A Comparative Analysis of Women Candidatures and Outcomes in the 2011 and 2015 Nigeria General Elections

One noticeable development in the Nigeria’s 2015 general elections is the differentials in the numbers and outcomes of women involvement as candidates in comparison to the 2011 elections. The percentage of women contesting for presidential position decline from 12.5% in 2011 to 7.1% in 2015. That of the gubernatorial election also witnessed a reduction from 10.2% in 2011 to 7.1% in 2015, while the percentage of women for deputy governorship positions was relatively stable with only an increase of 0.4%. However, there was a double increment in the contestations for Senatorial posts from 10.3% in 2011 to 22.2% in 2015. Also, the number of women candidacy into the House of Representative and State Houses of Assembly recorded an increase of 5.7% and 5.6% respectively. However, when it comes to actual successes at the polls, the outcomes were not encouraging. With the exemption of deputy governorship number that improved from 2.8% in 2011 to 13.8% in 2015, all others witnessed a sharp decline. While Presidential and Governorship numbers returned nil percentages, there were shortfalls of 1.8% and 2.5% of women elected into the Senate and the House of Representatives respectively. Given the presence of 35% affirmative action and incentives introduced by various parties, some questions arise: Why do the positive changes refused to come? What does this say about the Nigerian society?......

Production of Mesophase Pitch from Gasified Lignin-Derived Tars

Lignin tars are created as a by-product of lignin gasification. Significant effort has gone into minimizing tar production. However, no process has been shown to completely eliminate its formation. As a result, the tar is being used to manufacture low value products such as asphalt, or is being used as a fuel in fixed combustion systems. The research presented here is part of an effort to increase the viability of using lignocellulosic biomass as a feedstock to produce high value products. We tested the postulate that tars derived from lignin could be processed into a mesophase pitch allowable for conversion into high quality carbon fibers. Literature demonstrates that coal tar and petroleum pitch can be transformed into a high quality mesophase pitch. However, the processes involved are complicated and expensive. This is because the impurities - ash content for example, in these materials lead to defects in the pitch and must be removed. Since lignin is without these impurities, its transformation into mesophase pitch should be a less complicated and less expensive process than those for coal or petroleum analogs. Tars were generated using a lab-scale gasification vessel, at an overall conversion rate of 16% tar from kraft lignin. The tar was subsequently filtered and fed to a residue pitching reactor. The pitching reactor was used to generate mesophase pitch under inert conditions. During the pitching step, an unexpected temperature increase likely due to partial oxidation of lignin carbon units with inherent oxygen released during the process was observed. Characterization of both the tar and pitch products was performed by thermogravemetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Further characterization of the pitch products was performed using SEM. A mixture of apparent coke and mesophase pitch products were produced in the pitching reactor. However, the TGA profiles of both products were very similar while their morphologies differed slightly. The condition of ~215°C with a vacuum pressure ranging from ~0.03-0.13 kPa was at the threshold of coke formation while allowing mesophase pitch formation for lignin tar. These results demonstrated that it is possible to generate a mesophase pitch from lignin-derived tars. However, further work is required to perfect the process such that a commercially viable pitch product is generated

An exploration of developments of corporate social responsibility

This research sets out to contribute knowledge about developments and implementation of corporate social responsibility. The six papers used in the submission (thesis) bring together different perspectives of corporate social responsibility garnered from empirical investigations of corporate entities in the UK which was originally termed by scholars as CSR 1.0 model consisting of - defensive, charitable, promotional and strategic Visser (2010), Claydon (2011), Idowu and Schmidpeter (2016) and Camilleri (2017). It revolved round the following dominant paradigms - greed, philanthropy, marketing, management and responsibility. It became apparent that there was the need to use a different model of CSR to deal with social and environmental issues of the 21st century Visser (2014). That old model of CSR - CSR 1.0 was originally the strand of CSR which was perceived, propagated practiced and understood by different actors in the field of CSR in the United Kingdom – a country which is an acknowledged leader in the field worldwide Ward and Smith (2006) and elsewhere. CSR 1.0 model was noted to have failed to have any significant impact on many of the most serious global CSR challenges (Visser, 2014). Hence, the need for CSR 2.0 model which is now in vogue became urgent. The areas covered by the studies in the submission are – motivations for CSR reporting by corporate entities, practicing CSR by corporate entities in the UK, corporate secretaries contributions to corporate entities’ embedding of CSR into their strategies and operational practices, using accounting information for decision making purposes in an attempt to promote sustainable development, piecing together in a logical sequence the history of CSR in the UK and the ideological source of CSR. The sole objective of the exercise is to derive a coherent view of how CSR has journeyed through its different stages of metamorphosis in the United Kingdom up to the period of the sixth paper used in the submission (2012). This thesis therefore presents an analytical account of the research projects at different times namely 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011a, 2011b and 2012 which have culminated into the six papers that form the cornerstone of the submission. The research problem it explores is divided into six research perspectives which culminated into the six papers noted in Table 1 of Section 3 and made up of six research questions in four components. In 1987 the Brundtland Report had brought the issue of sustainable development and the consequences of our failure to operate sustainably to our consciousness. Similarly in June 1992, the Earth Summit of the UN Conference on Environment and Development had set what is often referred to as Agenda 21, which documented the United Nation’s plan for the world in the 21st century in CSR terms. At the beginning of the second millennium, the quest to put into action and demonstrate some reasonable awareness of what social responsibility is and what corporate entities and individual citizens around the world should do in terms of CSR had already been put in place around the globe. The United Nations had initiated a Millennium Summit of 189 world leaders at the UN Headquarters in New York to set the Eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 2015. The putting in place of the MDGs 2015 brought about calls for more understanding of many of the issues surrounding CSR a number of new scholars in the thriving field of CSR had emerged. It had downed on this researcher some three years into the 21st century that a number of areas in CSR need more understanding, this heralded the commencement of his studies and journey in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility and all its related areas. What follows has chronicled six of this researcher’s studies in CSR

Emissions Characterization and Particle Size Distribution from a DPF-Equipped Diesel Truck Fueled with Biodiesel Blends

Biodiesel may be derived from either plant or animal sources, and is usually employed as a compression ignition fuel in a blend with petroleum diesel (PD). Emissions differences between vehicles operated on biodiesel blends and PD have been published previously, but data do not cover the latest engine technologies. Prior studies have shown that biodiesel offers advantages in reducing particulate matter, with either no advantage or a slight disadvantage for oxides of nitrogen emissions. Literature also suggests that diesel engine exhaust particle number emissions are dominated by nucleation mode particles (NMPs) if present, while the mass emissions are dominated by accumulation mode particles (AMPs). This thesis describes a recent study on the emissions impact and exhaust particles size distribution and composition, under steady state condition, of a 2007 medium heavy duty diesel truck (MHDDT) fueled with two biodiesel blends, B20A and B20B, and PD. The truck was tested in a chassis dynamometer laboratory using three steady state driving cycles. The cycles include vehicle run at 20 mph for 30 minutes (MD1), 32 mph for 30 minutes (MD2) and 50 mph for 20 minutes (MD3). Emissions were measured using a full exhaust dilution tunnel equipped with a subsonic venturi and secondary dilution for PM sampling. A fast particle spectrometer (DMS 500) was used to measure the particle number concentration and size distribution from the vehicle exhaust.;The study showed that emissions were more speed dependent than fuel type. For any given cycle, the differences in CO2 and NOx tailpipe emissions produced by the PD, B20A and B20B were statistically insignificant with variations of between 0.5-1.4%, and 0.5-3.4%, respectively at 95% confidence level. The results further showed that, for MD2, CO2 emissions produced were lowest with corresponding highest fuel economy (miles per gallon (mpg) of fuel consumed). The NOx emissions produced for B20A and B20B were slightly higher than those of PD, except for MD2. Generally, low particulate matter (PM) emissions were produced from the test results due to the truck diesel particulate filter (DPF). The carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions were also low, with HC being difficult to quantify as a result of oxidation in the DPF.;Analysis of the exhaust particle data showed that, for all of the driving modes, the exhaust particles existed in two distinct modes with the particle number concentration dominated by the NMPs for all three test fuels. The particle mass concentration, dominated by the AMPs, substantially correlated with the pattern observed in the gravimetric PM mass emissions measurement. It was observed that factors such as DPF loading, dilution conditions (temperature, humidity) that are not fuel related strongly affected particle size formation especially in the NMP range. It was also observed that the total exhaust particle number concentration and the geometric mean diameter (GMD) increased with propulsion power. However, the GMD values were typically in the range of 25-40 nm for all driving modes and fuel type combinations. This is further confirmation that exhaust particles were dominated by nanoparticles that have been reported to cause respiratory diseases and other health effects in humans

Proximate Determinants of Women's Use of Birth Control Methods in Ota,Ogun State

Fertility regulation and pregnancy prevention are among the major health challenges of the 21st century in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Nigeria. Contraception has been identified as an effective means of combating the problem of unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion and it is equally an effective means of family planning and fertility control and therefore very important in promoting maternal and child health. Women between ages 18 and 47 (n=143, mean=30.4 years) were sampled. A survey research questionnaire made up of four trajectories and consisting of sixteen (16) items was used in this study. The study made use of frequency counts, percentage, t-test analysis and regression analysis. The SPSS software was used to analyze the data. Results indicate a good knowledge of types of contraception with more than a third (83%) aware of condom as a contraceptive method. However, very few women were aware of modern contraceptive methods such as implants (9%) and spermicides (5%). The study indicates that knowledge of contraception (β = 2.244; t = 2.356; p < .05), employment status (β = 1.955; t = 2.257;p < .05) and age (β = 1.530; t = 2.203; p < .05) were good predictors of women’s contraceptive use. There was also a significant difference in women’s use of contraceptives based on contraceptive selfefficacy (t = 3.387, p < .05). Based on these findings, the study shows the need for strong advocacy,enlightenment and community mobilization for improved awareness and use of contraceptives in fertility control and preventing unwanted pregnancie

Onomastics, Medicine and Politics in Femi Osofisan’s The Engagement

Onomastics, medicine and politics in this study are a pragmatic way of depicting the psychosocial condition of Nigeria as an underdeveloped nation. The study explores Femi Osofisan’s The Engagement from a literary onomastic standpoint with the aim of exposing socio-political anomalies in Nigeria. Nigerian leaders commit flaws of egoistical and individualistic interests which often go against the consciences of the led. On this premise, the study explores the characters’ names in The Engagement with a view to gaining insight into Nigeria’s sociocultural and political contexts. Furthermore, Postcolonial Theory and Halliday’s Contextual Theory of Meaning serve as the study’s theoretical constructs. The study is predicated on the underdevelopment of Nigeria which is epitomised as a psychological behaviour of characters in a nation that is under the siege of political anarchy and different social vices

Responsible corporate governance in Europe

The latest European Union’s (EU) guiding policies are encouraging big businesses and state-owned organisations to provide a fair and truthful view of their respective entities’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. At present, European member states are transposing directive 2014/95/EU on non-financial reporting. The EU’s “comply or explain” approach has presented a significant step forward toward the corporations’ active engagement on corporate governance disclosure and transparency. Hence, this chapter makes specific reference to some of the corporations’ best practices as it identifies areas for improvement in corporate governance issues. It explains how three major European banks have reviewed the roles and responsibilities of corporate boards and management. In many cases, they have anticipated any regulatory, legal, contractual, social and market-driven obligations as they helped stakeholders to exercise their rights. This contribution contends that there are significant implications for financial services corporations who intend following the right path toward responsible corporate governance and ethical behaviours.peer-reviewe

Therapists' construction of their clients' trauma-related intrusive memories in the context of client distress: a grounded theory analysis

Quantitative research has shown that individuals who report intrusive memories of traumatic events often experience psychological distress. There is a need for qualitatively focused research, which would allow for an understanding of how therapists construct and make sense of their clients’ intrusive trauma memories in the context of the clients’ psychological distress. The research involved face to face semi-structured interview with nine qualified psychologists about their experience of working with trauma clients. The data were analysed using constructivist grounded theory (Charmaz, 2006). The research study facilitated nuanced understanding of clients' trauma memories from the perspective of therapists. It explored the process of the therapists looking within to make sense of the impact of their clients’ trauma experiences on them. It also allowed the researcher to examine how the therapist changes as a result of their engagement with trauma clients. Grounded theory analysis demonstrated that therapists constructed some important categories. These include; trauma memories as threat to sense of self, appraisal processes of trauma memories, discovering survival strategies, therapists' process in therapy with clients, therapists changing and reflecting as a result of trauma work and therapist discovering coping strategies. The findings indicate that trauma work also brings some rewards and privileges in the form of strength, growth, and empowerment. The research findings have important implications for policy and practice, service quality, and the well-being of therapists and their clients

The Homotopy Analysis of Unsteady Hydromagnetic Flow of a Viscous Fluid with Oscillatory Suction Velocity

This work considered the unsteady hydromagnetic flow of an electrically conducting, incompressible, viscous fluid past an infinite vertical porous plate. The oscillatory suction velocity is normal to the plate. The uniform magnetic field influence is normal to the flow and the permeability of the medium is time dependent. The oscillatory suction velocity was defined so as to eliminate any complexity in the equations that were derived. The problem was solved using a modified technique of the Homotopy analysis method. The results obtained were discussed for various effects of material parameters on the velocity, temperature and concentration profiles.Keywords: Heat transfer, Mass transfer, Oscillatory suction velocity, Hydromagnetic flow, Vertical porous plat

Assessment in Nigerian schools: a counsellor’s viewpoint

Assessment is aimed at finding out how much a child has acquired in terms of learning skills but also takes into consideration the personal-social development of the child. In Nigerian schools, assessment, most often than not is concentrated on cognitive achievement to the detriment of affective and psychomotor development of learners. This paper reports the findings of a year long survey examining the implementation of Holistic Assessment Measure (WAM) among secondary school teachers in Ilorin, Nigeria. In WAM, a student is assessed as a total entity using all the psychometric devises such as test and non-test techniques. Data were gathered through interviews and focus group with 500 randomly selected teachers. Results suggested that WAM was perceived as useful by 90% of the teachers to clarify assessment expectations. However, only 5% of the respondents admitted to employing WAM in the assessment of their students. 95% of the respondents do not factor affective and psychomotor measure into the overall performance of their students while 10% of the respondents claimed ignorance and incompetence in the use of non-test devises. It is recommended, that in-service training be organised for secondary school teachers in Nigeria, to educate them more on the need for WAM in the attainment of the overall educational goals. Key words: Assessment; holistic; secondary schools, Nigeria