Computer Simulation of the Impact of Cigarette Smoking On Humans

In this edition, emphasis has been laid on computer simulation of the impact of cigarette smoking on the population between now and the next 50 years, if no government intervention is exercised to control the behaviour of smokers. The statistical indices derived from the previous article (WAJIAR Volume 4) in the series were plugged in as input to the simulation model. The software simulation followed a statistical model. The simulation software was developed using the internationally accepted Software Engineering Methodology – the Structured System Analysis and Design Methodology (SSADM), coding by OOP and packaging by Prototyping methodologies. The simulation is intended to be predictive and to enable policy makers see the impact and dangers of cigarette smoking between now and the next 50 years if current abuse is not controlled, that is, the number of smokers likely to contact liver, brain and related diseases and who are most likely to die from these diseases. The summary of the result shows that in the next fifty years, a total of 2379591 people will likely suffer liver diseases, 2379818 people will likely suffer lung diseases, 2380297 people will likely suffer hepatitis and 2379689 will also likely suffer Brain Damage. Generally, a total of 9519395 people will likely suffer these four diseases caused by cigarette smoking and most importantly, the total number of deaths is expected to be 1903880. This result suggests that the negative impact of cigarette smoking is significant and demands immediate government intervention to avoid further population decimation. Keywords: Simulation, Software, Model, Population, Design

The effect of culture on Corporate Governance Practices in Nigeria

This study focuses on the effect of culture on the application of corporate governance practices in Nigeria. Corporate governance has been receiving serious attention in emerging markets over the past two decades. But relatively little attention has been given to the study on corporate governance in a country study. The current situations in Nigerian public and private sectors such as the corporate scandal resulting from Lever Brothers Nigeria plc, Siemens, Shell, Halliburton, and Cadbury Nigeria plc, have shown that the issue of fraud, corruption, and corporate scandals cannot be overlooked. Most top management, as this study argues, bring in beliefs acquired from their early childhood into their senior management roles and responsibilities. This study adopts a grounded theory and reports on the effect of culture on the implementation of corporate governance in Nigeria. Based on the interview with 32 staffs, this study identifies the effect of culture that shapes corporate governance and they include abuse of power by top management, weak legal framework, poor recruitment and ineffective control. Although having efficient corporate governance is worth pursuing, this depends on the power of top management, the strength of internal control procedures and the legal framework put in place by management