. The study employed a qualitative methodology and the data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with respondents from twenty-three indigenous oil and gas companies, regulatory bodies, international oil and gas companies and non-governmental organizations. The research findings demonstrate that the various LCP stakeholders views on the definition and purpose of the LCP differ significantly. These diverse opinions affect the way in which the LCP is perceived and implemented in the oil and gas industry. The study has been instrumental in revealing a number of positive effects the LCP has generated since its implementation in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. For example, the LCP compelled IOCs to utilise local resources in their operations, resulting in the domestication of oil and gas activities. However, the findings also reveal that the LCP has been enforced despite the lack of local capacity and capability for its implementation. The findings, therefore, highlight a number of challenges associated with LCP implementation including: the lack of infrastructure; insufficient capital and manpower; absence of trust; and the lack of coordination between the regulatory agencies in the industry. The research findings also reveal that there are different levels of transparency in the implementation of LCP. Determination of the level of transparency in LCP implementation and compliance monitoring is at the discretion of the NCDMB and the oil and gas companies, which unfortunately facilitates corrupt practices. Therefore, this study argues that significant improvements are required in transparency practices in LCP implementation by strengthening the LCPs monitoring and enforcement process. Further, enforcement should strictly be the responsibility of the NCDMB, with no interference from the Nigerian government. Some further recommendations arising from this research include the need for investment in infrastructure that will facilitate indigenous companies participation in the industry. Also, efforts should be made to promote partnership and collaboration between indigenous companies and IOCs, encouraging investment in world-class infrastructure that can compete with international standards. To foster this partnership, the government and IOCs must invest in educational institutions which could boost the knowledge and capacity of Nigerians. The research concludes with the development of two new models: (1) The LCP stakeholder perception model; and, (2) The LCP implementation model. These models, which are the main contributions of knowledge arising from this thesis, will potentially aid the effective implementation of the recommendations arising from this study

Use of single pill anti-hypertensive combination medications in Cardiology Clinic of a Tertiary Health Institution in Nigeria

Background: Majority of patients with hypertension require 2 or more medications to provide adequate blood pressure (BP) control. In addition, contemporary guidelines on the management of hypertension favor the use of single-pill combinations (SPCs) as they simplify the treatment regimen and decrease the daily pill burden for patients, both of which are associated with improved adherence. In spite of this, there is a lack of data in sub-Saharan Africa on the frequency of use of SPC anti-hypertensive medications. Method: We prospectively collected detailed clinical data from 373 patients with primary diagnosis of hypertension attending the cardiology clinic of University of Abuja Teaching Hospital between 2016 and 2017. Results: Three hundred and seventy three patients with mean age of 50.6 ± 12.3 years and mean body mass index of 31.2 ± 6.5kg/m2 on anti-hypertensive treatment were evaluated. Baseline mean systolic and diastolic BPs were 161.1 ± 3.1mmHg and 95.4 ± 15.6mmHg respectively, while the mean pulse pressure was 56.6 ± 18.1mmHg. 212 (56.8%) where on SPCs, with 32.5% on angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) plus hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), 18.9% on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) plus HCTZ, 9.9% on amlodipine (AML) plus ARB, 3.3% on AML plus ACEI, 3.8% on thiazide-like diuretic plus atenolol, 29.2% on HCTZ plus amiloride, and 2.4% on triple combination of AML+ARB+HCTZ. Conclusion: Our study has shown that over 50% of our patients were on SPC anti-hypertensive medications, with the most prescribed single pill combination being angiotensin receptor blocker plus thiazide diuretic

Protection of minorities' rights in Britain and Nigeria (a comparative analysis)

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:D44393/83 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Osteomyelitis caused by Achromobacter xylosoxidans

Achromobacter xylosoxidans is an aerobic, nonfermenting gram-negative rod and described as a waterborne bacterium since it habits aquatic environments ubiquitously. It has frequently been isolated from aquatic surroundings in the hospital and from various human body sites. Although occasionally considered a non-pathogen, A. xylosoxidans has been associated with outbreaks of nosocomial infection due to contaminated fluids. Moreover, a wide variety of infectious etiologies due to A. xylosoxidans has been reported primarily in immunocompromised individuals. Heightened awareness of this bacterium and associated clinical importance is warranted for clinicians since its broad disease spectrum in humans and frequent multi-drug resistance may result in an increased mortality rate. In this report, we describe a case of osteomyelitis caused by A. xylosoxidans in a patient with a history of diabetes mellitus

A new reliable alternate method to an intraoral scanner (in-vitro study)

Objective: To propose a method to develop 3-dimensional (3D) models of regular and orthodontic typodonts by using their 2-dimensional (2D) images, as an alternate method to 3D scanners. Materials and methods: To propose a method to develop 3-dimensional (3D) models of regular and orthodontic typodonts by using their 2-dimensional (2D) images, as an alternate method to 3D scanners. Matierals and methods: The mandibles of two typodonts, regular occlusion and malocclusion, were scanned by using a 3D scanner to generate their models. Captured scans were used to determine the accuracy of the existing method. One hundred images of each mandible were made by using a smartphone from various angles five times to create required and generate 3D models through the software. The percentage overlap of the hard tissues of the scans and the models superimposed within the group (repeatability test), and with each other (accuracy test) gathered the proposed method\u27s accuracy and precision. The data were analyzed by using the Student\u27s t-test. Results: Ten scans and ten models were overlapped among themselves and each other and evaluated. Repeatability test; significant overlap in scans for both mandibles (regular and maloccluded), and their 3D model\u27s counterparts (P \u3c 0.05, CI 95%). Accuracy tests; significant overlap between both methods for both mandibles (P \u3c 0.05, CI 95%). Conclusion: The 2D images were successfully used to model the teeth (both regular and maloccluded) non-invasively. The proposed method showed high reproducibility as well as accuracy when compared to a commercially available 3D scanner. Clinical significance: The 3D models for both regular teeth and teeth with malocclusions were modeled by using 2D images taken with a smartphone by using the novel method which was both reproducible and accurate