The influence of alcohol industry-sponsored “Gulder Ultimate Search” reality television series on the drinking behaviors of Nigerian youths

Background: Alcohol consumption among youths and its related problems are increasing in Nigeria. Whilst one of the reasons for this is due to the marketing activities of the transnational alcohol corporations, there are no written national alcohol control policies that regulate alcohol marketing in Nigeria. Methods: This article draws on in-depth interviews with 31 Nigerian university students (aged 19–23 years) to explore the extent to which the “Gulder Ultimate Search” (GUS) reality television show influences alcohol consumption amongst GUS contestants, television audiences and those who participate in GUS promotional activities. Results: The results show that GUS was very popular amongst students and their knowledge of the reality show was high, to the extent that they were able to identify the particular alcohol company that sponsors the reality television program, the number of contestants that compete for the prizes in each season, and what can be won by the contestants or television viewers. GUS influences the drinking behaviors of contestants because one of the criteria for participation is to present 10 or more recently used “cans” of “Gulder beer” during the screening exercise. GUS also appears to influence the drinking behaviors of television viewers and those who participate in promotions due to product placement, direct advertisements and promotional activities that accompany the “Fan-Based Edition” aspect of GUS. Conclusion: Overall, GUS is a disguised marketing strategy to promote brand awareness, and to increase sales and consumption. Alcohol control policies that regulate event sponsorship and promote public health should be implemented in Nigeria

The Participation of Rice Farmers In Capacity Building Programmes of Agricultural Development Programme in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract: This s tudy was carried out to examine the participation of rice farmers in capacity building training programmes organized by Agricultural Development Programme in collaboration with other bodies such as Olam, USAID and First Bank in Kwara State, Nigeria.A sample of 180 contract farmers from two Local Government Areas of Kwara State who participated in the training were randomly selected and interviewed. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were employed in data analyses which include the use of frequency count, mean, pie-chart, bar chart, percentages and regression analysis. The findings revealed the level of participation of rice farmers in the two major rice producing Local Government Areas (Edu and Patigi ). The results revealed that the farmers’participation level was high in Patigi Local Government Area with participation mean of 6.189, and low in Edu LGA with participation mean of 3.267.Regression analysis showed that there were positive relationships between participation levels of farmers in capacity building programmes and age , educational levels, household size, years of experience, secondary occupation,farm size and land ownership.It is recommended that the venue of the training should be decentralized for the farmers to have access to the place of training. Keywords:Capacity building, levels, participation, trainin

Use of new psychoactive substances among teenagers attending a specialized adolescent addiction service in Dublin, before and after a legislative ban on their sale.

[This article is an abstract from an annual meeting report] The EMCCDA reported that Irish youths demonstrate the highest prevalence of use of new psychoactive substances in Europe. The Irish government responded by banning many of these drugs in May 2010. Some have suggested that the ban may drive users to the blackmarket while doing little to reduce use. The aim was to determine if the use of new psychoactive substances by teenagers with substance use disorders diminished following the ban on sale of new psychoactive substances in May 2010. Information was obtained using a structured assessment tool which examined lifetime and past month use of three categories of new psychoactive substances