REAL EFFECTIVE EXCHANGE RATE AND IMPORT OF GOODS AND SERVICES LINKAGE IN NIGERIA: AN IMPACT ANALYSIS

This paper assessed the influence of real effective exchange rate on import of goods and services in Nigeria over the period, 1986-2020. The Error correction model estimation was applied in estimating the multiple regression model. The findings showed that the real effective exchange rate is negative and statistically significant effect on the exports of goods and services in Nigeria. Expectedly, the convergence coefficient or error correction term (ECT) is negatively signed and significant, which suggests that last-period’s deviation from a long-run equilibrium influences its short-run dynamics as is being corrected at a speed revealed by the parameter estimate. Thus, the speed of adjustment (or error correction term) shows that deviation from equilibrium relationship is corrected at the speed of 56% on annual basis. We recommend that we recommend that if the Nigeria wants to focus on import, the currencies should be devalued/depreciated because they are relatively elastic to changes in real exchange rate.  Keywords: Exchange Rate, Error Correction Model, Imports, Goods, Nigeria

Management Control System for Effective Job Performance Among Librarians in Federal And State University Libraries : Evidence From South East Nigeria

In this study, we assessed the management control system used for effective job performance among librarians in five federal university libraries and five State university libraries in South East, Nigeria. Our 38-item questionnaire was validated by three experts: one from the Department of Science Education (Education Measurement and Evaluation unit) and two from the Department of Library and Information Science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Later we used descriptive statistics and found out that the university libraries adopted performance appraisal system, duties rotation system, controlled activities system and regulation of staff attendance to a great extent, and also that the management control system has contributed to the effective job performance since it enables employees to understand their job expectations and to encourage librarians’ positive work attitude. Based on these findings, we recommended that performance appraisal and staff evaluation should be performed from time to time to identify areas which require improvements. Henceforth, federal and state governments in Nigeria should make funds available for university libraries to enable them adopt effective management control system and procure facilities and resources to enhance job performance in their libraries among other

Missing Value Estimation in a Nested-Factorial Design with Three Factors

When faced with unbalanced data, it is often necessary to estimate the necessary missingvalues before the application of the analysis of variance technique. Previous studies have shownthat dierent designs require dierent missing value estimators. With the introduction of somerelatively new statistical designs, it has become expedient to derive missing value estimatorsfor such designs. In this study, least squares estimators of missing values in a three-factornested-factorial design are derived. Properties of the estimators are equally determined. Anumerical example is given to show the application of the theoretical results obtained in thispaper. Our empirical results establish the appropriateness of the missing value estimationmethod presented in this study

Institutional Financing and Poverty Alleviation in Nigeria

The study examined the nexus between Institutional Financing and the Poverty rate in Nigeria. The rationale behind the study is to establish the extent to which disbursed credits from the selected financial institutions have helped in alleviating the poverty rate in Nigeria. The institutional credits considered in this study include credits from the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, Microfinance Bank, African Development Bank, World Bank, and Deposit Money Bank while Poverty Index was used as a measure of the poverty rate.  The study covered the periods 1991 to 2021 and data was sourced from the World Bank Database. We employed Unit Root Test, Johansen Co-Integration Test, Vector Error Correction Model, and Granger Causality Test. In the long run, we found that Microfinance Bank credit and African Development Bank credit significantly contributed to the poverty alleviation agenda of the government in Nigeria. As such, we conclude that institutional credits from Microfinance Bank and African Development Bank have significantly contributed to the fight against the poverty rate in Nigeria. As such, we recommended that Microfinance Bank should maintain its credit disbursement pattern as the report has shown that its credit has helped to assuage the poverty rate in Nigeria. Doing this is necessary as it will help in including the financially excluded citizens of the country in the financial web and also increase their access to financial products

THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPROVED EXTENSION LINKAGES IN SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

The overall purpose of dissemination is to improve the availability of information to poor farmers, and for it to become knowledge which the farmer employs to help make appropriate decisions. This includes researcher-derived information as well as more general information that supports and enhances livestock production. The provision of this information on livestock production has in the past not usually been of high priority for centralized extension services in many developing countries. Extension services are usually designed around need to provide information on annual or perennial crops. Now the potential for increasing livestock production through the provision of improved information is growing in many developing countries. For sustainable livestock production, this paper argues that the flow of information from agricultural research to farming communities requires that continuous contact be maintained by individual able to make information comprehensible to farmers. These individuals are extension workers and are at the centre of information flow. This link can be strengthened in several ways including improved collaboration between research and extension. This paper describes the context of livestock extension information growth and looks at some of the ways in which livestock extension services and institution differ and how livestock extension could be improved

FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF NIGERIA AND SOUTH AFRICA

Advances in the financial system have been acclaimed to improve economic growth, drawing from theories of the latter. This study set out to test this hypothesis with respect to financial institutions and markets in the two largest economies of Sub-Saharan Africa. Economic growth for both countries is measured by gross domestic product annual growth, as the explained variable. Financial development is measured by institutions and markets. The dependent variable by financial institutions includes money supply, bank branches, interest rate spread, and bank capital to asset ratio. For financial markets, market capitalization, traded value excluding top 10 traded companies to total traded value, market turnover, and stock price volatility. Data is obtained from the World Bank for both countries. Two models are developed, one for each country. For analysis, the Augmented Dickey-Fuller unit root test, and autoregressive distributive lag are employed. The results indicated that of all variables considered only money supply (financial depth by the institution) had a significant, yet negative influence on economic growth in Nigeria. No dimension of financial development is related to output in the long term for South Africa. The study inferred that financial development in both countries is yet to advance sufficiently to make desired effect on economic growth. Expansion of financial institution market and institutions in the form of exchange growth scheme (for small and medium businesses) and rural bank branching was recommended by the study

AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION: KEY TO IMPLEMENTING THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.

The Millennium Declaration was adopted to motivate the international community and provide accountability mechanisms for actions taken to enable millions of poor people to improve their livelihoods. About seventy percent of the MDG’s target groups live in rural areas, particularly in Africa and Asia, and for most of the rural poor, agriculture is a critical component in the successful attainment of the Millennium Development Goals. Even though structural transformations are important in the longer term, more immediate gains in poor household welfare can be achieved through agriculture, which can help the poor overcome some of their critical constraints. Thus a necessary component in meeting the MDGs by 2015 in many parts of the developing world is effective productive agriculture-through its extension component. Agricultural extension in its broadest sense is considered an important instrument to support farmers’ efforts in agricultural development and poverty reduction in a changing world. Extension supports the MDGs in at least three areas-poverty reduction, gender equality, and sustainable environmental management. Extensions role as a facilitator, broker, coach, and even a partner in local rural development platforms and value chains represents an opportunity for rural change, innovation process and rural poverty reduction through its research and empowerment component. Extension messages now consider women farmers, groups and vulnerable individuals in its approach and models to reaching people. There is also urgent need for extension to allocate more resources and effort to educating farmers how to use sustainable natural and resource management practices and to adopt these practices continuously in order to cope with the impact of climatic and environmental change. This paper thus, using mainly literature from the web- discusses how extension functions in reducing poverty, ensuring food security, balancing gender issues and providing skills for sustainable natural resource management

Applicant perception of virtual interviews in cardiothoracic surgery: A Thoracic Education Cooperative Group Study

OBJECTIVES: Cardiothoracic programs used virtual interviews exclusively this year. As programs consider using virtual interviews permanently, our goal was to evaluate the experience of applicants with virtual interviews. METHODS: All 2020-2021 traditional cardiothoracic fellowship applicants received an anonymous electronic survey after the Match process ended. The survey assessed the number of interviews, strengths, and inadequacies of virtual interviews and factors that affected rank decision. RESULTS: Forty-three percent of applicants responded (60/139). The average number of interviews was 16.0. Eighty percent (48/60) of respondents successfully matched. Eighty-seven percent (52/60) of respondents had a favorable experience with virtual interviews, and 97% (58/60) found them to be convenient. However, only 50% (30/60) were able to evaluate a program fully. Respondents who matched were more likely to have a favorable experience (P = .02), but not more likely to be able to evaluate a program fully (P = .35). The most valued aspect was the informal meet and greet session with fellows (4.2 of 5). The least valued aspect was the program\u27s social media site (2.0 of 5). The factors most frequently used to decide ranking were case numbers by 92% (55/60) and culture/personality by 82% (49/60). CONCLUSIONS: Virtual interviews were perceived more favorably compared with last year, but half of applicants were still unable to evaluate a program fully. Fellow interactions were the most popular aspect of virtual interviews. As programs consider using virtual interviews permanently, more exposure to current trainees and a more robust social media/online presence will improve favorability

Design and Implementation of an Iris Biometric Door Access Control System

Over the years, security has soared in importance as concerned individuals, companies and organizations continue to implement measures to improve the security of lives and properties. Door-access control is a physical security system that secures a room or building by limiting access to specific people and keeping records of such accesses. The significance of iris technology among others, for security and access control applications are numerous. In terms of physical security, iris technology is already making inroads into the access control market because of the reliability of its authentication process. In this paper, the researchers present an aspect of the system relating to the design and construction of an iris biometric door access control. The system was developed as a means of getting into a specified area by securing the door and limiting access. The database created contains the particulars of those allowed access in order to work in tandem with the mandatory iris authentication process. The implemented design worked satisfactorily

Post-impact Analysis of Sediments and Macro Bottom Fauna of Osondu River in Okigwe, Imo State, Nigeria

Sediment characteristics and macrobottom fauna of Osondu River in Okigwe, Imo State, Nigeria were sampled and analyzed. The sampling was done in January and June 2012 as part of post impact study of a massive road construction and demolition activities that took place in Okigwe. The aim of the study was to survey the river in order to determine the grain size distribution of the sediments and the associated macro fauna. Benthic macrofauna was sampled using an improvised core of cylindrical stainless steel pipe and an open iron frame with an attached net bag. Results showed that sediments consisted of mud made up of silt and clay. The macrobenthic fauna consisted of annelids, molluscs and arthropods. The diversity indices signified low density. It is concluded that Osondu River is susceptible to pollution effects from construction and demolition runoffs. We therefore recommend that adequate measures be taken through legislation to regulate dumping of wastes in to the river