UTILIZATION OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND THE ATTAINMENT OF SDGs IN AFRICA: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

ABSTRACT This paper looks at the challenges Nigerian faced in the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the contributions which indigenous Knowledge (IK) provides in attaining these goals. The paper observes that despite the challenges faced, Nigeria has the potential to attain the SDGs by 2030 provided there is sustainable effort and involvement by all stakeholders. The paper contends that the indigenous knowledge (IK) is a significant resource which could contribute to the increased efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of the development process in Nigeria. IK is defined as the basis for community – level decision making in area pertaining to food, security, human and animal health, education, natural resources management and other vital economic and social activities necessary for the attainment of the sustainable development Goals (SDGs). The paper further highlights some of the initiatives and achievements that have been scored in the use of IK to promote development and reduce poverty. The paper further looks at the challenges of implementing IK programmes and concludes by making recommendations on what steps Government, development partners and NGOs should take so as to promote and facilitate access to IK for the attainment of the SDG

A System Dynamic Model for Application of Blockchain in the United States Electricity Sector

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Business and Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree Master of Science by Oluwafemi Ezekiel Oyeniran on April 14, 2020

IMPACT OF JOB STRESS ON JOB PERFORMANCE OF LIBRARIANS IN SELECTED PUBLIC UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN NIGERIA

Abstract The study evaluated the effects of job stress on job performance of librarians in selected public university libraries in Nigeria. It employed descriptive research design with the population of two hundred and sixty (260) librarians from all the public university libraries in South West, Nigeria. A questionnaire on the survey of job stress and effects on job performance of librarians was raised and validated. The reliability of the instrument was ascertained using Cronbach Alpha reliability to estimate the internal consistency of the instrument. The split half reliability was employed using 30 librarians from Nnamdi Azikwe Library, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and it yielded 0.78. One hypothesis and two research questions were formulated and answered. The frequency counts and standard deviation were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that there is high level of job stress experienced among librarians in the university libraries in South West, Nigeria. The study also established that there is a negative significant relationship between job stress and job performance, implying that increased job stress actually contributing to the drop in the job performance of librarians in university libraries in Nigeria. Based on these findings, library managers are encouraged to regularly organize conferences, workshops, seminars and other form of training on the effective management of stress for the purpose of increasing the level of job performance of librarians and librarians’ attendance to such training should be made compulsory

PROPRIETY OF POLITICAL APPOINTEES’ ENGAGEMENT IN PRIVATE LEGAL PRACTICE IN NIGERIA: ACHIKA & ORS. V. N.K.S.T. HOSPITAL MKAR IN PERSPECTIVE

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in David Achika & Ors. v. N.K.S.T. Hospital Mkar & Anor adopted the expressio unius est exclusio alterius rule of interpretation and held that a Special Adviser (SA) on legal matters appointed on a permanent basis, with salary is not prohibited from engaging in private law practice while serving because he is not a public officer (PO) within the framework of part 2 of Code of Conduct for Public Officers (CCPO). This paper, through doctrinal method, reviews this decision by examining the propriety of permitting a Special Adviser on full-time basis and remuneration to engage in private law practice (PLP). It interrogates the nuances of permanent employment/engagement and argues that while an SA is not mentioned in Part 2 of the CCPO, engagement in PLP fosters divided attention despite being remunerated on full-time basis and it is a detraction from the notion of full-time employment/engagement. It further contends that engagement in PLP can expose a political appointee to conflict of interest which should be avoided. It makes recommendations on the amendment of the 5th Schedule to the 1999 Constitution to include political appointees within the prohibited ambit of persons to engage in private practice

An Assessment of the State of Readiness for Library Automation in Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Library Yola and Ramat Library, University of Maiduguri

This is a survey research carried out to assess the state of readiness for library automation in Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Library Yola and Ramat Library, University of Maiduguri. The study sought to ascertain the sources of their funding, available personnel and infrastructure on ground for automation. Questionnaire, interview and observation were used to collect data. The sample of the study was 27 professional librarians. 8 were from Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Library, Yola; 19 were from Ramat Library, University of Maiduguri. The data collected were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages. The study found that: there was poor funding, and lack of/inadequate infrastructure and personnel for the purpose of library automation in both universities. It concluded that the two federal university libraries were not adequately ready for library automation. Hence, it recommended among others that, Vice-Chancellors should release enough funds to their respective university libraries for automation, Internet facilities and connection to the National Virtual Library of Nigeria. Keywords: Assessment, Readiness, Library automation, University

EFFECTS OF COMPUTER-BASED SIMULATIONS AND VIDEO INSTRUCTIONAL PACKAGES ON THE ATTITUDE OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL PHYSICS STUDENTS IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the effect of Computer-Based Simulations (CBSs) or Video Instructional Package (VIP) on secondary school students’ attitude towards Physics in Osun State, Nigeria. It also determined if there are interactions between student’s sex and the effects of CBSs or VIP on the students’ attitude towards Physics. The study adopted pretest, posttest, control group quasi-experimental design. One hundred and thirteen senior secondary school Physics students were selected from all the Physics students in the senior secondary schools in Osun State using a multistage sampling procedure. The students were grouped into two experimental groups and one control. Physics Students’ Attitude Questionnaire (PSAQ) was used for data gathering. The content validity ratio (α = 1) was obtained for the instrument and Split half method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument and Spearman-Brown coefficient r = 0.86 was obtained for its reliability. Analysis of data showed no significant difference in the attitude of the students irrespective of the method of instruction (F(2,110) = 1.17 ; p > 0.05). The finding also showed no significant interaction between sex and the effects of CBSs or VIP on the students’ attitude towards Physics (F(2,112) = 0.25 ; p > 0.05). The study concluded both Computer Based Simulations and Video Instructional Package had the same effects on secondary school students’ attitude towards Physics and also sex did not significantly intervene on the effects of CBSs or VIP on secondary school students’ attitude towards Physics.  Article visualizations

Anthelmintic Activity of Nauclea diderrichii Leaf Extracts and Fractions Against Adult Haemonchus placei

Background: Nauclea diderrichii is used in West and Central Africa countries for its insecticidal and antiparasitic properties. There is, however, no documentation on its activity against parasitic nematodes.Objectives: This study investigated N. diderrichii leaf extracts and fractions for anthelmintic activity against adult Haemonchus placei, an abomasal parasitic worm that infect cattle.Materials and Method: Pulverized dried leaves of N. diderrichii was defatted using n-hexane, followed by successive extraction using chloroform and acetone. The extracts were evaluated for anthelmintic activity by incubating ten (10) adult H. placei in a range of concentrations (1 ̶ 20 mg/mL) for 3h and then counting the number of confirmed dead worms. The most active extract was subjected to chromatographic fractionation, and the thin layer chromatographic (TLC) profile of the fractions was documented. The dried fractions were then evaluated for anthelmintic activity and anthelmintic data were fitted to a non-linear regression equation (Log [extract or fraction] vs. response; variable slope) to produce best-fit sigmoidal curves and LC50 values computed.Results: Anthelmintic assay shows that acetone extract is worm-active with a best-fit LC50 of 16.24 mg/mL, while the chloroform extract was inactive. Fractionation of the acetone extract yielded three fractions (FA, FB and FC) and TLC profile revealed the various secondary metabolites in the fractions. Of the fractions, only fraction B was active against H. placei with LC50 of 12.24 mg/mL.Conclusion: Acetone extract of N. diderrichii leaf possessed anthelmintic activity against adult H. placei, and could be useful as anthelmintic phytomedicine to deworm cattle. Keywords: Anthelmintic, Haemonchus placei, Nauclea diderrichii, Chromatograph

On the Stability of Nigeria's Import Demand: Do Endogenous Structural Breaks Matter?

In this paper, we reassess the traditional import demand function and an augmented version that includes volatility of external reserves and oil revenue inflows as explanatory variables. In each version, we examine the role of regime shifts on the stability of Nigeria's import demand function which has been ignored in previous studies. Our findings suggest the existence of a long-run relationship between import demand and its determinants. We also present evidence of one-way causality running from changes in relative prices, oil revenue inflows and volatility of international reserves to import demand in Nigeria. However, when structural breaks were introduced, bi-directional causality is observed; indicating the critical role of regime shifts in determining the stability of Nigeria's import demand. The results make a case for diversifying Nigeria's revenue inflows in a bid to dampen the effect of contemporaneous shocks that affect external reserve accumulation thereby weakening its import financing capacity

Post-operative pain assessment and management among nurses in a teaching hospital in ILE-IFE

Millions of surgeries performed on patients are accompanied by some degree of pain. Successful outcome of any surgery is partly dependent on pre-, intra- and post-operative pain assessment and management. Nurses are professionally responsible for pain assessment and administration of analgesia, however, poor pain control has been one of patients’ complaints traceable to poor assessment and management. This study was designed to assess nurses’ knowledge and attitude about post-operative pain assessment and management in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital complex Ile – Ife and Ilesha units. The study was a cross – sectional descriptive survey. The instrument was a validated self administered questionnaire developed by the researchers. Ninety – five nurses from the two units were purposively selected for the study. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 16. The result showed that 53.6% of the participants had poor knowledge of post operative pain assessment and management, while 46.4% had good knowledge. Only 30.5% had positive attitude towards pain assessment and management, while 69.5% had negative attitude. In view of this result, it is recommended that nurses upgrade their knowledge through continuing education. Hospital managers should establish standards and guidelines for assessing and managing post operative pain.Keywords: Post operative pain, Assessment, Management, Nurses

Women Educational Leaders in Principalship: Exploring the Lived Experiences of Women Heading Primary Schools in Côte d’Ivoire

In Côte d’Ivoire, the situation of women in positions of power remains a sensitive and controversial issue. Women are mostly subjected to preconceptions that place them in challenging situations. The study sought to explore the experiences of women primary school principals, and to examine the hindrances that these women leaders encounter. Using mixed method approach, 11 women principals were purposefully sampled from the research field comprised of 11 primary schools located in Abidjan. The questionnaire and the semi-structured interview were utilized as tools to gather data. Findings revealed that women principals have hidden talents and competencies, as they perform in an ethical manner using the transformational style of leadership. Yet, as showed in the results, women principals experience a number of challenges and hurdles that stand in their pathways or occur when performing their leadership roles. The current study advocates getting rid of unnecessary and harmful prejudices that prevent women from moving up in order to allow them to express their inner potential. Besides, this study suggests a critical way of thinking with a view to promoting women in educational leadership positions. There is a need to empower women not only by bridging the gap that exists between men and women, but also for the welfare of students, especially those with special needs, because every schoolchild regardless his or her family background has the right to succeed in his or her learning process according to the principle of equity, universally recognized