Diversity, distribution and abundance of fish species in Lake Asejire, Oyo State, Nigeria

Aquatic systems in Nigeria have suffered stress induced by human activities which alter the natural composition of the water resources. This study investigated the diversity, distribution and abundance of fish species in Lake Asejire. The lake was partitioned based on accessibility into upper, middle and lower sections for the study. Fish species were sampled using monofilament gill nets with stretched mesh sizes ranging from 44.45-169.33mm. Water and fish species were sampled fortnightly for a period of twelve months. Water quality parameters: temperature (28.96±0.28oC), dissolved oxygen (5.6±0.13mg/l), pH (6.73±0.19) and conductivity (159.8±0.32μS/cm) measured were within suitable standard ranges for fish production in natural waters. A total of 16 species from 10 families were identified from the lake. Cichlids had the highest number of fish species (4) and relative abundance (66.82%) and Coptodon zillii was the most abundant fish species across the months and sampling stations (27.53%). The lower section of the lake had the highest relative abundance (52.90%) while the upper section of the lake had the least (16.14%) and the highest fish catch (13.35%) was in November. The species richness of the lake decreased from lower (S=16) to upper section (S=14), the middle section was highly diversified (H=0.73) with a combined value of H=0.67 for the lake. The fish species were evenly distributed across the lake with the highest evenness in the upper section (E=0.22). Simpson’s index was highest in the lower region (D=0.30) and there was a high probability of picking different fish species at random. Trophic grouping showed forage to carnivore (F/C) ratio of 2.06 indicating an unbalanced fish population based on food habit, which should be addressed. There is need for proper regulation such as enforcement of fishing seasons and fishing across the trophic levels to ensure sustainability of the fish resources in the lake

A Study of Awareness and Electricity Use Behaviour of On-campus Residence Students in Nigeria

The study explored the awareness and reported energy use behaviour among higher education students in Southwestern Nigeria; examined the relationship between the level of awareness of the impact of energy use behaviour of students and also provides strategies that could be used to improve the level of awareness of stakeholders. We adopted a quantitative survey and questionnaire as instruments for gathering relevant data from end users in the study area and relevant data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that end users had low level of awareness of the negative impact of energy use behaviour 201(81.4%) and had not been trained on energy saving measures. However, they were more aware of the positive impact of energy use behaviour 194(79.0%). The analysis also showed a significant relationship between awareness and reported energy use behaviour; awareness level and turning off light when not needed (r = 0.897, p = 0.001), awareness level and shutting down all computers unless in use (r = 0.189, p = 0.044) and awareness level and leaving computer running overnight (r = 0.452, p = 0.003). The study concluded that the level of awareness of energy saving measures of electricity end users was very low and consequently a lot of energy could be wasted in return. To maximize energy saving potentials of the students, there is need for authorities in tertiary institutions to make effort to raise the awareness of everyone involved; including the management of institutions through an energy efficiency awareness programme, as this could help higher education institutions to achieve energy sustainability and reduce waste. The study developed a framework for improving and enhancing students’ awareness on the impact of energy use behaviour

Effect of drinking magnetized water on immunity and carcass quality of broiler chicken

This study was conducted to determine the effect of drinking Magnetized Water (MW) on the immunity of broiler chicken. The problem which this study focused on was the mortality rate of broiler chicken which is common in some poultry farms in Nigeria due to some factors that could lead to loss of income. There is a need for economical methods for boosting the immunity of Broiler Chicken (BC) in order to reduce the mortality rate. BC (Arbor Acres breed) was given MW. The magnetized water was produced by passing water through the magnetic field in a pipe. The treatments were MW treated for 33s by passing the water through pipe surrounded with magnets one time(T1), MW treated for 66 s by flowing twice through the magnetic unit (T2), T3 was MW treated for 99 s and control (Non-Magnetized Water, NMW, T0). A total of 80 BCs (day old) with 20 BC for each treatment were given MW (T1, T2 and T3), NMW and monitored for 7 weeks. Blood samples were collected for hematology and analyzed using standard methods. The values of white blood cell for T0, T1, T2 and T3 were 153.61×10-9/L, 133.20×10-9/L, 134.78×10-9/L and 101.12×10-9/L and for lymphocytes, were 137.08×10-9/L, 120.79×10-9/L, 125.49×10-9/L and 96.12×10-9/L, respectively. MW T1, T2 and T3 increased body weight gain of the BC by 410, 320 and 210g/broiler. Protein contents of the carcass for T1, T2, T3 and T0 were 13.13%, 13.23%, 13.18% and 12.80%, respectively. MW can therefore enhance production of healthy broiler chickens

Managing Workplace Conflicts in Business Environment: The Role of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

In today’s business atmosphere, conflict in the workplace is a noteworthy issue; therefore, handling conflicts in organizations is essentially very important as organizations that fail to address conflicts properly are likely to run into problems because conflict is integral in organizational life and has both likely benefits and costs. To address the situation of conflicts, lately since 1970s organizations have turned to the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), in resolving workplace conflicts. This article therefore presents the authors’ thoughts on why organizations should use ADR to manage workplace conflicts; as effective conflict management has the prospective to play a key role in the success of organizations goals. Keywords: Workplace Conflicts, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Business Environment, & Managemen

Product Innovation, A Survival Strategy For Small And Medium Enterprises In Nigeria

The study investigated how product innovation, as a strategy, enhances the survival of the small and medium enterprises in Nigeria, using Prodco Foods Nigeria Limited as a study. Among the objectives set out were the relationship between product innovation and the survival of Small and Medium Enterpries (SMEs), changes in tastes and preference of consumers necessitating product innovation, and whether product innovation increases sales volume of SMEs. The research study was developed around the product innovative and dynamic capability innovative theories. The theoretical model of the product life-cycle was used in developing the three hypotheses that were tested at 0.05 significant levels; through the survey of one hundred and forty respondents. Copies of the questionnaire were administered to the respondents sampled. The validity and reliability of the instrument were measured at Cronbach’s alpha of 0.63 and alternative form validity of 0.59. The findings revealed that there is a significant relationship between product innovation and the survival of SMEs, also, that changes in tastes and preference of consumers necessitate product innovation, and that product innovation increases sales volume of SMEs. The conclusion from the research findings showed that there is need for SMEs to carry out research on product innovation; in other to meet and fulfill the demand and expectations of all consumers and the market. It was recommended that adequate finance, condusive environment, and public policy framework should be developed by the Nigerian governments to support and encourage the SMEs

Report of Mixed Infection of Infectious Bursal Disease and Chicken Infectious Anaemia Viruses

Infectious bursa disease (IBD) was tentatively diagnosed from an experimental cockerel flock. Clinical signs observed included dullness, diarrhoea characterized by greenish yellow colour and spiking mortality lasting four days. Post-mortem examination results showed pale and slightly enlarged liver and kidney, enlarged and haemorrhagic bursa, petechia haemorrhages on the spleen, keel and thigh muscles and thymus atrophy. Pale liver, thymus atrophy and haemorrhages in the bursa could also be presented in Chicken Infectious Anaemia (CIA) infection. The organs (Bursa, kidney, thymus and liver) from where the infected birds were further screened for IBD and CIA viruses using the polymerase chain reaction technique and were positive for both. This confirms IBD and CIA are responsible for the losses in the flock. This implies that many CIA infections or its mixed infection may be mistaken for IBD alone if no confirmatory diagnosis is carried out, since most post-mortem lesions presenting extensive syndrome are considered to be caused by IBD. &nbsp

Mechanical Behaviour and Microstructural Characterization of Carbon Steel Samples from Three Selected Steel Rolling Plants

The research investigated the mechanical behavior of samples of steel rods obtained from three selected Steel Rolling Companies in South Western part of Nigeria. This was done by carrying out some mechanical tests such as tensile, impact and hardness as well as microstructural examination.Four sets of 16 mm steel rod samples were collected from Tiger steel industries, Phoenix steel and Oxil steel Industies, all located in South West Nigeria, The chemical composition was carried out using a Spectrometer (EDX3600B). Afterwards, different samples were prepared, cut and machined according to ASTM standards dimensions of tensile and impact tests as well as hardness test from which their Ultimate tensile Strength, Yield strength, Percentage elongation, Impact strength and Brinell hardness number were obtained and compared to three standards (ASTM A706, BS 4449 and Nst 65-Mn). Their microstructures were also examined and analyzed.The results showed that the Ultimate tensile strength for the samples from Oxil steel, Phoenix Steel and Tiger steel were 661 N/(mm)2, 653 N/(mm)2 and 631 N/(mm)2 respectively while their hardness values were 150 BHN, 178 BHN, 214 BHN respectively. The sample from Tiger steel and Oxil Steel had the finest and most coarse microstructure respectively. In conclusion, it was observed that the results of the sample analysis from the three selected Steel Rolling Companies conformed to most of the standards except the sample from Tiger steel which had a high hardness value compared to the standard

PRODUCT DIFFERENTIATION: A TOOL OF COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE AND OPTIMAL ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE (A STUDY OF UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC)

In recent years the concept of competitive advantage has taken centre stage in discussions of business strategy; that is why, one of the major challenges organizations face today is how to have a competitive advantage. In most cases a stand out product will do the job, since products are perceived as both highly relevant and meaningfully, the ability for any one product to standout in a competitive category will guarantee the success of such organization. While there are numerous ways to differentiate brands, identifying meaningful product-driven differentiators can be especially fruitful in gaining and sustaining a competitive advantage. Differentiation is when a firm or brand outperforms rival brands in the provision of a feature(s) such that it faces reduced sensitivity for other features (Sharp & Dawes, 2001). Even in industrial economics, a discipline where there is more of a tradition of providing formal statements of theoretical concepts, two eminent industrial economists felt obligated to write an article for the Journal of Industrial Economics titled "What is Product Differentiation, Really?" (Caves and Williamson, 1985)

PRODUCT INNOVATION, A SURVIVAL STRATEGY FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN NIGERIA

The study investigated how product innovation, as a strategy, enhances the survival of the small and medium enterprises in Nigeria, using Prodco Foods Nigeria Limited as a study. Among the objectives set out were the relationship between product innovation and the survival of Small and Medium Enterpries (SMEs), changes in tastes and preference of consumers necessitating product innovation, and whether product innovation increases sales volume of SMEs. The research study was developed around the product innovative and dynamic capability innovative theories. The theoretical model of the product life-cycle was used in developing the three hypotheses that were tested at 0.05 significant levels; through the survey of one hundred and forty respondents. Copies of the questionnaire were administered to the respondents sampled. The validity and reliability of the instrument were measured at Cronbach’s alpha of 0.63 and alternative form validity of 0.59. The findings revealed that there is a significant relationship between product innovation and the survival of SMEs, also, that changes in tastes and preference of consumers necessitate product innovation, and that product innovation increases sales volume of SMEs. The conclusion from the research findings showed that there is need for SMEs to carry out research on product innovation; in other to meet and fulfill the demand and expectations of all consumers and the market. It was recommended that adequate finance, condusive environment, and public policy framework should be developed by the Nigerian governments to support and encourage the SMEs