Mud rotary drilling in Southern Nigeria: Potential adverse effects of its by-products on the environment

Boreholes are the major sources of potable water for households, communities, institutions and industries in Nigeria and the number of these boreholes continues to rise and does not show any sign of abatement. Among the current methods used for drilling boreholes, mud rotary drilling has been consistently chosen due to its low cost and efficient operation. However, no attempt has been made to assess the effects of the drilling process and the potential impact of its by-products on the environment. This work assesses the concentrations of heavy metal constituents of mud effluent collected from five well sites made of mud rotary drilling (Oraeri community in Anambra State, Yenegoa in Bayelsa State, Forcados Island in Delta State, Ohaji Egbema in Imo State, and Ndoni LGA in Rivers State) in Southern Nigeria and the impact of its by-products where they are indiscriminately disposed during and after drilling activities. The Mud effluent collected from all the sites were analyzed for metals (Manganese, copper, lead, nickel, zinc, chromium, arsenic, mercury, and iron) using atomic absorption spectrophotometery (AAS) method. The mud effluents from the wells in all the sites have concentrations in the range of Manganese (114 to 314 mg/kg), Copper (73 to 96 mg/kg), Lead (16 to 36 mg/kg), Nickel (36 to 70 mg/kg), Zinc (4 to 79.51 mg/kg), Chromium (320 to 423 mg/kg), Arsenic (2 to 3.2 mg/kg), Mercury (Trace to 2.93 mg/kg) and Iron (14 to 229.3 mg/kg) in that order. The study also highlights the possible methods of managing the drilling mud effluent and the best practices for disposing the waste materials

Design and implementation of JAMB Computer-Based Test System with Voice Command

This work was motivated by the desire to develop a Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer Based Test (CBT) system for the physically challenged. Since JAMB introduced a computer based software, examination candidates are only allowed to read questions from the computer screen and input answers to the questions via the mouse or keyboard. This computer based test software came with some challenges especially for candidates who are physically challenged. These candidates do not find it easy to read from the computer screen and or make input through the keyboard. Hence the design and implementation a JAMB CBT with voice command was embarked on. Object oriented analysis and design methodology (OOADM) was adopted in this study. Microsoft Visual Basic.NET was used to implement the system. This was supported with MySQL database, a free distributed database engine. The system is a desktop application based on behavior and states of objects. The system reads onscreen questions to candidates, using the earpiece and allows candidates most especially the physically challenged to make input or control the system using voice

Transgenerational business legacies and intergenerational succession among the Igbos (Nigeria)

The main purpose of this study is to highlight the entrepreneurial exploits of an ethnic group within the African context. The research context is the Igbos in Eastern Nigeria who have been celebrated as the pinnacle of African entrepreneurship. The study also draws on the narratives of 25 experienced business owners, and the emerging data thematically analysed to identify key variables associated with transgenerational business legacies and succession. Additional insight on salient cultural and community nuances like the role of Di-okpara (first son), Umunna (sons of the land), Ikwu (members of a Kindred) and Umuada (daughters of the land) were unravelled through interview transcripts and validated by respondents. These insights inform a contribution to the discourse of ethnic or indigenous entrepreneurship, which has both theoretical and policy implications

Breaching Location Silos: An Exploration of social media optimisation by SMMEs in Southern Africa

Published ArticleThis study explores the significance of social media as e-marketplaces for advancing e-commerce for small scale, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in the southern African sub-region – notably in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Evidence from the examination of extant literature and our personal observations reveal that when properly harnessed as e-marketplaces, social media platforms, especially those that are compatible with mobile devices (i.e. smart mobile phones, tablets and notebooks), have tremendous e-commerce potential to enhance brand awareness, market growth, and market share for firms, thereby augmenting and expediting the management of customer relationships and brand loyalty. These benefits have the potential to trigger innovative marketing, brand positioning and creativity for SMMEs in South Africa and Zimbabwe. The main theoretical contribution of this study is the development of a conceptual model of social media that promotes SMME growth especially considering the large percentage of youth with a large appetite for new technology. Therefore, active engagement on social media could breach (the current) location silos," by tapping into the diaspora market

Techno-economic analysis of storage degradation effect on levelised cost of hybrid energy storage systems

Abstract: The inclusion of storage systems in renewable-based energy systems is a promising option to boost the reliability of power supply for offgrid communities. A major consideration is the cost and performance of the selected storage system. This study investigates different energy storage combinations to form a hybrid energy storage system (HESS). The goal is to exploit the complementary characteristics of each storage system. The effects of system degradation on energy output and replacement costs over a 20-year period are analysed and used in obtaining the Levelised Cost of Hybrid Energy Storage Systems (LCOHESS); which can be used as a basis for comparing the techno-economic benefits of different HESS configurations. The model is run with data for a community in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa, to show the best HESS option that could be deployed by rural electrification planners and investors, based on the value of LCOHESS obtained

Percepção, crenças e práticas sobre a esquistossomose genito-urinária de habitantes de áreas endêmicas selecionadas (Edo/Estados Delta) no sudeste da Nigéria

Well-structured questionnaire on the perception, impression and response to genitourinary bilharziasis (Genitourinary schistosomiasis) was administered and explained in local languages: 'Igbo' 'Esan' 'Ezon' Itshekiri and Bini to 33815 inhabitants of selected endemic areas in south-eastern Nigeria from January, 1999 to December, 2001. Out of this number, 3815 (11.3%) were properly filled and returned. About 42.0% of the inhabitants admitted knowledge of the disease, while 14 (0.4%) knew about the aetiologic agent. About 181 (5.0%) who responded, admitted procuring treatment, while 100 (5.0%) declined to seek treatment of any sort. The relationships between water-bodies and human activities, and infection were well discussed. Amongst those who admitted knowledge of the disease but no knowledge of its etiologic agent, declined seeking treatment of any kind, but believe the disease is a natural phenomenon in ones developmental stage and therefore of no morbidity and mortality. Laboratory analysis of urine, faeces, semen and HVS was employed to assess questionnaire responses, and in some cases, physical examination was utilized to augment laboratory analysis in confirming urinal diagnosis. Haematuria was only directly related to egg count in the early part of life. Females were significantly haematuric and excreted more ova than males (p < 0.05). Headache (43.0%) and fever (31.0%) were major clinical signs while sexual pains (22.0%) were the least.Um questionário bem estruturado sobre a percepção e práticas e crenças sobre a esquistossomose genito-urinária foi administrado e explicado em dialetos locais: "Igbo" "Esan" "Ezon" Itshekiri e Bini a 33815 habitantes de áreas endêmicas selecionadas no sudeste da Nigéria, de janeiro de 1999 a dezembro de 2001. Deste total, 3815 (11,3%) foram preenchidos adequadamente e devolvidos. Cerca de 42,0% dos habitantes admitiram conhecer a doença, enquanto 14 (0,4%) conheciam o agente etiológico. Cerca de 181 (5,0%) dos que responderam admitiram ter procurado tratamento, enquanto 100 (5,0%) não procuraram tratamento de qualquer tipo. A relação entre as coleções de águas e atividades humanas e infecção foram discutidas. Entre os que admitiram conhecer a doença mas não o seu agente etiológico não procuraram nenhum tratamento, mas acreditam que a doença é um fenômeno natural nos estágios de desenvolvimento e portanto não apresentam morbidade e mortalidade. A análise laboratorial da urina, fezes, semen e HVS foi empregada para as respostas dos questionários e em alguns casos o exame físico foi utilizado para aumentar a análise laboratorial e confirmar o diagnóstico urinário. Hematúria foi diretamente relacionada a contagem de ovos na primeira parte da vida. As mulheres foram significativamente mais hematúricas e excretaram mais ovos que os homens (p < 0,05). Dor de cabeça (43,0%) e febre (31,0%) foram os maiores sinais clínicos enquanto dores sexuais (22,0%) foram os menores

Using Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral, and Control Mastery Prototypes to Predict Change: A New Look at an Old Paradigm for Long-Term Single-Case Research

This article illustrates a method of testing models of change in individual long-term psychotherapy cases. A depressed client was treated with 208 sessions of control mastery therapy (CMT), an unmanualized approach that integrates elements of psychodynamic therapy (PDT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Panels of experts developed prototypes of ideal PDT, CBT, and CMT process using the Psychotherapy Process Q-set (PQS; J. S. Ablon & E. E. Jones, 1999; E. E. Jones, L. A. Parke, & S. Pulos, 1992; E. E. Jones & S. M. Pulos, 1993). Independent observers rated every 4th session (N = 53) with the PQS. Using correlations between ideal and actual PQS ratings followed by paired t tests, the authors compared adherence to the CMT prototype with adherence to plausible alternative models advocated by the PDT and CBT experts. Bivariate time series analyses determined whether prototype adherence predicted an estimated index of symptom change. Results showed that the therapist\u27s behavior was most consistent with the CMT prototype and that this aspect of the CMT prototype along with particular aspects of the other prototypes influenced estimated symptom change. The results, which replicate and extend earlier findings, support the validity of this approach to studying long-term therapies but also highlight its limitations

Customs unions theory and the ECOWAS experience.

The study traces the evolution of West African economic integration efforts, leading up to the formation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The original Lagos Treaty of 1975 is reviewed against the background of its revised 1993 Abuja version under the framework of the Customs Unions theory. This study is undertaken to ascertain the consistency of regional integration theory with the stated objectives of ECOWAS. It questions, for example, whether the Customs Unions theory and its welfare effects could actually explain the experience of regional integration of West Africa in general, and within ECOWAS in particular. In other words, the critical success factors and/ or moderating influences in ECOWAS are examined against the background of the Community's objectives as set out in its two Treaties. The study also benefits from a wide range of discussions on different political and economic bases for regional integration theory: functionalism, neofunctionalism, federalism and intergovernmentalism and their relevance to ECOWAS. Strange enough, while these 'isms' are demonstrated to be inconsistent with ECOWAS objectives having dwelt more on regional integration efforts in Europe, no other study on West African integration has examined ECOWAS along these lines.The experience of ECOWAS is made against the backdrop of Customs Unions within Africa, such as the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADCC); and others outside Africa in regions like the European Union (EU), North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA) and the South American Customs Union (MERCOSUR). One emerging pattern of such comparison reveals that ECOWAS has wavered from its stated objectives in favour of the static principles of customs unions theory and consequently been unable to improve its record on the welfare levels of contracting states. The implication of such departures from its original objectives is that market inter-penetration and intra-regional trade within ECOWAS has neither yielded the desired welfare gains nor improved levels of industrialisation, sustained growth and economic development. It is safe to conclude, therefore, that despite considerable efforts at achieving regional economic integration in ECOWAS, the result has been dismal largely as a result of applying unrealistic models of customs unions theory to the West African situation. It is therefore posited that the process of regional economic integration in other parts of the world and particularly in Europe, are not readily applicable in the West African context, where the economic, political and institutional foundations are not only grossly dissimilar but largely at variance

Marketing in the informal economy:an entrepreneurial perspective and research agenda

After the reading this chapter you will be able to: Understand the importance of educating tomorrow’s entrepreneurial marketers today; Recognise that students need to undergo a clearly defined learning journey in order to become future successful entrepreneurial marketers; Appreciate the components of a learning journey incorporating the necessary features leading to effective entrepreneurial marketing action in individual students; Assess and analyse the nature of the various knowledge elements and competencies that can lead to the development of an entrepreneurial identity in students