Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Post-Merger on Nigerian Banks Profitability

This research work examined the impact of post-merge on Nigerian banks profitability with special reference to selected banks. The data used for this study was obtained mainly from secondary data which were derived from the annual report and accounts of Access Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA) between 2005 – 2012, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistics bulletins and relevant journals. Access bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc were selected for the study. The method of analysis is that of multiple regressions and the method of estimation is Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) with aid of STATA software. The result showed that post-merger has not significantly impacted on banks profitability. The study recommends among other that Central Bank of Nigeria should ensure that only strong banks are merging so as to form mega bank in order to achieve the synergy that the bank consolidation promises. And also management of Nigerian banks should be discouraged from unethical banking practices Keywords: Merger and acquisition, Net asset, Shareholder fund, Profitability and Ban

Development of nanoparticle-enriched edible coatings to improve fruit quality and extend the shelf life of Cavendish bananas

Abstract: Bananas have a very short shelf life due to their climacteric nature, which means they continue to ripen even after harvest. As a result, a novel postharvest management strategy is required to extend the shelf life of the fruit while decreasing wastage and losses. The application of edible coatings to extend the shelf life of bananas and maintain postharvest quality is being considered as a potential option. To our knowledge, little research has been published on the application of Aloe vera and moringa coatings enriched with chitosan nanoparticles to enhance the shelf life of banana fruit at room storage. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of adding chitosan nanoparticles to the edible coatings to maintain the post-harvest quality and prolong the shelf life of bananas considering the preservative and antioxidant properties of Aloe vera and moringa leaf extracts. Aloe vera and moringa plant extracts were applied as a coating on the surface of the bananas to test the effect of the treatment on firmness, weight loss, total soluble solids (TSS), mineral content, protein content, total phenolics, and shelf life over a 24-day storage period at 24 ± 1°C. When Aloe vera and moringa plant extracts were tested, the results showed that Aloe vera coating had significant (p < 0.05) effect, reduced TSS value, retained fruit firmness, and had a greater overall phenolic content compared to the control and the moringa coatings during storage. However, moringa coatings significantly (p < 0.05) retained the mineral and protein content of banana fruits. Both coatings extended the shelf life by up to 4 days compared to the control. Furthermore, chitosan nanoparticles (CN) mixed with Aloe vera and moringa basal coatings were used as postharvest coating treatments to improve their barrier properties and extend the shelf life of Cavendish bananas. When compared to basal Aloe vera (AV) and Moringa oleifera (MO) coatings, the coatings enhanced with chitosan preserved the quality of bananas and extended shelf life by 3 and 4 days, respectively. Moringa oleifera plus chitosan nanoparticle (MO+CN) and Aloe vera plus chitosan nanoparticle (AV+CN) were then tested on ethylene treated and non-ethylene treated Cavendish bananas. MO+CN had a better performance and was also consistent in slowing ripening processes., The delayed weight loss, retained fruit firmness, and reduced disease incidences in ethylene treated banana was achived by coating with MO+CN. MO+CN had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on ethylene treated compared to non-ethylene treated bananas. The MO+CN treatment received the highest score in a consumer acceptance vi test. This study proves that edible coatings containing chitosan nanoparticles could be used for maintaining the postharvest quality and extending the shelf life of bananas. These findings highlighted the edible coatings' capacity to operate as a gas barrier, altering the internal fruit environment. According to the findings of this study, adding chitosan nanoparticles to aloe and moringa edible coatings improved the quality of banana fruit during storage at room temperatures. The MO+CN coating was the most effective for quality preservation of banana fruit. As a result, MO+CN is recommended for coating banana fruit to improve postharvest quality and shelf life.M.Sc. (Botany

Financial Inclusion as A Tool for Survival of Small and Medium Family Enterprises: Lessons for Nigerian Microfinance Banks

The study evaluates the scope SMFEs have access to funding and examines the challenges against SMFEs accessing finance in Nigeria. Data were collected from 380 participants through a structured questionnaire designed for the study. Simple percentage, mean, standard deviation and factor analysis were employed to analyze the data.  The results revealed that many of SMFEs leverage on the informal sector as a vector of inclusion.  Furthermore, lack of collateral, interest rate and short payback period were found to be the most factors preventing SMFEs from accessing credit from Nigerian Microfinance banks. Therefore, authorities should act quickly to accelerate progress towards financial inclusion by distributing digital services as simple, flexible and simple alternative channels to reach our areas and rural hinterland. Additionally, financial institutions like microfinance banks must assimilate the objective of inclusion in their overall business plan and accept a holistic strategy to reach the financially invisible

Omega-3 fatty acid ameliorates bisphenol F-induced testicular toxicity by modulating Nrf2/NFkB pathway and apoptotic signaling

IntroductionBisphenol F (BPF) has been shown to disrupt testicular functions via perturbation of testicular redox balance, while omega-3 fatty acid (O3FA) has been established to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, this study focused on the role and associated molecular mechanism of O3FA in BPF-induced testicular dysfunction in male Wistar rats.MethodsTwenty-four (24) rats were randomly grouped after two weeks of acclimatization into four (4) groups (n=6/group); the vehicle-treated control group, BPF treated group received 30 mg/kg of BPF, and the intervention groups received 30 mg/kg BPF + 100 mg/kg O3FA (BPF+O3FA-L) and 30 mg/kg BPF + 300 mg/kg of O3FA (BPF+O3FA-H). All treatment lasted for 28 days.ResultsLow and high doses of O3FA ameliorated BPF-impaired sperm quality, and induced hormonal imbalance, accompanied by a distortion in testicular histology and elevated testicular injury markers. Furthermore, co-administration of BPF with both doses of O3FA blunted BPF-induced redox imbalance, inflammatory response, and apoptosis.DiscussionsIn conclusion, our present findings show that O3FA improves testicular functions in BPF-treated rats by improving sperm quality and reproductive hormones via the maintenance of testicular redox balance

Evaluation of HIV health services in Lagos State: an empirical study

This paper investigates the efficiency of a particular health service (specifically HIV/AIDS counselling and testing centres (HCT) in Lagos State, Nigeria). A survey of 958 students, aged between 15-25, was carried out in Lagos State secondary schools and Lagos State University, in conjunction with the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Guidance and Counselling Unit. It was found that there was a low awareness about HIV testing and counselling activities in all the Lagos State divisions. This result suggests that Lagos State students remain vulnerable and that HCT centres are less organized than they could be and it proposes that knowledge management (KM) initiatives be adopted to increase both efficiency and effectiveness of efforts for this essential health service

HIV/AIDS behavioural challenges in Lagos state schools: An empirical study

This paper evaluates the extent of the behavioural challenges concerning HIV/AIDS among senior secondary school (SSS) and tertiary institution students in Lagos, Nigeria. The study, part of a large research project evaluating knowledge-based HIV/AIDS education initiatives in Lagos, has been carried out in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Education. Questionnaires (n=958 copies) were administered to selected senior secondary schools in the Lagos State administrative divisions (urban and rural) and the Lagos State University (LASU). The study aimed to record information about students’ behaviour related to HIV/AIDS as this would provide information relating to the factors responsible for its transmission. This included (a) behavioural change information – BCI, (b) sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and clinical understanding (c) sexual activities (d) condom use and (e) fear of HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination (HASD). The results show that the behaviour of the respondents with regard to HIV/AIDS puts them at risk of contracting the virus. We conclude by suggesting the use of Knowledge Management (KM) techniques as an appropriate modern approach to tackling the problem and that the availability of behavioural change communication (BCC) materials in all Lagos State schools should be increased

Traumatic Brain Injury and Metabolic Dysfunction Among Head Injured Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in North-Central Nigeria

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a common health problem which is one of the main causes of chronic disability and it is associated with hormonal and metabolic disorders. This work was carried out to investigate the relationship between some stress hormones (i.e. prolactin and cortisol) and plasma glucose level in TBI patients. Twenty-five TBI patients were included in the study consecutively. All patients underwent basal hormonal and plasma glucose evaluation within 24 hours of admission. One of the patients died during the acute phase. The results of the study show that prolactin and glucose levels were positively correlated with the Glasgow Coma Scale (GSC). Cortisol levels were observed to be highest in the moderate TBI group with GSC score of 9-13. The results also showed that 80% (20 patients) of the patients were age 40 years and below and 84% (21 patients) were males. In conclusion, present data show that prolactin, cortisol and plasma glucose are disturbed in TBI. The disturbances in the levels of prolactin and glucose are related to the severity of TBI. However, there is no direct relationship between cortisol and severity of TBI. Our results also show that TBI is more common in males and young people

Determinants of maternal mortality in south-western Nigeria: Midwives’ perceptions

Background Maternal mortality remains one of Nigeria's most significant public health challenges. In order to address this issue sustainably, it is necessary to consider the perceptions of all stakeholders involved, including midwives. Objectives To examine the determinants of maternal mortality in south-western Nigeria from the midwife's perspective. Design A cross-sectional study was employed using mixed methods with a semi-structured questionnaire and an in-depth interview guide. Participants Quantitative data were obtained from 215 midwives using a convenience sampling technique. Qualitative data were obtained from 25 midwives from five government health centres, selected using a stratified sampling technique. Methods Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS Version 20 using descriptive and inferential statistics with 95 % confidence intervals, while qualitative data were analysed using thematic analyses. Findings The mean age and work experience of the participants were 35.2 ± 9.3 years and 8.4 ± 7.0 years, respectively. The midwives perceived that the main determinants of maternal mortality were postpartum haemorrhage (86.5 %), hypertensive disorder in pregnancy (80.9 %), mismanagement at mission homes/traditional birth attendant centres (MH/TBAs) (79.1 %) and sepsis (70.1 %). Some of the priority target areas to improve the well-being of pregnant women as identified by the midwives, were increased awareness of pregnancy danger signs (97 %), destigmatising caesarean section (CS) (96 %), regulation of MH/TBAs (92 %), and increased accessibility of hospitals (84 %). Findings from the qualitative data also affirmed that regulating MH/TBAs, destigmatising CS and subsidising healthcare expenses were prerequisites to curbing maternal mortality. Inferential analysis revealed that determinants such as unsafe abortion (p < 0.001), ectopic pregnancy (p = 0.001), domestic violence (p = 0.023), malaria (p = 0.029), short interbirth interval (p = 0.03), and patients’ negative perceptions of CS delivery (p = 0.036) were more commonly perceived to be associated with maternal mortality by younger midwives (age 17–34 years) compared with older midwives