Independent National Electoral Commission and Electoral Integrity in Nigeria: Is there a Silver Lining?

Ayo Awopeju 한국외국어대학교 아프리카연구소 2021 Asian Journal of African Studies Vol.- No.51

This paper examined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) vis-à-vis electoral integrity in Nigeria. The paper adopted a single case ex post facto research design which was basically qualitative in nature. The paper made use of both primary and secondary sources of data. Primary data were analyzed thematically while secondary data were content analyzed. Findings revealed that the factors that accounted for discernable differences between INEC and electoral integrity are receptivity of government in transmitting election results, lack of independence of INEC, power of incumbency, inability of INEC to prosecute electoral offenders, vote buying, and godfatherism. This paper further revealed that Nigeria can still conduct elections with integrity despite her failure in conducting credible elections in the past. The study identified some strategies of ensuring electoral integrity in Nigeria. The strategies include the putting of INEC’s house in order, e-voting for trouble spots, encouraging mobile court to prosecute electoral offenders, and signing the electoral amendment act into law.

The Root Of Police Corruption In Nigeria

Ayo Awopeju 한국외국어대학교 아프리카연구소 2018 Asian Journal of African Studies Vol.- No.44

Is there a link between the root of police corruption and its system in Nigeria? In order to provide an answer to this question, Non-Experimental Research Design was adopted while Rotten Apple Theory (RAT) provided the framework. Eight In-depth Interviews (IDIs) were conducted with selected police officers, drivers, commercial sex workers and hawkers. The participants in the IDI sessions were purposively selected. Secondary data in the study included the use of journals, textbooks, newspapers, etc. The paper found out that there is a nexus between the root of police corruption and the system which the police operate in Nigeria. The paper concluded that the senior police officers cultivate the junior police officers into corruption which made the bane of corruption to be endemic and contagious within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). The paper recommended among others that the people that engage in corruption in the NPF should be identified and prosecuted as a priority by the NPF’s leadership.

Students’ involvement in decision-making and principals’ effectiveness in private secondary schools in Lagos State, Nigeria

Ayo Alani,Francis M. Isichei, O. P,Adesoji A. Oni 한국교육개발원 2010 KEDI Journal of Educational Policy Vol.7 No.2

This study investigated principals’ involvement of students in decision-making and private secondary school effectiveness in Lagos State Nigeria. Four hypotheses were tested. An ex post facto research design was adopted, while a stratified random sampling technique was used. 1,600 samples made up of 600 students in each of the three districts were used. Data collection was conducted using a self-designed questionnaire and analyzed using t-test statistics. Results showed that there is a significant influence of students’ participation in the maintenance of school discipline on the effectiveness of principals. The study has shown that students’ participation in choosing their leaders influences principals’ effectiveness;students’ participation in co-curricular activities and in the formulation of school rules have significant influence on principals’ effectiveness. It is recommended that private secondary school students in Lagos State of Nigeria should be allowed to participate in the maintenance of school discipline, the choice of their leaders, and the formulation of school rules and co-curricular activities to ensure the smooth and effective operation of school administration.

Lexical Repetition and Syntactic Parallelism in Selected Political Essays of Niyi Osundare and Ray Ekpu

Ayo Ogunsiji,Isaiah Aluya 세종대학교 언어연구소 2022 Journal of Universal Language Vol.23 No.1

This paper examines lexical repetition and syntactic parallelism in selected political essays of Niyi Osundare and Ray Ekpu, which have been relatively underexplored, in order to determine how they have been deployed to represent Nigeria’s socio-political concerns as well as the points of convergence and divergence in the use of these devices by both writers. M.A.K Halliday’s Systemic Functional Grammar served as the framework. Eighteen (18) essays were purposively sampled; 9 each from Osundare and Ekpu’s publications in Newswatch where they both published between the Second and Fourth Republics (1979–1999). The study shows that lexical repetitions underscore argument, expand the thematic range and create lexical links between words in the discourses. Syntactic parallelism creates a multidimensional representation of discourse themes such as deprivation, anarchy, civil unrest, moral decline, government’s harsh economic policies and intimidation of the press. These themes are situated within a specific context in order to reinforce their gravity. Osundare’s essays deployed the mhq patterns for effective description and thematic projection. Conversely, Ekpu’s essays use the mhq and hq patterns for effective description and thematic projection. The essays of Osundare employ the SPC1 structure to foreground the blatant disregard for human rights while Ekpu’s employs the SPCA and SPA structures in projecting the breach of the judiciary. These devices contribute to the structure of the selected essays and create room for according emphasis and explicitness to the discourse themes. Osundare and Ekpu draw on lexical repetition and syntactic parallelism to unveil and denounce socio-political ills in the country. They employ these devices to underscore their political stance.

Treatment of a Nigerian covellite ore. Part II: extraction and purification of copper by tri-butyl-phosphate and enhanced β-diketones in kerosene

Balogun Ayo F.,Baba Alafara A.,Olaoluwa Daud T. 한국자원공학회 2023 Geosystem engineering Vol.26 No.6

Research was carried out to investigate the use of tributylphosphate (TBP) and enhanced β-diketones for extracting copper from covellite ore leach liquor. The effect of some parameters such as contact time, temperature, phase ratio, equilibrium pH, and extractant concentration on the extent of copper extraction was examined. For the following conditions: temperature 27 ± 2°C, phase ratio 1:1, extraction efficiency of 95.30% total copper was achieved using a mixture of 0.25 mol/L enhanced β-diketones + 0.10 mol/L TBP in kerosene within 15 minutes at pH of 7.8. Furthermore, the stripping of approximately 97.3% of pure copper from the loaded organic phase was successfully attained at optimal conditions. The hydrometallurgical flow chart summarizing the analytical operations for the extraction and recovery process was provided.

Reflections on the Independence and the Challenges of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Nigeria

Awopeju, Ayo 한국외국어대학교 아프리카연구소 2017 Asian Journal of African Studies Vol.- No.41

Anti-corruption agencies are essential not only because they are set up to combat corruption but also constitute high priorities in the development agenda of the state across the world. However, previous studies on anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria have been focused mainly on their effectiveness in combating corruption. Studies on relative independence of the anti-corruption agencies have not been given wider empirical investigation that it deserves. Therefore, the paper investigates the relative independence of the ICPC and the EFCC vis-à-vis their effectiveness in fighting corruption in Nigeria. The paper anchored on the Attainment Objectives Model of Evaluation (AOME) as its theoretical orientation. Both primary and secondary data were sourced for the paper. Three sessions of Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were held with Academia, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the Media personnel. Also, two sessions of In-depth Interview (IDI) were conducted with the officials of the EFCC and the ICPC. The participants in the IDIs and the FGDs were selected for the study through purposive sampling method. Findings revealed that the two agencies had low level of independence in fighting corruption in Nigeria. This was responsible for their relative ineffectiveness in combating corruption in Nigeria. Besides, these agencies had same challenges in fighting corruption in Nigeria. The study concluded that the independence of anti-corruption agencies lacked absolute status as initiated in the Acts that established them; this undermined their will to investigate public officials by the reason of the power they wield. The study recommended among other that for these agencies to be effective, the link between the office of Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and these agencies should be scrapped, Section 10 of the EFCC Act should be reviewed for greater efficiency and effectiveness, and the immunity clause entrenched in the Constitution be removed.

Water Temperature and Microplastic Concentration Influenced Microplastic Ingestion and Retention Rates in Sea Cucumber (Holothuria cinerascens Brandt, 1835)

Oladimeji Ayo Iwalaye,Ganas Kandasamy Moodley,Deborah Vivienne Robertson-Andersson 한국해양과학기술원 2021 Ocean science journal Vol.56 No.2

The continuous increases in temperature and microplastic concentration have raised grave concerns worldwide. The influence of water temperature and microplastic concentration on microplastic ingestion and retention rates in Holothuria cinerascens (Brandt, 1835) was investigated. H. cinerascens were sampled by handpicking during low tide from Park Rynie beach on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. They were then cleaned and transported to the control temperature room. Animals were placed in pairs in aerating tanks and acclimated for 48 h. For the exposure experiment, 50, 100, and 150 polyethylene fragments per litre of sizes (0.5–1 mm and 1–2 mm) were added to each tank at varied temperatures (19, 24, 28, and 32 °C) and were left for 48 h and 72 h. Thereafter, animals were transferred to tanks void of microplastics and left to depurate for 48 h for the retention experiment. Microplastic collected from the gut and faecal samples were used to calculate the ingestion and retention rates. Water temperature significantly influenced ingestion and retention rates, while microplastic concentration influenced the ingestion rate only. The highest microplastic particle number/g.h was recorded in high microplastic concentration for both ingestion and retention experiments. Also, the highest microplastic particle number/g.h was obtained at 28 °C in the ingestion experiment. More microplastic particle number/g.h was retained at 19 °C in the ingestion experiment. Ingestion rate increased with increased microplastic concentration, and temperature up to 28 °C and then decreased at 32 °C. More microplastics were retained at high temperature (28 °C) and low temperature (19 °C) at 48 h and 72 h exposure, respectively. Increase in water temperature and microplastic concentration will increase the susceptibility of H. cinerascens to ingest more microplastics from their natural habitat.

Impact of sublethal doses of Piper guineense (Schum and Thonn) on the biological parameters of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) reared on different cowpea varieties

Gbaye Olajire Ayo,Oladipupo Seun Olaitan,Oyeniyi Emmanuel Ayobami,Oladipupo Temitope Halimat 한국응용곤충학회 2021 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.24 No.3

Cowpea varieties show a wide range of characteristics in their composition that can determine Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) response and survival. Consequently, this work investigated the influence of sublethal doses of Piper guineense on C. maculatus raised on four cowpea varieties: ART-98–12, Niger White, Oloyin, and Ife Brown. Our results demonstrated that C. maculatus from different varieties, despite being reared under the same conditions, responded differently to sublethal doses of P. guineense. Cowpea beetles from ART-98–12 were the most susceptible while those reared on Ife Brown were the least susceptible. Across varieties, survival and reproductive parameters of C. maculatus differed. Furthermore, the ranking for the percentage reduction in the number of eggs laid by C. maculatus was ART-98–12 > Niger White > Oloyin > Ife Brown. According to the logrank statistic test, the difference observed in C. maculatus’ survival can be explained by variety (log-rank statistic: χ2 [df = 3, N = 16] = 15, p = 0.004). Conversely, the survivability of the chrysomelid beetles reared on Niger white was significantly lower (p = 0.012) compared to the other varieties. This study highlights the role of cowpea variety in dictating the efficacy of a given botanical against C. maculatus.

Protective effect of fisetin against subchronic chlorpyrifos-induced toxicity on oxidative stress biomarkers and neurobehavioral parameters in adult male albino mice

Akpa Amaka Rosita,Ayo Joseph Olusegun,Mika’il Hudu Garba,Zakari Friday Ocheja 한국독성학회 2021 Toxicological Research Vol.37 No.2

Chlorpyrifos (CPF), a chlorinated organophosphate insecticide that is widely used in agriculture and public health, has neurotoxic effects in animals. In addition to acetylcholinesterase inhibition, CPF has been shown to induce alterations such as oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Fisetin is a dietary flavonol that protects the brain tissue against oxidative stress by modulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes. This study was designed to investigate the protective role of fisetin against brain oxidative damages and neurobehavioral parameters induced by subchronic oral exposure to CPF in albino mice. Adult albino mice (males, n = 32, weighing 20 ~ 25 g) were assigned randomly into 4 groups and treated accordingly for 7 weeks as follows: Group 1(S/OIL): served as the control group and were given 2 ml/kg of soya oil; Group 2 (CPF): received CPF (6.6 mg/kg; 1/5th of the LD50); Group 3 (FIS): fisetin (15 mg/kg) and Group 4 (FIS + CPF): received fisetin at 15 mg/kg, followed by CPF (6.6 mg/kg) 30 min later. Co-treatment with FIS + CPF mitigated the increase in brain malondialdehyde concentration (0.28 ± 0.02 nmol/mg) and orchestrated the increase in the activities of catalase (81.35 ± 7.26 μ/ mg), superoxide dismutase (93.03 ± 6.63 IU/mL), glutathione peroxidase (68.76 ± 3.554 nmol/mL) and acetylcholinesterase (11.59 ± 0.72 nmol/min/mL) when compared to the CPF group. The result showed that deficits in motor strength and excitability scores induced by subchronic CPF were mitigated by fisetin administration. It was concluded that fisetin has a protective potential in mitigating against oxidative stress and damages in the brain tissues, induced by subchronic exposure to CPF in adult male albino mice.

Effect of daflon-500®, a flavonoid compound on chlorpyriphos-induced oxidative changes in the hypophysis and testes in adult male rats

Olatunji Aishat O.,Ayo Joseph O.,Suleiman Mohammed M.,Ambali Suleiman F.,Shittu Muftau,Akorede Ganiu J.,Raji Lukman O.,Atata Jamila A.,Biobaku Khalid T.,Azeez Mistura O. 한국독성학회 2022 Toxicological Research Vol.38 No.3

Alteration of redox status is one of the molecular pathways commonly associated with pesticide toxicity. Antioxidants, including those obtained from plant phenolics, have been shown to mitigate pesticide-induced cellular injury. The present study was aimed at evaluating the effect of daflon-500®, a flavonoid compound on sub-chronic chlorpyriphos-evoked changes in antioxidant and biochemical parameters in the hypophysis and testes of adult male rats. Twenty-five male albino rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 5 animals each. Group I (DW) received distilled water (2 ml/kg); group II (SO) was dosed with soya oil (2 ml/kg); Group III (DAF) received daflon-500® at 1000 mg/kg ̴ 1/5th of LD50 (≥ 5000 mg/kg); group IV (CP) was administered chlorpyriphos at 7.74 mg/kg ̴ 1/10th of LD50 (77.4 mg/kg) while group V (DAF + CP) was previously treated with daflon-500® (1000 mg/kg) and then exposed to CP (7.74 mg/kg), 30 min later. Daily oral regimen administration was done for 60 days after which the animals were sacrificed by cervical venesection after light chloroform anesthesia. The hypophysis and testicular tissues were harvested, and their homogenates were analyzed for malondialdehyde, catalase and superoxide dismutase, and acetylcholinesterase levels. A significant increase in the hypophysis and testicular MDA concentrations, coupled with a decrease in the SOD, CAT, and AChE activities were observed in the CP group. The levels of these oxidative and biochemical parameters were alleviated in the group pretreated with Daflon-500®. Results of this study demonstrated that pre-treatment with Daflon-500® mitigated CP-induced alterations in oxidative and biochemical parameters apparently due to the antioxidant effect of the flavonoid compound.