An Assessment of Media Relations Practices of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration And Control In Rivers State

This study investigated media relations practices of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control in Rivers State. The objectives were: to evaluate media relations programmes of the agency in Rivers State, to assess types of media used by the agency in its media relations programmes and to ascertain the extent to which media relations practices of the agency impact on the agency's relationship with media practitioners in the state. The research design adopted was survey method. Findings showed that what constituted media relations practices of NAFDAC were luncheon programmes, sharing of gift items to reporters at year end events and visits to media houses in the state. Findings further showed that there is a disconnect in the implementation of the activities arising from lack of consistency and continuity. The study also found out that the media relations practices of the agency did not influence the relationship between the agency and the mass media in the state. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that NAFDAC should design and implement strategies that will guarantee regular interactions with the mass media in Rivers State and to explore on regular basis the use of all media platforms in the promotion of their programmes

Modelling the efficiency of an automated sensor-based sorter

For future development of automated sensor-based sorting in the mining industry, an improvement in the separation efficiency of the equipment is desirable. This could be achieved through a better understanding of the identification and separation aspects of the automated sorter. For automated sorters that undertake separation through the use of compressed air jets, the problem of poor separation efficiency has been linked with co-deflection losses. Co-deflection losses occur as particles meant to pass on to the ‘accept’ bin are co-deflected with the particles (which are to be deflected) meant to go to the ‘reject’ bin. To study co-deflection losses and suggest means of improving automated sorter separation efficiency, this research investigates the effects of particle size, shape, throughput, together with the proportion of particles (out of the total test batch) required to be deflected on separation efficiency. The effect of the air valve configuration on separation efficiency was also studied. Presented also is a mathematical model which could be used to predict automated sorter separation efficiency. All separation efficiency investigations were undertaken using a TiTech Combisense© (BSM 063) automated sorter. Samples of granite were sized into -20+15mm, -15+10mm and -10+6mm size fractions and grouped into cubic and flaky shape fractions. These fractions were then divided into two with one portion painted for colour separation efficiency investigations. The separation efficiency results confirmed earlier research indicating that particle size and the fraction requiring deflection affects separation efficiency, with separation efficiency decreasing with a decrease in particle size and an increase in throughput. It was observed that co-deflection loss occurs when correctly identified ‘accept’ particles are co-deflected due to their close proximity to ‘reject’ particles that are to be deflected. Observations from the tests indicate that an increase in the proportion of particles requiring deflection increases the probability of finding ‘accept’ particles in close proximity to ‘reject’ particles leading to co-deflections. Monte Carlo simulations were used to produce a random distribution of particles on the conveyor belt as would be obtained from actual investigations. From these simulations particle proximity relationships and particle co-deflections were studied. Results indicate that the Monte Carlo simulations under-predicts particle proximity associations. The effect of shape on co-deflection was investigated with results indicating that flaky shaped particles produce higher number of co-deflections compared to cubic shaped particles. It was also observed that the valve sensitivity determined from valve opening and closing times is of importance to the selectivity (precision) of the separating air jets. A mathematical separation efficiency model is presented which contains two variables, the belt loading (calculated using particle size, shape and throughput) and the particle fraction of the total test batch that are to be deflected (% deflection). The separation efficiency can be calculated once these two variables are determined.AKUTEC

Influence of turmeric (curcuma longa) as feed additive on the performance, serum enzymes and lipid profile of broiler chickens

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with turmeric powder as a natural growth promoter on performance, and serum biochemical profile in broiler chickens. A total of 200 day old broiler chicks (Ross) were allocated to five dietary treatments, with four replicates, having 10 birds per replicate. The dietary treatments consisted of the control diet (T1) with 0% turmeric powder, and then 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%and 1.0%??/100kg of feed with turmeric powder added to T2, T3, T4, and T5 respectively. Results showed that feed intake was not significantly influenced across the treatments (P>0.05). The average weekly weight gain and final weight of the broilers differed significantly (P<0.05) amongst the treatment groups. Turmeric supplementation showed a significant decrease in FCR and in turn improved feed efficiency. The effects of turmeric on Aspartate amino-transferase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT), and total cholesterol (TC) increased significantly in the group that received the highest concentration of turmeric. However, this increase is minimal to cause any observable adverse effect. Meanwhile, there was significant increase in low density lipoprotein (LDL) among the group that received 1% (100g) Turmeric/100kg feed. There were no significant increase in serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride. The result of this study therefore, demonstrates that dietary supplementation of turmeric powder should not exceed 1000g/kg feed in broiler production. It was also shown that turmeric addition had a positive influence on feed conversion ratio thereby improving the weight gain in broiler birds. Keywords: Turmeric; Performance; Serum Enzymes; Lipid Profil

Repositioning Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for Youths Employment and National Security in Nigeria

The paper focused on repositioning Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for youth’s employment and national security in Nigeria. It examined briefly the concepts of technical vocational education and training (TVET), youths, unemployment and national security as well as the effects of unemployment on national security in Nigeria. It also examined the role of technical vocational education and training (TVET) in facilitating youths employment in order to foster national security in Nigeria as well as the challenges facing the effective implementation of TVET programmes in Nigeria.  The authors contended that TVET has been accepted globally as a strong catalyst to development and sustainable national security because of its potentials in job creation, wealth generation, poverty reduction and technological transformation. It was suggested, among others, that the relevant arms of government should adequately fund, plan, implement, and manage TVET programmes in all educational institutions, especially tertiary institutions in Nigeria. In addition, provision of adequate facilities, equipment, consumable materials, and hand tools is very imperative for TVET to be adequately repositioned in Nigeria Keywords: Technical and vocational education and training (TVET), Youths, National Securit

Vocationalisation of Secondary Education in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Prospects

It is highly indisputable that, the ever-escalating level of chronic unemployment among youths in many countries across the globe coupled with the resulting high level of social unrest among the youth’s accounts for the increased emphasis on acquisition of vocational skills for self-reliance. The paper discusses vocationalisation of secondary education in Nigeria and also examined Nigeria’s policy initiatives at vocationalisation of secondary education. It also discusses the fundamental issues in vocationalisation of secondary education, as well as some of the pressing challenges hampering effective vocationalisation of education in Nigeria. The paper suggests, among others, that a model secondary school should be established in each local government area in the country. Such schools should be fully equipped with the necessary facilities, equipment and staff for effective training of students in vocational areas. In addition, provision of infrastructures such as classrooms and workshops across all levels would ease overcrowding, increase access and reduce student/teacher ratio. Keywords: Vocationalisation, secondary education, issues, challenges and prospect

A Converted Democrat? Profiling the Attacks on Nigerian Journalists During Buhari’s Civilian Regime (2015-2017)

This study investigates the attacks on Nigerian journalists during the first half of President Mohammadu Buhari’s civilian administration (2015-2017). Buhari had promised in his electioneering campaign to be a “converted democrat”, implying that the new democratic rule would not take after his dictatorship of 1983 to 1985 when he harassed and jailed reporters as a military head of state. In spite of his government’s recent press freedom claim, our findings show succinctly that no fewer than 38 newsmen and women were arrested or harassed and at least one killed by gunmen in the two-year period. Interestingly, none of the cases was linked directly to Buhari personally, unlike his term as a military dictator. Nevertheless, the cases of abuse recorded so far is an indication that his government should initiate actions that safeguard the social responsibility credential of journalists

Modeling Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of Local Governments in Nigeria

This paper considers the Time Series Modeling of Internally Generated Revenue of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria. Data for this work are monthly internally generated revenue collected from the Budget, Planning, Research and Statistics (BPRS) department of the Local Government from 1998 to 2012. Box and Jenkins method of time series analysis is used to analyse the series. From the analysis, ARIMA (2, 1, 2) is identified as appropriate model for the series and Theil Coefficient indicates that the model is adequate for a good forecast.Keywords: Time series model, internally generated revenue, Theil coefficient, forecast, Local Government Revenue

A Converted Democrat? Profiling the Attacks on Nigerian Journalists During Buhari’s Civilian Regime (2015-2017)

This study investigates the attacks on Nigerian journalists during the first half of President Mohammadu Buhari’s civilian administration (2015-2017). Buhari had promised in his electioneering campaign to be a “converted democratâ€, implying that the new democratic rule would not take after his dictatorship of 1983 to 1985 when he harassed and jailed reporters as a military head of state. In spite of his government’s recent press freedom claim, our findings show succinctly that no fewer than 38 newsmen and women were arrested or harassed and at least one killed by gunmen in the two-year period. Interestingly, none of the cases was linked directly to Buhari personally, unlike his term as a military dictator. Nevertheless, the cases of abuse recorded so far is an indication that his government should initiate actions that safeguard the social responsibility credential of journalists