The Legislature and Democracy in Nigeria, (1960-2003): History, Constitutional Role and Prospects

In Nigeria the constitutional role of the Legislature is yet to receive adequate scholarly attention. The main area of focus in most literature has been the executive arm of government and its other related activities. This paper examined the evolution of legislative functions in Nigeria with a view to justifying its contributions to democracy especially in the first, second and fourth republics (1960-2003) respectively. Related concepts of legislature and democracy were clearly explained with concrete supportive scholarly literature. The historical evolution of legislative function in Nigeria was also explored to demonstrate the common but often neglected place of the legislature in democratic governance. Based on this, premise, proper constitutional roles of the legislature in the promotion of democracy in Nigeria were analysed to show clearly that democratic culture cannot be sustained without harmonious executive and legislature partnership. The prospects of this partnership were outlined with far reaching recommendations on how to promote healthy executive and legislature working relationship in present democratic dispensation in Nigeria. Keywords: Legislature, democracy, constitution, history and role. 

Case Report: Penile Fracture from Entrapment of an Erect Penis in the African Bamboo Bed: A Case Report

Penile fracture is an uncommon urological emergency where the tunica albuginea ruptures as a result of blunt trauma to the erect penis. An 18 year old rural patient presented with penile fracture, presumably from entrapment of his penis in the African bamboo bed during nocturnal penile tumescence. He was managed surgically and retained normal erections on follow-up. Usingthe African bamboo bed without a mattress may lead to penile entrapment and fracture.Key Words: Penis, fracture, African, bamboo, be

Social Status, Traditional Food Taboos and Food Security: A Study of Igbo Women in Imo State, Nigeria

A study was conducted to examine adherence to traditional food taboos by women in Imo State, and relate that to social status and food security. Data was collected from 72 women across the three agricultural zones of the State. It was found that age, income and education are some factors affecting adherence to these taboos. This is further evidence of the need to raise women education and income levels as well as providing them employment opportunities. About twenty-five (25) such taboos were identified. These include non-consumption of some crop and livestock products. It was found that these are important sources of calorie, protein, vitamins and minerals. They were also found to be commonly available and within the purchasing power of the women. Prohibiting women from consuming those products denied the potential contribution of those items to women food security denied, apparently for no nutritional reasons. However, enforcement of these taboos is by the women themselves. It is suggested that extension, Nutritionists and dieticians embark on subtle campaigns to reverse these. Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences Vol. 4 (2) 2006: pp. 139-14

Hepatotoxicity of Rambo and Cork Mosquito-Coil Smoke and the Protective Effects of G. Latifolium Leaf Extract

The protective effects of G. latifolium aqueous leaf extract against mosquito coil (Cork and Rambo) smoke-induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats were investigated using a total of 33 albino rats, weighing between 200–250 g. The rats were randomly grouped into five main groups: A, B, C, D, E and F. Group A was used as the control and it contained 3 rats only; groups B and C contained 6 rats each and were exposed to Cork and  Rambo mosquito coil smokes only, respectively, for 31 days. Groups D and E contained 9 rats each and were each subdivided into three subgroups (namely D1,D2, and D3; and, E1, E2,& E3), each containing 3 rats. The subgroups were exposed to their respective mosquito coil smokes and simultaneously treated with different concentrations of aqueous extracts of G. latifolium leaf for 31 days. The results showed the phytochemical analysis of G. latifolium leaf extract contain alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and vitamin C. Exposure to Rambo and cork insecticides smoke caused significant (P<0.05) elevation of AST, ALT and ALP, creatinine and bilirubin levels and reduction of Hb,  % PCV, serum albumin, and total protein. However, co-treatment with G. latifolium leaf extract significantly (p<0.05) ameliorated the observed effects. Histopathological analysis of liver of exposed rats showed impairment of the hepatic architecture resulting in necrosis, and hemorrhages while in rats co-treated with G. latifollium extract, these effects were significantly (p<0.05) reduced. Thus, G. latifollium extract can protect against Cork and Rambo smokes-induced hepatotoxicity. Comparatively, exposure to Cork smoke had more devastating effects than Rambo smoke. Keywords: Cork and Rambo insecticide smoke, liver toxicity, G. latifollium protection and phytochemicals.

A comparison of signal-to-noise characteristics : Fourier transform enhanced magnetic rotation spectroscopy and dispersive spectrometry

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Chemistry, 1996.Includes bibliographical references (leaf 26).by Neme O. Nnolim.M.S

Customer Satisfaction of Air Travelers at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos

The study focuses on customer satisfaction of air travelers at Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja. It aimed at ascertaining the level of quality service rendered to air passengers and to design ways to improve the level of customer satisfaction by meeting up to customer expectation. This study adopted a survey research design using questionnaire as the only instrument to gather information from the respondents. The population of passengers was not known and so the sample size (n) was 384 which was determined using infinite population formula:  n = (z/e)2 (p)(1-p) with  1.96 confidence level (z), where p is 0.5.A total of 384 copies of questionnaire were administered personally by the researcher with help of a research assistant using convenience sampling technique. The study was carried out twice within two months interval and multiple samples were taken in each of these studies. The study revealed that passengers had adequate knowledge on the current state of the airport and prefer Air Peace, Arik and Azman Airlines to others due to adequate safety and security, effective communication of flight information, accurate time keeping for flight departures/arrivals and good quality of service. There were no cases of missing luggage, fluctuating penalty charges for extra luggage and delay in retrieving of luggage upon arrival. Among the challenges confronting Murtala Mohammed International Airport were high total cost of aviation fuel, safety and security, lack of adequate funding, inadequate airport infrastructure, lack of enabling regulatory framework, inadequate manpower development, and domination by foreign airlines. Problems encountered by passengers with service providers are hoarding and overcharging of tickets and overbooking of flights.  The ways to satisfy air travelers and meeting their expectations are stable operating environment, skills acquisition and capacity building of service providers, preventive maintenance of airport infrastructure, provision of adequate safety and security standards, quick response to air traveler’s complaints. Keywords: customer satisfaction, aviation, air travelers, airline, airports

A comparative effectiveness of stochastic approximation method and pseudo inversion method for solution to PDE with financial application

This paper presents a comparative effectiveness of stochastic approximation method and pseudo inversion method for American option valuation under the Black-Scholes model. The stochastic approximation method and pseudo inversion method base its analysis on a drifted financial derivative system. With finer discretization, space nodes and time nodes, we demonstrate that the drifted financial derivative system can be efficiently and easily solved with high accuracy, by using a stochastic approximation method and pseudo inversion method. The stochastic approximation method proves to be faster in pricing an American options than the pseudo inversion method which needs the system to be stabilized for its accuracy.  An illustrative example is given in concrete setting

Awareness of Genetic Testing for High-Risk Cancer Among Different Racial Groups in the United States

Background: Genetic testing for high-risk cancer can provide information on personal risk of developing cancer, as well as diagnosis, prognosis and treatment once cancer has been detected. Methods: Data for this study were obtained from the Health Information National Trends (HINTS 5, Cycle 4), conducted among U.S. adults (age ≥ 18 years) from February 24 to June 20, 2020. An equal probability sample of addresses were stratified, and an adult was selected from each household. Data analysis was conducted 3,865 respondents who completed the survey. The primary outcome was awareness of genetic testing for high-risk cancer (GTHC). We used weighted multivariable logistic regression to determine the awareness of genetic testing for high-risk cancer, adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, household income, general health status and history of cancer. Results: We found a significant association between race/ethnicity and awareness of GTHC. Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic respondents were less likely to be aware GTHC, compared to White respondents (Non-Hispanic Black: aOR=0.53; 95%CI: 0.32–0.87. Hispanic: aOR=0.58; 95%CI: 0.36–0.95). The awareness of ancestry testing was also significantly associated with awareness of GTHC (aOR=5.62; 95%CI: 2.95–10.72). Female respondents were more likely to be aware of GTHC compared to males (aOR=1.92; 95%CI: 1.37-2.68), and relative to respondents 50-64 years, those 35-49 years were more likely to be aware of GTHC (aOR=1.92; 95%CI: 1.37-2.68). Conclusion: This cross-sectional study showed less awareness of genetic testing for high-risk cancer among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic groups, highlighting the need for more health education among minority racial groups

Cardiomyopathies in Sub-Saharan Africa: Hypertensive Heart Disease (Cardiomyopathy), Peripartum Cardiomyopathy and HIV-Associated Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is an important cause of cardiac-related morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Dilated cardiomyopathy is responsible for 20–30% of adult heart failure (HF) in the region. It is only second to hypertensive heart disease as etiological risk factor for HF in many parts of the continent. The aim of the chapter is to review the current epidemiology, clinical features, management, and prognosis of hypertensive heart disease, peripartum cardiomyopathy, and HIV-associated cardiomyopathy in sub-Saharan Africa

Assessing the Moral Relevance of Peace Education Contents in the Basic Education Social Studies Curricula for Effective Citizenship Participation in Nigeria

Social Studies is a core subject at the basic education level in Nigeria which has the potentials of inculcating functional knowledge and desirable morals into pupils for effective citizenship participation through peaceful co-existence. However, despite this positive trend, the moral significance of peace education contents of the subject seem not to have been adequately explored. This lacuna justified the need for this study which sought to find out the moral relevance of peace education contents in basic education social studies in Nigerian schools. The study adopted a descriptive survey design with content analysis bias. A sample of 200 social studies teachers undergoing in-service sandwich training were selected through stratified random sampling technique from states across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. Three research questions guided the study. Similarly, two major instruments namely 10-item questionnaire titled “Teachers’ Awareness of the Moral Relevance of Peace Education Contents in Basic Education Social Studies Curriculum” and content analysis of the same social studies curricula published by NERDC, a foremost Nigerian educational regulatory body were used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed with the use of arithematic percentages. Findings of the study showed that majority of the teachers were not only aware of the moral relevance of peace education  contents in basic education social studies curricula but were also of the  opinion that the subject could be used to meet the moral and peace education needs of Nigerian pupils for the purpose of inclusion citizenship participation. It was also established that peace and moral education contents were adequately reflected in the basic education social studies curricula. These findings were exhaustively discussed with far-reaching recommendations on how to improve the teaching and learning of moral aspects of peace education contents through the basic education social studies curricula for effective promotion of inclusive citizenship participation in a multi-ethnic and religious society like Nigeria. Keywords: Basic Education, Moral, Moral Relevance, Social Studies Curricula, Citizenship Participation.