Northeast Nigeria Research Articles

Education (Critical Thinking) as Tool for Preventing Violent Extremism in Northeast Nigeria

Education (Critical Thinking) as Tool for Preventing Violent Extremism in Northeast Nigeria

Pattern and Trends in the Presentation of Salivary Gland Tumours in a Tertiary Centre in Gombe, Northeast Nigeria

Pattern and Trends in the Presentation of Salivary Gland Tumours in a Tertiary Centre in Gombe, Northeast Nigeria

Effect of Terrorists Reintegration on National Security in Nigeria: A Case of North East Nigeria

Nigeria has made several efforts at curtailing the menace of terrorist activities in order to enhance her national security. One of these efforts is the adoption of the non-kinetic approach of reintegration programme for surrendered terrorist through the processes of deradicalization, reconciliation and resettlement. The researcher is of the view that effective application of reintegration processes will positively impact on national security in Nigeria. Three research questions guided the study which are: What is the effect of terrorists deradicalization on national security in Nigeria? What is the effect of terrorists’ reconciliation on national security in Nigeria? What is the effect of terrorists’ resettlement on national security in Nigeria? This study examines the effect of terrorist reintegration on national security taking into consideration the effective application of the processes. The study analyzed qualitative and quantitative data collected from both primary and secondary sources while utilizing Cognitive Dissonance and Structural Functionalism Theories. Reintegration is a safe transition to the community, after an individual has acquired attitude and behaviour that generally lead to productive functioning and thereby proceeds to live a law‐abiding life in the society. Reintegration programme involves deradicalization, reconciliation and resettlement which is a process of being remorseful, renouncing violence and being relocated back to, as well as received by the community (Silke, 2013). The three processes are correlated and complement one another starting with deradicalization. Deradicalization focusses on the remolding of the surrendered terrorists while reconciliation targets the victims and the surrendered terrorists with emphasis on the victims forgiveness. Resettlement however targets the empowerment of all with the reconstruction of the community. When all these processes are well executed, law and order will be maintained, socio-economic activities will be improved and national security will be enhanced.

Factors Responsible to an Effective Electoral Process in the North East Nigeria Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. A Basis for Transformation

Failure to follow the ethics of a good spiritual electoral process is usually the result of poor leadership, followers, disunity, and division. The purpose of this research was to look into the factors that contribute to an effective electoral process in the North-East Nigeria Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. A self-created questionnaire and interview were used to collect data. Percentages, means, standard deviations, and stepwise regression analyses are among the data analysis tools available. To collect quantitative and qualitative data, the study used a cross-sectional design, specifically a causal design. The study sample consisted of 76 delegates from the North East Nigeria Conference, according to the findings. It was discovered that deficiencies in organizational culture, organizational politics, ethnicity, geopolitical affiliation, leadership influence, transparency, spirituality, and competence were factors. Transparency, spirituality, and competence were also revealed to be prerequisites during the constituency process (elections). It was suggested that the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church reconsider changing the chairmanship of the nominating committee in order to address the factors responsible for non-compliance with the ethics of an effective electoral process. The selection of church administrative officers in the twenty-first century should be based on competence, spirituality, experience, and educational qualifications. Finally, conference and union officeholders should be limited to no more than two consecutive terms.

The Intersection of Two Pandemics: Elucidating the Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on HIV Services among Key Populations in Northeast Nigeria

The Intersection of Two Pandemics: Elucidating the Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on HIV Services among Key Populations in Northeast Nigeria

The drug burden index medication use in older people in north-east Nigeria

Background and Aims: Evidence has shown that physical and cognitive impairment in older people is linked with the Drug Burden Index (DBI). The study aimed to describe the prescription pattern of DBI medications, estimate the frequency of contraindicated DBI medication use, determine the rate of exposure to high-risk DBI medications, and identify the potential predictors of exposure to high-risk DBI medications.. Methods: This one-year retrospective study was conducted in a secondary healthcare facility. It included patients over 65 years of age who were prescribed at least one anticholinergic and/or sedative medication. The study data were summarized using descriptive statistics, while multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify potential predictors of exposure to high-risk DBI medications. Statistically, a significant level was set at p < 0.05. Results: Most patients were exposed to cardiovascular drugs (57.5%) followed by antihistamines (25.8%). A total of 23 (6.3%) contraindicated DBI medications were identified. Sixty (19.6%) older patients were prescribed high-risk DBI medications. Patients over 70 years were 3.08 times significantly more likely to be exposed to high-risk DBI medications. Also, patients with a low number of non-DBI co-medications (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.40, 95% CI 1.03 - 11.23), polypharmacy (AOR 7.38, 95% CI 2.20 – 24.73), and those that had contraindicated DBI medications (AOR 3.93, 95% CI 1.14 – 13.53) were significantly more likely to be exposed to high-risk DBI medications. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that most older people in the study were exposed to anticholinergic medications. A considerable proportion of these older people were exposed to contraindicated and high-risk DBI medications. Patients over 70 years of age, a low number of non-DBI co-medications, polypharmacy, and contraindicated DBI prescriptions were the significant predictors of exposure to high-risk DBI medications.

Insecurity and Anxiety in Northeast Nigeria and Boko Haram Agenda Conspiracy Theories: Lake Chad Basin’s Oil and Water Polemics

In Nigeria and other nations with their territory being part of the Lake Chad Basin, anxiety is high and growing because Boko Haram’s “strident messages exacerbate intra-Muslim tensions and worsen Muslim-Christian relations in the region” (Thurston 2016: 5). In addition, because the agenda of Boko Haram appear jumbled and its sponsors indistinct, curiosity has led to the conceptualization of theories aimed at providing illumination. The study interpretively discusses how insecurity and anxieties in northeast Nigeria resulting from Boko Haram’s insurgency propel the articulation of several conspiracy theories explaining Boko Haram’s emergence, evolution and agenda, and the areas where lack of consensus subsists. The study classifies the theories into three categories, namely, the Freedom Fighter and Soldiers of Faith, Proxy Political Tool, and Islamic Caliphate Quest theories, and examines their suppositions and arguments to highlight the degree of plausibility. Substantially, the study expands the ‘Islamic Caliphate Quest’ theory to include the place of ‘oil’ and ‘water’ as likely variables that illuminate other trajectories.

BOKO HARAM RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM AND WESTERN EDUCATION IN NORTH-EAST NIGERIA

The Boko Haram religious fundamentalists have continued to exhibit negative attitude towards western education in north-east Nigeria because they believe that such system of education is harmful to the socio-economic and moral wellbeing of Muslims in the region. This study, therefore, explored Boko Haram religious fundamentalism and attitude to western education in north-east Nigeria with a view to ascertain whether western education is actually the cause of the socio-economic and moral problems bedeviling the region. Data was gathered from existing literature, media reports and observation of the contemporary religious and socio-economic situation of the north-east. Historical, content, critical and constructive methods of analysis were used for data interpretation. This paper revealed that Boko Haram fundamentalism and hatred for western education is predicated on their belief in orthodox Islam. The group demonstrated their hatred for western education by launching violent attacks on every institutions and persons that represent such system of education in the north-east. Unfortunately, western education is not the cause of the problems confronting Muslims in the region. The real architects of the problems are the religious and political elites who have failed in their responsibilities. This essay submits that the people should accept and invest in western education because it is the major solution to the problems confronting the north-east.

Toposequence Study of Soils along Donga River in Manya, Takum Local Government Area Taraba State, Northeast Nigeria

Toposequence Study of Soils along Donga River in Manya, Takum Local Government Area Taraba State, Northeast Nigeria

Effects of a sexuality education programme on young people’s STI/HIV knowledge, attitudes and risk behaviour in Northeast Nigeria

Objective: The high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among Nigerian young people has been linked to poor knowledge, attitudes and risk behaviour. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a sexuality education programme (SEP) in improving adolescents’ STI/HIV knowledge and attitudes and reducing risk behaviour. Design: A quasi-experimental pre–post study was conducted. The experimental group ( n = 189) and comparison group ( n = 195) comprised senior secondary school students. Data were collected via a validated self-report questionnaire. A paired t-test, an independent t-test and a one-way between-group analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to analyse the data. Setting: Three hundred eighty-four young people aged 15–20 years at low and high risk for STI/HIV infection participated in the SEP in a school setting in Northeast Nigeria. Results: There were significant post-intervention improvements in students’ knowledge, attitudes and practices in the experimental group ( p < .001). A t-test showed that after the SEP, the mean scores of STI/HIV knowledge (11.25 ± 3.39 vs 8.23 ± 3.60) and attitudes (29.63 ± 6.21 vs 35.38 ± 7.86) were significantly higher in the experimental group than that in the control group. Similarly, the mean risk behaviour score (6.83 ± 2.10 vs 5.64 ± 2.27) was higher in the experimental group than that in the control group post-intervention. Conclusion: The school-based SEP increases STI/HIV knowledge, improves positive attitudes and reduces STI/HIV risk behaviour among school young people in Nigeria.

Heamatological and biochemical status of cultured and wild blue Tilapia, Oreochromis aureus from Alau Lake, Northeast Nigeria

Heamatological and biochemical status of cultured and wild blue Tilapia, Oreochromis aureus from Alau Lake, Northeast Nigeria

Challenges to Effective Implementation of Humanitarian Services by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Internally Displaced Persons Camps in North-East Nigeria

This study investigated the factors confronting the effective implementation of humanitarian services by non- governmental organizations (NGOs) in IDP camps in North-East Nigeria. Using the discourse analysis to analyze qualitative data collected through participant observation, informal discussion and interview from 42 officials selected through snow-ball sampling techniques in NEMA recognized and approved camps. Among other findings, it was revealed that in terms of jurisdictions, some of the NGOs are limited in operation, while others are versatile but limited in service delivery; also, policy and guiding principles of the various NGOs has created duplication of the nature of service and role conflict. It was recommended majorly that there is need for the government of Nigeria to take the center stage in the management of programmes and activities of humanitarian services in-line with international best practices. This will help to create a central coordination and administration of long-term programmes for the IDPs.

Border Insecurity and the Challenges of Transnational Terrorism in North East Nigeria

Background: Using secondary sources of data, and adopting transnationalism theory, it is discovered that Nigeria’s territory and population are vulnerable. Consequently, the border towns and its people become prey to transnational terrorists’ organizations; drug barons; smugglers; among others. Some frontline settlers are conscripted into or give support to the criminal elements; engage in illegal smuggling, thereby making the state lose vital revenue from some traders and corrupt state officials at the border posts. Aim: The study looked at some of the literature on border security and insecurity, terrorism on both a domestic and international scale, the effects of porous border security on people's lives, property, and socioeconomic activities, and the implications for those living in the border region of northeastern Nigeria. Method: Articles from magazines, newspapers, textbooks, and other resources were compiled. The many authors' viewpoints and contents are studied or addressed in the sections that follow. Findings: Border insecurity is the factor responsible for the inability of the states to halt the terrorists’ activities across Nigerian international boundary in the north-east axis. Government is therefore urged to establish its authority in those frontline states; equip the nation’s security operatives; boost cross-border security surveillances; provide social infrastructures for those at the border to make them patriotic and loyal to the state as the panacea for halting trans-border criminality and terrorism in the North-East in particular and Nigeria at large.

Can nutrition-sensitive intervention and programmes reduce household's food insecurity among the communities affected by Boko-Haram insurgency in Nigeria?

Dwindling food security situations that arose from Boko-haram insurgence experienced in the northeast of Nigeria has led to an urgent need to respond to the food and livelihood requirements of families who were affected by the conflicts in this region. This is necessary in order to enhance their food and nutritional security and livelihood activities. Thus, examining the status of malnutrition of households in the intervening communities is imperative. Therefore, primary data were collected from some selected households within the region using multi-stage sampling procedure. Descriptive statistics, Dietary Diversity Score (DSS), Heckman and Tobit Models were the analytical tools employed. The study revealed that food aid constitutes an integral proportion of the total expenditure of households on food in the intervening communities. Level of malnutrition also reduces from 40.58 to 16.7% due to the impact of the sensitization programme on households' consumption of nutritious foods. However, there is still a high level of malnutrition (68.79%) among the children that are 5years and below. Social capital formation and group-specific nutritional policy strategies directed at the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and children that are 5years and below are panacea to reducing malnutrition in the region.

Mediating Role of Interaction Orientation on the Relationship between Strategic Orientation and Small Medium Enterprises Performance in North-East Nigeria

This study was designed to find out the mediating role of interaction orientation in the relationship between strategic orientation and Small Medium (SMEs) performance in northeast Nigeria. Data was collected from a sample of 326 SME owner-managers in northeast Nigeria using questionnaire. The analysis was done with inferential statistics on Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) on Smart-PLS 3. The results revealed that interaction orientation mediates the relationship between each of entrepreneurial orientation, market orientation learning orientation, and technology orientation with SMEs’ performance. Without taking proper training and orientation measures for SME owner-managers on the application of entrepreneurial, market orientation, and technology jointly with interaction orientation in Nigeria, the country will continue to suffer from poor SMEs’ performance. It is recommended that special consideration should be given to interaction orientation because of its mediation effect on market orientation and SMEs performance.

Simulating potential yield of rainfed soybean in northeast Nigeria

We used the CROPGRO-Soybean model to simulate the production potential of rainfed soybean in northeast Nigeria. Data from ten soybean experiments conducted under optimal conditions in 2016–2018 at Kano and Dambatta in the Sudan savanna (SS) agroecological zone were used to determine the cultivar coefficients and calibrate the model for the varieties TGX 1448–2E and TGX1951–3 F. The model was evaluated with data from four phosphorous response trials conducted at Zaria and Doguwa in the northern Guinea savanna (GS) of Nigeria between 2016 and 2018. Results show that the CROPGRO-Soybean model was able to accurately simulate soybean growth and grain yield with low RMSE and high d-index values. Consequently, the model was used to investigate the rainfed yield potential of the two varieties in 24 sites in northeast Nigeria under different sowing windows using 30-year (1985–2014) weather data. The result shows that soybean can be grown in northeast Nigeria, but yield performance is dependent on location, variety and sowing window. The simulated yield was higher in the SS than in the GS agro-ecozone despite the longer growing period in the later. Low yield was simulated for TGX 1448–2E for most of the sites. The yield of TGX1951–3 F was above a threshold of 1500 kg ha−1 in 5 out of 12 sites in the GS and 7 out of 12 sites in the SS, suggesting that this variety is the most suitable for cultivation in northeast Nigeria. Sowing TGX 1951–3 F can be delayed to July 16 at Gwaskara, Nasarawo Demsa and Tawa in the GS and at Briyel, Lakundum, Jara Dali, Kurbo Gayi, and Mathau in the SS with a low-risk of crop failure. The desired yield will be achieved at Chikala and Puba Vidau with a significantly low risk of crop failure for all sowing windows. The results from this study suggest that the CSM-CROPGRO-Soybean model can be a valuable tool in determining the right variety and sowing window for soybean production in targeted agroecological zones in northeast Nigeria.

Capacity assessment of Nigeria for health emergencies preparedness and response

Introduction: Nigeria faces frequent natural and environmental disasters as well as violent conflicts including insurgency and communal clashes. Nigeria's public health challenges continue to grow—rapid population growth, increasing movement of people and destruction of infrastructure in the North East of Nigeria and outbreaks from new and re-emerging pathogens. Objective: We assessed the current status of Nigeria's public health emergencies preparedness and response in order to identify gaps and recommend appropriate measures to be put in place.

Measurement of respectful maternity care in exit interviews following facility childbirth: a criterion validity assessment in Nigeria

Background Valid methods for assessing women’s experiences of maternity care are essential to the global efforts toward providing positive childbirth environments for all women in all health facilities. Methods This criterion validity study used observation of childbirth as the reference standard compared to exit interviews with women upon discharge with a live baby, usually within 24 hours of childbirth. We investigated eight positive and sixteen negative maternity care experience indicators. Data were collected from ten primary healthcare facilities in Gombe State, northeast Nigeria, in August 2018 and August 2019. Data analysis involved tabulation of demographic characteristics of women and childbirth context, computation of individual level validity metrics including the area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) and estimating population level validity using the inflation factor (IF). Results A total of 724 women were observed and interviewed at the time of discharge (exit) following facility childbirth, 15% of whom were adolescents, 99% were married, 43% had no formal education, and a skilled birth attendant had attended only 12%. The prevalence of positive maternity care experience indicators ranged between 25% and 96% in childbirth observations. For these positive indicators, the agreement between childbirth observations and exit interviews ranged from 55% to 97%. Six of the eight positive maternity care experience indicators had high overall validity, meaning AUC≥0.70 and 0.75<IF<1.25, with high sensitivity (89% to 99%) and moderate to high specificity (44% to 84%). The prevalence of the 16 negative maternity care experience indicators ranged between 0.1% and 18% in childbirth observations. For these negative indicators, agreement ranged from 87% to 99%. Just six of the 16 negative maternity care experience indicators met the criteria for validation analysis; and these showed low to moderate sensitivity (32% to 74%), high specificity (97% to 100%) and moderate (0.60<AUC<0.70) to high (AUC≥0.70) individual-level validity. Conclusions In this high mortality setting with relatively low coverage of skilled attendance at birth, exit interviews with women following facility-based childbirth care provided responses consistent with the observation of childbirth for eight positive and six negative maternity care experience indicators.

Faith-based organizations` intervention for the internally displaced persons from the northeast Nigeria`s region at Uhogua camp in Edo State

ABSTRACT The escalation of the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast region of Nigeria since 2009 has led to the death of thousands of people and left over 4 million displaced. Internally displaced persons were resettled by the Nigerian authorities in 22 IDPs camps in Borno and other states in the Northeast region and Abuja. Many of them were resettled in host communities with relatives, friends and also in informal IDP camps. What remains to be investigated is the International Christian Centre for Missions` intervention for the resettlement of the IDPs from the Northeast region at Uhogua in Edo State. This paper argues that the church`s intervention was primarily to offer adequate protection to the IDPs from the minority Christian communities in the Northeast states, whose homes were devastated by Boko Haram. This paper investigates the Church`s intervention being the only faith-based organization that is offering humanitarian assistance to IDP from the Northeast region at its camp in Edo State. It investigates the following: who initiated the idea and established the connections for the Church`s intervention? Who identified and moved the IDPs from the Northeast to the camp? What is the nature of ICCM`s intervention and challenges faced by the church?

Ethno-medicinal survey of plants used for the treatment of typhoid fever in North East, Nigeria

Herbal medicine, sometime also called phytomedicine or botanical medicine, which are used for therapeutic or medicinal purposes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to obtain, identify and documents medicinal plants used in the treatment of typhoid fever in the study area. Ethno-medicinal survey of plants was conducted from January to July 2016 in North East, Nigeria. The survey covered three local governments from the three states of North East Nigeria. Potiskum, Katagum and Bajoga from Yobe, Bauchi and Gombe states respectively and simple random sampling was used in selecting the respondents from which plants sample were collected. Ethno-botanical data was obtained through the use of two hundred and ten structured questionnaires and tape recorder during the interview session with the traditional healers. Descriptive statistics such as frequency table, percentages and chi-square test were employed for the analyses. Thirty nine (39) plants belonging to 25 families were revealed in the survey. The highest medicinal plants parts used reported were leaves (57.7%) followed by (12.9%) roots, (10.9%) stems/bark, (2.9%) fruits, (2.2%) bulb, and (6.4%) flower/seeds and the whole plants (7%). In the mode of preparation of medicinal plants, significant difference was observed (Z2=211.86, df=4, alpha (α) = 0.05 and table value = 9.49). The survey provides a basis for further screening and research on these plants.