Enhancing the entrepreneurial intention of the retiring military personnel through entrepreneurial training

This study examined the factors enhancing the entrepreneurial intention of the retiring military personnel in Nigeria, using entrepreneurial training as a moderator. A total of 423 retiring military personnel on pre-retirement entrepreneurial and vocational training programme at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria participated in the study. Four variables were used to explain the entrepreneurial intention, which are the entrepreneurial finance, government policy, market opportunities and physical facilities. Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) algorithm and bootstrap techniques were used to test the study hypotheses. The results provided support for the hypothesized direct effects of the four variables on the entrepreneurial intention of the retiring military personnel in Nigeria. The study revealed that entrepreneurial finance is the most important variable of the model, follow by market availability, physical facilities and government policies. It was also found that the entrepreneurial training moderated the relationship between two of the independent variables (entrepreneurial finance and physical facilities) and entrepreneurial intention. Training strengthens the relationship between physical facilities and intention, however, it weakens the relationship between entrepreneurial finance and intention. The study recommends that the retiring military personnel must plan towards becoming entrepreneurs upon retirement by engaging in early saving as it constitutes most readily available source of seed capital. The Government should also create an enabling business environment (improving market availabilities and physical facilities) and ensure the provision of specific entrepreneurial training to improve the skills needed to succeed as entrepreneurs upon retirement (for examples, marketing skills and financial planning). In general, these findings support the view that entrepreneurial training enhances and stimulates the intention of the retiring military personnel (possibly also for the other government uniform personnel) to become entrepreneurs

The Effect of Entrepreneurial Knowledge on the Third Age Entrepreneurial Intention

The retirement income is not large enough to satisfy Nigerian’s expectations for a better standard of living upon retirement, a phenomenon that made most retirees to experience painful declines in their standard of living after retirement leading to various socio-economic challenges for the retirees, thus, this study examines the effect of entrepreneurial knowledge in inducing the third age entrepreneurial intention.Using Stratified sampling method, 176 retired federal workers that attended the mandatory pre-retirement entrepreneurial training programmes which cut across the military, para military and civil retirees residing in Kwara and Kogi states of Nigeria were used for this study through self-administered questionnaires. The Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Model was employed to test the hypothesis.The result suggests a positive and significant relationship between entrepreneurial knowledge and entrepreneurial intention among the third age entrepreneurs, suggesting that entrepreneurial knowledge can simulate intention towards a later career in entrepreneurship among the retirees. However, it is found that despite the individual entrepreneurial intention and the decision to continue their labour force upon retirement, through entrepreneurship, most retirees still continue to remain doing nothing and jobless due to lack of financial capital, non-access to information and unfriendly government regulation. The study recommends that retiring individuals must embrace retirement planning through participation in cooperative society and involvement in early saving for retirement. In addition, Individuals should be encouraged to start business few years before retirement age to gain foundation necessary for business experience

Entrepreneurial Training and Career Path of Retired Military Personnel as Entrepreneurs in Nigeria

Over the years, retired military personnel have charted various career paths in various industries. The majority of them are still in the productive age, whereas they are active and have much more years to generate income on top of their retirement benefits. Studies show that most of the retired military personnel in Nigeria have been increasingly involved in various post-career transitions into self- employment businesses such as small scale businesses and agriculture. This is probably being explained by entrepreneurial training usually given to the retiring military personnel prior to their retirement, need to overcome burdensome to earn additional income, and the need to get involve in a particular job which they are unable to pursue while in the military service. Based on data collected in 2015 from the retiring military personnel on the pre-retirement entrepreneurial training programme, the majority of the retiring personnel indicates the desire to become agricultural entrepreneurs due largely to its requirement of less skillful and need to exploit the readily available market. Using the motivational theory of expectancy, this paper discusses the entrepreneurial paths of the retired military personnel and their intention or desire to become entrepreneurs and what stops them from becoming one

Moderating effect of perceived social norms on the relationship between entrepreneurial knowledge and graduates entrepreneurial intention

This study examines the moderating effect of perceived social norms on the relationship between entrepreneurial knowledge and graduates entrepreneurial intention. Using purposeful sampling technique, 375 individual National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in various locations in Kwara States, Nigeria were randomly selected and sampled by means of a structured questionnaire.The Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Model was used to test the model hypotheses. Result reveals that there is a positive and significant relationship between entrepreneurial knowledge and graduates entrepreneurial intention, however, the moderating effect of perceived social norms on the relationship between entrepreneurial knowledge and graduates entrepreneurial intention was negatively supported, suggesting Nigerian graduate preference for white collar jobs due to the societal negative perception about graduates becoming entrepreneur upon graduation. It is recommended that the government at all levels should intensify effort towards promoting positive entrepreneurial perception, that will enhance the perception of the entrepreneur as a viable career alternative, and similarly, the government should create an enabling environment that promotes positive entrepreneurial culture

Impact of Competition on the Financial Performance of Listed Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria

The impact of bank competition on bank performance remains a widely debated issue. At present, scholars investigate either the competition-stability or the competition-fragility relationships. The traditional competition-fragility view equates bank competition with instability as competition reduces market power and profit margins which in turn encourages bank managers to take higher risks. In contrast, the competition-stability view stipulates that competition leads to lower loan interest rates and consequently lower moral hazard and adverse selection problems and less risky loan portfolios. This study examines both paradigms using panel data from deposit money banks in Nigeria over a period of ten years (2005-2014). Results show that the overall relationship between competition and financial performance of banks is negative. The study, therefore, concludes that competition has a negative effect on the financial performance of banks in Nigeria. The study suggests that regulators should promote healthy competition among deposit money banks so as to reduce the negative effect of competition on bank financial performance. Managers should take measures to enhance profit margin by reducing expenses. Current efforts of the government in terms of improved power generation may help to cut cost of power borne by the banks. Managers should also ensure healthy loan portfolio by ensuring that only customers with high credit scores get loans. Keywords: Bank, competition, financial performance, loan, market share, Nigeria, profit margin, risk.

Colonisation of hospital surfaces from low- and middle-income countries by extended spectrum β-lactamase- and carbapenemase-producing bacteria

Hospital surfaces can harbour bacterial pathogens, which may disseminate and cause nosocomial infections, contributing towards mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). During the BARNARDS study, hospital surfaces from neonatal wards were sampled to assess the degree of environmental surface and patient care equipment colonisation by Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) carrying antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Here, we perform PCR screening for extended-spectrum β-lactamases (blaCTX-M-15) and carbapenemases (blaNDM, blaOXA-48-like and blaKPC), MALDI-TOF MS identification of GNB carrying ARGs, and further analysis by whole genome sequencing of bacterial isolates. We determine presence of consistently dominant clones and their relatedness to strains causing neonatal sepsis. Higher prevalence of carbapenemases is observed in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia, compared to other countries, and are mostly found in surfaces near the sink drain. Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter hormaechei, Acinetobacter baumannii, Serratia marcescens and Leclercia adecarboxylata are dominant; ST15 K. pneumoniae is identified from the same ward on multiple occasions suggesting clonal persistence within the same environment, and is found to be identical to isolates causing neonatal sepsis in Pakistan over similar time periods. Our data suggests persistence of dominant clones across multiple time points, highlighting the need for assessment of Infection Prevention and Control guidelines

Neonatal sepsis and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries from a facility-based birth cohort: an international multisite prospective observational study

Background Neonatal sepsis is a primary cause of neonatal mortality and is an urgent global health concern, especially within low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), where 99% of global neonatal mortality occurs. The aims of this study were to determine the incidence and associations with neonatal sepsis and all-cause mortality in facility-born neonates in LMICs. Methods The Burden of Antibiotic Resistance in Neonates from Developing Societies (BARNARDS) study recruited mothers and their neonates into a prospective observational cohort study across 12 clinical sites from Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa. Data for sepsis-associated factors in the four domains of health care, maternal, birth and neonatal, and living environment were collected for all mothers and neonates enrolled. Primary outcomes were clinically suspected sepsis, laboratory-confirmed sepsis, and all-cause mortality in neonates during the first 60 days of life. Incidence proportion of livebirths for clinically suspected sepsis and laboratory-confirmed sepsis and incidence rate per 1000 neonate-days for all-cause mortality were calculated. Modified Poisson regression was used to investigate factors associated with neonatal sepsis and parametric survival models for factors associated with all-cause mortality. Findings Between Nov 12, 2015 and Feb 1, 2018, 29 483 mothers and 30 557 neonates were enrolled. The incidence of clinically suspected sepsis was 166·0 (95% CI 97·69–234·24) per 1000 livebirths, laboratory-confirmed sepsis was 46·9 (19·04–74·79) per 1000 livebirths, and all-cause mortality was 0·83 (0·37–2·00) per 1000 neonate-days. Maternal hypertension, previous maternal hospitalisation within 12 months, average or higher monthly household income, ward size (>11 beds), ward type (neonatal), living in a rural environment, preterm birth, perinatal asphyxia, and multiple births were associated with an increased risk of clinically suspected sepsis, laboratory-confirmed sepsis, and all-cause mortality. The majority (881 [72·5%] of 1215) of laboratory-confirmed sepsis cases occurred within the first 3 days of life. Interpretation Findings from this study highlight the substantial proportion of neonates who develop neonatal sepsis, and the high mortality rates among neonates with sepsis in LMICs. More efficient and effective identification of neonatal sepsis is needed to target interventions to reduce its incidence and subsequent mortality in LMICs. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Effects of antibiotic resistance, drug target attainment, bacterial pathogenicity and virulence, and antibiotic access and affordability on outcomes in neonatal sepsis: an international microbiology and drug evaluation prospective substudy (BARNARDS)

Background Sepsis is a major contributor to neonatal mortality, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). WHO advocates ampicillin–gentamicin as first-line therapy for the management of neonatal sepsis. In the BARNARDS observational cohort study of neonatal sepsis and antimicrobial resistance in LMICs, common sepsis pathogens were characterised via whole genome sequencing (WGS) and antimicrobial resistance profiles. In this substudy of BARNARDS, we aimed to assess the use and efficacy of empirical antibiotic therapies commonly used in LMICs for neonatal sepsis. Methods In BARNARDS, consenting mother–neonates aged 0–60 days dyads were enrolled on delivery or neonatal presentation with suspected sepsis at 12 BARNARDS clinical sites in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa. Stillborn babies were excluded from the study. Blood samples were collected from neonates presenting with clinical signs of sepsis, and WGS and minimum inhibitory concentrations for antibiotic treatment were determined for bacterial isolates from culture-confirmed sepsis. Neonatal outcome data were collected following enrolment until 60 days of life. Antibiotic usage and neonatal outcome data were assessed. Survival analyses were adjusted to take into account potential clinical confounding variables related to the birth and pathogen. Additionally, resistance profiles, pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic probability of target attainment, and frequency of resistance (ie, resistance defined by in-vitro growth of isolates when challenged by antibiotics) were assessed. Questionnaires on health structures and antibiotic costs evaluated accessibility and affordability. Findings Between Nov 12, 2015, and Feb 1, 2018, 36 285 neonates were enrolled into the main BARNARDS study, of whom 9874 had clinically diagnosed sepsis and 5749 had available antibiotic data. The four most commonly prescribed antibiotic combinations given to 4451 neonates (77·42%) of 5749 were ampicillin–gentamicin, ceftazidime–amikacin, piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin, and amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin. This dataset assessed 476 prescriptions for 442 neonates treated with one of these antibiotic combinations with WGS data (all BARNARDS countries were represented in this subset except India). Multiple pathogens were isolated, totalling 457 isolates. Reported mortality was lower for neonates treated with ceftazidime–amikacin than for neonates treated with ampicillin–gentamicin (hazard ratio [adjusted for clinical variables considered potential confounders to outcomes] 0·32, 95% CI 0·14–0·72; p=0·0060). Of 390 Gram-negative isolates, 379 (97·2%) were resistant to ampicillin and 274 (70·3%) were resistant to gentamicin. Susceptibility of Gram-negative isolates to at least one antibiotic in a treatment combination was noted in 111 (28·5%) to ampicillin–gentamicin; 286 (73·3%) to amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin; 301 (77·2%) to ceftazidime–amikacin; and 312 (80·0%) to piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin. A probability of target attainment of 80% or more was noted in 26 neonates (33·7% [SD 0·59]) of 78 with ampicillin–gentamicin; 15 (68·0% [3·84]) of 27 with amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin; 93 (92·7% [0·24]) of 109 with ceftazidime–amikacin; and 70 (85·3% [0·47]) of 76 with piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin. However, antibiotic and country effects could not be distinguished. Frequency of resistance was recorded most frequently with fosfomycin (in 78 isolates [68·4%] of 114), followed by colistin (55 isolates [57·3%] of 96), and gentamicin (62 isolates [53·0%] of 117). Sites in six of the seven countries (excluding South Africa) stated that the cost of antibiotics would influence treatment of neonatal sepsis

Translation Strategies of Proverbs in Selected Yoruba Nollywood Epic Movies

Translation converts a text semantically, culturally and pragmatically from a language into another. In translating a text, translators face hurdles when confronted with culture-bound expressions such as proverbs, idioms, incantations and riddles in a source language. In subtitle ofYoruba Nollywood epic movies, proverbs are often mistranslated into English and the ideas in the source text are misrepresented in the target text due to cultural differences, thus defeating the aim of the translation. This study, therefore, investigates the strategies employed in translating proverbs in selected Yoruba Nollywood epic movies, to determine their appropriateness in such translations. The study adopts Vermeer's Skopos theory as theoretical framework due to its focus on the purpose, adequacy and function of translation. Twenty-three proverbs that were likely to give the most information required for the study were purposively selected, from twelve randomly sampled Yoruba epic movies. The findings reveal that the translators employed literal translation, modulation, transposition, paraphrasing, and cultural substitution in translating the proverbs in the movies. Keywords: Skopos theory, translation strategies, Yoruba Nollywood movies, proverbs, fidelity