Eschatological salvation in Hebrews 1:5-2:5

Salvation which is an indispensable element in all religions, is provided in one way in both OT and NT, and also rooted in grace, faith and sacrifice. This same salvation has past, present and future dimensions. The eschatology which is from two Greek words-ƒÕƒãƒÓƒÑƒäƒßƒÆ and ƒÜƒßƒ×ƒÙƒÑ means a study of last things which future aspect of salvation addresses. Methodologies adopted in this paper were historical and exegetical. The historical method was used in order to reconstruct the past both in biblical times and in the 21st century Church. The exegetical method was for a comprehensive examination of both the content and the context to enhance better interpretation of the relevant text. Data were gathered through secondary sources in which consultations were made through published works and the internet. It has been established in this paper that eschatology is essential to salvation and that without the completion or consummation of the eschatological prophesies salvation is not complete. By implication therefore, Christians are warned against loosing the future salvation by a careless inattention to the contexts of Hebrews 9:28 or practice in daily life, a text which focuses both on Christ¡¦s death and return. Therefore, the eschatological connection with salvation is incontrovertible

Effect of non-oil compenents expert on the economics growth in Nigeria

The effect of non-oil components export on the economic growth in Nigeria continue to be debated and tested in order for turning around of the nation’s economic outlook for the future good, by strengthen non-oil export growth and success and also promote a non-oil export culture. This paper extends the previous empirical studies on the issue providing some evidence from time series data period over 1980–2011. In this study, the dependent variables were agricultural, manufacturing and services sector whereas the independent variable is the gross domestic product (GDP). The model was tested using unit root test, ordinary least square (OLS), serial correlation LM test and heteroskedasticity test to analyze the significant contribution between the dependent and independent variables. The result shows that agricultural and services sector of non-oil export component contributed significantly to the economic growth (GDP) of Nigeria. Also the result presents that there is no correlation and heteroskedasticity problem. Finally this paper draws some policy implications for the further studies to focus on the non-oil export component in Nigeria so has to ensure a turnaround of the nation’s economic outlook (growth

Impact of macroeconomic factors on economic growth, agricultural output and export in Nigeria

The correct determinations of the macroeconomic factors would drive economic growth especially the agricultural output and export for a specific country. Thus, the main objective of the study is to ascertain the major macroeconomic factors that would drive Nigeria’s economic growth and agricultural sector in terms of output and export. The long-run and short-run effects of the macroeconomic factors identified on economic growth, agricultural output and export are examined. In addition, the direction of Granger causality among oil export, agricultural export and economic growth is determined. This study used the data span from 1981 to 2014. Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) and Philips and Perron (PP) unit root test were employed to test for stationarity of the series. The bound testing was then used to examine the existence of long-run relationship, while Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) was used to examine the long-run and short-run relationship. Finally, the Granger causality was employed to test further relationship among oil export, agricultural export and economic growth. The results indicate that agricultural export and crude oil price have positive and significant impact on economic growth in the long-run but insignificant in the short-run. In the short-run, agricultural land and crude oil price hindered agricultural output with government spending on agriculture and unemployment rate being positive and significant on agricultural output. In the long-run, agricultural land and crude oil price have positive and significant impact on the agricultural output; though unemployment rate is negative and significant. Structural Adjustment Policy (SAP) has negative and insignificant impact both in the short-run and long-run on agricultural output but negative and significant on agricultural export. Hence, the study suggests that an increase in the quantity of agricultural export, government spending, improvement in SAP and the rise in the crude oil price will enhance the nation’s agriculture and economic growth

Factors affecting the Long-Term Post-Acquisition Performance of BRICS firms engaging in Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions

The purpose of the paper is to examine factors that affect the long-term performance of listed firms from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) that engage in cross-border mergers and acquisitions. This paper adds to the existing literature on the performance of mergers and acquisitions from emerging economies by examining the performance of mergers and acquisitions activities on acquirers from individual BRICS countries and examining whether intra-BRICS acquisitions are more beneficial than non-BRICS acquisitions. The system generalised method of moments estimation technique was employed in order to control for unobservable heterogeneity and potential endogeneity problems using accounting data and merger deal information collected from the Bloomberg online database for the period January 2000 to December 2012. The results obtained indicate that there is persistence in the profits, suggesting that BRICS acquirers continue to profit as they engage in mergers and acquisitions, and firm size significantly impacts the profits of acquirers.&nbsp

Adsorption of selected pollutants from aqueous solutions onto modified carbon nanotubes.

Doctor of Philosophy. University of KwaZulu-Natal Durban. 2015The significance of wastewater remediation before its discharge into the aquatic environment cannot be overemphasized. Adsorption has been proven to be effective for the removal of toxic pollutants from industrial effluents and/or wastewater, due to its simplicity in operation and the possibility of regenerating sorbents for reuse. This concept was exploited to achieve the effective removal of toxic contaminants from simulated wastewater. Carbon nanotubes, a fascinating member of the carbon family, possessing unique physical and chemical properties, have been reported as superior adsorbents for wastewater remediation purposes. Their large specific surface areas and porosity, hollow and layered structures, and great mechanical and thermal stability, makes them good candidates as sorbents for wastewater treatment and contamination control. This thesis interrogates the efficacy of carbon-structured nanomaterials containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as the backbone, for the removal of divalent metal ions and organic contaminants from aqueous solutions. In this work, a novel adsorbent was successfully synthesized by incorporating a nitrogen-donor ligand (4-phenyl-2, 2':6', 2''-terpyridine) onto MWCNTs to afford nitrogen-functionalized MWCNTs (MWCNT-ttpy). The effectiveness of this sorbent towards the removal of divalent metal ions (Pb2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, Hg2+ and Cu2+), and organic contaminants (bisphenol A and ibuprofen) from aqueous solutions was investigated. The adsorption uptake of these pollutants onto MWCNT-ttpy was compared with that of acid-functionalized MWCNTs (MWCNT-COOH) to determine the sorbent with best removal efficiencies. Further, magnetic nanocomposites containing cobalt ferrite nanoparticles and MWCNT-COOH were synthesized in varying ratios to investigate their effectiveness for the removal of rhodamine B from aqueous solutions. All nanomaterials synthesized were characterized by means of TEM, SEM, TGA, BET, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy before application. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to determine the effects of pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, initial adsorbate concentration and temperature for each sorption process in order to evaluate the best experimental conditions necessary for pollutant removal. The experimental data were fitted into the pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, intraparticle diffusion and Elovich models to determine the dynamics and rate-determining step of the adsorption processes. The mechanism of the process was investigated by fitting the experimental data into various two- and three-parameter isotherms. iii The application of MWCNT-ttpy for the removal of both heavy metal ions and organic pollutants demonstrated much enhanced uptakes than MWCNT-COOH. The incorporation of nitrogen onto MWCNT-COOH significantly improved the affinity towards the removal of metal ions, forming strong electrostatic and coordination interactions between the active sites on the adsorbent and metal ion cations. Increasing hydrophobicity of MWCNT-ttpy over MWCNT-COOH accounted for the enhanced removal of bisphenol A and ibuprofen, since their uptake is primarily decided on by the hydrophobic nature of sorbates. Further, the application of both MWCNT-COOH and magnetic carbon nanotube-cobalt ferrites nanocomposites showed good removal efficiencies for rhodamine B from aqueous solution, with the best uptake achieved by using MWCNT-COOH. However, the magnetic nanocomposites give an advantage of separation under magnetic influence, hence, limiting inconveniences encountered during separation. The kinetics of adsorption were mostly described by the pseudo-second order and the Elovich models, while the equilibrium data were best described by the Langmuir and the Sips isotherm models. The thermodynamic parameters of adsorption, namely, the change in Gibbs energy (ΔGº), change in enthalpy (ΔHº) and change in entropy (ΔSº) were estimated for each adsorption process. The adsorption of all adsorbates were endothermic in nature except in the case of ibuprofen and Cd2+ which exhibited an exothermic process. All adsorption processes described in this study were spontaneous, implying the feasibility of the sorbents for the removal of targeted pollutants from wastewater. Desorption studies aimed at regenerating the adsorbents for reuse were successful. High recovery efficiencies between 60-95% were achieved by using eluents such as 0.1 mol dm-3 HCl for metal ions, and ethanol and acetone/acetic acid for organic contaminants. This process averts the production of secondary pollutants, supporting the reutilization of both the adsorbents and the adsorbates. Thus, all adsorbents used in this study were efficiently regenerated by using simple conventional chemicals and can be reused for the removal of targeted pollutants from aqueous solutions. The competitive adsorption of Pb2+, Cd2+, Zn2+ and Cu2+ and the binary adsorption of bisphenol A and ibuprofen onto MWCNT-ttpy was also investigated in both single-solute and multi-component adsorption systems. The sorption of metal ions onto MWCNT-ttpy was in the sequence Cd > Pb > Cu > Zn and Pb > Cu > Cd > Zn in single-solute and multicomponent systems, respectively, while the removal of ibuprofen was higher than that of bisphenol A in a typical binary adsorption system. For the first time, the competitive sorption of organic contaminants (bisphenol A and ibuprofen) in the presence of metal ions (Cd2+ and Pb2+) onto nitrogen-functionalized MWCNT was investigated. The iv study revealed a cooperative mechanism of adsorption between metal ions and organic pollutants in a multicomponent system. Thus, the novel adsorbent proved effective for the removal of metal ions, bisphenol A and ibuprofen in both single-solute and multicomponent adsorption systems. MWCNT-ttpy also proved remarkably effective for removing three heavy metal ions, Pb2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+, in three different real-life water samples, obtained from the Umgeni River. Removal efficiencies greater than 95% were achieved for all three metal ions. The modification of MWCNTs to afford both nitrogen-functionalized MWCNTs and cobalt-ferrite/MWCNT nanocomposites was successful. These sorbents exhibited excellent pollutant removal abilities, attributed to improved textural characteristics of the nanomaterials synthesized. The application of these sorbents for wastewater and industrial effluent remediation should be further explored for prudent management of water resources

The Impact of Changes in Basel Capital Requirements on the Resilience of African Commercial Banks

Focusing on a panel sample of 41 commercial banks over the period of 2000-2018, this study examined the effect of capital adequacy on the resilience of commercial banks in Africa under changing Basel levels (II, III, and the proposed Basel IV). The study created sample representative banks for the proposed Basel IV and used two measures, namely Z-score and CAMELS, to capture bank resilience. Using the panel logistic regression and fixed effect model, we found that capital adequacy, liquidity, earnings management efficiency, and macroeconomic conditions are key determinants of the resilience of commercial banks in Africa. Additionally, Basel compliant banks tend to be less prone to macroeconomic factors. Based on the positive and significant impact of all Basel capital ratios on Zscore, the results suggest that a high level of capital requirements increases African banks' resilience, and banks with higher capital can absorb risk exposures

The potential impact of Basel IV requirements on performance and resilience of commercial banks in Africa.

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Capital adequacy is considered an important determinant for the performance and resilience of banks because the banking sector plays a substantial role in the stability and growth of the economy. Literature shows that well-capitalised banks are associated with higher profits. Banks in Africa have revenue growth opportunities, but fragility and vulnerability to bank failures arising from capital inadequacy, non-performing loans and weak banking regulatory requirements restrict their lending capacities to support economic growth. The Basel Committee’s aim for introducing higher Basel capital requirements is to strengthen the resilience of the banking system; however, most of the African countries are slow in embracing changes in Basel regulatory requirements. Nevertheless, the implementation of higher Basel capital may affect the performance and lending ability of banks. This study examines the potential impact of Basel IV capital requirements on performance, lending, securitisation, and resilience of commercial banks from selected African countries. To achieve the set objectives, the study simulates Basel IV capital ratio using historical data from 2000 and 2018 because the implementation of Basel IV capital requirements has not commenced. In this context, the study created sample-representative banks and employed static and dynamic panel regression analyses as the estimation techniques. The results suggest that Basel IV capital requirements portend short-term negative impacts on bank performance and lending, while the long-term impact on bank performance is favourable. In addition, the findings show that higher capital requirements have a significant impact on the volume of securitisation and protect the banks from securitisation exposures; however, increasing volume of securitisation does not impact performance. Finally, capital adequacy positively impacts bank resilience and suggests that banks with a low level of capital are prone to banking distress, while banks with high capital improves resilience

Effect of Agricultural, Manufacturing And Services Sectors Performance In Nigeria, 1980-2011

The effect of non-oil components export on the economic growth in Nigeria continue to be debated and tested inorder for turning around of the nation’s economic outlook for the future good, by strengthen non-oil exportgrowth and success and also promote a non-oil export culture. This paper extends the previous empirical studieson the issue providing some evidence from time series data period over 1980 – 2011. In this study, the dependentvariables were agricultural, manufacturing and services sector whereas the independent variable is the grossdomestic product (GDP). The model was tested using unit root test, ordinary least square (OLS), serialcorrelation LM test and heteroskedasticity test to analyze the significant contribution between the dependent andindependent variables. The result shows that agricultural and services sector of non-oil export componentcontributed significantly to the economic growth (GDP) of Nigeria. Also the result presents that there is nocorrelation and heteroskedasticity problem. Finally this paper draws some policy implications for the furtherstudies to focus on the non-oil export component in Nigeria so has to ensure a turnaround of the nation’seconomic outlook (growth).Keywords: Non-Oil Export, Gross Domestic Product, Agricultural, Manufacturing and Services Sector

Empirical analysis of macroeconomic factors and Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) on agricultural output

There has been many significant research efforts that have been devoted to understand the effects of macroeconomic factors on the agriculture sector in Nigeria. In addition to the macroeconomic factors, Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) over the period 1981 to 2017 will be included into the scenario of this study to examine the effects of these factors on agricultural output in Nigeria. This paper employed co-integration analysis and multivariate Granger causality which is carried out using VECM approach to analyse the causal links among all the variables considered for estimation. The findings showed relationship that exists between the agricultural output which is the dependent variable and the independent variables. It also revealed the variations between the dependent and independent variables which are Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate, interest rate, foreign direct investment (FDI), commercial bank loan on agriculture, SAP and inflation rate. In conclusion, commercial loan on agriculture, FDI, interest and inflation rate were macroeconomic variables that contributed to agricultural output in Nigeria within the period examined

WITCHCRAFT IN THE 20TH AND 21ST CENTURIES IN NIGERIA: AN ANALYSIS

This article is aimed at discussing the incidence of witchcraft during the colonial and post-colonial periods in Nigeria, and shows some basic reasons why people were or are indulged in witchcraft. It also discusses the significant impacts of witchcraft in the socio-cultural and technological development of the Nigeria society Witchcraft became a crime as the various communities advanced in technology because of exposure to western education and industrialization. Some communities experienced an intense period of witch-hunting while their neighbours were hardly aware of witchhunting. Many individuals freely admitted to being witches. Such individuals were often non-conformists who felt constrained or alienated, by the plethora of oaths, sanctions and taboos. A witch was believed to be an individual in whom dwelt a distinctive wickedness which harmed people in mysterious secret ways. They were regarded as antisocial and wicked. The witch myth was and is still recognized and affirmed as opposition to moralities. The witch, as an incarnate, always symbolized evil in contrast to the basic goodness of the society. Penalties for witchcraft vary widely in different parts of Africa. In Nigeria, nearly all witchcraft penalties were harsh and rather arbitrary. Witches in pnre-colonial, Nigeria were rarely completely rehabilitated and accepted back into the society. Research findings shows that, things changed in the present day Nigeria where witches having confessed or renounced openly, were ably accepted into their community and freed to take part in community affair as normal persons