Heavy Metal Analysis of Industrial Discharges in Lagos, Nigeria

Waste water samples from three different industrial areas in Lagos state (Ikeja, Apapa and Victoria Island) spanning the dry and wet seasons, were analyzed for Pb, Cu, Cd, Mn and Fe using the atomic absorption spectroscopic method. The mean values of Fe were within the FMEnV and WHO limits used as standard while the mean values of Cd, Cu, Pb and Mn exceeded these limits indicating that these industries constitute source of pollution to the human lives and ecosystem in the areas involved. Utilization of improved method of treatment and frequent awareness to the compliance of the industries were recommended

Herbal remedies in animal parasitic diseases in Nigeria: a review

This review of literature elucidates previous and current status of herbal remedies in animal parasitic diseases in Nigeria. It provides background information on the rationale behind ethnoveterinary research in general especially as it relates to the developing nations where cost of drugs majorly limit the full use of modern medicine. It presents in quantifiable terms the degree of efficacy of whole or plant parts and their extracts in percentages of efficacy. Dosages and concentrations were reported in certain instances especially in confirmatory research trials unlike in “surveys” where dosages were not recorded but presented only as “traditional practices among herdsmen” for which scientific validation is necessary. Also, comparative inferences were drawn between the efficacy of tested herb and its counterpart in modern medicine. This review concludes that ethnoveterinary medicine should form a part of modern day animal health delivery system.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (4), pp. 303-307, 200

A Perspective Study of Women Micro-Entrepreneurs in the Rural Areas of Osun State, Nigeria

The socio-economic contributions of rural-women entrepreneurs in many countries have not been properly captured in the right perspective. Consequently, the economic potentials of this category of rural dwellers have been underutilized. This empirical study highlights some salient features of these entrepreneurs and their micro-enterprises. Their demographic characteristics as well as motivation factors, among others, were collected from a purposive sample of one hundred and fifty women micro-entrepreneurs from five rural areas in Aiyedire Local government Area (LGA) of Osun state using structured questionnaires. The interview technique, alongside a consideration of relevant extant literatures was also utilized to increase the richness of the data obtained. The information obtained in the survey was analysed using simple descriptive statistical tools with the support of the computer statistical software SPSS 14.0.In conclusion, the women micro-entrepreneurs make significant contributions to the socio-economic well-being of their families, the rural communities as well as the country at large. It is recommended that for such contributions to be more substantial, the entrepreneurial capabilities of these women needs to be further enhanced through gender specific supports that are rural friendly. Keywords: Rural, Woman-entrepreneur, Micro-enterprise, Entrepreneurship

Regulation and the (Ir)Relevance of Other Financial Institutions in Banking System Growth

The banking system growth through capitalisations in Nigeria produced some after-effects, both salutary and otherwise on the other financial institutions. The major objective of this paper was to find out the impact of the growth of the banking system on the OFIs. It used primary and secondary data to assess the impact of the growth and regulation on the OFIs. The paper adapted the Regulatory Pressure Index to assess the perception of regulation and supervision of the OFIs with granger causality and regressions and the main techniques of estimation. The results indicate that the bank growth had positively impacted the Primary Mortgage Institutions and the Microfinance banks while it has a negative near-significant effect on the Finance Houses. The results of the nine RPI objectives indicate that operators agree that there is inadequate supervision in the areas of capital adequacy, liquidity and products offerings of the OFIs. The paper concludes by recommending the change in the mode of supervision and the strengthening the Other Financial Institutions Department of the monetary authority or establishment of a new one to oversee and adequately regulate the activities of the OFIs

Employment prospects of international students in the U.S. and Canada: Socio-political implications for colleges and universities

While the increase of the international student population has been a significant issue on a global scale, it is rarely discussed in the context of two border countries in North America – the U.S. and Canada. In addition, attention to skilled migration as a policy preference has increased among governments in an effort to address labor market gaps arising from economic shifts and structural aging. Governments invent a list of desirable characteristics in international students, such as education, age, language, and work experience, that allows them to be able to apply for employment after graduation. Countries like Canada and Australia are able to retain these students after graduation while more restrictive U.S. policies have implications on international student decision-making and on American institutions of higher education. This article will explore the impact of immigration policies on higher education institutions’ efforts in the U.S. and Canada in attracting international students to their campuses as a result of national immigration laws and priorities

Public-Sector Project Abandonment Decision: A Test of the Ricardian Equivalence Theory on the Failed Lagos Metroline in Nigeria

This chapter examines the implications of projects abandonment with test of the Ricardian Equivalence on the failed Lagos metro line project in Nigeria as case study. The main variables used are Rail and Pipeline Output, Budget Deficit, Interest Rate, Corruption Index, Savings and some others. The study results on the Ricardian Equivalence hypothesis on deficit financing of projects using Vector autoregression model from 1980-2012 indicate that no causal influence holds in Nigeria. Results show that poor planning, corruption, political factors, poor support infrastructures, poor quality of local resources, etc. were attributable. The results of the Impulse Response tests reveal that Rail and Pipeline output and a few others responded positively to shocks in the short run (years 1-2), and negatively to others. The result affirms that Government should privatize the railway system, legislate against project abandonment and ensure that projects are adequately planned, funded, insured and insulated against corruptio

Market Risk Instruments and Portfolio Inflows in African Frontier Economies

Financial investments enable portfolio investors to earn above market returns which do not come without risks. The African frontier markets (FMs) are investigated here and this chapter brings into focus the determinants of portfolio flows into these markets. The number of FEs in African investigated is six and two key financial instruments are used as returns: stock market returns and interest rate spread. Other variables used in the study include reserve liquidity, exchange rates and national income. The method of estimation adopted is the Vector autoregression with Granger causality. The results show that the all the variables are significant with the portfolio inflows. Specifically, portfolio funds are income chasing; the liquidity of reserves is also significant for every country among the FEs to enjoy inflows of portfolio funds, impacting on the exchange rates. Stock market returns is also highly significant in the Granger causality tests. Recommendations made include the increase in productivity to increase income and exports in these economies. In addition, African FEs must reduce interest rate margins to increase real production and encourage bonds markets development and thus attract portfolio investment into the sector rather than to concentrate all attention on the equities market

Fraud Prevention and Internal Control in the Nigerian Banking System

This paper examines the issues of internal control viz., fraud prevention in the banking industry, adopting both primary and secondary data. Primary data was used to test internal control while secondary data were employed to test fraud prevention. The main primary variables were separation of duties, monitoring, and staff qualifications while the main secondary variables are bank profit, regulation, technology and M2. In both cases regression techniques were adopted. The results show that internal control on its own is effective against fraud, but not all staff are committed to it, while the secondary data is quite supportive of the primary data but more exemplifying in that M2, staff qualifications and technology were significant throughout the various dependent variables. It is also clear from the regressions that technological based fraud is significant. The paper recommends the continuation of the cashless policy of the Central Bank to reduce available cash and improvement in educated staff engagement to reduce fraud in the banking syste

The Role of Intensive ICT Adoption and Use on Industrial Development and the Attainment of Millennium Development Goals in Nigeria

The imperative diffusion and use of ICT in organizations whether service or manufacturing is not negotiable. In as much as organizations sees relevant ICT facilities as driven force to fortify  work performance and productivity in order to attain organizational goals. It exploited the Socio-Technical management theory to explain the work; four (4) manufacturing industries that adopt and use ICT facilities in the city of Ibadan were selected for this research. About 336 workers were administered with questionnaire for this study. The quantitate data was analysed using SPSS and ZY index ahile the qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. This paper further showed the connections between industrial sector and the use of ICT facilities and attainment of MDGs in Nigeria. The inventory of ICT facilities in the organizations was investigated. It was discovered that most of organizations especially indigenous manufacturing industries adopt low level of ICT facilities. The paper identified some of the problems organizations in developing nations encountered which undermine rapid industrial development and may mar the attainment of MDGs in Nigeria such as: lack of effective internet connection, high capital investment on ICT facilities, low level of economic development, and ineffectiveness of NITEL and epileptic power supply and poor knowledge, lack of refresher course and poor attitude towards ICT adoption and use. The paper concluded that there should hence be an urgent and sharp paradigm shift from the local approach to work processes that characterized almost all indigenous companies in Nigeria by adopting and using relevant ICT facilities. Hence, the MDGs and the 7-points agenda of the Federal Government will be a tall dream and the vision 20-2020 may not see the light of the day. Therefore, there is the urgent need for some international organizations to assist local or indigenous organizations both service and manufacturing to get access to and afford the application and use of necessary ICT facilities in order to facilitate rapid industrial development and quick attainment of the MDGs. Keywords: ICT, Vision 20-2020, Intensive and Non-Intensive ICT Users and MDGs

Financing Women Entrepreneurs and Employment Generation – a Case Study of Microfinance Banks

Women are becoming increasingly important in the socio-economic development of both developed and developing economies. This is because they account for a significant percentage of the operators of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in virtually all aspects of the globe.Despite these success stories emanating from these economies, the Nigerian case have not been encouraging. The Nigerian women have for decades engagedin survivalist activities due to little or no encouragement from the government and the organised private sectors.This study examined, among others, the impact of financing women entrepreneurs and employment generationamong these groups within the Nigerian state. The study reports that financing women entrepreneurs hasincremental effects on employment generations and their efforts also results in multiple employment generations through improvement in their business activities, thereby increasing the numbers of selfemployed individuals in the country. The study recommends governmental intervention through the enactment of adequate policies tailored toward the encouragement and empowerment of women entrepreneur