Carbon (CO2) emission and food availability convergence in the Niger Basin region: Insight from a club clustering algorithm

The study employed the Phillips and Sul log-t convergence test to analyse the degree of convergence for the Niger Basin region (NBR) countries in terms of per capita carbon emission and food availability. We found that, between the years 1986 and 2020, the Niger Basin region produced 13.5% less food per person than it did during the base period of 2004 to 2006. This study also found a strong convergence among the NBR countries on per capita food production. The result for the region’s convergence of per capita carbon emission was rejected. The non-convergence of the entire sample, and the presence of the different subgroup convergence clubs for per capita CO2 emission for the region, implies that individual factors characterise the NBR countries in terms of per capita CO2 emissions, which in turn determine an idiosyncratic course of their transition path for per capita CO2 emission policies. Considering that the transboundary river basin links nine countries, this study recommends that the NBR countries formulate and implement CO2 emission policies based on cluband country-specific policies to achieve convergence in relation to a concerted food security threat facing the region

Carbon (CO2) emission and food availability convergence in the Niger Basin region: Insight from a club clustering algorithm

The study employed the Phillips and Sul log-t convergence test to analyse the degree of convergence for the Niger Basin region (NBR) countries in terms of per capita carbon emission and food availability. We found that, between the years 1986 and 2020, the Niger Basin region produced 13.5% less food per person than it did during the base period of 2004 to 2006. This study also found a strong convergence among the NBR countries on per capita food production. The result for the region’s convergence of per capita carbon emission was rejected. The non-convergence of the entire sample, and the presence of the different subgroup convergence clubs for per capita CO2 emission for the region, implies that individual factors characterise the NBR countries in terms of per capita CO2 emissions, which in turn determine an idiosyncratic course of their transition path for per capita CO2 emission policies. Considering that the transboundary river basin links nine countries, this study recommends that the NBR countries formulate and implement CO2 emission policies based on cluband country-specific policies to achieve convergence in relation to a concerted food security threat facing the region

The undergraduate medical student's perception of professional mentorship: Results from a developing nation's medical school

INTRODUCTION: There are no documented formal mentoring programs for medical students in Nigeria. This study aims to determine the perception of undergraduate medical students at the University of Jos on professional mentorship, with a view to informing University authorities on creating and developing a mentoring program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted in December 2017 in which self-administered questionnaires were distributed among the sixth-year medical students in a University in North-Central Nigeria, eliciting information regarding biodemographic data, knowledge of and experiences with mentoring, desired benefits of mentoring, and the willingness to participate in a mentoring relationship. Data collected was analyzed with EPI Info statistical software® version 7.2.1 (EPI Info, Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia, 2017). RESULTS: In a class of 166, the response rate was 83.5%. Mean age = 27.4 years; standard deviation = ±2.6 with a male: female ratio of 1.9:1. Moderate knowledge of mentoring was reported by 47 (44.3%). Attitude toward mentoring was very positive in 23.6%. One hundred and four (98.1%) students agreed mentoring are effective in developing potential. Nearly 95.3% agreed a mentorship program would benefit medical students with 70.8% expressing high willingness to participate. A weak positive statistical correlation between the age of students and those who expressed willingness to participate was recorded (r = 0.04; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.6–1.16; and P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sixth-year medical students of the University of Jos have a moderate knowledge of and a good attitude toward mentorship. The implementation of a formal mentoring program for medical students at the University of Jos is strongly recommended

Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in Nigeria, 1994–2015: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: The Global significance of schistosomiasis started waning over the years owing to its eradication in most developed societies, until the reawaking of global attention and it now occupies a prominent place amongst the neglected tropical diseases (NTD). The aim of our study was to accurately estimate the prevalence of schistosomiasis in Nigeria, and its six geo-political zones. Subjects and methods: We utilized electronic databases to search and select studies on prevalence across the geographical zones between 1994 and 2015. STATA 10 Random effects meta-analysis of observational studies was used to generate our estimates. Result: Sixty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. The unified pooled population studied was 47,440 (n = 14,888 persons). The pooled prevalence]) of Schistosoma haematobium infestation was, for all regions = 34.7% (31.0–38.5) (95% confidence interval [CI)). Conclusion: Schistosomal infestations remain hyperendemic in Nigeria. Nigeria must, therefore, expedite the execution of resolution WHA66.12 adopted by the World Health Assembly on NTD