Analysis of Factors Contributing to Leadership Skills Development among SEGI University Students

It is generally believed that Academic environment provides avenue through which Leadership skills are acquired. The process of acquiring leadership skills does not involve only formal teaching, but other factors which may not be part of curricula of the schools. However, it is not known which other factors help in building students’ Leadership skills. Therefore, this study is designed to explore the major factors that contribute to leadership skills development among SEGI university students.The study used a sample of 200 respondents which were drawn from SEGI University students, Malaysia using simple random sampling technique. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Data were analysed using factor analysis. The result of the factor analysis after varimax rotation produced a total of seven factors. These included Team Work, Ability to influence others, Accountability, Conflict management ability, Role model, Interpersonal skill and Mentoring. These factors account for 63.8% of leadership skills development among the students. Based on the findings, the study concludes that academic institutions provide a good avenue for grooming future leaders. It was also recommended that similar research should be carried out in African countries for comparative purpose.Key words: Leadership skills, Factor analysis, Leadership development

An Inductive Power Transfer through metal object

The principle of Inductive Power Transfer (IPT)is very old but it is rarely used for transferring power from source to load via a conductive medium. This is because normally the medium restricts the power transfer due to losses or the shielding effects. However, for low energy applications, an acceptable amount of power could be transferred from the source to the load and it will be of great benefit to oil and gas as well as manufacturing industries to explore. This paper aims at finding the amount of power transferred, the losses and efficiency for a given configuration (metallic pipe) using an analytical model involving equations governing the mechanism of IPT and experimental validation of the derived analytical model. The maximum efficiency of the system for a stainless steel pipe at frequencies of 40Hz to 100Hz is obtained from experimental validation when the load at the output is about 5.55Ω. © 2013 IEEE

In Defense of the Nigerian Homeland

Recently, Nigeria has experienced various acts of domestic terrorism and kidnapping that may be rooted in many forms of motivations and agitations. These aggressions have resulted in homegrown bloodshed, émigré aggression, or even organized international network assaults against the population. The scourge of these terrorist activities has continued to weaken the Nigerian character or moral fiber. While the government is trying to combat these offenses caused by extremist activities, there are still remedies that have not been implemented prudently or applied properly. In this article, we propose various forms of the repertoire of actions which the government can use to effectively fight and combat terrorism in a democratic Nigeria

PHYTOCHEMICALS AND HYPOGLYCEMIC PROPERTIES OF METHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF PHYLLANTHUS AMARUS

Plants and plant products are continuously being explored in medicine against diabetics. In the present study, phytochemical screening and hypoglycemic properties of methanol leaf extract of Phyllanthus amarus against alloxan-induced diabetic rats were conducted. A total of fifteen (15) albino rats were randomly selected into 5 groups of 3 rats per group. Groups 1-3 rats were treated with   250 and 500 mg/kg methanol extract of Phyllanthus amarus and 5 mg/kg of glibenclamide respectively, while groups 4 and 5 served as diabetic and normal controls respectively. All treatments were administered orally, once daily for fifteen days. Results revealed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, total phenols and tannins. A significant (P<0.05) and a progressive increase in blood glucose level were observed in diabetic untreated rats throughout the experimental periods. At the end of the treatment period rat treated with 250 & 500 mg/kg, P. amarus had final glucose level of 117.00±5.43 mg/dl & 106.00±4.56 mg/kg. Rats treated with 2.5mg/kg glibenclamide had final glucose level of 117.33±5.43 while the untreated rat had final glucose level of 562.50±15.45 mg/dl. The extract of phyllanthus amarus at 250 and 500 mg/kg also cause a significant improvement in body weight gain of the rat. It is concluded that phyllanthus amarus contains some useful phytochemicals with potential hypoglycemic reputations. Thus, it may be considered as a natural source of the drug for therapeutic purposes

Antimicrobial and Free Radical Scavenging Potentials of N-Hexane and Ethyl Acetate Fractions of Phyllanthus Fraternus

The genus Phyllanthus (Phyllantaceae) is widely used in the african system of traditional medicine and is reported to have various biological activities. In this study, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of n-hexane and ethyl acetate fractions of Phyllanthus fraternus leaves were investigated. The antimicrobial screening was carried out against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruguinosa, Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella pneumoniae, using Agar-well diffusion method. The antioxidant activity was carried out using DPPH free radical scavenging capacity. The results show that fractions of Phyllanthus fraternus leaves have DPPH radical scavenging activities with IC50 value of 263.53 mg/mL and 143.56 mg/mL for n-hexane and ethyl acetate fractions respectively. For n-hexane fraction, the MICs of the extract were; 80 mg/mL against K. pneumoniae and S. aureus,120 mg/mL against P. aeruginosa and S. typhi, and 160 mg/mL against E. Coli. However, ethyl acetate fraction had MICs of 80 mg/mL against all test organisms except S. aureus (40 mg/mL). The n-hexane and ethyl acetate fractions of Phyllanthus fraternus leaves exhibited considerable antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, with ethyl acetate fraction been the most potent. This plant extract can be regarded as promising resource for antimicrobial and antioxidant drugs.Keywords: Antioxidant; Antimicrobial; Phyllanthus fraternus; n-hexane, ethyl acetate fractions

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE MINERAL, PROXIMATE AND AMINO ACID COMPOSITIONS OF RED SWEET POTATO (IPOMOEA BATATAS) AND ITS SYRUP

The nutrient contents of raw Ipomoea batatas and its syrup were determined using standard methods. The proximate parameters determined were the ash, moisture, fat, crude fiber, crude protein, carbohydrate, and calorific values. At p ≤ 0.05, the raw potato had a higher carbohydrate (69.41±0.71%) than the syrup (59.17±0.74%) but the latter had respective higher values of crude protein and ash (4.08±0.58% and 9.63±0.05%) than the former (3.03±0.23% and 3.55±0.57%). Both the 15.29±0.27 and 1.31±0.02%) crude fat and fiber contents of the raw potato were higher than the respective 10.09±0.13% and 0.53±0.00% of the syrup. The moisture content of the syrup (17.03±0.38%) was also higher than that of the raw sample but its calorific value of 343.82±1.03 kcal/100g was lower than that of raw Ipomoea batatas (427.43±3.61kcal/100g). The potassium, magnesium and zinc contents of the syrup were higher than those of the raw sample, the sodium, calcium, iron, and phosphorus of the latter were higher. The amino acids profile of raw Ipomoea batatas and its syrup revealed that the raw sample had higher values than the syrup while the functional properties of the samples revealed that only the pH and oil absorption capacity of the raw sample were higher than those of the syrup. Therefore converting sweet potato to syrup was found to have enhanced most of its functional properties

Farmers Perception of Sources of Information in Relation to Adoption of Improved Rice Technology by Farmers in the Inland Valley Swamps of Middle-Belt zone of Nigeria

The objective of this study was to determine the fanners perception of information sources and adoption of rice technology and its relationship with farmers socioeconomic characteristics in the inland Valley Swamps (IVS). Using survey research, a pre-tested structured interview scheduled was used to collect information from 500 rice farmers that were randomly selected from four States including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja from the Middle-Belt zone of Nigeria. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. About 96% of the respondents adopted fertilizer application and only 29.8% adopted iron toxicity control. The results of the PPMC analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between adoption and household size involved in farming (r =0.095; p < 0.05), and extension contact (r =0.31;p < 0.05). The result of the Chi-square analysis revealed a significant relationship between adoption and religion(X2 = 9.94;p < 0.05), ethnic group (X2 =8.57;p < 05 ), awareness of technology ( r = 0.392, p < 0.05) and information source (X2 = 59.49; p < 0.01). This study revealed that extension publication, television and newspaper are considered as not important sources of agricultural information while extension agents, demonstration/SPAT, neighbour/friends, radio, field-day andparents are important sources of agricultural information. The study also revealed that the sources ofinformation awareness variesfrom technology to technology. It is recommended that, the extension agents be encouraged and effort be made to emphasize andpopularize the use of mediated information sources and extension research methodology in order to increase the extension coverage area which is likely to increase adoption

Farmers Perception of Sources of Information in Relation to Adoption of Improved Rice Technology by Farmers in the Inland Valley Swamps of Middle-Belt zone of Nigeria

The objective of this study was to determine the fanners perception of information sources and adoption of rice technology and its relationship with farmers socioeconomic characteristics in the inland Valley Swamps (IVS). Using survey research, a pre-tested structured interview scheduled was used to collect information from 500 rice farmers that were randomly selected from four States including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja from the Middle-Belt zone of Nigeria. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. About 96% of the respondents adopted fertilizer application and only 29.8% adopted iron toxicity control. The results of the PPMC analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between adoption and household size involved in farming (r =0.095; p < 0.05), and extension contact (r =0.31;p < 0.05). The result of the Chi-square analysis revealed a significant relationship between adoption and religion(X2 = 9.94;p < 0.05), ethnic group (X2 =8.57;p < 05 ), awareness of technology ( r = 0.392, p < 0.05) and information source (X2 = 59.49; p < 0.01). This study revealed that extension publication, television and newspaper are considered as not important sources of agricultural information while extension agents, demonstration/SPAT, neighbour/friends, radio, field-day andparents are important sources of agricultural information. The study also revealed that the sources ofinformation awareness variesfrom technology to technology. It is recommended that, the extension agents be encouraged and effort be made to emphasize andpopularize the use of mediated information sources and extension research methodology in order to increase the extension coverage area which is likely to increase adoption

PLANT HEIGHT AND FRUIT YIELD OF OKRA AS AFFECTED BY FIELD APPLICATION OF FERTILIZER AND BENLATE IN BIDA, NIGERIA

A factorial experiment involving variety, fertilizer application and fungicide treatment in randomised complete block design was carried out at the Biological garden of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida in the planting seasons of 1999 and 2000 to determine the effects of NPK fertilizer and field benlate application on the growth (height) and fruit yield of four okra varieties. Three seeds/hole were planted on manually prepared ridges at a spacing of 0.30m X 1.00m. Fertilizer was applied as 200Kg/ha NPK (20-10-10) at two weeks after planting (WAP) and 50Kg/ha Urea (46-0-0) top-dressed at 50% flowering. BENLATE at the rate of 20g/20l (w/v) of water was applied at 5WAP and then repeated forth nightly until the experiment was terminated. By the 6,8 and 10 weeks after planting (WAP) the height of ten tagged plants/plot were determined. The numbers of fruits harvested from these tagged plants were also recorded. The results showed that plant height was positively affected by field application of either or both fertilizer and benlate over the control plants. Also, plants treated with both fertilizer and BENLATE had a tendency for more continuous growth and significantly higher fruit yield than those treated differently. This brings higher economic returns to the farmer. [Niger Agric. J. 34 (2003): 74-80