Background: Since the confirmation of the index case of Covid-19 on the 27th of February in Nigeria, the spread from Lagos to other parts of the country has been on the climb without a plateau in sight. Objective: To characterize and present epidemiological trends of Covid-19 pandemic in the first three months of index confirmation in Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive epidemiological study involving a review of the first three-month Covid-19 situation reports and updates in Nigeria using primary data was analyzed by Spatio-temporal analysis with categorical variables reported in percentages and numbers. Findings: Retrospective analysis revealed 8344 confirmed cases in 35 of the 36 states (with the federal capital territory inclusive), 249 fatalities, 2385 discharged cases, 48544 laboratory testing, 5710 total active cases, a mortality rate of 0.12 per 100,000 population, and a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 3. It further showed an increased number of confirmed cases in densely populated states. Transmission via contact with infected persons accounted for 23% of a confirmed case. Additionally, 17% (circa) of the tested population were confirmed positive. Conclusion: Causation and spread are attributed to travel and contact risk factors. Early epidemiological patterning occurred along population density and outdoor exposure lines. Aggressive and continuous testing would reveal more cases especially asymptomatic cohorts in the population.

Background: The 2019 SAR COV- 2 outbreak ushered and made the term ‘contactless’ a new normal for most businesses as a mitigation measure to risky coronavirus exposure. Similarly, there are several exposure scenarios in higher education where contact poses a threat. One of which is the handling and marking of essay scripts from assignments, task, research outputs and more. An invaluable measure worth considering is the inclusion of ‘Automated Essay Scoring’ (AES) system in the mitigation toolkits for higher institutions of learning. Objectives:  We conducted this scoping review to identify the suitability of AES products in higher education and examine the type of methods used to present these products. Methods: This study was undertaken in the form of a scoping review using the Prisma flow sequence of literature search and selection from 6 databases. Findings: Different AES products, literatures and research designs were employed in the investigation of AES products. The outcome of reviewed literatures varied on suitability of AES in scoring essay task in Higher Institution of Learning. Conclusion: There exist substantial case for the use of AES in most literatures amongst few opposing authors; however, in order to achieve contactless interface with human and materials in COVID 19 pandemic, AES should be used with triggers for human raters’ intervention in exceptional cases.

Introduction: This research explored the Effects of Casualization on the Welfare of Workers using a de-identified multinational oil company in Nigeria as a representative case. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to examine the effects of casualization of workers, associated irregularity of work, and deprivation of workers’ right. Methodology: A close-ended questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Out of 150 copies of the questionnaire administered, 122 were dully filled, returned and analysed using descriptive statistics. Results & Discussion: Three hypotheses were proposed and analysed using multiple regression of ordinary least square (OLS) statistical method and tested at 0.05 level of significance for the hypotheses. The result showed that there were significant negative effects of casualization of workers for a short-term contract work, irregularity of casualization of work, and deprivation of workers right to negotiate. Conclusion: Hallmarks of casualization of labour include short term contract work; irregularity of work; and deprivation of workers’ right to negotiate adversely affects the welfare packages of workers. These practices have inherent occupational health implication on workers. Recommendations: Casualization of labour as seen in this study is a despicable model that should be discontinued. However, if it must be practiced, the human resources, industrial relations, labour union and occupational health experts in such organizations should repackage such contracts to include allowances, job security, negotiation rights, dignity, benefits and welfare clauses as in permanent full time employment.

Background: Globally, the oil industry is replete with several high-risk activities as seen in seismic exploration, construction, drilling, production, and maintenance. Generated hazards could impact exposed workers. Exposure to associated hazards and rigour of activities usually puts workers in oil and gas installations at risk of developing several occupational illnesses. Environmental problems have also been reportedly associated with these activities as well. This study was thus aimed at determining the perceived environmental effects and morbidity patterns among staff of an oil and gas installation in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study design was used in conducting this study in an onshore oil and gas hub in Nigeria. Study group comprised engineers and technicians of various oil and gas specialties. A random sampling method was used to select 256 personnel from the study population. A self-administered questionnaire was administered to the personnel of the facility. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Scientific Solutions (SPSS) version 17.0 (statistical software package) for analyses. Ethical considerations were adhered to during this study. Results: Common complaints include transient tinnitus (97.3%), joint pain of varying degrees (83.6%), occasional prickling sensation in the skin (78.1%) and the lowest frequency of health effects was claims of stressful feeling (56.6%). Environmental problems including the destruction of aquatic biodiversity as well as water contamination were reported in this study. Conclusion: This study found experience of several morbidities by the respondents. They also reported observation of certain environmental problems related with oil exploratory activities at the oil and gas installation.  It is recommended that a regular review of measures be put in place to prevent these health and environmental problems from occurring in or around oil and gas installation located in Nigeria.

High risk industrial facilities require operational shutdowns to undertake maintenance activities when the interaction between maintenance activities and facility processes are potentially explosive. This study presents a model that circumvents this interaction thereby enabling simultaneous operations flammable hydrocarbon facility while hot work progresses. A mixed study in which qualitative data on Simultaneous Operation (SIMOPs) of a hydrocarbon facility, hot work and deployment of Positive Pressure Habitat were generated through a walk-through survey. Quantitative data on the exposures within and around the hot work activities were generated using air quality monitor to measure the concentration of welding particulates, portable ozone meter used to measure the ozone level, sound level meter to measure ambient noise level, personal noise dosimeter to measure personal noise level, Multi-gas Meter. While concentrations of chemical parameter, temperature, relative humidity, habitat pressure were not in exceedance of exposure limits; the average noise level and particulate matter (PM) 2.5 within the habitat were 87 – dB(A) and 65 µg/m3 respectively. The exceedances in noise and PM2.5 level was mitigated using hearing protection, respirator and local exhaust ventilation (LEV). A simultaneous operation involving live hydrocarbon facility and hot works was achieved using the Positive Pressure Habitat (PPH) as a buffer between flammable work environment and thermal energy emitted from hot work activities. Chemical pollutants were introduced by maintenance activities within the habitat but was however mitigated through occupational hygiene measures. This study validates the possibility of simultaneous operation in the event of two mutually explosive scenarios with the aid of process safety equipment’s and occupational hygiene measurements and control measures. Globally, downtimes in high risk industries occasioned by maintenance activities could be prevented by deploying process safety and occupational hygiene control strategies concurrently.