An Appraisal of Effective Financial Management of Local Government Funds: A Case of Ido-Osi Local Government Area, Nigeria

This research work deal extensively on the appraisal of effective financial management of Local Government funds in Ido- Osi Local Government area. The population focus on local Government system in order to examine the level of financial management. Thus, the population sample is selected within Ido- Osi Local government area in Nigeria. Out of the sixteen local governments, sampling is selected randomly. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources such as textbooks, Journal, government gazette while primary sources include questionnaire and personal interview. The responses to the questionnaire were analyzed by the application of Regression Coefficient in providing necessary conclusion and recommendation. Hence, this study revealed that there is an urgent need for local Government System in Nigeria to improve their financial control mechanism and to rationalize its expenditure patterns, in order to achieve optimum performance. Keywords: Appraisal, Conceptualization, Effectiveness, Financial Management and Local Government Authorit

Levels of some physiochemical parameters in leachates from open dumpsites in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria

Leachates from selected dumpsites and control site in Lokoja municipal were analyzed for physiochemical properties. These parameters were compared with control samples and established international standards FEPA and WHO. Dumpsite leachates contained very high concentration of TDS which ranges between 5180.60±46.51mg/L - 3071.80±38.96mg/L, BOD 1085.60±7.44mg/L - 885.80±5.41mg/L, Alkalinity  2396.20±10.35mg/L - 1271.00±14.61mg/L. COD 4062.04±32.81mg/L - 2926.80±15.65mg/L, Chloride 1912.42±6.32mg/L - 1071.70±16.10mg/L while Ammonia ranges between 711.33±12.15 - 633.00±5.80mg/L. The study revealed that the dumpsite is a major polluting source in the surrounding environment. This underlines the need for appropriate government agency of Kogi State, Nigeria to initiate active remediation process such as phytoremediation in combination with physiochemical methods to recover the dumpsite from contaminants and reduce the level of pollution in the surrounding environment.Keywords: Dumpsite, Leachates, Physicochemical parameters, Phytoremediation

ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION OF WILDLIFE TO BUSHMEAT MARKETS IN IBADAN, OYO STATE

This paper examined the economic contribution of wild animals to bushmeat trade in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Five prominent bush meat markets in Ibadan and its suburb were used for the study. The selection was based on the high intensity of bush meat marketing operations identified with the markets. All sellers in each market visited were interviewed which sum up to forty four respondents. Data were collected using structured questionnaire. Budgetary analysis was done to calculate costs and return of the bushmeat sellers. Income on mammals had the highest (₦5,755,600) per annum followed by the income on birds (₦858,000) per annum and reptiles (₦182,000). In the same pattern, percentage contribution indicates that mammals contributed 84% of the total income, while wild birds contributed 12% of the total income and reptile 3%. The net profit realized from the sales of mammals was ₦4,979,000 and ₦180,900 for wild birds. Cost and return analysis showed that sale of bushmeat is a profitable venture. In addition, mammals contributed more to the economy of the market than other two classes of animal found in the bushmeat market

ASSESSMENT OF STATE GOVERNMENTS PROGRAMMES FOR SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF WETLANDS IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

This paper attempted to put into a clearer perspective the different programmes embarked upon by Ogun, Oyo and Lagos states government in the management of wetlands located within their domain. Zeroing on state ministries, agencies or parastatal involved in water management, the study investigated the various existing management plans embarked upon by the three State Governments. Results showed that solid waste management was in place in all the states. However, none of the States has clear legislation, enforcement and prosecution as regards the different use that are injurious to the Wetlands. Habitat creation/restoration, in situ and ex situ action, protected areas options are also not being employed in managing wetlands in southwest, Nigeria. The study therefore recommends that policies geared towards sustainable management of Wetlands should be put in place and actively pursued by the state Governments

Climate change adaptation through conservation agriculture: evidence from smallholder farmers in Ondo State, Nigeria

This study identifies the factors influencing the adoption of CA among smallholder farmers in Ondo State, Nigeria. To determine the factors influencing the adoption of CA among smallholder farmers, Tobit regression model was used. From the regression results, minimum tillage, crop rotation, mulching, cost of planting materials, cost of equipment’s are all positively significant at 1% and a unit increase in them will increase the adoption of CA practices in the study area. The primary occupation of the respondents is positively significant at 5% and a unit increase in primary occupation of the respondentsincreases the rate of adopting CA practices by 0.0570868. Age of the respondents is negatively significant at 10% and this implies that a unit increase in age decreases the rate of adopting CA by 0.0018808. Also, household size is positively significant at 10% and a unit increase in households’ size increase the level of adoption of conservation agriculture by 0.0079891. This paper therefore recommends that policies addressing the 3 core principles of CA practices (minimum tillage, crop rotation and mulching) should be re-emphasized so as to improve the food production involve in agricultural value chain activities. Young ones should be encouraged to involve in farming practices especially CA activities. And lastly, cost of equipment and planting materials should be subsidized for farmers so as to foster improved farming, increased food production and hence aid commercialization among smallholder farmers.Keywords: Conservation agriculture, agricultural value chain and smallholder farmer

The Emergence of Resources Seeking Chinese Firms’ Specific Advantages in Emerging Market

It is argued that the role of the Chinese government to support the cross-border operations of Chinese firms is to assist these firms in overcoming their limited established brands, and their disadvantages in technology and managerial resources, which were also the reasons why such firms decided to enter emerging markets instead of developed markets. This strategic choice is preferred to avoid direct confrontation with established firms from developed countries endowed with superior ownership advantages. Therefore, Chinese resources seeking firms innovate by increasing investment in developing and emerging markets to develop unique ownership advantages for sustainable market development and competitive advantage. This research investigates the ownership advantages of resources seeking Chinese firms in these markets using the OLI theory. The paper contributes to explaining the specific advantages of Chinese MNEs when entering emerging markets. The study applied a two-stage qualitative methodology to examine Chinese firms operating in Nigeria. The first stage included an exploratory study based on interviews with key informants and experts while the second stage included a case study methodology. The study focused on resources seeking Chinese MNEs operating in Nigeria

Biochemical Parameters and Air Pollution Tolerance Index of Trees along New Ife Road and Within Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Poor air quality is one of the renowned issues instigating health complications in urban areas today due to man’s exposure to various gases. The paper assessed the ambient air along New Ife Road (NIR) and Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria Headquarters (FRIN), Ibadan, Oyo State using Biochemical changes and computed the air pollution tolerance indices from fresh leaf samples of ten (10) similar plant species selected randomly in triplicates in both study locations. Monoon longifolium, Chrysophyllum albidum, Terminalia catappa, Dacryodes edulis and Terminalia ivorensis had tolerant APTI values; Mangifera indica, Psidium guajava, Terminalia ivorensis, Terminalia catappa and Cocos nucifera were intermediate APTI while Mangifera indica, Moringa oleifera and Azadirachta indica were found to be sensitive to air pollution. The APTI values at both locations are not significantly different; therefore NIR and FRIN are rated as areas of high anthropogenic activities. Terminalia ivorensis, (31.58 in NIR) Terminalia catappa (30.56 in FRIN) Dacryodes edulis, (31.15 in NIR and 34.76 in FRIN) (Chrysophyllum albidum (34.78 in NIR and 39.78 in FRIN) and Monoon longifolium (49.83 in NIR and 57.50 in FRIN) were classified as sink of air pollution based on their APTI values which ranged from 30>100 obtained in both locations of study. It is however suggested that these plants identified as sink of air pollutants, should be used for landscaping and planted 50m from the roadside for bio-filtration of the atmosphere

Investigating Digital Distraction among Pre-service Science, Technology, and Mathematics Teachers in Nigeria

Internationally, proliferation of digital technologies in classrooms has produced digital distractions among digital natives in this 21st century. Thus, it is highly imperative to develop a suitable instrument for assessing and measuring digital distraction among higher education students to enable continuing research and practice. While previous studies had treated and measured digital distraction as a sub-component of a multi-dimensional construct and as a test, the present study through instrumentation survey research, developed and authenticated a standalone digital distraction scale among pre-service science, technology and mathematics (STM) teachers in Nigeria. The instrument is constructed by adopting a multidimensional standpoint of digital distraction around a higher-order modelling method. The pre-service STM teachers were recruited from a culturally varied university student population in Nigeria. The results showed a high level of digital distraction among the pre-service STM teachers in Nigeria and the digital distraction is composed of several connected yet distinctive factors (emotional distraction, digital addiction, and distraction by procrastination), with proof backing up a higher-order structural archetypal. More so, empirical evidence confirmed the measurement invariance of the scale with regards to gender and the consistency of the psychometric properties of the digital distraction scale. Finally, a test-retest reliability of the digital distraction scale showed that the scores are not variable over time and that the scale is not sensitive to alterations in the learning milieu. Finally, it is hoped that this tool will be handy for educators interested in isolating pre-service STM teachers at risk of high digital distraction which may cause lack of respect and privation of courtesy for instructors and personal distraction in the classroom

In Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Estimation of Total Phenolic Content in Ethyl Acetate Extract of Ocimum Gratissimum

Antioxidants play an important role in inhibiting and scavenging free radicals, thus providing protection to human against degenerative diseases. Current research is now directed towards natural antioxidants originated from plants due to safe therapeutics. Ocimum gratissimum is used in traditional medicine for a wide range of various ailments. To understand the mechanism of pharmacological actions and investigate the antioxidant activity of the plant. The antioxidant properties of the Ocimum gratissimum ethyl acetate extract were tested using standard in vitro models and total phenolic content. The antioxidant activity of the extract increased in a dose dependent manner as well as the reducing power indicating some compounds in Ocimum gratissimum is both electron donors and could react with free radicals to convert them into more stable products and to terminate chain reactions. The extract had IC50 values for chelating effect of to be 5.51 mg/ml. In DPPH radical scavenging assay, the IC50 value was 1.58 mg/ml. The extract was found to inhibit the nitric oxide radicals generated from sodium nitroprusside, the IC50 values for nitric oxide scavenging ability was 13.17 mg/ml. However, it was also found to inhibit the hydroxyl radical generated by the deoxyribose method, the IC50 values was 6.48mg/ml. The total phenolic contents of Ocimum gratissimum determined in this study were 10.34±0.47 mg GAE/g.This study suggests that the extract of Ocimum gratissimum have potent antioxidant activity against free radicals, prevent oxidative damage to major biomolecules and afford significant protection against oxidative damage