Resolving Liquidity-Profitability Dilemma through Balance Sheet Management

The paper resolves the Liquidity – Profitability dilemma through Balance sheet management. The study covered the periods between 1989 and 2014. Liquidity and profitability ensure short term and long term survival respectively. Thus the more present need should be priority while keeping a future need in mind, given that we eat to live not live to eat. The analysis employs two stage least square (TSLS) to evaluate a set of balance sheet approaches to resolve such dilemma. The Eview statistical package was used to analyze the data. The results confirm fundamental relationships among the variables. Asset based approach has focused much on resolving liquidity dilemma with a resultant higher effect. An Examination of the effect of asset based approach on liquidity-profitability dilemma confirms that the asset based approach significantly resolves the profitability dilemma, but with a different outcome with respect to the resolution of the liquidity dilemma. This attribute to the fact that unlike profitability requirement much of the liquidity requirement is set by an external force (monetary authority) and not controllable by Bank management team. Treasury Single Account (TSA) implementation increases the liquidity and profitability dilemma. Though Banks have been sapped of their free working capital, its management must strategize an interesting perspective by Re-emphasizing purchased liquidity than stored liquidity by seeing borrowed fund more as a source of liquidity than a threat to liquidity dilemma subject to supervisory constraints in a less orthodox manner the money market should be deepened. Eminence should be given treasurers than marketers in the financial superstructure. Deposit money banks should role shift from mobilization position to an investive and inventive position. The reduction of the cash reserve ratio is simply a temporary measure; rather a better approach should be reducing financial exclusion. With more inclusion liquidity and profitability are enhanced ceteris paribus. One outcome of this might be increased friction between the microfinance banks and deposit money banks in rural banking. Such challenge should culminate with advance guide centered on territory map out on deposit mobilization. This might be emergence of microfinance bank importance in Nigeria. Keywords: Liquidity, Profitability, Liquidity-profitability dilemma, Balance sheet managemen

Cashless Economy and the Nigerian Experience

The paper establishes a relationship between predictors of a cashless Economy and a country’s move toward a cashless economy. Data for this research were sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin and Bureau of Statistics. The study covered the periods between 1981 and 2013. The analysis employed ordinary least square to evaluate a set of factors which affect such move. The results as analyzed by EVIEW statistical software confirmed positive fundamental relationships among market discipline two years ago, financial inclusion in the past year, and previous move toward a cashless society and the move toward a cashless Economy. Standard of living had a negative impact on the move toward a cashless economy. The market discipline elasticity of Move toward a Cashless Economy was inelastic as Banks response has been below expectation towards reforms for Cashless Economy and finding alternatives. The lesser the time then the more inelastic Banks are to market discipline. Financial inclusion was found never a threat on the move toward a cashless Nigeria. The Financial inclusion move toward a cashless Economy is inelastic due to the inability of individuals, households, or groups to access appropriate financial services or products. Without this ability people are often referred to as financially excluded. Standard of living in Nigeria is a threat on the move toward a cashless Nigeria presently as the calculation of standard of living by real GDP per head does not translate to welfare of the citizens. To perform as expected, Banks should be given time to respond to market discipline. Given that financial inclusion is never a threat on the move toward a cashless Nigeria, Government should enable individuals, households, and groups to access appropriate financial services or products in terms of affordable credit, having less difficulty obtaining a bank account, not being financially at risk through not having home insurance, understand budget and manage money or plan for the unexpected, know how to make the most of their money. Government should try increasing disposable income ceteris paribus then the limit of such an Economy is a cashless Economy. Citizen’s welfare should make its way into the top of Nigeria’s priority list. One last additional point to wrap up is that what we do today defines our tomorrow. To be cashless and to sustain the cashless culture Nigeria should work on direction first and then think acceleration. Keywords:  Cashless economy, Standard of living, Market discipline, financial inclusion

Supervision and Survival of Banks: Evidence from the Nigerian Banking Industry

The paper establishes a relationship between supervisionand survivability of banks. The study employs EVIEW statistical software using the two stage least square method to evaluate a set of factors which affect bank survivability. Data for the study were extracted from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) statistical bulletin and bureau of statistics publications (1981 – 2013). The results confirm positive significant relationship amongcapital protection, earnings strength and bank liquidity while cash reserve ratio and bank strength had negative impact on bank liquidity. These variables were found to be inelastic due to time lag banks may take to adjust to supervision patterns, reforms and finding alternatives. A short time frame given by the supervisory authority to implement a new regulation by banks resulted to inelastic bank liquidity. The strength-supervision model showed positive significant relationship among bank liquidity, asset quality and bank strength. The supervisory authority as a watch dog cannot be an umpire and a player,but rather would prefer giving a fitting burial to banks that have failedrather than jeopardize the whole system. It is therefore worthwhile to devote considerable resources to the establishment of effective supervision and inspection. Keywords:  Bank supervision, Bank liquidity, Bank strength, cash reserve ratio, earnings strength.

Resolving the Liquidity-Profitability Dilemma through Balance Sheet Management

The paper resolves the Liquidity – Profitability dilemma through Balance sheet management. The study covered the periods between 1989 and 2014. Liquidity and profitability ensure short term and long term survival respectively. Thus the more present need should be priority while keeping a future need in mind, given that we eat to live not live to eat. The analysis employs two stage least square (TSLS) to evaluate a set of balance sheet approaches to resolve such dilemma. The Eview statistical package was used to analyze the data. The results confirm fundamental relationships among the variables. Asset based approach has focused much on resolving liquidity dilemma with a resultant higher effect. An Examination of the effect of asset based approach on liquidity-profitability dilemma confirms that the asset based approach significantly resolves the profitability dilemma, but with a different outcome with respect to the resolution of the liquidity dilemma. This attribute to the fact that unlike profitability requirement much of the liquidity requirement is set by an external force (monetary authority) and not controllable by Bank management team. Treasury Single Account (TSA) implementation increases the liquidity and profitability dilemma. Though Banks have been sapped of their free working capital, its management must strategize an interesting perspective by Re-emphasizing purchased liquidity than stored liquidity by seeing borrowed fund more as a source of liquidity than a threat to liquidity dilemma subject to supervisory constraints in a less orthodox manner the money market should be deepened. Eminence should be given treasurers than marketers in the financial superstructure. Deposit money banks should role shift from mobilization position to an investive and inventive position. The reduction of the cash reserve ratio is simply a temporary measure; rather a better approach should be reducing financial exclusion. With more inclusion liquidity and profitability are enhanced ceteris paribus. One outcome of this might be increased friction between the microfinance banks and deposit money banks in rural banking. Such challenge should culminate with advance guide centered on territory map out on deposit mobilization. This might be emergence of microfinance bank importance in Nigeria. Keywords: Liquidity, Profitability, Liquidity-profitability dilemma, Balance sheet managemen

Access to oral health care for HIV patients in Nigeria: Role of attending physicians

Objective: To assess the knowledge of attending physicians on oral manifestations of HIV infection and their attitude and practice towards dental referral for HIV patients. Method: A self-administered questionnaire survey of attending physicians in outpatient clinics of two teaching hospitals in Lagos and the National hospital, Abuja. Results: seventy-eight (78) doctors returned questionnaires. 16 of them (20.5%) could list correctly three oral lesions in HIV infection, 40 (51.3%) listed two, 18 (23.1%) listed one while 4 (5.1%) could not list any. In managing oral health complaints by patients, 59 (75.5%) agreed that their patients had complained of oral symptoms, of these, only 18 had ever referred a patient for dental care. Majority (84.6%) agreed that HIV patients should have regular dental check ups. Conclusion: The education of both patients and health providers in Nigeria on the importance of good oral health in the quality of life of the HIV patient is necessary. HIV patients in Nigeria should be referred for dental checkups and prophylaxis at least twice a year Key Words: Access; oral health; HIV; physician. African Journal of Oral Health Vol.1(1) 2004: 37-4

The mutagenic potentials of potassium bromate and some commonly used food additives

Food additives are substances added to preserve flavour or improve the taste and appearance of food. The continuous consumption of these food additives could be hazardous to human health. Food additives including sodium bicarbonate, sodium benzoate, ammonium bicarbonate and potassium bromate were subjected to the Ames Spot Forward Mutation Assay using Escherichia coli. The mutant strains of the organism were examined in the presence or absence of rat liver metabolizing enzymes. The result showed that sodium bicarbonate, sodium benzoate and ammonium bicarbonate produced no mutant strain of the organism and no alteration in the phenotypic characteristics of the organism as compared with potassium bromate and the standard mutagen – ethidium bromide, which produced mutant strains of the organism and altered the phenotypic characteristics of the organism. This revealed that potassium bromate is mutagenic in bacteria and could be said to possess carcinogenic potentials

Assessment Of The Effects Of Guinea Corn Husk Ash On Lime-Stabilized Lateritic Soil

This study assesses the effects of Guinea Corn Husk Ash (GCHA) on lime stabilized lateritic soil. Preliminary tests were carried out on natural soil sample, for the purposes of identification and classification. The soil sample was classified as A-7-5. Hydrated lime was added to the soil sample at varying proportions of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% by weight of soil, thereafter, each of the mixes was subjected to atterberg limits tests to get the optimal amount of lime required, which was 10% lime because it was at this amount of lime that the least value of plasticity index was obtained. The guinea corn husk ash was later added to the lime-treated lateritic soil at proportions of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10%. Each of the mixes was subjected to compaction, California bearing ratio (CBR), atterberg limits and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests. Results from these tests showed improvement in soil properties, also, the values of the CBR and UCS increased considerably. It can be concluded that the GCHA performs satisfactorily as a cheap complement for lime in stabilizing lateritic soil.

The effects of rhythm on building openings and fenestrations on airflow pattern in tropical low-rise residential buildings

Effective passive airflow in low-rise residential buildings in hot-humid environment is crucial to maintaining good indoor thermal comfort for occupants. However, investigation of effects of the rhythm of window openings on achieving a passive airflow pattern in such buildings in the tropical climate of sub-Saharan Nigeria have been rarely studied. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the effects of the rhythm of window openings on passive airflow patterns for indoor thermal comfort in low-rise residential buildings in the hot-humid environment of Obosi, Nigeria. It involved experimental research using the Anemometer TA465 instrument for measuring wind velocity, relative humidity, and temperature of the purposively designated buildings in the three layouts of the study area for both wet and dry seasons. Employing the Yamane statistical formula, a sample size of 433 was obtained, and questionnaires were administered to occupants of the studied buildings and analyzed using categorical Regression Analysis (CATREG). The regression analysis showed that p=0.000, i.e. p<0.05 indicating that there was a significant relationship between the type and sizes of windows (elements used in measuring rhythm) and the intensity or force of breeze (a measure of passive airflow pattern). Further analysis of the data involved the use of Autodesk CFD 2018 (Computational Fluid Dynamics) for building wind flow simulations. The result showed variations in temperature levels (indications of differences in indoor thermal comfort) of various indoor spaces of the investigated designated floors and buildings, especially ground floors and the top-most floors of the buildings. The study underscored the need to use architectural rhythm design strategies to create a positive impact on airflow patterns in low-rise buildings, especially in densely built-up urban areas. The results of this study are instructive in noting that in order to attain passive airflow in buildings in the face of challenge of land restrictions, vertical stacking of building floors could be used once an adequate rhythm of window openings is adopted

Study of the Inhibitive and Adsorptive Properties of Mild Steel in H2SO4 - Boscia senegalensis Plant Environment

The inhibitive and adsorption properties of ethanol extract of Boscia senegalensis for the corrosion of mild steel in H2SO4 were investigated using weight loss, linear polarization, and scanning electron microscopy techniques. From the result, it was found that the corrosion rate of mild steel to decrease with an increase in the concentration of the inhibitor as well as increase with an increase in temperature of the environment. The inhibition efficiency of the inhibitor increases with increasing concentration but decreases with increasing temperature. The inhibition potential of ethanol extract of Boscia senegalensis is attributed to the presence of saponnin, tannin, phlobatanins, anthraquinone, cardiac glycosides, flavanoid, terpene, and alkaloid in the extract. The adsorption of the inhibitor on mild steel surface was found to be exothermic, spontaneous and is best described by Freundlich and Temkim adsorption model. The calculated values of activation energy, enthalpy of activation, entropy of activation, free energy of adsorption and the trend in the variation of inhibition efficiency with temperature, the mechanism of adsorption of the inhibitor by physical adsorption. Ethanol extract of Boscia senegalensis is a good adsorption inhibitor for the corrosion of mild steel in H2SO4. Tafel polarization analyses indicated that studied plant extract is a mixed type inhibitor. Keywords: boscia senegalensis; polarization; adsorption.

The antimicrobial activities of some commonly used disinfectants on Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans

The disinfectants; SavlonR, JikR, Methylated spirit and kerosene were observed for their inhibitory activities on Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. This was done bymeasuring the zone of inhibition of the disinfectants on the tested organisms. The results showed that Savlon was very effective at 100% concentration, as it inhibits the growth of P. aeruginosa and B.subtilis to the level of 47 and 58 mm, respectively. However, there was no inhibitory activity on C. albicans at this concentration. At 6.25% concentration, it had remarkable antimicrobial activity on theseorganisms with 10 and 16 mm levels of inhibition respectively. Jik at 100% concentration inhibits the growth of P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis and C. albicans to a level of 17, 15 and 18 mm, respectively. Afterdilution to 50% concentration, its inhibitory activity on P. aeruginosa and B. subtilis reduced to a level of 15 and 4 mm, respectively, and there was no inhibition on C. albicans. Methylated spirit showedinhibitory activity on P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis and C. albicans to a level of 20, 22 and 21 mm, respectively. Dilution of methylated spirit had no inhibition on the organisms. Kerosene was only effective on C. albicans with 69 mm zone of inhibition at 100% concentration. The study showed that Methylated spirit and Jik have inhibitory activities on both fungi and bacteria, while kerosene had only but better antifungal activity and Savlon had only antibacterial activity