The Role of Macroeconomic Policies on Savings Mobilization in Nigeria

This research work analyzed the roles of macroeconomic policies on savings mobilization in Nigeria (1985-2018) empirically. The secondary data were adopted and sourced from CBN. Ordinary Least Square and Cointegration were used to determine the role of the selected macroeconomic policies on savings mobilization in Nigeria. The aftereffect of the overall statistic showed that there is a positive and significant impact between the macroeconomic variables and domestic savings mobilization in Nigeria. But in particular, financial deepening appeared to have a greater impact on savings mobilization in Nigeria. Exchange rate and inflation uncovered a reverse relationship with domestic saving mobilization in Nigeria. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) unit root tests and cointegration demonstrated that the variables are stationary and there exists a long-run relationship among the variables. The study hence recommended among others that efforts should be geared towards continuous and all-around fiscal and monetary policies that will sustain this development in the financial sector. Additionally, the government ought to guarantee that adequate macroeconomic policies will be set up to attract foreign investors, encourage export, and make Nigeria an export platform where export goods could be delivered, this will assist with strengthening Nigeria’s exchange rate incite domestic savings. Finally, appropriate measures ought to be placed into encouraging banks to open branches in rural areas to mop up deposits. The rural banking policies should be returned to adjusted and implemented in Nigeria. DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-4-02 Publication date: February 28th 202

Iron Ore Tailings as Partial Replacement for Fine Aggregate in Concrete Production – Review

Normal River sand is one of the major components of concrete, generally termed fine aggregate. A large volume of sand is needed annually for construction work globally. Mining or extraction of sand from the river bed, ocean beds, beaches, and inland dunes is accompanied by several problems such as; lowering of the water table, sinking of bridge piers and erosion of river bed and instability of river bed on the environment, etc. To decrease these environmental impacts and the cost of conventional fine aggregates, alternative materials like mining waste have been studied by several researchers to replace partially fine aggregates in concrete production. Iron ore tailings (IOT) are one of the mining wastes obtained from the beneficiation process of iron ore concentrates. This paper presents an overview of the work carried out on the use of IOT as a partial replacement of fine aggregate in concrete and its effects on the workability, mechanical, and durability properties of concrete

Improving the Optical and Structural Properties of the (UHMWPEO/CuNPs/AgNPs) Composite by Silica Nanoparticles

Background: In this work, the optical and structural properties of an composite were studied, the optical properties were studied by the UV-Visible spectrophotometer technique, and the structural properties were studied by the Xray diffraction technique. Materials and Methods: Different amounts of silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) were loaded onto a composite consisting of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene oxide (UHMWPEO), copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs), and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), and silica was added in different amounts (0.05, 0.07 and 0.09 ) wt%.This work was carried out using the traditional casting method.Results: The results showed a good improvement in the optical and structural properties of the composite when it was loaded with silica nanoparticles. .Conclusion: In this study, we have successfully prepared and examined nanocomposite films with outside and inside SiO2 with a thickness of (75–85) μm. The optical properties improve by decreasing the energy gap from (3.95) eV to (3.78) eV. As for the structural properties, where X-ray diffraction tests showed an increase in the crystalline size of the composite films, it was found that the crystalline size increased from (32.1) nm to (33.7) nm. Silica nanoparticles affect the growth of the crystalline structure of the composite

Evaluation of Cluster Paradigm as a Tool for Agricultural Development in Nigeria

Cluster development is a conspicuous and common feature in today’s economy. However, this concept is not exactly new and has been the object of attention from a wide variety of management and social scientists for much of this century. In recent years, this phenomenon has attracted renewed interest from academics, practitioners, and the African continent - which have become aware of its central importance in competitive strategy. An understanding of clusters adds an important dimension to the more commonly debated role of personal contact networks in the success of Agricultural. The study adopts a Meta analysis and the use of secondary data. It was concluded that Agriculture in the 21st century requires an urgent turn around. It was recommended that the government should formulate policies, provide legal framework and create enabling environment to support cluster development. Keywords: Cluster Development, Agricultural Development, Innovation, Governmen

An Assessment of Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) Utilization in Two Selected University Libraries in Lagos State, Nigeria.

The main purpose of this study was to assess the computerized catalogue and its utilization in university libraries in Lagos state. Survey research method was employed for the study. The population for the study was drawn from two university libraries in Lagos state that have automated their catalogues. These libraries are the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the Lagos state University (LASU). Four research questions were formulated for the study. The instrument used to collect data for the study was the questionnaire. Undergraduate student, Postgraduate student,Researchers and Staff constituted the respondents for the study. The data obtained were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. It was found out that the computerized catalogue is a very important service for any librarysystem, because this has helped the users in their information seeking. Some problems faced with Computerized Catalogues include shortage of terminals, improper working OPAC modules and lack of proper orientation. The need to acquire necessary software, need for proper orientation as well as provision of more OPAC terminals were recommended

MEAT QUALITY AND LIPID PROFILE OF BROILER CHICKENS FED DIETS CONTAINING TURMERIC (CURCUMA LONGA) POWDER AND CAYENNE PEPPER (CAPSICUM FRUTESCENS) POWDER AS ANTIOXIDANTS

This experiment was designed to determine the meat quality and lipid profile of broiler chickens fed diets containing turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder (Tur) and cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens) powder (Cay) as antioxidants. Two hundred and forty three (two-week old) Abor Acre broiler chicks were randomly allotted to nine treatment groups of 27 birds each, consisting of three replicates of nine birds each in a completely randomised design. Three levels of Tur (0, 2 and 4 g/kg) and three levels of Cay (0, 1 and 2 g/kg) were used to provide nine dietary treatments.  Meat quality indices such as cook and refrigerated losses, water absorptive power, etc were measured and determined at the 8th week. Broiler Chickens fed the basal diet had highest meat dry matter, protein content and least (p<0.05) meat pH, cook and refrigeration loss values. Meat triglyceride and meat malondialdehyde value was best (p<0.05) in treatments fed dietary 2 g/kg Cay, while chickens fed 2 g/kg Cay, 2 g/kg Tur + 1 g/kg Cay and 2 g/kg Tur + 2 g/kg Cay had better meat lipoprotein values. For meat sensory characteristic, meat flavour of broiler chickens fed diets containing 2 and 4 g/kg dietary Tur, were  moderately liked while overall flavour was best (p<0.05) in groups fed the basal diet with no dietary additive. It was evident in the study that the dietary inclusions of the test ingredients limited lipid oxidation, thus improved storage duration and meat flavor.   &nbsp

Use of standard verbal autopsies to improve the mortality data capacity of civil registration and vital statistics systems in low- and middle-income countries: Analysis of key issues

Background: Multidimensional issues confront the use of standard verbal autopsies (SVAs), such as the WHO's verbal autopsy standards and the Population Health Metrics Research Consortium's gold standard verbal autopsy, to improve the mortality data performance of civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Objective: This paper attempts an inclusive analysis of these issues and their implications for policies intending to integrate routine SVAs into CRVS systems to enhance mortality data coverage in LMICs. Methods: Issues were identified from the verbal autopsy and CRVS literature, official documents, and the authors' field experiences with the Nigerian CRVS system. These were analysed using a problem (key issues) analysis methodology. Results: Two classes of issues were shown to impinge on the use of SVAs within CRVS systems. One class is generic to SVAs (technical complexity, cost, and standardization issues) and to CRVS systems (contextual, resource, and infrastructural limitations) in LMICs. The other is related to the incompatibility of SVA and CRVS system functions, operations, instruments, and data. Conclusions: The results indicate a need for alternative solutions to the mortality data challenges of CRVS systems in LMICs that are more pragmatic than SVAs, especially in the short and medium term. Such alternatives must involve less complex data procedures and costs and must be adapted to CRVS system functions, operations, and socioeconomic contexts in LMICs. Contribution: The paper contributes to the discourse on the use of SVAs to improve the mortality data capacity of CRVS systems in LMICs

Application of Single-Radial Immuno-diffusion test for evaluation of uropathogenic Escherichia coli sonicated immunogen in chick embryo

This study intended to evaluate the effect of whole cell sonicated uropathogenic Escherichia coli antigen (WCS.Ag) against the challenged of the infectious dose 50 (ID50) in chicken embryos. Twenty chicken embryos / one day age were divided into 2 equal groups. The first group was inoculated with 0.1 ml of WSC, Ag, the second group (control) was injected with 0.1 ml phosphate buffer saline (PBS). Blood samples were collected at 2 and 4weeks after inoculations. Single Radial Immuno-Diffusion assay (SRID) was used to test the significance of the effects of treatments. Fifty groups of eggs (10 eggs per group) were used to determine the infectious dose 50 (ID50). All chicken embryos of the treated and control groups were challenged with 3ID50 (2×106) of virulent uropathogenic Escherichia coli. The SRIT showed significant increase in antibody titers in the experimental group compared with the control group. The post challenge with ID50 of E. coli revealed that all chicken embryos in control group suffered from severe clinical signs of colibacillosis. In conclusion, this study indicated the ability of WSC. Ag to protect chick embryo against the challenged of the infectious dose 50 (ID50)

Role of the Three Tiers of Government in the Provision of Sustainable Agricultural Extension Service in Nigeria

This paper focused on how the three tiers of government actually work in delivering extension services, and whether there is synergy of responsibilities—both financial and managerial—to improve accountability and performance. This analysis provides some informed speculation on what could be expected in terms of outcomes/performance if roles and responsibilities are clearly stated. Thus, it aims to contribute to the process of transformation in the country to reach an agreement on which tier is best suited to undertake extension expenditure responsibilities and how these should be financed. What institutional arrangements would enable better performance in the delivery of extension services? The public extension delivery system operative in Nigeria was reviewed highlighting the major challenges and way forward. The need for a legislated agricultural extension policy championed by the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension (FDAE) was recommended