Towards an Indigenous Social Inclusion Paradigm:Igbo Apprenticeship System,Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation in South-East Nigeria

This research looked at how the Igbo trade apprenticeship programme has helped lower poverty rates in that region of Nigeria.Five hypotheses were generated to test the potential existence of a causal connection between the independent and dependent variables.Using a survey methodology,a structured questionnaire was used to collect data,which was then evaluated using chi-square tests.The research found that the Igbo trade apprenticeship system contributed to lessening poverty in Nigeria’s southeast.According to the results,the method was successful in developing rich Igbo entrepreneurs and businesses,who in turn eradicated hunger,poverty,disease,and unemployment in Nigeria’s South East.The study concluded that the Nigerian government might better protect its citizens from exploitation within the Igbo trade apprenticeship system if it passed legislation to regulate,maintain,and prevent such abuse.

Prediabetes and cardiovascular complications study:Highlights on gestational diabetes, self-management and primary health care

International collaboration on the prediabetes and cardiovascular complications study started in 2013.In 2017,a reflection was reported.Incompleteness of documentation and screening of antenatal cases for gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)was concerning.Hence,further observations have been made that warrant an update.The objective of this review is to highlight gaps between clinical knowledge and practice in GDM,diabetes self-management and primary health care(PHC)for rural dwellers.We followed a descriptive field notes method.Antenatal records of patients screened for GDM with incomplete documentation were examined to determine incompleteness of data in those that also met the criteria for GDM risk assessment.Experiences on development of a diabetes register and education and notes on behavioural change wheel were also reviewed.Other data included cross-sectional evaluation of activities of daily living at two private hospitals.Up to 29%had high GDM risk factors,which fulfilled selection criteria for laboratory screening.Demographic data was complete in all women;however,incomplete documentation was observed with as much as 98%of basic data.High levels of physical activity were found in the population,and health lectures proved effective in food choices.The workforce need for diabetes care seems underestimated,but this may be better understood with reactivation of PHC services.The observations highlight behavioural change wheel issues on GDM and PHC services that need concerted focus.Two proposals are to advance the use of a‘risk assessment and screening sheet’for GDM screening and enlightenment of stakeholders on the central hub role of PHC in diabetes management.

Knowledge of HIV and Safety Sexual Practices among Adolescent Girls in Benin City, Nigeria

Adolescence is a time of emotional, physical and psychological development and contributes substantially to the well being of the individual in adulthood. Consequently, understanding their social and reproductive behaviour is of tremendous policy importance. This study was designed to investigate HIV knowledge and safety sexual practices among adolescent girls in Benin-city, Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 100 randomly selected female students in SS1 and 2 from two secondary schools in Benin-city. A semi structured questionnaire was self administered to obtain information on respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of HIV and safety practices. A 10-point knowledge scale graded, <5 and ≥6 as poor and good knowledge respectively, was used to measure knowledge of HIV;while a 5-point practice scale graded <2 and ≥3 was used as unsatisfactory and satisfactory safety sexual practices on HIV prevention respectively. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyse the data with level of significance set at 0.05. Results: The mean age of respondents was 12.70 ± 1.2 years, 50.0% were in SS2 and 65.0% had been in Benin-city from birth. The overall mean knowledge score of respondents was 14.70 ± 4.43 with 60.0%, 20.0%, 40.0% and 70.0% having good knowledge on perinatal/vertical transmission, sexual and parenteral transmission, epidemiological factors and preventive measures respectively. Misconceptions about HIV transmission include: HIV cannot be transmitted through oral sex, HIV can be transmitted by mosquitoes and naked eyes can detect who is infected. In addition, there was a significant difference between class of respondents and their general knowledge of HIV (P < 0.05). Respondents in SS2 were more likely to have good knowledge of HIV than their SS1 counterpart (OR = 3.43 95% CI = 1.461 - 8.057). Furthermore, respondents whose mothers attained at least secondary school are more likely to exhibit satisfactory safety sexual practices on HIV prevention than their counterpart whose mothers had no formal education (OR = 2.67 95% CI = 0.619 - 11.493). Conclusions: There were knowledge deficiencies in sexual and parenteral transmission, epidemiological factors of HIV as well as some misconceptions about the transmission of the HIV virus. Therefore, more awareness and health education interventions are needed at the post primary level to curb the spread of the virus.

Mineralogical and Geochemical Assessment of Clay Properties of Edda, Afikpo Sub Basin Nigeria for Possible Use in the Ceramics Industry

Clay samples from selected part of Edda were analyzed to identify the clay mineral types present,their chemical and physical properties with a view to appraising their industrial suitability as ceramic materials.The mineralogical and geochemical analyses were done using the principles of X-Ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence respectively.A total of seven clay samples were used for the study,other tests such as plasticity,bulk density,shrinkage,loss on ignition(LOI)and water absorption capacity was carried out to determine the amount of water absorbed under specified conditions.The basic industrial properties assessment showed that more than 70%of the clays are fine-grained.The clays exhibited low to moderate plasticity,moderate shrinkage and bulk density,low to moderate values of both loss on ignition and water absorption capacity.The clays are buff to yellowish in colour.The results of x-ray fluorescence revealed that the mean concentration of major oxide in the clays is shown as follows:SiO_(2)(62.78%),Al_(2)O_(3)(20.25%),total Fe(6.09%),CaO(0.56%),MgO(3.21%),Na_(2)O(0.47%),K_(2)O,(1.44%)and TiO_(2)(0.52%).The samples have high silica content,low alumina and low oxide content.The results of x-ray diffraction revealed that kaolinite is the dominant clay mineral with illite and montmorillonite occurring in subordinate amounts,while quartz and feldspar are the non-clay components present.The characteristics of the clays for each parameter were compared with industrial standards.These properties are appropriate for the Afikpo clays to be useful in the manufacturing of ceramics.However,since the silica content of the clays is high further beneficiation is recommended.

Screening and Characterization of Antibiotic Producing Organisms from Waste Dump Soil Sample

This study was designed to screen and characterize antibiotic producing bacteria and fungi from soil samples from a waste dump site in Enugu. The molecular characterization of the isolates was performed by using Zymo Research Quick-DNA fungi/bacteria miniprep kit. The bacteria isolates were Providencia stuartii, Providencia alcalifaciens. Bacillus sp., Streptococcus sp., Micrococcus sp., and Staphylococcus sp while Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger were fungal isolates. The efficacy of the Crude Extract (CE) of the antibiotics produced was tested against species of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The CE of antibiotics when compared with a conventional antibiotic (Ciprofloxacin) showed lower antimicrobial activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the crude extracts ranged between 12.5% and 25% concentrations while the minimum bactericidal concentration ranged from 25% and 50% concentrations. The findings suggest that these organisms have the potential to produce antibiotics and could be harnessed by pharmaceutical industries for the production of newer antibiotics.

A Synoptic Review of Mineralogical and Chemical Characteristics of Clays in the Southern Part of Nigeria

This paper reviews the mineralogical and chemical characteristics of clays found in southern part of Nigeria,with a view to determine its usability.The usability of clays,depends on its chemical and mineralogical charac­tertics,the end product of clay after it is been processed is also based on it’s charactertics.From reviewed literature,it was observed that sampled clay within the study area were analyzed using the XRD,XRF and ICP-MS method.Further findings also revealed that the dominant clay minerals within the study area include montmorillonite,illite,and kaolinite.On the other hand,it was observed that non-clay minerals such as feldspar,quartz,dickite and many others were found with clay as revealed by several schol­ars.While chemical charactertics of clay consists mainly of Al2O3,K2O,CaO and SiO2,with other major oxides such as P2O5,MgO,Fe2O3,TiO2,MnO and Na2O.Some trace elements such Be,Ba,Sc,Sr,Zr,V and Y were reported to be present in clays deposit found in selected part of Ogun state.From reviewed articles,it was observed that mineralogical and chemical charactertics of clay make it suitable for pharmaceutical,textile,cosmetic and polymer industries,but considered to be fairly suitable for oil and gas industry.