The dynamics of fish trade in North-East Nigeria: a case study of Doron Baga

This paper, which is based on field research in Doron Baga and Maiduguri, attempts to describe and analyse the main determinants of the fish trade in North-east Nigeria with Doron Baga as the main focus. Fish is a significant source of income and a principal trade commodity, bringing together the remote fishing community of North-east Nigeria with the major urban centres of the Southern part of the country. In order to get an insight into the workings of the fish trade, indepth interviews were conducted with fatoma (or dealers), traders and transporters in Doron Baga and Maiduguri. In addition, the authors utilised documentary sources to supplement the data collected from the field. For instance, a number of postgraduate dissertations, archival accounts as well as journal articles and books were consulted. After giving a brief introduction of the development of the long distance trade in fish, the paper discusses the role of the fatoma, means of transportation, value and volume of the trade. The study focuses on the period 1997-1999, during which substantial part of the data used were collected

The effect of transitioning to renewable energy consumption on the Nigerian oil and gas exports:an ARDL approach

PurposeNet energy importing countries (NEICs) pursue strategic policies to reduce the consumption of energy from conventional sources and increase that of renewable energy to attain energy security and sustainable development. However, net energy exporting countries (NEECs) rely substantially on the proceeds realised from oil and gas exports to mainly NEICs to finance government activities. This paper aims to investigate the effect of increased consumption of renewable energy in developed NEICs on the Nigeria’s oil and gas exports.Design/methodology/approachThe study was undertaken by analysing macro-economic annual time-series data set (1980-2014) using autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach.FindingsBoth the short-run and the long-run results of the ARDL modelling reveal that renewable energy consumption in developed NEICs is affecting Nigeria’s oil and gas exports negatively, thereby causing significant decrease in the amounts of revenue being generated therefrom.Research Limitations/implicationsLike most empirical studies, the conduct of this research has encountered some challenges. Thus, the use of rather small sample in terms of period covered (1980-2014), annual frequency of data and focus on one NEEC (Nigeria) are the key limitations of this paper. While the first two challenges were dealt with by using ARDL, future research can focus on other NEECs to extend the study.Practical ImplicationsThe findings have several policy implications, including the need for Nigeria to focus on developing internal market trajectories to increase domestic utilisation of its conventional energy rather than depending on external markets. The results also suggest the need for public policymakers to develop a strategic plan that will effectively address the external economic threat arising from the influence of global energy transition.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper represents the first effort to empirically examine the effect of renewable energy consumption by developed NEICs on the Nigeria’s oil and gas exports. The paper contributes to the literature by providing insight into and documenting evidence that the world is taking transitioning to cleaner energy sources very seriously

Biochemical and genetic markers of mineral bone disease in South African patients with chronic kidney disease

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Johannesburg, 2017.Background Abnormalities of mineral bone disease have been consistently associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The consequences of these changes have also been shown to differ across races. However, in Africa the impact of derangements of CKD -mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) on patients with CKD is largely unknown. In addition, studies from the USA have reported racial variations in markers of CKD and it remains unclear whether genetic factors may explain this discrepancy in the levels of biochemical markers of CKD-MBD across ethnic groups. Therefore, this study has been conducted to determine the existence of racial differences in the levels of fibroblast growth factor 23(FGF23) and traditional markers of mineral bone metabolism in a heterogeneous African CKD population, and to provide important insights into the pattern and genetic variability of CKD-MBD in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods This was a cross sectional multicenter study carried out from April 2015 to May 2016, involving two hundred and ninety three CKD patients from three renal units in Johannesburg, South Africa. The retrospective arm of this study involved two hundred and thirteen patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) from two dialysis centers in Johannesburg between January 2009 and March 2016. The first part of this study described the pattern of CKD-MBD in MHD patients using traditional markers of CKD-MBD. The second part of the study looked into the spectrum of CKD-MBD and racial variations in markers of CKD-MBD in pre dialysis and dialysis patients. This was followed by the genetic aspect of the study that examined the influence of vitamin D receptor polymorphisms on biochemical markers of mineral bone disorders. Lastly, the study also evaluated the association between markers of CKD-MBD and mortality in MHD patients. Results The prevalence of hyperparathyroidism (iPTH>150 pg/mL), hyperphosphataemia, hypocalcaemia and 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency (150 pg/mL and total alkaline phosphatase > 112 U/L) suggestive of high turnover bone disease, was present in 47.3 % of the study population. The odds ratios for developing secondary hyperparathyroidism with hypocalcaemia and hyperphosphataemia were 5.32 (95% CI 1.10 - 25.9, P =0.03) and 3.06 (95 % CI 1.15 - 8.10, P =0.02) respectively. The 293 CKD patients (208 blacks, 85 whites) had an overall mean age of 51.1±13.6 years, and black patients were significantly younger than the white patients (48.4 ±.13.6 versus 57.1±15.5 years; p<0.001). In comparison to whites, blacks had higher median iPTH (498 [37-1084] versus 274[131-595] pg/ml; P=0.03), alkaline phosphatase (122[89-192] versus 103[74-144] U/L; P=0.03) and mean 25- hydroxyvitamin D (26.8±12.7 versus 22.7 ±12.2 ng/ml, P=0.01) levels, while their median FGF23 (100 [34-639] versus 233[80-1370] pg/ml; P=0.002) and mean serum phosphate (1.3±0.5 versus 1.5±0.5, P =0.001) levels were significantly lower. With the exception of vitamin D receptor (VDR) Taq I polymorphism, the distribution of the VDR polymorphisms differs significantly between blacks and whites. In hemodialysis patients, the BsmI Bb genotype was significantly associated with moderate secondary hyperparathyroidism (OR, 3.88; 95 CI 1.13-13.25, P=0.03) and severe hyperparathyroidism (OR, 2.54; 95 CI 1.08-5.96, P=0.03). Patients with high total alkaline phosphatase (TAP) had significantly higher risk of death compared to patients with TAP 2.75 mmol/L was associated with increased risk of death compared to patients within levels of 2.10–2.37 mmol/L (HR 6.34, 95% CI 1.40–28.76; P = 0.02). The HR for death in white patients compared to black patients was 6.88; 95% CI 1.82–25.88; P = 0.004. Conclusions Secondary hyperparathyroidism and 25–hydroxyvitamin D deficiency were common in our haemodialysis patients. The study also highlighted the existence of racial differences in the circulating markers of mineral bone disorders in our African CKD population. In addition, the study showed that both moderate and severe secondary hyperparathyroidism are predicted by the BsmI Bb genotype, and the over expression of this genotype in black patients may partly explain the ethnic variations in the severity of secondary hyperparathyroidism in the CKD population. High levels of serum alkaline phosphatase, hypercalcaemia, and white race are associated with increased risk of death in MHD patients.LG201

Strengthening of Anti Corruption Commissions and Laws in Nigeria

This S.J.D. dissertation explores the role of law in challenging and curbing public corruption in Nigeria through the use of anti corruption agencies and laws. A comparative approach is used that draws upon development from other jurisdictions to illuminate issues in the Nigerian context. More broadly, this S.J.D. dissertation examined and analyzed the major anti corruption agencies and laws in Nigeria (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission, Code of Conduct Bureau) and their approach towards corruption and democratic process. I also examined the role Freedom of Information Law plays in curbing corruption and promoting transparency, twelve years after the Freedom of Information Bill was first presented to the Nigerian National Assembly, it was finally passed into law May, 2011. The main text of this dissertation is comprised of an introductory chapter that defines corruption and related concepts. The next chapter sets the tone of Nigeria as a nation leading into the Nigerian legal system and their jurisdiction in hearing corruption cases. Chapter five introduces the anti corruption agencies in Nigeria, past and present. Chapter six deals with United States of America’s Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), its effects on Nigeria and the controversy caused by the exception of FCPA Act called facilitation payment. The last chapter analyzes the present anti corruption agencies and their laws, proffering recommendations and also the Freedom of Information law in Nigeria while drawing developments from India’s Right to Information Act and South Africa’s Promotion of Access to Information Act

Education for All? Complex solutions to complex problems in the Nigerian education sector

As Nigeria has grown to be the biggest economy on the continent, it has also earned the unfortunate distinction of having the highest number of out of school children in the world. Population growth disproportionate to investments in the education sector have stretched out resources to the detriment of quality. In the North, the majority of pupils are functionally illiterate. This is further compounded by a security (and humanitarian) crisis with girls in particular facing daunting odds. While the South has slightly better learning outcomes, there has been a steady decline in performance across the board. Unstable enrolment rates, high poverty levels, growing gender disparity and poor teaching quality have meant that even committed states face severe challenges in their efforts to improve the education system. Nonetheless, limited resources are still directed towards closing the education deficit. One of the notable efforts is the Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN). Using ESSPIN as a case-study, this thesis explores the potential of a new approach to development planning and implementation in the education sector; a complex adaptive systems approach. Structured in two parts, the research first makes the case for viewing the education sector as a complex system, and then moves out of the theoretical domain into development practice (a modelling exercise). Two of the most populated states (Kaduna and Lagos), representing the North and South are selected for analysis. To understand the dynamics of change processes, the research adopts investigative techniques (observations, interviews and interactive surveys) to collect primary data first-hand, and then simulates the social system using technical instruments (computing platforms and coding libraries). With secondary data from state records and projects reports, these elements come together in the development of one model architecture – the School Improvement Programme Model (SIPM). This research is a critical analysis of simulating social systems. It aims to shed light on the insights that can be gained from complex systems thinking, as well as its limitations. Results from the SIPM indicate that this approach can be utilised to recreate historical states within an acceptable range of accuracy. Thus, there is some potential for the SIPM as a tool to reasonably anticipate how changing conditions might affect the impact ESSPIN in the future. This research also provides a frank discussion on the challenges of this approach – the difficulty of ascertaining the precise effect of each element, over-elaborated processes, the degree to which assumptions about the system are inevitable, and the potential implications of any one of these considerations on the model. Overall, this approach demonstrates the multiple ways elements are connected in the education system. As with the famous metaphor of the butterfly effect, the SIPM operates under the same principles that allow small changes to produce a chain of events with large scale differences in a system. Processes of development (indeed change) are shown to be non-linear, and this thesis argues for a higher level of flexibility, while unpacking the problem of “measuring” project outcomes. By weaving together theory and practice, this research aims to contribute to development planning in Nigeria, and more generally to the design (and application) of models in an often “messy” and complex development space

Possible Risks to Chinese Enterprises in Tanzania: The Construction Industry Experience

This paper assesses the risks challenging Multinational Companies in Tanzania, focusing on the Chinese construction companies as an example. The paper incorporated a substantial literature review that determined a number of critical challenges that influence the company’s ability to complete a project within time and under budget. The nature, strength and weakness, opportunities and risks within the Tanzania Construction industry were reviewed. The economy, the policies, business environment, resources and infrastructures of Tanzania were also assessed. The main risks factors to Chinese International Construction companies identified in Tanzania including microeconomic and financial risks; fluctuating currency exchange rates, governance and administration, operational risks which include issues such as power supply problems, and corruption, strategic risks and cultural risks. Keywords: Risk factors, Chines Construction Companies, Tanzani

Biochemical and genetic markers of mineral bone disease in South African patients with chronic kidney disease

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Johannesburg, 2017.Background Abnormalities of mineral bone disease have been consistently associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The consequences of these changes have also been shown to differ across races. However, in Africa the impact of derangements of CKD -mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) on patients with CKD is largely unknown. In addition, studies from the USA have reported racial variations in markers of CKD and it remains unclear whether genetic factors may explain this discrepancy in the levels of biochemical markers of CKD-MBD across ethnic groups. Therefore, this study has been conducted to determine the existence of racial differences in the levels of fibroblast growth factor 23(FGF23) and traditional markers of mineral bone metabolism in a heterogeneous African CKD population, and to provide important insights into the pattern and genetic variability of CKD-MBD in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods This was a cross sectional multicenter study carried out from April 2015 to May 2016, involving two hundred and ninety three CKD patients from three renal units in Johannesburg, South Africa. The retrospective arm of this study involved two hundred and thirteen patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) from two dialysis centers in Johannesburg between January 2009 and March 2016. The first part of this study described the pattern of CKD-MBD in MHD patients using traditional markers of CKD-MBD. The second part of the study looked into the spectrum of CKD-MBD and racial variations in markers of CKD-MBD in pre dialysis and dialysis patients. This was followed by the genetic aspect of the study that examined the influence of vitamin D receptor polymorphisms on biochemical markers of mineral bone disorders. Lastly, the study also evaluated the association between markers of CKD-MBD and mortality in MHD patients. Results The prevalence of hyperparathyroidism (iPTH>150 pg/mL), hyperphosphataemia, hypocalcaemia and 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency (150 pg/mL and total alkaline phosphatase > 112 U/L) suggestive of high turnover bone disease, was present in 47.3 % of the study population. The odds ratios for developing secondary hyperparathyroidism with hypocalcaemia and hyperphosphataemia were 5.32 (95% CI 1.10 - 25.9, P =0.03) and 3.06 (95 % CI 1.15 - 8.10, P =0.02) respectively. The 293 CKD patients (208 blacks, 85 whites) had an overall mean age of 51.1±13.6 years, and black patients were significantly younger than the white patients (48.4 ±.13.6 versus 57.1±15.5 years; p<0.001). In comparison to whites, blacks had higher median iPTH (498 [37-1084] versus 274[131-595] pg/ml; P=0.03), alkaline phosphatase (122[89-192] versus 103[74-144] U/L; P=0.03) and mean 25- hydroxyvitamin D (26.8±12.7 versus 22.7 ±12.2 ng/ml, P=0.01) levels, while their median FGF23 (100 [34-639] versus 233[80-1370] pg/ml; P=0.002) and mean serum phosphate (1.3±0.5 versus 1.5±0.5, P =0.001) levels were significantly lower. With the exception of vitamin D receptor (VDR) Taq I polymorphism, the distribution of the VDR polymorphisms differs significantly between blacks and whites. In hemodialysis patients, the BsmI Bb genotype was significantly associated with moderate secondary hyperparathyroidism (OR, 3.88; 95 CI 1.13-13.25, P=0.03) and severe hyperparathyroidism (OR, 2.54; 95 CI 1.08-5.96, P=0.03). Patients with high total alkaline phosphatase (TAP) had significantly higher risk of death compared to patients with TAP 2.75 mmol/L was associated with increased risk of death compared to patients within levels of 2.10–2.37 mmol/L (HR 6.34, 95% CI 1.40–28.76; P = 0.02). The HR for death in white patients compared to black patients was 6.88; 95% CI 1.82–25.88; P = 0.004. Conclusions Secondary hyperparathyroidism and 25–hydroxyvitamin D deficiency were common in our haemodialysis patients. The study also highlighted the existence of racial differences in the circulating markers of mineral bone disorders in our African CKD population. In addition, the study showed that both moderate and severe secondary hyperparathyroidism are predicted by the BsmI Bb genotype, and the over expression of this genotype in black patients may partly explain the ethnic variations in the severity of secondary hyperparathyroidism in the CKD population. High levels of serum alkaline phosphatase, hypercalcaemia, and white race are associated with increased risk of death in MHD patients.LG201

Impact of Two Wars on the Educational System in Nigeria

Since the 1960\u27s Nigeria has continuously been in a state of internal conflict, with different ethno-religious groups vying for social, economic, and political control. The situation has played out in extreme violence and has been on the international world\u27s radar since the emergence of Nigeria\u27s militant Islamist group Boko Haram in the late 2000\u27s. Boko Haram translates to Western education is forbidden, and the group has been behind the destruction of over 2,000 schools in Nigeria, killing hundreds of teachers and students, while displacing entire communities. As Nigeria holds the highest African population, it also has the highest number of out-of-school children on the continent. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, with more than 130 million people, and over 500 ethnic groups. The largest ethnic groups in the country are the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo peoples respectively, which collectively make up 68% of the population. For the purposes of this paper, Igbo’s are referred to as Biafran’s in the Civil War section, as they were the major tribe in the secessionist group during that era. The aforementioned contrasting groups make up the majority of the population. Ethno-religious and political conflict have played large parts in the country\u27s history, including the Nigerian Civil War (better known as the Biafran War 1967-1970). Although the lack of written material and data during the war constrains the breadth and depth of this analysis, the troubles Nigeria faces today are direct residuals from it. Over the past sixteen years, conflict has taken a turn for the worse as militant Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram has made it a mission to destroy anything that has to do with the West. Boko Haram promotes a version of Islam which makes it haram , or forbidden, for Muslims to take part in any political or social activity associated with Western society. Subsequently, the terrorist group has been responsible for the assassination of various government officials, bombings of churches and government-run schools, and several attacks on Nigerian government institutions. In both conflicts, some of the same fault lines and tensions run parallel. Today, many Nigerians fear the possibility of a full scale Civil War due to Boko Haram’s terrorism against non-Muslims in the North. Likewise, the Biafran struggle began as a series of political and social uprisings that originated in regional tensions with the North and South. This paper seeks to find how two wars – the Nigerian Civil War and the war against Boko Haram have had harmful impacts to the education system. First, it will analyze efficiency of the education system in terms of enrollment, access, participation, curriculum development, student learning, and teacher’s response to two conflicts: The Nigerian Civil War and the militant Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram. Based on studies in other countries, this paper will also make recommendations as how the education system can be re-build. Lastly, this paper concludes by offering a re-conceptualization of the relationship between Nigeria’s most recent conflict and its effects on education, and suggests ways in which educators and policy makers can develop more context-appropriate policies and practices for the education system

Effects of a Counseling Program on First-Generation High-School Student Aspirations, Self-Efficacy, Perceived Barriers, Knowledge of the College-Application Process, and Course Selection

The benefits of a college degree are clear. Those with a college education are more likely to participate effectively in the governance of the nation, contribute their time and resources to the community, depend less on government services, and engage in fewer crimes (Institute for Higher Education Policy, 1998). According to the literature, the parents’ level of education is a major indicator in determining whether a student completes a 4-year college degree (Perna & Titus, 2005). First-generation students are far less likely to gain admission and complete a degree from a 4-year university, in comparison to non-first-generation students (Tinto, 2006). Despite these findings, research has shown that some interventions can show small, but significant improvements for first-generation students toward gaining admission and successfully earning a bachelor’s degree. Further, the literature suggests that the school counselor is in a strategic position to fill this void by offering appropriate support for first-generation students at the school site level (Bemak, 2005). Therefore, the purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to study the effects of a counseling program on first-generation high-school student’s aspirations, self-efficacy, perceived barriers, knowledge of the college application process, and course selection. The treatment included 12 lessons taught over a 4-week period covering important college-related topics, whereas the comparison group followed the traditional high-school curriculum. A sample of 88 freshmen first-generation students were divided into four sections of a freshmen elective course, and a pretest-posttest research design was used to measure the effects of a high-school counseling program. The questionnaire instrument was administered to collect data from the participants in a two-group study where two classes received the treatment and the other two classes were the comparison group. The results of the study indicated positive findings for both course selection and career aspirations, although most comparisons showed no differences between groups. The two positive effects do suggest that a dialogue among stakeholders, administration and staff on how to continue focusing on the needs of first-generation students. Their low rates of admission and earning bachelor’s degrees suggest a need to expand and develop a more comprehensive counseling program focused on first-generation students, and that school counselors should take a lead role in guiding the development of such a program