The European Union and monetary integration in West Africa. ZEI Discussion Paper No. C206, 2011

This paper argues that developments in Europe have been the most important variable in monetary integration in West Africa. It shows how monetary integration in West Africa has historically been influenced by two colonial powers: Britain and France and the state of the relationship between these two European countries. The consequence of the above is that Britain and France have become major stakeholders in West Africa and failure to consult them in monetary integration matters in the region has always led to suboptimal results in the integration process. The modest monetary integration success that has been achieved by the Francophone West African countries for instance have been extensively aided by France which has acted as the agency of restraint to the arrangement. On the other hand ECOWAS wide regional integration arrangements have been mainly unsuccessful because of the sometimes divergent interests of France and Britain in the region. The consequence is that the idea of a unified West African monetary area has always failed to gain the support of the two powerful European stakeholders. Specifically, neither Britain nor France is willing to act as an agency of restraint for the entire West Africa. The absence of an agency of restraint also explains the inability of Nigeria and Ghana to achieve the establishment of a second monetary zone in the region. The new program, unfortunately, has provided no institutional framework for dealing with outside stakeholders. Despite the above shortcomings, the paper argues that the changing political landscape in Europe may alter the nature of incentives behind the interest of foreign stakeholders in the region. This in itself could create new opportunities for a region wide monetary integration program in West Africa. To achieve its aim, this paper, including the current introductory section (Part One), is divided into seven parts. Part Two traces the origins of monetary integration in the West African sub-region while Part Three critiques the post-independence ECOWAS wide monetary integration programs in the sub region. Part Four analyses the operations of the monetary integration program in post independence Francophone West Africa while Part Five examines the origins and operational modalities of the Second Monetary Zone. Part Six attempts an analysis of the future direction and opportunities for an ECOWAS-wide monetary integration Program while Part Seven concludes the paper

Immunological studies of trypanosoma evansi infections in rabbits

The present study evaluated aspects of the class-specific antibody response of rabbits experimentally infected with Trypansoma evansi.Using sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and "Western" blotting adapted to detecting class-specific antibody response and optimized for the T. evansi system, humoral responses to T. evansi were observed to be directed to both the surface and non-surface components of the parasite. Using 125l-iodination, two components with molecular weights of 67,000 and 60,500 daltons were found to be associated with the surface of the parasite with their detection varying between different stocks of T. evansi. Both the surface and non-surface components elicited skin reactions in animals, with the most intense reactions observed with the surface components and in animals drug c\ired of T. evansi infections.Class-specific antibody response to the surface components involved the production of the three immunoglobulin classes studied - IgG, IgM and IgA while responses to the non-surface components were predominantly IgG, an observation that was thought to be linked with the role of IgM in bringing about trypanolysis and IgG in neutralising the products of such lysis.Based on clinical signs, animals were classed as resistant or susceptible with the serum from the resistant animals detecting more antigens of T. evansi and earlier than those of the susceptible animals. The detection of the surface and many non-surface components of the parasite was associated with resistance. Crossinfection studies demonstrated absolute protection of animals to homologous challenge, which was found to be associated with the production of specific antibodies. Partial protection to heterologous challenge was associated with the presence of cross-reacting antibodies to one of the surface and some of the non-surface components. There were also indications that non-antibody factors may be important in the induction of protection while complete absence of antibodies to antigens of the challenge parasites was associated with non-protection.Studies on complement demonstrated the depletion of C3 during infection with C3 in circulation returning to near preinfection levels after drug treatment and during periods of low parasitaemia. C3 activation was observed in infected animals and using an in vitro system, C3 was activated mainly through the classical and also the alternative pathways, with the complexes formed with IgG being more efficient in activating C3 than those formed with IgM. C3 was also found to be important during secondary responses as rabbits with depleted C3 responded poorly by producing lower levels of antibodies than C3 intact, control animals.cing lower levels of antibodies than C3 intact, control animals. Histopathological studies revealed that changes in organs of infected animals could be the direct effect of the parasites or consequences of the host defence response, some of which could lead to the depression of the host's immune responses. Observations warranting an investigation of a possible transmission of T. evansi through a sexual mode and also the importance of an integrated approach in the investigation of host/parasite relationships in T. evansi infections were made

The Medical and Social Dynamics of Ogbanje as an Occult and Paranormal in Nigeria

Prior articles indicate the existence of ogbanje in Igboland but knowledgeabout its social and medical dynamics as an occult and paranormal is  relatively lacking. This paper is therefore set to address this gap in knowledge by adopting primary and secondary sources of data collection on the Medical and Social Dynamics of ogbanje ascribed as an occult and paranormal in  Nigeria. This has become necessary in order to disabuse the mind of the  public that ogbanje has nothing to offer in collaborative African studies.  Patriotism calls for an inward look at the nature of African belief system.  Exploring ogbanje through descriptive and analytical research, this paper has  a valuable base line for the Medical and Social analysis of  ogbanje and has ultimately identifies its functional use in Nigeria. The study has corrected the deep ignorance held concerning the ascribed Medical and Social Dynamics of ogbanje. It has opened a new academic study which could offer deeper insight when approached from different disciplines

A genetic algorithm approach to designing and modelling of a multi-functional fractal manufacturing layout

A dynamic and optimal shop floor design, modelling and implementation is key to achieving successful Fractal Manufacturing System (FrMS). To build adaptive and fault-tolerant fractal layout, attention is paid to issues of shop floor planning, function layout, determination of capacity level, cell composition planning and flow distances of products. A full fledged FrMS. layout is multi-functional and is capable of producing a variety of products with minimal reconfiguration. This paper is part and a progression of an on-going project whereby Genetic Algorithm (GA) is adopted to design and model a flexible and multi-functional FrMS floor layout. GA is used in the project for modeling and simulation. The design implementation is done using MATLAB. The result is a fault tolerant configuration that self-regulates and adapts to unpredictable changes in the manufacturing environment arising from lead time reduction pressure, inventories, product customization and other challenges of a dynamic and volatile operational environment

The Use of Academic Library Resources and Services by Undergraduate in Ibadan North Local Government of Nigeria

Libraries provide resources for knowledge acquisition, recreation, personal interests and inter-personal relationships for all categories of users. It enables the individual to obtain spiritual, inspirational, and recreational activities through reading, and therefore the opportunity of interacting with the society’s wealth and accumulated knowledge. This study examined the undergraduate students’ use of University library services and resources. It was affirmed the undergraduate utilized the University Libraries as learning centre. This was shown by the massive turn out to patronize the library services and resources weekly

The Law of Obligation in Ghana and Nigeria, a Comparative Study.

This study is a comparative investigation of the law of obligations in Ghana and Nigeria. It has often been suggested that the law of civil responsibility in Ghana and Nigeria is the same as the current English law position. This thesis sets out to examine the basis of this assumption, an exercise which has never before been attempted by any previous writer in West African law. This investigation is in eight Parts of a total of twenty-one sections. In the Introductory Part, the meaning, scope and content of the title are fully discussed. The case for a new approach to the classification of obligations in Ghana and Nigeria is stated and argued. Part II examines the vital question of the sources of obligations. This is the issue of the juristic basis for the application of extraneous law in Ghana and Nigeria, what this law is, limits on its application and the concurrent application of indigenous rules of law. A reassessment of the whole position in the light of extant documentary data is attempted. The law of obligations is substantially made up of case-law. Part III examines what cases bind which courts. Parts IV and V deal with valid agreements, the former with two-party situations while the latter treats situations in which more than two parties are involved. Part VI examines the all-important category of defective agreements, an approach totally different from the conventional treatment of the subject. Part VII is a functional study of obligations. Here in three sections, we examine the role of the Courts in the enforcement of agreements, the role of the state, and the effectiveness of remedies for breach of agreements. The final part analyses and sets out to argue a case for obligations imposed by law

Effects of IFRS Adoption on Inventory Valuation and Financial Reporting In Nigeria

The IFRS has streamlined the basis for valuing inventory against that which was hitherto posited by the Statement of Accounting Standards (SAS) or the US GAAP. These methods   have far reaching implications for the value of inventory firms would report in their financial statements. This paper has examined those methods adopted by the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and there would be implication on financial reporting in Nigeria. The study was conceptual and empirical with most data sourced from the relevant text book and the internet.  A survey was also carried out to know the level of awareness of this adoption and level of compliance.  The study revealed that though some companies has adopted the use of FIFO method but a good number  are still using the LIFO method which was proscribed by IFRS. The study recommends that firms should adopt the use of FIFO and Weighted Average Methods as prescribed by IASB and the others permitted by IFRS. This will make their financials comparable under the IFRS while firms should embark on intensive training of their accounting staff to get them to becoming IFRS compliant. Key words: Inventory, Valuation, Financial Reporting, IASB, IFR

The Effect of Information and Market Access on Adopters' Income Level

This paper is aimed at relating income fluctuation with adoptable innovations, adopter category and their access to some variables than those explained in the neoclassical economics principle of labor market demand and supply equilibrium. Using a quantitative and qualitative case study of some farmers in two States, we considered whether respondents are earning enough income and what constraints they face. The von Hipple’s lead user concept and decision model of risk aversion under uncertainty were used to explain causes of variability. Notably, farmers with enough steady income have access to market, various information and are less risk averse.Variability, Information, Income, Adoption, Market,

Impact of Fixed Medium-Term National Development Plans and Structural Adjustment Program on Aggregate Economic Activity in Nigeria

Nigeria adopted and implemented four fixed medium-term national development plans between 1960 and 1985 with a view to ultimately achieving optimum societal wellbeing. However, due to the economic problems of the 1980s, an extensive structural adjustment program (SAP) was put in place in 1986. Among other things, SAP was meant to restructure and diversify the Nigerian economy. This paper empirically analyzes the impact of the four plans and the structural adjustment program on aggregate economic activity in Nigeria. The study employs a growth equation that contains major macroeconomic variables such as credit to private sector, foreign direct investment and foreign trade as well as dummy variables that capture eras of the four fixed medium-term national development plans and the structural adjustment program. Contemporary econometric techniques of co integration and autoregressive modeling form part of the methodology for this study. The study is based on annual time series data from 1960 to 2009 obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The estimates of the study, among other things, reveal that the fixed medium-term national development plans in general had no significant impact on aggregate economic activity in Nigeria whereas the structural adjustment program had some significant positive impact on aggregate economic activity in the country. Thus there is need for optimum state planning in the country, especially if the planning is for fixed medium-term. In general, there is need for optimal management of the country’s economy. Keywords: Development planning, Econometrics, Structural adjustment program, Time series, Nigeria