Faculty of Social Sciences

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Open Access
A-Geo-Informatics-Technique-for-the-Management-of-Meningitis-Epidemic-Distributions-in-Northern-Nigeria
(Information Resources Management Journal, 2015-07) Jegede, Margaret O.; Ayanlade, Sina; Ayanlade, Oluwatoyin S. Ayanlade; Baloye, David O.
This study aims at examining and mapping the spatiotemporal distribution of meningitis epidemic, in relation to climate variability, using GIS and Remote Sensing techniques. Using the northern part of Nigeria as a case study, data on meningitis epidemic were obtained from the archive of National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria for the periods between 1998 and 2013. The data were updated with collection from Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). Also, Nigerian Ministry of Health has compiled consistent statistics on meningitis incidence for the periods. A meningitis distribution map was derived from an environmentally-driven form of predicted probability of epidemic experience as it is in International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) Database. The results showed that Meningitis Epidemic is very high during months with low rainfall. Thus, seasonality of rainfall and temperature are important determinants of Meningitis Epidemic incidence in the Northern part of Nigeria. Therefore, it can be conrmed, as cited in some literatures, that the distribu- tion of the epidemics has a strong association with the environment, especially climate variability. Although meningitis surveillance systems in Nigeria have improved, they still fall short of the sensitivity required to demonstrate incidence changes in vaccinated and non-vaccinated cohorts and complementary approaches may be needed to demonstrate the impact of the vaccines. There is however, a need for a new technology and innovation like an integrated GIS, and other environmental modeling system, to allow health practitioners as well as policy makers, for better management, productivity and protability.
Open Access
Air temperature, relative humidity, climate regionalization and thermal comfort of Nigeria
( International Journal of Climatology, 2014-05) Eludoyin, Oyenike M.; Adelekan, Ibidun O.; Webster, R; Eludoyin, Adebayo O
Planners and policy makers require information about the regions for which they are responsible. However, it seems that many developing countries, including Nigeria, are not adequately prepared either for their current climates or for the impact of climate change because they lack sufﬁcient information. We have therefore examined the variations in the thermal condition in terms of the temperature, relative humidity, effective temperature (ET), temperature– humidity index (THI) and relative strain index (RSI). We studied the spatial and temporal (1951–2009, 1951 –1980, 1981 –2009, decadal, seasonal and monthly averages) variations in the thermal climate of Nigeria, and we divided Nigeria into thermal climate regions for effective climate change management. Mean annual minimum, mean and maximum temperatures (with their standard deviations) were 21.4 (3.5), 27.1 (2.7) and 32.8 (3.4) ◦C, respectively, while the overall mean relative humidity was 62 (24.8)%. Mean ET, THI and RSI were 24.3 (0.85), 24.8 (1.83) and 0.2 (0.18) ◦C, respectively. The ET, THI and RSI provided contrasting expressions of thermal comfort for Nigeria, because of its varied climate. We also found that elevation; the movement of the Inter Tropical Discontinuity and urbanization affect thermal comfort in Nigeria. We conclude that thermal stress has increased in Nigeria from 2000 at most stations, especially in the south and north-western regions, and that Nigerian thermal comfort climate is heterogeneous and requires analysis of multiple thermal indices
Open Access
Air temperature, relative humidity, climate regionalization and thermal comfort of Nigeria
(Wiley Online Library, 2014-05) Eludoyin, Oyenike M.; Adelekan, Ibidun O.; Webster, R; Eludoyin, Adebayo O
Planners and policy makers require information about the regions for which they are responsible. However, it seems that many developing countries, including Nigeria, are not adequately prepared either for their current climates or for the impact of climate change because they lack sufﬁcient information. We have therefore examined the variations in the thermal condition in terms of the temperature, relative humidity, effective temperature (ET), temperature–humidity index (THI) and relative strain index (RSI). We studied the spatial and temporal (1951–2009, 1951–1980, 1981–2009, decadal, seasonal and monthly averages) variations in the thermal climate of Nigeria, and we divided Nigeria into thermal climate regions for effective climate change management. Mean annual minimum, mean and maximum temperatures (with their standard deviations) were 21.4 (3.5), 27.1 (2.7) and 32.8 (3.4) ◦C, respectively, while the overall mean relative humidity was 62 (24.8)%. Mean ET, THI and RSI were 24.3 (0.85), 24.8 (1.83) and 0.2 (0.18) ◦C, respectively. The ET, THI and RSI provided contrasting expressions of thermal comfort for Nigeria, because of its varied climate. We also found that elevation; the movement of the Inter Tropical Discontinuity and urbanization affect thermal comfort in Nigeria. We conclude that thermal stress has increased in Nigeria from 2000 at most stations, especially in the south and north-western regions, and that Nigerian thermal comfort climate is heterogeneous and requires analysis of multiple thermal indices.
Open Access
Ajobi and Ajogbe: Variations of the Theme of Sociation
(Obafemi Awolowo University Press, 1983) Akiwowo, Akinsola
The root words ajobi and ajogbe of alajobi and alajogbe have been translated into the English language as consanguinity and co-residentship. Both are variations on the theme of sociation. The lecture discussed sociation, characteristics of ajobi and ajogbe, and ajobi and ajogbe as variations on the theme of sociation. This subject is the direction that sociology may take as, a theoretical and an empirical discipline in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular.
Open Access
Application of Geographic Information System to Solidwaste Management in Port Harcourt City
(2015-05-15) Owor, Florence
The study examined the spatial distribution of solid waste generation in Port Harcourt city, mapped out the current location of dumpsites in the city using the Global Positioning System (GPS) and used GIS to indicate the most suitable sites for solid waste disposal within the city. This was with a view to assessing how Geographic Information System (GIS) can be used to improve the management of waste disposal in the city. Both primary and secondary data were collected for this study. The primary data were obtained through photographs, GPS readings of all the existing dumpsites in the city, while the secondary data were obtained from various maps such as topographic, road network, land use map of the area and from relevant literature. Criteria such as proximity to surface water, distance from transportation routes, access to urban areas, slope, and distance from population centre were also considered in order to arrive at suitable sites for dumping. The various maps listed above were scanned, georeferenced, digitized spatially and were imported into the GIS environment provided by Arcview 3.2a for the analyses. GIS analytical techniques such as buffering, overlay and intersection were used for the analyses to show the existing dumpsites and to arrive at the final suitable sites for dumping. The result showed the existence of seven dumpsites around the city of Port Harcourt, namely Abuloma 1&11, Ikewere road 1&11, Mile 3, Amadi flat and Ada George Road. The result further indicated that most of the wastes generated were found along Ikwere Road. This is due to high population concentration while the other areas generated varying degree of wastes with the Government Reserved Area (G.R.A) generating the least of these sites, Abuloma 1 was already filled and it was also found out that the existing dumpsites were not properly located due to inadequate technology for siting dumpsites. For example out of the seven locations, mile 3 dumpsite was located very close to the road causing traffic hold up, while Abuloma 1&11 were located at the bank of creeks thereby contaminating the water. Using GIS technique, the following additional suitable sites for dumping were indicated to cover the city namely Kidney Island, Azikiwe Road and Diobu. The study concluded that Geographic Information Systems (GIS) could be used to locate new dumpsites that will be effective and efficient to serve the entire city and also offer sustenance of the aesthetics of the city as well as make it conducive from the public health point of view.
Open Access
Assessing conflict impacts on urban physical infrastructure:
(International Journal of the Physical Sciences, 2011-12) Ayanlade, Sina; Orimoogunje, Oluwagbenga O. I.
This paper used geographic information systems (GIS) technique to assess the impact of conflict on land use in Ile-Ife and Modakeke in Nigeria. There has been limited systematic research work in terms of mapping the impacts of the communal crisis on the land use pattern using GIS. Therefore, the major aim of this paper is to map the impact of communal conflict on land use with the aid of GIS. Global positioning system (GPS) was used to take the co-ordinates of the affected area. The GIS map produced more than six years after the last clash between both communities. The research team counted 53 houses that were totally destroyed and remained to be re-built or rehabilitated.
Open Access
Assessment of surface water quality of inland valleys for cropping in SW Nigeria
(Appl Water Sci, 2015-07) Aboyeji, Olatunji Sunday; Ogunkoya, Olayinka
Inland valley agro-ecosystems which are a category of wetlands have potential for sustainable crop production relative to uplands. A major challenge to their utilisation in the study area is their heterogeneity in hydrology, morphology, soil types and agro-economy. The study assessed the surface water quality of three typologies of the agro-ecosystems—amphitheatre-like valley-heads (Am), valley-side (VS), and low depression (LD)—for cropping. Surface water of six sites were sampled during the wet and dry seasons. The physicochemical properties and metal concentrations of the samples were analysed. Descriptive statistics and water quality indices were used to assess the suitability of the waters of the agro-ecosystems for cropping. Results showed that the valleys have neutral to slightly alkaline waters. Values of physicochemical parameters are generally within the acceptable range for cropping. The concentration of major cations varied across the inland valley types, but exhibited similar characteristics within each valley. The dominance of the major cations is in the order of Na [Ca [K[Mg. ANOVA results indicated that there is no signiﬁcant difference in the concentration of heavy metals across the valleys (F=2.044, p=0.138, a=0.05). Generally, most of the physicochemical parameters and trace metals have low concentrations and are non-toxic to plants. Values of water quality indices (sodium adsorption ratio, soluble sodium percentage, total dissolved solids and permeability index) indicated that the concentrations of minerals in waters across the valley typologies are generally within permis- sible limits for cropping.
Open Access
The Atomic Nucleus: Janusian Aspects and Human Existence
(Obafeml Awolowo University Press, 1991-01-26) Amusa, A.
An inaugural lecture can take various forms depending on the speaker, his interests, and his disposition to problems in his field. Some of the several forms it can take are as follows: • an exposition of the past and I or ongoing scholastic efforts of the Professor, • an exposition of what one would like to be, a future direction of research and development in one's area of work internationally or within one's nation. • an exposition of past, present works and / or future projections in areas related to, or that could be beneficial to one's specialty. • an exposition of special or specific problems facing one's specialty with a view to -amelioratingthem and thus leading to maximum benefit sbeing derived from efforts in one's field, and • a general historical and philosophical overview of one's specialty for the sole purpose of enlightening the public and perhaps helping to make meaningful future projections in one's field. Before we go into the actual form adopted for this discourse, it would be useful to pass some remarks which could help this august audience in seeing the need for the choice made herein., This speaker became a Professor of Nuclear Physics more than fifteen years ago. He could thus be tagged an 'old' Professor as opposed to a 'recent' or 'eaglet' Professor on campus. Given this length of one's tenure as a Professor, it is/perhaps not totally inappropriate if anyone has a tendency to regard this lecture as belonging to the valedictory genre as opposed to its being an inaugural one. This is, however, an inaugural lecture even though a form suited to a valedictory lecture is adopted here. The obvious advantage of this approach is that one is able to focus better on the peculiarity, and .problems in one's field based on 'one's experience world - wide and in this our Third World setting.
Open Access
The Challenge of Underdevelopment and Poverty
(Obafemi Awolowo University Press, 1996-02-27) Afonja, Simi
This inaugural lecture is a treatise on underdevelopment and poverty in Nigeria, Africa's largest, most populous and prosperous nation. The lecture summarises my concern to explain why some nations, industrialised and developed -and others are stagnant or retrogress.
Open Access
Determinants of Poverty Level in Nigeria
(Canadian Center of Science and Education, 2015-01-29) Olofin, Olabode Philip; Adejumo, Akintoye Victor; Sanusi, Kazeem Abimbola
This study uses annual data between 1990 and 2010, and employs Dynamic Ordinary Least Square (DOLS) method to examine what determines poverty level in Nigeria. Unlike many studies, we measure poverty with poverty index generated from combination of per worker agricultural value added, real per capita income and consumption per capita using principal component analysis and common measurement of poverty (i.e. per capita real income). We first remove the trend component of our dependent variables (poverty index), using Butterworth filter and then regressed them on the important variables of interest. The findings show negative relationship between political right in levels and poverty, but positive relationship was found when political right was differenced. This result was not statistically significant. Political terror was found to reduce poverty with statistically significant result in levels when per capita real income was used for poverty, and became positively related with poverty when differenced. The result was statistically significant. We found that civil liberty was positively related to poverty, but the result was not statistically significant. Democracy was noted for reducing poverty with statistically significant result, while the increase in population and poverty were positively related with statistically significant result
Open Access
Development of a Geospatial Metadata Standard for Hydrologic Information for Nigeria
(2015-03-18) Aboyeji, Olatunji Sunday; Ogunkoya, O. O.
The study identified relevant hydrologic spatial objects, adapted a conceptual data model for the identified objects, and designed a prototype metadata structure for hydrologic information. It also used the prototype hydrologic metadata structure to harvest metadata information using a metadata harvesting software. This was with a view to providing a metadata structure that can be used to store and manage information about hydrologic data in Nigeria, so that interoperability of information within the community can be enhanced. Hydrologic spatial objects and their associated thematic information, together with hydrologic observation data types were identified using hydrological maps and yearbooks, and topographic maps. By adapting and modifying the structure and conventions of the Formal Data Structure (FDS), the spatial objects and data types were used to design a hydrologic data model, using a combination of vector representation and Entity-Relationship (ER) diagram. The objects were mapped into line, point and area objects based on their geometric characteristics. Each of the objects belongs to a thematic class depending on its attributes. The Draft International Standard Organisation ISO/DIS 19115 of the International Standard Organisation (ISO) was examined and elements suitable for Nigerian hydrologic community were adapted for the design of a prototype hydrologic metadata structure. Workability of the hydrologic metadata structure was assessed using the hydrologic data model to build a sample hydrologic database. ArcView GIS and Microsoft Access were used to build the database, while ENRAEMED was used to implement the structure. The study revealed typical hydrologic spatial objects (such as rivers, lakes and river gauging stations) together with their attribute information, as well as hydrologic observation data types adaptable as a hydrologic community's objects and data types. The study designed a hydrologic data model that was used to capture hydrologic datasets. It also designed a prototype metadata structure using the ISO 19115 Metadata Standard. The structure consists of total of 25 core elements – 11 mandatory elements, 14 conditional elements and 10 optional elements. The workability of the hydrologic data model and the hydrologic metadata structure were reflected in the ability of the system to answer "queries" posed to extract specific information from the database. The system responded to typical spatial and attributes "queries" such as interactive spatial selection, selection of spatial objects using topologic relationship and selection of thematic information by attribute conditions. Also, the tests carried out on the hydrologic metadata structure retrieved typical metadata information such as dataset identification, description, usage, status, quality and access. These metadata search "queries" were made to access and assess the data residing in the database. The study concluded by providing a metadata structure that could be used to store and manage hydrologic information in Nigeria so that interoperability of information within the community can be enhanced. It also provided a hydrologic data model that could be used to capture hydrologic data into the geo-database.
Open Access
Development of Geospatial Database for Public Schools Data Management in Osogbo, Osun State
(2015-06-19) Awoniyi, Anthony Ilufoye
This study aimed at building a geospatial database containing information on infrastructural facilities, staff profiles and enrolment characteristics in public schools in Osogbo, Osun State. This was with a view to enhancing the monitoring and management of school systems using Geographical Information System (GIS) tools. The specific objectives were to carry out an inventory of infrastructural facilities, biodata of teachers and children enrolments in public schools in Osogbo, produce a map of Osogbo showing the locations of public schools and create a geospatial database containing basic information such as infrastructural facilities, teachers' biodata and children enrolments in public schools in the area. Both primary and secondary data types were used. The primary data on the locations of schools were collected with handheld Global Positioning System (GPS), while the attribute datasets i.e. on facilities, staffing profile and enrolment were collected with a semi-structured questionnaire administered to Head teachers. Secondary data used were school records obtained from the schools and a map of Osogbo got from the Town Planning Authority at Osogbo. The map was converted to a digital form with AutoCad software for spatial analyses. The data collected with the GPS and questionnaires were organized with the Microsoft Access software for GIS analyses. Spatial queries were developed to operationalize the geodatabase. Data overlays were also performed to assess spatial relationships among the themes including communication network, drainage, utility facilities and location of schools. The results obtained showed that the geospatial database developed was efficient in storing, retrieving and displaying a variety of data on infrastructure, biodata of teachers and enrolments for school management purposes. For instance, the GIS readily generated basic data on each school with respect to the aforementioned parameters. It also rapidly ranked and displayed schools in a spatial format based on their infrastructural characteristics. In the GIS analysis, Unity High School on Old Ikirun road ranked first while the Timehin Grammar School, Oke-Osun ranked 71". These were consistent with field observations on the qualities of the facilities in the schools. The queries also readily revealed other crucial details in map forms. When queried, it logically presents the state of school buildings and staffing profiles among others. For instance, when the GIS was queried for schools with buildings that had damaged roofs, it came out with supporting statistics that among buildings designated as educational blocks in this study, uncompleted blocks accounted for 32.7%, blocks with damaged or completely removed roofs 32% and blocks with broken or unfixed windows (67.9%). All of these were generated with their locations in map forms. The study thus showed in various dimensions the versatility of geospatial database for managing the school systems and confirms that such systems need to be integrated into the educational management in the State and indeed the rest of Nigeria for better results from the educational sector.
Open Access
Dynamics of Inflation and Economic Growth in Nigeria: 1970 - 2005
(2015-08-21) Adegboye, Abiodun Adewale
The study examined the nexus between inflation and economic growth in the Nigerian economy. It specifically analyzed the dynamic and causal interactions between the two variables; determined the critical level of inflation for target growth rate and examined the extent to which money supply had been driving inflation-growth process in Nigeria. This was with a view to providing empirical evidence for the rationality behind inflation targeting framework in the Nigerian economy. The study employed quarterly time series data, from 1970 to 2005, collected from various issues of Central Bank of Nigeria's Statistical Bulletin and Annual Report and Statement of Account as well as 2005 edition of International Financial Statistics published by the International Monetary Fund. A VECM model was adopted in the analyses of the interactions between inflation and growth. Also a modified version of threshold methodology was estimated, using OLS, in determining the threshold level of inflation for Nigeria. Descriptive statistics such as table and charts were employed to capture the influence of money supply on inflation-growth process. The results showed that there was a significant inverse relationship between inflation and growth in the short run (t= -2.03, p<0.05) and positive but significant relationship in the long run (t=4.05, p<0.05) only at a low level of inflation. Also, the money supply (t=-2.13, p<0.05) and economic growth (t=4.87, p<0.05) adjusted to their equilibrium positions within two quarters. Results further showed that causality occurred from economic growth to inflation (F=14.48, p=0.00) at five per cent while substantial feedback effects occurred between inflation and growth (F=7.54, p=0.07) ten per cent significant levels. The impulse responses and variance decomposition analyses (with forecast error ranges from 0.34 - 0.87) established that output growth was an important factor in general price level determination in Nigeria. The critical level of inflation for Nigeria was estimated to be at 4 per cent. This indicated that to incl. ease economic growth in Nigeria by 1.87 per cent, the inflation rate must be below 4 per cent. Furthermore, the results showed that money supply had been driving both inflation and growth separately, however money supply was significant in implementing monetary policy for both long run (t=5.36, p<0.05) and short run (t=4.87, p<0.05) in Nigeria. The study concluded that the phenomenon of inflation was a long run issue in Nigeria and an inflation targeting policy was long overdue for its formal implementation in monetary management in the Nigerian economy.
Open Access
The Dynamics of Money Supply, Exchange Rate and Inflation in Nigeria (1986-2004)
(2015-04-13) Alfred, Ayodele Samuel
The study examined the exchange rate policies and monetary policies in Nigeria over the period of study 1986 – 2004, analysed the trend and pattern of exchange rate, money supply and inflation, investigated the long run relationship between monetary growth, exchange rate and inflation in Nigeria, and also determined the relative contribution of money supply and exchange rate on inflation. This was with a view to determining the relationship between money supply, exchange rate and inflation in Nigeria. The study utilized secondary data. Quarterly data on money supply, exchange rate and inflation in Nigeria covering the period 1986 – 2004 were collected from Statistical Bulletin published by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and International Financial Statistics (IFS) published by International Monetary Fund. The stationary and cointegration properties of the variables were also tested using the ADF. The Vector Error Correction Mechanism (VECM) analytical technique was used to analyse the data. The appraisal of exchange rate policies and monetary policies in Nigeria with particular reference to inflation showed that in the long run, money supply had significant negative effects on inflation (t = 1.16; p<0.05). Exchange rate also had significant negative effect on inflation (t = 0.55; p<0.05), real output growth had significant positive impact on inflationary pressure in the long run (t = 1.99; p<0.05), while foreign price was positively related to inflation but not significant in the long run (t = 0.35; p>0.05). The empirical deductions from the study also showed that in the short run, there was the presence of significant feedback from the long run to short run disequilibrium (t=-3.6363, p<0.05). The estimates from the variance decomposition and impulse response showed that money supply (F=4.48; p<0.05) exchange rate (F=2.75; p<0.10) and foreign price (F=2.38; p<0.10) had stronger influences on domestic prices than real output. The study concluded that inflationary pressure was not basically money supply-induced but could be caused by the level of variations in the exchange rate.
Open Access
An Econometric Model of Nigeria's Financial Sector.
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 1987) Ikhide, Sylvanus Ihenyen; Ojo, O.
This study has attempted to construct a model for the financial sector of the Nigerian economy. Three subsectors were identified - the commercial banks, the non-bank public and the monetary authorities. Using data collected on a quarterly basis from the economy between 1968 and 1983, equations were formulated to explain the behaviour of these sectors within a general portfolio analysis. Due to the interactive nature of the three subsectors, two-stage least squares method of estimation was employed. To test the validity of the model, a historical simulation of the major endogenous variables was performed in order to find out how well the model tracked actual series. Based on the results of the historical simulation, an unconditional forecasting of the same variables was attempted from the first quarter of 1984 to the last quarter of 1985 to ascertain the forecasting ability of the model. Among others, the study confirmed that the money supply may not be strictly under the control of the Central Bank since it is affected by rich variables as government expenditure and the balance of payments. The study also confirmed the sensitivity of the non-bank public to the yields or returns on government securities. The results also show that the money supply narrowly defined is better approximated by working through its components - Currency and Demand deposits than through a money-multiplier equation. The policy implications of the findings are two-fold. Since there are variables outside the control of the Central Bank affecting the supply of money, the monetary authorities could employ a defensive monetary policy by using open market operations which hitherto has not been used consistently to control the effects of these variables. In addition to this, the Central Bank could easily identify variables determining Currency and Demand deposits holding and through these forecast the level of money supply from time to time.
Open Access
An Economic Analysis of Funding and Enrolment in Nigerian Universities: 1970- 2003
(2015-04-02) Akanbi, Bosede Esther
The study examined the relationship between funding and enrolment in Nigerian universities between 1970 and 2003. It also analysed the trends and patterns of funding and enrolments in Nigerian universities and the causality between them. These were done with the aim of drawing out the implications of the findings for effective planning on university enrolment. The study utilized secondary data and these were obtained from the National University Commission (NUC), Annual Abstract of Statistics of the Federal Office of Statistics (FOS) now Bureau of Statistics and Abstract of Statistics of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Analytical techniques were both descriptive and inferential. Data were expressed in ratios, percentages and tables for the descriptive analyses. The inferential aspects used Ordinary Least Square regression analysis on students' enrolment, funding, academic staff and unemployment. The study showed that only recurrent grants had significant positive effect on university enrolment (t=2.50, p<0.05), while capital funding had positive but insignificant effect on enrolment (t = 0.47, P>0.05). The result also showed that the size of academic staff had positive but insignificant effect on enrolment (t = 1.31, P>0.05). Moreover, the Granger causality test showed that funding had significant causal effect on enrolment ( F= 3.37, p< 0.05), suggesting that students' intake were determined by the quantum of financial resources available to the universities. The study concluded that running and management of universities in terms of students' intake require adequate funding and that funding was the main determinant of enrolments in the university system.
Open Access
Economic History as a Critique of the Theory and Practice in Economics
(Obafemi Awolowo University Press, 1978-05-25) Ekundare, R. O.
AN INAUGURAL LECTURE at Ife can now be rightly regarded as an academic 'christening' ceremony, with the Vice-Chancellor as the officiating 'minister' and, the victim of the occasion reciting the 'creed'. Probably, it would have been much easier and enjoyable if this were to be a swearing-in ceremony. The chair which I have the greatest pleasure and honour to inaugurate this afternoon is a new one at Ife, and with a conscious sense of modesty, it is indeed, the first chair of Economic History in Nigeria. My task would have been easier if I have had some Nigerian predecessors who could by now, have argued and concluded the debate on the nature, methods and significance of Economic History within the Nigerian context. Their ratio decidendi could have been available to me in professing economic history. However, I can only hope that by the end of this lecture, I would have opened some new channels of communication and understanding between Economics and Economic History on the one hand and the other areas of social sciences on the other hand
Open Access
The Effect of Couples' Socio-Economic Status on Nutrition and Immunization of Children in Akure South Local Government Area, Ondo State
(2015-06-24) Banjo, Olufunmilayo Olufunmilola; Omideyi, A.K
This study examined the socio-economic status of couples and determined the nutritional status of their children in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State. It also assessed the extent of immunization completeness of the children with a view to determining their health status. Primary data was collected for this study using the multi-stage sampling technique. There are eleven districts in the study area out of which eight were purposively selected. From each of the selected districts, five enumeration areas were randomly selected after which the household listing was done. Systematic sampling was used to select twenty-five couples having their last two children under five years old from each of the selected districts. In all, 200 couples were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Weighing scales and measuring tapes were used to take the weight and height of the children respectively, while information on age and sex were supplied by the parents of the children. Also, information on weight, height, age and sex were used to compute anthropometric indices of the children. Vaccination cards were requested from couples to determine the extent of completeness of the children's immunization. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that 53.5% and 37% of the male and female respondents respectively had post secondary education, the rest had below a post secondary education. Furthermore, 53.5% and 32.5% of the male and female respondents respectively were civil servants; 18% and 20% respectively were artisans; 10.5% and 7% respectively were farmers; while 10.5% and 25% of the male and female respondents respectively were traders. Furthermore, the average monthly income of the couples revealed that, while the highest proportion of the female respondents (58.1%) earned between N1,000 and N11,000 a month, the highest proportion of the male respondents (34.0%) earned between N11,000 and N21,000 a month. It was observed that only 54.5% of the children completed immunization schedules, while their nutritional status showed that 95% were not wasting, 76.5% were well nourished and 31% were not stunted. The study further found out that couples' education (father: x2 = 12.90. p< 0.05; mother: x2 = 12.47 p< 0.05) and occupation (father: x2 = 26.3, p< 0.05; mother: x2 = 13.26. p< 0.05) had significant effects on the immunization completeness of the children. Results from the logistic regression further showed that couples' income had a positive and significant effect on children's nutritional status (father: Exp B =1.000, p<0.05; mother: Exp B= 1.000, p<0.05). The study concluded that children's immunization completeness increased with couples' socio-economic status and the children largely had healthy growth indicators.
Open Access
Effects of Economic Liberalisation on the Performance of Nigeria's Telecommunications Industry (1986-2004)
(2015-04-15) Arawomo, Omosola
The study examined various aspects of the liberalisation programme that had been implemented in Nigeria's telecommunications industry, determined the effects of increased competition and analysed the influence of technological change on the performance of the telecommunications industry. This was with a view to examining the role of reforms on the telecommunications industry's performance in Nigeria. The study used secondary data sourced from the World Telecommunication Indicators Database obtained from the International Telecommunications Union and the Nigerian Communications Commission for the period 1986-2004. The variables included Telephone Subscribers per 100 inhabitants, Employee per subscriber, number of operators in the telecommunications industry, real per capita income and population. Descriptive statistical techniques and econometric technique, specifically the Ordinary Least Squares were used to analyse the data. The study found out that the telecommunications industry had undergone several transformations, beginning with the commercialisation of the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) in 1992. For example, the telephone subscribers per 100 inhabitants grew from 0.252 in 1986 to 8.004 in 2004. The number of operators, also within the same period grew from 1 to 26. It was also found out that increased competition was positively associated with performance in terms of telephone subscribers per 100, (t = 4.02, p<0.05) but was negatively and insignificantly associated with performance in terms of employee per subscribers (t = -0.63, p>0.05). The results also showed that technological change had significant positive effects on performance (only in terms of telephone subscribers per 100), (t = 4.60, p<0.05). The study concluded that economic liberalisation was effective in improving the performance of the telecommunications industry with technological change being more effective.
Open Access
Effects of Health Investment on Economic Growth in Nigeria, 1977-2004
(2015-04-10) Akintunde, Temitope Sade
The study appraised the various health policies of the government in Nigeria and assessed the trend and pattern of government spending on health during the period 1977-2004. This was with a view to determining the short run and long run effects of investment in health on economic growth. The study used secondary data collected from Statistical Bulletin of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the International Financial Statistics (IFS) published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Time series properties of the variables were analyzed using the Augmented Dickey-Fuller test. Co integration and Vector Error Correction Techniques were employed to empirically determine the impact of health spending on economic growth. The findings showed that several health policies had been put in place in Nigeria in the various development plans but some of the policies were not well implemented. For instance, in the fourth development plan, there was to be a provision of adequate and effective primary health care for the entire population and the goal was to achieve 80% coverage of the whole country by 1985 and 100% by the year 2000 but this was not fully achieved. The study further revealed that government spent more on payment of wages and salaries than on capital projects. Recurrent expenditure as a percentage of total health spending was 60% in 1978 and 84% in 2003 while capital expenditure was 40% in 1978 16% in 2003. The results of the Vector Error Correction Model showed that, the short run, the impact of health expenditure on economic growth did not converge to the long run growth (t = 3.09, p< 0.05). In the long run, health expenditure in real terms had a positive and significant impact on the economic growth (t = 4.56, p< 0.05). The findings also showed that private investment had a positive and significant influence on the economic growth (t = 31.86, p< 0.05) while the degree of openness had a negative and significant influence on the economic growth in the long run (t = -6.92, p< 0.05). The study concluded that there was high prospect for investment in health to boost economic growth if government invested more in this aspect of human capital rather than physical capital.