Islamism, statehood and human rights: a world of difference.

Attesting to the ever-increasing presence and influence of Islamism is the emergence of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. This newfangled theocracy is a constant source of inversions and shockwaves. But, while Islamism, Statehood and Human Rights does not give a day-to-day account of events in the newly created state, it does look in depth at the worldviews that shape public policies and law in the 21st century world of Islam. At the heart of this book is the question of whether religious and political philosophies of contemporary Islamic regimes are compatible with human rights originating from the secular tradition of the West. Islamism, Statehood and Human Rights contributes to the ongoing universalist-relativist debate in international relations and law. It examines two different worlds with competing perspectives on international human rights: firstly, a world where all humans are, by nature, entitled to human rights, and secondly a world where religious identity is a requirement for human rights. The former world of entitlement usually consists of secular societies where efforts are consistently made to ensure the separation of Church and State. In the latter world however, there is a hypostatic union between Church and State. Political and legal authority is stamped on the minds of citizens or subjects through religion. Rights, some theocrats believe, are divinely ordained and ascribed to members of a given community of faith. Informing the interdisciplinary research is a spirited desire for ethnographic understanding in multicultural societies and for peaceful co-existence within modern multi-religious states, which are often divided and threatened not only by religion but also by the manipulation of laws derived from religiously based traditions. Islamism, Statehood and Human Rights accordingly investigates and analyses how law, politics and religion interact in such local and international public arenas

When Religion Cannot Stop Political Crisis in the Old Western Region of Nigeria: Ikire under Historical Review.

Using historical events research approach and qualitative key informant interview, this study examined how religion failed to stop political crisis that happened in the old Western region of Nigeria. Ikire, in the present Osun State of Nigeria was used as a case study. The study investigated the incidences of killing, arson and exile that characterized the crisis in the town which served as the case study. It argued that the two prominent political figures which started the crisis failed to apply the religious doctrines of love, peace and brotherhood which would have solved the crisis before it spread to all parts of the Old Western Region of Nigeria and the entire nation. Moreover, it was also argued somewhere else in this paper that the supporters of the two prominent political figures also failed to apply the doctrines of love, peace and brotherhood as rightly preached in their individual religions which they professed. The study recommended that doctrines of love, peace and brotherhood should be allowed to prevail in solving any political crisis in the future. It considered religion as the spiritual thing which leads to the eternal, but other things as temporary that would soon give way for things eternal. Furthermore, the study also challenged the religious leaders to always wake up to their spiritual responsibility of building peace in the society, knowing surely that they are God’s ambassadors in the human society

Miocene-Pliocene Vegetation and Climate Dynamics of the Niger Delta Basin Based on Palynological Signatures

The palaeoclimate is interpreted on the basis of the identified palynomorphs in the light of their ecological preferences.The problem of how to recognize the effect of changes in climate in the stratigraphical distribution patterns of the many species studied was approached in a direct way by botanical identification of fossil pollen and spore types with the extant parent plants or nearest living relatives, which have well-defined climatological tolerances. The Miocene-Pliocene Paleoenvironment in the southwestern offshore of the Niger Delta  fluctuates from marginal marine (inner shelf) and swampy freshwater to slightly brackish water environment in a humid condition. Regional climate is interpreted as warm and humid, with mangrove communities dominating. Keywords: Paleoclimate, Palynomorphs, Vegetation, Niger delta, Miocene-Pliocen

When Religion Cannot Stop Political Crisis in the Old Western Region of Nigeria: Ikire under Historical Review.

Using historical events research approach and qualitative key informant interview, this study examined how religion failed to stop political crisis that happened in the old Western region of Nigeria. Ikire, in the present Osun State of Nigeria was used as a case study. The study investigated the incidences of killing, arson and exile that characterized the crisis in the town which served as the case study. It argued that the two prominent political figures which started the crisis failed to apply the religious doctrines of love, peace and brotherhood which would have solved the crisis before it spread to all parts of the Old Western Region of Nigeria and the entire nation. Moreover, it was also argued somewhere else in this paper that the supporters of the two prominent political figures also failed to apply the doctrines of love, peace and brotherhood as rightly preached in their individual religions which they professed. The study recommended that doctrines of love, peace and brotherhood should be allowed to prevail in solving any political crisis in the future. It considered religion as the spiritual thing which leads to the eternal, but other things as temporary that would soon give way for things eternal. Furthermore, the study also challenged the religious leaders to always wake up to their spiritual responsibility of building peace in the society, knowing surely that they are God’s ambassadors in the human society

Reclaiming setbacks and open spaces for greening and sustainable landscape development in state capital cities: A case study of Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.

Doctoral degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The rapid rate of urbanization in developing countries generates various socio-economic and environmental challenges. In Nigerian urban centres, high rate of rural-urban drift aggravates population growth rate, and increasing space demand for land use and human activities put pressure on land resources. In Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, the study area, land is continuously fragmented, resulting to densely populated areas and inequitable use. This syndrome culminates in vegetal depletion, urban sprawl, environmental degradation and increasing poverty levels. Uncontrolled development, excessive hard landscaping and informal sector activities along transportation corridors, water bodies, utility lines, and the inner core areas deprive the city of adequate greenery. The research examines the city‘s spatial structure, socio-economic attributes of residents, setbacks and open space characteristics, pattern of encroachment, and the efficacy of development control legislations. The challenges posed by the inadequacy of greenery and excessive hard landscaping, government‘s effort in reclaiming lost spaces to create inclusive green areas for sustainable urban landscape were evaluated. The research methodology utilise relevant data from secondary sources to build literature and compliment socio-economic baseline data collected from primary sources by multi-stage technique across three morphological zones. Research findings expose devegetation, hardening, gross inadequacy and abuse of setbacks and air spaces, lack of organised open spaces and green areas. There is a disconnection between relatively high literacy level and contravention of development regulation laws. Informal development, mostly commercial, is rampant and driven by high poverty level and people‘s instinct to sustain their socio-economic needs. Ignorance of good quality environment, desire for economic benefits, and ineffective governmental control are other factors responsible for the disruption of public spaces. The study argued that the people engage in space contestation to survive, while the uncontrolled informal sector is neglected by government. Recommendations are hinged on the Strategic Urban Greening Intervention Model developed to encapsulate key systematic elements in the negative aspects, and how intervention strategies, tools and methods are deployed for positive transformation. Based on the Model, the proposed Ado-Ekiti Urban Greening Master Plan was prepared as policy directives and programmes for stakeholders‘ synergy to establish, monitor and maintain inclusive green areas in the city. Informal sector integration to strengthen livelihood strategy, inclusiveness and green economy is germane to successful greening programme, failing which the people will return to the streets and continue to aggravate carbon footprints. Socio-economically, the research is guaranteed to diversify local economy, boost investment generation, and enhance living standards. Physical impacts include improved environmental quality, global warming abatement and climate change mitigation in the city. The Model developed out of this research and contribution promotes landscape sustainability in Ado-Ekiti and can be replicated in Africa cities

In-vitro antioxidant activities of the stem bark extract fractions of Bridelia ferruginea

Bridelia ferruginea stem bark generally used in Indigenous folk medicine for diverse uses was evaluated scientifically to elucidate the antioxidant activity of various fractions in-vitro to validate its folkloric usage. In vitro antioxidant properties of the extract fractions were evaluated using the free radical scavenging activities by 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) with ascorbic acid as control. The total antioxidant activity results indicated that, the inhibition percent of aqueous extract was significantly higher than the inhibition percent of ethanol and ethyl acetate in the DPPH methods. A higher IC50 (0.85 mg/ml compared to 1.34 mg/ml ethanolic extract and 1.41mg/ml of Ethyl acetate) value was observed. The aqueous extract was better in Fe2+chelating activity and higher in the content of total phenol as compared to ethanolic and ethyl acetate extracts. However, the ethyl acetate extract had signi?cantly higher (P < 0.05) hydroxyl radical scavenging activity with the concentration for 50% inhibition (IC) value of 0.86 mg/mL, 1.24 mg/mL for ethanolic extract and 2.16 mg/mL for aqueous extract. The results indicated that all the extracts showed excellent Nitric oxide scavenging activities with a close range of IC50 values of 0.83, 0.99 and 1.83 mg/mL for aqueous, ethanolic and ethyl acetate extract. The results suggest that Bridelia ferruginea stem bark possesses varied degrees of antioxidant activity in vitro and has the potential to be developed into dietary supplements and synergically modified with synthetic antioxidants. Keywords: Ethanolic extract, Aqueous extract, Ethyl acetate extract, Bridelia ferruginea, and Antioxidant activity

Activities and influence of veterinary drug marketers on antimicrobial usage in livestock production in Oyo and Kaduna States, Nigeria

Antimicrobial usage in animals contributes to the emergence of antimicrobial resistant bacterial strains. Investigations were carried out on how the characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practices of antimicrobial marketers influenced antimicrobials usage in animal production in Oyo and Kaduna States, Nigeria. Focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and structured questionnaires were used to gather information about the characteristics and activities of antimicrobial marketers. Overall, 70 (56.9 %) of 123 marketers had post-secondary education while 76 (61.8 %) were trained on the use of antimicrobials. Eighteen (14.6 %) of the marketers were licensed veterinarians. Only 51 (41.5 %) marketers displayed adequate knowledge about antimicrobials and antimicrobial usage. Sixty-seven (54.6 %) marketers requested a prescription before selling antimicrobials while 113 (91.9 %) marketer recommended antimicrobials for use in animals. Two-third of the marketers (66.7 %) prescribed antimicrobials without physically examining sick animals but based their prescriptions on verbal reports of clinical signs by farmers and on their personal experience. Marketers with higher educational qualification displayed more adequate knowledge of antimicrobials and antimicrobial usage than those with basic education background only. More years of experience in antimicrobial marketing did not translate to better knowledge on antimicrobial usage. Only 45 (36.6 %) respondents were aware of the existence of regulatory agencies monitoring the use of antimicrobials in animals. Farmers ignored the services of veterinarians in the diagnosis and control of animal diseases but resorted to drug marketers for help. Effective communication of existing legislations on antimicrobial usage, improved access to veterinary services and strict enforcement of regulatory policies are recommended for checking non-judicious use of antimicrobial agents in animal production. Sales of antimicrobial agents for animal use without veterinarian’s prescription must be prohibited

Pattern of respiratory diseases seen among adults in an emergency room in a resource-poor nation health facility

Background: There is a paucity of information on utilisation of emergency medical services in Nigeria. This study was conducted to determine the pattern of respiratory diseases seen among adults in an emergency room(ER) and their mortality within twenty- four hours in a health facility in Nigeria. Methods: We carried out a retrospective study on adult patients that presented with respiratory condition from November 2004 to December 2010 at the emergency room of Federal Medical Centre Ido-Ekiti, south western, Nigeria. Results: A total of 3671 cases were seen, 368 were respiratory cases accounting for 10.2 % of the total emergency room visitations. The male to female patients ratio was 1.2:1 and their mean was 49 9 ± 20.3 years. Pneumonia (34.5%) was the most common cases seen in the ER, followed PTB (29.4%), acute asthma (24.5%) , acute exacerbation of COPD (10.3%), upper airway tract obstruction and malignant pleural effusion were 0.5% respectively. Fourteen of the PTB cases (3.8%) were complicated by cor-pulmonale, 9(2.5%) by pleural effusion, 4(1.1%) by massive haemoptysis and 2(0.5%) by pneumothorax. Twenty-four hours mortality was 7.4% and 44.4% of the death was due to PTB, 37.0% was due to pneumonia and 14.8% due to acute asthma attack. The overall mortalities also had a bimodal age group distribution as the highest death was recorded in ages 30-39 and ≥70 years. Conclusion: Pneumonia and PTB were the leading respiratory diseases among adults causing of emergency room visit and early mortality in this health facility in Nigeria.Key words: Disease pattern, Respiratory Disease, Resource-poor country, Emergency Room, Nigeri

Infekcija serovarom Salmonella Typhimurium u pasa s proljevom i bez proljeva u Ibadanu u Nigeriji

The incidence of Salmonella in dogs was investigated to assess the risk of possible transmission of Salmonella from dogs to humans. Salmonella was isolated from 17 (3.7%) of 458 faecal samples collected from both diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic dogs. The infection rate was 3.2% (2 of 62) in a Nigerian local breed and 4.1% (15 of 396) in the Alsatian breed. All the isolates were serotyped as Salmonella Typhimurium. The antibiotic sensitivity pattern of all the Salmonella isolates was determined. They demonstrated a high susceptibility to ciprofloxacin (100%) and chloramphenicol (89.2%) but they were all (100%) resistant to erythromycin and Cloxacillin. Resistance was also exhibited to tetracycline (70.6%), ampicillin (47.1%), cefuroxime (52.9%), amoxicillin (35.3%), cotrimaxazole (76.5%), augumentin (52.9%), gentamicin (35.3%) and streptomycin (35.3%). Dogs that harbour Salmonella can serve as a source of Salmonella infection to their human companions. They can also disseminate the organism by contaminating the environment thereby exposing the general public and other animals to the risk of infection.Istražena je učestalost pojave salmonela u pasa kako bi se procijenio rizik od mogućega njihova prijenosa na ljude. Salmonele su bile izdvojene iz 17 (3,7%) od 458 uzoraka izmeta prikupljenih od pasa s proljevom i bez proljeva. Stopa zaraženosti iznosila je 3,2% (2 od 62) u pasa lokalne nigerijske pasmine i 4,1% (15 od 396) u njemačkoga ovčara. Svi izolati bili su tipizirani kao Salmonella Typhimurium. Svima je bila određena osjetljivost prema antibioticima te je ustanovljeno da su bili osjetljivi na ciprofloksacin (100%) i kloramfenikol (89,2%), a otporni na eritromicin i kloksacilin (100%), tetraciklin (70,6%), ampicilin (47,1%), cefuroksim (52,9%), amoksicilin (35,3%), kotrimaksazol (76,5%), augumentin (52,9%), gentamicin (35,3%) i streptomicin (35,3%). Psi kliconoše salmonela mogu biti izvor zaraze za ljude. Oni mogu proširiti uzročnika onečišćenjem okoliša i time predstavljati opasnost za javno zdravstvo i za druge životinje