Econometric Analysis of Foreign Reserves and Some Macroeconomic Variables in Nigeria (1970–2007)∗

Countries are showing interest in accumulating foreign reserves to ensure macroeconomic stability. There has been some debate whether to beef up the level of nations’ foreign reserves or make it lower, especially in developing countries like Nigeria. Whereas some argue that the foreign reserve determines the country’s rating in the global market, others hold opposing views. In this light, this paper examined the interactive influence of foreign reserve (FRS) on some macroeconomic variables such as: economic size (GDP); trade; level of capital inflows (KFL); exchange rate (EXR); and inflation. Analyzing secondary data from CBN statistical bulletins (1970–2007), the econometric results obtained from cointegration test, vector error correction (VEC) within the framework of autoregressive distributed lags (ARDL) revealed the following: (1) existence of a longrun relationship between the variables and two cointegrating equations; (2) possibility of convergence of the variables from the short run to the long run with slow speed of adjustment. It is thus the conclusion of this paper that accumulation of large foreign reserves is not very productive in Nigeria due to its inability to induce some of the macroeconomic variables

DITROPHIC INTERACTION BETWEEN GLOMUS MOSSEAE AND PHYTOPHTHORA INFESTANS IN JUTE MALLOW (CORCHORUS OLITORIUS) SEEDLINGS AT DIFFERENT AGES

Corchorus olitorius is one of the cheapest sources of minerals and vitamins being rich in folic acids used for removal of folacin deficiency in pregnant women in Africa.  Proper supply of this vegetable is affected by soil-borne pathogens, causing root-rot, damping off of seedlings, or other diseases in plants. This study, ditrophic interaction between Glomus mosseae fungus and Phytophthora infestans and their subsequent effects on the growth of jute mallow plants at different ages was carried out both in the laboratory and greenhouse. Six different treatment factors were used with three replicates for each treatment in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). At different ages of the seedlings, different measurements of the growth parameters were taken as agronomic data. The collected data were subjected to the Analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS).At different ages (4, 6, and 8 weeks), inoculation with P. infestans significantly reduced the growth parameters of jute mallow, in contrast to the growth response and biomass of jute mallow seedlings inoculated with G. mosseae. This was found to be significantly higher than that of non-mycorrhizal plants, both in the presence and absence of the pathogen in the greenhouse. Regression analysis of this study shows that there is significant difference in the number of weeks among the growth parameters; it reveals a coefficient of determination (R2) that is near perfect fit while treatments show significant difference based on the increase in ages of the jute mallow seedlings. It can then be concluded that, Glomus mosseae fungus acting as a bio-protective agent was able to suppress the incidence and severity of Phytophthora infestans in their ditrophic interaction. It also enhanced the growth parameters of jute mallow seedlings with respect to the age of the seedlings and time of inoculations.Â

Effect Of Reservoir Outflow of Hydropower Dams on The Downstream River Flood Regime: Nigeria’s Experience

Over more than five decades, the energy sector in Nigeria, particularly the rural energy sector, is characterized by lack of access, low purchasing power and over-dependence on traditional fuels for meeting basic energy needs. In an attempt by the government to solving this challenge, the hydropower scheme came on stream as the forerunner in 1968, 1986 and 1990 at Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro respectively. The objective was to improve access to reliable, secure, affordable, climate friendly and sustainable energy services and to boost investment in energy in Nigeria. Hydro Electric Power (HEP) is one of the few sources of energy that has assumed great significance since the beginning of the twentieth century. Electric power supply in Nigeria is government controlled and operated by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). PHCN has five thermal stations located at Afam, Delta, Egbin, Ijora and Sapele power stations and three hydropower plants located at Kainji, Jebba, and Shiroro hydropower power stations. They have installed capacities of 760 MW, 560 MW and 600 MW respectively and a total output of 1900 MW. The choice of hydro systems to generate peaking power carries a higher economic value of the water resource used and resulting in a substantial increase in the benefits realized. However, this solution seems to be characterized with some challenges at the downstream sector of the hydropower dams. The communities in the flood plains experience annual flooding when the authorities of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) open the gates of the dams to let off water at the peak of the rains. The floods have caused damages and untold hardships to lives and property. The occurrence of flood has great effect on communities and farming activities downstream of Jebba and Shiroro dams. This paper presents an hydrological assessment, overview on reservoir effect of reservoir outflow of Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro Dam on the environment and the mitigation measures (Non-Structural and structural measures) would be reviewed.

Performance of Onion (Allium Cepa L.) Enhanced By Organic Fertilizer in a Forest Agroecology, Nigeria

There is a growing interest in the use of organic fertilizers for vegetable production in Nigeria, it is important to determine the appropriate rate of application. Field trial was conducted in 2016 to evaluate the effects of cow dung application on growth and yield of onion (Allium cepa L) at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.  The treatments consisted of cow dung applied at 0, 5, 10 and 20 t ha-1 arranged in randomized complete block design with three replicates. Data were collected on plant height, length of leaf, number of leaves, bulb length, bulb diameter and number of bulb, weight of single bulb plant-1, total biological weight and bulb yield. The result indicated that cow dung rates significantly influenced growth of onion with tallest plant, highest number of leaves and leaf length of 53.87 cm, 6.33 and 58.94 cm respectively. The highest number of bulb (51.8), weight of single bulb (51.9 g), total biological weight (57.4 g) and bulb yield  (14.5 t/ha) were obtained with 20 t/ha rate of application. Addition of cow dung can improved the fertility of the soils for onion production in the forest agroecology leading to low cost input by peasant farmers. Keywords: Agroecology, bulb, cow dung, onion, organic manure, yields

How university students in South Africa perceive their fathers’ roles in their educational development

The larger study that has influenced this article was designed to explore what influenced rural men’s capabilities to actively participate in children’s early social development and its impact on transition to adulthood among their university-going children. Studies have established an increase in the level at which fathers in South Africa have been found wanting in terms of supporting their children’s development at early stages in their lives. It has been reported that this unacceptable behaviour can be transmitted or carried over from one generation to the next. There is the belief that the majority of the young male children who experienced non-supportive fathers will grow up repeating this behaviour with their children. This calls for a study on the perceptions of young people about what fatherhood is all about, hence this study. This study used a descriptive survey with a sample size of 300 students studying education in one university in the Eastern Cape Province. A 25-item questionnaire titled Perception of Fatherhood by University Students (α = 0.75) was used to collect data that were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The participants perceived that the experience and level of education influence men’s perception of fatherhood positively. Extra‑curricular programmes for proper fatherhood transition of young boys are recommended, commencing from Grade 1 through to Grade 12, to expose them to the kinds of dispositions that will enable them to be responsible fathers. There is also a need for compulsory empowerment programmes such as for designers, artists and sportsmen and other semi-skilled professions for male children who cannot acquire higher education to strengthen them socio-economically to provide education for their children

A Review of Models for Evaluation of Climate Change Impact on Water Resources

The use of models to simulate or predict impact of climate change on water resources management is very vital due to continual increase in global warming which invariably affects most important natural resources in the environment. This paper provides an overview of the existing models used for evaluating climate change impact on water resources management. It also compares their relative advantages and drawbacks. It was found that no model can perform satisfactorily the assessment of climate change impact; hence it may be necessary to use one model to compliment the weakness of another. Global Circulation Model (GCM) is not easily accessible in developing countries due to sophistications and processes involved in running it. Moreso, the nature of available data and cost of acquiring it is high. The main advantage of Water Balance (WATBAL) model is that it can model climate change impact in water resources but its major drawback is that it requires many inputs of hydro-meteorological parameters. Regression and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models are readily available and not too expensive. They can model climate change impact on water resources and hydropower operation. However, the drawback is that enormous data are required for ANN model calibration and operation. It is imperative therefore to anticipate and efficiently prepare for future water resources management and suggest necessary measures to mitigate the effect of climate change