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Democracy, Funding of Higher Education and Students’ ‘Brain Drain’ in Nigeria: Development Implications for Now and the Future
No full textContrary to the World Bank’s 1979 Berg’s recommendation that countries like Nigeria should focus more on funding primary rather than tertiary education, and the consequent ‘erratic’ funding allocation before 1999, the funding of higher education in Nigeria since 1999, though lower in comparison with other African nations, receives a much higher share of national resources. This is in addition to the encouragement and licensing of private universities and the establishment of the National Open University to increase access as well as enhance the delivery of tertiary education. Ironically, a cursory observation shows that, in spite of these modest attempts, students’ ‘brain drain’ seems to be on the increase. More and more Nigerian students are heading abroad to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees. While recognizing the possible socio-economic background of these migrants, it is equally important to appreciate the economic and socio-political implications for the country and the continent – for now and in the future. Consequently, its the aim of the article to expose the possible negative consequences of students ‘brain drain’ in terms of the possible pitfalls of preferring the Diasporas to local experts in development purposes. It concludes that except this phenomenon is contained, through policies on attitudinal change, development and democracy would be difficult
Combating the Menace of Examination Malpractice: The Islamic Perspective
No full textEducation represents the cornerstone of the society and the major instrument through which it can attain accelerated development. To date, there is not any acceptable measurement of formal education other than examination. It is however unfortunate that this globally embraced yardstick has been abused and compromised through examination malpractice. The main objective of this paper is to emphasize the essence of education in the society, examine the concept of examination malpractice, identify its causes and document its negative effects on the society. Generally, expository methodology was used for the study while historical approach was resorted to where necessary.The paper finds that although there are no categorical Islamic texts on examination malpractice, there are various Qur\u27anic and Prophetic texts that condemn cheating, deceit, and non-fulfillment of obligations which are manifestations of examination malpractices. Based on the above, the paper suggests God-consciousness, better funding of education and more pro-active participation of parents as measures that would serve as antidote to this educational bane. Â KeywordsExamination, malpractices, Islam, Muslim, cheating, moralit
Comparative Assessment of Antibacterial Efficacy of four popular hand sanitizers sold in Nigeria
Get PDFDespite the increase in popularity of hand sanitizers (HS) in Nigeria, there is a dearth of literature on the efficacies of these products. This study assessed the efficacies of four popular brands of HS in Nigeria against some clinically important bacterial pathogens. Using the well variant of the agar dilution method to determine antimicrobial susceptibility and the broth dilution method to determine minimum inhibitory concentration, the activities of the HS (HSF, HSM, HDT, and HSK) were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumonia. Each of the products displayed varying activities against the test organisms. HSM had the highest inhibitory effect against all the test organisms, while HSF was the least effective. S. aureus was the most susceptible organism, with the highest susceptibility to HSM (12.0 mm). P. aeruginosa was the most resistant organism, with the highest resistance to HSM (9.0 mm). Each of the HS was bacteriostatic against all of the test bacteria and none displayed bactericidal activity. HSM and HDT reduced the mean colony-forming unit (cfu) counts of bacteria on the hands of subjects by 72% and 62%, respectively. A one-tailed t-test showed that HSM was more effective than HDT in this regard. None of the products could reduce bacterial counts by 99.9%, as the manufacturers claim. Such claims need to be verified to ensure that these products contain the correct quantities of active ingredients, and sellers need to store such products according to the manufacturers\u27 instructions.
Keywords: Hand hygiene, Hand sanitizer, Nosocomial infection, Community-acquired infection, Antimicrobials
Effects of Purified Jatropha curcas Seed Oil-Based Diet on Growth Performance and Hematological Parameters of Albino Rats
Get PDFThe effect of inclusion of Jatropha curcas seed oil, as a source of oil in the feed of animal, on growth performance, hematological parameters and histology was investigated. Feed intake, average body weight gain and mortality were also monitored. Milled Jatropha curcas seeds were subjected to oil extraction using batch method. Hematological parameters were determined using standard operating procedures. Twenty weanling albino rats with mean weights ranging from 41.57± 7.90 g, were divided into two groups. The first group was placed on soybean oil-based (control) diet (4% oil) while the second group was placed on Jatropha curcas seed oil-based diet (4% oil), for four weeks. There was a significant higher difference (P<0.05) in the growth performance of rats fed the control diet when compared with the test group. The animals placed on the control diet showed significantly higher (P<0.05) body weight when compared with the test diet during the last week of experimentation and this might be due to the low digestibility of the Jatropha curcas seed oil-based diet. The result also shows a higher percentage mortality in the group fed the test diet when compared with those fed the control diet. Hematological parameters did not differ significantly (P>0.05) in both the control and test diets respectively but a significantly higher difference in neutrophils of those fed the control diet when compared with those fed test diet. This may signify that continuous ingestion of Jatropha curcas seed oil may reduce the body’s immunity against infections. The histological assessment of liver, kidney, heart and small intestine revealed no visible lesion. Overall, the result showed that Jatropha curcas seed oil has the potential of been a source of oil in animal diet if complete detoxification can be achieved.
Keywords: Jatropha curcas seed oil, growth performance, lipid digestibility, antinutrients, phorbol este
Assessment of Pollution Status around "Awosuuru" Dump-Site, Osogbo, Nigeria.
Get PDFThe physicochemical properties with their distribution pattern and sources of sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) listed as priority pollutants were investigated in underground water, sediment and soil samples around "˜Awosuuru" dump-site in Osogbo Nigeria. The physicochemical parameters; degree of acidity (pH), total organic carbon (TOC), Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (BOD), in the samples were determined using standard methods. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively in the samples using gas chromatography coupled with flame ionisation detector (GC-FID). The values of pH and TOC ranged from 7.76 to 8.02 and 0.82 to 1.01 (wt%) in water; 7.70 to 8.34 and 0.35 to 1.17(wt%) in sediment; 8.03 to 8.56 and 0.51 to 1.05 (wt%) in soil respectively, BOD ranged from 0.02 to 0.07 (mg/L) and COD from 36.40 to 64.40 (mg/L) in water samples. The physicochemical parameters result showed that the samples have some amount of carbonates, biodegradable and oxidizable pollutants and organic matter reflecting pollution in the study area. The concentrations of PAHs recorded in the samples indicated moderate pollution. Various diagnostic PAHs ratios indicate pyrolytic source majorly from burning of refuse. Also, the health implication of the pollution status of the study area was discussed.
Keywords: Dumpsites, GC- FID, PAHs, pollution, TO
Microbial Deterioration of Tomato Fruit ( Lycopersicon esculentum ) Sold in Three Popular Markets in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
Get PDFThe economic loss as a result of spoilage and proliferation of microorganisms on tomato fruits with the possible health risks were the justification for this study. One hundred and fifty tomato fruit samples in different stages of spoilage from three different markets in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria were collected within five weeks and the effect of moisture content on each sample and resulting microflora examined. The pH of the samples ranged from 4.90 - 5.40, while the moisture content ranged from 89.10% - 90.70%. The bacteria counts ranged from 4.00 x 106 - 7.50 x 106 cfu/ml, while the fungal counts ranged from 1.60 x 106 - 3.50 x 106 cfu/ml. A total number of sixteen bacteria and eleven fungi including yeasts were associated with the samples. The bacterial isolates included Aeromonas veronii, Bacillus sp., Neisseria sp., Corynebacterium renale, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Micrococcus varians, Moraxella sp., Bacillus polymyxa, Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus megaterium, Corynebacterium ulcerans, Vibrio sp., Proteus mirabilis, Corynebacterium xerosis, and Bacillus brevis while the fungal isolates included Alternaria sp., Botrytis sp., Candida albicans, Candida guilliermondii, Candida tropicalis, Chrysosporium tropicum, Curvularia sp., Doratomyces microsporus, Geotrichum candidum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Rhizopus stolonifer. The high moisture content of the tomato samples provides an enabling environment for proliferation of the microbial load and hence its spoilage and potential to become health risk to human beings.
Keywords: Spoilage, proliferation, economic loss, pH and moistur
Microbiological Quality and Safety of pre-cut fruit retailed in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
Get PDFThe microbiological quality of pre-cut fruits retailed in three local markets in Ilorin, Kwara state, Nigeria was assessed. Pre-cut fruit samples comprising watermelon, pineapple and pawpaw were obtained from vendors at different retail outlets in the markets and the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics were examined. Mean total aerobic plate count ranged from 1.20 x 104 to 2.0 x 104 cfu/g while fungal count ranged from 0.5 x 102 to1.6 x 102 cfu/g. Eight bacterial and six fungal species were isolated: Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Campylobacter jejuni, Klebsiella aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Mucor mucedo, Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus fumigatus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The physicochemical parameters studies varies as follows: pH ranged from 3.5 to 4.1, moisture content 60.20 to 90.73%, titratable acidity 0.42 to 0.80 g/100 mL, ash 0.50 to 1.11% and total sugar 2.01 to 2.53 g/100 mL. The findings from this study showed that the fruits contained microorganisms that are potentially pathogenic. Under favourable conditions, they may multiply and thus render the fruits unsafe for consumption as they could become means of food poisoning.
Keywords: Food poisoning, Food vendors, pre-cut fruit, food contaminatio
Study on the physicochemical properties and heavy metal status of sediment samples from Ohii Miri river in Abia State, Nigeria
Get PDFThe physicochemical properties and heavy metal status of sediment samples from Ohii Miri River in Abia State, Nigeria were studied. The section of the river studied (from Ahia-Eke to Amaoba-Ime) was divided into three segments designated as Stations A, B, and C. Five sediment samples were collected at each location. Values obtained from the five sampling points were averaged. The sediment samples were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, % organic carbon, % organic matter, % ammonium nitrogen, % nitrate nitrogen, % nitrogen, % sand, % silt, % clay, and heavy metals (Fe, Pb, Zn, Mn, Ni, Cd, and Cr) in the rainy and dry seasons respectively using standard procedures. Correlation analysis was also employed to examine the relationship between the various parameters in the sediment samples. The results obtained for heavy metals were compared with USEPA standard. The results showed that the sediment was acidic and the heavy metals concentrations exceeded the USEPA standard. Positive correlations were found to exist between Pb with Zn, Ni; Fe with Ni as well as Ni with Cd in the rainy season. In the dry season, Ni correlated positively with Pb, Zn; Cd with Pb, Ni. Positive correlations existed between Cr in dry season with Cr in rainy season and Pb in dry season with Cr in rainy season. PER indices (contamination factor, degree of contamination, ecological risk factor, sum of the individual potential risk, and geo-accumulation factor) have been calculated. Values of geo-accumulation factor showed that the sediment is not polluted with the studied heavy metals.
Keywords: Ohii Miri River; Physicochemical parameters; heavy metals; Concentration; Permissible limit; Correlation; Potential ecological risk
Alkaloid and Non Alkaloid Extracts of Solanum melongena Leaves as Green Corrosion Inhibitors on Carbon Steel in Alkaline Medium
Get PDFThe corrosion and inhibition behavior of Carbon steel (CS) in high alkaline solution [Sodium trioxocarbonate (IV)] in the presence of alkaloid and non alkaloid extracts of Solanum melongena leaves have been studied using conventional methods - mass loss and gasometric techniques. The results indicate that the extracts inhibit the corrosion of Carbon steel. However, the Alkaloid extract of Solanum melongena leaves (AESML) exhibits higher maximum inhibition efficiency of 81.1% than Non alkaloid extract of Solanum melongena leaves [NAESML] (65.1%) at 3.0 g/L concentration. Inhibition efficiency increase with increasing concentration of extracts but decreased with rise in temperature. Inhibition mechanism was deduced from the activation and thermodynamic parameters that govern the process. Adsorption of extract on the CS was found to obey the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The phenomenon of physical adsorption is proposed from the obtained thermodynamic parameters.
Keywords: Mass loss, thermodynamics, inhibition efficiency, half life, gasometric analysis, adsorption
Spatial Assessment of Public Water Supplies in Densely Populated Areas of Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria
Get PDFWater samples collected from public tap supplies at densely populated areas within Ilorin metropolis were analyzed for potability and safety. The study covered a period of twenty-four months. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, turbidity, residual chlorine, colour, suspended solids and total hardness were determined. The pH of the samples ranged from 7.0 - 7.90 while the range for residual chlorine was 0.5 - 10 mg/L. The suspended solids and total hardness ranged from 0.79 - 46.0 mg/L and 7.0 - 34mg/L respectively. Turbidity of the samples ranged from 0 – 5 NTU, while the colour range was 0 - 5 HU and temperature range was 21 - 30 0C. The results show that only four (20%) of the twenty samples were potable and free from pathogens while Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., Salmonella sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigellla sp. and Enterobacter aerogenes were detected in sixteen (80%) of the samples. The viable total bacterial count ranged between 0.00 – 2.6 x 102 cfu/mL, total coliform count ranged from 0 – 75 MPN/100mL while faecal coliform count ranged from 0.00 – 2.3 x 102 cfu/mL. The presence of coliforms in the samples is indicative of faecal and non-faecal contamination along the supply network, which in some cases could be due to leaching from contaminated environment into corroded pipes along the distribution network used for conveying the treated water that passed through drainage system.
Keywords: Coliforms, contamination, safety, bacteriological, physicochemical parameter