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

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

PREDICTING PETROLEUM CONSUMPTION USING TRIGONOMETRIC REGRESSION MODEL

This study is used to model and forecast Nigerian motor gasoline consumption using the Trigonometric Regression model which has the capabilities of handling nonlinear time series. The time plot of Nigerian motor gasoline consumption showed the series is nonlinear. The Trigonometric regression model was estimated using the Ordinary Least Square method. From the result, the coefficients of the model influenced Nigerian motor gasoline consumption and a unit increase may lead to an increase or decrease. The values of coefficient of determination (R^2) revealed that the coefficients of the model explained the variations in Nigerian motor gasoline consumption up to 83%. The value of the adjusted coefficient of determination (R ̅^2 ) also revealed that the model is a good fit and has high predictive power. Therefore, the Nigerian motor gasoline consumption forecast from 1980 to 2038 indicated continuous fluctuations from year to year. The shape of the out-sample forecast from 2019 to 2038 exhibited a bell shape. Conclusively, based on the results obtained, the proposed model can be used to obtain future values for Nigerian motor gasoline consumption. This will enhance the Government and shareholders to put in place proper plans and logistics to curtail the challenges that may arise from Nigerian motor gasoline consumption and distribution presently and in the future

Hepatotoxicity of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Bridelia ferruginea on the Liver of Albino Rats

The hepatic effect of aqueous extract of Bridelia ferruginea leaves on the liver of albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) was investigated. The rats were fed with their feed (pellets) and clean water and were left for a period of four weeks to acclimatize to their new environment and thereafter the experiment commenced. The rats were grouped into four groups; the control group which did not receive the extract at all and three other groups according to dose of extracts administered orally. There was a steady increase in weight in both control and treated group in the treated group. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentration was a mean value of  10.4 +1.0U/I for the control group while the treated groups were 38.1 + 3.8U/I, 57.7 + 19.3U/I, and 77.6 + 6.0U/I (at the doses of 50, 100, 150 and 200mg/kg weight/day) respectively. The aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentration had a mean value of 11.5 + 0.5U/I for the control group and 45.6 + 1.3U/I , 44.6 + 4.1U,  41.5 + 2.4U/I  and 50.5+3.3 UI (at the doses of 50, 100, 150 and 200mg/kg weight/day).The transaminases (AST and ALT) are well known enzymes used as biomarkers to predict possible toxicity to the liver. Possible damage to liver cells resulted in elevation of both these transaminases in the serum. Furthermore, measurement of enzymatic activities of AST and ALT is of clinical and toxicological importance as changes in their activities are indicative of liver damage by toxicants or in diseased condition. Histological section of the control group had a normal architecture were the central veins,portal traits hepatocytes and sinusoids appear normal. The lobula unit is also well define. However, group rats treated with 50mg/kg/bw and 100mg/kg/bw showed disintegration of the hepartic cells represented by the separation and disruption of these cells in the tissue with karyolitic nuclei. Also, in rats group treated with 150mg/kg/bw showed extensive area of patchy and confluent hepatocyte necrosis and lobular inflammation Keywords: Hepatotoxicity, Bridelia ferruginea,Albino rat

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

The Role of Microfinance Institutions in Financing Small Businesses

SMEs all over the world play a strong role in national development. This is attributed to the massive employment it provides to the citizenry of the country where it exists. The financing of these ‘’goose’’ which have being laying so many golden eggs has come under scrutiny by academics and practitioners. Due to the recognition accorded this very important sector, the Nigerian government established microfinance banks in the year 2007 to serve as mechanisms for financial sources for various SMEs. This study explored the roles of these micro finance banks and institutions on small and medium enterprises as well as the extent to which the small businesses have benefited from the credit scheme of microfinance banks. Primary data was obtained via interviews conducted in 15 small businesses across Lagos state with their responses summarized in tables. This study advocates the recapitalization of microfinance banks to enhance their capacity to support small business growth and expansion and also to bring to the knowledge of the management of microfinance banks and institutions the impact of the use of collaterals as a condition for granting credit to small businesse