The violence of the Niger Delta host communities against the international oil companies (IOCs) is rampant and dogged. The extent of violence that occurs is harmful to communities, individuals, and oil companies that provide a certain degree of economic stability to the region. The Nigerian government faces a major challenge of resolving community violence in Nigeria. This case study used social exchange theory to better understand the causes and consequences of the lack of community trust against the oil companies that is pervasive in the region. Purposeful sampling was used in the selection of 10 community members, 8 representatives of the oil industry, and 3 government officials. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and documents provided by participants. These were inductively coded and then analyzed using a constant comparative technique. Findings revealed that participants perceived a lack of adequate collaboration among stakeholders and the application of inadequate management strategies of the IOCs and government having an impact on the degree and frequency of community violence. The implications stemming from this study include recommendations to the Nigerian government and IOCs to precede policy formulation with thorough consultation, engagement, and negotiation with the stakeholders for their acceptance before implementation of policy. This collaborative action may encourage corporate engagement and management that is positively viewed by the communities in the Niger Delta.

The magnitude of internal displacement worldwide is growing every year and represents a tripling of the existing number of refugees worldwide. Internally displaced persons have specific vulnerabilities and the system of assistance to them needs to be adapted and revised. The purpose of this case study was to identify external factors that influence protection interventions for internally displaced persons in humanitarian response. Using Benet's Polarities of Democracy theory and the Theory of Change Conceptual Framework as a framework, the study sought to identify key external factors influencing protection intervention in humanitarian aid settings. Data for this study was gathered through focus group discussions with internally displaced persons in Niger. Key informant and protection cluster members were interviewed and an online survey conducted. In total, 38 persons participated. Content analysis was used to identify significant themes. The data revealed that multiple external factors impacted the effectiveness of protection intervention in humanitarian action. The central theme was a need for strengthened accountability towards affected populations, with other major themes, including donors and their influence; quality of programs - holistic approach, external attention to the crisis; coordination; nature of the crisis; security; position of the government; and data and analysis, also emerging. The findings shed light on the vulnerability of protection intervention in humanitarian settings, and open opportunities for further research in this topic.

El presente trabajo investigo la actividad antifúngica in vitro de doce extractos etanolicos correspondientes a diez plantas medicinales peruanas; Annona cherimolia Mill. (hojas), Annona muricata L. (corteza y hojas), Bidens pilosa L. (partes aéreas), Hypericum laricifolium L. (partes aéreas), Juglans neotropica Diels (corteza), Piper spp. (hojas), Plantago major L. (hojas), Psidium guajava L. (hojas), Schinus molle L. (corteza y hojas) y Spartium junceum L. (planta entera). Las especies fueron recolectadas en el departamento de Amazonas, excepto Schinus molle L. (Apurímac) y Annona muricata L. (Lima). La actividad antifúngica se evaluo mediante los métodos de difusión en agar y dilución en agar para la determinación de la concentración mínima inhibitoria (CMI). Los microorganismos de prueba utilizados fueron las levaduras Candida albicans ATCC 10231 y Candida albicans cepa clínica, así como, el hongo filamentoso Aspergillus niger ATCC 16404; las cepas fueron proporcionadas por la Cátedra de Microbiología de la Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. De doce extractos investigados, seis presentaron actividad antifúngica consistente con un diámetro de halos de inhibición ≥18mm (Prueba de Difusión en agar) frente a Candida albicans ATCC 10231. Ningún extracto mostró actividad consistente frente a la cepa clínica de Candida albicans y Aspergillus niger ATCC 16404. La CMI de los extractos que presentaron actividad consistente frente a Candida albicans ATCC 10231, fue de 250 µg/mL para Hypericum laricifolium L., Juglans neotropica Diels, Psidium guajava L. y Schinus molle L. (un extracto de corteza y uno de hojas) y de 500µg/mL para Piper spp. No se determino la CMI de los extractos (Juglans neotropica Diels y Psidium guajava L.) que presentaron halos frente al Aspergillus niger ATCC 16404 por considerarlos sin actividad significante (<18mm.). Los antifúngicos Nistatina y Fluconazol fueron incluidos en el estudio como controles positivos. -- Palabras clave: Actividad antifúngica, plantas medicinales, plantas del Perú, Amazonas, concentración mínima inhibitoria, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger. / -- The present work investigated the antifungal activities in vitro of twelve ethanolic extracts corresponding to ten peruvian medicinal plants; Annona cherimolia Mill. (leaves), Annona muricata L. (bark and leaves), Bidens pilosa L. (aerial parts), Hypericum laricifolium L. (aerial parts), Juglans neotropica Diels (bark), Piper spp. (leaves), Plantago major L. (leaves), Psidium guajava L. (leaves), Schinus molle L. (bark and leaves) and Spartium junceum L. (whole plant). The plants were collected in the department of Amazonas, except Schinus molle L (Apurímac) and Annona muricata L. (Lima). The antifungal activities were determinated by the methods of agar diffusion and agar dilution for the determination of the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). The used microorganisms of test were the yeasts Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and Candida albicans clinical isolate, as well as, the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger ATCC 16404; the microorganism were provided by the Chair of Microbiology of Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. Of twelve investigated extracts, six presented significant antifungal activity with a diameter of inhibition haloes ³18mm (Agar Diffusion) against Candida albicans ATCC 10231. No extract showed significant activity against to Candida albicans clinical isolate and Aspergillus niger ATCC 16404. The MIC of the extracts that presented significant activity against Candida albicans ATCC 10231, were of 250µg/mL for Hypericum laricifolium L., Juglans neotropica Diels, Psidium guajava L. and Schinus molle L.(bark and leaf extracts) and of 500µg/mL for Piper spp. We do not determine the MIC of the extracts (Juglans neotropica Diels and Psidium guajava L.) that presented haloes against Aspergillus niger ATCC 16404 for considering them without significant activity (<18mm.). The antifungal agents Nistatin and Fluconazole were included in the study as positive controls. -- Key words: Antifungal activity, medicinal plants, Peruvian plants, Amazonas, minimal inhibitory concentration, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger. / Tesis

Depuis les années 1960, le Mali a été secoué par plusieurs rébellions touarègues : de 1962 à 1964, puis de 1990 à 1996, en 2006, de 2007 à 2009 et enfin en 2012. Cette dernière crise a entraîné la fuite de plus de 50.000 personnes au Niger. Dans ce contexte humanitaire, la formation (au-delà du primaire) offre aux jeunes réfugiés un sentiment de retour à la normale et les aide à construire un meilleur avenir. Cette recherche s’intéresse aux retombées de cette formation post-primaire pour des réfugiés maliens vivant dans le camp de Mangaizé et ceux qui se sont déplacés à Niamey, capitale du Niger pour une formation universitaire / tertiaire. Nous avons procédé à une étude de cas exploratoire pour mettre en exergue les retombées des compétences acquises selon le contexte, rural ou urbain (réfugiés vivant dans le camp ou en ville). Nous avons également présenté les perspectives des acteurs humanitaires chargés de l’éducation des réfugiés face à la réduction des financements pour la crise malienne Notre recherche s’appuie principalement sur la notion de compétence(s) qui continue de jouer de multiples rôles dans la proposition de politiques et réformes éducatives. En plus de la multiplicité de ses définitions, elle revêt une importance particulière en situation humanitaire. Nous nous appuyons aussi sur la théorie de l’apprentissage transformateur qui résulte d'un "dilemme désorientant" déclenché par un changement, une crise ou transition majeure dans une vie. La théorie de l’intersectionnalité, paradigme présentant une « simultanéité des oppressions » nous a également aidé à analyser nos données et à comprendre la superposition des défis liés aux positions sociales qu’occupent ces populations (pas seulement les femmes) en fonction de leur genre, origine ethnique, et/ou caste et statut socioéconomique. Les résultats de l’analyse de données indiquent que le déplacement s’est transformé en opportunité pour une grande partie de cette population qui a pu bénéficier de programmes d’éducation, ce qui n’aurait pas été possible si la crise n’avait pas eu lieu et qu’ils étaient restés dans leur village d'origine au Mali. Outre l’aspect économique, ces formations ont également une grande valeur pour l’estime de soi des réfugiés, leur confiance en l’avenir et en eux-mêmes : l’autonomisation est d’abord mentale et psychologique avant de devenir financière. Cependant, une intersectionnalité des inégalités sociales liées au genre, la classe sociale, l’ethnicité, l’âge et le niveau de scolarisation persiste, incontestablement chez les femmes mais aussi chez les hommes (surtout du camp). Pour les acteurs humanitaires chargés de l’éducation des réfugiés, le défi majeur reste la réduction drastique des financements et la difficulté de mettre en œuvre le nexus humanitaire-développement, soit une réponse alliant les deux types d’aide pour les populations vulnérables.

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Student Number : 0413447J - MSc research report - School of Geography and Environmental Studies - Faculty of Science / This research analyses the vulnerability and adaptation of communities living along the River Kaduna floodplain at Shiroro Local Government in Niger State to flood occurrences. These communities are one of the most flood-prone areas in Niger State, with fertile alluvial deposits for agricultural production. The analysis of rainfall and flood flow into the Kaduna River System shows that there is an increasing flood frequency and flood magnitude along the River Kaduna for the past two decades because of slight increase in rainfall amount. Although there is a slight increase in rainfall amounts, the flooding of the Kaduna River could be regarded as normal. This is because there is no major change in rainfall amounts. Therefore, any slight increase in rainfall may cause flooding. The 1990s with slight increase in rainfall coincides with the period of abundant flood flow in the Kaduna River System and very significant runoff into the Kaduna reservoir. Floods have impacted negatively on the life of the people living on the floodplain resulting into food insecurity, poverty and vulnerability to malnutrition and other health problems among the communities in Shiroro Local Government Area. There are three vulnerable groups identified within the communities (the very poor, those residing on the floodplain and those that depend only on agriculture). These three groups identified lack accesses to good shelters and social amenities like electricity, good water, roads, health facilities and schools. Moreover, this research shows that the adaptive capacity of these communities is being severely compromised by factors such as poverty, poor infrastructure, weakening social networks and environmental degradation.

M.A., Faculty of Humanties, University of the Witwarersrand, 2011 / The preponderance of intrastate violent conflicts in natural resource rich states has been attributed to a number of causal mechanisms. Theorists of conflicts thus tend to explain these conflicts using different approaches, notably path dependency and rational choice. These approaches examine issues such as ethnicity and political marginalization, weak but repressive state capacity, strategic dilemmas, foreign instigators of conflict, and the very pervasive theory of the resource curse. Natural resources usually lie at the heart of many of these conflicts and the resource curse theory has helped explain the effects of states’ dependence on the primary resource sector. This resource curse is therefore corroborated by the rational choice approach which insists that economic incentives explain the upsurge in rebellious activities within natural resource rich but poor and dependent states, especially in Africa. This research interrogates the rational choice approach of Collier and Hoeffler against the backdrop of issues in the Niger Delta conflict. It argues that the greed versus grievance theory remains inadequate in the light of the historical and sociological circumstances underlying political struggles in the region. The research report concludes that an integrated but eclectic approach be applied in the study of this crisis.

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No description available.

This study investigates the corporate social responsibility (CSR) exercised by the multinational oil companies (MNOCs) operating in the Niger Delta, and its impact on sustainable development (SD) in this important region of Nigeria. Particular focus is given to sustainable improvement in well-being and enhancement of socio-economic development for the local communities. To investigate these, archival from newspapers, magazines documents on CSR in Niger Delta from NGOs, documents from oil company’s websites and interview data from forty participants from the local communities, stakeholders and senior managers from the MNOCs were obtained. The MNOCs’ CSR and SD policies and practices were also inspected from the company’s website and photographs of the local environment around the MNOCs extraction suites and plant were also collected. These data were then analysed using: photo voice, document analysis, constructivist grounded theory, website-based content analysis, and covert participant observation. The study identified discrepancies between the MNOCs declared online CSR and SD policies and practices and those in operation in the Niger Delta region. Our findings also show that local communities are marginalised. To address this, it is argued that Ruggie’s frameworks, Sen’s capability approach for a full life, and Bowen’s list of social goals should be used as guiding principles by the MNOCs in the Niger Delta region. The study offers theoretical, empirical and methodological contributions to the studies of business ethics, international management and international business by offering new insights into CSR and SD. / Nigerian Government; Education Trust Fund (ETF) / On title page: Vol I of II. Only this file was provided.