Studies on conducting polymers : the synthesis and anodic electropolymerisation of novel B-functionalised thiophenes

Following a brief review on conducting polymers, eight B-functionalised thiophene derivatives viz; trans-l,2-bis(3 ’-thienyl)ethene, [1]; trans-l-(l ‘-pyrenyl)-2-(3’’-thienyl)ethene, [2]; trans-l-(p-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl)-2-(3 ‘-thienyl)ethene, [3]; trans-l-(ferrocenyl)-2-(3 ‘-thienyl)ethene, [4]; (E,E)-3,4-bis-(2 ‘-ethenylferrocenyl)thiophene, [5]; l-(ferrocenyl)-3-(3 ‘-thienyl)prop-2-en-1 -one, [6] ; (E,E)-1,5-bis(3 ‘-thienyl)penta-1,4-dien-3-one, [7] ; all-trans 1,9-bis(3 ’-thienyl)nona-l,3,6,8-tetraen-5-one,[8]; and 3-(trimethylsilyl)thiophene, [9] were synthesised as precursors for anodic electropolymerisation though an anticipated 2,5 ’-coupling of their respective thiophene moieties. The spectroscopic properties of these novel compounds, including their electrochemical behaviour, are presented

Relevance of Energy Storage Technology in the Development of Solar Power

There is a growing concern in the operating of solar power as a stand-alone and its connection to the grid. This is because; its power quality and sustainability are being affected by intermittency and variability. As the time of the day and the solar intensity changes, the quality of power generation is affected. This has made the use of energy storage inevitable for a quality power generation. This paper considers some existing technologies of energy storage that is applicable in mitigating the challenge facing the deployment of solar power systems. The variability and effectiveness of these storage techniques were considered in terms of technology, efficiency, environmental impact, and response. In conclusion, it was resolved that a self-sufficient solar power system requires appropriate storage techniques to complement its operation. Therefore, understanding the different options of storage is required for a careful selection of the technology which can support the required level of efficiency and effectiveness in electrical energy generation. Keywords: Solar Power, Storage Technologies, Solar Energy, Limitations DOI: 10.7176/JETP/9-3-03 Publication date:March 31st 201

Poverty, an African Epidemic: Empirical Evidence of Nigeria

This study examines poverty as an African epidemic, with an empirical evidence of Nigeria. Poverty unarguably remains a global phenomenon that is complex and multi-dimensional in nature. Poverty is an economic situation where a household income is inadequate to meet the minimum nutritional need for growth and long-term survival (World Bank, 1996). The primary source of data was adopted via questionnaire and oral interview. A simple correlation technique was adopted to address the significant relationship among the responses of the respondents gathered though the questionnaire to derive logical conclusion. The study concludes that the blame on poverty is placed on modes of designing and implementing developmental programmes, which are seen to have failed to take the basic needs of the poor into account and historical factors together with the existing social structures that have developed from them. The paper further discovered lots of disparities in people’s income, gender, health, education etc. The study however, recommends that government should articulate a bold vision and establish concrete targets for improving and saving the lives of those threatened by diseases and hunger by way of introducing grants to ‘senior citizens’ – old people, providing monthly allowance to them, ensuring support for children that are orphan, homeless, and even with disabilities etc., in all areas of life. The study further recommends that government in all levels should be identified with the importance of using critical statistical data to corroborate progress report in order to assist in monitoring and implementing poverty alleviation programmes initiated by federal government, and to meet the target of Financial System Strategy, FSS 2020 and Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) by 2015. Keywords: Poverty, Alleviation programmes, Nigeria, Sectorial approach, LAPO, United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), NAPEP

Workers’ Perception of Gender Issues and Women’s Place in the Banking Industry in Nigeria

Women play vital roles in the society but despite the social responsibilities attached to their being, they have since inception, received unequal recognition especially in the allocation of strategic and leadership positions in organizations. This however, is due to some cultural stereotypes, abuse of religion, traditional practices, patriarchal structures and the disequilibrium in the work-life spheres of female employees. All these affect female employees’ upward movement politically, socially, economically and institutionally especially in Nigeria. The theory of gender stratification was adopted in explaining this study. Quantitative and Qualitative data were collected through the use of questionnaires and in-depth interview. The quantitative data were analysed using frequency and percentage distribution while content analysis was used for qualitative data. The sample comprised 257 respondents selected through the use of purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Findings showed that majority of the respondents agreed that there is under-representation of female employees in leadership positions in the banking industry. Majority of the respondents are of the opinion that socio-cultural and religious factors culminated to the marginalization of female employees. Based on these findings, bank management is therefore recommended to apply fairness in the distribution of strategic roles and responsibilities among its employees without gender prejudice. Keywords:  Banking industry, Gender issues, Gender stratification theory, Marginalization, Perceptio

Non-meritocratic Factors and the Recruitment Process in Oyo State Civil Service, Nigeria

This study focuses on non-meritocratic factors that influence recruitment process. The main purpose was to investigate the factors that influence recruitment and selection in Oyo state civil service apart from merit, and ascertain perceived consequences of non-meritocracy in the recruitment process. The survey research method was adopted; quantitative and qualitative techniques were employed in the collection of data. Results show that the dynamics of the recruitment and selection processes in Oyo State civil service are driven more by nonmeritocratic influences such as ethnicity, religion, statism, politicization etc. which have become embedded into the socio-economic and political organization/structure of Nigeria. Merit is undermined, thereby making efficiency and effectiveness difficult to achieve in the civil service. We suggest, like many others, that meritocratic principles should be firmly entrenched in the Oyo State Civil Service and that the recruitment process should be devoid of non-meritocratic factors.Keywords: Bureaucratic organization theory, Civil service, Meritocratic, Non-meritocratic,Recruitmen

Sectoral and Career Preferences of Accounting Students: Predisposing Factors influencing their Choices

Accounting students are usually faced with career choices after graduation. They also have to choose alongside a particular economic sector of their preference. These choices are usually influenced by various factors, which can either be psychological, economical, social, or environmental. This study empirically examined the career and sectoral preferences of final year accounting students in Nigeria. The predisposing fadors influencing these choices were also highlighted. Questionnaires were administered to a sample of 488 respondents drawn from tertiary institutions in Nigeria. From our data analysis and findings, we observed that most respondents are willing to work as financial accountants in the private sector preferably in the oil industry. The principal reason is high remuneration package currently obtainable in this particular sector

Knowledge, attitudes and practice of emergency contraception among medical doctors attending a continuing medical education programme in Osogbo, south-western Nigeria

Background: Emergency contraceptives (EC) play a very important role in the prevention of unwanted pregnancies when there are user failures with the regular devices. It is an integral part of the treatment of cases of sexual assaults and other unprotected sexual intercourse in susceptible subjects.Aims & Objectives: This paper reported the knowledge, attitude and practice of different cadres of Physicians attending a CME session at Osogbo on emergency contraceptives.Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study among doctors attending a Continuing Medical Education (CME) Programme organised by the College of Health Sciences, Osun State University at Osogbo, South West Nigeria. Data were collected from Resident doctors, General practitioners and Specialists using a structured 20-itemed questionnaires and were analysed using WINPEPIResults: A little more than half of respondents had good knowledge of emergency contraception. Both positive and negative attitudes were equally represented. However, only 1 in 5 doctors had good practice about Emergency Contraception. Specialization in any area of medicine had positive impact while duration over 10 years of practice had negative effect on knowledge and both were statistically significant.Conclusion: Many Medical doctors have poor Knowledge and attitude of emergency contraception especially the general practitioners and those who have worked for more than ten years. The practice of EC is generally poor among the respondents and this may add to unmet needs for contraception in this environment.Keywords: Knowledge, Contraception, Unmet need, Medical Practitioner

Unemployment in Nigeria; A Challenge of Demographic Change?

With the current population of approximately 182million people (PRB, 2015); Nigeria is the most populous Black Country in the world. Arguments are ripe whether her ever-growing population is the sole factor responsible also for her continuous growth of unemployment. To answer this question, this paper extracted secondary data from Population Reference Bureau (PRB, 2003-2015), United Nations Annex Table (2012), International Monetary Fund (IMF, 2002-2015) and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS, 2003-2015) to prove whether unemployment is mainly caused by demographic change in Nigeria or there are other intrinsic factors responsible for this social challenge. A comparative analysis of the population and unemployment structure of three purposively selected and heavily populated countries in three different continents-Nigeria, China and USA were undertaken. Results show that population growth is not the SOLE factor responsible for increase in unemployment in Nigeria as unemployment statistics is stable for U.S. and China while their populations are growing, but the reverse is the case for Nigeria as both population and unemployment are growing. Recommendations were thereafter made to address other likely factors identified