Financial market Institutions Indices: Perceptions and Trends in Nigerian Economic Growth

This paper empirically looks at the impact of financial market institutions indices on the economic clcvelopmGnt in Nigeria. Critical analyses were made, using ordinary least square regression analysis to test the directional relationships between economic development vari;1hlcs and financial nwrkct institutions in Nigeria. ;\ nwjor finding in the research work points out that financial market iostitutions positively influence all sectors of the economy. In the light of this finding, it is rcconlliiCIHkd, in the l:1ce of global financial IJICit -down, that government and participants in the capital market activities should foster a culture of securities innovation and development that would play an increasingly large role in deepening the market through the evaluation of risk -return configuration for issuers, investors nncl the perception on the direction of the capital markets operations in Nigeria

Corporate Governance and Corporate Performance in Selected Companies in Nigeria.

This paper evaluates corporate governance variables (CGVs) and corporate performance (CP) in Nigerian listed companies. In specific terms, the paper examines CGVs that affect CP, proxied by return on assets (ROA), profit margin (PM) as used in literature but extended to include return on equity (ROE). We used 50 listed companies that cut across the Nigerian stock exchange market. We obtained the CGVs of board size (BOS), board composition (BOC), board ownership (BOO) chief executive status (CES) and audit committee independence (ACI) with corporate governance disclosure (CGD) and enterprise risk management disclosure (RMD) added to our model. Using the ordinary least square (OLS) regression, findings revealed that CGD and RMD are positively and significantly related to ROA and PM. It is suggested on account of these findings, that there should be sustenance of the current corporate policies profile on CGD and RMD as they positively affect CP, while corporate boards, as strategic policy makers should note with caution the CGVs with negative relationships with CP. such caution is required in order to redirect and refocus policies which could minimise the negative impact of such CGVs on CP

THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SELECTED CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ATTRIBUTES, COMPANY ATTRIBUTES AND TIMELINESS OF FINANCIAL REPORTING IN NIGERIA

This study has been carried out to empirically examine the relationship between corporate governance variables, corporate attributes variables and timeliness in a developing country, Nigeria. Using a sample of 118 listed companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the study depended on the use of descriptive statistics and the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression analysis. From the study, there appears to be evidence of an unusually long time lag made by Nigerian listed companies included in this study. The average total lag between the end of the year and the AGM is 193 days which equates to over six months for Nigerian companies. The study similarly tested for the relationship between board independence, board size, company size, leverage, profitability, audit firm size, audit delay and the timeliness of financial statements. Of all the variables examined, none of the variables where found to be statistically significant except for audit delay. Clearly from the study, we discovered that most of the companies on the NSE are not complying with the laid down stipulations guiding the submission of financial statements and as such it is highly recommended that the NSE, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Reporting Council (FRC), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and other regulatory agencies should put in place measures to ensure strict compliance with the laid down rules and regulations. KEYWORDS: Corporate attributes, corporate governance, financial reporting and Timeliness

The Determination and Comparative Study of Basic Hormonal Assessment in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Women Undergoing Assisted Reproduction Treatment in Southern Part of Nigeria

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogenous disorder frequently diagnosed in women attending fertility clinics in Nigeria. it is characterized by anovulation, hyper androgenism and polycystic ovary, several factors have been associated with the pathophysiology of this disorder.A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in four selected fertility clinics in South-South part of Nigeria. The purposive sampling technique was used to recruit participants. A total of 206 women were recruited in this study, 101 (49.1%) women fulfilled the Rotterdam criteria for the diagnosis of PCOS, while 105 women (50.9%) without PCOS were included as control. Biochemical hyper-androgenism as described by the Rotterdam criteria was observed in 69(68%) of women with PCOS, Elevated Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) 87(86%) and elevated Luteinizing hormone (LH) 76(75%) were observed in women with PCOS.The aim of the study was to Determine and Compare levels of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Anti-mullerian Hormone (AMH) Testosterone in the follicular fluid of women with PCOS undergoing Assisted Reproduction Treatment

The imperatives of internal audit in Nigerian banks: issues and prospects

Many have argued that internal audit plays a pivotal role in enhancing corporate performance in organizations (Oseni, 1994 and Lav, 2004).This is the focus of this paper, using Nigerian recapitalized banks as a reference point. This paper empirically evaluates the relationship between internal audit and corporate performance. In pursuance of this, a survey sampling of the banks was conducted. The dependent variable was corporate performance that was measured by return on total assets (ROTA).The independent variables were the motivation of internal audit staff and the efficiency of internal controls. The data collected for the variables were subjected to the ordinary least square (OLS) regression analysis. The results indicated that motivation of audit staff positively affect bank’s corporate performance; and the efficiency of the internal control was also positively related to corporate performance. It is therefore recommended that Nigerian banks should professionalize the audit departments to optimize the objectives for which they are established.KEYWORDS: Internal Audit, Corporate Performance, Motivation, Internal Control Efficiency, Internal Audit Staf

Result Of Seroprevalence Of HIV Amonst Undergraduate Students Of Government Approved Private University In Edo State

The seroprevalence of HIV amongst undergraduate students of a Government Approved University of Edo State was studied. Out of 1020 students randomly selected from the various faculties or departments, qualitative detection of anti bodies to HIV were detected in (4.3%) male and (2.3) female. There was a significant difference in seroprevalence rate between the male students and female category as

Incidence Of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Amongst Potential Semen Donors In University Of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

The incidence of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Prospective Semen Donors where investigated using Standard Laboratory Procedures. 30 Prospective Semen Donors were screened for common STDs/STI at the Human Reproductive Research Programme /Invitro Fertilization Centre of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The incidence rates are Staphylococcus aureus (20%), followed by Chlamydia trachomatis (6.7%) while Klebsiellia spp, Treponema pallidum, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Escherichia coli and Hepatitis B Virus were detected with incidence rate of 3.3% each respectively. Ten percent (10%) of the prospective semen donors had evidence of polymicrobial infection excluding HIV. The risk of sexually transmitted diseases or infection should be of great concern to couples undergoing therapeutic artificial donor insemination. Keywords: STDs/STI, Artificial Insemination, Semen Donors