Applying restorative justice in resolving the farmers-herdsmen conflict in Nigeria

Farmers-herdsmen conf lict has become a recurring phenomenon in Nigeria. This article argues that the continuing occurrence of this conf lict can be explained by the non-application of restorative justice procedures by government when dealing with such conf lict. This has made the structuresof traditional conf lict resolution ineffective. The article concludes that the application of restorative justice as part of conf lict resolution mechanisms will more sustainably resolve the farmers-herders conf lict in the country, as well as enhance national security and development. Keywords: restorative justice, farmers-herdsmen conf lict, climate change, conflict resolution, Nigeri

State and Hegemony in Nigeria: Implications for Environmental Politics

This paper analyses the implication of state and hegemony on environmental politics in Nigeria. It argues that Nigeria as a British colonial creation is essentially a capitalist system that was invertedly created because unlike Western systems, it is a capitalist system that is run by non-capitalists. This implies that in Nigeria, there is a palpable absence of the state which is a creation of capitalists to coordinate other superstructures. This then explains why the political class in Nigeria comprises of fractious groups that are too preoccupied with politics and material survival and as such do not have hegemony. The import of absence of the state and dearth of hegemony in Nigeria is that environmental politics is uncoordinated with cases of Niger Delta and farmers-herdsmen crises demonstrating this reality. The paper concludes hegemony-induced environmental governance can ensure nationalistic values which would treat environmental and related issues with the urgency they deserve

A geographical analysis of ethnic distribution of jaw ameloblastoma in Nigerians

Introduction: Ameloblastoma is the most common odontogenic tumour in Nigeria. A definite geographic variation has been observed in the frequency of odontogenic tumors from different parts of the world. However, there is no study on the regional variations in Nigeria. Hence, this study was designed to document the ethnic and geographical distribution of jaw ameloblastoma in Nigeria.Methods: Archival data on ameloblastoma from 10 health facilities were obtained. Global Moran’s I detected geographic clustering in its distribution while Local Getis Ord indicated the location of ameloblastoma clusters. Chi-square tested associations between variables at 0.05 level of significance.Results: A total of 1,246 ameloblastoma cases were recorded in Nigeria. Besides substantial state variations, a South-North gradient was noticed in its distribution. Significant positive spatial autocorrelation was observed in the three major groups while ameloblas- toma hotspots were found in the SouthWestern and Northwestern Nigeria. The Igbos had a higher prevalence of ameloblastoma outside their home region than within.Conclusion: The study hypothesized that the geographical distribution of ameloblastoma in Nigeria is the result of all or one of the following:  the country’s tropical climate, migration patterns and health seeking behavior. Hopefully, these claims should lead to further enquiry on the underlying causes.Keywords: Ameloblastoma, ethnicity, spatial analysis, Nigeria

A geographical analysis of ethnic distribution of jaw ameloblastoma in Nigerians

Introduction: Ameloblastoma is the most common odontogenic tumour in Nigeria. A definite geographic variation has been observed in the frequency of odontogenic tumors from different parts of the world. However, there is no study on the regional variations in Nigeria. Hence, this study was designed to document the ethnic and geographical distribution of jaw ameloblastoma in Nigeria. Methods: Archival data on ameloblastoma from 10 health facilities were obtained. Global Moran\u2019s I detected geographic clustering in its distribution while Local Getis Ord indicated the location of ameloblastoma clusters. Chi-square tested associations between variables at 0.05 level of significance. Results: A total of 1,246 ameloblastoma cases were recorded in Nigeria. Besides substantial state variations, a South-North gradient was noticed in its distribution. Significant positive spatial autocorrelation was observed in the three major groups while ameloblastoma hotspots were found in the SouthWestern and Northwestern Nigeria. The Igbos had a higher prevalence of ameloblastoma outside their home region than within. Conclusion: The study hypothesized that the geographical distribution of ameloblastoma in Nigeria is the result of all or one of the following: the country\u2019s tropical climate, migration patterns and health seeking behavior. Hopefully, these claims should lead to further enquiry on the underlying causes. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v19i1.44 Cite as: Adisa AO, Osayomi T, Effiom OA, Kolude B, Lawal AO, Soyele OO, et al. A geographical analysis of ethnic distribution of jaw ameloblastoma in Nigerians. Afri Health Sci. 2019;19(1). 1677-1686. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ ahs. v19i1.4

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

An evaluation of subnational climate change response in Lagos state, Nigeria and Kwazulu Natal province, South Africa

PhD (Social Sciences with International Relations), North-West University, Mahikeng CampusThe study examined the impact of climate change in Lagos State, Nigeria and Kwazulu Natal Province, South Africa. It evaluated the effectiveness of climate change policies and programmes of Lagos State and Kwazulu Natal Provincial governments in responding to climate change. The study determined challenges faced by intergovernmental relations, finance, and environmental institutions and the impact of these on climate change response of Lagos State and Kwazulu Natal Province and identified ways of improving existing climate change response programs and strategies of Lagos State and Kwazulu Natal Province. This was to advance knowledge on contributions of sub-national entities (Lagos state and Kwazulu-Natal) in Africa towards combating the climate change debacle. The study utilised a qualitative research design that was sourced through in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with purposively selected participants from Lagos and Kwazulu-natal respectively. A total of 22 participants were interviewed and 70 participants went through Focus Group Discussions in both Lagos and Kwazulu-natal. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Results showed that both Lagos State and Kwazulu-natal are vulnerable to climate change as they both suffer from sea level rise or heat waves, erosion, displacement, flooding, and other associated risks of extreme climate variability and that climate change policies and programmes of both Lagos and Kwazulu-natal are not effective. Results also showed that while the response to climate change in Lagos State, suffers from strained intergovernmental relations, poor funding, and weak environmental institutions, response to climate change in Kwazulu-Natal, is drastically affected by weak environmental institutions and that both Lagos State and Kwazulu Natal should devise creative climate finance, improved intergovernmental relations, and strengthen environmental institutions to be proactive to their climate change duties. The study concluded that subnational entities such as Lagos State and Kwazulu Natal climate change are important to the national climate ambitions of Nigeria and South Africa respectively. The study recommended among other things that Nigeria and South Africa should address intergovernmental relations issues that encumber the climate change response of Lagos and Kwazulu Natal respectively while both subnational governments should devise creative means of raising local climate finance and also engaging more in paradiplomatic networking to enhance their climate finance and technical expertise. They should also revamp existing institutions and build new ones to ensure that climate change response is effective in both mitigation adaptation.Doctora

Effect of Anchor Borrowers' Programme on Rice Yield in North-Central, Nigeria

ABSTRACT The Anchor Borrowers' Programme (ABP) was launched to boost rice production in Nigeria. Empirical studies on rice production abound in literature but effectiveness of ABP in enhancing rice yield, particularly in the North-Central region of Nigeria remained under explored. Hence, effect of ABP on rice yield in North-Central, Nigeria was investigated. Using a multistage sampling procedure, 314 respondents (157 beneficiaries and 157 non-beneficiaries) were randomly sampled and interviewed. Data were analysed using mean, percentage, Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and multiple linear regression analysis. The mean age of beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries were 42 and 44 years, respectively; 73.2% and 62.4% were male; 64.3% and 56.1% were married, respectively. Beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries had farm size of 3.3±1.0ha and 2.9±1.1ha; earned an average of ?58,068.15 and ?56,889.36 monthly, respectively. Beneficiaries' yield of 453.95kg/ha was higher than non-beneficiaries (367.36kg/ha). The ABP positively impacted on rice production as beneficiaries had an additional yield of 105.82kg/ha over non-beneficiaries. Household size (p=0.03), education (p=0.00) and farming experience (p=0.03) influenced rice yield among beneficiaries. The study concludes that ABP impacted positively on rice yield in North-Central, Nigeria and sustainability of ABP is therefore recommended

Identification of novel immuno-oncology compounds as VISTA-inhibitors for cancer therapy: A computational approach integrating virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulation

The landscape of cancer treatment has witnessed a paradigm shift with the emergence of immunotherapy, particularly the inhibition of immune checkpoints like programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1. While these therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment, a substantial proportion of patients still fail to respond, highlighting the need to explore alternative immune checkpoints. V-domain immunoglobulin suppressor of T cell activation (VISTA), a member of the B7 family, has orchestrated significant attention. Abundantly expressed in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, VISTA's role in regulating immune responses, especially in breast cancer, hints at its potential as a linchpin in breast cancer immunotherapy. This research focuses on molecular docking simulations of a diverse array of immuno-oncology compounds to identify potential VISTA inhibitors. Three promising candidates (Compound_6784, Compound_14718, and Compound_34839) exhibited favorable binding affinities with VISTA, forming key interactions with critical amino acid residues. ADME-Tox profiling revealed these compounds to be highly druggable, displaying minimal toxicity risks, making them suitable for clinical trials and drug development. Additionally, molecular dynamics simulations provided insights into the structural dynamics of these compounds. The metrics underline the superior stability of Compound_14718, making it the most promising candidate for further research and drug development. This research lays a robust foundation for the development of novel immunotherapies targeting VISTA in cancer treatment. The identified compounds present promising candidates for further investigation and drug development, offering hope for improved cancer immunotherapy strategies

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with paediatric cancer in low-income, middle-income and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, observational cohort study

OBJECTIVES: Paediatric cancer is a leading cause of death for children. Children in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) were four times more likely to die than children in high-income countries (HICs). This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the COVID-19 pandemic had affected the delivery of healthcare services worldwide, and exacerbated the disparity in paediatric cancer outcomes between LMICs and HICs. DESIGN: A multicentre, international, collaborative cohort study. SETTING: 91 hospitals and cancer centres in 39 countries providing cancer treatment to paediatric patients between March and December 2020. PARTICIPANTS: Patients were included if they were under the age of 18 years, and newly diagnosed with or undergoing active cancer treatment for Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, Wilms' tumour, sarcoma, retinoblastoma, gliomas, medulloblastomas or neuroblastomas, in keeping with the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: All-cause mortality at 30 days and 90 days. RESULTS: 1660 patients were recruited. 219 children had changes to their treatment due to the pandemic. Patients in LMICs were primarily affected (n=182/219, 83.1%). Relative to patients with paediatric cancer in HICs, patients with paediatric cancer in LMICs had 12.1 (95% CI 2.93 to 50.3) and 7.9 (95% CI 3.2 to 19.7) times the odds of death at 30 days and 90 days, respectively, after presentation during the COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.001). After adjusting for confounders, patients with paediatric cancer in LMICs had 15.6 (95% CI 3.7 to 65.8) times the odds of death at 30 days (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected paediatric oncology service provision. It has disproportionately affected patients in LMICs, highlighting and compounding existing disparities in healthcare systems globally that need addressing urgently. However, many patients with paediatric cancer continued to receive their normal standard of care. This speaks to the adaptability and resilience of healthcare systems and healthcare workers globally

Adaptation of the Wound Healing Questionnaire universal-reporter outcome measure for use in global surgery trials (TALON-1 study): mixed-methods study and Rasch analysis

BackgroundThe Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire (WHQ) is a universal-reporter outcome measure developed in the UK for remote detection of surgical-site infection after abdominal surgery. This study aimed to explore cross-cultural equivalence, acceptability, and content validity of the WHQ for use across low- and middle-income countries, and to make recommendations for its adaptation.MethodsThis was a mixed-methods study within a trial (SWAT) embedded in an international randomized trial, conducted according to best practice guidelines, and co-produced with community and patient partners (TALON-1). Structured interviews and focus groups were used to gather data regarding cross-cultural, cross-contextual equivalence of the individual items and scale, and conduct a translatability assessment. Translation was completed into five languages in accordance with Mapi recommendations. Next, data from a prospective cohort (SWAT) were interpreted using Rasch analysis to explore scaling and measurement properties of the WHQ. Finally, qualitative and quantitative data were triangulated using a modified, exploratory, instrumental design model.ResultsIn the qualitative phase, 10 structured interviews and six focus groups took place with a total of 47 investigators across six countries. Themes related to comprehension, response mapping, retrieval, and judgement were identified with rich cross-cultural insights. In the quantitative phase, an exploratory Rasch model was fitted to data from 537 patients (369 excluding extremes). Owing to the number of extreme (floor) values, the overall level of power was low. The single WHQ scale satisfied tests of unidimensionality, indicating validity of the ordinal total WHQ score. There was significant overall model misfit of five items (5, 9, 14, 15, 16) and local dependency in 11 item pairs. The person separation index was estimated as 0.48 suggesting weak discrimination between classes, whereas Cronbach's α was high at 0.86. Triangulation of qualitative data with the Rasch analysis supported recommendations for cross-cultural adaptation of the WHQ items 1 (redness), 3 (clear fluid), 7 (deep wound opening), 10 (pain), 11 (fever), 15 (antibiotics), 16 (debridement), 18 (drainage), and 19 (reoperation). Changes to three item response categories (1, not at all; 2, a little; 3, a lot) were adopted for symptom items 1 to 10, and two categories (0, no; 1, yes) for item 11 (fever).ConclusionThis study made recommendations for cross-cultural adaptation of the WHQ for use in global surgical research and practice, using co-produced mixed-methods data from three continents. Translations are now available for implementation into remote wound assessment pathways