Poverty and its Alleviation Lessons for Nigeria

The study focused on the persistent poverty status in Nigeria in spite of all the actions and activities directly and indirectly put in place to reduce it. Nigerian poverty statistics and government actions in tackling poverty were examined. Few countries that have succeeded in reducing poverty position were briefly examined. Specifically, we highlighted how Malaysia, China and South Korea aspired and attained high level poverty alleviation. The lessons of their success stories were the basis for recommendations for Nigeria as a panacea for poverty reduction which has persevere in spite of every efforts over the years. Among the recommendations made include designing of poverty line for the entire geopolitical zone, stating target of poverty reduction within a time frame, and sincerely implementing and monitoring of strategies, programmes and policies. Kalu E. Uma | Paul C.Obidike | Frank O. Ozoh "Poverty and it's Alleviation: Lessons for Nigeria" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-1 | Issue-4 , June 201

Extraction and Use of Potassium Hydroxide from Ripe Plantain Peels Ash for Biodiesel Production

The extraction of the ash of ripe plantain peels to obtain potassium hydroxide (KOH) and its application in the trans-esterification of refined rapeseed and crude jatropha oils have been investigated. At 30 �C, extraction time 1 hr and volume of 5, 7.5 and 10 ml/g ash, the percentage recovery of KOH progressively increased in the first stage, from 26.05 to 26.20 and then to 30.75% respectively, but decreased in the second stage (extraction of the spent ash from stage 1), from 2.20 to 2.10 and to 1.90% respectively. Same trend was also observed at 40 and 50 �C but cumulatively, KOH values recovered increased relatively with increasing extraction time and temperature. The percentage cumulative recovery of KOH was 40.10% at extracting temperature of 50 �C, extracting volumes 10 ml/g ash and extraction time of 3 hrs while it was 40.00% at 50 �C, 10 ml/g ash and 2 hrs extraction time. The least percentage cumulative recovery of KOH was 28.25% at 30 �C with 5 ml extracting volume/g ash and 1 hr extraction time. The percentage purity of the extracted KOH gave 80.0%. The trans-esterification of the two vegetable oils showed the percentage conversion obtained with rapeseed oil was 71.01% using 1 g of KOH extract from ripe plantain peels ash at reaction temperature and time of 75 �C and 4 hours respectively. Under the same reaction conditions, 1 g of commercial caustic potash recorded 70.06% conversion of the rapeseed oil. From the optimized batch process, 97.15% conversion was achieved with crude jatropha oil using 1 g caustic potash extract from ripe plantain peels ash; at reaction temperature and time of 83 �C and 4 hours respectively

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Impact of Talent Management Strategies on Organizational Performance in Selected Deposit Money Banks in Lagos State, Nigeria

This study critically examined the Impact of Talent Management Strategies on Organizational Performance in Selected Deposit Money Banks (DMB) in Lagos State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to; (i) determine the extent succession planning relates to sustainability; (ii) ascertain to what extent human capital development impacts on innovative capabilities of employees; and, (iii) examine the degree compensation impacts on employee engagement, in selected DMBs under study. The study adopted the survey design. The population of the study was 3126 comprising management and junior staff drawn from the selected DMBs in Lagos state, Nigeria. These include First Bank of Nigeria Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, and Ecobank Plc. The sample size of 359 was obtained from the population using Bill Godden\u27s formula at 5% error margin and 90% level of confidence. Data were collected using the questionnaire research instrument and interview guide which was designed in a 5-point Likert Scale and was manually administered to the respondents. The validity of the instrument was measured using content validity, and this was done by three management experts from both the industry and the academia

Sensitivity of Capital Market Development to Public Debt in Nigeria

This article investigated the sensitivity of capital market development to public debt in Nigeria using descriptive statistic, regression analysis, and the Engle-Granger co integration techniques for the period ranging from 1981 to 2014. The estimates from the descriptive analysis showed that both the market capitalization and public debt series were not normally distributed at 5% significance level. The ADF unit root test showed that the market capitalization and public debt series were integrated of order one (i.e., I (1)). The results from the regression model provide evidence to show that capital market development is not sensitive to domestic debt at any conventional level, but it is sensitive to external debt at 10% significance level. The estimates of the Engle-Granger co integration tests show that capital market development is not co integrated with public debt. It is recommended that capital market and debt management authorities should formulate policies will enhance linkage between the markets

Activity of varying compositions of CoeNieP catalysts for the methanolysis of ammonia borane

Various compositions of CoeNieP catalysts supported on a palladium-activated Al2O3 (Pd eAl2O3) substrate were synthesized, characterized and investigated for catalytic methanolysis of ammonia-borane (AB, H3NBH3). The CoeNieP/PdeAl2O3 catalysts were synthesized by polymer-stabilized Pd nanoparticle-catalyzation and activation of the Al2O3 substrate support and the electroless deposition of cobalt-nickel (CoeNi) metal particles on the surface of the Al2O3 support for a plating time of 30 min. The CoeNieP/PdeAl2O3 catalysts are stable enough to be isolated as solid materials and characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). At 40 ± 0.5 �C, the isolable, re-dispersible and reusable catalysts were found active in the methanolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia-borane retaining up to 65% of its initial activity after five cycles. Rates of hydrogen evolution were used to determine the kinetics of methanolysis reaction. The ranges of examined catalyst particle amounts, AB concentrations and temperatures were 15.75e63 mg, 50e200 mM, and 30e55 �C, respectively. Hydrogen desorption was identified as the rate controlling step in the methanolysis reaction and using the data, the kinetic rate constant (€kH2 ), the hydrogen desorption equilibrium constant (KH2 ), and the overall equilibrium constant (K1) parameters in a LangmuireHinshelwood rate expression were determined to be 1.4 mol/g-cat. s, 1.5918 L/ mol and 1.5986 L/mol, respectively. Activation parameters such as enthalpy of activation (DH), entropy of activation (DS), and activation energy (Ea) that were obtained by Eyring and Arrhenius equations are reported for the various catalyst ratio

Socioeconomic Status Correlates with the Prevalence of Advanced Coronary Artery Disease in the United States

Background: Increasingly studies have identified socioeconomic factors adversely affecting healthcare outcomes for a multitude of diseases. To date, however, there has not been a study correlating socioeconomic details from nationwide databases on the prevalence of advanced coronary artery disease. We seek to identify whether socioeconomic factors contribute to advanced coronary artery disease prevalence in the United States. Methods and Findings: State specific prevalence data was queried form the United States Nationwide Inpatient Sample for 2009. Patients undergoing percutaneous coronary angioplasty and coronary artery bypass graft were identified as principal procedures. Non-cardiac related procedures, lung lobectomy and hip replacement (partial and total) were identified and used as control groups. Information regarding prevalence was then merged with data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the largest, on-going telephone health survey system tracking health conditions and risk behaviors in the United States. Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated for individual socioeconomic variables including employment status, level of education, and household income. Household income and education level were inversely correlated with the prevalence of percutaneous coronary angioplasty (−0.717; −0.787) and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (−0.541; −0.618). This phenomenon was not seen in the non-cardiac procedure control groups. In multiple linear regression analysis, socioeconomic factors were significant predictors of coronary artery bypass graft and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (p<0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively). Conclusions: Socioeconomic status is related to the prevalence of advanced coronary artery disease as measured by the prevalence of percutaneous coronary angioplasty and coronary artery bypass graft surgery