Effects of Exchange Rate Volatility on Low Income Residential Real Estate Investment Returns in Nigeria

This paper examined the effects of Naira/Dollar exchange rate volatility on low income residential real estate investment returns in Nigeria using EGARCH model. Time series data for an 11year period between 2000 and 2010 was used in this study. The findings reveal that exchange rate volatility has a significant positive effect on low income residential real estate investment returns in Nigeria within the study period. Magnitude of volatility and volatility persistence measured.....

Styles of Foreign Assistance: Policy Transfer and Domestic Development in Sub-Saharan African States

With the end of the Second World War in 1945, Official Development Assistance (ODA) mainly from the United States went to formerly industrialized European countries to help rebuild their war-torn infrastructures and societies. By the 1950s, Asian countries and societies such as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan became major recipients of US and other international aid as support for institutional and economic development. At that time, development in many African states was the responsibilities of the colonial powers that had political and economic management responsibilities in the colonial territories. With decolonization starting in 1957 and accelerating in the 1960s in sub-Saharan Africa, and at the height of the Cold War, foreign assistance to the region was mainly as support to governments on the basis of their ideological proclivities rather than for institution building and economic development. With the end of the Cold War, the use of foreign assistance as a tool of foreign policy has not changed, but countries like Japan, China and South Korea have joined the club of donor nations in the international system. The question becomes: to what extent are these new donors likely to change the game of foreign assistance to achieve better economic development results than Western aid donors in Africa? This paper examines the hypothesis that to the extent that Western and Asian donors continue the practice of policy transfers that use funding decisions and implementations based on Western and Asian experiences devoid of policy lessons from domestic realities, foreign assistance will remain ineffective as a significant tool for economic development and growth in Africa. The bulk of the paper will focus on a comparative analysis of foreign assistance and policy outcomes in Nigeria and Zambia

The International Dimension of Regime Change: Economic Sanctions and the 1993 Democratic Transition in Nigeria

Within the context of the Post-Cold War international system, the annulled presidential elections in Nigeria in 1993 and the subsequent hanging of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight members of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) in 1995, the paper examines the argument for economic sanctions as a tool for international regime change. It clarifies the historical impact of colonialism and how that experience continues to constrain the use of traditional strategies of economic sanction to attempt to influence African governments, especially authoritarian governments. It argues that, if economic sanction as a tool of statecraft is to result in regime change, then its efficacy needs to be reexamined as it failed to influence Abacha\u27s administration behavior, because of the absence of a coherent and sustained internal action by indigenous elites that desired an alternative governance structure from authoritarianism. Indeed, the paper suggests that without an internal coalition to counter the impact of authoritarianism within the domestic political space, especially in the case of Sub-Saharan African countries like Nigeria, there is no identifiable external interest for initiating regime change from the outside; therefore, economic sanctions are likely to be minimally supported by western governments who are likely to prefer strong rhetoric in support of free market and democratic principles

Analisa Biaya Penyadapan Aren Masyarakat di Sekitar Kawasan Hutan Bungoro Kabupaten Pangkep

The aims of the research were to describe the process of palm sugar sapping, to calculate the production cost of the palm sugar businesses, and to describe the marketing channel of the palm sugar businesses. The research was conducted for two months (June-July 2007) in the area of Bungoro Forest. Data collection method were by conducting field orientation, observation, and interviews. Samples were determined by census to 14 palm sugar farmers. The analysis was carried out descriptive-qualitative method for sapping processes, palm sugar making, and the marketing channel. Meanwhile, the analysis of descriptive qualitative was applied for calculating the production cost and incomes. The process of palm sugar sapping was conducted by the farmers in the Bungoro Forest Area which were based on their habitual actions and experiences inherited by their parents. The average of the production cost was Rp 7,026,552/year/household and the average of incomes was Rp 10,705,500/year/household, therefore, the profits could be identified as Rp 3,675,948 per year per household. The marketing channel of palm sugar businesses in the study area were categorized in three: (1) producer directly to costumers, (2) producer to the dealers and to the costumers, (3) producers to the dealers, to the markets, then to the costumers. Key words : palm sugar, production, marketing channel Key words : palm sugar, production, marketing channe

Differences in physicochemical properties of water from neighbourhood boreholes and their usefulness in Clarias gariepinus egg hatching

Water parameters and egg hatching success in water from three boreholes within close proximity were investigated. The studies were conducted to ascertain differences in their quality and ability to support Clarias gariepinus egg hatching. The boreholes were tagged 300m, 400m and 330m in relation to their distances from a perennial stream within the vicinity. Temperature and pH were investigated using digital metres. Dissolved oxygen, alkalinity and total hardness were determined using titration method. The water parameters were measured twice a week for 5 weeks. Percentage egg hatching, time to commencement and termination of egg hatching were studied in triplicates. The results obtained showed that pH, Dissolve oxygen (DO), Alkalinity and total hardness were significantly different (P<0.05) among the boreholes, while temperature was not significantly different (P>0.05). Total hardness fluctuated most at 21% coefficient of variation (CV). Egg fertilization success was not significantly different (P>0.05). Percentage egg hatching (68.8%, 92.8% and 87.3% for 300m, 400m and 330m) respectively was significantly different (P<0.05). Higher coefficient of variation in hardness enhanced egg hatching. It could be induced in hatchery operations. Time to commencement (1443, 1453 and 1517) minutes and termination of hatching (1962, 1957 and 2037) minutes were significantly different (P<0.05). Larval survival by day-3 post hatch was significant[y different (P<0.05). The study provided evidence of disparity in water quality among the boreholes and revealed differences in their ability to support Clarias gariepinus egg hatching. These suggest carefulness in choice of borehole water for fish egg hatching regardless of proximity of boreholes.Keywords: Catfish, Propagation, Water and Eg

Analisa Biaya Produksi Moulding di PT. Rante Mario

This watchfulness aim detects and analyze every production cost, production volume, and sales revenue moulding in effort determines production. data collecting especially done in factory by using two methods that is field observation, that is direct observation towards production process activity moulding with interview to leadership companies and managers companies to get primary data. Data analysis that used in this watchfulness cost classification based on cost character that is use in company at the expense of permanent and variable cost. Watchfulness result concludes total cost magnitude that taked by industrial account in run the production effort during one year (2006) sebesarrp. 3.676.888.627, -, where does permanent cost rp. 865.255.427, - variable rp. 2.811.633.200, -. break even point as much as 324,72 m3 with sale value rp. 1.210.147.450, -. and during year 2006 produce moulding as much as 2651 m3 with sales revenue as big as 2115 m3 with sale value rp. 7.878.798.000, - Key words : Moulding, Break even point Key words : Moulding, Break even poin

ACTS for distance education in developing countries

The need for electrical energy supply in the rural communities of developing countries has been well documented. Equally well known is the potential for photovoltaic in cost effectively meeting this need. A major impediment to fulfilling the need is the lack of indigenous personnel with a knowledgeof photovoltaic systems, and the associated infrastructure required to implement project. Various delivery schemes for providing the needed training to developing countries personnel have been investigated. Various train methods and programs that have been employed to remedy the problem have had significant drawbacks in terms of cost, consistency, impact, reach, and sustainability. The hypothesis to be tested in this project posits that satellite-based distance education using ACTS technologies can overcome these impediments. The purpose of the project is to investigate the applicability of the ACTS satellite in providing distance education in photovoltaic systems to developing countries and rural communities. An evaluation of the cost effectiveness of using ACTS unique technologies to overcome identified problems shall be done. The limitations of ACTS in surmounting distance education problems in developing countries shall be investigated. This project will, furthermore, provide training to Savannah State College faculty in photovoltaic (PV) systems and in distance education configurations and models. It will also produce training materials adequate for use in PV training programs via distance education. Savannah State College will, as a consequence become well equipped to play a leading role in the training of minority populations in photovoltaic systems and other renewables through its Center for Advanced Water Technology and Energy Systems. This communication provides the project outline including the specific issues that will be investigated during the project. Also presented i the project design which covers the participations of the various components of a network of institutions that is formed for optimal project execution. The expected results and project output, including plans for potential leverages and linkages to be derived, are also discussed. Finally, we point out possible extensions from this project and other related projects that could be initiated based on the experiences gained from the project

The Prognosis of Acute Stroke in a Tertiary Health Centre in South-East Nigeria

Stroke is a common neurologic disorder and it is the third leading cause of mortality worldwide after ischaemic heart disease and cancer. This study determined the prognosis of acute stroke in Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA) South-East Nigeria.It was a retrospective, descriptive and hospital based study conducted in a tertiary health centre in Abakaliki south-east Nigeria. The stroke register of the neurology unit was reviewed and relevant data were extracted and analyzed. Stroke accounted for 12% of medical death with 24hour, 7day and 30day mortality rate of 5%, 10% and 15% respectively. Factors associated with stroke mortality include advanced age, female sex, extremes of blood pressure, loss of consciousness and haemorrhagic stroke. There should be regular health education with emphasis on primary prevention of stroke.  Also, stroke patients should be referred early to a stroke unit for adequate management. Key words: stroke, mortality, Abakaliki, South-East, Nigeri