The Influence Of Ownership And Type Of University On Work Environment In South West Nigerian Universities

This paper examined the influence of ownership and type of university on work environment in South West Nigerian universities. The study population consists of all academic staff of the ten public and nine private universities in South West Nigeria. In all, 500 respondents selected from eight universities constituted the sample of the study. The respondents were selected using multi stage, stratified, purposive and simple random sampling techniques. The instrument tagged Work Environment Questionnaire (WEQ) was used to elicit relevant information from the respondents. The data collected were analyzed using frequency count, percentage and t-test statistics. The study revealed that the work environment of federal universities was favourable than that of state universities in terms of provision of physical facilities, information services, motivation, authority-staff relationship, participation in decision-making and staff development. The result showed that there was significant difference in the work environment of federal and state universities in favour of federal universities. The results also revealed that work environment in public and private universities was favourable but that of private universities was better than that of public universities. It also showed that there was no significant difference in the work environment of private and public universities. Based on the findings, it was recommended that owners of the universities should provide a favourable environment

The Influence of Career Commitment on Organizational Commitment among Selected Bankers in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria

The rate of staff turnover is high in the banking sector in Nigeria, and employers in this industry are often concerned with the commitment of their employees to their respective organizations. Should employers in the banking sector be more focused on improving the commitment of their employees to their career as a way of boosting their overall commitment to the organization? This study aims at assessing the influence of career commitment on organizational commitment among selected bankers in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted for the study, while simple random sampling technique was used for the selection of participants. A total of 275 bankers were drawn from Unity Bank plc. The data were collected with a battery of psychological tests, namely: Organizational Commitment Scale (OCS) and Career Commitment Scale (CCS). Pearson product moment correlation and t-test analysis were used to analyze the collected data and to test the three hypotheses proposed in this study at 0.05 level of significant. The results of the findings revealed that career commitment has significant influence on organizational commitment as it accounted for 19% variance in organizational commitment. The correlation coefficient between career commitment and organizational commitment is r = 0.44; P < 0.05, meaning that the higher the employees’ commitment to their career, the higher their commitment to the organization. Furthermore the independent t-test confirms that there is a significant difference in organizational commitment of employees who are less committed to their career and those who are highly committed to their career.  Finally, the study concluded by recommending that efforts should be put in place by management to improve employees commitment to their career in order to boost their commitment to the organization, increase productivity, and organizational effectiveness. Keywords: Organizational commitment, Employees, Career  commitment, Ban

CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE FADAMA II PROJECT TO AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

The National Fadama Development Project (FADAMA II) was an idea conceived by the World Bank, Africa Development Bank and Federal Government with active involvements of the State and Local governments as quick and sustainable agriculture and rural development strategy targeted at dry sea- son farming activities and related agro–processing and marketing. This study was carried out to as- sess the contributions of Fadama II project to aquaculture development in Ogun State, Nigeria. 120 fish farmers were selected using multi-stage sampling techniques and structured, pre-tested and vali- dated interview guides to elicit information from fish farmers. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that majority of the respondents were male (60.8%), married (84.2%), cultured Clarias spp. only (62.5%) and also had large household sizes (63.3%), secondary education (44.2%), source of aquaculture messages was mainly from telephone (GSM-66.7%) and extension guides/bulletins (75.8%), and generated large annual fisheries’ income from Fadama aquaculture (65.8%). Fadama II project had contributed positively to acquisition of pro- ductive asset, poverty reduction, increased income, rural infrastructure, provision of input supports, project management, reduced fish culture period, increase in overall fish yield, expansion of fishery business, improvement in livelihood, and demand-responsive advisory services. The results also showed that majority of the fish farmers considered both lack of finance and high cost/lack of construc- 2 tion equipment as serious factors affecting their fish farming. The results of Chi-square analysis (X ) revealed that there was a significant relationship between the Fadama II project and aquaculture de- velopment in provision of Pilot Assets Acquisition Support (X2 = 52.050; P<0.05). Based on the find- ings, it was recommended that more Fadama facilitators should be employed to provide technical knowledge to fish farmers on how to use some equipment and on how to improve their fish farming business and productivity

ACTwatch 2009 Supply Chain Survey Results, Nigeria

In Nigeria, as in many low-income countries, private commercial providers play an important role in the treatment of malaria. To design effective interventions for improved access to accurate diagnosis and effective malaria treatment, there is a need to understand retailer behaviour and identify the factors that influence their stocking and pricing decisions. Private commercial retailers are the last link in a chain of manufacturers, importers and wholesalers and their supply sources are likely to have an important influence on the price and quality of malaria treatment that consumers can access. However, there is limited rigorous evidence on the structure and operation of the distribution chain for antimalarial drugs that serves the retail sector. The ACTwatch Supply Chain Study, one of the ACTwatch project components, aims to address this gap by conducting quantitative and qualitative studies on distribution chains for antimalarials in the ACTwatch countries (Nigeria, Cambodia, Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Uganda and Zambia). Other elements of ACTwatch include Retail Outlet and Household Surveys led by Population Services International (PSI). This report presents the results of a cross-sectional survey of antimalarial drug wholesalers conducted in Nigeria between July and September 2009

Relationship between care-givers' misconceptions and non-use of ITNs by under-five Nigerian children

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malaria has been a major public health problem in Nigeria and many other sub-Saharan African countries. Insecticide-treated nets have shown to be cost-effective in the prevention of malaria, but the number of people that actually use these nets has remained generally low. Studies that explore the determinants of use of ITN are desirable.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Structured questionnaires based on thematic areas were administered by trained interviewers to 7,223 care-givers of under-five children selected from all the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. Bivariate analysis and multinomial logit model were used to identify possible determinants of use of ITN.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Bivariate analysis showed that under-five children whose care-givers had some misconceptions about causes and prevention of malaria were significantly less likely to use ITN even though the household may own a net (p < 0.0001). Education and correct knowledge about modes of prevention of malaria, knowing that malaria is dangerous and malaria can kill were also significantly associated with use of ITN (p < 0.0001). Knowledge of symptoms of malaria did not influence use of ITN. Association of non-use of ITN with misconceptions about prevention of malaria persisted with logistic regression (Odds ratio 0.847; 95% CI 0.747 to 0.960).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Misconceptions about causes and prevention of malaria by caregivers adversely influence the use ITN by under-five children. Appropriate communication strategies should correct these misconceptions.</p

A Qualitative Assessment of the Private Sector Antimalarial Distribution Chain in Nigeria, 2009

In Cambodia, as in many low‐income countries, private commercial providers play an important role in the treatment of malaria.  To design effective interventions for improved access to accurate diagnosis and effective malaria treatment, there is a need to understand retailers' behaviour and identify the factors that influence their stocking and pricing decisions.  Private commercial retailers are the last link in a chain of manufacturers, importers and wholesalers, and their supply sources are likely to have an important influence on the price and quality of malaria treatment that consumers can access.  However, there is limited rigorous evidence on the structure and operation of the distribution chain for antimalarial drugs that serves the retail sector. The ACTwatch Supply Chain Study, one of the ACTwatch project components, aims to address this gap by conducting quantitative and qualitative studies on distribution chains for antimalarials in the ACTwatch countries (Cambodia, Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia).   This report presents the results from qualitative interviews with antimalarial drug wholesalers, retailers and other key stakeholders conducted in Cambodia between April and November 2009. A summary of the key findings is given below.  To provide a complete description of the supply chain for antimalarial drugs, this report should be read in conjunction with the report on the results of the structured supply chain survey also conducted as part of this study [1], available at www.actwatch.info. • As the bulk of antimalarial treatment is manufactured outside of the country, pharmaceutical importers, including PSI/Cambodia, constitute a critical component of Cambodia’s private sector distribution chain for antimalarials by ensuring a regular national supply of antimalarials and also by facilitating their distribution throughout the country. Non‐importing wholesalers also play a role in distributing antimalarials, particularly to more remote areas and to retail outlet types not targeted by importers, including more informal types such as drug shops, grocery stores, etc.   • The degree of competition varied by level in the distribution chain: at import level, competition was restrained by sole distributor and like agreements between foreign manufacturers and domestic importers, and also by a number of barriers to entry, including the costs of importing, the limited size of the overall market and lack of access to capital. Competition was less restrained at lower levels of the chain where the key barrier in theory to market entry was the difficulty of securing a license to operate, though many believed it was a barrier easily circumvented. • Commodities for malaria treatment, including ACTs and RDTs, were perceived to be generally available in the private sector distribution chain; however, availability of ACTs and RDTs at lower levels of the chain was poorer. At both wholesale and retail levels, stocking decisions were driven by perceived drug quality, which was in turn affected by factors such as media promotion and social marketing targeting wholesalers, retailers and consumers, as in the case of Malarine (the ACT brand socially marketed by PSI/Cambodia). However, supplier stock outs of Malarine combined with its perceived side effects led some providers to continue stocking alternatives treatments, including artemisinin monotherapies, even though they were aware that sales of such products were prohibited.   • Most wholesalers and retailers purchased new stock from either one or two suppliers. When choosing a supplier, factors considered were supplier selling prices, availability of delivery services, and perceived knowledge/expertise of the supplier in the treatment of malaria. Offering credit facilities was also cited as a strategy to attract custom, but access to supplier credit was perceived to be restricted to customers known to suppliers. 2 • Retailers and wholesalers had similar price setting behaviours. Providers reported setting their price on the basis of antimalarial purchase price and their price mark‐ups on the basis of transport costs. At the top of the chain, importers considered a broader range of costs when setting prices, including overhead and promotion costs among others. In addition, most providers admitted seeking profits, although many argued that their pricing decision was constrained by the price set by other shops. Second and third‐ degree price discrimination strategies were commonly reported by both retailers and wholesalers who varied prices on the basis of volume purchased and customer characteristics. • Retailers employed a wide range of tactics to gain competitive advantage over other businesses, attract consumers and generate demand. A retailer’s reputation for delivering high quality treatment, reflected in their length of operation in a market, positive consumer experiences, and through the provision of ‘cocktail’ therapies, was viewed as crucial to achieving this; however, providing added value services, such as of blood diagnostic testing, was not. Nevertheless, RDTs were available from many outlets and were perceived to be easy to use, although less precise than microscopy for confirming malaria infection

Poverty and trade liberalization: empirical evidence from 21 African countries

The study investigated the possible nexus between trade liberalization and poverty in 21 African countries covering the period 2005–2014. The study deployed the following econometric tests: descriptive statistics; the correlation matrix and variance inflator; the panel unit root test; the pooled OLS technique; and the panel co-integration test (Johansen co-integration test). In order to confirm the robustness and validity of the regression model result, Ramsey RESET, cross dependence, autocorrelation and heteroscedasticity tests were conducted. The findings reveal that foreign direct investment and inflation rate had a positive relationship with the human development index while exchange rates and trade openness were negatively related to poverty level at the 5 percent level. The study recommended urgent policy measures aimed at revamping the poverty alleviation programmes. The study recommended that in a bid to diversify export market, developing countries should target other developing countries in the spirit of South–South cooperation. Such countries should also consider the joining or strengthening of regional economic integration. Incentives for production and human capacity building in the export-oriented sector should be emplaced. Social and economic policies are required to protect any country against the adverse effects of lowered trade barriers

Ground Magnetic Attributes For Subsurface Structural Analysis of Foundation Beds in a Sedimentary Terrain in Southwestern Nigeria: OSUSTECH Permanent Site as a case study

The structural failure such as subsidence, collapse and cracking of the walls of buildings in Nigeria has posed a threat or a significant potential hazard to the community in the affected areas. These hazards include gross loss of valuable lives and properties that always accompany such structural failure. Therefore there is need for subsurface structural analysis. The Stop-And-Go method was used for the acquisition of the data. This method is good for subsurface investigation at depths below 30 metres (100 feet). Data for this study were taken at a 10 metres station spacing which is about half that of the expected depth of target. The method requires the technique of measuring total field components at discrete points along the traverses distributed regularly throughout the survey area of interest. The raw data were processed to remove diurnal variations from the total field data measured from the base station. Interpretation of the ground magnetic data revealed that the study area comprises zones underlain with thin to thick overburden. In all the profiles, the regions A and B are associated with the high magnetic values except in the profile 4 in which only region E is associated with high magnetic values. Thus, the region E in the profile 4; the regions A and B in the profiles 1, 2, 3 and 5 are competent zones for the sitting of structures. It can be deduced that the regions of high magnetic susceptibility and high resistivity are competent zones for construction of high rise buildings and other engineering structures. While the regions of low magnetic susceptibility and low resistivity could pose problem of subsidence of the buildings around the region