HOW USEFUL IS CONTINGENT VALUATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT TO WATER SERVICES? EVIDENCE FROM SOUTH EAST, NIGERIA

Contingent Valuation Methods (CVM) Willingness To Pay (WTP) Tobit (censored) model Quasi-deregulation

Socio-Cultural Problems and Maladaptive Behaviours of Post-Adolescents across Culture in Nigeria: Implications for Counselling

Through survey research design, this study investigated the socio-cultural problems and maladaptive behaviours of post-adolescents in Nigeria. Out of 379 National Youth Service Corps (N. Y. S. C.) members drawn from various parts of Nigeria for the 2010/2011 service year, deployed to Abakaliki, Ebonyi and Izzi Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State, 180 formed the sample size. Information from the respondents was obtained in line with the research questions that guided the study using Post-Adolescent Behaviour Problem Inventory (PBPI). Using descriptive statistics for data analysis, it was discovered that armed robbery, examination fraud, poor attitude to work, addiction to substances and living above income are witnessed across culture in Nigeria. Specifically, kidnapping is a major problem in the South East and South-South geopolitical zones while political thuggery, and wanton destruction of lives and property are common in the South West and Northern Nigeria. Besides, religious intolerance and tribalism feature more in the north than any other place in Nigeria. These problems are mainly due to poor leadership and youth unemployment. The paper recommended behaviour modification, mentoring, cognitive restructuring and assertive training among others as contemporary counselling strategies that can checkmate post-adolescent problems and maladaptive behaviours across culture in Nigeria.Keywords: socio-cultural, maladaptive, post-adolescents and counselling

Women and Entrepreneurship in Nigeria: What Role Does Social Inclusion Play?

Women’s participation in business enterprises has attracted much attention from policy makers, researchers, NGOs, politicians, the government sector, and international agencies. This is because it has been identified that women’s involvement in income generation tends to boost family income, support children’s education, improve health of family members, provide food, build assets for the family, and contribute to general development of economies. However, women have not been performing these roles due to constraints placed consciously or inadvertently on women by society, limiting them from engaging in income-earning ventures, especially in developing countries like Nigeria. Even those who wish to venture into economic activities face both economic and non-economic challenges limiting their enterprise. These challenges exclude women from being involved in economic activities. This study is poised to: investigate the role of social inclusion on female owned businesses in Nigeria, examine the impact of economic factors that inhibit female-owned businesses in Nigeria, and investigate the non-economic factors affecting the involvement of Nigerian women in business entrepreneurship. The data for this study will be sourced from the World Bank’s Global Findex database (2017), while the logistic regression model will be used for analysis. Findings from the study shows that the number of female account holders, financial institutional accounts in rural areas, grants or loans to startup businesses, rural and household size were all found to be positively and significantly influencing women owned businesses in Nigeria It is recommended that the government needs to set up more viable grant and loans schemes targeted particularly to female entrepreneurs both at the rural and urban areas so as to encourage more female businesses in Nigeria

Genetic and Environmental Variation of Seed Yield and Yield Components in African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst. Ex. A. Rich.))

Fourteen genotypes of African Yam Bean were grown in three locations Abakaliki, Enugu and Ibadan in 2012 planting season and were analysed for genotype, environment and genotype × environment variability in yield and yield components. There was significant environmental as well as genetic effect on parameters measured. Genetic effect accounted more for the variability observed in 100 seeds weight (61%) and pod width (56%),  but  less effect on seed per pod (34%), pod length (40%), peduncle per plant (22%), pod per peduncle (17%), peduncle with pod (36%), peduncle without pod (37%), pods per plant (33%) and seeds per plant (29%). Genotype also largely accounted for variability noticed in days to 50% flowering (50%). G × E interaction significantly affected all the yield components except number of seeds per plant. Ibadan location had good textural and structural characteristics (pH = 6.13, organic matter = 2.88, k = 0.73, p = 8.89, % N = 0.68) than the other locations; Abakaliki (pH = 6.54, organic matter = 1.16, k = 0.32, p = 4.88, % N = 0.09) and Enugu (pH = 6.29, organic matter = 1.48, k = 0.37, p = 5.21, % N = 0.11). Abakaliki and Enugu showed highest maximum temperature, lowest minimum temperature, highest rainfall but lower relative humidity than Ibadan. Ibadan location performed averagely higher for all the parameters measured. The correlation coefficient from the three locations indicated relationship among the parameters. The GGEbiplot result showed that most genotypes are more adapted to Ibadan site while Abakaliki and Enugu similar in adaptation. Hence, AYB adaptation is dependent on genotype, environment and G × E interaction. Keywords: Sphenostylis stenocarpa; genotype, environment, yield component, interaction, yiel

DECONSTRUCTING NIGERIA’S DATA PROTECTION REGIME FROM CONSUMER PROTECTION PERSPECTIVE

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to make a case for the recognition of privacy and personal data protection as species of consumer rights in Nigeria in line with the revised United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP) by amending existing laws or enacting a new law to provide for personal data protection regime for consumers. Methodology/Approach/Design – The study follows a structured review of relevant extant legislation on consumer protection and personal data protection, namely the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation 2019 (NDPR). Findings – The paper identifies that the provisions of Nigeria’s foremost consumer protection legislation, FCCPA, does cover electronic commerce (e-commerce) or consumer privacy and personal data protection while the NDPR, subsidiary legislation on personal data protection, which is yet to be effectively implemented is too general as to provide the consumers the much-needed privacy protection in their dealings with businesses. Practical Implications–Given the importance Recognition of data privacy and personal data protection as a species of consumer rights helps in understanding consumer protection in online transactions and opens opportunities for future research on consumer privacy and data protection. Originality/Value – Given the importance attached to the protection of consumer privacy and the various ramifications of transactions involving exposure of consumers’ personal data, recognition of privacy consumers’ rights to privacy is vital in consolidating knowledge of consumer rights and identifying paths for future research

Efficacy of Some Leaf Extracts on Some Seed Borne Fungi of African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa Hochest Ex. A. Rich)

The antifungal effect of ethanol leaf extracts of five plants, (viz. Jatrohpa curcas L, Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv.) seem. Ex Bureau, Ficus exasperate Vahl, Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) and Cassia alata L.) Seed plus 30 wettable solvent (WS) and Water on some Seed borne fungi: Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporium of African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) seeds was studied in vitro using agar plate method of isolation. The efficacy of the treatments was tested separately on the individual fungalisolates. All the plant extracts except Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv.) seem. Ex Bureau, significantly (P > 0.05) inhibited the radial hyphal growth of Aspergillus niger. Jatropha curcas L extract gave the highest inhibition at all levels of concentrations while Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) was the least. The positive control; Seed plus 30 wettable solvent (WS) inhibited the growth of A. niger significantly (P > 0.05) while water had no inhibition on the growth of the fungus. On the other hand, Jatropha curcas L., Cassia alata L. and Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) extracts had inhibitory effects on the hyphal growth of Fusarium oxysporium while Newboudia laevis (P. Beauv.) seem. Ex Bureau and Ficus exasperate Vahl. extracts showed no inhibition on the growth of the fungus at all levels of concentrations. Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) extract was the most effective while Cassia alata L. extract was the least in the inhibitory efficacy. The positive and negative controls; Seed plus 30WS and Water respectively recorded no significant inhibition on the hyphal growth of Fusarium oxysporium. The ethanolic leaf extracts of Jatopha curcas L., Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.), and Cassia alata L. which are very cheap and environmentally safe were proved promising for protecting African yam bean seeds against Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporium.Keywords: Leaf Extract, Hyphal Growth, Seed Borne Fungi, African yam bea

Facebook and Governance: Audience Perception, Believability and Use of Its Political Messages in Anambra State

There is no doubt that the new media heralded a dawn of technological advancement which certainly altered the way things were done in the media realm, this change did not only affect the way news and other media products are packaged, but the relationship between media and politics, political campaigns, issues of governance and so on. Interestingly, Facebook, one of the popular platforms of social media has been identified as a tool for political participation. Using a survey of 400 persons drawn from Anambra State as a focal point, the researchers examined the audience perception, believability and the extent of use of political messages on the Facebook. The study came up with the following findings: that the audience in Anambra state relied on the Facebook as a source of political messages, that they did not perceive these political messages from the Facebook as credible, and/or reflection of what they say, but more as propaganda statements. That Facebook users in Anambra State do not believe these political messages and finally that they employed the Facebook particularly as a tool for accessing political information and at other time for political education. The study is significant in that it will serve as a mirror to the political class on the effect of their various political messages on facebook. The study recommended among others that the political class while using facebook for political communication should repackage the contents to look credible and believable like those on the mainstream media

ICT Literacy and Readiness for Computer Based Test Among Public Secondary School Students in Anambra State

Among the significant influences of the new information and communication technologies (ICTs) on the educational system is the emergence of the computer-based test (CBT) which now exists side by side, and in some instances, has replaced the traditional pen and paper method of examination. The introduction of CBT in the JAMB Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and its use in post-UTME tests by various higher institutions have now made ICT literacy critical for one’s academic progression beyond the secondary school level. Therefore, this study examined readiness for Computer-Based Tests (CBT) among public secondary school students in Anambra State, Nigeria in terms of acquiring the requisite ICT literacy. Situated within the framework of the Diffusion of Innovations Theory, the study adopted the survey method.A sample of 659 respondents was selected from public secondary school students in the state. Data analysis employed simple percentages and Pearson chi-square test. Findings showed that to a significant extent, students in public secondary schools in Anambra State were aware of the relevance of ICT literacy for their participation in external examinations. However, a significant number of the students were yet to take steps to acquire ICT literacy in readiness for computer-based tests (CBTs). The rate of actual readiness for such tests was low among the students. Factors influencing readiness for CBT among the students were gender, age, school type (boys, girls or coeducational), school location (urban versus rural), school-based computer training, availability of computer at students’ homes and attending of outside-school computer coaching. It was concluded that many students in Anambra State public schools who participate in computer-based tests (CBTs) appear to acquire the required ICT skills only after they have left school, a situation that may not be very healthy given that early preparation is more likely to enhance better performance. The study recommended, among others, that school-based computer training should be enhanced by way of procurement of equipment and employment of computer literate teachers in order to enable schools provide such training on a regular basis to students which will enhance their readiness for computer-based tests (CBT). Keywords: Computer Based Test (CBT), Information and Communication Technology (ICT), ICT Literacy, External Examination, Public Secondary Schools, Secondary School Students, Readiness. DOI: 10.7176/NMMC/97-01 Publication date:August 31st 202

Women Awareness and Use of Feminist Blogs in Nigeria: A Focus on Fida, Anambra State

This study examined women awareness and use of feminist blogs in Nigeria using International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Anambra as a case study. The main purpose of the study is to find out through quantitative method of survey the usage appeal of feminist blogs on women and whether they take advantage of the platform to pursue their agenda especially those of promoting the welfare of women and children globally. The use of women from Anambra state chapter was considered ideal and representative of the Association because they share the same and uniform ideology nationally and even globally and represent a class of highly educated women who arguably may follow the new media trend. The study which was anchored on the Uses and Gratifications theory found out that only a negligible number of women are aware of feminist blogs. It is also inferred from the findings that awareness does not translate to knowledge which can promote usage. It was therefore recommended that there is need for inclusion of courses that can enhance knowledge of new media as part of the curriculum for students in Nigerian Law Schools to help address the dearth of knowledge about these platforms. Keywords: feminist blogs, FIDA, feminism, awareness and use, new media

EVALUATION OF THE ANALGESIC AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF THE ROOT OF MIMOSA PIGRA LINN (FABACEAE) IN ALBINO RATS

Objective: Mimosa pigra roots are used in traditional medicine in the treatment of fever, headaches and cold. This study investigated the ethanol extract of the root of Mimosa pigra for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in albino rats.Methods: The analgesic activity was evaluated by radiant heat tail flick method while the anti-inflammatory effect was investigated using fresh egg albumin induced paw edema in rats. The plant extract was evaluated at 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg. All administrations were done through the oral route.Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening showed that the extract contains; steroids, tannins, flavonoids, phlobatanins, saponins. The LD50 was found to be greater than 5000 mg/kg. The results showed that oral administration of 250 mg/kg of Mimosa pigra showed significantly (P<0.05) analgesic activity in30, 60 and 150 minutes while 500 mg/kg produced significantly (P<0.05) analgesic activity in 30, 60, 120 and 150 minutes. The two tested doses (250 mg/kg and500 mg/kg) were found to produce percentage inhibition of rat paw edema (42.60% and 49%) at 150 minutes compared to the positive control group of 63.20%.Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the ethanol extract of this plant possesses significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities.Â