Physicochemical characterisation of butternut (Jugulans cinerea) oil

Some physical and chemical properties of butternut (jugulans cinerea) oil were investigated. The oil was found to be deep amber in color and slightly thick. The oil melts at 260c, has specific gravity of 0.99 and a refractive index of1.44 at 400c. The chemical characteristics showed the total oil content to be 46.15%. Unsaponifiable matter was 0.69%, saponification value was 248.02mg/KOH/g oil. The iodine value was 40.45 while the acid and peroxide values were 3.96mg/KOH/g oil and 7.2Meq/100g oil respectively. The free fatty acid content of the oil was 3.16%. The oil was thus observed to have some advantageous physicochemical properties and could be regarded as seed oil due its high fat content

Division of Powers Between Corporate Organs in Public Companies: A Comparative Perspective

An incorporated company has neither body nor mind of its own.  It can only exercise such powers as it possesses through the directors and other organs empowered by the articles to act on its behalf. This paper examines the division of powers between corporate organs in public companies in three jurisdictions, namely, Nigeria, the United States of America and Germany. It states that the German model has marked differences from the Nigerian and American models. It concludes that German corporation law shows more concern for workers as the principle of codetermination demonstrates. However, the management board which is the organ responsible for formulating corporate policy and transacting corporate business is responsible only to a supervisory board rather than to account directly to the shareholders for its conduct as in Nigeria and the United States. It suggests more participation of shareholders and workers in corporate governance in Nigeria. Keywords: directors, corporate organs, corporate powers, shareholders, supervisor

Nutrient, anti-nutrient and sensory composition of complementary food produced with pigeon pea, orange fleshed sweet potato and carrot

Background:Indigenous complementary food can help in averting the consequences of malnutrition. Objectives: The study sought to evaluate complementary food produced from pigeon pea, orange fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) and carrot. Methodology:The samples were obtained from Relief market, Imo State, Nigeria. OFSPwas peeled, washed, sliced, oven-dried at 50 for 45mins, milled and sieved. Pigeon pea was sorted and sprouted for 48hrs and 72hrs, oven-dried and milled. Carrot was sorted, washed, peeled and sliced, blanched, oven dried, milled and sieved. Four blends were formulated SSC2 SSC3, SSC4, SSC5 and SSC1(unsprouted OFSP). The samples were analyzed using standard methods. Data obtained was analyzed using statistical product and service solution (SPSS) version 22. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results: Protein ranged from 13.81-15.07 g/100g, fiber (2.01-3.95 g/100g), fat (8.59-13.11 g/100g), ash (3.02-5.43 g/100g), carbohydrate (69.09-73.39 g/100g), and moisture (7.32-9.83 g/100g). Zinc (32.36mg/100g) and vitamin A(8581mg/100g) were higher in SSC2 while Calcium (124.50mg/100g) was highest in SSC1, magnesium (152.50mg/100g), copper (105.45mg/100g) and vitamin C (27522.5mg/100g) were higher in SSC3. Tannin (0.94mg/100g) was higher SSC3, phytate (14.48mg/100g) was higher SSC2 and oxalate (0.80mg/100g) was higher in SSC5. SSC5 was generally accepted among the formulated complementary foods. Conclusion: The study revealed that formulating complementary food with orange fleshed sweet potato composite flour improves vitamin Aand other micro and macro nutrients content of the food

Flare Pollution Loads and Carbon-Dioxide Effect on Rainwater Acidity in Niger-Delta: A Review, Investigation and Model for Safe Living Quarter

Carbon-dioxide does not only affect climate change, but also contribute tremendously in acidification of rain water. Hazard identification and risk assessment are fundamental components of effective risk management, specifically in sensitive areas where adverse effects can have significant consequences. This study provides novel methodology for environmental and safety assessment of flared gases in sensitive areas such as residential homes. Distancing Sampling Technique (DST) was used to investigate the sensitivity of rain water pH at distances away from flare site in order to develop a Risk Management Model for sensitive regions. First, a review on rain water acidity was made around flaring and non-flaring areas in Niger-Delta states, which revealed Moderate-High acidity effect around flaring zones and no effect on non-flaring zone. Secondly, Flared Gas Quantification, pH Experimental Evaluation (PEE) and Risk Assessment Matrix (RAM) were the three systematic approaches used respectively to quantify, measure and evaluate the effects of CO2 and other flare pollutants around the area of study. An average of 809,300,000 Mscf of associated petroleum gases were flared around the oil and gas producing areas in Delta State, causing a release of around 43x106 tons of CO2 from 2012-2022. Experimental results showed the range of pH from 4.56 ± 0.06 to 5.10 ± 0.06 for the 33 samples of harvested rainwater in Kwale community, Delta state causing a deviation of 16.38 to 30.05% from standard. The developed and validated model suggests 4.81KM radius as the safe distance for human habitation from flare sites. Based on these findings, carbon-capture and sequestration projects must be activated in Niger-Delta to curb the menace

Effects of Two Phonics Instructional Modes on English as Second Language Learners’ Achievement in Reading

This study examines the effects of two phonics instructional modes on the reading achievement of Nigerian learners of English as a second language. The design of the study was quasi-experimental. The study specifically adopted the non-equivalent, non-randomized control group design. The sample of the study were 118 primary one school pupils who were drawn from four public primary schools in Enugu, South East, Nigeria using multi-stage sampling technique. The participants who were assigned to experimental and control groups were pretested and post tested. The experimental group was taught using synthetic phonics while the control group was taught using analytic phonics. Data were generated with Means, Standard Deviation and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). While Means and Standard Deviation were used to answer the research questions, ANCOVA was used to test the hypothesis at p<0.05. The findings of the study indicated that Synthetic phonics significantly improved pupils’ achievement in reading more than analytic phonics. Based on the findings, it was concluded that synthetic phonics is a more effective mode of teaching beginning reading than analytic phonics. A proper exposure of pre and in-service teachers to the techniques and activities involved in synthetic phonics as well as the adoption and proper implementation of the method for reading instruction in Nigerian primary schools were recommended

Budgetary Practices and Performance of Private Educational Institutions in Rivers State, Nigeria

This study investigated budgetary control: A key enabler of performance of private educational institutions in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design; both primary and secondary method of data collection were employed to obtain relevant data for analysis. The instrument of data collection was the questionnaire. The study population comprised the163 registered private secondary schools operating in Rivers State as enlisted in the Manual, Rivers State Ministry of Education (2017). A total of 116 copies of the questionnaire were distributed to the study respondents. However, only 91 copies of the questionnaire were retrieved and used in the analysis. The data was analyzed using the Pearson product movement correlation statistics through the aid of statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 22.0.The results of the finding reveals that that there is a strong and positive relationship between budgetary practices and performance of private educational institutions in Rivers State. The study further concludes that budgetary practices and policies are pivotal for achieving high performance among private educational institutions in Rivers State. It therefore recommends that schools’ proprietors and principals should adopt budgetary practices to enhance their institutions performance. Keywords: Budgetary Practice, Budgetary Control, Performance, Liquidity, Return on Assets. DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/11-18-04 Publication date:September 30th 202

Turmeric research at NRCRI Umudike: highlight of major achievements

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) a member of ginger family Zingiberaceae, is a cross-pollinated triploid (2n =3x = 63); vegetatively propagated by means of yellow fleshed rhizomes; and widely used for culinary and medicinal purposes. Owing to its numerous uses, National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike began research on turmeric in 1998. This paper highlights the major achievements from almost two decades of turmeric research at NRCRI Umudike. NRCRI pioneered collection of germplasm and indigenous knowledge about the production and utilization of Turmeric. 76 accessions of Turmeric were collected from several expeditions. The highest number of collections (12) was from Ekiti State. Following multi-locational evaluation at Jos, Otobi, Umudike and Igbariam, ten genotypes, viz., UT39, UT44, UT46, UT58, UT50, UT14, UT41, UT6, UT38 and UT35, were identified as promising and require further evaluation as pre-condition for official registration and release to farmers. The proximate composition and potential use of turmeric as food colourants have been established. Agronomic management packages for optimal yield of turmeric have been developed by NRCRI Umudike. Results of economic studies carried out at NRCRI Umudike revealed high profitability of turmeric production with returns per naira (R/N) being N233.90, Net income N326, 918.22 and benefit cost ratio (RCR) of 3.3. Value added products like turmeric powder, have been developed. These and high quality planting materials are being produced and their production technologies extended to farmers and other end users.Keywords: Expedition, Evaluation, proximate composition, economic studies and value additio

Impact of N-fixing trees on soil-derived greenhouse gas emissions in the semi-arid Canadian prairie

Non-Peer Reviewe

Soil properties and greenhouse gas emissions with distance from a shelterbelt

Non-Peer Reviewe