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Preserving the Past: A Critical Study of Archival Practice and Historical Research in Nigeria
(Ondo Journal of Historical Studies, 2025-11) Stephen Olubayo
The preservation of archives in Nigeria remains a complex and often neglected aspect of historical inquiry. Rooted in colonial legacies and shaped by post-independence aspirations, Nigeria’s archival infrastructure has played a vital role in the documentation of the nation's past. However, the condition of archival repositories today reflects decades of underfunding, poor maintenance, and administrative lapses. These challenges have hindered access to critical primary sources, especially for historians attempting to reconstruct colonial narratives. This paper examines the emergence and evolution of archival practice in Nigeria, with emphasis National Archives Ibadan (NAI). Methodologically, this study draws on existing literature and qualitative insights from interviews with administrative staff of the National Archives Ibadan, as well as historians and researchers who regularly use the archives. It also explores how Nigerian historians have navigated incomplete archives, linguistic diversity, and oral traditions to build a more inclusive historiography. The relevance of this paper lies in its call for renewed attention to archival preservation as a foundation for historical accuracy, cultural continuity, and national identity.
A Note on the Biological Functions and Activities of Eosinophils
(IntechOpen, 2024-03-13) Omon Emmanuel Akokhamen
Eosinophils are a class of white blood cells named after the ability of their cytoplasmic granules to take up the acidic part of the Romanowsky group of stains. Eosinophils are primarily produced in the bone marrow during the process of leucopoiesis—the production of white blood cells. After maturation, the white blood cell subsets with bilobed nuclei, and pinkish eosinophilic cytoplasmic granules are released into the circulation. From here, they migrate to various parts of the body. The drumstick appendage possessed by eosinophil of females is the only but striking distinguishing feature between eosinophils from both genders. Eosinophils produce various cytokines that activate other blood cells in the inflammatory response, wound healing, and hemopoiesis. The presence of eosinophils in some tissues where they do not normally reside as well as their increase in population in tissues where they can be found signify parasitic infection. This may not confirm a diagnosis but will nonetheless be a pointer toward the direction of confirming or ruling out a diagnosis. Their presence or population can also be used in assessing the severity as well as monitoring the progress of the parasitic infection.
Molecular Characterisation of Plasmodium species in Children Attending 9 Brigade Hospitals, Ikeja Military Cantonment, Lagos State, Nigeria
(2025-10) Omon Emmanuel Akokhamen
Nigeria has remained the most burdened malaria-endemic nation in the world despite the vast resources committed. This study was conducted to characterise Plasmodium species infecting children attending the Ikeja Military Cantonment Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria. A total of 450 (350 symptomatic and 100 asymptomatic) blood samples from children aged 0 to 15 years, comprising 219 females and 231 males, were analysed by microscopy, Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT), and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The overall prevalence rates of malaria infection by microscopy, RDTs, and PCR were 18.9%, 17.1%, and 20.4%, respectively. The prevalence of Plasmodium species infections by microscopy, RDTs, and PCR was 19.7%, 18.3%, and 20.3% in symptomatic children and 16.0%, 13.0%, and 21.0% in asymptomatic children, respectively. Among the positive subjects using RDT, microscopy, and PCR, 10.0%, 10.7%, and 10.7% were male, while 7.1%, 8.2%, and 9.7% were female, respectively. Regarding age, the prevalence of malaria was 6.7%, 4.4%, and 7.8% using microscopy, RDT was 5.3%, 4.9%, and 6.9%, while PCR was 7.1%, 5.1%, and 8.2% at 0–5, 6–10, and 11–15 years, respectively. Furthermore, 24.7%, 41.2%, and 34.1% of the subjects had parasite density counts of less than 5000/µl, 5000–10000/µl and greater than 10,000/µL, respectively. Using PCR, in symptomatic subjects, 13.7% were infected with P. falciparum, while 2.0% were infected with P. malariae, while in asymptomatic subjects, 4.4% and 0.2% were infected with P. falciparum and P. malariae, respectively. Therefore, continuous systematic school-based interventions are required.
Thyroid Hormones and Interference in Thyroid Function Tests: A Review
(2024-11-15) Omon Emmanuel Akokhamen
The objective of this paper was to provide a critical and concise review on thyroid hormones and what constitutes interference in thyroid function tests using appropriate Online resources.Thethyroid function tests, play a valuable and significant role in diagnosing and managing thyroid disease. Discordance can exist between test results and symptoms, leading to false laboratory reports, misdiagnosis, and mismanagement of thyroid disease. Interference in thyroid function tests can be caused by heterophile antibodies, macro TSH, biotin interference, anti-streptavidin and anti-ruthenium antibodies, thyroid hormone antibodies, and the high dose hook effect. This review paper also discusses the importance of studying interference, the mechanical perspectives of interference, and protocols to limit or eliminate interference in thyroid function assays. Additionally, it highlights quality control and laboratory safety aspects, as well as advancements in healthcare team deliveries related to thyroid function tests.
Assessment of Glutathione and Malondialdehyde in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in Edo State, Nigeria
(2024-01-08) Omon Emmanuel Akokhamen
Background and Objective: Tuberculosis is a major global health problem ranking as the eighth leading cause of death in low and middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess the body mass index, malondialdehyde and glutathione of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Edo State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 samples were recruited for this study comprising 150 test subjects and 50 healthy control subjects. Malondialdehyde and glutathione were determined using ELISA (Elabscience Biotechnology Inc., United States of America). Statistical analysis was done using One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the student’s t-test. Results: Significant difference was accepted at p<0.05. The results obtained showed that BMI and GSH significantly increased, while MDA significantly decreased in test subjects compared with a control group (p<0.05). The BMI, MDA and GSH were significantly higher in female test subjects compared with their male counterparts (p<0.05). The MDA significantly increased, while GSH significantly decreased with age (p>0.05). There was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in MDA and a significant increase in GSH of test subjects on therapy for 6 and 2 months, respectively compared with treatment naive test subjects (new case). Conclusion: The pulmonary tuberculosis patients had a significant increase in oxidative stress marker (MDA) with a corresponding reduction in antioxidant marker (GSH). This is an indication that tuberculosis patients do not have enough antioxidants to ward off free radicals generated by the infection.