Institutional Structure, IFRS Adoption and Foreign Portofolio Investment in Africa

This paper examines institutional structures, IFRS adoption and Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) among some selected African countries. Assessment of the moderating effect of institutional structures of the countries on the impacts of IFRS adoption on FPI is the focus of the study. Apart from the FPI, which is the dependent variable, corruption, regulatory authority effect and index of institutions as it affects accounting environment are used as proxies for institutional structure. Inflation rate, exchange rate, market capitalization, tax and trade openness are other macroeconomic variables included in the study. Dummy variables are used to code adoption of IFRS among the countries. Panel data analysis is applied to estimate the formulated model and analyze the data. The results show that adoption of IFRS have significant impact on FPI and that Institutional variables plays important roles on the extent to which IFRS affects FPI. Findings further reveal that institution variables are more significant in the countries that fully adopted IFRS thus aiding its effect on FPI. It is recommended that countries should look beyond adoption of IFRS to attract FPI but to also focus on their institutional structures as it serves as catalysis for efficient implementation of IFRS

Measuring Efficiency and Productivity of ICT Infrastructure Utilization

Several researches have been carried out with respect to ICT Infrastructure Investments made by nations in a bid to bridge the digital divide and improve quality of life and the Human Development Index (HDI). With a strong argument being made in the literature for continued investments in ICT Infrastructure, this research investigated the relative efficiency and productivity of ICT Infrastructure Utilization in Education. The research employed the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Malmquist Index (MI) non-parametric research methodology with Arab States, Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa and World regions forming the Decision-Making Units. With Data collected from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Tel-ecommunications Union (ITU), findings show a relatively efficient utilization and steady increase in productivity for the regions but with only Europe and Arab States currently operating in a state of positive growth in produc-tivity

Exchange Rate Policy and Sources of Investment Financing: Further Evidence from Nigeria (1970-2012)

The paper examined the role of exchange rate in stimulating both domestic and foreign investment finance in Nigeria. The paper used secondary data from Nigeria and adopted error correction mechanism to estimate the models.  The result showed that interest rate real GDP and trade openness are more important than exchange rate as the most critical factors in financing investment in Nigeria. The policy implication of this finding of non-relevance of exchange rate is that domestic cost of investment finance is the key to promoting investment in Nigeria. There is therefore, a need for sound monetary policy that eases the cost of borrowing in addition to any other macroeconomic stabilization policy that might be implemented in promoting and boosting investment finance in flow both from domestic and foreign markets. Keywords: Exchange Rate Policy, Investment Financing, Nigerian Econom

Evaluation of chemical and antinutritional characteristics of obeche (Triplochition scleroxylon) and some mulberry (Morus alba) leaves

The chemical composition and antinutritional contents of some selected varieties of white mulberry leaves and obeche leaves were investigated. Three varieties of mulberry leaves (S36, S54 and K2) were harvestedfrom Ondo State sericulture centre while obeche leaves were harvested from Aponmu Forest Reserve located in Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria, for analysis. Proximate composition, minerals and antinutritionalcontents were determined on dry matter basis for the samples. The percentage of crude protein in all the samples were significantly high (P≤0.05) with 34.31, 21.66%, 21.55% and 21.24% in obeche, S36, S54 and K2 respectively. Similarly, crude fibre follow the same trend with 20.73%, 13.70, 10.81%, 13.70% and 8.74% respectively, while the percentage water content were 73.70% 79.35%, 72.16% and 76.00%, in obeche, S36, S54 and K2 respectively. The results further show that the samples contain zinc in the range of 34.4 - 57.5 mg/kg, sodium 1069 – 1526 mg/kg, manganese 14.83 – 24.37 mg/kg, calcium 944 – 1467 mg/kg, potassium 1684 – 2170 mg/kg, iron 129.70 – 238.00 mg/kg, and magnesium 1450 – 2196 mg/kg. Phytate is significantly higher(P≤0.05) in obeche than other treatments. Likewise, cyanide and tannin were significantly higher (P≤0.05) in S36 than other treatments (obeche, K2 and S34). However, these antinutrients (phytate, cyanide and tannin) were much lower than the permitted values in fruits and any other food items. The result of the chemical analysis showed that all the selected mulberry varieties and obeche leaves contained adequate level of food nutrients required for normal body functioning.Keywords: mulberry leaves, nutritional characteristics, obeche leaves, Proximate composition

Creating Public Value Using ICT: An Efficiency And Productivity Assessment Approach

For over 3 decades, development actors have been involved in public sector reforms geared towards improved services. These reforms have been linked to the New Public Management paradigm, which emphasises public value creation in the public sectors one of which is education. This research set out to investigate the efficiency and productivity of ICT utilization in public value creation with respect to Adult Literacy Rates. The research employed the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Malmquist Index (MI) non-parametric research methodology with Arab States, Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa and World regions forming the Decision-Making Units. Findings show a relative efficient utilization of ICT in public value creation but an average decline in productivity levels

Development of an Enterprise Resource Planning System for Information Coordination in Higher Institutions

This paper presents a development of an enterprise resource planning system for information coordination amongst staff members in higher institutions. Presently, the mode of information dissemination in most institutions is manual which makes information slow, time consuming and unsecured. This in turn causes late action being taken on information. Cascade style sheet (CSS), Adobe Dreamweaver Cascading Style 4 Editor, HTML and the Java Script were used for the web page design, and the Adobe framework for graphics. PHP was used for the web development to produce dynamic pages. The database was designed using MySQL and Navicat. The result of the evaluation returned the following values: 3.83, 4.05, and 3.41 for the SDR, SRI and SEU respectively on a Likert-type rating scale of 1 to 5. This system focused on dissemination of information by electronic means in Higher Institutions

Effects of Emotional Knowledge, Self -Efficacy and Parental Involvement on Goal Setting Behaviour among Adolescents in Ibadan Area of Oyo state

The purpose of the study was to investigate effects of emotional knowledge, self efficacy and parental involvement on goal setting behaviour among adolescents in Ibadan Area of Oyo state. The study adopted a descriptive research design to select three hundred secondary school students. Three instruments used were used for the study, emotional knowledge, self efficacy scale, parental involvement scale and Goal setting behaviour scales. Three research Questions were raised and answered in the study at 0.05 level of significant.  The results showed that there was significant relationship among the three independent variables (emotional knowledge, self efficacy and parental involvement) on adolescents’ goal setting behaviour and that the three independent variables (emotional knowledge, self efficacy and parental involvement) both jointly and relatively contributed significantly to the prediction adolescents’ goal setting behaviour. On the basis of these findings, it was stressed and advocated that there is need to enlighten the adolescents on how to improve on their emotional knowledge, self efficacy and parental involvement,, because their level of efficacy has a long way to influence their goal setting behaviour and general wellbeing, and that the parents need to be trained on the need to be actively involved in the adolescents’ development and give adequate emotional caring and guidance in terms of goal setting in the society. Key words: Emotional knowledge, self efficacy, parental involvement and behaviours’ goal settin

Influence of Constant Returns to Scale and Variable Returns to Scale Data Envelopment Analysis Models in ICT Infrastructure Efficiency Utilization

A lot of research has been done using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to measure efficiency in Education. DEA has also been used in the field of Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) to investigate and measure the efficiency of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) investments on Human Development. Education is one of the major components of the Human Development Index (HDI) which affects the core of Human Development. This research investigates the relative efficiency of ICT Infrastructure Utilization on the educational component of the HDI. A conceptual model taking the form of a Linear Equation was used and the Constant Returns to Scale (CRS) and Variable Returns to Scale (VRS) models of the Data Envelopment Analysis were employed to measure the relative efficiency of the components of ICT Infrastructure (Inputs) and the components of Education (Outputs). Results show a generally high relative efficiency of ICT Infrastructure utilization on Educational Attainment and Adult Literacy rates, a strong correlation between this Infrastructure and Literacy rates as well, provide an empirical support for the argument of increasing ICT infrastructure to provide an increase in Human Development, especially within the educational context

Replicating Social Innovations through ICT Devices: A Paradigm Shift

Expanding the scope and impact of social innovations has been a source of major challenge to social ventures across context. And until an innovative solution that worked in a limited area is expanded in scope to match the magnitude of societal needs, it isn’t social value. The study employed analytical research of existing works of leading scholars in the area of social entrepreneurship from extant literature while inculcating the potentials of ICT devices that facilitate accomplishment of major social objectives. Finding revealed that the deployment of ICT enhances ability and capability of social ventures to greatly expand the scope of their social innovations, improve efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of social programmes. Keywords: Social Entrepreneurship, Social Innovation, Social Ventures, Information and Communication Technolog

Synergetic responses of haematopoietic hormones on dietary protein supplementation in phlebotomized New Zealand white rabbits

Background: Nutrition plays an important role in the management of blood dyscrasia due liver and kidney diseases. These disease conditions are usually accompanied by haematopathology which requires separate managements. There is need to provide information on the role that major components of the diet play in these conditions. This study compared at intervals, the values of erythropoietin and thrombopoietin in phlebotomized New Zealand white rabbits. Aim: To determine the levels of haematopoietic hormones (erythropoietin and thrombopoietin) in phlebotomised New Zealand white rabbits maintained on protein rich and hypoproteic diets. Materials and Methods: Twenty (20) New Zealand white rabbits were maintained on a diet containing 30% Protein for a period of four weeks (BASELINE), bled and grouped (TREATMENT) as follows A (n=5)– hypoproteic diet, B (n=5)–30% Protein rich diet, C (n=5)–hypoproteic diet (Phlebotomized), D (n=5)–30% Protein (Phlebotomized). Blood samples were obtained from the marginal earvein of the Rabbits after the period of acclimatization (4 weeks) to obtain baseline data. The animals were maintained on the indicated feed and also bled every other day to reduce the haematocrit by 20% and determine erythropoietin and thrombopoietin levels. The animals were sacrificed and the kidney and liver were harvested for histological studies. Result: There was a significant decrease (p≤0.05) in the response of thrombopoietin and erythropoietin in New Zealand white rabbits fed with hypoproteic diet as compared to those fed with protein rich (30% protein) diet. Conclusion: The outcome of this study suggests that dietary protein supplementation can improve blood dyscrasia resulting from active bleeding, malnutrition and thrombocytopenia caused by increased platelet loss due to bleeding. Keywords: New Zealand White rabbits, Dietary Protein, Thrombopoietin, Erythropoietin, Phlebotomy