DOES TRADE LIBERALIZATION AND FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT INDUCEENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN SELECTED WEST AFRICAN SUB-REGIONS?

This study examined the ef ect of trade liberalization and foreign direct investment onenvironmental degradation within the selected West African sub-region. The data employedinanalyzing the result covers the period 1996 to 2022. Fully modified ordinary least squares anddynamic ordinary least squares were employed in estimating the models. The study's findingsindicate a negative and insignificant influence of trade liberalization and foreigndirectinvestment on environmental degradation, indicating that trade liberalization and foreigndirectinvestment reduced environmental degradation. Again, the interaction of trade liberalizationandforeign direct investment reduced environmental degradation. Other results confirmed that fossilfuel energy consumption positively enhanced environmental degradation, although renewableenergy consumption significantly reduced pollution. Based on the empirical findings, sincetradeliberalization and foreign direct investment reduce environmental degradation as fossil fuelenergy consumption increase environmental degradation, implies that ECOWAS governmentsinstitute environmental laws following the race to the top theory to discourage fossil fuel energyusage and push for more renewable energy as it reduces incessant pollution within the region

Long-Run Effects of Exchange Rate Policy on Economic: A Case of Nigeria

Very few erudite scholars of economists realised with conviction the intensely unusual, unstable, complicated, unreliable, temporary shock of exchange rate fluctuation in the economy. This study investigates the long run effects of exchange rate fluctuation on economic growth with particular emphasis on Nigeria between 1970-2012.The study identify the gap between recent economy theory and current economic reality in Nigeria using the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression techniques to draw out inferences on the exchange rate dynamics and growth. The Overall, finding, reported that real output is negatively influenced by exchange rate, gross capital formation and positively influenced by broad money supply and fiscal balances, suggesting that fiscal discipline exists but currency depreciation persist. In all, appropriate policy towards boosting the national output require stabilization of currency as well as encouraging investment. JEL Classification: F31, F40, F49 Keywords: Long-run effects, exchange rate, macroeconomic indicators, economic growth in Nigeria

Investigating Okun's Law in Nigeria through the Dynamic Model

 Unemployment is a persistent challenge for countries, especially the developing ones. Nigeria as a developing country faces a herculean task reducing the increasing spate of joblessness amongst her citizens. Okun’s law explains the relationship between unemployment and economic growth in an economy. This study therefore investigates Okun’s law in Nigeria between 1985 and 2015 through the dynamic model. The generalized method of moments estimation result reveals that that present and past output growth are negatively related to unemployment rate. However, only past output growth has a significant effect on unemployment rate. It also shows that past unemployment rate is significantly and positively associated with present unemployment rate. The Toda-Yamamoto Granger non-causality test finds that there is no causality between unemployment and economic growth. This study presents evidence to partially support Okun’s law of inverse relationship between unemployment and output growth and suggests that promoting economic growth can be a policy tool for reducing unemployment rate in Nigeria.&nbsp

(R1523) Abundant Natural Resources, Ethnic Diversity and Inclusive Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Mathematical Approach

The sub-Saharan African region is blessed with abundant natural resources and diverse ethnic groups, yet the region is dominated by the largest number of poor people worldwide due to inequitable distribution of national income. Existing statistics forecast decay in the quality of lives over the years compared to the continent of Asia that shares similar history with the region. In this paper, a-five dimensional first-order nonlinear ordinary differential equations was formulated to give insight into various factors that shaped dynamics of inclusive growth in sub-Saharan Africa. The validity test was performed based on ample mathematical theorems and the model was found to be valid. The model was then studied qualitatively and quantitatively via stability theory of nonlinear differential equations which depended on the policy success ratio and classical fourth-order Runge-Kutta scheme implemented in maple respectively. The results from the analysis showed that inclusive growth from abundant natural resources and ethnic diversity in sub-Saharan Africa was a function of policy reform whereby an increase in both equitable distribution of national income and accessibility of common man to the goods and services provided by the state to narrow inequality gap was accompanied with a low level of nepotism

Body Weight, Not Insulin Sensitivity or Secretion, May Predict Spontaneous Weight Changes in Nondiabetic and Prediabetic Subjects: The RISC Study

Previous studies have found that high insulin sensitivity predicts weight gain; this association has not been confirmed. Our aim was to systematically analyze metabolic predictors of spontaneous weight changes

General anaesthetic and airway management practice for obstetric surgery in England: a prospective, multi-centre observational study

There are no current descriptions of general anaesthesia characteristics for obstetric surgery, despite recent changes to patient baseline characteristics and airway management guidelines. This analysis of data from the direct reporting of awareness in maternity patients' (DREAMY) study of accidental awareness during obstetric anaesthesia aimed to describe practice for obstetric general anaesthesia in England and compare with earlier surveys and best-practice recommendations. Consenting patients who received general anaesthesia for obstetric surgery in 72 hospitals from May 2017 to August 2018 were included. Baseline characteristics, airway management, anaesthetic techniques and major complications were collected. Descriptive analysis, binary logistic regression modelling and comparisons with earlier data were conducted. Data were collected from 3117 procedures, including 2554 (81.9%) caesarean deliveries. Thiopental was the induction drug in 1649 (52.9%) patients, compared with propofol in 1419 (45.5%). Suxamethonium was the neuromuscular blocking drug for tracheal intubation in 2631 (86.1%), compared with rocuronium in 367 (11.8%). Difficult tracheal intubation was reported in 1 in 19 (95%CI 1 in 16-22) and failed intubation in 1 in 312 (95%CI 1 in 169-667). Obese patients were over-represented compared with national baselines and associated with difficult, but not failed intubation. There was more evidence of change in practice for induction drugs (increased use of propofol) than neuromuscular blocking drugs (suxamethonium remains the most popular). There was evidence of improvement in practice, with increased monitoring and reversal of neuromuscular blockade (although this remains suboptimal). Despite a high risk of difficult intubation in this population, videolaryngoscopy was rarely used (1.9%)

GOVERNANCE PRACTICE AND DIVIDEND PAYOUTS: THE ROLE OF SECTORS

Corporate governance (CG) safeguards shareholders’ portfolios and ensures optimal returns in terms of dividend payouts (DPs) on their investment.  The association between CG and DPs could be significant in relation to risk exposure, operational and financing activities across firms and sectors. The relationship between the two has been well documented, however; the role of industry classification on the relationship has not been given adequate consideration in the literature. Agency theory underpins the model which captures the effects of CG on DPs.  This study, therefore, examines the moderating roles of industry on the relationship in Nigeria between 1995 and 2012; and utilised system generalised method of moments technique in its analysis. Empirical findings of the study indicate that the relationship between CG and DPs is positive in few subsectors while it is negative in some subsectors respectively. Therefore, it is suggested that the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) in connection with the Nigerian Stock Exchange should provide needed interventions to the subsectors showcase negative relationship so that their CG could be enhanced

SHORT COMMUNICATION - THE EFFECT OF LIGHT INTENSITY ON THE GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND YIELD OF SOYBEAN IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Soybean (Glycine max   (L.) Merrill) is an important cheap source of plant protein in Nigeria. Its production is constrained by low light intensity in the southern rainforest ecology due to cloud cover during the production season. Understanding the physiological basis of performance under low light intensity is therefore central to efforts geared towards the crop's productivity improvement in the zone. Soybean plants were subjected to two weeks of 75 and 50% daylight regimes at the vegetative (V4-5); early flowering (R2); and pod filling (R5) stages of growth. Full exposure or 100% daylight served as the control. In the field and pots, the 75% and 50% light intensities (obtained by covering cages with one or two layers of 1mm mesh net, respectively) significantly enhanced the vegetative growth over plants grown under 100% light intensity. Plants grown under 50% light reduction (L2 plants) had significantly (P=0.05) higher leaf area plant-1, stem height plant-1 and number of branches plant-1 than plants grown under 75% light intensity (L1 plants). Similarly, L1 plants had higher values of these vegetative parameters than plants grown under 100% light intensity (L0 plants). Generally, the results of the pot and field trials were similar. Reduced light regimes led to a higher accumulation of dry matter in the various plant parts particularly when imposed at the vegetative stage of growth. Additionally, reduced light regimes led to reduced leaf chlorophyll concentration and a general reduction in yield. The highest reduction in yield resulted from 50% light intensity imposed for two weeks at the pod filling stage of growth. In pots the seed dry weight plant-1 of L0, L1 and L2 plants were 40.6g, 30.4g and 23.3g, respectively. While for the field trials, the seed dry weight plant-1 for L0, L1, L2 plants were 37.3g, 34.3g and 32.5g, respectively. The seed dry weight plant-1 for light reduction at the vegetative stage (35.5g) was similar to that at the early flowering stage (35.5g) but was significantly higher than the seed dry weight plant-1 at the pod filling stage (33.2g). Results reveal that reduced light intensity was most damaging to soybean performance at the pod filling stage and the lower the light intensity the greater the yield reduction

The effect of light intensity on the growth, development and yield of soybean in Southwest Nigeria

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is an important cheap source of plant protein in Nigeria. Its production is constrained by low light intensity in the southern rainforest ecology due to cloud cover during the production season. Understanding the physiological basis of performance under low light intensity is therefore central to efforts geared towards the crop's productivity improvement in the zone. Soybean plants were subjected to two weeks of 75 and 50% daylight regimes at the vegetative (V4-5); early flowering (R2); and pod filling (R5) stages of growth. Full exposure or 100% daylight served as the control. In the field and pots, the 75% and 50% light intensities (obtained by covering cages with one or two layers of 1mm mesh net, respectively) significantly enhanced the vegetative growth over plants grown under 100% light intensity. Plants grown under 50% light reduction (L2 plants) had significantly (P=0.05) higher leaf area plant-1, stem height plant-1 and number of branches plant-1 than plants grown under 75% light intensity (L1 plants). Similarly, L1 plants had higher values of these vegetative parameters than plants grown under 100% light intensity (L0 plants). Generally, the results of the pot and field trials were similar. Reduced light regimes led to a higher accumulation of dry matter in the various plant parts particularly when imposed at the vegetative stage of growth. Additionally, reduced light regimes led to reduced leaf chlorophyll concentration and a general reduction in yield. The highest reduction in yield resulted from 50% light intensity imposed for two weeks at the pod filling stage of growth. In pots the seed dry weight plant-1 of L0, L1 and L2 plants were 40.6g, 30.4g and 23.3g, respectively. While for the field trials, the seed dry weight plant-1 for L0, L1, L2 plants were 37.3g, 34.3g and 32.5g, respectively. The seed dry weight plant-1 for light reduction at the vegetative stage (35.5g) was similar to that at the early flowering stage (35.5g) but was significantly higher than the seed dry weight plant-1 at the pod filling stage (33.2g). Results reveal that reduced light intensity was most damaging to soybean performance at the pod filling stage and the lower the light intensity the greater the yield reduction. RÉSUMÉ Le soja (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) est une source importante et bon marché de proteines végetales au Nigeria. Sa production est contrainte par la faible intensité lumineuse dans l'écologié de forêt pluvieusedu sud due à la couverture des nuages pendant la saison de production. Comprendre les bases physiologiques de la performance sous la faible intensite lumineuse est par consequent centrale pour l'amélioration des efforts dans la zone. Les plantes de soja ont été soumises à deux semaines de 75 et 50% de régime de lumierè du jour a l'étape de croissance végétative (V4-5); defloraison precoce (R2) et de remplissement de gousses( R5), 100% de la lumiere journaliere a servi de contrôle. Sur le champs et dans les pots, les 75% et 50% d'intensité lumineuse(obtenue par cages couverte avec une ou deux couches de 1mm mailles de filet, respectivement) d'une manière significative ont accrue la croissance végétale par rapportux plantes poussant sous 100% d'intensité lumineuse. Les plantes poussant sous 50% de lumière réduite (plantes L2) ont eu de manière significative (P=0.05) le nombre élevé de feuilles par plante, surface de feuilles par plante, hauteur de tiges par plantes et le nombre de branches par plante que les plantes cultivées sous 75% d'intensit' lumineuse (plantes L1). Similairement, les plantes L1 ont eu des valeurs élevées de ces paramètres végétaux que les plantes poussant sous 100% d'intensite lumineuse (plantes L0). Généralement, les résultats des essais des pots et du champs étaient les mêmes. Les régimes lumineux réduits ont entrainé une grande accumulation de la matière séche dans les differentes parties des plantes particulièrement quand où impose l'etape végétative de dévelopement. Les régimes lumineux réduits ont conduit à la réduction de la concentration de la chlorophylle par feuille et en générale, la réduction en production. La plus grande réduction en rendement a résulté de 50% de lumière imposée en deux semaines à l'tape du development du remplissage des gousses. Dans les pots, le poids des graines par plant de plantes L0, L1 et L2 ont été de 40.6g, 34.4get 23.3g, respectivement. Alors que sur le champs, la matière séche des graines par plante pour la réduction lumineuse à l'etape végétative (35.5g) était similaire à celle des plantes à l'etape de floraison précose (35.5g) mais significativement élevée que les poids de graines par plante de l'étape de remplissement des gousses (33.2g). Les résultats ont montré que l'intensité lumineuse réduite pour deux semaines étaient plus destructive à la performance du soja à l'étape de remplissement de la gousse et plus faible était l'intensité lumineuse, plus grande était la reduction de rendement. (African Crop Science Journal 2001 9(3): 577-590