Budgeting and Performing Arts Management in Nigeria: Valuated Concerns

In spite of the many benefits accruable to organisations who engage in budgeting, performing arts establishments continue to treat same with levity. This work presents the two categories of performing arts establishments in Nigeria (government and privately owned) and outlines their budget practices. Terra Kulture is then presented as a case study of an outfit whose success and sustenance is attributable to good budgeting practices. The possible and estimated benefits from budgeting indicate why it pays to engage in effective budgeting.Key Words: Budgeting, Performing Arts Management, Organizations, Valuated Concerns)

Economic Liberalism and the Management of the Recent Global Crisis: Lessons for Africa

The efficiency of the free market system in allocating resources and in regulating itself has become a received doctrine in practically all capitalist nations. But the recent global financial crisis and the resultant government interventions to salvage the economies of many nations have generated much debate on the continued relevance of the free market and the wisdom of government ‘intrusion’. This paper revisits the free market as propagated by Adam Smith and examines the role of government in present day circumstances. Drawing from the African experience, the paper concludes that the free market system and government involvement in the economy can complement each other provided there is the capacity for determining the appropriate mix that would deliver the maximum good to society. Keywords: Economy, Management, Crisis, Liberalism, Free Marke

Tertiary Education Development and Sustainability in Nigeria: Beyond Financial Accountability

The decay experienced in the Nigerian tertiary education system has been linked to poor management triggered by a number of factors including systematic neglect and inability of the system to adapt to, and cope with global changes and the changes in the economy. The decay occasioned by poor management is so deep that Nigerian University system is no longer able to meet its expected obligations and perform its valuable duties. Is there no hope? Can’t our universities compete with her foreign counterparts and be both financially independent and productive? Sustenance of Universities calls for a “home-grown” coping strategy complimented with a pragmatic management framework. We argue for an almost total decentralization that encourages responsibility accounting. The system must be bailed out or forfeit the opportunity to create value in the society. These expositions are the thrusts of this article. Key words: Accountability, Management, Strategy, Funding, Sustainabilit

Investigation of Thermal Properties of Plantain (Musa paradisiaca ) and Mfang Aya (Thaumatococcus daniellii) as Thermal Radiation Insulator

Thermal properties of Plantain (Musa paradisiaca) and Mfang Aya (Thaumatococcus daniellii)) were determined using the steady state method. In this study the mean thermal conductivity of Musa paradisiaca was found to be 0.0374 Wm-1K-1 with a mean bulk density of 200.0 kg/m3 while Thaumatococcus daniellii shows a mean thermal conductivity of 0.0427Wm-1K-1with a mean bulk density of 287.0 kgm-3. The mean specific heat capacity of Musa paradisiaca was obtained as 2606.5 Jkg-1K -1 for density range of 0.146-0.237kg/m3 while mean specific heat capacity of Thaumatococcus daniellii is 1041.9 Jkg-1K-1for density 0.211-0.365kg/m3 and the heat transfer models for the material are also obtained. The thermal properties values obtained show similarities with other local materials which previously have been observed to be good thermal insulators, hence Musa paradisiaca and Thaumatococcus daniellii are encouraged to be seen as potential thermal insulators. Keywords: Thermal properties , Musa Paradisiaca, Thaumatococcus daniellii, Thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity and bulk density

Promoting Quality Education in Social Studies Through Constructivist Teaching Model

There is wide spread dissatisfaction on the quality of education that is run in Nigeria. This is evident in the factors or indices that make education to be adjudged to be qualitative. Aggressive policy and efforts are gravely needed to reverse the incidence especially as the country is in the state of economic recession. This is so as quality education is a requisite cornerstone to development in all areas of life in society. Constructivist model of teaching is proven to be effectual and contemporary enough to guarantee quality education that can promote holistic development in society. Therefore, this paper deals with, constructivism in the curriculum and the place of a social studies teacher in a constructivist classroom, the role of constructivist teaching model in promoting quality education in social studies, the benefits of constructivist approach in a social studies classroom; weaknesses of constructivism in social studies classroom, and conclusion/recommendations. Keywords: Quality education, social studies and constructivist teaching model

Mercury accumulation in fishes from tropical aquatic ecosystems in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Fishes are important biomarkers of trace elements in aquatic ecosystems, and are used to evaluate the status of water pollution by mercury in tropical aquatic ecosystems in Nigeria. Common fishes, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus,Brycinus nurse, Hemichromis fasciatus, Lutianus ava, Oreochromis nilotica, Pomadasys jubelini, Stellifer stellifer and Tilapia guineensis were analysed for Hg accumulation using the cold vapour atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique. The results showed that Hg concentration in P. jubelini was relatively the highest, with a mean concentration of 0.063 ± 0.03 mg kg–1. Other concentration values were 0.044 ± 0.031 mg kg–1 for O. nilotica, 0.026 ± 0.013 mg kg–1 for B. nurse, 0.034 ± 0.034 mg kg–1 for H. fasciatus, 0.023 ± 0.020 mg kg–1 for C. nigrodigitatus and 0.33 ± 0.016 mg kg–1 for L. ava. Concentrations of Hg accumulated by the fishes were low and within internationally accepted limit, not likely to cause mercury poisoning. Because of the high Hg accumulating potential of P. jubelini, it is recommended as a biomarker for assessment of Hg toxicity in a tropical aquatic environment

School-based data and management of technological innovations in public secondary schools in Cross River State

This study investigated the relationship between school-based data and management of technological innovations in public secondary schools in Cross River State. One hypothesis was formulated to guide the study. Ex-post facto design was used for the study. The population of this study consisted of 232 principals out of which 210 constituted the sample and 840 teachers were drawn from a population of 5,998 using stratified random sampling technique to assess the principals. School- based Data and management of Technological Innovation Questionnaire (SBDMTIQ) was instrument used for data collection. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Analysis was used to test the hypothesis. Result indicated that: there is no significant positive relationship between school-based data and principals management of technological innovation. It was recommended that government should give priority attention to the provision and distribution of ICT facilities in schools so as to boost the management of innovations in schools.Keywords: Data, management, technological, innovatio

The Specialty of General Medical Practice/family Medicine: The need for Development in Nigeria

No Abstrac

Background Ionising Radiation and Estimated Health Risk in Cereal Farmland in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Radionuclides are found in soils, plants, vegetables, fruits and in farmlands. These radionuclides contaminate the farmland, environment, the cereal, food products and could cause deleterious effect on both animals and human beings when ingested or inhaled. The farmland is owned by a government research institute with a mandate to develop improved varieties of some cereal plants. In situ measurement of the background ionising radiation was conducted with a radiation survey meter which measured the exposures in micro Seviert per hour and the expected health indicators risk on the workers evaluated.The mean BIR measured was obtained as 0.097µSv/hr. The annual equivalent dose rate of radiation obtained in the farm was range between 0.1033 to 0.3328 mSv/yr with a mean value of 0.1699 mSv/yr. The mean annual effective dose rate of 0.1190 mSv/yr was obtained while the mean calculated ECLR is 0.416 X 10-3. The AEDR obtained in this study is lower than the international commission on radiation protection recommended safety limit for the public but higher than values from many works in dumpsites. The ECLR value for this work is higher than the recommended safe value, an indication of potential health risk for the workers and inhabitant of the farmland. Therefore regulatory controls are necessary which include workers spending fewer periods in the farmland and decontamination of the farm. Keywords: Gamma radiation, occupational risk, Annual effective dose rate, National Cereal Institute, Uyo