Impact of Privatisation on the Development of Nigerian Capital Market: A Reassessment

This article examined the impact of privatisation on the development of Nigerian capital market. Market capitalisation (MCAP) is the dependent variable while Number of Listed Companies (NOLC), Number of Deals (DEAL), Number of Listed Securities (NOLS) and Gross Capital Formation (GCF) are the explanatory variables.  The data used in this study were obtained from secondary sources, namely the Nigerian Stock Exchange Fact book and Central Bank of Nigeria statistical bulletin. The data covered a period of 30 years ranging from 1986 to 2015 during which privatization was prominent in Nigeria. Unit root test, cointegration test, error correction model (ECM) were employed as the analytical techniques. ADF test showed that the MCAP, NOLC, DEAL, NOL and GCF are stationary at first difference while Johansen Cointegration test showed that there is a long-run relationship among the variables. Findings from the ECM revealed that GCF and NOLC have positive and significant impacts on MCAP; NOLS has positive and insignificant impact on MCAP while DEAL has a negative and insignificant impact on MCAP. The study concluded that privatisation has a significant impact on the development of Nigerian capital market. Hence, government and regulatory authorities should formulate policies aim at promoting domestic investment in the country; encourage listing of unquoted companies by removing stringent listing requirements; ensure the introduction of arrays of financial instruments with which savings could be effectively mobilised and channeled to productive investment; create awareness and sensitize Nigerian investing public of the benefits attendant to share/stock ownership in order to increase participation and Securities and Exchange Commission should be more involved in the determination of the allotment of securities during privatization in order to ensure wider spread

Dermatoglyphic appraisal of multiple births women in Igbo-Ora and Ogbomosho, South west, Nigeria

The scientific study of epidermal ridges on the palms and toes is termed dermatoglyphics. Multiple births occur when more than one fetus results  from a single pregnancy. This study is aimed at determining the relationship if any between multiple births and palmar flexion creases. Two  hundred Igbo-Ora and one hundred Ogbomosho healthy and consenting adult female indigenes aged between 25-50 years were recruited and grouped into 4; group I consisted of multiple births women in Igbo-Ora; group II consisted of single births women in Igbo-Ora; group III consisted of multiple births women in Ogbomosho; and group IV consisted of single births women in Ogbomosho. A total of 600 palms (Igbo-Ora n=400; Ogbomosho n=200) comprising of both hands were used in the study. Palm prints samples were obtained by asking the participants to wash their hands, towel dry them, after which they were stained with stamp ink pad and prints made on A4 paper in duplicates. Palm print patterns of 105 (Igbo-Ora) and 50 (Ogbomosho) women with multiple births were compared with 95 (Igbo-Ora) and 50 (Ogbomosho) women with single births. The percentage number of primary, P and intersection, I of palmar creases with complete transverse creases, C (PIC) 300 bilaterally was significantly  greater (p < 0.005) in the hands of Igbo-Ora multiple births women (52.4 %) than their single births women (37.4%) while same trend was observed for Ogbomosho women although difference was statistically insignificant,(p > 0.005). In both Igbo-Ora and Ogbomosho women, PIC 310 bilaterally was found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) in both hands of single births women than the multiple births women. Hence, dermatoglyphics can be said to have relationship with a woman’s tendency to giving birth to multiples. Keywords: Multiple births, dermatoglyphics, palmar flexion creases, Ogbomosho, Igbo-Or

DEMOGRAPHIC AND PROFESSIONAL FACTORS AS PREDICTORS OF COMMUNICATION SATISFACTION AMONG NIGERIA NATIONAL PARKS’ EMPLOYEES

The study was on demographic and professional factors as predictors of communication satisfaction of Nigeria National Parks’ employees. It was conducted in the seven national parks in Nigeria. Data collection was through questionnaire administration. The questionnaire consisted of demographic factors of gender, age, and educational qualification; professional information such as work location, department, and work experience; and communication satisfaction items. Data was collected from 231 employees randomly selected from the estimated total number of employees (2000) in all the parks representing 11.6% of the total population. Data were presented descriptively and analysed with Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression. Results indicated that the employees were satisfied with 4 items of communication satisfaction questionnaire (CSQ). There was significant relationship between education, department and work experience of the employees with communication satisfaction. Furthermore, education and department had the most significant relationships with communication satisfaction facets. Gender and education were the predictors of communication satisfaction with education being the strongest predictor. Efforts are required in improving communication satisfaction of the employees for enhancing operational and management efficiency of the organization since every individual within the organization is important to the fulfillment of organizational goals and objectives

Socio Economic Effect on the Use of Information and Communication Technology among Rural Farming Households in Afijio Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

This study was conducted in Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. It investigated the types ofinformation and communication technologies used by farmers, the most frequently used, the level of utilizationof the existing information and communication technology, farmers accessibility to ICTs and constraints faced inusing ICT facilities in the study area. Analytical techniques used include descriptive statistics such aspercentages, table and frequency; and Logit model analysis. A multistage sampling technique was used to selectthe Local Government, four (4) villages and thirty (30) farmers per village. One hundred and twenty (120)questionnaires were administered while one hundred and sixteen (116) were retrieved and used for analysis. Thesocio-economic characteristics of the farmers in the study area shows that the mean age of the farmers was 45years while majority (92%) were male and 8% were female. The use of ICTs (Radio) and accessibility to ICTconstituted 76% and 85% respectively. Majority (91%) argued that lack of power supply was a menace to ICT inthe study area. The results of Logit model revealed that age (p<0.05), marital status (p<0.05), and majoroccupation (farming) (p<0.01) significantly affect the use of ICT. The study therefore recommended thatgovernment should provide electricity on a sustainable basis to all rural and urban communities for effectivecommunication.Keywords: Information technology, Farming household, Communication, Utilizatio

Transition of hemoglobin between two tertiary conformations: The transition constant differs significantly for the major and minor hemoglobins of the Japanese quail (Cortunix cortunix japonica)

Abstract We demonstrate that 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate) -DTNB -reacts with only CysF9[93]β and CysB5[23]β among the multiple sulfhydryl groups of the major and minor hemoglobins of the Japanese quail (Cortunix cortunix japonica). K equ , the equilibrium constant for the reaction, does not differ very significantly between the two hemoglobins. It decreases 430-fold between pH ≈ 5.6 and pH ≈ 9: from a mean of 7 ± 1 to a mean of 0.016 ± 0.003. Quantitative analyses of the K equ data based on published X-ray and temperature-jump evidence for a tertiary structure transition in liganded hemoglobin enable the calculation of K rt , the equilibrium constant for the r ←→ t tertiary structure transition. K rt differs significantly between the two hemoglobins: 0.744 ± 0.04 for the major, 0.401 ± 0.01 for the minor hemoglobin. The mean pK a s of the two groups whose ionizations are coupled to the DTNB reaction are about the same as previously reported for mammalian hemoglobins

Antibiogram nekih bakterija porodice Enterobacteriaceae izdvojenih iz pilića u slobodnom sustava držanja u Abeokuti u Nigeriji.

Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria from the family Enterobacteriaceae is an important indicator of the emergence of resistant bacterial strains in the community. This study investigated the antimicrobial susceptibility of commensal Enterobacteriaceae from free-range chickens to antimicrobial agents using the broth microdilution. In all, 184 isolates (including 104 Escherichia coli, 44 Klebsiella spp, 20 Salmonella spp. and 16 Enterobacter aerogenes) were resistant to ampicillin (89.7%), chloramphenicol (73.9%), ciprofloxacin (33.2%), enrofloxacin (60.3%), neomycin (70.7%), norfloxacin (45.7%), streptomycin (78.8%) and tetracycline (73.4%). Escherichia coli was resistant to ampicillin (92.3%), chloramphenicol (73.1%), ciprofloxacin (34.6%), enrofloxacin (61.5%), neomycin (76.9%), norfloxacin (46.2%), streptomycin (80.8%) and tetracycline (76.9%). The rate of resistance in Klebsiella spp. was ampicillin (90.9%), chloramphenicol (72.7%), ciprofloxacin (54.5%), enrofloxacin (90.9%), neomycin (63.6%), norfloxacin (63.6%), streptomycin (81.8%) and tetracycline (81.8%). Salmonella spp. showed resistance to ampicillin (80.0%), chloramphenicol (80.0%), enrofloxacin (20.0%), neomycin (80.0%), norfloxacin (20.0%), streptomycin (80.0%) and tetracycline (35.0%) but were completely susceptible to ciprofloxacin. Enterobacter aerogenes was resistant to ampicillin (81.3%), chloramphenicol (75.0%), ciprofloxacin (6.3%), enrofloxacin (18.8%), neomycin (37.5%), norfloxacin (25.0%), streptomycin (56.3%) and tetracycline (75.0%). Overall, 147 (79.9%) out of 184 isolates demonstrated multidrug resistance to at least three unrelated antimicrobial agents. The high rate of antimicrobial resistance in bacterial isolates from free-range birds may have major implications for human and animal health with adverse economic implications.Otpornost bakterija porodice Enterobacteriaceae na antimikrobne lijekove važan je pokazatelj pojave otpornih sojeva u populaciji. U ovom je radu mikrodilucijskim postupkom bila istražena osjetljivost na antimikrobne lijekove bakterija porodice Enterobacteriaceae izdvojenih iz pilića u slobodnom sustavu držanja. Od 184 izolata (104 izolata bakterije Escherichia coli, 44 Klebsiella spp., 20 Salmonella spp. i 16 Enterobacter aerogenes) na ampicilin je bilo otporno 89,7% izolata, na klormafenikol 73,9%, ciprofloksacin 33,2%, enrofloksacin 60,3%, neomicin 70,7%, norfloksacin 45,7%, streptomicin 78,8% i tetraciklin 73,4%. Izolati bakterije Escherichia coli bili su otporni na ampicilin (92,3%), kloramfenikol (73,1%), ciprofloksacin (34,6%), enrofloksacin (61,5%), neomicin (76,9%), norfloksacin (46,2%), streptomicin (80,8%) i tetraciklin (76,9%). Stopa otpornosti bakterija roda Klebsiella bila je za ampicilin 90,9%, kloramfenikol 72,7%, ciprofloksacin 54,5%, enrofloksacin 90,9%, neomicin 63,6%, norfloksacin 63,6%, streptomicin 81,8% i tetraciklin 81,8%. Izolati Salmonella spp. pokazivali su otpornost na ampicilin (80,0%), kloramfenikol (80,0%), enrofloksacin (20,0%), neomicin (80,0%), norfloksacin (20,0%), streptomicin (80,0%) i tetraciklin (35,0%), ali su u potpunosti bili osjetljivi na ciprofl oksacin. Izolati Enterobacter aerogenes su bili otporni na ampicilin (81,3%), kloramfenikol (75,0%), ciprofloksacin (6,3%), enrofloksacin (18,8%), neomicin (37,5%), norfloksacin (25,0%), streptomicin (56,3%) i tetraciklin (75,0%). Sveukupno je 147 (79,9%) od 184 izolata pokazivalo višestruku otpornost na najmanje tri nesrodna antimikrobna lijeka. Veliki postotak bakterijskih izolata iz slobodno držanih pilića na antimikrobne lijekove može biti od znatne važnosti za ljudsko i životinjsko zdravlje s nepovoljnim gospodarskim učinkom

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH TB/HIV CO-INFECTION AMONG DRUG SENSITIVE TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS MANAGED IN A SECONDARY HEALTH FACILITY IN LAGOS, NIGERIA

Background: This study assessed factors associated with TB/HIV co-infection among TB patients managed in a secondary health facility in Lagos Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of treatment cards of patients seen at a secondary referral hospital between January 1 2014 and December 31 2014 was conducted. Treatment outcomes and factors associated with TB/HIV co-infection were assessed. Results: Of the 334 records of patients reviewed, the proportion of patients with TB/HIV co-infection was 21.6%. The odds of having TB/HIV co-infection was 2.7 times higher among patients above 40 years than patients less than 25 years (AOR 2.7 95% CI 1.1 – 6.5, p =0.030). In addition, the odds of having TB/HIV co-infection was 3.3 higher among extrapulmonary TB cases (AOR 3.3; 95% CI 1.2 – 9.5; p = 0.026) and 2.1 times higher among retreated patients (AOR 2.1; 95% CI 1.1 – 3.9; p = 0.017) than pulmonary TB and new patients respectively. The chance of having TB/HIV co-infection was 2.7-fold more in patients with poor treatment outcomes than patients with treatment success (AOR 2.7; 95%CI 1.3 – 5.4; p =0.006). Conclusion: TB/HIV co-infection rate was high in the study area. There is need to put measures in place to improve treatment outcomes of TB/HIV co-infected patients

Effect of early tranexamic acid administration on mortality, hysterectomy, and other morbidities in women with post-partum haemorrhage (WOMAN): an international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Post-partum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Early administration of tranexamic acid reduces deaths due to bleeding in trauma patients. We aimed to assess the effects of early administration of tranexamic acid on death, hysterectomy, and other relevant outcomes in women with post-partum haemorrhage. Methods In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited women aged 16 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of post-partum haemorrhage after a vaginal birth or caesarean section from 193 hospitals in 21 countries. We randomly assigned women to receive either 1 g intravenous tranexamic acid or matching placebo in addition to usual care. If bleeding continued after 30 min, or stopped and restarted within 24 h of the first dose, a second dose of 1 g of tranexamic acid or placebo could be given. Patients were assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight numbered packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Participants, care givers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. We originally planned to enrol 15 000 women with a composite primary endpoint of death from all-causes or hysterectomy within 42 days of giving birth. However, during the trial it became apparent that the decision to conduct a hysterectomy was often made at the same time as randomisation. Although tranexamic acid could influence the risk of death in these cases, it could not affect the risk of hysterectomy. We therefore increased the sample size from 15 000 to 20 000 women in order to estimate the effect of tranexamic acid on the risk of death from post-partum haemorrhage. All analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ISRCTN76912190 (Dec 8, 2008); ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00872469; and PACTR201007000192283. Findings Between March, 2010, and April, 2016, 20 060 women were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive tranexamic acid (n=10 051) or placebo (n=10 009), of whom 10 036 and 9985, respectively, were included in the analysis. Death due to bleeding was significantly reduced in women given tranexamic acid (155 [1·5%] of 10 036 patients vs 191 [1·9%] of 9985 in the placebo group, risk ratio [RR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·65–1·00; p=0·045), especially in women given treatment within 3 h of giving birth (89 [1·2%] in the tranexamic acid group vs 127 [1·7%] in the placebo group, RR 0·69, 95% CI 0·52–0·91; p=0·008). All other causes of death did not differ significantly by group. Hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (358 [3·6%] patients in the tranexamic acid group vs 351 [3·5%] in the placebo group, RR 1·02, 95% CI 0·88–1·07; p=0·84). The composite primary endpoint of death from all causes or hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (534 [5·3%] deaths or hysterectomies in the tranexamic acid group vs 546 [5·5%] in the placebo group, RR 0·97, 95% CI 0·87-1·09; p=0·65). Adverse events (including thromboembolic events) did not differ significantly in the tranexamic acid versus placebo group. Interpretation Tranexamic acid reduces death due to bleeding in women with post-partum haemorrhage with no adverse effects. When used as a treatment for postpartum haemorrhage, tranexamic acid should be given as soon as possible after bleeding onset. Funding London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Pfizer, UK Department of Health, Wellcome Trust, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Strengthening retinopathy of prematurity screening and treatment services in Nigeria: a case study of activities, challenges and outcomes 2017-2020.

OBJECTIVES: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) will become a major cause of blindness in Nigerian children unless screening and treatment services expand. This article aims to describe the collaborative activities undertaken to improve services for ROP between 2017 and 2020 as well as the outcome of these activities in Nigeria. DESIGN: Descriptive case study. SETTING: Neonatal intensive care units in Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS: Staff providing services for ROP, and 723 preterm infants screened for ROP who fulfilled screening criteria (gestational age <34 weeks or birth weight ≤2000 g, or sickness criteria). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A WhatsApp group was initiated for Nigerian ophthalmologists and neonatologists in 2018. Members participated in a range of capacity-building, national and international collaborative activities between 2017 and 2018. A national protocol for ROP was developed for Nigeria and adopted in 2018; 1 year screening outcome data were collected and analysed. In 2019, an esurvey was used to collect service data from WhatsApp group members for 2017-2018 and to assess challenges in service provision. RESULTS: In 2017 only six of the 84 public neonatal units in Nigeria provided ROP services; this number had increased to 20 by 2018. Of the 723 babies screened in 10 units over a year, 127 (17.6%) developed any ROP; and 29 (22.8%) developed type 1 ROP. Only 13 (44.8%) babies were treated, most by intravitreal bevacizumab. The screening criteria were revised in 2020. Challenges included lack of equipment to regulate oxygen and to document and treat ROP, and lack of data systems. CONCLUSION: ROP screening coverage and quality improved after national and international collaborative efforts. To scale up and improve services, equipment for neonatal care and ROP treatment is urgently needed, as well as systems to monitor data. Ongoing advocacy is also essential