A Post-Consolidation Assessment of Profitability in Nigerian Banks

Using stochastic frontier technique, this study examined the changes in the profit efficiency of Nigerian banks after the recapitalization exercise of central bank of Nigeria for the period 2006 to 2008. The results showed that the estimated profit efficiency scores for 2006, 2007 and 2008 for troubled banks were 0.79, 0.89 and 0.94, respectively while corresponding values for healthy banks were 0.47, 0.66 and 0.81. Average efficiency score of all sampled banks were 0.59, 0.75 and 0.86 for 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. The finding implies that profitability is not a good measure of performance

Job Characteristics and Deviant Behaviour among Employees of Selected Public and Private Universities in Ondo and Ekiti State, Nigeria

There is dearth of empirical study on the effect of job characteristics on deviant behaviour in Nigeria, especially in the education sector. Primary data were collected from the academic and administrative staff of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), AfeBabalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) and Elizade University, Ilara-mokin (EU) with the aid of questionnaires. Both the descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for the purpose of analyses. The results of the simple regressions shows that Job characteristic factors such as position, level of influence, relevance and feedback, role performed, position occupied, autonomy enjoyed etc. help to ameliorate rather than worsen deviant behaviour in the selected public and private universities

Influence of rice husk ash source variability on road subgrade properties

This study presents the influence of variability of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) on the geotechnical properties of subgrade. The subgrade soil classified as A–7–6 (Clayey soil) in the AASHTO Classification system or CL in the USCS was used. The RHA materials were obtained from Ebonyi, Enugu and Cross River States of Nigeria, respectively. The geotechnical properties investigated included consistency limits, compaction and the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of the soil for varying RHA contents for the three different RHA sources. There was significant variability in the chemical composition of RHA, with samples from Cross River, Ebonyi and Enugu States having Silica contents of 84.55%, 76.30% and 70.12% respectively. The results obtained showed that there was a general increase in the Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) and CBR values of the soil with increase in RHA content. However, the plasticity and Maximum Dry Density (MDD) decreased with increase in RHA.Keywords: California Bearing Ratio; Consistency indices; Lateritic soil; Maximum Dry Density; Optimum Moisture Content; Rice Husk Ash; Sub-grade

Effects of variability in the pozzolanic properties of Rice husk ash (RHA) on the compressive strength of concrete

Rice husk ash (RHA) is an agro waste and a natural pozzolana which is rich in silica and found in abundance globally. This research considered the pozzolanic properties of RHA from Seven different sources in Nigeria (Ogoja, Abakaliki, Adani, Adikpo, Obubra, Makurdi and Vandikya). It is discovered that the elemental chemical composition of this natural pozzolan varies based on their location. Samples from Ogoja were found to have the highest pozzolanic properties followed by Abakaliki, Adani, Adikpo, Obubra, Makurdi and Vandikya. Their silica content was found to be84.55%, 76.3%, 70.12%, 70.11%, 64.67%, 55.55%, and 48.4% respectively. Four out of the seven samples with the highest pozzolanic values were used as partial replacements for ordinary Portland cement at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30% replacement levels. Concrete mix ratio of 1:1.5:3 was adopted and the compressive strength values at 28 days were found to be in the range of 37-42N/mm2 at 5%RHA, 35-39.5N/mm2 at 10%RHA, 30-34.5N/mm2 at 15%RHA, 27-29N/mm2 at 20%RHA, 22-25.6N/mm2 at 25% RHA and 21-24N/mm2 at 30% RHA compared to the controlled sample with a strength value of 42.64N/mm2.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v35i4.

School finance management structure and effective delivery of 21st century secondary education in Cross River State

The study examined school finance management structure and effective delivery of 21st century secondary education in Cross River State. The aims were to find out the relationship between availability of school finance management structure and the delivery of 21st century education in secondary schools, ascertain whether the structures for the mobilization of school funds, allocation of school funds, school finance accountability exist in secondary schools, and determine the extent of delivery of 21st century education in secondary schools in Cross River State. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. 4 research questions and 1 hypothesis were formulated for the study. The population of the study comprised all the 251 Principals from the 251 public secondary schools in the three Educational Zones in Cross River State. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (simple percentages, mean and standard deviation) were used to answer the research questions, while Pearson Product Moment correlation Statistics (r) was used to analyze the data for the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. Result obtained showed that there is a significant relationship between availability of school finance management structure and effective delivery of 21st century secondary education in Cross River State. It was also found that there are adequate sources of funds available to secondary schools in the State; there are no formal structures for funds allocation and accountability in the schools and the level of delivery of 21st century education in secondary schools is low. Based on this result, it was recommended that there should be formal structures for funds allocation and finance accountability to ensure effective delivery of skilledbased education in the State.Keywords: School finance, finance management, finance accountability, school finance structure, funds mobilization, funds allocatio

Effect of Labour Turnover on Performance in Nigerian Banking Industry (A Case of Ado-Ekiti Metropolis, Ekiti State)

In the midst of other resources, human capital is considered the most valuable in organisations. The contribution of human resources to organization performance is significant. Organisation must ensure maximum cost reduction to attain high level of profitability and one way of doing that is by attending to labour issue. Hence the aim of this study is to examine labour turn-over relationship with the performance of Nigerian banking industry. Survey method was used; the population of the study comprised the entire commercial banks in the three senatorial districts of Ekiti-State, Nigeria. Sample size of 34 officers of current employees out of total population of 51 officers was used while 51 out of total population of 68 ex-employees were used. The current key officers were used to ascertain if the determinant factors have influence on the banks performance. On the other hand, ex-employees were used to know if any of the determinant factors used in the study had caused the employees to leave the banks. Purposive and convenient sampling techniques were used respectively to select the respondents while questionnaire was used to collect the data. Regression was used to analyse the data using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The finding shows that retrenchment, unrealistic target, leadership style, training and job insecurity have a positive relationship with performance while excessive workload shows negative relationship with the performance. Arising from the findings, it shows that performance in an orgarnisation hangs on each determinant factors working together as a system. This indicates that a single determinant factor cannot give banks a desirable performance. The value of R2 80.1% shows the good fit of the result. The following recommendations were made; Banks management should ensure that other determinant factors especially, those that are concerned with the institutions performance are given necessary support and pursued to actualise them. Banks management should set realistic target rate for their employees to curtail the risk of evil vices of getting the target especially, the ladies banker. Keywords: Labour Turnover, Performance, Separation, Accession and Bank

Prevalence, Causes and Effects of Bullying in Tertiary Institutions in Cross River State, Nigeria

This research is an evaluation of the impact of causes, consequences and effects of bullying in academic setting on student academic performance in tertiary institutions in Cross River State, Nigeria.  The research made use of purposive and random sampling techniques made up of 302 students. Questionnaire served as the data collection instrument. The results obtained from the coded and analyzed data showed that vocal assaults (Mean = 4.0530) were the common forms of bullying in the tertiary institutions. Family, personality and school related factors were all determinants of bullying behaviors. Findings also revealed that the major effects of bullying were destruction of lives and properties, inability to fulfill destinies and family instability, breed social maladjustments, engender low self-esteem for victims, is stressful for both perpetuators and their victims and has brought about poor health status for victims generally. Bullying was also found to have negative effects on students’ academic performance and this was found to be significant at 0.05 percent. The study was concluded based on recommendations. Keywords: Bullying, tertiary, institutions, cross river state, effect

Risk Management and Financial Performance of Banks in Nigeria

Risk management issues in the banking sector do not only have greater impact on bank performance but also on national economic growth and general business development. The bank’s motivation for risk management comes from those risks which can lead to underperformance. This study focuses on the association of risk management practices and bank financial performance in Nigeria. Secondary data sourced was based on a 4year progressive annual reports and financial statements of 10 banks and a panel data estimation technique adopted. The result implies an inverse relationship between financial performance of banks and doubt loans, and capital asset ratio was found to be positive and significant. Similarly it suggests the higher the managed funds by banks the higher the performance. The study concludes a significant relationship between banks performance and risk management. Hence, the need for banks to practice prudent risks management in order to protect the interests of investors. Keywords: risk management, credit risk, financial distress, reputable risk, bank performanc

Addressing Bullying in North Carolina Middle Schools

North Carolina is among the ten states with the highest rate of bullying in the United States. In North Carolina middle schools, 38.2% of students report bullying on school property. Female students in North Carolina are more likely to be bullied in both middle school and high school. Bullying can have long term mental and physical health effects on children. In this paper, we propose several policy options to reduce the risk of bullying and its health effects. These policies were compared using several evaluation metrics. Stakeholders were also considered. We propose a group counseling pilot program in 10 high-need schools in North Carolina. The pilot would provide mental health support to both bullying victims and bullies. This paper outlines the pilot program, budget, and how the program will be evaluated. We highlight the need for expanding counseling interventions for bullying if the pilot proves effective.Master of Public Healt