Universal Basis of Bank Failure – The Nigeria Case

Many nations have experienced bank failures with very high costs which can lead to systemic risks. The causes of bank failure are numerous, in theory, and include regulation of banking activities such as forbearance; asymmetric information leading to a moral hazard problem and connected lending. The history of banking system in Nigerian has been occasioned with a lot of problem which resulted to distress. The recent consolidation and recapitalisation exercise in the sector was in a bid to resolve this dilemma. In this paper we appraised the causes and outcomes of bank failures. In this article, we looked at the theoretical level and other root causes, consequences of bank failure and lessons within the Nigeria perspective. Finally, the options and measures to prevent further systemic hazards were recommended. Keyword: bank failure, Nigeria, mismanagement, corruption

Determination of Elastic Properties of Soils around a Typical Erosion-Prone Area in Benin City, South-South Nigeria

Soil properties play a crucial role in understanding the mechanisms of erosion and consequently developing appropriate mitigation strategies. The aim of this study is to determine the elastic parameters of soil in an erosion-prone area using the Multichannel Analysis of Surface Wave (MASW) method of geophysical exploration. The active method MASW was adopted for this study. Data were acquired using a 24-channel ABEM Terralock MATK-6 seismograph with geophones of frequency 14Hz. An 8 Kg hammer was used as a source to generate seismic energy. Data acquired were processed with SeisImager2D refraction software developed by Geometric Earth Science Ltd and 2-D shear wave (Vs) and P-wave (Vp) velocities were generated alongside 2-D profiles of Shear Modulus, Young’s Modulus, Bulk Modulus, and Poison’s Ratio. The result of this study reveals soft to medium-stiff saturated clay/dry sand/wet sand and medium-stiff to stiff saturated clays/dry sand/wet sand with shear wave velocity values ranging from 84 m/s to 504 m/s. The bulk modulus, shear modulus, poison’s ratio, and Young’s modulus range from 3.4 GPa to 5.9 GPa, 20 kPa to 440 kPa, 0.448 to 0.498, and 50 kPa to 1.05 GPa respectively

Effect of varying levels and sources of dietary fat on growth performance and nutrient gigestibility in rabbits

The effects of dietary fat sources and levels on growth performance and nutrient digestibility were investigated in cross-breed Lopx New Zealand rabbits. Fifty weaned rabbits were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments consisting of a control (no fat) and four others with fat, either from plant (groundnut oil) or animal (butter) sources, each at two levels (3% and 6%) of inclusion. There were ten rabbits per diet. Rabbits on 6% animal fat-based diet recorded the highest (P<O.Ol) better in rabbits on 6% animal diet. Organic matter intake (OMI) was observed to be similar between rabbits fed control and 3% animal fat diets. However, the 6% butter fat diet recorded the lowest. Crude protein digestibility (CPD) was similar in rabbit fed 3% and 6% level of animal fat which were the highest while 6% level of plant fat diet had the lowest CPD. These findings show that the inclusion of animal fat at 6% level improved the weight gain and efficiency of feed utilization in rabbits

Legitimizing corruption in government: Security votes in Nigeria

ASC – Publicaties niet-programma gebonde

Solidarity and Social Behaviour: how did this help communities to manage COVID-19 pandemic?

Purpose – During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic lockdowns, stay at home or work from home, many have argued that the westernised non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) do not provide remedial in low-income countries like Nigeria, where informal job seekers, street traders, informal labourers and artisans depend mainly on the informal economy. By applying social solidarity (SS) and community-based approach (CBA), the authors evaluate individual acts (trust, altruism and reciprocity) during the lockdown and how these practices evolve from individual approaches to collective actions. Design/methodology/approach – This study reflects on pragmatism research paradigm that enables researchers to maintain both subjectivity in their reflections and objectivity in data collection and analysis. The authors adopt a qualitative method through purposeful and convenience sampling procedure. Data were analysed thematically to identify elements of SS, individual acts, collective or community actions and perceptions. Findings – The findings reveal that COVID-19 had a disproportionate impact (lack of food and a fall in daily income) on workers, informal job seekers, informal businesses operators and the poor households. As such, the study developed a reflective model of solidarity exhibited by individual acts and collective acts (practices of resource pooling, information sharing, women empowerment, distribution of palliatives and donations) within trusted circles that helped people cope with the lockdown experiences. Practical implications – Solidarity represents beliefs, practices of values and norms. The SS exhibited by people through NPI would have implications on planning and monitoring the effectiveness of public health programmes during a pandemic in the future. Social implications – The findings of citizens and community actions have implications related to the process of building communities – coming together – and solidarity that enhances social development with implications on community health policy agenda during disasters, emergencies and health pandemic. Originality/value – This is one of the first studies to analyse the relationship between trust, altruism, reciprocity, SS and CBA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, it seems reasonable to clarify the concept of SS given the lack of clarity about the definitions from previous studies

Optoelectronic properties and ultrafast carrier dynamics of copper iodide thin films

As a promising high mobility p-type wide bandgap semiconductor, copper iodide has received increasing attention in recent years. However, the defect physics/evolution are still controversial, and particularly the ultrafast carrier and exciton dynamics in copper iodide has rarely been investigated. Here, we study these fundamental properties for copper iodide thin films by a synergistic approach employing a combination of analytical techniques. Steady-state photoluminescence spectra reveal that the emission at ~420 nm arises from the recombination of electrons with neutral copper vacancies. The photogenerated carrier density dependent ultrafast physical processes are elucidated with using the femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. Both the effects of hot-phonon bottleneck and the Auger heating significantly slow down the cooling rate of hot-carriers in the case of high excitation density. The effect of defects on the carrier recombination and the two-photon induced ultrafast carrier dynamics are also investigated. These findings are crucial to the optoelectronic applications of copper iodide