Political Education and Community Development in Nigeria: Issues and Challenges

Arguably, political education is lacking in Nigeria (people do not get proper orientation from Government, the newspapers only set agenda for the citizens to be battling, most of which are not always correct), and that is why coordinated efforts by the masses towards development is largely unattainable as the people are disconnected from what the Government is doing. Consequently, the focus of this study is specifically to appraise the extent to which the Nigerian Political system nurtures politically active citizens that are products of effective political education and serve as facilitators for the development of the Nigerian society. The research combines the presuppositions and assumptions of agenda setting theory of the mass media with that of communication theory of politics in its theoretical framework, reviewed a number of existing literatures on the subject matter, and adopted survey research design within the framework of a case study method with questionnaire as its instrument of data collection. The study reveals that political education is still rudimentary, inadequate and mostly an one-way channel that is neither adequate to prepare respondents for political activities nor effective enough to serve feedback purposes. The research concluded that political education plays a very important and significant role in the development of any community. A role that shapes the political landscape of such a community as the extent of participation and the consequent level of development ensured through this means are all a factor of and dependent on the type, nature and quality of political education received by the people

Re-Thinking Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Beyond “Big Brotherism” Towards Economic Diplomacy

Nigeria’s leadership role within the West-African sub-region and on the continent of Africa is incontestable given her tremendous and unparallel financial and human capital contributions to the freedom, peace and stability of brother and sister nations in Africa. Its favourable geography, population and immense natural resources naturally destined for the country to play leadership role on the continent of Africa and this it has done by constantly according special attention to the plight of its brothers and sisters in Africa. However, Nigeria’s leadership is yet to come to terms with the obvious that economic interests matter even when peace, freedom, sovereignty and security issues seem paramount. Nigeria’s foreign policy is conducted on the pedestal of “Big Brotherism” without concomitant and lucidly wrapped economic agenda that benefits the people and government of Nigeria. This paper examines the logic and reasonability of Nigeria’s tremendous human and material contributions to the political stability of other African states within the context of pan-Africanism without concrete strategy for economic gains to the people and government of Nigeria. The methodology of the study is mainly descriptive and analytical drawing data largely from documented materials

The politicisation of election litigation in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Since the early 1990s, the third wave of democratisation has permeated the polity of almost all the African states as authoritarian regimes are replaced with democratic governments through the ballot process. Therefore, in line with the prevailing realities across Africa as well as in other formerly autocratic and closed systems in Asia and Latin America, participatory government was re-introduced in Nigeria in 1999. The use of regular and periodic election as a means of regime change became apparent. However, the conduct of general elections in Nigeria since 1999 has been marred with myriad of controversies thus triggering electoral disputes. This shifts the burden of ensuring free and fair elections and by extension sustaining democracy on the judiciary. This duty, the judiciary performs in the manner it handles and adjudicates over disputes arising from electoral contests. Recent developments in Nigeria have shown that electoral fraud has transcended the casting of votes and has permeated the judicial arm of government. The judiciary is not immune from manipulations by political elite in order to secure electoral victory through the courts when electoral contests shift from the polling booths to the ‘temple of justice’. It is therefore in the light of this development that this study examines the politicisation of election litigation in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic using the 2007 general elections and the ensuing gubernatorial election litigation cases in Ekiti, Ondo and Osun states of Nigeria as case studies. The study fills the gap in litereature which focuses research attention on electoral fraud around issues relating to voting. The theoretical framework for this study was eclectic combining three theories namely elite, state fragility and separation of power theories. For the purpose of this study, qualitative research methodology using case-study design was adopted. The 2007 general election was selected for study using Ekiti, Ondo and Osun states as case studies using the non-probabilistic sampling technique. Purposive sampling method was employed in the selection of research sites and participants. Instrument for data collection was through the use of In-depth Interview (IDI) complemented by data from documented sources. Data from interviews conducted were transcribed and interpreted using thematic content analysis. Data from both primary and secondary sources were systematically, objectively and descriptively analyzed making valid textual inferences from them by identifying specific characteristics as they relate to the manipulation of the judicial process of resolving electoral disputes to secure electoral victory through the courts. Research findings revealed that a combination of financial inducements, executive control through the appointment of judges, power of incumbency, delay tactics, promise of promotion and fear of persecution within and outside the judiciary were strategies political elite used in manipulating the judicial process of resolving electoral disputes to secure and/or retain electoral victories through the courts when they initially failed at the ballots. Finally, conclusions were drawn from the findings of the study and discernible recommendations made on how to reform the electoral process and the justice system of resolving disputed electoral outcomes in order to achieve democratic consolidation in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.Appendices for this thesis is listed on page ix

COVID-19 Pandemics: Effects and Prevention

A new class of corona virus, known as SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) has been found to be responsible for occurrence of this disease. As far as the history of human civilization is concerned there are instances of severe outbreaks of diseases caused by a number of viruses. According to the report of the World Health Organization (WHO as of June 5, 2020), the current pandemic of COVID-19 has affected 6,749,371 people, 3,277, 596 recovered and killed 394,527 people in 215 countries throughout the world. Till now there is no report of any clinically approved antiviral drugs or vaccines that are effective against COVID-19. It has rapidly spread around the world, posing enormous health, economic, environmental and social challenges to the entire human population. The coronavirus outbreak is severely disrupting the global economy. Almost all the nations are struggling to slow down the transmission of the disease by testing and treating patients, quarantining suspected persons through contact tracing, restricting large gatherings, maintaining complete or partial lock down etc. This paper describes the effects of COVID-19 on society and global environment, and the possible ways in which the disease can be prevented or controlled

The relationship of erectile dysfunction and subclinical cardiovascular disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD mortality. However, the relationship between ED and subclinical CVD is less clear. We synthesized the available data on the association of ED and measures of subclinical CVD. We searched multiple databases for published literature on studies examining the association of ED and measures of subclinical CVD across four domains: endothelial dysfunction measured by flow-mediated dilation (FMD), carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT), coronary artery calcification (CAC), and other measures of vascular function such as the ankle–brachial index, toe–brachial index, and pulse wave velocity. We conducted random effects meta-analysis and meta-regression on studies that examined an ED relationship with FMD (15 studies; 2025 participants) and cIMT (12 studies; 1264 participants). ED was associated with a 2.64 percentage-point reduction in FMD compared to those without ED (95% CI: –3.12, −2.15). Persons with ED also had a 0.09-mm (95% CI: 0.06, 0.12) higher cIMT than those without ED. In subgroup meta-analyses, the mean age of the study population, study quality, ED assessment questionnaire (IIEF-5 or IIEF-15), or the publication date did not significantly affect the relationship between ED and cIMT or between ED and FMD. The results for the association of ED and CAC were inconclusive. In conclusion, this study confirms an association between ED and subclinical CVD and may shed additional light on the shared mechanisms between ED and CVD, underscoring the importance of aggressive CVD risk assessment and management in persons with ED

Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase is associated with subclinical inflammation independent of cardiometabolic risk factors in an asymptomatic population: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Serum Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT), a marker of oxidative stress, has been suggested to be independently associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. We examined the association of serum GGT levels with the burden of subclinical inflammation across a spectrum of metabolic conditions. METHODS: We evaluated 5,446 asymptomatic subjects (43 ± 10 years, 78 % males) who had an employer-sponsored physical between 2008 and 2010. Highly sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was measured as a marker of underlying systemic inflammation. A linear regression of GGT quartiles with log transformed hsCRP and a multivariate logistic regression of GGT quartiles with elevated hsCRP (≥3 mg/L) were performed. RESULTS: Median GGT was 31 IU/l (IQR: 22–45 IU/l), 1025 (19 %) had hsCRP ≥ 3 mg/L. The median hsCRP increased with GGT quartiles (Q1: 0.9 mg/L, Q2: 1.1 mg/L, Q3: 1.4 mg/L, Q4: 1.6 mg/L, p < 0.001). Linear regression models showed GGT in the fourth quartile was associated with 0.45 mg/L (95 % CI 0.35, 0.54, p < 0.001) increase in log transformed hsCRP adjusting for risk factors. The Odds Ratio (OR) for an elevated hsCRP (≥3 mg/L) also increased with higher GGT quartiles; GGT Q2 1.44 (95 % CI 1.12, 1.85), GGT Q3 1.89 (95 % CI 1.45, 2.46), GGT Q4 2.22 (95 % CI 1.67, 2.95), compared to GGT Q1. The strength of association increased in the presence of and combination of metabolic conditions. CONCLUSION: In our cohort of asymptomatic individuals a higher serum GGT level was independently associated with increased burden of subclinical inflammation across metabolic states. These findings may explain GGT association with increased CVD risk

Alcohol Type and Ideal Cardiovascular Health Among Adults of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND: Light to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with favorable cardiovascular health (CVH). However, the association between alcohol type and ideal CVH has not been well-established. We examined the relationship between alcohol type and ideal CVH as measured by the American Heart Association’s seven CVH metrics. METHODS: We analyzed data from 6,389 men and women aged 45–84 years from a multi-ethnic cohort free of cardiovascular disease. Alcohol type (wine, beer and liquor) was categorized as never, former, 0 but drink other alcohol types, >0 but 2 drinks/day. A CVH score ranging from 0–14 points was created from the seven CVH metrics (Inadequate score, 0–8; average, 9–10; optimal, 11–14). We used multinomial logistic regression to examine the association between alcohol type and CVH, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, health insurance, field site and total calorie intake. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of participants was 62 (10) years and 53% were women. Participants who consumed 1–2 drinks/day of wine had higher odds of optimal CVH scores compared to those who never drank wine [adjusted prevalence odds ratio (POR) 1.64 (1.12–2.40)]. In comparison to participants who never drank beer, those who consumed >2 drinks/day of beer had lower odds of optimal CVH scores [0.31 (0.14–0.69)]. Additionally, those who consumed >2 drinks/day of liquor had lower odds of optimal scores compared to those who never drank liquor [0.32 (0.16–0.65)]. CONCLUSION: Moderate consumption of wine was associated with favorable CVH. However, heavy consumption of beer or liquor was associated with poorer CVH