Implementing e-Services in Lagos State, Nigeria: the interplay of Cultural Perceptions and Working Practices during an automation initiative : Nigeria e-government culture and working practices

Accepted for publication in a forthcoming issue of Government Information Quarterly.The public sector’s adoption of Information and Communication Technologies is often seen as a way of increasing efficiency. However, developing public e-Services involves a series of organisational and social complexities. In this paper, we examine the organisational issues of implementing an ERP system, which was designed and developed within the context of Lagos State’s e-Services project. By doing so, we showcase the impact of organisational cultural perceptions and working practices of individuals. Our findings illustrate the strong role of cultural dimensions, particularly those pertaining to religion and multi-ethnicity. Our study provides insights to international organisations and governments alike toward project policy formulation within the context of ICT-based initiatives and reforms that aim to bring forward developmental progress.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Working Capital Management and Firm Value: Evidence from Listed Non-Financial Firms in Nigeria

This study examined the effect of working capital management on the firm value of non financial firms in Nigeria using the enterprise value multiple which was measured as enterprise value scaled by EBITDA as the indicator of firm value and extracted panel data from audited financial statements of sampled thirty-three non-financial firms listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) Plc from 2012 to 2021. The results of the static panel least square and the panel fixed effect model estimation techniques revealed that all the WCM components have a significant effect on the firm value of non-financial firms in Nigeria which implies that WCM is highly essential for improved firm value. We, therefore, recommend that non-financial firms in Nigeria should adopt conservative account payable management strategies that will enable quick settlement of short-term obligations when they fall due. They should also adopt liberal account receivable management strategies that will not endanger their liquidity and cash flow

Developing e-Services for Lagos State: Understanding the impact of Cultural Perceptions and Working Practices

The development of e-services is not only a technological phenomenon, but involves organizational and social complexities. In this paper, we build upon an interpretive case study, and examine Lagos State\u27s initiative, in order to showcase how the implementation of public sector e-services have been affected by organizational and cultural perceptions and the working practices of individuals in a developing country. This research provides insights for international organizations that determine the status of countries by providing online access, products and services to their citizens, and to Internet Service Providers who pursue new territories for the provision of new products and services. It also informs governments around the globe about cultural perceptions and working practices, thereby helping them determine their developmental progress and decide their future endeavors

Short-term Persistence of Protective Maternally Acquired Immunity in Neonates Delivered by Primiparous Women in Ibadan, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Unresolved questions remain concerning the protective effect and duration of immunity acquired from mothers. This study investigated persistence of immunity against tetanus in the first two weeks of life among neonates in Nigeria.METHODS: In a longitudinal study, 244 primiparous mothers and their newborns were consecutively recruited at 16 selected Primary Healthcare Centres in Ibadan, Nigeria. All the newborns were tested for protection against tetanus using a validated rapid diagnostic, “Tetanos Quick Sticks” (TQS) on days 1, 7 and 14. Persistent immunity was defined as positive TQS result on day-14. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and logistic regression at p = 0.05.RESULTS: There were 137(56.1%) male neonates; 87.7% were delivered at ≥37weeks of gestation. The prevalence of protective immunity against tetanus (PIaT) among neonates on day-1 was 63.5%; 119 out of 153 neonates remained positive to TQS test by day-14, giving a persistence rate of 77.8%. Independent predictors of persistent PIaT were residence in urban area (OR = 9.66; 95% CI = 2.42-38.45), maternal age (OR = 2.06; 95% CI = 1.49-2.85) and gestational age (OR = 1.84; 95% CI = 1.23-2.74).CONCLUSION: Protective immunity against tetanus waned in some neonates over the first two weeks of life, and this decline was inversely related to maternal and gestational ages

Modelling the Effect of Income and Car Ownership on Recreational Trip in Akure ,Nigeria

The effect of income and car ownership on recreational trip pattern in the study area was analysed, focusing on the frequency of trips, modal choice and the land use pattern. It is an attempts to extend research on travel characteristics and behaviour to cities of the developing world with focus on Akure metropolis

Health-related quality of life and its contributory factors in allergic rhinitis patients in Nigeria

OBJECTIVES : To determine the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in allergic rhinitis patients as well as identify contributory factors to patient's well-being. METHODS : Cross-sectional study by multistage sampling. Four-month study duration (October 2013 to January 2014). The setting of the study was Kwara State, Nigeria, which has 16 local government areas with 3 senatorial districts, total land mass of 36,825km(2) with a population of 2,591,555. 132 consenting adults; 66 of them have allergic rhinitis (AR) using Score for Allergic Rhinitis (SFAR) instrument and 66 were age- and gender-matched controls (χ(2)=0, d.f.=1, P=1 and χ(2)=1.24, d.f.=2, P=0.54, respectively). Information on HRQoL was obtained using the 14-parameter mini-rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (mini-RQLQ). Socio-demographic variables possibly contributory to patient's well-being were obtained. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare means. RESULTS : The overall Total Symptom Score (TSS) was 3.37±0.9, while male and female allergic patients and control TSS were 3.61±1.0; 3.16±0.8, and 0.98±0.2; 0.95±0.2, respectively. Effects of gender, marital status, senatorial districts, residential area and duration of symptoms had significant impact on the quality of life. The highest correlation with TSS and components of mini-RQOL questionnaire existed between nasal problems and other symptoms (r=0.866; 0.868). CONCLUSION : AR had appreciable impact on HRQoL of the participants. Gender, number of dependents, marital status, senatorial districts, residential area and duration of symptoms were major identifiable contributory factors to the patient's well-being.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/anl2017-04-30hb2016Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Developmen

Use of Sustainable Materials in Self-Healing Concrete

Vulnerability to cracks is one of the major flaws of concrete infrastructure. The need to reduce the repair cost of this defect birthed the need for self-healing concrete. The incidence of cracks on concrete structures is a big threat to the stability of bridges, concrete roads, and other concrete infrastructures. This review assessed the use of self-healing technology on concrete using sustainable material as an active method of healing crack. This was done with the view of improving the stability, strength, and sustainability of infrastructure for national growth. The outcome of the review showed three prominent methods used in self-healing technology, which include autogenous healing, encapsulation of polymeric material, and microbial production of calcium-carbonate (biotechnological approaches). The review also revealed that calcium carbonate is a versatile material that can be used in crack healing for the filling of voids and improves the porosity of the concrete. The success of using the autogenous healing method depends on the diameter of the crack induced in the concrete structure. Additionally, this method can operate independently in different conditions regardless of the crack position. Correspondingly, lowering the water-cement ratio improves the autogenous healing process. The use of encapsulation of polymeric material and microbial production of calcium-carbonate methods showed that the presence of water and humidity is a critical factor to be considered. However, biotechnology using microbial action is prone to the production of ammonium ions (NH4+) through ureolytic activity, which results in nitrogen oxide emission into the atmosphere. Congruently, this may affect the durability of the concrete. Based on the uniqueness of this technology, it is recommended for the construction of sustainable infrastructure now and in the foreseeable future

Food intake in relation to obesity and subjective cognitive complaints : a cross-sectional study from Nigeria

There is evidence from research that dietary lifestyle influences health and mental well-being but there is limited understanding of the mechanism in Nigerian adult population. This study evaluated association of food intake with obesity and subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) in Nigerian adults. We carried out a cross-sectional study of 1338 random samples aged 18-87 years who were visiting six different public hospitals in the southwest Nigeria between March 2016 and April 2016. Standard food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and SCC questionnaire were used while anthropometric data were measured using standard clinical procedures. Associations were determined by linear and unconditional logistic regressions, after adjustment for age, ethnicity, education, gender, marital status, family type, alcohol and smoking status. Consumption of four different foods was significantly associated with SCC while one food intake was significantly associated with obesity measure (i.e., body mass index): meat product (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR), 1.002; 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 1.001-1.004; P <.0001), and sugary snacks (AOR, 1.007; 95% CI, 1.002- 1.011; P <.01) were associated with increased SCCs whereas consumption of cereal products (AOR, 0.999; 95% CI, 0.998-1.000; P <.01) and potatoes (AOR, 0.998; 95% CI, 0.996-1.000; P <.05) were associated with decreased levels of SCCs. Consumption of non-alcoholic beverages was associated with decreased BMI levels (AOR, 0.998; 95%CI, 0.997-1.00; P <.05). Linear regression analyses on these data largely recapitulated the results. In conclusion, consumption of cereals, potatoes and non-alcoholic beverages appear beneficial to health and the findings could serve as an intervention strategy for tackling SCCs and obesity