Assessment of the Willingness of Ebonyi State Government to Adopt the Contributory Pension Scheme in Nigeria

In the year 2004 Nigeria keyed into the contributory pension scheme. This was precipitated by the daunting challenges pensioners face in accessing their pensions under the non-contributory pension scheme which was introduced in 1979 by Act 102. The major challenges that confronted the non-contributory pension scheme were embezzlement of pension funds, and delay in the payment of retirement benefits to retirees and on time. These negatively affected the welfare of retirees. This study reviewed reasons why Ebonyi State government was stuck with the non-contributory pension scheme despite these challenges. The study was conducted in Ebonyi State and the study population was made up of 108 staffs of the Department of Pension’s, office of the Head of Service and staff of the Sub-Treasury, Ebonyi State Ministry of Finance. Questionnaire was administered to 108 respondents, out of which 85 were returned. Data generated reveal government’s unwillingness to submit for passage the contributory pension bill to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly (51.8%) and excessive bureaucracy in the adoption of the contributory pension scheme (60%), that contributory pension scheme is difficult to manage (56.5%) and so forth   as reasons why government has refused to introduce the contributory pension scheme. The study recommends the adoption of the contributory pension scheme as alternative to the challenges pensioners face in the management of the non-contributory pension scheme in Ebonyi State Nigeria

Post-Retirement Stress Under Non-Contributory Pension Regime: A Study of Retired Civil Servants in Ebonyi State Nigeria

Post retirement life is not devoid of stress. Retirees face a lot of challenges especially in the management of the non-contributory pension regime established by Act 102 of 1979 in Nigeria. The 2004 Pension Reform Act was introduced as alternative to these challenges. This study underscored the intricacies inherent in retirement stress and their coping strategies among retired civil servants in Ebonyi State Nigeria. The study population was retired civil servants. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to administer questionnaire to 365 respondents, out of which all were returned. The questionnaire focused on respondents’ demographic data and retirees coping strategies. In-depth interviews were conducted on 5 respondents; the President Nigerian Union of Pensioners, other two pensioners and the President and Secretary Nigerian Labour Congress. Result indicates that the most widely adopted coping strategies were; investment of gratuities (45.5%) and relocation to family houses (32.3%). The study recommends the adoption of the contributory pension regime which has a lot of advantages to retirees since it can afford them funds that will enable them provide their welfare needs

Mentoring in a Nigerian University: An Analysis of Mentor- Protegee Relationship and Benefits

The association of men to ring with "in loco parentis" situates it in institutional growth and development discourse in Nigerian University System. The study examined mentorprotegee relationship and the benefits accruing from the mentorship Programme instituted in the Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan in 2006. A triangulation of research methods was utilized in the collection of data. The mentors hip programme was found to be beneficial to the mentees in several aspects of their academic life in spite of mixed bag of mentor-mentee relationships

Cucumeropsis mannii seed oil ameliorates Bisphenol‐A‐induced adipokines dysfunctions and dyslipidemia

From Wiley via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2022-12-25, rev-recd 2023-01-07, accepted 2023-02-06, pub-electronic 2023-02-18Article version: VoRPublication status: PublishedThis study demonstrated the therapeutic potentials of Cucumeropsis mannii seed oil (CMSO) capable of alleviating BPA‐induced dyslipidemia and adipokine dysfunction. In this study, we evaluated the effects of CMSO on adipokine dysfunctions and dyslipidemia in bisphenol‐A (BPA)‐induced male Wistar rats. Six‐week‐old 36 albino rats of 100–200 g weight were assigned randomly to six groups, which received varied doses of BPA and/or CMSO. The administration of BPA and CMSO was done at the same time for 42 days by oral intubation. The adipokine levels and lipid profile were measured in adipose tissue and plasma using standard methods. BPA induced significant (p < .05) increases in triglycerides, cholesterol, leptin, LDL‐C, and atherogenic and coronary risk indices in adipose tissue and plasma, as well as a decrease in adiponectin and HDL‐C levels in Group II animals. BPA administration significantly (p < .05) elevated Leptin levels and reduced adiponectin levels. BPA plus CMSO reduced triglycerides, cholesterol, leptin, LDL‐C, and atherogenic and coronary risk indices while increasing adiponectin levels and HDL‐C in adipose tissue and plasma (p < .05). The results showed that BPA exposure increased adipose tissue as well as serum levels of the atherogenic index, triglycerides, cholesterol, coronary risk index, LDL‐C, leptin, and body weight with decreased adiponectin levels and HDL‐C. Treatment with CMSO reduced the toxicities caused by BPA in rats by modulating the body weight, adiponectin/leptin levels, and lipid profiles in serum and adipose tissue. This study has shown that CMSO ameliorates BPA‐induced dyslipidemia and adipokine dysfunctions. We suggest for further clinical trial to establish the clinical applications

Coping With Job Stress in the Banking Sector: A Study of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Job stress has adverse effects on both organizations and employees. Previous studies examining the causes of job stress paid little attention to stress management and coping strategies, especially in the banking sector. This study therefore aimed to determine the various ways employees in the banking sector could cope with workplace stress. The questionnaire instrument used in this study focused on respondents’ demographic characteristics and the coping strategies adopted in overcoming workplace stress. Twenty eight bank workers participated in this study. Symbolic interactionism and macro-analytic, state-oriented theories formed the framework. Results indicate that stress on the job reduces when employees i) do physical exercises like jugging, aerobatics and regular visit to the gym (89%), ii) have more control over their jobs (93%), iii) are allowed to handle family issues inbetween their duties (61%), iv) are allowed to work in their areas of specialization (100%), v) have conducive working environment (93%), vi) have job security (71%), vii) have no deadlines on job delivery (89%), viii) receive in-service training to keep them abreast of new trends on their jobs (86%), and ix) are granted leaves. In view of the foregoing, the study recommends that employers should assign employees responsibilities in their areas of specialization. They should also organize periodic seminars to keep workers abreast with the current trends in global banking system.Keywords: Banking, Coping strategies, Stress managemen