Student Works

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ACCESS TO, AND UTILISATION OF GLOBAL SYSTEM FOR MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES AMONG SUBSCRIBERS IN IBADAN
(2014) MICAH, D. J.
The deregulation of the telecommunications sector in 2000 led to increased use of the Global System for Mobile Telecommunications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). Despite the perceived benefits associated with the utilisation of these services, problems of quality of services, infrastructural constraints and other challenges in the sector have remained largely uninvestigated. The study was conducted to examine access and the quality of services offered by the GSM providers in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. A synthesis of neoliberal and rational choice theories provided the analytical framework. The research design was a cross-sectional survey. Multistage sampling consisting purposive, simple random, and cluster sampling techniques were used to select locations and respondents. A sample of 1600 respondents were selected consisting 800 GSM subscribers from Ibadan Main City (MC) and the Less City (LC) respectively using Cochran's sample size determination. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on socio-demographic characteristics, perceptions on quality of services, and levels of access and utilisation. Quality of service was classified as poor, moderate and good. Access and utilisation were classified as high, moderate and low. Also, 34 In-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with service providers and subscribers to elicit information on business operations and challenges in the sector. In addition, four Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were conducted with regulators in the sector comprising Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Consumer Protection Council (CPC). Quantitative data were analysed at univariate and bivariate levels using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square test at p? 0.05 and Correlation). Qualitative data were content analysed. Respondents' age was 29.6±9.3 years, 54.4% were females, 80.4% earned less than N50,000 monthly and 72.9% had secondary education and above. Respondents from MC (62.0%) and LC (71.8%) perceived quality of GSM services as poor due to incessant call drops (82.4%), network disruption (78.9%), and poor call set-up (79.5%). Conversely, 55.4% from MC and 60.0% from LC perceived deregulation as beneficial. Access to GSM services in MC as perceived was rated high (38.6%), moderate (54.6%) and low (6.8%) and also in LC rated high (29.6%), moderate (57.4%) and low (13.0%). Respondents from MC (69.0%) and from LC (66.6%) perceived utilisation of GSM as high. GSM was utilised for multi-purposes which included connecting families and friends (94.0%), source of income (84.6%) and internet services (82.8%). High tariffs (89.0%) and indiscriminate erection of masts (65.7%) were mentioned as major challenges by the subscribers. There was positive association between location and perception of quality of services (r= 0.69); between age and perception on quality of GSM services (r=0.46); between income and level of utilisation of GSM (r= 0.56); location and level of utilisation of GSM (r= 0.95); level of utilisation of GSM and building of social networks (r= 0.89); perception of deregulation and level of access (r= 0.21); perception of deregulation and utilisation of GSM (r= 0.92). Respondents from MC (66.4%) and LC (69.6%) rated NCC as efficient, notwithstanding that the regulatory agency was fraught with inactions. Findings from IDIs indicated that infrastructure inadequacies, government�s inconsistent policies, vandalisation of base stations, heavy import duties and multiple taxations limited the capacity of GSM providers to offer quality services and lower tariffs. Findings from KIIs identified unauthorised product promotions, arbitrary charges and problem of infrastructure as challenges affecting quality of services offered by GSM operators in the sector. There was substantial access and utilisation of Global System for Mobile Telecommunications, but the quality of services was considered poor in the study areas. There is need for improvement of infrastructure, security of base station and strict enforcement of laws by the regulatory bodies in order to improve the quality of services rendered by the operators.
ADSORPTION OF SOME TOXIC METAL IONS ONTO WEST AFRICAN BOXWOOD (Naucleadiderrichii, MERRILL) SEED EPICARP DOPED WITH NANOPARTICLES
(2014) OMOROGIE, M. O.
The quest to protect the environment from toxic metal ions pollution has led to the development of simple, cheap, adaptable and environmentally friendly techniques for the removal of these pollutants from wastewaters. Biosorbents which are biodegradable and locally available have been used for the removal of toxic metal ions from wastewaters. However, there are no reports on the use of Naucleadiderrichii Seed Epicarp(NDSE) and its nanoparticles-doped derivatives. Hence, this study was aimed at investigating the adsorption capacities of NDSE and its nanoparticles-doped derivatives for some toxic metal ions from simulated wastewaters. Identified NDSE were collected from Forest Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan. They were oven dried at 60�2 �C, pulverised, sieved to 450 �m and stored in airtight plastics at room temperature. The MnO2, mesoporous SiO2, graphene oxide and TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared by hydrothermal, liquid templating, chemical oxidation and sol-gel methods respectively. Thereafter, NDSE was doped with the nanoparticles to give NDSE-MnO2 (NMD), NDSE-Mesoporous SiO2 (NMS), NDSE-Graphene Oxide/Mesoporous SiO2 (NGM) and NDSE-TiO2 (NTD). The nanoparticles, native and nanoparticles-doped adsorbents were characterised by various techniques including scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and surface area/porosity analysis. Adsorption studies were carried out using 20-500 mg of adsorbents to remove 20-100 mg/L toxic metals solution containing Cr(III), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions for 0.5-180 min (agitation time), 125 rpm (agitation speed) at 303-333 K. The supernatants from the mixtures were analysed for toxic metal ions adsorbed using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer. The native and nanoparticles-doped adsorbents had varying surface morphologies. The nanoparticles were 10-100 nm with large surface areas, while the nanoparticles-doped adsorbents were 10-200 �m with greater surface areas than that of the native adsorbent. The removal of Cr(III), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions per unit weight by the native and nanoparticles-doped adsorbents decreased with increase in adsorbent dose from 20 to 500 mg and were in the order NGM>NMS>NTD>NDSE>NMD. Adsorption of Cr(III), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions on the five adsorbents increased with time from 0.5-180 min, initial metal ion concentration from 20 to 100 mg/L and temperature from 303 to 333 K. The ?H�, ?G� and ?S� values for the removal of Cr(III), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions by NDSE indicated reactions that were endothermic and spontaneous with decrease in entropy. Those of Cr(III), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions on NMS and NGM were endothermic and spontaneous with increase in entropy. Those of NMD and NTD were endothermic and non spontaneous with decrease in entropy. The highest and lowest adsorptions respectively were 8.0�0.02 mg/g of Pb(II) ion on NGM and 3.1�0.02 mg/g of Cr(III) ion on NMD at 20 mg/L. Naucleadiderrichii seed epicarp doped with graphene oxide/mesoporous SiO2 nanoparticles adsorbed toxic metal ions more than the other adsorbents. The Naucleadiderrichii seed epicarp doped with MnO2 nanoparticles adsorbed lesser than the native adsorbent.
AFFINITY AND REACTIVITY STUDIES OF THE REACTION OF HUMAN (Homo sapiens) AND CAT (Felis catus) HAEMOGLOBINS WITH 5,5´-DITHIOBIS(2-NITROBENZOATE)
(2014-04) Olatunde, A. M.
Some haemoglobins have high oxygen affinity (high-affinity) while others have low oxygen affinity (low-affinity) as exemplified in human and cat haemoglobins respectively. High-affinity haemoglobins bind organic phosphates strongly and this lowers their oxygen affinities and their CysF9[93]? sulphydryl reactivities. Low-affinity haemoglobins on the other hand, bind organic phosphates weakly, and their oxygen affinities are hardly affected. Consequently, an assumption which is yet to be verified is that the reactivity of their CysF9[93]? is not affected by organic phosphates. Furthermore, the reaction of 5,5´- dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate) - DTNB - with CysF9[93]? of haemoglobins in the relaxed quaternary conformation has been found to be reversible but this is yet to be determined in the tense quaternary conformation. This research was therefore aimed at studying the effect of organic phosphate-binding on low-affinity cat haemoglobins and the reversibility of the reaction of DTNB with human deoxyhaemoglobin. The major and minor haemoglobins in cat haemolysate were separated on a column of carboxymethylcellulose. Human oxyhaemoglobin was isolated from blood using standard laboratory techniques. Solutions of deoxyhaemoglobin were prepared by passing humidified nitrogen gas over an aliquot of oxyhaemoglobin. Pseudo-first order kinetics of the reaction of DTNB with the CysF9[93]? sulphydryl of human and cat haemoglobins were studied at 25°C. The DTNB concentration was varied while that of the sulphydryl was kept constant. The second order rate constants, kF, were obtained from linear plots of the pseudo-first order rate constant, kobs, versus the DTNB concentration. Equilibrium experiments were performed by adding 3 cm3 of a 50 ?mol (haem) dm-3 haemoglobin solution into varying volumes of a stock 29 mmol dm-3 DTNB solution inside test tubes. The mixtures were equilibrated at 25°C for 6 to 8 hours. The absorbances of these mixtures were measured at 412 nm, using a UV-visible spectrophotometer, and substituted into an equation derived to determine the equilibrium constant, Kequ, of the reaction. All experiments were carried out between pH 5.6 and 9.0 for both the stripped and inositol hexakisphosphate (inositol-P6)-bound haemoglobin. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The percentages of major and minor haemoglobins in cat haemolysate were 60.0 ± 4.0 and 40.0 ± 4.0 respectively. Plots of kobs at constant pH against the DTNB concentration were linear. The plots had positive intercepts for deoxyhaemoglobin, indicating that its reaction with DTNB is reversible. Stripped human oxyhaemoglobin gave a bell-shaped pH-dependence profile for kF, with a maximum value of 31.9 ± 0.6 mol-1dm3s-1 at pH 7.1. In the presence of inositol-P6, kF decreased. In contrast, cat haemoglobins gave simple pH-dependence profiles. Inositol-P6 increased kF by about two-fold throughout the experimental pH range. The Kequ increased in the presence of inositol-P6 for both cat haemoglobins and human deoxyhaemoglobin. This is an indication of increased affinity for DTNB in both haemoglobins. The affinity of deoxyhaemoglobin for DTNB was also higher compared to that of oxyhaemoglobin. The CysF9[93]? of low-affinity cat haemoglobins had their reactivities increased by inositol hexakisphosphate. The reaction of 5,5´-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate) with haemoglobin was reversible in the tense quaternary structure.
ALIENATION AND ECOACTIVISM IN SELECTED WORKS ON THE NIGER DELTA CRISIS
(2014) FEGHABO, C. C.
The discourse of alienation, provoked by environmental despoliation due to the activities of multinational oil companies in the Niger Delta region, is aptly captured in literary works. Previous studies on literary texts about the Niger Delta crisis have identified the negative socio-economic and political impacts of oil exploitation as responsible for the ecoactivism in the Niger Delta, neglecting the role of alienation or erosion of self in the fueling of the crisis. This study, therefore, examines the indicators of erosion of self as projected in selected prose texts on the Niger Delta crisis. This is with a view to establishing how the literary writers connect ecoactivism to the erosion of self. Karl Marx's and Marilyn Nissim-Sabat's postulations on alienation as well as Lawrence Buell's theory on practical commitment to the environment were adopted based on their concern with alienation and ecoactivism, and as implicated in the Niger Delta crisis. Six prose works: Saro-Wiwa's A Month and a Day (AMAD), a memoir; Okpewho's Tide (T); Ojaide's The Activist (TA); Egbuson's Love My Planet (LMP); Agary's Yellow-Yellow (YY) and Habila's Oil on Water (OOW) were chosen. Their selection was based on the shared experiential knowledge of all but one of the writers, and the themes of alienation and ecoactivism, which are common to them. These texts were subjected to literary analysis. Three indicators of alienation or erosion of self-consciousness and two indicators of ecoactivism are differently portrayed in the six texts. Alienation is unveiled through the following: pictures of degraded ecosystem; internal division; presentation of the people as victims as well as protagonists. Ecoactivism is illustrated through ecoterrorism; and non-violent eco-campaign. All the six texts, employing pathos, capture the feeling of alienation of the people of Niger Delta through appalling pictures of the degraded environment as a result of the activities of multinational oil companies. Saro-Wiwa's (AMAD), Okpewho's T, Ojaide's TA, Egbuson's LMP and Habila's OOW illustrate the people's erosion of self as a result of divisions among them, due to financial inducements from the Nigerian state and the multinational oil companies. Okpewho's T, Saro-Wiwa's AMAD, Ojaide's TA and Egbuson's LMP, through antithetical pictures, capture the people's loss of self by presenting them as victims of internal/external exploitation as well as protagonists against internal/external foes. Three of the texts, namely: Ojaide's TA, Egbuson's LMP and Habila's OOW present violence/ecoterrorism against the perceived internal/ external foes of the people as a means of preserving the environment. Saro-Wiwa's AMAD, Okpewho's T and Agary's YY reveal urgent non-violent eco-campaign in the area. Ecological degradation and internal divisions are linked by the six texts to the oil and gas exploration activities of the multinational oil companies and these generate a sense of alienation that leads to intense ecoactivism in the area. Three indicators of erosion of self, which connect with ecoterrorism and non-violent eco-campaign, are manifest in the selected texts through the use of pathos and antithesis. These reveal the writers' construction of self as a contingence on ecoactivism in the Niger Delta crisis.
ANAEMIA PREVENTION AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH USE OF IRON SUPPLEMENT AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NIGERIA
(2015) NWANKPA, R. O.
Anaemia is a public health problem affecting an estimated 3.5 billion people worldwide and at least 50% of pregnant women in Africa. Nigeria has a relatively high prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy despite ameliorating measures including use of iron supplementation as prophylaxis. This study was conducted to assess anaemia prevention practice and factors associated with use of iron supplements among pregnant women in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria.Six primary health centers were randomly selected from ten primary health centers in Ibadan North L.G.A. A total of 450 consenting pregnant women were interviewed from the six selected primary health centers based on the proportion of pregnant women that attended antenatal clinic in each PHC. An interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire which included knowledge score of 0-30 categorized into good (70-100 %) and poor (0-69 %.) and also practice score of 15-75 categorized into poor (15-33) and good (34-75). Among the practice scores, compliance to prescription was checked using a compliance score of 3-15 of the total score categorized into low (3-9) and high (10-15). Descriptive statistics, Chi-square and t-tests, and logistic regression were used for data analysis at 5% level of significance.The mean age of the respondents was 26.7'4.6years. Majority (93.8%) were Yoruba, self-employed (79.1%) and Muslims (58.0%). Many (79.3%) had secondary education and (80%) earned less than N20, 000 monthly while few (4.0%) were unemployed. Most (65.3%) had 2 or more children (Multigravidas) while (34.7%) just had first pregnancy (primigravidas). Majority (84.7%) of respondents had good knowledge of anaemia prevention with a mean ('S.D) knowledge score of 23.5 ' 5.5. The unemployed were less (OR: 0.10; CI= 0.03-0.40, p-value 0.001) likely to have good knowledge of anaemia prevention than the employed while respondents with primary and secondary education were about five (OR: 4.70; CI= 1.05-21.11, p-value 0.044) and six times respectively (OR: 6.15; CI=1.49-25.45, p-value 0.012) more likely to have good knowledge of anaemia prevention than those without any formal education. The unemployed were less likely to have good anaemia prevention practices than the employed (OR: 0.04; CI = 0.003-0.46, p-value 0.010) and those with 2 or more children (multigravidas) were about five times more likely to have good anaemia prevention practices than the primigravidae (OR: 5.01; CI= 1.56-16.09, p-value 0.007). Although majority of the respondents (93.3%) used iron supplements, compliance to prescription (57.3%) was relatively low. Respondents with secondary and tertiary education were about seven (OR: 6.65; CI= 1.15-38.57, p-value 0.035) and 24 times respectively (OR: 24.33; CI=2.06-287.9, p-value 0.011) more likely to use iron supplements than those without any formal education. And respondent with 2 or children (multigravidas) were about three times (OR: 3.10; CI=1.08-8.84, p-value 0.035) more likely to use Iron-Folic acid supplements than the primigravidae.Socio-economic factors were determinants of anaemia prevention practice among pregnant women. There is therefore need for timely economic empowerment and educational interventions to address these challenges.
ANALGESIC, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTI-CONVULSANT ACTIVITIES OF STEM BARKEXTRACT OF ERYTHROPHLEUMIVORENSE(A CHEV) IN RATS AND MICE
(2014) WAKEEL, O. K.
Erythrophleumivorense isused in traditional medicine for the treatment of convulsion, swellings, body pain and as emetic agents. There is a dearth of scientific information in support of the traditional claims. This study was therefore designed to investigate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anticonvulsant properties of the methanol extract and fractions ofErythrophleumivorense. Fresh Stem bark of E. ivorense was air dried,ground to powdery form and was extracted using 75% methanol. Crude Methanol Extract (CME, 50g) was fractionated, using ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and n-hexane to yield Ethyl Acetate Fraction (EAF), Dichloromethane Fraction (DCF), and n-Hexane Fraction (HF). Four hundred and eighty male Swiss albino mice (20-25 g) were divided into six experimental groups of twenty animals each for CME and the three fractions. Animals in each group were randomly divided into four treatment groups. Group 1 received 2% DMSO (10mL/kg) (control) while CME or fractions (5, 10, 20 mg/kg) was given to groups 2-4intraperitoneally. Animals were pretreated thirty minutes before injection of acetic acid, formalin or placed in hot plate and picrotoxin, leptazol, strychnine for evaluation of analgesic and anticonvulsant activities respectively. Twenty male Wistar rats (180-200 g) were used for anti-inflammatory study and were randomly divided into four treatment groups. Group 1 received 2% DMSO (10mL/kg) while CME or fraction (5, 10, 20 mg/kg) was given to groups 2-4. All animals were pretreated intraperitoneally thirty minutes before induction of acute inflammation with subplantal injection of carrageenan (0.1ml).Thereafter, the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by measuring the oedema size of the right hind paw using cotton thread method.Data were analyzed using descriptive statistic and ANOVA at p=0.05. The CME (20mg/kg), EAF (20mg/kg)and DCF (20mg/kg)caused significant reductionin the number of writhes of acetic acid-induced writhing (3.8±0.4, 3.6±0.2 and 11.9±0.4 respectively) compared with control (37.7±2.6). In hot plate test, CME (7.0±0.5) and EAF (6.6±0.4) significantly prolonged the reaction time (seconds) to noxious heat, while DCF (2.8±0.4) and HF (2.6±0.5) did not significantly change the responses compared with control (2.2 ±0.2). The CME (35.6±0.4, 67.0±0.8) and EAF (35.2±0.4, 74.2±0.7), but not HF (55.5±0.4, 146.0±0.9) significantlyreduced duration of paw licks (seconds) in boththe neurogenic and inflammatory phases of formalin-induced paw licks compared with control (56.0±0.5, 148.0 ± 0.3), while DCF produced significant reduction in duration of paw licks in inflammatory (53.0±0.3) but not the neurogenic (55.5±0.4) pain induced by formalin when compared with the control. The CME and EAF significantly (p<0.05) delayed the onset, shortened duration of action and offered protection against picrotoxin and leptazol-induced convulsions. However, CME and its fractions did not protect strychnine-induced convulsions. The CME, EAF and DCFat 5, 10, 20mg/kg significantly reduced paw oedema size with percentage inhibitions of(25.0, 41.7, 58.3), (46.7, 46.7, 60.0) and (0.0, 9.1, 54.5) respectively compared with control. The crude methanol extract, ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions exhibited analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anticonvulsant activities. These support ethnomedicinal uses of the plant in the management of pain and convulsive disorders.
ANTICANCER, ANTIOXIDANT AND IMMUNO-MODULATORY EFFECTS OF ACACIA HONEY IN SOME CANCER CELL LINES
(2014) MUHAMMAD, A.
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Cancer curative properties of honey have been documented. However, there is dearth of information on the exact mechanism of anticancer effect of honey. This study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant, immuno-modulatory and anticancer properties of "Acacia Honey" (AH). The AH used was obtained from Achida, Sokoto State, Nigeria and authenticated by pollen grain analysis. Antioxidant and immuno-modulatory properties of 0.125-2.5 % (v/v) AH and its dichloromethane, ethylacetate and aqueous fractions were investigated in blood, neutrophils and macrophages by luminol and lucigenin-amplified chemiluminescence methods. The AH cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects on lymphocytes were evaluated by cytochalasin B- blocked micronucleus and mitotic index assays, respectively. Anti-proliferative effects of 0.5-10 % (v/v) AH on NIH/3T3, PC-3 and NCI-H460 cells were conducted using MTT (3-[4, 5-dimethyl Thiazole-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide), mitotic index and fluorescence-activated cell sorting methods. Cell cycle analysis and expressions of TNF-?, IL-1? and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) were done by flow cytometry and ELISA. Expressions of p53 and bcl-2 genes were done using real-time PCR. Male Wistar rats (112-200g) were randomly assigned to four groups of five (5) animals treated orally with distilled water (control), AH 20 % (v/v), Sodium Arsenite (SA) (5 mg/kg body weight), AH and SA daily for one week. The frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (mPCEs) was determined by microscopy. Levels of serum and tissue (brain and liver) lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were determined by spectrophotometry. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and LSD at p = 0.05. In blood, neutrophils and macrophages, fractions of AH caused pro-oxidant effect while the unfractionated sample elicited antioxidant effect with IC50 of < 0.25, 0.20 and < 0.125 % respectively. The cytotoxicity index for control was 0.00 ± 0.00. In 0.5 %, 1.0 %, 2.0 % and 4 % (v/v) AH treated, cytotoxicity index were 5.66 ± 0.02, 4.50 ± 0.01, -1.22 ± 0.00 and - 4.79 ± 0.03 respectively. The mitotic, nuclear division and cytokinesis-block proliferation indices for the controls were 7.35 ± 0.64, 1.40 ± 0.02 and 1.38±0.01 respectively. These indices increased proportionately with increase in AH concentration. The AH exhibits cytotoxic effects on NIH/3T3, PC-3 and NCI-H460 cells with IC50 of 3.7, 1.9 and 7.5 % (v/v) respectively. Treatment with 2.0 %, 4.0 % and 8 % (v/v) AH significantly decreased PSA levels (430.0 ± 10.0, 425.1 ± 15.0, 420.1 ± 20.0 pg/mL respectively) relative to control (530.0 ± 0.01 pg/mL) in PC-3 cells. The AH (2.0 %, 4.0 % and at 8.0 % (v/v)) significantly and dose-dependently arrested G0/G1 in NCI-H460 and PC-3 cells. The AH significantly decreased TNF-?, p53, bcl-2 expressions while IL-1? was elevated in the cells. The SA significantly increased LPO (serum, brain and liver) and mPCEs levels while co-treatment with AH significantly decreased these levels with increased GSH, CAT and SOD. Acacia honey shows anticancer property by eliciting cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects on cancer cells via activation of apoptotic pathways and antioxidant activity.
ANTIDIABETIC PROPERTIES OF MUCUNA PRURIENS L. (D.C.) SEED EXTRACT AND ITS TABLET FORMULATIONS
(2012) MAJEKODUNMI, S. O.
Diabetes mellitus and its complications continue to be one of the highest causes of morbidity and mortality in recent times. Although many drugs are commercially available for use in the management of diabetes, their side effects and high costs underscore the need for new drugs. Mucunapruriens(L.) DC. (Fabaceae)is among the plants used in the management of diabetes in the tropics. The antidiabetic and ameliorative effects of the seed ethanolic extract of M.pruriens on alloxan-induced diabetes in Wistar rats were evaluated. Antidiabetic activity of the formulated M. pruriens tablets was also investigated in rabbits. Preliminary phytochemical screening of M. pruriens was done using standard methods. The effects of oral administration of the extractat doses 5.0-100.0 mg/kg body weight (bw) and glibenclamide (5.0 mg/kg bw) as standard drug were studied in alloxan-induced (120 mg/kg, i.p) diabetic rats (eight groups of six rats each, plasma glucose>450.0 mg/dL). Biochemical parameters were evaluated by spectroscopy and acute toxicity tests carried out based on mortality rate of Swiss albino mice. Tablets were formulated using direct compression and wet granulation methods. Mechanical properties of the tablets were assessed using crushing strength, friability and the crushing strength-friability ratio while drug release properties were evaluated by determining disintegration and dissolution times. The in vivo release properties of selected tablet formulations in diabetic rabbits were assessed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, linear regression and ANOVA. The seed of M. pruriens contained alkaloids, saponins, steroids and phenols. The administration of 5.0, 10.0, 20.0, 30.0, 40, 50.0, and 100.0 mg/kg of the crude ethanol extract of MP led to 18.6%, 24.9%, 30.8%, 41.4%, 49.7%, 53.1% and 55.4% reduction, respectively in blood glucose level eight hours after administration, while glibenclamide resulted in 59.7% reduction. Chronic administration of the extract also resulted in significant (p<0.001) dose-dependent reduction in the blood glucose level and the alleviation of body weight loss associated with diabetes. Acute toxicity tests showed that no death was recorded after administration of the extract (0.5 –32.0 g/kg). Significantly (p<0.05) elevated levels of plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase with concomitant decrease in total protein level were observed in diabetic rats when compared with control rats. The values of these biochemical parameters were restored to normal levels by M. pruriens extract or glibenclamide after 12 weeks of treatment. Mucunapruriens tablets prepared by wet granulation exhibited higher mechanical and drug release properties than tablets prepared by direct compression (p<0.05). The tablet properties depended on the type and concentration of binders and excipients employed in the formulations. Tablets prepared by direct compression showed better reduction in the blood glucose level, compared to those prepared by wet granulation. There was a direct correlation between drug released from the tablets in vitro and its antidiabetic activity in vivo in rabbits (r2 = 0.995). Theethanolic extract of the seed of Mucunapruriens and its tablet formulations showed significant antidiabetic activity. In addition, M. pruriens displayed both hepatoprotective and cholesterol reducing properties in diabetic rats.
ASSESSMENT OF DETRIMENTAL HEALTH EFFECT OF RADIATION ASSOCIATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC X-RAY EXAMINATIONS AT FOUR CENTRES IN NIGERIA
(2011) AKINLADE, B. I.
Radiation exposure during diagnostic X-ray examinations has been widely reported as one of the sources of cancer induction. Information on X-ray machine and exposure parameters are crucial to risk assessment, which in turn are important for optimization of radiation protection measures. The documentation of radiation risk in Nigeria is sparse and hence the effectiveness of radiation protection measures at diagnostic centres has not been well established. This work was aimed at measuring effective dose received by patients during diagnostic x-ray examinations and estimating the associated risk. Between the years 2004 and 2006, the beam output of x-ray machines at four diagnostic centres with adequate regulatory activities were measured with non-invasive x-ray meter. These centres include University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Twotees Diagnostic Centre (TDC) Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC) Ile-Ife and National Hospital Abuja (NHA). Field sizes, focus to skin distance (FSD), tube filtration, operating potential (kVp) and tube loading (mAs) were measured and used to calculate Dose Area Product (DAP) per patient. Data on age and examination type were recorded for 1034 patients which include 310(UCH), 276(TDC), 220(OAUTHC) and 228(NHA). These and calculated DAP were used to run Monte Carlo program to obtain effective dose. The risk of cancer was thereafter estimated using fatal cancer risk factor of 5 x 10-2 Sv-1. The results obtained were compared with the risk estimates recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). iv X-ray field sizes and FSD of the examinations considered ranged from 8 cm x 5 cm to 40 cm x 35 cm and 75 cm to 139 cm respectively. The tube filtrations (mmAl) at UCH, TDC, OAUTHC and NHA were 1.7, 2.7, 1.7 and 1.0 +1.0 mmCu respectively while the mean exposure parameters (kVp, mAs) were 69, 45; 76, 79; 100, 83; and 75, 28 respectively. Analysis of examination type showed that thoracic x-ray examination was the most common (74.0%). This was followed by head and neck (11.0%), pelvic (8.0%), lower limb (4.0%), abdomen (2.0%) and upper limb (1.0%). The mean age (years) of patients was 38±1 at UCH, 32±1 at TDC, 27±1 at OAUTHC and 28±1 at NHA. Examination procedures were the same in all centres except the use of anti-scatter grid for thoracic examination at OAUTHC. In all x-ray examinations, DAP (mGycm2) generally ranged from 70 to 38,155. The range of effective doses (mSv) at UCH, TDC, OAUTHC and NHA were 0.01–0.11, 0.01–0.17, 0.24–4.74 and 0.01–0.10 respectively while the corresponding estimated risks of cancer per million were 2–9, 2–22, 100–400 and 2-6. The values at OAUTHC were higher than ICRP risk estimates of 35 cancer cases per million. This was traceable to selection of high kVp with high mAs and insufficient tube filtration. Radiation risks associated with diagnostic X-ray examinations were within acceptable limit except at OAUTHC. For radiation risks to be within the recommended limit, the use of high kVp with low mAs and careful application of anti-scatter grid are encouraged. Keywords: Patient dose, Cancer risk assessment, Ionising radiation,
ASSESSMENT OF GENETIC STRUCTURE OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS, BURCHELL, 1822 POPULATION IN ASEJIRE LAKE
(2014) OYEBOLA, O. O.
Wild brood-stock is a major genetic reservoir for sustainable culture of Clarias gariepinus. This has been observed to be declining in major freshwater dams in Nigeria. There is inadequate information on factors responsible for this decline and their effects on genetic structuring of the fish resources in these dams. This study therefore investigated genetic structure of C. gariepinus in relation to environmental condition of Asejire Dam. The Dam was spatially divided into Oyo State (OYS) and Osun State (OSS) strata. Thirty-eight sites were randomly selected, nineteen sites from each stratum. Water Quality Parameters (WQP) were sampled bimonthly in wet and dry seasons for 24months. The WQP selected were temperature, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Total Hardness (TH) and Total Alkalinity (TA). Catchment area was assessed for indices of threat to environmental condition; Watershed Forest Degradation (WFD), frequencies of Partial Dam Gate Opening (PDGO) and Complete Dam Gate Opening (CDGO). Clarias gariepinus catches from fishermen’s landings were used to study genetic structure by examining variability in phenotypes and genotypes. Phenotypic data obtained were regrouped to subgroups of sex, size, and grades of Possession of Anteriorly Serrated Pectoral Spine (PASPS). Regrouped cases that had significantly different subgroups’ phenotypes were further screened for presence of Private Allele (PA), polymorphism of protein, DNA bands and genetic distance using standard procedures Seasonal variations in WQP for wet and dry seasons were 27.4±3.2 and 30.0±2.5οC (temperature); 6.1±1.8 and 5.0±2.1 mg/l (DO); 51.7±27.1 and 52.0±38.0 mg/l (TH); 55.3±43.7 and 134.00±89.5 mg/l (TA) respectively. The WQP values of 28.6±2.7 and 28.7±4.0οC (temperature), 6.1±1.2 and 6.5±1.5 mg/l (DO), 52.7±6.2 and 51.7±38.3 mg/l (TH), 146.7±58.3 and 91.0±43.4 mg/l (TA) were recorded at OYS and OSS respectively. There was 8.5% reduction in catchment area while 66.0% wetland areas were under human activities. The PDGO for wet and dry seasons were 30 and 8 times respectively. Wet and dry seasons’ CDGO occurred 2 times. Thirty-seven Clarias gariepinus were identified from 1,392 fish catches. Dorsal ray counts ranged from 63 to 71. Dorsal ray counts were significantly different (F=3.51, p=0.008) between size subgroups. Anal fin lengths in PASPS subgroups were between 39.0 and 44.0% of standard lengths. These values were significantly different (F=4.25, p=0.001) among the subgroups. Polymorphism and PA of protein markers occurred in PASPS at 14.7kDa. The DNA analysis revealed 82.5% polymorphic sites from 746 bands. The PASPS subgroups genotypes formed two different clusters and had within cluster variability at 62.0% CV. Watershed forest degradation indices: catchment areas’ reduction and increase in wetland areas under human activities in addition to frequency of opening of the dams’ gate were the main threats to Clarias gariepinus population in Asejire Dam. Genetic structure indicated presence of strains with high variability in Clarias gariepinus.
ASSESSMENT OF SANITARY CONDITIONS OF FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS AND THEIR PATRONAGE IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN IBADAN NORTH-WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OYO STATE
(2012) FATUNMBI, O. M.
The current trend to eat outside the home in Nigeria has contributed to increasing number of food establishments where prepared food is sold and consumed. Poor sanitary conditions in such establishments can predispose consumers to food-borne diseases. Although, numerous food establishments exist in Ibadan, an appraisal of their sanitary status has not yet been well documented. This study determined the sanitary status of food establishments and assessed the determinants of their patronage in selected communities in Ibadan North-West Local Government Area (LGA), Oyo State, Nigeria. The study design was cross-sectional. A four-stage random sampling technique was used in selecting 54 out of 108 food establishments in the LGA. Data were collected using four Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with food handlers, two Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with staff responsible for food safety at State and LGA levels and an observation of each establishment using a checklist. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from 593 consumers selected by systematic random sampling technique. Thematic approach was used for analysing the qualitative data while descriptive and Chi-square statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data. About one-quarter (25.9%) of cooks, 24.1% servers, and 24.1% dish- washers wore apron. Food stains and dirt were observed on clothes of 40.7% cooks, 35.2% servers and 31.4% washers. Sixty-one percent of the establishments had no appropriate refuse bins. The disposal of liquid wastes into partially blocked open drains was observed in 79.6% establishments while 78.4% lacked toilet facilities. Overall 83.3% food establishments had doors without screening nets while the windows of 72.2% had no screening nets. Flies were observed in 81.5% establishments. Separate rooms for storing unprepared foods and dish washing existed in 32.1% and 1.1% of food establishments respectively. A separate hand washing bowl was provided for each customer in 11.1% establishments. Forty-two percent of establishments had napkins but only 28.6% of these were found clean. Food Handlers safety practices were perceived by 67.9% customers to be tolerable. Customer�s patronage choice of food establishments was influenced by cleanliness of food handlers going by the response of 45.5% of the respondents. Availability of electricity was cited as a factor by another 61.9% of the respondents. Respondents� concerns about eating places include location of sanitary facilities (76.9%) and food preparation from eating area (76.6%) which are significantly associated with education (p<0.05) and gender (p<0.05). The view of most FGD discussants was that financial constraints were the major reason for the inadequate facilities in food establishments. Regular training, routine supervision and imposition of appropriate sanctions were considered necessary by key informants for promoting compliance with safety practices among food handlers. The sanitary status of food establishments in the study area could facilitate the occurrence of food-borne diseases. Yet, sanitary consideration was not a determinant of patronage of the food establishments. Educational intervention aimed at promoting standards of food safety and environmental sanitation is recommended for eliminating the situation.
AUTHORSHIP, QUALITY AND PRICE AS FACTORS INFLUENCING UTILISATION OF TEXTBOOKS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA
(2012) FAGBOLA, B. O.
Textbooks play central role in teaching and learning in schools, particularly, in primary schools. Difficult and poorly written textbooks in the early grades contribute to the high drop-out rate of pupils in Nigeria. Utilisation of textbooks may be influenced by several factors, especially authorship, quality and price. However, there is a dearth of information on how the factors relatively and jointly influence utilisation of textbooks in primary schools in Nigeria. The study, therefore investigated the influence of authorship, quality and price on textbook utilisation in primary schools in Oyo State. The ex-post facto type of descriptive survey research design was used. Multi-stage sampling technique was adopted to select 7 out of the 8 educational zones in Oyo State. Eight schools each were selected from the 7 zones. Fifty-six head teachers, 130 teachers, one arm (intact class) of primary five pupils (1,680) and parents/guardians (1,680) were randomly selected in the schools. Furthermore, four sessions of Key Informant Interview (KII) were conducted with authors, publishers, Officials of the Ministry of Education and State Universal Basic Education Board. Three instruments were used: Teachers' Textbook Assessment Scale (r=0.95); Parents' Textbook Assessment Scale (r=0.95), and Pupils' Textbook Assessment Scale (r=0.77). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation and multiple regression. Content analysis was used for the qualitative data. Daily percentage usages of textbooks by the pupils were: mathematics (83.2%), English Language (74.4%), basic science (38.1%) and social studies (33.9%). Authorship, quality and price had significant influence on utilisation of textbooks (F= (10, 19), 4.858 p<0.05) and contributed 85% to the variance of the independent variable. The relative contributions were as follows: authorship, (? -.546; t=-2.621), quality (?= -.421; t=-2.183), price (? =.282; t=1.171). Also, significant relationship existed between quality and utilisation of textbooks: (r=0.72) for mathematics textbooks; (r=0.67) for English Language textbooks; (r = 0.66) for science textbooks and (r=0.40) for social studies textbooks. Significant relationship existed only between authorship and utilisation of English Language textbooks (r=0.83) while none existed for others. There were significant differences in quality and price of mathematics, English Language and social studies textbooks by different publishers. The average prices of textbooks across publishers as at the time of this study were as follows:( N660) for mathematics, (N555) for English Language, (N537) for science and (N457) for social studies. The authors were highly qualified as majority (69.0%) of them were Ph.D. holders who wrote in their areas of specialisations. This reflected in the high quality textbook produced. The KII revealed that all the publishers indicated their authors� qualifications and experience as important criteria for selection. More than half of the authors (78.6%) were male. Approximately, 60% of the production cost was on paper procurement. Authorship, quality and price influenced utilisation of textbooks in Oyo State. Therefore, government should ensure evaluation in respect to authorship and quality of textbooks by experts before they are adopted for schools in Oyo State. The government should also reduce taxes on raw materials that publishers use in textbook production.
BROADCAST MEDIA ORGANISATIONAL INTEROPERABILITY FACTORS AS DETERMINANTS OF COMMUNAL CONFLICT MANAGEMENT IN OYO AND LAGOS STATES, NIGERIA
SANNI, O. O.
Communal conflicts are on the increase in Nigeria with attendant negative consequences. The reportage of these conflicts brings about constraints in their management and sometimes aggravates the situation. This necessitates the interoperability of the broadcast media organisations in their reporting to enhance information sharing and consistency. Previous studies have focused more on different strategies used in Communal Conflict Management (CCM), while few have considered the contributions of interoperability factors among the broadcast media in managing such conflicts. This study, therefore, determined Broadcast Media Organisational Interoperability Factors (BMOIF) as predictors of communal conflict management in Oyo and Lagos states, Nigeria. It also examined the effectiveness of the broadcast media. The study adopted survey design. Oyo and Lagos states were purposively selected because of the presence of federal, state and privately owned media organisations. Three radio and television stations were purposively selected from each of the two states. ‘Amuludun’, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), and Splash FM radio stations, and Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), BCOS and Galaxy television stations in Oyo State; and Bond FM, Radio Lagos, Raypower FM radio stations and NTA Lagos, Lagos Television and Television Continental from Lagos State. Stratified random sampling technique was adopted in selecting 303 broadcast journalists; 958 community representatives from four (two from each state) purposively selected high conflict-prone local government areas. Media Personnel and Audience CCM Checklists, BMOIF (r=0.97) and Broadcast Media Effectiveness (BME) (r=0.99) scales were used for data collection. These were complemented with 12 and eight sessions of In-depth Interview and Focus Group Discussion respectively with selected journalists and community representatives. Data were subjected to content analysis, descriptive statistics, Pearson product moment correlation and multiple regression at 0.05 level of significance. Usage of interoperable communication (r=.87), technology (r=.86) and training (r=.85) had positive significant correlation with CCM while governance and standard operating procedure did not. The BMOIF significantly predicted CCM (F(5, 297)=194.64, R=.88); accounting for 76.6% of its variance. Usage of interoperable communication (β=.49) and technology (β=.27) had relative significant contributions to CCM while governance, standard operating procedure and training had none. The BME indices had relative significant contributions to CCM as follows: programme timing (β=.71), programme content (β=-.58) and audience reach (β=.35) while language, news coverage area, frequency of programme and reception had none. About 62.0% of Lagos State respondents indicated Television Continental as the most effective broadcast station that disseminated programmes that promote CCM and 59.8% indicated Splash FM in Oyo State. The challenges affecting broadcast media interoperability were: incessant power failure ( x ̅=3.21), telecommunication network failure (x ̅ =3.17), inadequate funding ( x ̅ =3.17), inadequate protection of journalists ( x ̅ =3.09) and old communication equipment (x ̅ =3.05). Although there were perceived advantages of interoperability in terms of easy interpersonal communication, online streaming of news; yet there was inadequacy of training opportunities. Usage of interoperable communication and technology positively influenced the management of communal conflicts in Oyo and Lagos states. There is a need to improve their usage to enhance the use of broadcast media organisations in communal conflict management.
BUSINESS-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP FOR SECURITY AND PEACEBUILDING IN OIL-PRODUCING COMMUNITIES OF EGBEMA, IMO STATE, NIGERIA
(2012) CHUKWUNTA, E. C.
Oil exploration and production and socio-political stability of Nigeria have for over a decade, been undermined by conflict and insecurity in the oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta region. The potentials for peace-building partnerships between oil-producing communities and oil companies have not been adequately studied. Therefore, this study examined how partnerships between business, especially transnational oil companies and local oil-producing communities may enhance security and peacebuilding in the Niger Delta region. The Communities and Shell Together (CAST) project being implemented in Egbema, Imo State, Nigeria, was used as a case study. The study adopted a survey research design. Interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data for the study. This was complemented with key informant interviews (KII), non-participant observation and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) with CAST-worker and non CAST-worker residents of the communities, representatives of community-based organisations, non-governmental organisations, and government agencies. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 85% of the 167 CAST-worker residents which yielded 142, and 142 non CAST-worker residents were purposively selected from the 13 Egbema communities. The data were analysed using frequency counts, percentages, and charts. The KIIs and FGDs data were content analysed. The impact of the CAST project on community-company relations, peace, and security in the oil-producing communities was acknowledged as positive. A total of 90.1% of the respondents observed that in the pre-CAST era, the relationship between the communities and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) was very conflictual, and 93% reckoned that since the inception of CAST, the relationship has been peaceful. Almost all (97.9%) of the respondents noted that before the beginning of CAST, the pipelines and facilities of SPDC were insecure while 77.9% stated that the pipelines and facilities of the company have been very secure since the inception of CAST. The CAST project has brought about the much needed youth employment, better community-company relations, diminished community displeasure about company operations, improved security for SPDC pipelines and facilities, and boosted a sense of belonging among communities. Through its inclusive approach which involves the communities in the design, implementation, and ownership of security, peace-building, and developmental projects, the CAST partnership is enhancing community-company relations, peace, and security in the areas of its implementation. There is an urgent need in the oil-producing communities for developmental programmes that are inclusive in design, implementation, and ownership. Efforts should be geared towards directing the CAST initiative to further foster job creation. Governments, oil companies, and other stakeholders should explore the replication of the CAST model across the whole of the Niger Delta as a means to ensure security and peace in the region.
CAREER PROGRESSION, WORK MOTIVATION AND LEADERSHIP STYLES AS FACTORS AFFECTING JOB SATISFACTION OF LIBRARY PERSONNEL IN THE FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE OF NIGERIA
(2014) FANIMEHIN, A. O.
Library personnel are at the centre of information provision in the Federal Civil Service of Nigeria for policy formulation and implementation of government programmes and projects. As a result of limited vacancies for career progression (promotion from grade level 07-17), leadership styles (bureaucratic, autocratic and laissez-faire) and poor working conditions, the job satgisfaction of the library personnel has generated much concern. Several studies have focused on work motivation, leadership styles and job satisfaction in organisations but attention has not been paid to the factors of career progression, work motivation and leadership styles of library personnel in the Federal Civil Service of Nigeria. This study, therefore, investigated career progression, work motivation and leadership styles as factors affecting the job satisfaction of library personnel in the Federal Civil Service of Nigeria. The survey research design of correlation type was adopted. Total enumeration method was used to cover all the 450 library personnel in 29 federal ministries and 44 extra-ministerial departments. Four research instruments were used for data collection: Career Progression Questionnaire (r = 0.83), Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (r = 0.85), Work Motivation Questionnaire (r = 0.94) and Leadership Styles Questionnaire (r = 0.81). A total of 426 copies of the questionnaire were completed and returned. The response rate achieved was 94.7%. Five research questions were answered and four hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Multiple Regression Analysis. Results showed significant relationships between the independent variables and the dependent variable as follows: career progression and job satisfaction (r = 0.46, p<0.05); work motivation and job satisfaction (r = 0.11, p<0.05);bureaucratic leadership style and job satisfaction(r = 0.15, p<0.05), autocratic leadership style and job satisfaction (r = - 0.04, p<0.05), laissez � faire leadership style and job satisfaction (r = - 0.13, p<0.05). There were significant joint effects of the independent variables on job satisfaction of library personnel; (F(3,422) = 54.64; R= 0.53, p< 0.05). Variance of independent variables to job satisfaction was 28%. Each of the independent variables showed relative contributions to job satisfaction of library personnel thus: career progression (? = 0.42; t = 9.80; p< 0.05), work motivation (? = -.67, t = 5.39; p< 0.05) and leadership styles (? = 0.72; t = 6.36; p< 0.05). Further results showed positive correlations of career progression, work motivation and bureaucratic leadership style with job satisfaction and negative correlation of autocratic and laissez-faire leadership styles with job satisfaction. Career progression, work motivation, and bureaucratic leadership style enhanced job satisfaction of library personnel. Therefore, the Federal Civil Service should ensure stable career progression, and good work motivation for library personnel to improve their job satisfaction. In addition, bureaucratic leadership style of the library personnel should be sustained to promote check and balances in the Federal Civil Service of Nigeria
CHALLENGES OF INDISCIPLINE IN THE NIGERIA POLICE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
(2011) OJO, S. A.
As an important arm in governance and social control, attention has been focused on the police. Corruption, inadequate funding, poor governance, and public attitude to the police force, under-staffing, and inadequate training have been identified by scholars and policymakers as major problems of the Nigerian Police. However, little has been done on indiscipline in the Nigeria Police in relations to these challenges. This study examined the linkages of indiscipline with these issues and their implications on national security management in Nigeria. Quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis were used in the study. Qualitative data were generated through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGD). Quantitative data were obtained through a structured questionnaire. Three hundred copies of the questionnaire were administered in the sample areas randomly selected from the six geo-political zones in the country and two hundred and eighty (86.7%) were successfully retrieved and were augmented with data collected through interviews and focus group discussions with top echelons in the police, junior officers and the ranks and files, traditional rulers, civil societies, police service commission chairman etc. Frequency count percentages and Pearson chi-square were employed to analyze the result. The Nigerian Police Force has not been able to contribute effectively and efficiently to the maintenance of national security of Nigeria because of indiscipline. There is lot of laxity, insolence and disrespect among men and officers of the Nigerian Police. Corruption, inadequate funding, poor training, and interference of governments in Police duties, under-staffing and poor training are results of circumvention of standards. Rules and orders stipulated by the Nigeria Police Acts and provisions by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are not adhered to. This results in their dismal performance. Greater percentage (69.9%) of the Nigerian populace are not satisfied of the increasing impairment of the police effectiveness (?2 = 28.805; df = 2; P < 0.05) and its severe implications on national security (?2 = 11.877; df = 2; P < 0.05). Other factors such as non-conducive working environment, lack of motivation, erroneous perception of national security from coercive force perceptive contributes to unsatisfactory performance by the Nigeria Police. Also communication gap existing between the police and the general public makes security to be seen by the public as purely police affairs. Lack of motivation, under-staffing, poor attitude to the police force, corruption, poor governance, inadequate funding, non-conducive working environment, and poor training are all outcomes of indiscipline. The communication gap between police and general public should be blurred. Furthermore, the police force and general public must be sensitized and reoriented on what constitute national security. This will result in effective and efficient management of security in Nigeria. The prospect of effective and efficient policing of Nigeria lies in addressing indiscipline jointly by the government, the Police Force and the general public. Massive orientation of the police personnel and general public on implications of indiscipline on national security is urgent.
CHANGE AND ADAPTATION IN THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR OF OSUN DIVISION, WESTERN NIGERIA, 1900-1960
(2014) AJAYI, A.
The advent of colonialism in Osun Division occasioned changes which impacted greatly on the commercial sector of the division. This is well attested by the remarkable adaptation of the sector to the changes. Issues relating to change and adaptation in the commercial sector have been neglected by the available studies on Osun Division. This study, therefore, examinedchange and adaptation in the commercial sector of Osun Division in the areas of transportation, currency, banking and entrepreneurship between 1900 and 1960 with a view to ascertaining how the colonial innovations were integrated into the Yoruba commercial practices. This study adopted the historical approach. Oral interviews were conducted with 30 purposively selected key informants. They comprised kings and chiefs,former railway officials and passengers, artisans and traders whose ages ranged from 68 to 120 years. Interviews were carried out in major towns of Osogbo, Ikirun, Inisa, Okuku, Ejigbo, Ogbomoso, Gbongan, Ede and Iwo. Archival materials were derived from the National Archives, Ibadan and Sopolu Library, Ikenne. These included Colonial Secretary's Office papers, Government gazettes together with annual and intelligence reports. Town Series and maps were collected from relevant government ministries in Osogbo and Ibadan. Data were subjected to historical analysis. People of Osun Division adapted in diverse ways to the changes introduced by colonialism. In the area of transportation, extension of railway to Osogbo in 1907 and the subsequent construction of feeder roads elicited massive emigration of people to other parts of Nigeria and further to West African countries like Republic of Benin, Togo, Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire. This stimulated international trade in which the people of Osun Division were well known. New markets and urban centres emerged around the railway stations in Iwo, Ile-ogbo, Kuta, Yawu, Origo, Ede, Osogbo, Ikirun, Inisa and Okuku. Around these stations, human porterage became commercialised with the emergence of the alabaru who were mostly women. The need to have the new money introduced in 1904gave birth to currency counterfeiting by the smart blacksmiths, who used their local technology to forge British coins. Traders were lured to more lucrative businesses of cash crops and imported items in order to gain more profits. Inadequacies in the operations of the BritishBank of West Africa established in Osogbo in 1924 made sogundogoji, a hybrid of the pre-colonial Iwofa credit and modern banking systems to emerge in order to provide greater amount of money for traders and other needy individuals. In the system dominated by European and Levantine firms, indigenous entrepreneurs assumed the roles of distributors of European merchandise andagents of cash crop trade. As indigenous aids to trade complemented the foreign ones, the volume of local and international trade increased. This led to the emergence of commercial elite who became a force to reckon with in the politics of Western region. The Cooperative Produce Marketing Union they formed influenced government policies for better cocoa prices and protection of members from exploitation. Change and adaptation in the commercial sector of Osun Division of Western Nigeria during the colonial period occurred in respect of transportation, currency, banking and entrepreneurship. The outcome was a hybrid that was partly traditional and partly modern. Nevertheless, indigenous commerce thrived simultaneously with foreign trade.
CHARACTERISATION OF MICROBIAL LIPASES FROM VEGETABLE OIL POLLUTED SOIL
(2014) POPOOLA, B. M.
Vegetable oil spills are becoming frequent and are potentially more challenging than petroleum hydrocarbon spills. Microbial lipases occupy a place of prominence among biocatalysts and are often used for remediation of vegetable oil spills. There is a need for extensive characterisation of lipase for the treatment of vegetable oil-polluted sites. This work was carried out to characterise lipases from lipolytic isolates and as well monitor the degradation pattern of vegetable oil. Microorganisms were isolated from eight experimental soil samples contaminated with different types of vegetable oil, soil from an oil mill in Ibadan, and normal uncontaminated soil as a control. The isolates were characterised, identified, and screened for lipase production using standard methods. Temperature, pH and ion concentration (NaNO3 and MgSO4) were optimised for the lipase activity. A bacterium and a yeast with highest lipase activity, determined using a titrator were selected for further work. These enzymes were partially purified by dialysis, column and ion-exchange chromatography. Their purity and molecular weight were determined by Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and their kinetics were studied. The ability of the isolates to degrade olive oil in the laboratory was monitored at five-day intervals for 25 days using two mineral salt media. Concentration of the olive oil and microbial load were monitored in the media. The fatty acid profiles were determined using gas chromatography. Data obtained were analysed using ANOVA. Seventy-three microorganisms were isolated from the contaminated soils and identified as species of Bacillus (16), Pseudomonas (12), Flavobacterium (6), Alcaligenes (2), Proteus (3), Micrococcus (1), Aspergillus (9), Penicillium (6), Mucor (4), Rhizopus (2) Streptomyces (2), Candida (4), Saccharomyces (4), Geotrichum (1), Kluveromyces (1). Crude enzymes of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Candida parapsilosis had the highest lipase activity of 0.8 U/mL and 0.4 U/mL respectively. Temperature, pH, and ion concentration (NaNO3 and MgSO4) which had optimum enzyme activities for partially purified Pseudomonas fluorescens (0.85 U/mL), were 27 oC, 7.5 and 0.05 mM, and Candida parapsilosis (0.35 U/mL), were 35 oC, 6.5 ± 7.5, and 0.05 mM respectively. The molecular mass of the purified P. fluorescens and C. parapsilosis lipases were 45 and 38 KDa respectively. The purified P. fluorescens and C. parapsilosis lipases had Km values of 0.8 and 1.4 mg/mL, and Vmax of 0.7 and 1.1 �g/sec respectively. There was a (P < 0.05) significant reduction in the concentration of the residual oil by P. fluorescens on day 15 (0.0031 mol/L) compared to day 0 (0.0064 mol/L). The plate counts, 8.8 ± 0.03 and 10.3 ± 0.03, were (P < 0.05) significantly low on day 5 for both organisms compared to day 25. The percentage reduction of fatty acid by P. fluorescens and C. parapsilosis after 20 days was 8.2 % and 6.7 % respectively in the media used. Lipases from Pseudomonas fluoresecens and Candida parapsilosis had potential for the degradation of fatty waste. They could therefore be employed in environmental clean up of vegetable oil spill site.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SOME HYDROLYTIC ENZYMES AND BIOPULPING POTENTIAL OF FUNGAL ISOLATES FROM SELECTED WOOD SAMPLES IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA
(2014) ADESINA, F. C.
Pulping industry is both labour and energy intensive but in Nigeria, electricity supply is unstable. This has contributed to the near collapse of the Nigerian paper and pulp industry despite the rich forest resources in southwestern Nigeria. Use of alternative energy sources such as electricity generating sets further increases production cost. It therefore, becomes pertinent to seek alternative approach aimed at reducing mechanical pulping duration and improving pulp characteristics. The aim of the study was to characterise major hydrolytic enzymes of native fungi from selected wood samples and evaluate their biopulping potential. Chipped samples of three local woods (Anogeissus leiocarpus, Gmelina arborea and Terminalia superba) from Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo States were made to undergo spontaneous degradation. Thereafter, fungi were isolated, identified and screened for cellulase and hemicellulase production. Isolates selected based on maximal enzyme activities were used to produce cellulases (glucanase and glucosidase) and hemicellulases (mannanase and xylanase) with the chips as substrates. Kinetic, molecular and biochemical properties of partially purified hemicellulases were determined and optimised using standard methods. Chipped wood samples were subjected to treatments with fungal isolates singly and in combination for six weeks. Treated wood samples and pulp were evaluated fortnightly for changes in cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and ash contents, tensile strength, fibre length and strength. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at p = 0.05. Five hundred and twenty-six fungal isolates were obtained and identified as Aspergillus flavus(13), Aspergillus niger(125), Rhizopus spp(79). Lasiodiplodia theobromae(10), Penicillium purpurogenum(25), Fusarium chlamydosporium(37), Fusarium oxysporum(30), Fusarium compactum(25), Trichoderma harzianum(75), Trichoderma reesei(88) and Emericella nidulans(19). Aspergillus niger, F. compactum, T. harzianum and T. reesei were selected for enzyme production. Highest production of cellulase was 12.72U/gm±0.11 on A. leiocarpus by T. reesei. Best producer of mannanase was A. niger with 15.50U/gm±0.01 on G. arborea while highest xylanase production of 28.93U/gm±0.12 was by F. compactum on A. leiocarpus. Kinetic properties of xylanase was Vmax 1.402U/min/ml and Km 1.804U/ml with molecular weight of about 90kDa and that of mannanase was Vmax 0.754U/min/ml, Km 1.364U/ml and molecular weight was between 53 and 65kDa. Optimum xylanase activity was at 55oC and pH 5.5 while mannanase was at 30oC and pH 5.5. There was significant reduction in hemicellulose (45-27%) and lignin (20-15%) in treated wood compared to untreated samples. Gmelina arborea singly treated with F. compactum gave best result: cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and ash were reduced by 14.1, 18.9, 4.1 and 4.7 % respectively; while tensile strength, fibre length and strength improved respectively by 6.4, 4.3 and 6.5 %. These conformed to Technical Association of Paper and Pulp Industries standard. Treatment of T. superba with combination of F. compactum and T. harzianum however, reduced cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and ash by 20.7, 39.4, 11.9 and 10.6 % respectively, giving a better result than that obtained with single treatment. Fungal enzyme treated wood samples attained pulp characteristics that met required biopulping standard. Thus, native fungi may be employed for biopulping of common woods in Nigerian paper and pulp industries.
CHI AND MORAL AUTONOMY IN IGBO THOUGHT SYSTEM
(2014) MBARAH, G. O.
Chi, in Igbo traditional thought, is conceived of as a being responsible for the individual�s success and failure, in which the person�s ontological moral autonomy is denied. Existing studies have addressed the idea of Chi from Christian and literary perspectives, which emphasise fatalistic interpretation, but have not adequately studied the concept in relation to the individual as an autonomous moral agent. This study, therefore, investigated the concept Chi in Igbo culture, with a view to identifying the moral and ontological roles and attributes of Chi, in which the individual enjoys autonomy. The study adopted as its framework, Kant�s theory on moral autonomy, which holds that the will of a rational being is not subject to moral principles. Six relevant texts in metaphysics, eight texts in ethics and six texts on Igbo culture/African philosophy were purposively selected because they addressed the issues of Chi, moral autonomy and Igbo philosophy. The methods of conceptual-analysis and reconstruction were adopted. The former was used in the interrogation of relevant texts and positions, and to clarify the key concepts such as Chi, freedom, responsibilityand moral autonomy, while the latter was employed to reconcile the conception of Chi as different from the individual, and yet decides the individual�s wellbeing. Texts in metaphysics establish that the human persons are not in control of their well being, but do not consider the human will in its ontological dimension as very significant in their explanations, and therefore, under-explore the connection between the existence of destiny and the state of the human will. Texts in ethics reveal that the individual is bound to behave in certain laid down ways in which the individual does not enjoy autonomy, but is held responsible for their actions. These positions do not explicitly incorporate the human will, as the initiator and driver of decisions and actions in human persons. Texts in Igbo philosophy reveal that, ontologically, the (self) onwe in Igbo culture is empirical and enjoys moral autonomy. There are Igbo proverbs that affirm the idea of moral autonomy, freedom and responsibility in Igbo culture. For instance, Arusi/ agbarakpamngaga, egosiyaosisiejirimeputaya- �a god cannot be more powerful than the owner, else, it will be told of what wood it is made from�, emphasises human freedom and responsibility. Critical reflection on the idea of Chi demonstrates that the human person is morally autonomous and that the human will is not bound by any external forces, because every individual has akonauchewhich decides moral actions as being right or wrong. For instance; iheonyemetara, ya-buru- �whatever individuals do, they alone bear the consequences�, emphasises moral autonomy. The idea of Chi in Igbo culture demonstrates that the human person, as a moral agent, is morally autonomous. Therefore, the concept Chi plays both moral and ontological roles in the individual�s action which makes it (Chi) not to be conceived as fatalistic or deterministic since the individual enjoys some freedom and takes responsibility for their actions.