Performance of Build-operate-Transfer Projects: Risks' cost implications from professionals and concessionaires perspective

Determining cost implication of risk factors on performance of Build Operate Transfer (BOT) projects is a major focus of this study. One-hundred and seventeen structured questionnaires were used to collect information randomly from the respondents which made up of professionals such as Builder, Architect, Quantity surveyor and Civil engineer. Content analysis was carried out on the responses for validation; data were further analyzed with Mean Item Score using Risk Mean Index and validated with regression analysis. Meanwhile, the most common risk to all the projects executed are inflation, variation to works, change in government policy and fluctuating nature of foreign exchange with inflation being the highest on rating scale of 0.1 to 1.0 with corresponding cost implications and years. Against the background of the research outcome therefore, cost and time is used in this context as a model typifying the extent of risk implication experienced on the projects

From humanitarianism to family building Genres of security implications of child adoption as a management strategy for infertility

Purpose – Adoption practice is originally designed as a live-saving option for some category of children. In recent times, this purpose has been challenged by several social, biological and cultural exigencies. Hence, a notable morphing of the practice to satisfying adopters’ need has been observed, however, requiring further interrogations. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected through sessions of interviews with six adoption officials (social workers), four orphanage managers, three legal practitioners and 13 prospective and successful adopters, across three selected states. Findings – The study records contemporary adoption practices as mostly a management strategy for infertility by bringing to fore diverse narratives that reveal adoption as now primarily construed, subconsciously implemented and ultimately serving in many ways as the social security mechanism for adopters than for securing the children who are to be adopted. Social implications – This by implication results in poor adoptive parent–child bonding, disservice and maltreatments in diverse ways. Originality/value – This study heralds the “rebranded” security benefits of adoption and enlarges the scope and genres of social security implications of child adoption in the contemporary Nigerian society

Profitability and Stock Price Volatility of Nigerian Listed Manufacturing Companies

The crux of this study was to examine the impact of profitability on stock price volatility using earnings yield, return on total asset, dividend yield and dividends per share as proxies for profitability. This study adopted Ex-post facto design. The population of this study consisted of manufacturing companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) from which five companies were selected. We found that overall; the profitability proxies combined have significant effect on stock price volatility of the sampled companies. Each of the models revealed that earnings yield, dividend yield and dividends per share have a significant relationship with stock price volatility. It was also observed that return on total assets has no significant relationship with stock price volatility. The study concluded that all variables put together show a positive significant impact on stock price volatility with the most impact from dividend yield and dividends per share. Hence, recommendations were made in the light that investors should invest in companies with well-defined ownership structure and managers should adopt a dividend policy beneficial to shareholders. Keywords: Profitability, Stock Price Volatility, Earnings Yield, Return on Total Assets, Dividend Yield and Dividends per Share

ESL Learners and the English Language Diphthongs: A Case of Major and Minor Languages in Nigeria

The English language has come to stay in Nigeria; it is the language of education, commerce and unity, importantly, a global language. Learners of English as Second language (ESL) in Nigeria today go beyond the shores of the country in search for job opportunities and better livelihood. Inability to speak the English language intelligibly definitely will lead to frustration in the new environment and can hinder achievement of future goals in career step. The paper is an attempt at exploring dynamic ways of teaching the English language diphthong with the goal of awakening interest of students in the learning of speaking skill. The focus is on English language diphthongs with particular emphasis on the closing diphthongs. The paper has attempted to discuss the importance of speaking skill in the drive toward proficiency in the English language. The differences in the indigenous languages in Nigeria and the English language are explained. Influence of native speaker’s language on the learning of English language is not left out of the discourse while the role of access to native speaker pronunciation is emphasised. Hopefully the identification of the discrepancies in the major and minor languages in Nigeria vis a vis the English language will stir up in the teachers in Nigerian schools to efficiently and effectively prepare students for life beyond the shores of Nigeria It is hoped that if English language teachers in Nigeria device new ways of teaching the oracy skill, learners will move towards competence in English language. Keywords: English language diphthongs, indigenous languages, dialects, Mother Tongue (MT), Second language (SL), Second language learner, target language, Interference, Skills of English language, poor performance. DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/72-07 Publication date:October 31st 202

The significance of malpractice claims in the management of child adoption demands in Southwest Nigeria

The wide gap between the demand for children and the available adoptable children in Nigeria meets with anecdotal claims on the existence of corrupt practices and systemic vulnerabilities within the child adoption domains. This study investigated the exactitude of these claims on the corridor of child adoption in Nigeria. Data were collected through sessions of qualitative interviews with adoption officials, legal practitioners, and intending/prospective adopters and orphanage managers. Findings revealed that the claims of corrupt practices within the system were not only significant but appear in various shades such as hoarding of adoptable children, request for extra-adoption charges, diversion of already identified children, and procedural circumventions. The corrupt practices and observed illegalities are enabled by some institutionalized adoption principles that prevail within the system of adoption. These observed illicit practices have tenden- cies to threaten the consideration of the best interest of the child which should be the paramount consideration in the placement of children who are to be adopte

Paradoxical nocturnal agitation associated with mirtazapine therapy

This report describes an 85 year old woman presenting with a mixed delirium with risk factors of hyponatraemia, polypharmacy, and bilateral frontal lobe atrophy with small vessel cerebrovascular disease. Treatment for depression with oral citalopram had been revised to oral mirtazapine, with the aim of reducing the risks of recurrent hyponatraemia noted with the former. She developed an evolving adverse drug reaction (ADR) symptom profile of insomnia, and later severe paradoxical nocturnal agitation. These symptoms were subsequently noted to correlate with both the night-time dosing pattern, and the increased dosing regimen of the mirtazapine. The symptoms settled rapidly following withdrawal of the mirtazapine. The report briefly reviews the relevant literature, and two previously validated causality assessment systems are applied to the index case to support the pharmacovigilance process. This is aimed at promoting objectivity in assessing for the likelihood that the suspected medication (mirtazapine) was the cause for the noted adverse drug reaction

Property tax, taxpayers voices and tax compliance in local governments: A case study of land use charge in Lagos State, Nigeria

Property Tax (PT) is chargeable on real property on an annual basis. Worldwide, PT has been a subject of political debate as it plays a vital role in the area of political, social and economic activities. Property taxes evasion are very high in developing countries and perceived to have adversely affects Local Government (LG) revenues. Many studies have been conducted on taxpayers’ compliance behaviour, but not many focused on PT, taxpayer voices and Tax Compliance (TC). This study examined PT, taxpayers’ voices and TC in LGs using Land Use Charge (LUC) in Lagos State, Nigeria as case study. The study employed explanatory research design. Secondary data on LUC collections shared to LGs from 2011-2021 were used. Descriptive statistics of data analysis was adopted. The study revealed that the power of citizens’ voices against government policies and unfriendly laws has negative impact on tax revenues and compliance, this leads to citizens’ apathy, non-compliance and loss of tax revenues. The study also revealed that there are less TC to PT due to few numbers of properties enumerated and taxpayers’ compliance rate. The study recommends that PT laws should be friendly, just and fair while a good PT administration with the use of modern technology of Geographic Information Systems mapping for property identification and tax collections be enhanced. Government should also promote public awareness on PT payment while LG legitimacy and accountability to taxpayers would enhance climate of trust, minimized fraud, eradicate corruption and ensure voluntary tax compliance

Adsorption Behaviour of [(4-Hydroxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-2Hpyran- 3-yl)-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-1methyl]-urea on Stainless Steel in Phosphoric Media

The adsorption of [(4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-2H-pyran-3-yl)-(4-methoxy-phenyl)- methyl]-urea on iron in phosphoric media was studied by using electrochemical technique. The adsorption mechanism was investigated using adsorption isotherms. The experimental data fit localized adsorption models. The values for free energy of adsorption, o DGads , were also calculated at each surface coverage, �, of the studied compound by applying the mathematical model of Bockris – Swinkels adsorption isotherm. The variation of free energy of adsorption o ads DG with surface coverage, �, was interpreted in terms of deviation from ideal condition assumed in Langmuir model. A possible adsorption model of HPU2 molecules on to the metal surface was suggested

Fe(III) and Co(II) complexes of mixed antibiotics: synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial potential and their effect on alkaline phosphatase activities of selected rat tissues

Two new mixed ligand metal complexes of Fe(III) and Co(II) chloride hexahydrate salts were prepared using standard methods. Ampicillin trihydrate and oxytetracycline hydrochloride antibiotics were used as ligands. Chemical analysis including conductivity measurements, molecular weight determination and spectroscopic studies were used to propose the geometry and mode of binding of the ligands to metal ions. Both ligands were proposed to coordinate to metal ions in ratio 1:1:1 in the complexes. Each of the ligands acted as terdentate ligand. Inhibition properties as well as toxicity effect of administration of the metal complexes at the dose of 3.33 mg/kg body weight thrice daily for 5 days on the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities on rat kidney, liver and serum were evaluated. The inhibitory properties of the complexes were found to be significantly different (P<0.05) at the concentration of 1%(w/v) as compared to each of the ligands. The complexes were found to significantly increase (P0.05) in ALP from liver and kidney sera. The results indicated that more potent compounds with better physical properties and enhanced antimicrobial activities upon complexation have been prepared