A BOUND TESTING ANALYSIS OF EXCHANGE RATE PASS- THROUGH TO AGGREGATE IMPORT PRICES IN NIGERIA: 1980-2006

This paper examines the extent of pass-through of exchange rate into import prices for Nigeria between 1980 and 2006 using the recently developed UECM-Bounds test proposed by Pesaran et al. (2001). Empirical evidence reveals that world export prices has a dominant effect compared to exchange rate in explaining changes in Nigeria¡¯s import prices in the short and long run. The major implication for our study therefore is that exogenous factors such as world export prices appeared to be more important determinants of domestic import prices than a country¡¯s exchange rate policies.Aggregate Import Price, World Export Price, Bound Testing, Nigeria

Profitability Analysis of Women in Cassava Enterprises in Ogbomoso Agricultural Zone of Oyo State, Nigeria.

The study was carried out to analyse the profitability of women in cassava enterprises in Ogbomoso agricultural zone of Oyo- State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were meant to describe the socio-economic characteristics of women, evaluate the costs and returns for cassava tubers and cassava products, estimate the profitability ratio and identify the problems encountered by women in cassava production and processing. A multistage sampling method was used to select samples from Oriire, Ogo-Oluwa and Surulere Local Government Areas in Ogbomoso Agricultural Zone and the sample size was one hundred and sixty respondents. Structured questionnaire were used to elicit information from the selected respondents and it was structured in line with the objectives of the study. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, budgetary and profitability ratio techniques. Average total cost of producing cassava tubers and processing cassava tubers were N57,697.50k per hectare and  N599,929.70k per month respectively. Average total cost for combining production and processing of cassava tubers was N1,500, N650.00k per annum. The net returns for women cassava producers and those women that combined cassava production and processing were N221,052.00k and N7,289,950.00k per annum respectively. The benefit cost ratio (BCR) for the women cassava producers, processors and those women that combined production and processing were 4.83,1.08 and 5.86 respectively. These showed that the enterprises were profitable.  The combination of cassava production and processing by women was found to be most profitable

Upscaling cassava processing machines and products in Liberia

Open Access JournalCassava is produced by more than 80% of farming households and is an important contributor to gross domestic product (GDP) in Liberia. It is therefore important to assess the status of cassava processing into food and other products. A total of one hundred and sixty (160) well-structured questionnaires were used for the collection of information from eight counties, with twenty respondents from each county. It was found out that all the counties lack adequate modern cassava processing machines, with almost all cassava processing operations being done with rudimentary equipment. Gari and wet fufu are common products in Liberian markets, with no high-quality cassava flour (HQCF) or derivatives. Consequently, user and gender friendly processing machines were installed in six established modern cassava processing centres, and new cassava products, such as fufu powder, tapioca, and HQCF with its value-added products (10% bread and pastries), were introduced. This upscaling will enhance the cassava value chain in Liberia with improvement in livelihoods, especially for vulnerable women and unemployed youth

Poverty Level of Cassava Flakes (GARI) Marketers in Osogbo Agricultural Zone, Osun State, Nigeria

This study examined the poverty level of cassava flakes (gari) marketers in Orolu, Boripe and Egbedore local government areas in Osun state. A multi-stage sampling method was employed to select one hundred and eighty (180) respondents. Analytical tools employed in the study include the descriptive statistics, FGT P-alpha, budgetary, and ordinary least squares regression.  Findings revealed that nearly all (96.7%) the study respondents were female. Respondents’ mean age was 43.98 years (economic active age) and the mean household size was 9 members. Also 76.7 percent of the marketers had some level of formal education, while 23.3% had no formal education. 28% of the marketers were living below the poverty line. The poverty headcount, poverty gap and severity indexes of the marketers were 28%, 11.6% and 6.0% respectively. Marital status and household size were negatively significantly related to the respondents’ poverty level. The gross margin which was N43, 645.33, showed that gari marketing is profitable in the study area. It is therefore recommended that the marketers should be enlightened to maintain small household size by participating in family planning programme. They should also be involved in cooperatives and social groups. Keywords: poverty, garri marketers, FGT and budgetary analysi

Potassium supplying capacity of representative soils of South Western Nigeria as measured by intensity, quantity and capacity factors.

Laboratory and greenhouse studies were undertaken to determine the usefulness of K Quantity, Intensity and Capacity factors in evaluating K supply capacities and in predicting K uptake by maize in 14 representative soils of South Western Nigeria. The results showed that the activity ratio was a poor index of the available K and was incapable of correct prediction of K uptake during prolonged cropping. The potential Buffer Capacity was higher in the soils on basement complex than in soils derived from sedimentary origin, indicating that depletion of K on cropping will be faster in soils derived from sedimentary rocks than those on the basement complex. The results also showed that the 'fixed K' Quantity factor and the Potential Buffer Capacity could provide useful information in characterising the differential Buffer behaviour of soils

Surface and Ground Water Pollution in Abata Ogun Agricultural Wetland

An assessment of the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer application on Abata Ogun agricultural wetland was carried out in this study. Sampling were taken from stream and wells during the raining and dry seasons. Samples were subjected to analyses of major cations and anions, biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand and bacteriological parameters such as E-Coli. In addition pH, temperature, and electrical conductivity were also determined.Cation concentration was in the range of 0.40-19.20mg/l with calcium recording a high value of 19.20mg/l. This is an indication of hardness of water. Low dissolved oxygen exists in the range of 7.20 to 12.80mg/l. Higher values of C.O.D 112.60mg/l when compared with values of B.O.D 74.90mg/l is an indication that activities of microbial organisms are prominent. E-coli values for surface and ground water is high (1.2 x 104?sm-1), an indication that the water is not fit for domestic use. Electrical conductivity was high in the range of 37 to 92 cfuml-1. The stream flowing through the wetland has a discharge of 0.3m3/s and a flow velocity of 1.3 m/s and deposits sediment load along the stream. High values of PO4 in well water 4.37 mg/l is an indication that leaching occurs.The study highlight the much needed awareness on the part of local residents, farmers and environmental health authorities to curb dangers inherent in consumption of contaminated ground water and to encourage bio-fortified farming. Keywords: pollution, water quality, Abata Ogun Agricultural wetland.

HCME: An Environment-Friendly I.C. Engine Fuel

The study revealed that Hura crepitans oil is a good candidate for Hura crepitans methyl ester (HCME) production. Two steps (esterification and transesterification) production stages influenced the high yield of HCME. Three possible experimental runs were performed in each step, the best of the three conditions were 1.45 (% v/v) for H2SO4 conc., 5:1 for methanol/oil molar ratio, 40 min for reaction time which gave 1.06 % for FFA in the first step, in the second step, 92.70 %(w/w) of HCME was obtained at 0.55% KOH, 5:1 methanol/oil molar ratio, 60 oC temperature and 30 min reaction time. The produced HCME had fuel properties which satisfied both ASTME D6751 and EN 1424 standards. The fatty acid profile of the HCME revealed the dominant fatty acids were linoleic (64.50%), oleic (17.54%) and palmitic (12.70%). Exhaust emissions from an internal combustion (I.C.) engine revealed that there is 60% decreased in CO, 58% decreased in NOx, 60% decreased in HC, 39% decrease in smoke opacity and 42% decreased in BSFC at B20, respectively. Flue gas temperature increased by 12% at B20, 45% increased in BTE at B50 when compared to pure diesel (AGO). Hence, it can be concluded that B20 (20% HCME + 80% AGO) will provides the best emission reduction at the lowest cost

Language And Communication: An Introduction To Approaches To Meaning And Text Analysis

This paper explores the concept of language and communication. It gives an exposition to the study of meaning as it diachronically investigates the theories and approaches to meaning. The crux of the study is that language is central to linguistic communication. It explains concept of meaning in language with the various theories of meaning, such as the traditional referential, ideational, behavioural, and contextual theories of meaning. It also examines some modern theoretical developments on meaning. It carries out the pragmatics and critical discourse analysis of some selected texts to demonstrate the application of some of the approaches to meaning in Language. It concludes on the ground that an understanding of approaches to meaning in language would enhance the development of knowledge and promote successful communication in various situations.     &nbsp

Characterisation and Soil Pollution in Agrarian Floodplain of Ibadan Peri-Urban in South Western Nigeria

Ibadan metropolis in Nigeria has population of about 6millons people. There is increasing concern about lowland soils around Ibadan periurban where most of the industrial wastes transported  majorly by River Ona were deposited. These soils are used for dry season farming and  contribute to food security. This research was carried out to characterise and  determine the vulnerability of periurban lowland  soils to industrial pollution . The area was studied using 50mx50m  grid. Surface samples were taken at 50m interval. Representative profile pits were dug and described using USDA method. Particle size analysis and chemical analyses including Phosphorus, Nitrogen , exchangeable Cations (Ca, Mg, Na, K,),  Mn and heavy metals such as Pb. Cu, Zn, Cr, Fe, Cd determinations were carried out. The results shows that the surface soil of the flood plain was fertile with high N (0.35cmol/kg), P (51.25 cmol/kg), K (0.61 cmol/kg) with very high to toxic levels of phosphorous in the soil which range between 28.99 to 87.70 ppm. Average lead concentration was (34.30 mg/kg), Zn (171.20 mg/kg), Fe (83.97 mg/kg), Cu (19.11 mg/kg), Mn (31.10 mg/kg), Cr (0.69 mg/kg), Cd (0.3 mg/kg). The predictions from soil-plant heavy metal transfer coefficient (Pb:35-343; Cr:0.46-4.6; Zn:171-1712; Cu:19-191; Fe:83-840; Mn:31-281; Cd:0.1-10)  shows that there might be toxic level in crops in the area but the high yield and health of plant from field evidence and farmers interaction indicate that the  high level of P (28.99-87ppm) must have inhibited uptake of some metals such as Pb, Zn and Cu. Keywords: Fadama, Urban waste, Heavy metals, Soil pollution, Peri-urban farmin

Compression, Mechanical and Release Properties of Chloroquine Phosphate Tablets containing corn and Trifoliate Yam Starches as Binders

Purpose: A study was made of the binding properties of trifoliate yam starch, obtained from Dioscorea dumetorum (Pax), in chloroquine phosphate tablet formulations in comparison with official corn starch. Method: Compressional properties were analyzed using density measurements and compression equations of Heckel and Kawakita. The mechanical properties of the tablets were assessed using the crushing strength and friability of the tablets, while drug release properties of the tablets were assessed using disintegration and dissolution times. Results: Tablet formulations containing trifoliate yam starch exhibited faster onset and higher amount of plastic deformation during compression than those containing corn starch. The crushing strength, disintegration and dissolution times of the tablets increased with binder concentration while friability values decreased. Trifoliate yam starch produced tablets with stronger mechanical properties and longer disintegration and dissolution times than those containing corn starch. Conclusion: Trifoliate yam starch would be a better alternative to corn starch in producing uncoated tablets for which high bond strength is essential . Keywords: Trifoliate yam starch, corn starch, binding agent, compression, Heckel equation, Kawakita equation, mechanical properties, drug release> Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 5 (2) 2006: pp. 589-59