Foreign aid, food supply and poverty reduction in Nigeria - Examination of possible nexus

This study examines the relationship among foreign aid, food supply and poverty reduction in Nigeria. It uses secondary data for the period 1975-2005. With the use of econometric analysis we specify a structural model that examines the determinants of poverty-reduction. We test our model specification, using Statistical Analysis of Time Series (STATA 10) software. We find that multilateral aid, food supply, public sector spending on health care and education are the major determinants of poverty reduction in Nigeria. We conclude that given the ongoing food supply crises, the gradual withdrawal of government from provision of health care and education as well as the unreliability of aid, there is the need for some policy re-think if poverty is to be reduced in the country.Foreign Aid, Food supply, Rural development and Poverty.

SUSPEN DOME: AN EVALUATION WITH CFRP CABLES

This study investigated the feasibility of using CFRP cable as tension cables in suspen domes in view of the fact that suspen domes have been made with steel cables as its cable-strut system for centuries due to its availability. Indisputably, CFRP cables have become the material of choice in the 21st century for its efficiency and innovative design in bridge works. However, the application of CFRP cables to other cable structures has been limited. The need for its application to other cable structures is required in order to acquire more knowledge about its behavioral patterns. This paper gives preliminary findings of a successfully designed and constructed suspen dome prototype which comprehensively deepens the understanding of CFRP cable performance as a cable-strut system in a suspen dome. Results show that with its high stiffness, low weight and high strength, CFRP has proven to be a technically efficient and adequately strengthening material for structurally improving the adequacy of a suspen dome

New Findings on Food Security, Climate Change and Income Growth in West African Countries: P-VAR Approach

This paper examines empirically the interaction among per capita income growth, climate change and food security in fifteen West African Countries. We employ Panel VAR (PVAR) techniques on annual secondary data obtained from the World Development Indicator (WDI) between 1990 and 2013. The PVAR approach allows us to address the endogeneity problem by allowing the endogenous interaction among the variables in the system. Our results provide evidence of income growth spurring food security in the short run and reducing it in the long run, while climate change increased food insecurity throughout in West Africa. The study suggests that climate change is a necessary variable that needs to be controlled if food security is a desired goal in West Africa and that more priority should be given to agricultural sector in economic growth. Also, the leaders in West Africa should embrace a judicious and dynamic energy mix that will allow renewable sources to replace fossil fuels

A STUDY ON THE ULTIMATE LOAD BEARING CAPACITY OF CARBON FIBRE REINFORCED POLYMER TENSEGRITY SYSTEM IN A SUSPEN DOME

Structural stability is one of the major factors considered for structural design. The integrity of carbon fiber reinforced polymer as a tensegrity system in a suspen dome is investigated by employing a computational model with a span of 93m. ANSYS software was employed for the investigation. The load-displacement curve of the structure was studied to understand the ultimate load bearing capacity in comparison with steel cable using Newton-Raphson and arc length methods. Parameters such as nodal displacement, stresses on the single reticulated layer and internal forces of the tension members that influence the structures integrity were considered. Results show that despite the antistrophic nature of carbon fiber reinforced polymer it possesses similar characteristics as steel cables

The Effect of Temperature on the Mechanical Performance of Steel and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Tensegrity System

This paper compares the behavioral pattern of steel and carbon fiber reinforced polymer tensegrity system in a suspen-dome that has a span of 4-m span and a 0.4-m, using the finite element method software – namely ANSYS – to undertake the analysis at various temperature regimes. These comparisons were undertaken in order to validate the performance of carbon fiber reinforced polymer cables. Under cold and hot temperatures, the elastic modulus usually reduces as a result of changes in molecular structure. Previous analysis has shown that carbon fiber reinforced polymer cables are able to resist cold and hot temperatures more than steel cables do as the integrity of steel system begins to deform at high temperatures. However, with their low thermal expansion and esthetic properties, carbon fiber reinforced polymer cables can provide structural stability for a tensegrity system in a suspen dome in regions with high temperature conditions

Transient Behavior of CFRP Tensegrity System in a Suspen dome

In order to establish a conclusive result for the application of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) cable as a tensegrity system for a suspen dome, the structural integrity assessment of the system, subjected to transient load, must be considered. This paper gives a preliminary assessment of the dynamic behavior of carbon fibre reinforced polymer cable in a suspen dome in comparison with that of the steel counterpart, using a small model of 4 m span and 0.4 m rise. A commercial finite element software namely ANSYS was used for the structure simulation in respect of the experimental design. The results from the simulation show that the carbon fibre reinforced polymer cable gives a reliable assessment as the steel counterpart. The natural frequencies of CFRP cables are higher than those of steel cables due to the CFRP cables’ high stiffness-to-weight ratio and less curvature under gravity loads. CFRP cables influence the structure with good stiffness which provides good vibration resistance. The results also indicate that from a technical point of view, carbon fibre reinforced polymer cables can perform better than steel cables as tensegrity system for a suspen dome. It is concluded that CFRP cables can be applied to replace steel ones as tensegrity system for a suspen dome

DEPRESSION AND STRESS AS CORRELATES OF SUICIDE THOUGHT AMONG UNDERGRADUATES OF IMO STATE UNIVERSITY, OWERRI.

This study investigated Depression, self-esteem and stress as correlates of suicide thoughts among university students of Imo State University, Owerri. Using a descriptive survey design, the study adopted a purposive sampling technique to select 402 undergraduates (208 males and 194 females) from all the 12 faculties of Imo state University, Owerri. Beck Depression Inventory, Becks’ Suicide Ideation Inventory and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale were used as instruments for data collection. Data analysis was done using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) at a .05 level of significance. The study revealed a significant correlation between the independent variables (Depression, self-esteem and stress) and the dependent variable (Suicide thought) in the following order, Depression R=(400) = 0.216, p<.05, Self-esteem R=(400) = 0.314, p<.05 and Stress R=(400) = 0.174, p<.05). Among the recommendation is the fact that Lots of awareness and knowledge about suicidal thoughts among undergraduates should be created to provide a guideline for possible prevention program or treatments for those students who are experiencing the ideas of suicidal. This study came to existence to raise awareness about suicidal ideations' risk factors and prevention so that university students in crisis may be recognized and helped

DEPRESSION AND STRESS AS CORRELATES OF SUICIDE THOUGHT AMONG UNDERGRADUATES OF IMO STATE UNIVERSITY, OWERRI.

This study investigated Depression, self-esteem and stress as correlates of suicide thoughts among university students of Imo State University, Owerri. Using a descriptive survey design, the study adopted a purposive sampling technique to select 402 undergraduates (208 males and 194 females) from all the 12 faculties of Imo state University, Owerri. Beck Depression Inventory, Becks’ Suicide Ideation Inventory and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale were used as instruments for data collection. Data analysis was done using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) at a .05 level of significance. The study revealed a significant correlation between the independent variables (Depression, self-esteem and stress) and the dependent variable (Suicide thought) in the following order, Depression R=(400) = 0.216, p<.05, Self-esteem R=(400) = 0.314, p<.05 and Stress R=(400) = 0.174, p<.05). Among the recommendation is the fact that Lots of awareness and knowledge about suicidal thoughts among undergraduates should be created to provide a guideline for possible prevention program or treatments for those students who are experiencing the ideas of suicidal. This study came to existence to raise awareness about suicidal ideations' risk factors and prevention so that university students in crisis may be recognized and helped

Mitigation of Land Degradation for Agricultural Space Using Agroforestry System in Chikum Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study investigate the use of agricultural land space for agroforestry system in order to mitigate farmers-herders conflicts and land degradation in Chikum local government area of Kaduna State, Nigeria, using data obtained from field inspection and unstructured interview administered to 200 farmers through snow – ball sampling techniques. The data analysed reveals that farmland categorisation into five groups namely: very small (<1/2 ha; 27%), small (1/2 – 5ha; 56%), medium (5.1 – 10ha; 6.5%), large (10.1 – 50 ha; 9.5%) and very large (> 50 ha; 1%), while the main crops grown are maize and rice and the main trees are cashew and mangoes, and sheep, goats, pigs and poultry dominate the animals. Data categorization revealed that all sizes of agricultural space can adopt agroforestry irrespective of the main goal of the farmers and as a result, the space allocated for crops ranges from 30 to 90%, animals from 1 to 20% and trees from 5 to 65% given room for a lot of flexibility to accommodate the farmers and herders main goal. This was possible because of the availability and adoption of fast growing economy trees and animals that occupies little space for growth and development like snails, poultry and rabbit. This study therefore proposed more enlightenment on agroforestry because of its benefits to the farmers, herders and the environment

TRAUMA AND STRESSOR-RELATED DISORDERS AMONG INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

This paper assesses stress and trauma-related disorders among the Internally Displaced Persons in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. In its methodology, the study took a descriptive approach. A convenient sample of 300 participants were drawn from each of the four officially recognized camps in the FCT making a total sample of 900 participants for this study. Face-face interview was conducted using interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Two additional research assistants and two Hausa interpreters were recruited for this study. The response rate was 100 percent. Anxiety, adjustment and attachment disorders were most prevalent in this study. Traumatic stress disorders were higher in respondents aged 37-58, and the unemployed. The interview was face-face and psychological tools like PHQ-9, PHQ-GAD, PHQ-SADS were used. Findings showed that a large proportion of the respondents are less educated, 94% of respondents were unemployed as at the time of this study. (67%) and those separated from spouses and family as a result of Boko-harm attacks. Recommendation made was that getting timely help and support may prevent normal stress reactions from getting worse and developing into PTS