An exploratory study of the internal career orientation and the external career pattern of information technology workers in Nigeria

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.This study sets out to explore the internal career orientations and the external career patterns of information technology (IT) workers in Nigeria. The theoretical framework guiding this research is that societal context (social structure and institutions) has an influence on the career orientations and career patterns exhibited by individuals (Derr and Laurent, 1989; Lam, 2000; Baruch, 2004). To date, understanding the development of mainstream career theory has focused more on individual choice and life-span development, than on the complex interplay between individuals and their environment. There appears to be a relative neglect of the influence of institutional and social structure in much of the career literature. In a departure from previous career studies, which have focused largely on the individual level of analysis in developed economies of North America and Europe, this research focused on exploring both the internal and external careers of IT workers in the context of a developing economy-Nigeria. This research adopted a two-pronged methodological approach, which involved the use of qualitative and quantitative methods in addressing the research questions raised in this study. The result of this research shows that IT workers enact four different career patterns, which conform to the traditional view of careers as hierarchical and progressive, as well as to the recent models of the boundaryless careers. IT workers in Nigeria also hold six career orientations, which can be closely matched to Schein's (1978) career anchors and Derr's (1986) career success orientations. In addition, economic conditions, perception of educational qualification, sexual discrimination and ethnic allegiance were identified as the main societal factors that shape and constrain the careers of IT workers in Nigeria. Overall, the findings of this research support the notion that careers unfold through the interplay between individuals and larger societal structures (Baruch, 2004). The implication of the findings for human resource management and research is discussed.Funding was obtained from the Government of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Implementation of Geothermal Energy at Montserrat as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Arrangement

Though geothermal energy is a much more involved and expensive undertaking than solar or wind, the benefits may well be worth the effort. It is geothermal energy that holds real promise for Montserrat as she seek to gain greater energy independence, reduce energy costs, and drive towards sustainable development.  In this paper, we examine and discuss how the implementation of Geothermal Energy will be a contributing factor to the consumers and economic growth and development of Montserrat. The Institutional and Management mechanisms to be put in place if Geothermal Energy was to be implemented as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement are also discussed before explaining the challenges and solutions foreseen in implementation of Geothermal Energy as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement

Selected Edible Insects and Their Products in Traditional Medicine, Food and Pharmaceutical Industries in Africa: Utilisation and Prospects

Edible insects are a widely exploited food source by many indigenous populations in most regions of the world. Edible insects have been used as food in sub-Saharan Africa, being a good source of protein and essential amino acid. Historically, they are important contributors to improving food and nutrition security, particularly for people who suffer from malnutrition due to protein deficiency. Africa is the continent with the highest number of records (19 countries), followed by the USA (5 countries) and Asia (5 countries). The species used for food and as feed include Hodotermitidae, Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae. Insects, such as termites, are also eaten raw directly on emergence from the holes. Species used in traditional popular medicine include Hodotermitidae and Termitidae. They are used in the treatment of various diseases that affect humans such as influenza, asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, sinusitis, tonsillitis and hoarseness

Analysis of Interventions for Improving Cervical-Cancer Screening Uptake among Nigerian Women

Cervical-cancer is preventable through early detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia that heralds the disease via cervical-cancer screening, yet its mortality is still high especially in developing countries. In Nigeria, researchers have attributed the high cervical-cancer mortality to low uptake of cervical-cancer screening predicated on wrong perception and low knowledge of cervical-cancer and cervical-cancer screening; lack of cervical-cancer screening programme; inadequate community support for cervical-cancer screening and gap in screening skills among health-workers where opportunistic cervical-cancer screening exists. This study aims to identify context-specific interventions for improving cervical-cancer screening uptake and reducing cervical-cancer burden in Nigeria. Secondary data was used for the study. Literature were obtained from Global Health, Popline and PubMed databases; WHO and other relevant websites using Eldis search engine; and from libraries in the University of Leeds and WHO in Geneva. Interventions for improving cervical-cancer screening uptake were analyzed using a set of appraisal criteria which include; technical and cost effectiveness, organizational, gender, cultural and political feasibility to determine their applicability and transferability in Nigeria. Broad interventions identified are; intervention aimed at correcting perception, improving knowledge and increasing access to cervical-cancer screening. Reducing the burden and impact of cervical-cancer in Nigeria will depend on implementation of these interventions by stakeholders

Obesity, physical activity pattern and hypercholesterolemia among civil servants in Bida Niger State Nigeria

Background: Lack of empirical data on the prevalence of overweight/obesity and hypercholesterolemia as well as their complications is of concern in developing countries like Nigeria. Thus, there is need for regular surveillance on the prevalence of these conditions to enable implementation of effective control strategies. Objectives: The study assessed the prevalence of overweight/obesity, hypercholetrolemia and physical activity pattern among civil servants in Bida Local Goverment Area of Niger state Nigeria. Methodology: Structured and validated questionnaire was used to obtain information on demographic and physical activity/exercise pattern from 402 subjects’ sampled using stratified random sampling by ballot without replacement in the study. Anthropometric data was measured with appropriate tool for each measurement. Total cholesterol was analysed using Randox Kit. Data was compared with standards and analyzed. Data was described with mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentage. Analysis was done with Chi square and Pearson coloration. Results were presented in tables and figures. Result: Result revealed that 31.3% were overweight and 53.2% were obese, only 13.86% had normal percentage body fat, 41.79% of the respondents had a normal visceral fat level (≤9), 35.82% of the respondents had an increased health risk using waist circumference classification and 57.21% had an increased health risk when waist –hip ratio classification was used. Blood cholesterol result also showed that 74.4% were within normal range. This study showed that there is a positive correlation between serum cholesterol and BMI, %body fat, % skeletal muscle, visceral fat, waist circumference and hip circumference at P-value < 0.001. Conclusion: There is epidemic of overweight/obesity and raised blood cholesterol among civil servants in Bida area

A Conceptual Framework for the Application of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the Management of Housing Projects in Nigeria

The Nigerian housing project setting has been marred with challenges which have continuously led to project under-performance and failure. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is presented as a strategy to mitigate the challenges. CSR which deals with housing project firms’ responsibilities in service delivery towards shareholders, stakeholders and society comprises a landscape of theories. The absence of CSR application towards solving housing project life cycle challenges presented a gap which informed the study. Variables are presented in a suitable and explored framework with a view to examining the potentials of CSR as a panacea to the challenges. This study presents stakeholder and ethical theories as the underpinning theories for the application of CSR in the management of housing projects along the project life cycle phases. Stakeholder theory states that firms’ owe a responsibility to a wider group of stakeholders, other than just shareholders. Ethical theory of CSR applies to housing projects as ethics help to guide the practice of various stakeholders involved in the process of housing project management. Methodology used was a review of documented evidence from related literature. This study found that CSR application in Nigerian housing projects, although rudimentary has yielded positives when implemented. Proper CSR application in housing projects has the capacity to mitigate housing project challenges across each project life cycle phase. This study also recommends the proposition of CSR application in effective housing project management as a standard being a panacea to existing challenges. Keywords: Corporate social responsibility, Housing project, Theories, Framework DOI: 10.7176/CER/12-6-04 Publication date:June 30th 202

Effect of packaging and chemical treatment on storage life and physicochemical attributes of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill cv. Roma)

Fresh fruits and vegetables are inherently more liable to deterioration under tropical conditions characterized by high ambient temperatures and humidity. In determining the effects of chemical treatment on tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill cv. Roma), fruits purchased at turning stage of ripening were packaged in low density polyethylene bags (60 μ) containing wooden dust particles moistened with 400 ppm potassium permanganate solution. Samples were treated with hot water dip, boric acid (H3BO3) dip at 1000 ppm, CaCl2 dip at 10,000 ppm, a combination of H3BO3 and calcium chloride treatment as well as control. Results of chemical treatment showed increase in weight loss, pH, and a slight increase in moisture content. Total soluble solids and titratable acidity of samples showed a steady decrease, with data on physicochemical qualities collected at 7 days interval. Fruits stored with hot water and combination of H3BO3 and CaCl2 treatments showed higher keeping quality. Shelf life elongation treatments used at tropical ambient temperature of 30 ± 2°C was able to preserve tomato fruits for 21 days from spoilage and microbial attack while retaining its colour and other physicochemical properties.Keywords: Tomato, shelf life, packaging, respiration, pretreatmen

Values of sawdust degraded diastic microbes of Achatina fulica fed goats as part of formulated diets: An alternative municipal organic waste management

Experiment was conducted to evaluate the utilization of sawdust degraded diastic microbes (SDDM) (of Achatina fulica) as feed component for Red Sokoto goats. Thirty-six Red Sokoto goats of mixed sexes (18 females and 18 males), average bodyweight 4kg, between 4-5months of ages were used. Goats were randomized into 3 groups of 12 goats per group, consisting of 3 goats per replicate, which replicated 4 times. Groups were assigned to each of the 3 diets (T1 with 15% undegraded sawdust, T2 with 15% SDDM and T3 with 25% SDDM). Investigations revealed the chemical composition of the organic matter, ash, and the en ergy generally were low on the SDDM (P>0.05) when the sawdust was degraded with the diastic microbes. The SDDM protein, crude fibre, ether extract, nitrogen free extract as well as the nitrogen followed a different dive with great increment over the untreated sawdust. This could be due to the efficiency of the diastic microbes in the degradation of the sawdust to make the nutrients available for the efficient farm animals’ utilization; which is an indication of quality sawdust produced (SDDM). The daily feed intake and weight gain values (435.87g) (79.37g) and (308.25g) (15.87g) differed (P<0.01) as against the values in T1. However the efficiency of feed utilization values (T3 and T2; 19.42, 5.49) differed (P<0.01) over T1. The cost of feed/kg and cost of production/goat showed better values on the T3 (P<0.05) over of T2 and T1; while the gross and net profits were generally better (P<0.01) in T2 followed by T3 and T1. Similar trends were observed on carcass values, wholesale cuts, lean/bone values and pelts, respectively. It was concluded that, the inclusion of SDDM at 15% and 25% as part of formulated concentrate diets for growing goats gave the best results, over the undegraded sawdust.Keywords: Weight gain, sawdust, cost benefits, goats, and diastic microbe

EMPIRICAL NEXUS BETWEEN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ATTRIBUTES AND DIRECTORS REMUNERATION: NIGERIAN EVIDENCE

This study is aimed at investigating the relationship between corporate governance attributes and director’s remuneration in Nigerian quoted firms. Specifically the study attempted to proffer answers to questions as it relates to the impact of board size, firm size, board independence, chief executive officer duality on directors' remuneration. Secondary data were extracted from the financial statements and accounts of the sampled firms for a 25years period spanning 1997-2021.  And analyzed using Ordinary Least Squares Regression (OLS) E-views version 10 The study revealed that Board size, firm size, and board independence exerted   positive effect on directors' remuneration, whereas the presence of a chief executive officer duality had negative influence on directors' remuneration. It was recommended that the position of Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 as it concerns directors’ remuneration should be carefully adhered to and that the directors' remuneration must not be altered by any director irrespective of their positions in the organization. It is concluded that the chief executive officer duality should not be used as a yardstick in the determination of directors’ remuneration rather the board size, firm size, board independence should be used as a measure for fixing directors’ remuneration. Keywords: Director’s Remuneration, Board Size, Firm Size,  Board Independence, Chief Executive Officer Duality