EFFECT OF VITAMINS C AND E INTAKE ON BLOOD ... - EuroJournals

European Journal of Social Sciences - Volume 2, Number 1 (2006)
logistic regression was performed using STATA version 7.0 a software package for statistical
analysis, it has the ability of isolating the significant variables from a set of independent
variables.
Table 4 shows the results of the logistic regression. The model accepted 24 out of the 45
variables as significant predictor variables of development in the State. The odds ratios, Z and
P>Z values, which gave indications about the strength of each of the variables in the model, are
also shown in Table 4. Out of the 24 variables brought into the model, only six are significant
as predictor variables to explain the variations in levels of development among the LGAs in the
State. These are higher institution enrolment (hienr), postal articles received or sent (partiv),
local government expenditure (expv), federal allocation (fdalo), primary school enrolment
(prerv) and population density (podenv).
The most significant of the six variables identified is Higher education institution. This should
be expected as higher institutions tend to maintain a strong “pulling” influence on development
features such as commerce, estate development and vehicular concentrations through
polarization/ backwash processes. It also tends to contribute to the development of the
surrounding hinterland through the processes of spread or trickle down effect. Apart from
establishment of higher education institution, the fiscal system of revenue allocation among the
LGAs from the federation account and the expenditure pattern at the local government level
also affect government investment on developmental projects that can be executed at the local
levels. The fiscal system of State Government investment in different sectors tends to favour
some LGAs at the expense of the others and this also contributes to the level of inequality
among the LGAs. The results of the logistic regression therefore revealed that the development
surface in Osun State is significantly influenced by six variables among the predictor variables.
Conclusion and recommendation
The findings in this research have confirmed the existence of inequality of development in the state in
which many development indicators are concentrated in a few Local Government Areas that are urban
based, while the majority (24 LGAs) are lagging behind on the components of development. This
portends serious implications for development planning in the state. First, one can conclude that the
economy of the entire state is portrayed as being largely underdeveloped.
Two, inequality in the distribution of the essential facilities and services have resulted in
impaired growth of the economy, which is manifested in the under-utilization of human and natural
resources in the state. Thirdly, the urbanization process, which is a rational human solution to readjust
in relation to the prevailing situation of unbalanced distribution of benefits, may further result in
stifling of growth in the deprived areas, which will further impoverish the inhabitants. While the
undue congestion in the favoured areas might be counter productive with negative consequences, the
observable out-migration from the rural areas is a demonstration of this spontaneous adjustment.
Spatial disparities in levels of development as revealed in this study can be redressed by
planned action. To break the circle of poverty in Osun state and other states of Nigeria and to move
into long-term sustainable development will require the government to provide enabling environment
for the productive use of resources (see Mbaku, 1997, World Bank 1981). This will involve the
emergence of a spatial system that allowed natural resources from rural regions to be used productively
within those regions; facilitate the dissemination of innovation and the delivery of public and
commercial services; aid in the efficient production and exchange of goods throughout the state and
national economy, and draw larger numbers of the population into productive economic activities. This
is crucial for a wide spread of sustainable development and to reduce poverty.
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