Religion and Development: An Exploration of the Basis of Wholistic Education in Universal Basic Education Programme in Nigeria

Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme in Nigeria was launched in 1999, with the goal of providing “free, universal and compulsory basic education for every Nigerian child aged 6-15 years”. The scope of UBE among others include the initiation for the acquisition of functional literacy, numeracy and life skill for adults and special programmes of encouragement to all marginalized groups (girls, women, nomads, out-of-school youth and Quranic students). Religion has been destructively criticized largely due to the sufferings and devastating situations humanity has and is passing through over the years in Nigeria and based on these, religion is seen as being pervasive and it continues to weaken the moral fiber of UBE programme implementation. Therefore, any developmental tool that is effective and can drive home development must be such that is particularly viable in tackling the problems of religion. Thus, in a bid to revitalize a society already bedeviled with various degenerating ills, religious education which is wholistic in nature should become everyone’s focus. This paper described the importance, the curriculum and technique for teaching wholistic religion education for religious tolerance and sustainable development in UBE. The paper concluded that no known religion is devoid of moral and ethical principles and religion is a force which has mostly influenced the character of mankind. This paper maintained that development can be enriched by the insights offered by religion, faith, spirituality and values. Based on these, the paper recommended that religion should be carried along in making policies, the study of moral education should be made compulsory in all categories of learning and the National Orientation Agency should also include it in their plans and school curriculum should be more of reflective thinking.

Edwardsiella ictaluri, an unusual cause of bacteraemia in a Nigerian child with acute bloody diarrhoea

Enteric septicaemia of catfish was first detected in 1976 as an economically significant disease associated with commercial catfish production. Initially, Edwardsiella ictaluri was a host specific pathogen of catfish species but has also been reported from other hosts other than the catfish such as the zebrafish. E. ictaluri has not been isolated in humans hence it is not a zoonotic infection. There has been no previous report of isolation of this organism in humans. This was a case report of a 5 year old boy who presented with fever, vomiting, passage of bloody stool of 6 days and abdominal pain of a day duration. In the case of this 5 year old boy who presented with features of dysentery, blood culture using BACTEC™ grew E. ictaluri. E. ictaluri may be a pathogen which can infect humans just like another closely related species, Edwardsiella tarda. Although, E. ictaluri has not been reported in humans, could this be the first case? Non availability of diagnostic technique appropriate for its diagnosis may explain the rare incidence of the organism in humans, hence many cases would have been treated without isolating the organism.

Right destroyed lung due to tuberculosis in a Nigerian child: Case report and review of the literature

Destroyed Lung Syndrome (DLS) is total lung destruction from recurrent and chronic infections especially Tuberculosis (TB). It is rare in children and associated with chronic morbidity. It presents with chronic cough, progressive difficulty in breathing, hemoptysis and progressive respiratory failure. The pathology of DLS includes lung fibrosis, collapse, tracheal and mediastinal shift. We report the case of a 9 years old girl referred after three courses of anti-TB treatment for suspected TB reinfection with worsening clinical and radiologic features. Investigations revealed a destroyed right lung. Genexpert was initially positive and subsequently along with TB culture was negative. She improved on antibiotics and chest physiotherapy. Destroyed lung though rare in children should be considered in those who despite TB treatment present with worsening clinical and radiologic features. Early diagnosis and multi- disciplinary approach will prevent irreversible lung damage.

Osteosarcoma with Orbital Metastasis in a Nigerian Child: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumour with a peak occurrence in adolescence. The occurrence of osteosarcoma in preadolescents is rare with a paucity of data in the developing world. Metastasis of osteosarcoma to the orbit is even a rarer presentation with few cases reported in the literature but to the best of the researchers’ knowledge, none of the previous cases had contralateral orbital metastasis to osteosarcoma. This is the first case report of orbital metastasis of osteosarcoma in Nigeria. The present case is presented for its rarity, to increase awareness and add to knowledge on the possibility of metastasis to contralateral orbit in osteosarcoma.

Infantile Masturbation in a Nigerian Child: A Case Report of a Rare Seizure Mimic

Infantile masturbation is a benign, paroxysmal, non-epileptic condition with stereotypic stiffening of the body/limbs, copulatory-like thrusting/rocking of the pelvis and somatosensory symptoms. It usually occurs without direct genital stimulation thus, making it easily misdiagnosed as epilepsy. A 12-month-old girl presented with a one-month history of 'jerking' with no fever or altered consciousness. The event usually stopped with distraction. The frequency and duration of events worsened progressively. Epilepsy was suspected initially but a subsequent review of a video recording showed a conscious female child with intermittent rhythmic rocking/thrusting of the pelvis while lying prone, making epilepsy unlikely. Infantile masturbation was diagnosed and the parents were counselled on behavioural therapy (distractions). The frequency and duration of the events progressively declined until complete resolution by six years of age. The characteristics of the events remained similar overtime except for occasional tucking of her clothes into her vagina at age five years. This report is accompanied by a review of the relevant literature on infantile masturbation.

Idiopathic basal ganglia calcification (Fahr’s disease) in a 9-year-old Nigerian child

Fahr’s disease is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by deposition of calcium on the walls of blood vessels of the Basal ganglia and Dentate nuclei of the Cerebellum. Patient can present with diverse array of symptoms including but not limited to seizure, extrapyramidal symptoms and mental retardation. We report a case of a 9-year-old female child with history of recurrent seizure. Brain CT showed symmetrical calcification in the basal ganglia.

Nollywood and the leaders of tomorrow: interrogating film content and character formation of the Nigerian child

The intellectual discourse on the influence of films in shaping a child’s ideological leaning is a topic that has generated interest in different parts of the world. The supposed proposition that inapt behaviours, nonchalant attitudes, moral decadence, and violence among children are outcome in most films produced in Nollywood Film Industry calls for serious examination. Hence, to examine the effects which film contents could have on educational development and character formation of a Nigerian child remains the aim of this study. Objectives include; to ascertain the potentials of films content in creating a standard for good leadership skills for the Nigerian child, and to advocate possible ways through which Nollywood movies can be produced to achieve all round development of the Nigerian child. The study through the adoption of observation, and content analysis approaches of qualitative research method, evaluated the influence of films on children. The study utilized George Gerbner’s Cultivation theory in examining the influence of film environments in child’s learning and leadership skill and found out that most Nollywood films have themes of Mischief, adult chauvinisms, hatred, demonic possessions, and violent politicking, among other social vices which pose serious threats to the child’s ideal leadership purview. The researcher therefore recommends, establishment of a film unit that should provide adequate censorship of children films. The unit should be empowered to sieve, dissect and scrutinize all children film contents in Nollywood Film Industry so as to make sure that the filmmakers produce films relevance to the academic and character formation needs of Nigerian children. Hence, children are the leaders of tomorrow.