Hinduism and ecology: Its relevance and importance

The sustenance of the environment is one of the cardinal teachings of the Hindus tradition and, in this regard, the Hindus tradition points out clearly that a good environment is indispensable for a healthy life. This work seeks to explore some of the fundamental teachings of Hinduism that point to the implications of the relationship between human beings and their environment. For instance, the dharma ecology explains the mechanism for creating respect for nature and the consequences of not doing so. Essentially, this relationship and its corresponding consequence functions in line with the Karmic law of nature. The essence of this paper is to create awareness on the impending disaster that may result from the abuse of the eco-system such as the extinction of the earth’s plants and animal species that may result from the current destruction of forests and coral reefs, and the depletion of the earth’s ozone layer, which will expose life to excessive ultraviolet radiation that is damaging to genetic materials. This work used the qualitative method of research involving secondary method of data collection such as written literature, internet materials, among others. Interestingly, education and sensitization through networking and advertising can be used in enhancing the knowledge on how to relate favourably with the eco-system

SCHOOL LIBRARY SERVICES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF GOOD READING HABITS IN CHILDREN: THE CASE OF SELECTED PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN OFUTOP - IKOM CROSS RIVER STATE NIGERIA

The study was conducted to examine the impact of school library services on the development of good reading habits in children in selected primary schools in Ofutop-Ikom, Cross River state, Nigeria.Three purposes and three research questions were raised to answer the research issues raised in the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey method with a total population of 500 primary school pupils. Out of the total population of 500, 125 pupils were purposively selected as samples after being stratified based on locations. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire and data collected were analyzed using simple linear regression, mean scores and standard deviation. The findings of the research revealed among others that, students who regularly use the library are exposed to a broader range of reading experiences, which helps them build vocabulary, improve comprehension, and develop critical thinking skills. Based on the findings it was recommended among others that, Allocate More Library Time: Schools need to evaluate their schedules to provide adequate library time for independent reading. Dedicating time specifically for reading during school hours can give students the opportunity to explore books and develop their reading skills

HIJAB CONTROVERSIES IN NIGERIA

Over the past decade, and particularly since the September 11th terrorist attack in the United State, the Muslim community in most parts of the world has experienced an increased level of social and religious scrutiny. This unfortunate incident has fundamentally changed the way the mostly dominated Muslim society views Muslims, especially Muslim women who wear the veil or hijab in public. Muslim women have experienced various instances of discrimination including people trying to remove their hijab, and/or name-calling. A unique aspect of Muslim women in Nigeria is that they not only confront the stigma of gender, race, ethnicity, and religion but that which is attached to Islamic dress as well. Despite some of these problems, however, the experiences of Muslim women all over the world remain one of the least researched topics in sociology. The purpose of this work is to explore the controversies surrounding the hijab in Nigeria.

The Morocco-Nigeria BIT: An Important contribution to Ensuring the Accountability of TNCs for Their Human Rights Violations?

Corporate accountability for human rights violations has been at the forefront of the business and human rights debate. This debate has focused on the establishment of binding human rights obligations on corporate entities, particularly following the Human rights Council’s initiative to establish a treaty on business and human rights– a mandate given to the open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights. Joining this debate, this paper briefly comments on relevant provisions of the 2016 Morocco-Nigeria Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) which appears to contain innovative provisions that seek to ensure that investors (who are often corporate entities) are held accountable for their investment activities that adversely impact human rights within their host States. Although the Morocco-Nigeria BIT remains exceptional within the investment treaty framework, it reflects an initiative to ensure that the next generation of BITs encourages greater corporate accountability for their human rights violations

The Morocco-Nigeria BIT: An Important Contribution to Ensuring the Accountability of TNCs for their Human Rights Violations?

Corporate accountability for human rights violations has been at the forefront of the business and human rights debate. This debate has focused on the establishment of binding human rights obligations on corporate entities, particularly following the Human rights Council’s initiative to establish a treaty on business and human rights– a mandate given to the open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights. Joining this debate, this paper briefly comments on relevant provisions of the 2016 Morocco-Nigeria Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) which appears to contain innovative provisions that seek to ensure that investors (who are often corporate entities) are held accountable for their investment activities that adversely impact human rights within their host States. Although the Morocco-Nigeria BIT remains exceptional within the investment treaty framework, it reflects an initiative to ensure that the next generation of BITs encourages greater corporate accountability for their human rights violations

The Morocco-Nigeria BIT: An Important Contribution to Ensuring the Accountability of TNCs for their Human Rights Violations?

Corporate accountability for human rights violations has been at the forefront of the business and human rights debate. This debate has focused on the establishment of binding human rights obligations on corporate entities, particularly following the Human rights Council’s initiative to establish a treaty on business and human rights– a mandate given to the open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights. Joining this debate, this paper briefly comments on relevant provisions of the 2016 Morocco-Nigeria Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) which appears to contain innovative provisions that seek to ensure that investors (who are often corporate entities) are held accountable for their investment activities that adversely impact human rights within their host States. Although the Morocco-Nigeria BIT remains exceptional within the investment treaty framework, it reflects an initiative to ensure that the next generation of BITs encourages greater corporate accountability for their human rights violations

Evaluation of Growth and Nutrient Profiles of Phaseolus vulgaris L. in Soil Treatment with Paint Waste Water

 Samuel Eguom Osim, Benefit Onu The effects of paint wastewater on the growth and nutrient contents of Phaseolus vulgaris L were examined. Paint wastewater used for this study was obtained from discarded used paint buckets around construction sites in Otuoke, Bayelsa State,Nigeria. The paint wastewater sample was adjusted to concentration levels of 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% as contaminationtreatments alongside a control treatment (0%). Viable seeds of the test crop were sown in soil (2kg sandy loamy) per treatment. Growth parameters and mineral element content of the test crop were determined using standard procedures. This study showed that growth parameters such as shoot length, root length, leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, and petiole length of P. vulgaris seedlings significantly (P< 0.05) decreased with an increase in the concentration of paint wastewater with values relatively lower than that of the control. The calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, copper and iron contents in the leaves of P. vulgaris at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% concentrations of paint wastewater significantly (P < 0.05) increased with an increase in the concentration of paint wastewater, however, the concentration of calcium was relatively lower than that of 0% concentration of paint wastewater, while those of sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, copper and iron were relatively lower than that of 0% concentration. Conversely, the phosphorus content at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% concentrations of paint waste water decreased with an increase in the concentration of paint wastewater, but with the values recorded here relatively higherthan that of 0% concentration of paint wastewater. Therefore, this result showed that paint wastewater had deleterious effects on the growth and nutrient contents of P. vulgaris. Therefore, paint waste water is not a good source of irrigation water for the test cro

The effects of pain sensitivity behaviour on Swiss White Mice administrated with Chloroquine Phosphate

This study evaluates the effects of Chloroquine phosphate on pain sensation in mice considering the fact that Chloroquine as s chemotherapic agent is known for its neurotoxicity effect. The mice were divided into three groups of 10 mice each. While group 1 as the control, 2 and 3 as the test groups and group 1 received 0.2ml physiological saline i.p. while test groups 2 and 3 received 10mg/k (human therapeutic dose) and 20ml/kg (pharmacological  dose) of Chloroquine respectively. The tail flick and formalin tests were used to assess pain sensation. In the tail flick test, the latency of tail flick in group 2 and 3 were significantly lower compared to the control group in both phases, thus, showing an increase in pain sensation. In formalin tests, the frequency of right hind paw lick in group 2 was significantly higher compared to the control, representing an increase in pain sensitivity. The duration of hind paw lick was not significantly different among the groups. However, in phase 2, the duration of hind paw lick in group 2 was higher than control, showing an increase in chronic pain sensitivity. Our results suggest that, Chloroquine phosphate increases pain sensation in mice.Keywords: Neurotoxicity, Chloroquine phosphate, pain sensation, tail flick tests, formalin tests

Development Indices of Gongronema latifolium Benth Domesticated in Otuoke Terrestrial Habitat, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

The effects of physico-chemical properties of two soil sampling locations on the proximate and mineral nutrients contents of Gongronema latifolium Benth were examined in Otuoke secondary forest habitat, in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Leaf samples of Gongronema latifolium and soil (0-20 cm depth) samples were randomly collected from two sites in the study area. Three replicates were maintained for each treatment using randomized complete block design. The pH of 5.10 was recorded at location 1 while that of location 2 was 5.00. The contents of calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, copper and zinc were higher in leaves of G. latifolium at location 1 than those of location 2, while the content of potassium was higher in leaves of G. latifolium at location 2 than those of location 1. The moisture, protein, lipid and fibre contents in leaves of G. latifolium were higher at location 1 than those of location 2, while the contents of ash and carbohydrate in leaves of G. latifolium were higher at location 2 than those of location 1. This study showed that the nutritional status of G. latifolium was affected by the sampling locations of the study area, hence, appropriate cultural practices are needed in the area in order to create favourable soil conditions for optimum growth and development of the test plant

THE COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF BEER AND PALM WINE ON LOCOMOTOR BEHAVIOUR IN SWISS WHITE MICE

Beer and palm wine are two alcoholic beverages that play an important role in local ceremonies and other social life of Nigerians especially in the southern part of the country. The long term effect of beer and palm wine on locomotor behavior and anxiety is not yet known. Following chronic consumption (4 weeks feeding) of beer and palm wine, patterns of locomotor behavior and exploration was studied in 25 Swiss white mice weighing between (15-30 g), using the open field maze. The control group mice (n=5) were fed normal rodent chow, the palm wine treated groups were fed by gavage 2ml (n=5) and 4ml (n=5) of fresh palm wine while the star beer-treated group were fed by gavage 2ml (n=5) and 4ml (n=5) of star beer. Clean drinking water and normal rodent chow were access freely by all animals. The frequency of line crossing in the open field maze for the palm wine treated group was significantly lower (p<0.05) as compared to beer treated and control groups. The frequency of rearing in the open for the beer-treated group was significantly higher (p<0.05) when compared to the palm wine treated and control groups. But the frequency of rearing against the wall for the palm wine treated group was significantly higher (p<0.05) as compared to control. This was however not significantly different from the beer treated group. Grooming in the palm wine treated group was significantly higher (p<0.05) when compared to beer treated and control groups. Freezing duration and frequency in the palm wine treated group was significantly higher (p<0.05) as compared to beer treated and control group. The frequency of stretch attend postures in the beer treated group was significantly higher (p<0.05) as compared to control. This was not statistically different from the palm wine treated group. The frequency and duration for center square entry for the beer treated group was significantly higher (p<0.05) as compared to palm wine treated and control groups. The frequency of defecation in the palm wine treated group was significantly higher (p<0.05) as compared to beer treated and control groups. Similar trend was observed in the frequency of urination. These results indicate that consumption of beer increases locomotor and exploratory activity while palm wine consumption increases anxiety but reduces locomotor activity and exploration in the open field. KEYWORDS: Palm wine; Beer, Locomotor activity; Exploration