Impact of Digital Revolution on the Structure of Nigerian Banks

The study examined the extent to which digital revolution has affected the organizational structure of Nigerian banks. Twenty-five banks were selected for the study in south-western Nigeria. Interview was conducted for middle and top level managers and questionnaire was developed and administered to the other staff using a five-point Likert scale to determine the attitudes and opinions of the staff on the effects of digital revolution on the organizational structure of the banks. The mean was used as an indicator of central tendency for quantitative variables that have frequency distributions in the study. The study found that standard operating procedures, politics, culture, surrounding environment and management decisions were all affected by digital revolution. It affected the organizational balance of rights, privileges, obligations, responsibilities, and feelings that have been established over a long period of time. The revolution brought structural changes in the line and unit of command, the principles of span of control, unity of command, and scalar principle of graded chain of superiors in the studied banks. It encouraged flat organizations as decision making became more decentralized. It also altered the required skill and increased the perceived advantage of workers with computer engineering background. Authority relied on knowledge and competence and not on mere formal position The study concluded that digital revolution has changed the course of history in the banking industry leaving far reaching effects and implications on both the organizational and industrial structure. It is imperative for banks and their staff to effect proper restructuring that will facilitate optimal utilization of the benefits provided by the revolution.Digital Revolution, ICT, e-Commerce, Organizational Structure, Nigerian Banks

Physicochemical and sensory qualities of spiced soy-corn milk

Soy-corn milk type was produced from a blend of soybean milk and corn milk extract at a ratio of 3:1. The soy-corn milk type was spiced with ginger and garlic extract respectively to improve the taste. Total dissolved solid (TDS), total titrable acidity (TTA) specific gravity (SG), apparent colloidal stability, pH and sensory evaluation of the spiced soy-corn milk type were determined. The results show that the specific gravity of all milk types was not significantly (P>0.05) different from each other. The spiced milk types were relatively stable under refrigerated condition for 72 h while corn milk, soy-corn milk was not stable even under refrigeration. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in the pH of the milk type at preparation and the value ranged between 6.8 and 6.5. The spiced milk types became more acidic after 24 h. Spicing improved the colloidal stability of the soy-corn milk type and its acceptability to the consumer, but has no significant difference (P>0.05) on the other physicochemical properties investigated.Keywords: Corn milk, soybean milk, soy-corn milk, colloidal stabilityAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(17), pp. 2262-226

Appraisal of Library Services in Selected Primary Schools under the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Oyo State, Nigeria

The study surveyed the availability and effective utilization of library resources in selected primary schools under the State Universal Basic Education Board -SUBEB in Atiba Local Government Area of Oyo State. The project aims at finding out the available learning resources, the services rendered in the libraries, the utilization of library resources, the problems facing the library staff and how to improve library resources and services in the local government. The main instrument for the data collection was the questionnaire. One hundred and twenty (120) questionnaires were administered to pupils and teacher/librarian in the selected schools, one hundred and ten (110) were completed and returned. Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the collected data. The findings indicated that library facilities and resources were inadequate and little attention was given to the provision of this by the government and the school authorities. Qualified library personnel were lacking which resulted in low quality service. Lack of fund and lack of awareness of library services by the users were also part of the problems facing the libraries, unconcerned attitude of people towards the library is also part of the problems. To solve these, stakeholders in education, especially government and P.T.A. should provide functioning libraries in schools. This should be effectively funded and equipped with facilities, resources and personnel. There should be library user’s education in the schools, it should be included in the school’s time-table and lectures should be given from time to time

The Impact of Strategic Human Resource Management on Competitiveness of Small and Medium-scale Enterprises in the Nigerian Hospitality Industry

Strategic human resource management (SHRM) has become increasingly important to the competitiveness of firms. Despite the widespread practical and academic interests in SHRM and its impact on the competitiveness of firms, few empirical contributions on small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) could be found. Thus, this study aimed at providing empirical evidence on the impact of SHRM practices on the competitiveness of SMEs in the Nigerian hospitality industry, one of the attractive and fastest-growing industries in the country. This study conducted a survey on 120 small and medium-scale hospitality companies. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaire administered to the human resource managers of the companies. Data collected were analysed using frequency, percentage, correlation and multiple regression analysis. The findings showed that SHRM practices had a positive relationship with the firms’ market share and a significant effect on the profitability. However, the implementation of SHRM practices in the SMEs could be generally described as fair. The study concluded that SHRM had positive and significant impact on the competitiveness of SMEs in the Nigerian hospitality industry. Therefore, SMEs, irrespective of the industry, should pay more attention to SHRM practices with a view to improving their implementation.Keywords: Strategic human resource management, SME, competitiveness, Nigeri

Evaluation of Cocoyam-Soybean Flour Blends and Sensory Properties of the Amala Dumpling

Amala, a staple food among the Yoruba people of South West Nigeria, is mostly produced from yam. Since yam is known to be mostly carbohydrate and soybean is a legume with an appreciable quantity of protein, efforts have been made to prepare amala from the blends of cocoyam and soybean flours. The protein content of the flour blends ranged from 3.73% to 13.81%. In general, there was increase in the concentration of protein with increasing level of soy flour substitution. Unlike protein, the crude fibre content of the flour blends decreased with increasing supplementation of soy flour. Increase in oil content of the flour samples, with increasing addition of soy flour, predisposes the samples to shorter shell life and off flavor because of liability to rancidity. The lowest bulk density of 0.78 g/cm3 was recorded for sample A (100% cocoyam flour) and hence none of the flour blends could be considered as a complimentary infant substitute. In general, supplementation of cocoyam flour with soy flour enhanced the concentrations of protein, ash and dietary fibre. Therefore, it is hoped that consumption of cocoyam amala supplemented with soy flour, a cheap source of plant protein, will not only create dietary diversity, it will make more protein available for the consumers and thus help in alleviating the problem of protein energy malnutrition in developing regions of the world

Herbicidan control of water hyacinth at Ere, Ogun State: implications for fish production

A brief account is given of a pilot demonstration of the chemical control of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) at Ere (a channel) in Nigeria using the herbicide glyphosphate. Results suggest that there was an increase in the nutrient content of the channel after herbicide application. This implied an upsurge of available food for fish and other aquatic organisms within the channel after the herbicide application. The decaying water hyacinth mass which sinks into the medium is likely to boost nutrient content, promoting the growth of fish and other aquatic animals. It is concluded that herbicidal control of water hyacinth is possible, especially under specialists' management with the conservation of fish and other non-target aquatic organisms alongside improved fish productio

The UK Academic Foundation Programmes: are the objectives being met?

Background Since the Academic Foundation Programme was established in the UK in 2005 a number of trainees have participated in this programme; however, there are few published national data on the experiences of these academic trainees. We aimed to assess the perceived value and challenges of training on the AFP. Methods In March 2017, an anonymous electronic questionnaire was distributed to all Academic Foundation Programme trainees in the UK, via their local foundation school administrators. Results: Fifty-six respondents completed the survey from 9 out of the 15 Academic Units of Application. Of these, 82% were undertaking a research based Academic Foundation Programme; however, 41% reported not having access to any training on research methods and governance. Sixty-six percent reported they were aware of the aims and expected outcomes of the Academic Foundation Programme, but the self-reported achievement of academic compendium outcomes was relatively low. Sixty-three percent rated the quality of their experience on the Academic Foundation Programme as excellent or good and 75% reported that they intended to continue in academia. Most trainees (64%) reported that the completion of a postgraduate qualification as part of their Academic Foundation Programme would improve the programme. Conclusion The Academic Foundation Programme plays a valuable role in trainees’ development and preparing them for a career in academia. However, the objectives of the programme are currently not being uniformly achieved. Furthermore, trainees feel there remains room for improvement in the design of the Programme

FTO Gene Associates and Interacts with Obesity Risk, Physical Activity, Energy Intake, and Time Spent Sitting:Pilot Study in a Nigerian Population

Fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene influences obesity but studies have shown that environmental/lifestyle variables like physical activity (PA), time spent sitting (TSS), and energy intake might mediate the effect. However, this is poorly understood in Nigeria due to scarce studies. We demystified association and interaction between FTO rs9939609, obesity, PA, TSS, and energy intake in Nigeria. FTO gene variant was genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism and gene sequencing analysis in 103 people with obesity and 98 controls. Anthropometrics and environmental variables were measured using standard procedures. Significant associations were found between FTO rs9939609 with obesity and environmental/lifestyle variables before and after adjusting for age. Carriers of allele A have significantly higher odds of being overweight/obese using BMI [0.191 (0.102?0.361),?] but this was attenuated by PA (); odds of being overweight reduced from 0.625 (0.181?2.159) to 0.082 (0.009?0.736) for low and high PA, respectively. Mediation analysis of total indirect effect also confirmed this by showing a simultaneous mediating role of total PA, energy intake, and TSS in the relationship between FTO and BMI (unstandardized-coefficient = 1.68; 95% CI: 1.26?2.22). This study shows a relationship between FTO and obesity phenotype and environmental/lifestyle factors might be an important modulator/mediator in the association.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Impact of Digital Revolution on the Structure of Nigerian Banks

The study examined the extent to which digital revolution has affected the organizational structure of Nigerian banks. Twenty-five banks were selected for the study in south-western Nigeria. Interview was conducted for middle and top level managers and questionnaire was developed and administered to the other staff using a five-point Likert scale to determine the attitudes and opinions of the staff on the effects of digital revolution on the organizational structure of the banks. The mean was used as an indicator of central tendency for quantitative variables that have frequency distributions in the study. The study found that standard operating procedures, politics, culture, surrounding environment and management decisions were all affected by digital revolution. It affected the organizational balance of rights, privileges, obligations, responsibilities, and feelings that have been established over a long period of time. The revolution brought structural changes in the line and unit of command, the principles of span of control, unity of command, and scalar principle of graded chain of superiors in the studied banks. It encouraged flat organizations as decision making became more decentralized. It also altered the required skill and increased the perceived advantage of workers with computer engineering background. Authority relied on knowledge and competence and not on mere formal position The study concluded that digital revolution has changed the course of history in the banking industry leaving far reaching effects and implications on both the organizational and industrial structure. It is imperative for banks and their staff to effect proper restructuring that will facilitate optimal utilization of the benefits provided by the revolution

Determinants of adoption of vitamin A bio-fortified cassava variety among farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria

The success of any agricultural innovation depends on its adoption by farmers. The study evaluates the determinants of adoption of vitamin A bio-fortified cassava variety among farmers by investigating the level of adoption and determinants of adoption among farmers. Three stages of random sampling procedure were used to select 240 cassava farmers. The data obtained were analyzed with descriptive statistics and a logit regression model. The study revealed that the level of adoption of vitamin A bio-fortified cassava variety is low (38.72%). The study also revealed that access to media, contact with extension agents, access to vitamin A bio-fortified cassava stem, amongst others, are the determinants of adoption of vitamin A bio-fortified cassava variety in the study area. It is therefore recommended that awareness about the new cassava technology should be prioritized to sensitize the farmers, and stems of these cassava varieties should be readily made available to farmers to take advantage of the benefit of the innovation