Inflation and Demand for Money in Emerging Economies: Evidences From Nigeria

The economic performance of the Nigerian economy revealed that for quite some time now, the GDP of the country has been declining and fluctuating over time as compared with the U.S economy that was growing even in the face of inflation. The focus of the research was therefore a critical evaluation of factors that can encourage increasing and stable growth even in the face of inflation backed with high rate of money demand. The study examined the effect different economic variables such as inflation, income; interest rates, price level and exchange rate have on demand for money, by applying regression analysis with an Error Correction Model (ECM) on various economic variables, covering a period of thirty-three years (1970-2003). The study revealed on one hand that inflation was not affected by trend but by Nigerian government policies and that inflation does not exert any significant influence on demand for money. It is therefore recommended that the authorities of should implement policies that will ensure minimal inflation rate. Also, attempt to control the amount of money people hold should not be done through inflation since it would not be effective but should be controlled by the adoption of an appropriate income polic

The Place of the Local Government in Nigeria’s Federal Arrangement

Multi-level government arrangements-federal, state/provincial and local government-are common to all federal systems. However, the place and role of local government in those systems vary markedly. In some, local government is a constitutionally recognised sphere of government, while in others it is merely a competence of the state/provincial government, or an administrative unit of a higher order of government. In some federal systems where it is recognised, like Nigeria, the local governments are principally established for socio-economic and political development at the grassroots. Thus, local governance is the prerogative of the local governments in Nigeria. This tier of government established by Section 7 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) has some of its functions detailed in the fourth schedule of the same constitution. The overall objective of this paper is the analysis of the current status of the local government within the Nigerian federal system, and a critical examination of what the future holds for the third tier of government in Nigeria. Using essentially secondary documentary method, with content and thematic analysis, the paper recommends incremental constitutional review (as against mega constitutional renewal), the need to enhance political and economic autonomy of local government through frequent elections, and adopting new strategies for generating internal revenues for the local government in Nigeria

Evaluation of nickel levels in wastewater, soil and vegetable samples grown along Kubanni stream channels in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

The concentration of nickel was evaluated in wastewater, soil and vegetable (carrot, lettuce, onion, spinach, cabbage, tomato and okra) samples that were collected on seasonal basis from January, 2013 to September 2014 along Kubanni stream channels in Zaria. The results showed nickel concentrations in wastewater were in the range of 7.69 – 38.46 mg/L for the year 2013 and 7.68 – 27.04 mg/L in 2014; 1.92 – 21.37 mg/Kg for the year 2013 and 8.24 – 24.32 mg/Kg in 2014 for the soil while the vegetables had concentrations in the range of 6.97 – 18.79 mg/Kg for the year 2013 and 3.78 – 18.27 mg/Kg in 2014. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in nickel levels across the locations and seasons for wastewater, soil and vegetables analyzed. Pearson correlation showed substantial (r = 0.631) relationship between nickel levels in wastewater for the year 2013 and 2014, negative (r = -0.284) relationship was obtained for the soil between these two years whereas substantial (r = 0.634) relationship was obtained for vegetables cultivated in 2013 and that of 2014, respectively. Thus, nickel concentrations obtained in this study was higher than maximum contaminant levels set by Standard Organizations such as WHO and FAO for wastewater whereas the soil and vegetables were less to limits set by these bodies

Impact of Gender-Based Abuse on Women’s Economic Wellbeing and Participation in Public Life in Abeokuta Metropolis in Ogun State, Nigeria

This study established the influence of gender-based abuse on women’seconomic wellbeing and participation in public life. A total of two-hundredand fifty married women from Abeokuta metropolis constituted the samplefor the study. Their ages ranged from 25 years to 49 years with a mean ageof 37 years and standard deviation of 8.48. The two instruments used wereauthor-constructed questionnaires with 0.69 and 0.74 reliability coefficientrespectively. The data obtained were analysed using frequency counts,percentages, and chi-square (X2) statistics. The results indicated that thethree research questions raised and tested contributed significantly to theprediction of the dependent variable. Based on the results of this finding, itwas recommended that those in the helping professional should takecognizance of those variables that have been found to influence women’seconomic well-being and participation in public lifeKeywords: Gender-Based Abuse, Women Economic Wellbeing,Participation in Public Life, Intimate Relationship, Nigeria

Fiscal Crisis and the Politics of Non-Oil Revenue Drive in Nigeria

Over the years, Nigeria’s heavy dependence on the crude oil as the main source of export earnings has made it vulnerable to market vagaries and other conditions associated with international oil politics. The current oil slump being experienced may have started taking its toll on Nigeria as the Federal Government has announced some austerity measures aimed at cushioning its impact on the economy. Some of the measures announced by the Minister of Finance/Coordinating Minister for the economy are payment of tax on luxury goods by Nigerians, and reduction in public expenditures and international travels by public servants. Given that price volatility, arising mainly from decline in crude oil prices (and production), exacts heavy costs in terms of incomes, indebtedness, poverty and development on the country, there is the need to focus on other  revenue sources. Using mainly secondary data, this paper examines the prospects of non-oil revenue drive in Nigeria. The paper evaluates not just the extent of contemporary fiscal crisis and its effects on socio-economic development in Nigeria; it also reviews government policy responses to the crisis; as well as suggesting policy options for overcoming the fiscal crisis in Nigeria. The paper concludes that although the contributions of the non-oil sector, particularly telecommunications, construction, wholesale and retail trade, hotel and restaurant services, manufacturing and agriculture, to Nigeria’s economic growth has been tremendous over the past decade, yet the economic growth has not reduced poverty nor created jobs as about two thirds of the population lives on less than 1 US dollar (USD) per day and the unemployment rate in 2013 was 27.3%. As a major challenge for the economy is the dilapidated state of infrastructure and the over-dependence on the oil and gas industry, the paper recommends that private sector involvement in infrastructure development and in the development of the non-oil sector holds more promise for Nigeria’s economic rejuvenation.

Impact of wastewater on nitrate concentrations in soil and vegetables grown along Kubanni River, Zaria in Kaduna State, Nigeria

The concentration of nitrate was evaluated in wastewater, soil and vegetable (carrot, lettuce, onion, spinach, cabbage, tomato and okra) samples collected on seasonal basis from January, 2013 to September 2014 along Kubanni stream channels in Zaria. The results showed nitrate levels in wastewater were in the range of 23.05-283.54 mg/L for the year 2013 and 16.85-68.05 mg/L in the year 2014; soil had concentrations in the range of 2.20-20.50 mg/kg for 2013 and 7.27-29.57 mg/kg for the second year while the vegetable had concentrations in the range of 3.80-23.65 mg/Kg for the year 2013 and 7.48-27.15 mg/Kg in year 2014. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in nitrate concentrations across the locations and seasons for wastewater, soil and vegetables analyzed. Pearson correlation results revealed negative (r = -0.263) relationship between nitrate levels in wastewater for year 2013 and year 2014, likewise negative (r = -0.217) relationship was obtained for vegetables planted in the year 2013 and 2014 whereas negligible (r = 0.137) relationship was recorded in the soil for these years. Nitrate concentrations obtained in this study was higher than maximum contaminant levels set by Standard Organization such as WHO and FAO for wastewater whereas the soil and vegetable of the sampling sites were not contaminated with nitrate ions

A community-based intervention for improving utilization of medical services by rape survivors in refugee camps in Zambia

Background: Rape is the most common form of violence in conflict and refugee situations but because of the associated stigma few cases are reported. This study assessed the outcome of an intervention targeted at women groups on the utilization of medical services by rape survivors in refugee camps in Zambia.Methods: A prospective quasi-experimental community-based intervention study was carried out in two refugee camps allocated into intervention and comparison areas. The intervention was participatory education sessions for women groups. Data was collected using the clinic records and the main outcome was the number of rape survivors who utilized and completed medical services provided at the camp clinics. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were carried out with level of significance set at 5%.Results: The proportion of the rape survivors who accessed medical care within 72 hours increased significantly from 41.2% to 84.8% in the intervention area but from 31.1% to 38.9% in the comparison area, (p=0.005). Those who completed their medical treatment and the follow-up visits increased significantly from 42.8% to 94.8% in intervention area but reduced from 38.5% to 21.4% in the comparison area, (p=0.002). Being resident in the intervention area predicted the utilization of medical services, [OR: 3.15; 95%CI: 1.955-5.681], p=0.002.Conclusion: Community-based intervention using participatory women’s group discussion had a significant impact on increasing the utilization of medical services by rape survivors and should be considered for scaling up as a key intervention for increasing utilization of medical services for rape survivors especially in refugee situations.Keywords: Rape survivors, Participatory group discussion, Medical services, Zambi

Community based ecotourism management practise, a panacea for sustainable rural development in Liberia.

Ecotourism practise is a sustainable management tool targeted at improving livelihood and wellbeing of the rural populace. This paper examined the roles Kpatawee Citizen Community Organisation (KCCO),is playing in the management of Kpatawee water fall, Suakoko District, Bong County, Liberia. Multiple research techniques employed for this study include Focus Group Discussion, House hold questionnaire survey and field observation. Three Sustainable Development Indicators (SDI) selected to assess the impacts of Community Based Ecotourism Management Practise (CBEMP)on the four selected rural communities include level of income, social capital and infrastructural facilities. Demographic characteristics of the respondents were descriptively analysed while income levels were subjected to ANOVA. Multiple effects of ecotourism practise are observed to be very low; there is significant difference in income of inhabitants in the communities at P≤ 0.005. F (3, 78)=4.615 and result of post –hoc multiple comparisons revealed that income level of inhabitants of Dumai community is significantly different from others. Proportion of the population having access to infrastructural facilities is low (5-10%). Low rate of intentional homicides and crimes (4%) are indications of improve social capital in the communities. Part of the proceeds attracted to the waterfall is used to improve the health facilities in the communities and maintain the aesthetic values of the waterfall. CBEMP has brought changes in land use pattern and management of the waterfall. The need for improvement in the provision of infrastructural facilities and interpersonal relationship between individuals and KCCO are emphasized taking into considerationlimitations of the local communities.Keywords: Ecotourism practise, sustainable development, rural communities, multiple research technique