What is Faith?

In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay\u27s first paragraph. Faith, like religion, is not impossible to define, but somewhat difficult to group into a single fixed description. There are no laws that require a person or a group of people to have faith; therefore faith comes from our own personal choices and happenings in life. Based on my own experiences in life so far, faith has been a pivotal part when it comes to my outlook on life and my trust in others as well as in myself. Faith also plays a leading role when it comes to my sister, Idia. Having a family member with a mental disability undeniably creates numerous challenges in life, but faith makes it somewhat more manageable and easier to be hopeful about the future

A Study on Relationship between Sperm Penetration and Egg Activation in the Medaka, Oryzias latipes

A physiological study has been made of the initial phase of fertilization in the medaka, Oryzias latipes. It was found that the effective attachment of a spermatozoon to the ovoplasm was established within 5 seconds after insemination. However, average reaction time for the breakdown of cortical alveoli evoked by stimulation of the spermatozoon or by pricking of the egg was 47±8 seconds and 20±3 seconds, respectively. Single stimulation by pricking is sufficient to evoke the excitation of ovoplasm. It was calculated, therefore, that the stimulus by the spermatozoon evoked the excitation of ovoplasm about 27 seconds after insemination. From these results, it was concluded that the effective attachment of a spermatozoon to the ovoplasm was attained prior to the activation of ovoplasm.Article信州大学理学部紀要 2(1): 87-94(1967)departmental bulletin pape

Political Restructuring, Federalism and Democratic Sustainability in Nigeria

Nigeria has undergone a long process of restructuring in terms of the number of geo-political administrative areas called states or regions constituting the country. This process is popularly referred to as “state creation”, that is the process whereby new geo-political units/constituents known as “states” in most federations are created out of existing or old ones. The outcome of this process is usually an increase in the number of states constituting the Nigerian federation. Nigeria is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world with well over 250 ethno linguistic groups, some of which are bigger than many independent states of contemporary Africa. The Nigerian federalism is a creation of the British. Before the arrival of British colonialists, the area now known as Nigeria was inhabited by peoples who belonged to different Empires, kingdoms and societies, which were traditionally administered. The arrival of British and other European explorers, merchants and religious missionaries introduced slave trade and conflicts and then consequently bringing a new system of governance that executed the organized and transparent institutions and governments that had existed before the balkanization of Africa. This suggests that the formation, evolutionary process and unification of Nigerian political and administrative systems did not represent the interest and aspirations of the natives or ethnic groups. The early pre-independence constitutional development is an example of this misrepresentation of the native consent on what type of system Nigeria will run- whether a federation, a confederation, unitary or not. After the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates of Nigeria in 1914, the country was more or less run as unitary colony with twenty four provinces (12 in the North and 12 in the South) until the establishment of the federal order by the Richards constitution of 1946. Thereafter, ethnic politics (otherwise known as tribalism) and regionalism have become definitive features of Nigeria federalism. The aim of this paper was therefore, to examine the origins and sequences of events on restructuring that creates the contemporary Nigerian state including the structure and features of Nigerian Federalism and it traces. The paper revealed that some of the challenges facing Nigerian federalism are; revenue sharing formula among the tiers, state creation, resource control and power sharing. This all have cumulated in placing the democratic rule in the country at a disadvantaged position. Consequently, the dividends of democracy have seized to reach the hands of the common people. It is on the bases of this some policy recommendations were made. Keywords: federalism, democracy, democratic sustainability, politics, political restructurin

Modern War Technologies and Global Peace and Security

An attempt was made in this paper to reflect on the transformation of war from 18th-century military engagements on the battlefield to the use of modern technology where wars are fought in decentralized ways from land, air, and sea with devastating impact on peace. The study becomes necessary to unveil how the relics of war with its multiplier effects impact world peace. War is a violent conflict declared by two or more states over resources, occupation of territory, among others, with debilitating consequences on both human and material resources. In the study, three theoretical orientations were used for analysis. These include devil’s theory, realists, and the military-industrial complex. Historical analysis was employed as the incidents of wars were past events. The paper uses a qualitative method of data gathering. The findings of the paper revealed that peace is elusive where war is fought. Since people are vulnerable to hunger, diseases, decay infrastructure, among others, it was recommended that disarmament is the option among others if the world would enjoy peace

Interaction Effect of Selected Science Process Skills Acquisition on Students’ Academic Performance in Practical Biology in Calabar Education Zone, Cross River State of Nigeria

The study explored the interaction effect of selected science process skills of drawing, observing, classifying, measurement and problem-solving on students’ academic performance in Practical Biology in Calabar Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria. The study employed a quasi-experimental design of pretest-posttest non-equivalent intact class. One Hundred and Ninety Senior Secondary One (SS1) Biology students drawn from a target population of 5218 participated in the study. One research question guided the study and one null hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance. Three secondary schools selected from 81 public secondary schools using simple random sampling of balloting with replacement were used for the study. Two research instruments tagged Science Process Skills Acquisition Test (SPSAT) and Practical Biology Performance Test (PBPT) was sources for data collection. The reliability indices of the instruments established via Cronbach alpha gave 0.812 and 0.815 respectively. Data obtained were analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The results showed significant interaction effect of acquired science process skills of classifying, measuring, and problem solving on students’ academic performance in Practical Biology. However, the interaction was not significant for science process skills of drawing and observing. On the basis of the results, recommendations were made among which is that biology teachers should imbibe classroom practices that will enhance acquisition of all process skills to bring about improved academic performance in Practical Biology. Keyword: Science Process Skills, Students’ Academic Performance, Practical Biology DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-29-05 Publication date:October 31st 202

Armed Banditry and Mass School Abductions in Northern Nigeria: Implications for National Security

Security threats in Nigeria, due to activities of armed bandits/extremist such as kidnapping school children for ransom is one of the major prevalent insecurity issues that threaten to collapse government structures in the country. Nigeria is currently groaning under the yoke of the jihadist/Islamic movement, secessionist’s movement and all manners of criminalities. The recent spate of abductions and mass kidnapping of school children represents one of the existential threats to the future of education in northern Nigeria. The problems have provoked serious concerns across the nation, has called for urgent and holistic resolution. It has continued to be precarious, volatile and highly unpredictable, therefore creating untold fear on the people in the region; exacerbate the close down of many schools, food crisis situation, sexual molestation/slavery, and increasing wave of Internally Displaced Persons. Government’s response to the challenges has generally been ineffectual, uncoordinated and poorly executed. This paper, therefore, examines the mainstream of armed banditry, hostage taking/kidnapping in northern schools and their security threats to Nigeria. This paper anchored on “Failed state theory” and data were sourced through secondary means and analyzed qualitatively. The paper revealed that lack of education, mass illiteracy and lack of employment opportunities are among the root causes of the criminalities, banditry, and terrorism in northern Nigeria. Hence, government cannot be passive about this security challenge. It is obviously clear that government has failed in her duty to provide basic needs and has also failed to defend and protect her people. Therefore, government should address the root causes of insecurity in the northern Nigeria including overhauling the security architecture system among other policies geared towards eliminating structural imbalance in the region

Production of Xylanase from Aspergillus sydowii Isolated from Irvingia gabonensis (African Mango) Fruit

This work reports xylanase production from Aspergillus sydowii isolated from spoiled Irvingia gabonensis fruit. Selection of the fungus was based on the production of maximum zone of clearing on agar containing 5% beech wood xylan. The influence of pure carbon substrates on enzyme production showed that the medium containing mannitol produced a maximum enzyme yield of 50.1 U/mg protein after incubation for 72 h. Enzyme productivity in this medium was much higher in a medium that contained only xylan (44.9 U/mg protein) as the sole carbon source. Nitrogen sources were tested for their abilities to stimulate enzyme production and the best enzyme production was observed in the medium containing peptone caused the production of specific enzyme activity of 41.2 U/mg protein after 72 h. The enzyme showed maximum activity (55 U/mg protein) at pH 4.0 and optimum stability at pH 3.0-5.0. Temperature activity profile of the enzyme showed best activity (68 U/mg protein) at 35oC. Best temperature stability occurred at 30-40oC. Dried agricultural residues were tested for their abilities to support xylanase production in media devoid of xylan. The overall best enzyme productivities of 97.8 and 92.6 U/mg protein were achieved after 72 h in the medium containing orange peel and mango peel respectively. These levels were much higher than that achieved when pure carbon sources or xylan alone were used for enzyme production.Key words: Agricultural residues; carbon sources, nitrogen sources; pH activity; temperature activit

The Impact of Modern Technologies on Peace, Security and Development in Africa

Since the independence processes in the African continent, armed conflicts, peace, security and development has remain contesting issues that have raised concern and attention both at the national and international level. In recent years, most of these issues have heightened the tempo which has given rise to their strong deliberation in the region of Africa. Although, efforts are been made in different quarters in the continent particularly, the African Union to deal with these teething issues still, the growing pace and role of technologies currently in the world has not been appropriately and adequately explored to respond to these concerns in Africa. However, this paper does not aim to give a comprehensive impression of the landscape of new technologies, but focuses on the opportunities and challenges these technologies present to the African continent and how best these technologies could be anchored in the African Union agenda to address the challenges before it. The paper further offers concrete recommendations on the best practices of these new technologies in key areas that would propel Africa in the attainment of sustainable peace, security and development in the region

The Supply of Small Arms and Light Weapons to Conflict Zones: The Bane of Onset, Intensity and Duration of Armed Conflict in Africa

Small arms fuel violence and intensify human suffering in conflict situations across the globe. The illicit trafficking, proliferation and misuse of small arms have grave impacts on human security, development and human rights. They hamper conflict resolution, peace-building and commercial activities in various parts of the world, affecting the lives of millions. In recent years, attention has come to focus on the ways in which the increased availability of low-cost small arms and light weapons contributes to the likelihood, intensity and duration of armed conflict. This paper has examined the full range of sources of small arms in Africa region. It recognizes the importance of large international transfers in weapons sourcing to conflict zones; at the same time, however, it reinforces lesser-known findings regarding the role of production, government stockpiles, and the so-called ant trade in the fuelling conflict. For more emphasis, the paper is anchored on the combination of three different theories; the theory of relative autonomy of state, conflict theory and failed state theory. In developing a more comprehensive approach to conflict sourcing, the role of politics must not be overlooked. Small arms proliferation is essentially a political issue, as the politically motivated leakages from military stockpiles and state-sponsored transfers in the region. The paper further reveled that government stockpiles is an important source of weapons in many conflict zones, through corruption, theft, seizure, distribution, and sales. In some conflicts, they are even the main source of small arms for all combatants. As observed, in the long run, persistent smaller shipments of small arms can be more significant in terms of volume than occasional large-scale trafficking of guns. Where the ant trade is important, policy responses become more complicated. Therefore, to control brokering, streamlining end-user certificates, and establishing arms embargoes, an effective policy also needs to tackle corruption and make the control of border regions and of the border itself more effective. In addition, policies must be tailored to individual states. While regional and international approaches are useful, their limitations must also be clearly understood. Keywords: Small Arms, Light Weapons, Proliferation, Arms supply, Armed Conflict, Africa DOI: 10.7176/IAGS/88-01 Publication date: November 30th 202

Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Proliferation and Problem of National Security in Nigeria

The proliferation of small arms and light weapons is one of the major security challenges currently facing Nigeria, Africa and indeed the world in general. The trafficking and wide availability of these weapons fuel communal conflict, political instability and pose a threat, not only to national security, but also to sustainable development. The widespread proliferation of small arms is contributing to alarming levels of armed crime, and militancy. Therefore, the trust of this paper dwell on scanning the role of government and policy makers, in checking SALW in Nigeria and to ascertain the level of insecurity this menace had incurred in the Nigerian state. It was revealed that inability of the Nigeria government and the law enforcement agencies to check the supply and the demand factors of the proliferation of SALW in Nigeria has heightened and worsened the security situations in the country. The paper further asserts that availability of small arms have direct influence on the escalation and sustenance of insecurity and therefore, drew a conclusion on the basis of which the recommendations were made. Keywords: Small Arms, Light Weapons, Proliferation, National Security, Nigeri