Microfinance and Entrepreneurial Development in Nigeria

This research study investigates the impact of microfinance on entrepreneurial development of small scale enterprises in Nigeria and its global significance. Microfinance institutions world over and especially in Nigeria are identified to be one of the key players in the financial industry that have positively affected individuals, business organizations, other financial institutions, the government and the economy at large through the services they offer and the functions they perform in the economy

ANALYSIS OF TORSIONAL RIGIDITY OF CIRCULAR BEAMS WITH DIFFERENT ENGINEERING MATERIALS SUBJECTED TO ST. VENANT TORSION

Many engineering structures, such as airplane wings, beams and shafts are subjected to higher torsional forces today due to advancement in Structural Engineering, in terms of size and technology. In this paper, we analyzed the resistance of circular beams, of different engineering materials, to their corresponding twisting moments. We obtained the torsional rigidity for the different beams as the ratio of twisting moment to the angle of twist per unit length. It is observed that torsional rigidity of the beams is a function of their areas and the engineering material they are made up of. Specifically it is observed that the circular beam made up of brass engineering material has the greatest torsional rigidity among the twelve engineering materials considered

Effective Leadership in Times of Organizational Crises: The Interplay of Risk Perceptions, Trust, and Diversity

Organizations are faced with challenges which arise from the interplay of risk perceptions, trust, and diversity. Diversity is a broad term which highlights numerous differences and similarities in an organization in the areas of culture, age, qualification, gender, and attitudes in the workplace. Risk perceptions may have a more dominant impact on trust and leadership effectiveness than previously assumed. Trust has been identified as being essential in the effectiveness of charismatic leaders (Bass, 1985) and as being critical when leaders communicate information regarding a risky situation or crisis (Kasperson, Kasperson, Pidgeon, & Slovic, 2003). Too often, risky situations are explained rationally by leaders and experts who are then surprised when these communications are distrusted or rejected. Research, though limited, has found that an individual's affect-based perception of the risk significantly impacts whom and what we trust. The role of culture in how risks are perceived and experts are trusted is even less clear. Bringing together extant theory on leadership, perceived risks, trust, and culture, the present paper addresses how these forces impact trust and leadership effectiveness in an organizational setting and how effective leadership can create high impact in an organization

DYNAMIC BEHAVIOR OF AN INCLINED RECTANGULAR MINDLIN PLATE RESTING ON PASTERNAK FOUNDATION UNDER UNIFORM PARTIALLY DISTRIBUTED MOVING LOAD

In this article, the dynamic behavior of inclined rectangular Mindlin plate under the influence of moving load along the mid-plate on the plate surface is considered. Finite difference method is used to solve the non dimensionalised form of the resulting coupled partial differential equations. It was found that the response amplitude of the plate is affected significantly by the foundation moduli. Also, the effects of the shear deformation, rotatory inertia and angle of inclination of the plate are noticeable

Minimizing Carbon Emissions from Transportation Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa Cities Using Mathematical Model: A Focus on Lagos, Nigeria

One of the major causes of increase in greenhouse gas pollution has been attributed to transportation. In spite of sub-Saharan African's low contribution to the worldwide production of greenhouse gases, the region will suffer more from the effects of climate change in years to come if necessary steps are not taken now. This paper therefore looks at minimizing the carbon emissions (carbon dioxide emission) from transportation which is a channel of greenhouse pollution. Linear programming model is used to model the present situation in Lagos Nigeria. A computer software (LIPS) and excel solver were used to solve the resulting mathematical equations, using simplex method. The data collected and the subsequent analysis carried out show that if the current situation of carbon emission from transportation, is not arrested, it can lead to serious health challenge, such as respiratory diseases, and negative impact on the economic development of these cities

Organizational Culture and Performance A case study of Covenant University, Nigeria

Every organization has set objectives that mark its essence of existence, the achievement or otherwise of these objectives is dynamically subject to the aptitudes, learning, capacity and the fundamental trademark representing the organization. The basic trademark here dives genuinely deep into the continuing piece of the organization: the qualities and convictions administering its individuals. This study aims at examining how the aggregate qualities, convictions and standards of the people in an organization generally affect the organization’s ability to meet and surpass its set objectives. This conceptual paper breaks down the achievement of Covenant University, Nigeria, which in spite of the challenging Nigerian business environment described by absence of foundations, infrastructure, unfavorable government strategies, and high inflation rate, has seen huge development and improvement in the twelve years of presence as displayed by its position as the number one University in Nigeria and 15th in West Africa according to the 2015 Webometrics Rankings of Universities. It is observed that the success of the University is as a result of the core values of the organization, which has trickled down from the entrepreneur to every level of management, teaching and non-teaching staff and which is duly enforced on the students of the University

Mass Loss and Nutrient Release through Leaching in Tectona grandis and Theobroma cacao leaf litter in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Tectona grandis and Theobroma cacao are common plantation tree crops planted to replace natural forest in Nigeria because of their faster growth rate and economic values. The changes in land use have marked effects on the soil nutrients and organic matter stock, thereby affecting physical, chemical properties and soil microbial activity. This study looked at the mass loss and rate of leaching of nutrients in the two tree species. Bulk of fallen senescent leaf litters were collected from the plantations, air-dried and thoroughly mixed. Two grammes of each species was weighed into a 500 ml beaker and 250 ml of distilled water added and were retrieved at interval of 0, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 and 144 hrs, this was replicated six times. The pH, mass loss (%), rate of mass loss (% hr–¹), conductivity (μs), total dissolve solid (mg l–¹), nutrients in leached water were measured. Results showed higher mass loss rate of 0.37 % hr-1 in Tectona grandis compared to 0.29 % hr-1 in Theobroma cacao after 24 hrs. At the end of the study, 1.20%, 5.23%, 6.64% and 8.25% of the initial amount of Ca, Mg, K, and Na in the Theobroma cacao leaf litter; and 2.23%, 1.38%, 7.99%, and 13.077% in Tectona grandis leaf litter were retained. It was observed that 9.27% and 3.71% of the initial amount of N and P were lost from Theobroma cacao leaf litter while, 9.23%, and 8.10% were released in Tectona grandis at the end of the study. The release of P, Ca, K and Na with respect to leaching at the end of the study was better in Tectona grandis and the information of nutrients release will be helpful in selecting the best tree species for plantation establishment in terms of nutrients return for improved productivity

Dirac Equation with Spin Symmetry for the Modified P\"oschl-Teller Potential in DD-dimensions

We present solutions of the Dirac equation with spin symmetry for vector and scalar modified P\"oschl-Teller potential within framework of an approximation of the centrifugal term. The relativistic energy spectrum is obtained using the Nikiforov-Uvarov method and the two-component spinor wavefunctions are obtain are in terms of the Jacobi polynomials. It is found that there exist only positive-energy states for bound states under spin symmetry, and the energy levels increase with the dimension and the potential range parameter $\alpha$.Comment: 9 pages and 1tabl

EXISTENCE, UNIQUENESS AND STABILITY OF A MILD SOLUTION OF LIPSCHITZIAN QUANTUM STOCHASTIC DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

We introduce the concept of a mild solution of Lipschitzian quantum stochastic differential equations (QSDEs). Results on the existence, uniqueness and stability of a mild solution of QSDEs are established. This is accomplished within the framework of the Hudson-Parthasarathy formulation of quantum stochastic calculus. Here, the results on a mild solution are weaker compared with the ones in the literature

Public Relations Strategy: A Tool for Building Organizational Corporate Image

In the business world of today, superior organizational corporate image is a strategic priority that every organization wants to achieve. To be attributed as excellent in business, the corporate image of an organization must be of superior quality, that is, reliable, apparent, sure, viable and able of create expansion and development. Meanwhile, public relations gives an organization the chance to exhibits its picture to the public, it is about moving the message to the general public. Building a corporate image is not an instinctive approach but an issue of strategy which leads to good reputation of the company, competitive advantage and uniqueness of the company in the market. This paper centers on the bond between corporate image and public relations strategy and how PR can be used as a strategy to build corporate image