Application of Geo-Information Technology to National Security, Conflict Resolution and Transborder Cooperation: A Case Study of Nigeria-Sao Tome and Principe

This paper examines the evolution of boundaries in Africa with emphasis on Nigeria and São Tomé. It also appraises the existing bilateral relationship (treaty) between Nigeria and São Tomé with particular interest on the need for trans-border cooperation and peaceful co-existence as a panacea for conflict resolution. It further relates the importance of monitoring and managing the border and the territorial maritime space between the two countries using geoinformation science and technology (Satellite imaging/Remote Sensing, GIS and GNSS). Using documents appraisal and geo-spatial methodologies, Nigeria’s mile stone in space programmes was identified as a veritable area of joint partnership that can bridge the gap of conflicts arising from territorial spatial coverage, technical know-how, socio-cultural and political ventures. It was further highlighted that Strict adherence to the law of the sea and the already signed treaty would prevent possible conflicts considering the provisions inherent in it. This combined with an up-to-date digital map and satellite monitoring of the Joint Development Zone (JDZ) will ensure peaceful co-existence and respect for contiguous sovereign nation’s territorial right over the bordering waterways. The paper concluded that the fact that conflict exists, however, is not necessarily a bad thing: as long as it is resolved effectively, it can lead to national and international growth and development and this can be achieved chiefly through geoinformation science and technology. Keyword: Border, Geoinformation, Joint Development Zone (JDZ), Treaty,  Satellite

Mapping Vehicular Noise Pollution in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria: Implication for a Sustainable Urbanization

This study aims to investigate geo-referenced vehicular noise pollution in Port Harcourt metropolis of Rivers State, Nigeria. Three types of data were gathered for this study. Data from vehicular traffic noise were measured in decibel (dB) using Noise Dosimeter (ND); data from vehicular traffic counts were carried out by observing and counting traffic flow at junctions and roundabouts as well as vehicular traffic noise location map was established by using Global Positioning System (GPS) instrument processed in the Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. The findings indicated that in the northern segment, Igwurita (99.5 dB) and New road roundabout (96 dB), generated the highest vehicular noise in the spatial distribution. In the eastern road segments, Eleme Flyover (98.1 dB) and Artillery Junction (95.5 dB) contributed the highest vehicular noise levels. In the northern segment, New Road (2311 vehicles) and Igwuruta (1566 vehicles) at the roundabouts, generated the highest vehicular traffic counts in the spatial distribution. Thus, among the eastern roads, Eleme Flyover (6735 vehicles) and Artillery Junction (5539 vehicles) contributed the highest vehicular counts in the area. The results showed that the northern and eastern segments of Port Harcourt metropolis had the highest level of vehicular traffic noise and traffic flow. Thus, the vehicular noise level values have exceeded the recommended 75 dB national and international health standards.The study recommended construction of more road network in the southern and western parts of Port Harcourt metropolis in order to decongest traffic flow and noise pollution in the northern and eastern segments of the city

Expanding scientific knowledge frontiers: open repositories in developing countries supported by NRENs

The current scenario of Internet operation has brought many challenges and opportunities to science as result of the evolution of technologies and network infrastructures, key enablers to information access at distinct levels. Regarding research and teaching, scientific Open Access (OA) repositories play a key role in the production, dissemination and sharing of knowledge. OA repositories improve the visibility, accessibility and availability of results from teaching and research activities, contributing to the knowledge society through the provision of scientific publications without restrictions.Taking worldwide OA initiatives and the Portuguese experience as case study, this paper analyzes technical challenges and strategies for building open repositories supported by National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) in the African context. Considering Mozambique as the main target of this paper, the study of: (i) existing national and international initiatives; (ii) MoRENet -the Mozambique Research and Education Network; and (iii) SABER repository, will support the proposal of a set of directives and policies for the development and sustainability of a common OA platform for scientific and academic national production.We believe that this open repository will bring an undeniable added value for Mozambique knowledge growth, fostering the country development at both scientific and social levels.The authors would like to thank UM documentation services and RCAAP by sharing expertise in OA field. This work has been supported by FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia in the scope of the project: PEst-OE/EEI/UI0319/2014.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Implementation of Family Life and HIV/AIDS Education in Nigerian Schools: A Qualitative Study on Scope, Delivery and Challenges

This study utilized data from Focus Group Discussions and In-depth Interviews among secondary school students and teachers to examine the scope, delivery and challenges of FLHE implementation within states and across geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Structural Functionalism, Rational Choice and Differential Association theories were adopted as theoretical framework. Results show that several patterns in classroom teaching of FLHE are identifiable across the country. The study found that FLHE is taught at the Junior Secondary and Senior Secondary levels with variations among States on the beginning levels. The main mode of FLHE delivery is classroom instruction; other modes include assembly talk and sensitization by organizations. Despite paucity of Information, Education and Communication materials and inadequate personnel requirement, different stakeholders noted that FLHE has been beneficial to students. Therefore, effective implementation of FLHE will go a long way to ensuring that young people in Nigeria are equipped with necessary information to enable them exhibit the right attitude and behaviour towards sexuality issues. Keywords: FLHE implementation, reproductive health, young people, youth corpers, sexual attitude.RésuméCette étude a utilisé des données provenant des groupes de discussion à cible et des entrevues en profondeur entre élèves et enseignants des écoles secondaires afin d'examiner la portée, l’actualisation et la mise en oeuvre de défis de la VFES au sein des Etats et entre les zones géopolitiques au Nigeria. Le fonctionnalisme structural, le choix rationnel et les théories l’association différentielle ont été adoptés comme cadre théorique. Les résultats montrent que plusieurs tendances dans l'enseignement en classe de la VFES sont identifiables à travers le pays. L'étude a révélé que la VFES est enseigné dans les deux cycles de l’école avec des variations entre les États à l’égard du niveau de commencement. Le principal mode de la réalisation de la VFES est l'enseignement en classe; d'autres modes comprennent des discours pendant la réunion matinale et la sensibilisation par les organisations. Malgré la rareté de l'information, l’éducation et les matériels de communication et les besoins insuffisants en personnel, les différents intervenants ont noté que la VFES a été bénéfique pour les élèves. Par conséquent, la mise en oeuvre effective de la VFES aidera beaucoup à assurer que les jeunes gens au Nigeria sont équipées d’informations nécessaires pour leur permettre de démontrer une bonne attitude et un bon comportement à l'égard des questions de sexualité. Mots-clés: la mise en oeuvre FLHE, santé de la reproduction, les jeunes, jeunesse, attitude sexuell

Relationships, love and sexuality: what the Filipino teens think and feel

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In order to achieve a change among teens' sexual behavior, an important step is to improve our knowledge about their opinions concerning relationships, love and sexuality.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A questionnaire including topics on relationships, love and sexuality was distributed to a target population of 4,000 Filipino students from third year high school to third year college. Participants were obtained through multi-stage sampling of clusters of universities and schools. This paper concentrates on teens aged 13 to 18.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Students reported that they obtained information about love and sexuality mainly from friends. However, they valued parents' opinion more than friends'. They revealed few conversations with their parents on these topics. A majority of them would like to have more information, mainly about emotion-related topics. Almost half of respondents were not aware that condoms are not 100% effective in preventing STIs or pregnancies. More girls, compared to boys, were sensitive and opposed to several types of sexism. After adjusting for sex, age and institution, the belief of 100% condom effectiveness and the approval of pornography and sexism were associated with being sexually experienced.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>There is room for further encouraging parents to talk more with their children about sexuality, specially aspects related to feelings and emotions in order to help them make better sexual choices. Indeed, teens wish to better communicate with their parents on these issues. Condoms are regarded as safer than what they really are by almost half of the participants of this study, and such incorrect knowledge seems to be associated with sexual initiation.</p

Webometrics benefitting from web mining? An investigation of methods and applications of two research fields

Webometrics and web mining are two fields where research is focused on quantitative analyses of the web. This literature review outlines definitions of the fields, and then focuses on their methods and applications. It also discusses the potential of closer contact and collaboration between them. A key difference between the fields is that webometrics has focused on exploratory studies, whereas web mining has been dominated by studies focusing on development of methods and algorithms. Differences in type of data can also be seen, with webometrics more focused on analyses of the structure of the web and web mining more focused on web content and usage, even though both fields have been embracing the possibilities of user generated content. It is concluded that research problems where big data is needed can benefit from collaboration between webometricians, with their tradition of exploratory studies, and web miners, with their tradition of developing methods and algorithms

Participatory Gender-Oriented Study of the Information Needs of the Youth in a Rural Community in South-Eastern Nigeria

An adequate understanding of the information needs of the youth is crucial in planning programmes that address their socio-economic wellbeing. This study investigated the information needs of the youth in Uzoagba, a rural community in South-Eastern Nigeria. Data were collected from the youth through focus group discussions involving 220 participants, and a questionnaire survey involving 250 respondents. One female, one male and one mixed-gender focus groups for each of three age categories, 7-12 years, 13-19 years, and 20-30 years, were used to generate information on the information needs of the youth. The questionnaire which consisted of closed and open questions was used to collect data on demographic characteristics, information needs and current sources of information of the respondents. Two categories of the youth could be identified. The first comprised those aged 12 years or less who desired information concerning their education, health/HIV/AIDS and income. The second group comprised those older than 12 years whose needs concerned income/employment and education. The youth wanted to develop their personal capacities through education in order to integrate themselves into productive  activities in the community. The expressed need for information about how to participate in income-generating activities relates to the youth’s desireto contribute resources to their family and community. It is recommended that governments should provide appropriate forums for the youth to articulate their information, educational and social needs as input into policies and programmes that affect them

A Comparative Study of the Productivity of HIV/AIDS Literature on Nigeria and South Africa in Medline and Science Citation Index

Bibliographic data on HIV/AIDS literature on Nigeria and South Africa were drawn from Medline and Science Citation Index (SCI) respectively, covering the period 2000-2004, to study the productivity of literature produced by ‘all authors', ‘first authors', ‘non-collaborative authors' and ‘co-authors' using Lotka's Law. The first authors in Medline did not yield usable result for Nigeria, but the characteristic exponents for the other categories of authors are higher for Nigeria (&#945; ranging between 2 and 4) than South Africa (&#945; ranging between 2 and 3). Based on SCI, the model yielded only useful result for the Nigerian co-authors, whereas all other categories of authors yielded exponents that ranged between 1 and 3 for South Africa. We deduce that Medline appears to accommodate HIV/AIDS literature emanating from Nigeria more than it does those coming from South Africa while the opposite is the case with SCI. Finally, scientific productivity in Nigeria is more significant when assessed based on Medline than SCI. The reverse is the case for South Africa. African Journal of Library Archives and Information Science Vol. 17 (1) 2007: pp. 1-1