Financial Intermediation In Agriculture In Nigeria: Emerging Role Of Non- Governmental Organizations (Ngos)

The study compared the credit operations of Farmers Development Union (FADU) - an NGO, with the Nigerian Agricultural Cooperative and Rural Development Bank (NACRDB) - a public sector finance agency in agricultural financing with a view to determining the emerging roles of NGOs in Nigeria's agricultural landscape. To achieve this, the socio-economic characteristics of farmers who use credit, and the performance of the selected credit institutions on the basis of credit delivery and loan repayment were identified and analysed using descriptive, t-test statistic and regression analyses. The results of the study revealed that theoperational flexibility of the NGO was its major appeal to farmers. The use of groups as social assets for collateral instead of physical assets increased the vibrancy of the NGO compared to the public finance agency and provided a level playing field for both male and female farmers inthe credit market. Patrons of the NGO made a mean savings of N22,284 whereas those of the public finance agency saved only N13,472. While the NGO disbursed more credit to its clients compared to the public finance agency, it also recovered 68.5% of its loans compared with 49.3% recovery made by the public finance agency. If formal banks will be able to impact on small farmers as the NGO, they will need to provide non-collaterized loans and to groups rather than individuals.Keywords: agricultural financing, farm capitalization, credit disbursement and loan recovery

The Influence of Marketing Public Relations in the Redemption of a Product’s Battered Image: A Study of Indomie Noodles Crisis

Crisis is a phenomenon that has affected many products, individuals and even corporate establishments. Some products survive the crisis while others are pushed off the market place. It becomes necessary therefore to nosedive into how companies can effectively manage product crisis to retain share of the market. This study therefore examines the significance of Marketing Public Relations in the redemption of a product’s battered image; a study of the killer Indomie Noodles scare. The survey method was used. 160 copies of questionnaires were distributed to two study population namely; Secondary School students and Mothers. Also, a semi structured interview guide was used to elicit information from industry correspondents in the print and broadcast media and also for the media executive of the public relations company that handled De-United Foods Limited’s crisis. Data obtained were analyzed using several analytical techniques to examine relationship among variables under investigation. Findings from the research work revealed that sales dropped significantly during the Killer indomie scare. It was discovered that the inability of De-united Foods Industries Limited to act promptly by coming up with appropriate clarifications allowed the crisis to thrive. Based on findings obtained from the study, the researcher therefore recommends that companies should act promptly and be 100% open to the media and the general public during crisis period

Prevalence of potentially zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites in canine faeces in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Humans can get infected through direct or indirect contact with infective stages of zoonotic parasites shed to the environment through dog faeces.Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the presence of gastrointestinal parasites present in dog faeces shed on the street of Ibadan metropolis, one of the largest cities in Africa.Methods: Twenty-three locations were randomly selected using grid-sampling method. A total of 203 faecal samples collected from the streets of selected areas were processed for detection of helminth eggs and protozoan oocysts using flotation technique. Eggs/oocysts per gram of faeces was counted using modified McMaster technique.Results: The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 43.3% (88/203). Single and multiple infections were 69 (78.4%) and 19 (21.6%) respectively. The parasites detected were Ancylostoma sp. 24.6% (50/88) Isospora sp. 14.2% (29/88), Toxocara sp. 9.8% (20/88), Uncinaria sp. 2.5% (5/88) and Strongyloides sp, 3.9% (8/88). Ancylostoma sp. (320 x 102 epg) and Uncinaria sp. (5 x 102 epg) had the highest and least intensity respectively. Streets within residential areas having markets had the highest number of positive samples. All the genera of parasites detected in this study have zoonotic potential.Conclusion: The high prevalence of zoonotic parasites detected in dog faeces from Ibadan metropolis showed that infected stray dogs roam the streets and constitute potential risk to human health. This study suggests the need for enforcement of laws restraining roaming or straying dogs and proper veterinary care of dogs.Funding: None declaredKeywords: Dog, Faeces, Gastrointestinal Parasites, Nigeria, Zoonose

Impact of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum on haematological parameters of pregnant women at first antenatal visit in South-western Nigeria

Background: Pregnant women in malaria-endemic areas are at high risk of Plasmodium falciparum infection and its complications. This study investigated the impact of asymptomatic P. falciparum on haematological parameters of pregnant women at first antenatal visit in south-western Nigeria.Methods: Hospital-based cross-sectional evaluation of 130 asymptomatic pregnant women was conducted. Plasmodium infection was diagnosed using Giemsa-stained blood smear microscopy and rapid diagnostic test, while haemoglobin levels (Hb), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), white blood cells (WBC) count, red blood cell (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were determined using semi-automated haematology analyser.Results: Multigravid pregnant women presented more during their second trimester. Overall malaria prevalence in the sampled population was 14.6%. Prevalence of malaria parasitaemia was highest (68.4%) in the second trimester. P. falciparum infected pregnant women had significantly lower mean values of packed cell volume (PCV), haematocrit (Hb), and total white blood cell (WBC) compared to non-infected  individuals  (t = -4.07, p= 0.001; t = 3.30, p = <0.001; t = -2.77, p <0.001).Conclusion: There is asymptomatic P. falciparum infection in the study area and this may form a reservoir for transmission. Pregnant women infected with malaria parasites exhibited important changes in haematocrit level, haemoglobin concentration, and total white blood cells. Use of anti-malaria therapy and insecticide-treated bed net would result in greater haematological benefits

Clinico-pathological profile of head and neck malignancies at University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>This retrospective study analysed head and neck malignancies seen over a 19-year period at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.</p> <p>Methodology</p> <p>One thousand, one hundred and ninety two patients with head and neck malignancies were analysed according to age, gender, topography and histology.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was an annual hospital frequency of 62 cases per year. The overall mean age for these malignancies was 43.9 (SD ± 19.3) years. The lesions from the respiratory tract were the most frequent (43.2%) of all cases. The palate was the most frequent intra-oral site (13.8%). Epithelial malignancies constituted 73.4% of all cases with a male: female ratio of 2:1, a mean age of 48.1 (SD ± 17.5) years and were mostly located in the larynx (19.7%). Lymphomas constituted 17.5% of all head and neck cancers with a male: female ratio of 1.6:1, a mean age of 35.1 (SD ± 20.6) years and nodal involvement (39.7%) was most common. Sarcomas constituted 8.9% of all malignancies with a male: female ratio of 1.5:1, mean age of 27.1 (SD ± 16.7) years and the maxillofacial bones (42.5%) were most commonly involved. Neuroendocrine malignancies accounted for 0.2% of head and neck malignancies with a male: female ratio of 1:1, a mean age of 28.5 (SD ± 6.4) years and both cases involved the nose.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study has further confirmed that carcinomas remain the most frequent cancers of the head and neck region in south-western Nigeria.</p

Implementation of a File Encryption Software “Hyde” using RIJNDAEL Algorithm (AES)

A File Encryption software is an application tool that helps to protect sensitive data from unauthorized users by encrypting or encoding the data or message into a form generally referred to as a cipher that has no relevance to the unauthorized use of that data or information. This study aims to proffer solutions to the problems of data security, whereby unauthorized users or attackers as the case may be, gain access to their data and information during transmission via various platforms. Also, users would like to embed messages within files such as image stenography and text cryptography. The study was implemented using UML tools for modeling the designs, an object-oriented programming language (Java) for the development, and Adobe Photoshop was used for the UI/UX in order to enhance the user interaction with the system

Comparative efficacy of visual inspection with acetic acid versus cytology for cervical cancer screening in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Background: Screening test for cervical cancer using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) has been advocated by World Health Organization as a suitable, low cost and feasible alternative modality for control of cervical cancer in resource-poor settings as compared to cytological and colposcopic screening. The need for reproducibility, accuracy and comparable efficacy will influence the acceptability of VIA as primary screening modalities for cervical cancer.Methods: A cross–sectional comparative study conducted at BUTH. Data were obtained from 318 consenting women aged 30–65 years using a systematic random sampling method and an interviewer–administered structured questionnaire. Pap smear samples were taken followed by visual inspection with acetic acid. Using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0, Frequencies were obtained and Chi-square test (X2) was used to compare rates and proportions with the level of statistical significance set at less than 0.05.Results: Positive results for premalignant cervical lesion was 1.3% and 4.1% for VIA and Pap smear respectively (X2=4.52; p=0.034). The sensitivity of VIA was 7.7% with positive predictive value of 25% while specificity was 99.0% with a negative predictive value of 96.2%. The prevalence of abnormal cervical lesion in the population studied was 4.1% (95% CI 2.2% – 6.9%).Conclusions: The detection rate for pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix using VIA was significantly lower than that of Pap smear in this study. There may be needed to exercise caution in adopting VIA as primary screening modality for cervical cancer

Performance and Meat Quality of Growing Pigs Fed Composite Leaf Meal Premix as an Alternative to Commercial Premix

This trial was designed to study the effects of using composite leaf meal produced from five (5) different leaves: Cassava, Moringa, fluted pumpkin, African basil and bitter leaves as a premix in the diets of growing pigs. Twenty four large white weaner-pigs were used for this trial comprising six treatments and four replicates with one pig per replicate. Six diets were formulated in which composite leaf meal was fed at 0 (2.5% premix), 10 (2.0% premix), 20 (1.5% premix), 30 (1.0% premix), 40 (0.5% premix) and 50 (0.0% premix) g/kg at the expense of a commercial premix and designated diets I, II, III, IV, V and VI. The pigs were then assigned to these 6 dietary treatments which were fed to the pigs at 5% of their body weight for 8 weeks experimental period. Water was supplied ad libitum throughout the experimental period. All data were subjected to analysis of variance. Results showed that, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the final weights of the pigs. Highest final live weight (41.67 ± 0.84 kg) and highest feed intake (75.92 ± 0.06) were recorded in animals fed diet II, while the lowest final live weight (37.67 ± 0.84kg) and lowest feed intake (75.57 ± 0.06) were recorded in animals fed diets V and I, respectively. The eye muscle width of carcass was significantly higher (

Towards Improved Performance in Marketing: The Use of Property-based websites by Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Lagos, Nigeria

The increase in globalisation has changed marketing strategies available to professionals within the built environment. This study investigated the marketing methods most used in Lagos' metropolis. It assessed the extent to which estate surveyors and valuers in Nigeria have adopted property-based websites for the marketing of their real estate services. A random sampling method was used to obtain data from 82 estate surveyors and valuers within Lagos' metropolis. The data were analysed with SPSS V24 (statistical software), using Friedman's Test and One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The study concluded that conventional/traditional methods of marketing dominate the marketing activities of estate surveyors and valuers, weakening agency practice in Nigeria in relation to the current global context

Bayesian Semi-Parametric Modeling of Infertility in Nigeria

Infertility in Nigeria is a neglected reproductive health issue despite its negative impact. Majority of infertility-related research has focused on treating the consequences of infertility rather than investigating the determinantsto explain the spatial and spline effect of infertility in the country. This work is aimed at investigating spatial variation of determinants of infertility among female in Nigeria. The finding reveals that women at reproductive age have a high probability of infertility in some southern part of Nigeria astheir ages are steadily increasing. Also, change in the characteristics of place of residence and source of water increase the chance of woman being infertile. Policy makers on health sectors should make effort to address problems of climatic and atmospheric change in the identified social and demographic risk factors