Development Commission Research Articles

Modelling Delay of Road Construction Projects in 'No Funding-Stress' Scenario using Ordinal Logistic Regression Approach

The study examined critical delay causative factors impacting the delivery of road projects in 'no funding stress' scenario and modelled the variables as a procedural step towards capturing and managing their occurrence in such a scenario. The study adopted a quantitative descriptive approach, which was based on a questionnaire survey. A total of thirty-six organisations that were involved in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) road projects in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria constituted the study population. These were distributed as; 8 client organisations, 13 consulting organisations, and 15 contracting organisations. A total enumeration of the 36 organizations enabled 153 professionals distributed as; 33 quantity surveyors and 120 civil/structural engineers to be sampled. Inferential statistics, rating weighted agreement (RWA), and impact weighting (IW) were employed to isolate the critical factors. Ordinal logistic regression (OLR) was used to model the delay, which was validated using a split-quarter cross-validation method. Twenty-nine critical causative factors were derived with the top three as; mobilization delay, interference by political leader, and high rate of inflation. Ordinary Logistic Regression enabled 11 variables, which had Wald's statistic significant at a p-value ≤ 0.25 to be selected among the 29 critical causative factors for developing a model that predicts project delay quantum in 'no funding stress' scenario. The study provided implications both for project management and government policy development. In the first place, empirical evidence provided is suitable for managing road project delivery in a 'no funding stress' scenario through the development of metrics for improvement of time performance. Most importantly, the study modelled the time variables in this scenario to assist in predicting project delay quantum from inception. The findings also provide implications for government policy response, which would guide the delivery of regional intervention projects. Empirical evidence is provided on road project delivery with special funding intervention that results in a 'no funding stress' scenario. Modelling delay occurrence in such a scenario extends the quantitative approach to the body of knowledge on time performance management in road project delivery. Keywords: Critical impact factors, delay, Niger Delta Region, ordinal logistic regression, Pareto principle, road construction projects. DOI: 10.7176/CER/12-9-07 Publication date:September 30th 2020

You Can’t Give What You Don’t Have: Intervention Agencies and Gender Dynamics in Beneficiary Communities

Interventions are meant to improve people’s lives; however, they can fail to do so and at times even worsen situations. Gender equality is one area that needs improvement in societies, but which interventions can inadvertently impact upon negatively. The study assessed the impact of the Niger Delta Development Commission’s (NDDC) interventions on gender dynamics in Odi Community. A case study design was adopted for the study. Data collection and analyses were iterative. Findings showed that although gender sensitivity is articulated in the mandate of the Commission, however, the NDDC lacks institutional capacity for it. Hence, it did not appropriately mainstream gender in its interventions, and thus, impacted gender relations negatively. This it did by inadvertently entrenching traditional power disequilibrium and gender roles between females and males. Also, it did not include women in its community engagement meetings and unconsciously allocated more financial resources to males. Finally, the Commission did not make provision for women’s needs to encourage women participation and entrenched women’s traditional reproductive activities. It takes more than policy to make intervention agencies to support gender equality: institutional capacity and sensitivity are required.

P1263ASSOCIATION OF LEFT VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY AND ADIPOCYTOKINES IN PATIENTS ON DIALYSIS

Abstract Background and Aims Cardiovascular (CV) disease events are the major cause of death in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on dialysis. Left ventricular hypertrophy, myocardial stress and disturbances in nutritional status are common findings in ESRD patients on dialysis. The adipokines, adiponectin and leptin, are known as important mediators of cardiometabolic risk in obesity, although their role in ESRD patients is poorly clarified. N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is synthesized within cardiac myocytes, in response to cardiac wall stress. Our aim was to study the association of left ventricular hypertrophy with adipokines (adiponectin and leptin), myocardial stress (ProBNP) and nutritional status (BMI and albumin) in ESRD patients on dialysis. Method This study included 196 ESRD patients on dialysis (hemodiafiltration and high-flux hemodialysis). LVH was defined by a value of LVMI > 115 g/m2 in men and 95 g/m2 in women. Patients were divided into two groups - LVH (n=131) and non-LVH (n=65). Left ventricular mass (LVM) was evaluated through echocardiographic studies, corrected for body surface area and the values are presented as LVM index (LVMI). LVMI, clinical and analytical variables (age, body mass index, dialysis vintage, dialysis adequacy, albumin, adiponectin, leptin, NT-proBNP and hemoglobin concentration) were evaluated. Results The prevalence of LVH was 66.8%; LVH patients presented significantly higher levels for NT-proBNP, and significantly lower levels for hemoglobin, when compared with non-LVH patients; a trend towards (P=0.052) lower leptin values were observed. No differences were observed between groups, for age, BMI, dialysis vintage, URR, Kt/V, eKt/V, ultrafiltration volume, albumin and adiponectin. In LVH patients, we found that LVMI presented significant positive correlations with NT-proBNP and with adiponectin; and, significant negative correlations with markers of dialysis adequacy (URR and eKt/V) and leptin. Conclusion Our data suggest that a higher LVMI in ESRD patients is associated with higher myocardial stress, with lower leptin and higher adiponectin levels, showing no association of these adipokines with increased cardiovascular risk and with worsening of left ventricular hypertrophy. Further studies are needed to understand the roles of these adipokines, considering the controversial association with left ventricular hypertrophy, a cardiovascular risk condition. Acknowledgments: The work was supported by UIDB/04378/2020 with funding from FCT/MCTES through national funds, by North Portugal Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR-N)/NORTE2020/Portugal 2020 (Norte-01-0145-FEDER-000024) and by REQUIMTE-Rede de Química e Tecnologia-Associação in the form of a researcher (S. Rocha) – project Dial4Life co-financed by FCT/MCTES (PTDC/MEC-CAR/31322/2017) and FEDER/COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-031322).

P1531DIURETIC USE IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS: BENEFIC ASSOCIATION WITH RESIDUAL RENAL FUNCTION AND ALL-CAUSE MORTALITY

Abstract Background and Aims In patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis, the preservation of residual kidney function may result in a diversity of benefits in terms of survival and quality of life. The control of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis may play an important role in this setting. Elevated predialysis serum potassium is a common electrolyte disturbance that may worsen patient’s outcomes. Our aim was to study the impact of furosemide therapy in predialysis serum potassium levels, indicators of estimated residual renal function, and inflammatory markers, in ESRD patients under hemodialysis; moreover, we aimed to study the impact of furosemide-associated changes on mortality rate. Method A cross-sectional study was carried out on 289 adult patients on chronic dialysis therapy (hemodiafiltration and high flux hemodialysis). Patients were divided in 2 groups: the diuretic group (DG, n=116; 120.0 (IQR: 80-160) mg/daily median furosemide dose) and the non-diuretic group (NDG, n = 173), in which patients did not use furosemide. A large set of data was analyzed, encompassing hematological data, serum electrolyte parameters, inflammatory markers, dialysis adequacy, and biomarkers of residual kidney function. A 2-year follow up study was also performed by registering events of death (all-cause mortality). Results The DG patients, compared with NDG patients, presented: significantly lower predialysis serum potassium; more favorable blood biomarkers of kidney function - lower β-trace protein, cystatin C, creatinine and urea; greater residual glomerular filtration rate derived from equations with cystatin C, creatinine and creatinine–cystatin C; lower inflammation (significantly lower levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein); intradialytic ultrafiltration volume (L) was similar for the two groups. Mortality was significantly lower for DG patients, compared with NDG (13.6% versus 24.7%; P=0.029). Conclusion In ESRD patients under chronic dialysis, we found a significant association between current diuretic therapy and lower predialysis serum potassium levels, more favorable biomarkers of kidney function and a decreased inflammatory response that seem to contribute to a higher survival rate. Acknowledgments: The work was supported by UIDB/04378/2020 with funding from FCT/MCTES through national funds, by North Portugal Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR-N)/NORTE2020/Portugal 2020 (Norte-01-0145-FEDER-000024) and by REQUIMTE-Rede de Química e Tecnologia-Associação in the form of a researcher (S. Rocha) – project Dial4Life co-financed by FCT/MCTES (PTDC/MEC-CAR/31322/2017) and FEDER/COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-031322).

ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT OF A GAS PLANT ON THE ENVIRONMENT OF OGBA/EGBEMA/NDONI, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Environmental impact of oil industries has constituted great hazard. This paper therefore evaluates the impact of gas flaring in Ogba /Egbema/Ndoni on the socio –economic well-being, environment, and health status of the inhabitants and the effort by the Industry to alleviate these effects. Mitigative measures and more effective management options were recommended. The research adopted analytical and survey research design methods. The data were obtained from questionnaire, interview and personal observation. 200 copies of structured questionnaires, were administered, while 192 were retrieved. The result showed that the gas flaring of the Industry impacted negatively from environmental to health status and socio-economic well-being, through constant rise in temperature and sooth pollution which in turn affect the agricultural produce both in quality and quantity. Cough, catarrh, skin and other respiratory diseases are associated with the activities of the oil industries in the area. The degradation of the environment weakened the economic life of the people as they depend on the agricultural yield for their income. Finally, recommendation on the need for public awareness on any project and engagement on the potential benefits of the project and abatement methods of the impact to the environment. Government to draw a line between technical and political decision as to guide office holders also Community Development Commission (CDC) staff should develop project initiative to reinforce the assessment and awareness on environmental sustenance. Health facilities to be improved and resistant species be given to farmers.

Can the Dow Jones Sustainable Index be Useful for Evaluating Dow Jones Islamic Market Companies

In recent years, the focus on sustainability and social impact has increased, companies through environmental programs and social practices have also begun to change their model in response to the demands of stakeholders and the market. A more sustainable approach is also driven by the 17 goals defined by UNESCO in the Goals. The idea of sustainability derives directly from the concept of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), a real way of doing business in a strategic way, which consists in acting responsibly from a social and environmental point of view and in building solid and long-term relationships between companies and stakeholders, from the supplier to the final consumer. The Mediterranean Commission for Development (MCSD) established in 1995 started the project Sustainable development (SDI), which aims to develop indicators of progress towards sustainable development in the countries of Europe, Africa and Asia that face the Mediterranean, offering the great opportunity to compare developments in the process of integrating the environment into profoundly different national reality policies. Currently, the most widespread worldwide of all the SDI indicators is the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), established in 1999. The index is the first to assess the financial performance of global companies that follow sustainable principles. Unfortunately, all the studies conducted through the use of DJSI to evaluate the main sustainable firms do not consider the Sharia compliant market but are based only on the Dow Jones market. Therefore, there is no sustainability model that takes into account the companies that have had access to the Dow Jones Islamic Market. This Gap in literature and in practice does not allow us to confirm or contribute further to the use of the sustainability indicator with models that are particularly sensitive to the sharia compliant criteria. The statistical analysis has verified a difference between companies belonging to the Dow Jones Market and the Dow Jones Islamic Market model. This difference confirms the interest in testing the behaviour of the social and environmental sustainability index as well as the economic one even in companies belonging to the sharia-compliant market. The qualitative analysis of the models allows a possible future adoption in these markets based on scientific and literary evidence.

Primordial Niger Delta, Petroleum Development in Nigeria and the Niger Delta Development Commission Act: A Food For Thought!

The historic and geographic ethnic minority Delta region of Nigeria, which may be called the Nigerian Delta region or the Niger Delta region, has been in existence from time immemorial, as other primordial ethnic nationality areas and regions, which were in existence centuries before the birth of modern Nigeria. In the early times, the people of the Niger Delta region established foreign relations between and among themselves, as people of immediate neigbouring primordial areas or tribes. They also established long-distance foreign relations with distant tribes that became parts and parcels of modern Nigeria. The Niger Delta region, known as the Southern Minorities area of Nigeria as well as the South-South geo-political zone of Nigeria, is the primordial and true Delta region of Nigeria. The region occupies a very strategic geographic location between Nigeria and the rest of the world. For example, with regard to trade, politics and foreign relations, the Nigerian Delta region has been strategic throughout history, ranging, for instance, from the era of the Atlantic trade to the ongoing era of petroleum resources development in Nigeria. Ancient Niger Delta represents a distinct area of primordial African civilisation. So, the existence of the oil-rich ethnic minority Delta region predates petroleum resources development operations in Nigeria, which operations commenced with the discovery of commercial quantities of crude oil in the oil producing communities of the region in the late 1950s. Thereafter, when petroleum resources were discovered in the communities of neighbouring States of the true Niger Delta region, namely Abia and Imo States of the Igbo major ethnic group, and Ondo State of the Yoruba major tribe, these three oil producing States became integrated into the framework of the true Delta region, by virtue of the Niger-Delta Development Commission (Establishment, Etc.) (NDDC) Act, 2000 (as NDDC States). This Act made the Niger Delta region to be synonymous with petroleum resources development. It is significant to highlight that ceaseless agitation of citizens and citizen-groups of the oil-rich ethnic minority Delta region helped to persuade the Federal Government (FG) to take appropriate steps to address the age-long problems of neglect, marginalisation and deprivation of the region. The agitation of interest groups of the Niger Delta region stems from the fact that whereas the region has been the goldmine of Nigeria, it is experiencing paradoxes associated with unsustainable petroleum resources development operations. These paradoxes made the Delta region to become endangered and crises-ridden as well as generated the region’s historic ‘resource control’ movement, which advocates that the region deserve to have maximum benefits from petroleum development operations in its oil-rich communities. Consequently, through the National Assembly, the FG led by President Olusegun Obasanjo had to take key steps, one of which was the enactment of the NDDC Act that formally repealed the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission Decree (OMPADEC) Decree, No. 23 of 1992, and dissolved the Commission established thereby. Therefore, the aim of this study is to demonstrate that the true Niger Delta region is distinct and thus improperly categorised with other oil producing States and areas in the context and framework of the NDDC Act. This is a food for thought that warrants serious consideration, analysis and evaluation. Consequently, the study recommends that there is a need for the FG, through the National Assembly, to further amend the NDDC Act, to make its provisions align more with petroleum resources development and that meanwhile the erroneous manner of referring to or considering the Niger Delta region as the ‘Nigerian Niger Delta region’ or the ‘Niger Delta region of Nigeria’, should, at least, be corrected in the parlance of the knowledge industry, by stakeholders of the industry, particularly scholars, beginning with Nigerian scholars . Keywords: Ancient; Primordial; Niger Delta; Delta; Petroleum Resources; Petroleum Development; Nigeria; NDDC; Ethnic Minority; Ethnic Minorities; Ethnographic, Historic and Geographic; Ethnic Nationality; Ethnic Nationalities. DOI: 10.7176/DCS/10-3-10 Publication date: March 31 st 2020

Assessing the Performance of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) 2001-2020: Another Failed Dream

The Niger Delta region of Nigeria is of critical importance to the country because of its oil revenues. Noteworthy, it is also strategic to the international community because of its significant contribution to world supply of oil; such that any shortage of oil supply from the region invariably causes increases in international oil prices. From the 1970s to date oil revenues derived from the Niger Delta region have been used to develop other parts of Nigeria, while the region has been left underdeveloped. This contradiction led to protests by the people of the region, which led to the establishment of the Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) in 1992. The dream of OMPADEC was the transformation of the Niger Delta region from the state of poverty and underdevelopment to a prosperous society equipped with modern facilities and infrastructure. However, that dream failed due to several factors, including corruption and poor project execution. This disappointment generated intensified protests by the people of the region, leading to the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in 2000 with the same mandate as OMPADEC. Many scholars have suggested that the NDDC has failed. This article assesses this suggestion and concludes that the NDDC is another failed dream. To succeed, appropriate recommendations are made towards reformation of the Commission for effective performance.

Developing the Youth through Technical Vocational Education and Training for Sustainable Development in Nigeria

Nigeria is a country characterized with natural resources in its abundance which can cater for the well-being of the citizens, yet the citizens especially the youths are living below poverty level as many are victims of unemployment and cannot offer meaningful and positive contribution to the development of the nation. The unemployment rate is as a result of the abandonment of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) that can offer skills to the youths for self-reliance and employment. In this vein, this paper seeks to address how a developed TVET programme can develop the youths in order to build the nation for sustainable national development in Nigeria. The following outlines provide a guide to the content of this paper; the concept of sustainable development, the meaning of TVET and its role in sustainable development, how to develop TVET for sustainable development in Nigeria. Others were the definition of youth and the concept of TVET for youth development. The researcher suggests that TVET can be developed for sustainable development in Nigeria through making a flexible TVET policies, establishment of TVET special training centres on local basis, improvement of the linkages between training institutions and the industries, provision of adequate training facilities, giving of grants to individual who successfully complete TVET training, granting of soft loans to established business, establishment and effective management of financial institutions such as Micro-Finance Banks, Bank of Industries (BOI), employment in both public. The implementation of these strategies will enhance the development and sustainability of TVET programmes in Nigeria. Based on the discussion made in this paper, the study recommends that the period of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) should be converted to be a compulsory training period for all graduates on different types and kinds of TVET skills, For non-graduates youths, there should be a skill training organized and supervised through government agencies such as Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and other commissions, Government should grant soft loan to those venturing into TVET as this will enable the establishment of the acquire skills. Also, loan should be given to graduates who have completed a training programme for easy establishment.

Ex-Offender Reintegration and Sustained Peace in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: Adopting a Socio-Economic Change Model Approach

Abstract The Niger Delta of Nigeria rich in oil and gas resources has been plagued with series of armed conflicts characterised by massive youth restiveness. The peaceful coexistence of people in the region is often affected by the nature of oil and gas business determined by the political economy of the Nigerian state. By the statute of the Federal system of Government in Nigeria, all resources within the territorial boundary of the country belong to the Federal Government. The Government then pays a certain 13% derivation fund to the resource bearing states for development. The Federal Government equally sees to the development of the region through its statutory Agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission. All these efforts are yet to bring about infrastructural development and human capacity needs of the region. A consequence of this is the armed militancy and cult related violence that has engulfed the region. In this paper, an attempt is made to analyse the socioeconomic requisitions of a reintegration programme for ex-offenders seeking re-entry into mainstream society. An interventionist approach is recommended with effective monitoring and evaluation system for a socioeconomic reintegration of ex-offenders in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

MIGRATION CHALLENGES: TRENDS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR UKRAINE AND COUNTRIES OF EASTERN EUROPE

Transformational processes in the global economy are due to strengthening the integration of national economies, increasing transnationalization, deepening internationalization of production and exchange, are accompanied by the activation of migration challenges. The purpose of the article is to examine and analyse the migration challenges, their development trends and the potential consequences for Ukraine’s and countries of Eastern Europe economic potential. To achieve the goal, the study focuses on the following tasks: to consider and analyse the main factors that have a direct impact on the socio-economic development of the country, such as the activation of international mobility of the Ukrainian people, armed conflict in eastern Ukraine, the introduction of a visa-free regime with the EU; to make a socio-economic analysis of migration processes in the countries of Eastern Europe; to consider and analyse the possible (potential) scenario of the development of the impact of migration challenges on the Ukrainian economy; to offer recommendations on mitigating the negative manifestations of the current migration challenges for Ukraine. Methodology. In the process of writing the article, methods of scientific abstraction, observation, synthesis of generalization were used to distinguish key socio-economic factors influencing migration challenges. The information and analytical base for the study of migratory challenges is the monographic works of foreign and domestic economists devoted to international migration, materials and analytical reports of international organizations dealing with migration (International Organization for Migration, International Labor Organization, United Nations Population and Development Commission, World Bank and others), regulatory and statistical data of the state authorities of Ukraine, results of scientific research of the Institute of Demography and Social Research after M. V. Ptukha NASU, Internet resources. The practical significance of the scientific research is to clarify the migration challenges, their development trends and potential implications for the economic potential of Ukraine on the basis of macroeconomic indicators; the likely economic consequences of the introduction of a visafree regime for the European Union for Ukraine and the projected tendencies of migration challenges as proposed scenarios, indicating developers and prospects for forecasting.

First Instance Administrative Ruling in Jiang Aiming v. Zhejiang Province Development and Reform Commission and Zhejiang Province People’s Government on Administrative Reconsideration

First Instance Administrative Ruling in Jiang Aiming v. Zhejiang Province Development and Reform Commission and Zhejiang Province People’s Government on Administrative Reconsideration

PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF PRESIDENTIAL INITIATIVES FOR NORTH-EAST (PINE): AN INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND RECONSTRUCTION OF NORTH EASTERN NIGERIA

In recent times, the Northeastern region of Nigeria has engulfed into pocket of insecurity and political conflict. The insecurity ranges from bomb blast, kidnapping, rapping, to other related crimes including insurgency by Boko Haram elements. This has affected the economic ability and socio-political capability of the region to a miximum level. The development prompted the government to put more efforts and different palliatives measures in order to restore back hopes, peace, confidence, security of lives and property as well as to regain back lost livelihoods and reconstruction of all infrastructure damaged during the conflict in the region. These strategies include the Presidential Initiatives for North-East (PINE) Development, the various States Development Strategies, the Foreign Intervention Development Strategies, and the latest North East Development Commission Bill assented to restore hopes and reconstruct the economy of the region. The PINE in particular was founded by the administration of President Goodluck E. Jonathan to provide basic human needs and services for restoring livelihoods and confidence in the nation and its economic system. In spite of this strategy, the region still and largely lag behind in terms of infrastructural development, thousands of children still roams around the street at the expense of schools, people are still dying by bomb blast, internal displaced camps are overcrowded than ever, access to basic healthcare delivery in the camp is far from sight than ever. It was on this premise that the paper desires to assess prospects, challenges and operations of the PINE in the region. The paper also examines the existing strategies adopted by the PINE for the economic recovery and reconstruction of the region. Using documentary data gathered from official reports from governmental institutions both national and international such as Word Bank, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) as well as books and Journals both hard and internet versions, the paper was analyzed through analyzing tool of content analysis. The paper argued that PINE as a strategy has help in ameliorating the suffering of the people but much is still needed. It is on this basis that the paper recommends inclusive strategy for the restoration of peace, hopes, and confidence as well as long lasting security in the region. Article visualizations:

Sustainable performance-oriented production practices in the Indian iron and steel industry: An empirical investigation

Capital-intensive industries consume fossil fuels for mass production with little concern for nature's assimilative capacity, which results in an accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Pollution abatement systems based on market-induced correctives and multi-national agreements works as ex-post remedial measures and have limited effectiveness in the reduction of GHGs. In this paper, we formulate the sustainable-structure-conduct-performance (S-SCP) paradigm as an ex-ante remedial measure by mimicking the structure-conduct-performance (SCP) paradigm to reduce the GHGs. By using a dynamic panel data, the workability of the S-SCP paradigm was tested on CO2 emissions for selected major Indian iron and steel industries (IISI). Our findings show that the green relative index was positively significant in respect of green value added (GREVA). However, green R&D and barriers to entry and exit were negatively significant in respect of GREVA. Overall, the S-SCP paradigm's test in ISII suggests that the incorporation of social cost into the firm's structure and conduct will achieve sustainable performance-oriented production practices that reduce CO2 emissions. We propose general suggestions on industrial parks for green technology innovation, management responsibility mechanisms, environmental impact assessment notifications and an Indian sustainable development commission.

Interaction Between Knowledge Management Practices, Innovation and Job Creation in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nigeria

Knowledge and its management are essential tools for job creation, economic growth, and development. Despite its importance, not many organizations are making adequate use of their knowledge assets. The current study examined the influence of knowledge management practices and innovation on job creation in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nigeria. The study adopted the survey research design. 440 out of the population of 879 employees of the commission was used for the study. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics such as percentage distribution, mean and standard deviation as well as regression analysis. The findings revealed an overall moderate extent of job creation in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, it indicates a high extent of knowledge management practices, it shows a high extent of innovation management practices. The study concluded that knowledge management processes were a significant predictor of job creation in the region (Adjusted R 2 =.413, F (1, 306) = 217.418, P < .05). It was recommended that authority of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) should strive to maintain their level of knowledge and innovation management practices with a view to improving employment generation and general development of the area. Keywords : Knowledge management, Practices, Innovation, Job creation DOI : 10.7176/IKM/9-2-05

Effectiveness of a youth-led early childhood care and education programme in rural Pakistan: A cluster-randomised controlled trial.

BackgroundThe United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals encompass lifelong learning from birth to youth to adulthood (Goal 4) and economic opportunities for young people (Goal 8). The targets include improving access to quality early childhood care and education (ECCE) as well as learning and training opportunities for adolescents and youth. Cross-generational models for young children and youth may offer opportunities to address the interconnections between goals and targets for the next generation. We investigated whether an ECCE programme for young children (3.5–6.5 years) delivered by female youth (18–24 years) in rural Pakistan would be effective on children’s school readiness.MethodsIn partnership with the National Commission for Human Development in Pakistan, we implemented the ‘Youth Leaders for Early Childhood Assuring Children are Prepared for School’ (LEAPS) programme to train female youth to deliver ECCE. The effectiveness of the LEAPS programme on children’s school readiness was evaluated in a cluster-randomised controlled trial. We randomly allocated five clusters (villages) to receive the intervention (n = 170 children) and five clusters to control (n = 170 children). Children’s school readiness was assessed after nine months of intervention exposure using the International Development and Early Learning Assessment tool. Analyses was by intention-to-treat. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02645162.FindingsAt endline, the intervention group had significantly higher school readiness scores (n = 166, mean percentage score 59.4, 95% CI 52.7 to 66.2) compared with the control group (n = 168, mean percentage score 45.5, 95% CI 38.8 to 52.3). The effect size (Cohen’s d) was 0.3.ConclusionTrained female youth delivered an ECCE programme that was effective in benefitting young children’s school readiness. The cross-generational model is a promising approach to support early child development; however, further evaluation of the model is needed to assess the specific benefits to youth including their skills and economic development.

Training Model to Enhance Human Resource Development of Government Organizations

The research was aimed to (1) study the best practices of the organizations that have been awarded the Public Sector Management Quality Award (PMQA) (2) present the recommendations of the training model that promote human resource development of government organizations in Thailand. The study was found that the Department of Community Development and the Department of Mental Health were only two organizations that have been awarded PMQA in the sector of staff administration and development. They had similar policy on staff administration and development which was focused on the development of personnel as "human capital" as well as “training” is one of the most important tools in order to develop the staff. The concept of training was based on the criteria of OPDC (Office of the Public Sector Development Commission), position competency, well-being and satisfaction of the staff. Training process step starts from need analysis, then develop courses and assess of the training. The training methods are both formal and informal training which is based on the context the content of the training, the trainee the time and place. Quality assurance system, follow-up evaluation by trainees and their supervisors are the training management.

The Belt and Road Initiative and China’s Grand Diplomacy

On March 28, 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping detailed his vision for the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (hereinafter referred to as the Belt and Road) when attending the Boao Forum for Asia. After this, China’s National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Commerce jointly issued the “Vision and Actions on Jointly Building Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road”, a sign that the Belt and Road Initiative promoted by China as a foreign cooperation platform entered its first year of implementation. This vision covers over half of the global population and involves more than 60 countries along the routes, the economic aggregates of which account for about one-third of the world. During 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang paid frequent visits to all continents in an effort to promote the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative. At present, the Belt and Road Initiative has received positive responses from the countries along the routes, and a number of cooperation projects have been underway smoothly. With the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, China is forming a grand diplomatic landscape with “double legs” (a new type of major power relations and the Belt and Road Initiative) and a “single circle” (peripheral diplomacy). The Belt and Road Initiative highlights the spirit of the age, characterized by “peace, mutual respect, openness, and inclusiveness”, and has major international significance in helping China break through the security dilemma among nations, shoulder the responsibilities of a great power, and build China’s soft power in the international arena.

Instead of Lilacs:

Research Article| September 01 2018 Instead of Lilacs: Jacqueline Bishop Jacqueline Bishop Jacqueline Bishop's most recent book, The Gymnast & Other Positions, has been awarded the 2016 OCM Bocas Award in Non-Fiction. She has also received the Canute A. Brodhurst Prize for short story writing, a James Michener Creative Writing Fellowship, and several awards from the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission. Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Meridians (2018) 16 (1): 143. https://doi.org/10.2979/meridians.16.1.13 Cite Icon Cite Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Permissions Search Site Citation Jacqueline Bishop; Instead of Lilacs:. Meridians 1 September 2018; 16 (1): 143. doi: https://doi.org/10.2979/meridians.16.1.13 Download citation file: Zotero Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search Books & JournalsAll JournalsMeridians Search Advanced Search The text of this article is only available as a PDF. Copyright © 2018 Smith College2018 Article PDF first page preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this content.

Three Lilacs

Research Article| September 01 2018 Three Lilacs Jacqueline Bishop Jacqueline Bishop Jacqueline Bishop's most recent book, The Gymnast & Other Positions, has been awarded the 2016 OCM Bocas Award in Non-Fiction. She has also received the Canute A. Brodhurst Prize for short story writing, a James Michener Creative Writing Fellowship, and several awards from the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission. Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Meridians (2018) 16 (1): 142. https://doi.org/10.2979/meridians.16.1.12 Cite Icon Cite Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Permissions Search Site Citation Jacqueline Bishop; Three Lilacs. Meridians 1 September 2018; 16 (1): 142. doi: https://doi.org/10.2979/meridians.16.1.12 Download citation file: Zotero Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search Books & JournalsAll JournalsMeridians Search Advanced Search The text of this article is only available as a PDF. Copyright © 2018 Smith College2018 Article PDF first page preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this content.