Women Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Development in Benue State, Nigeria

The study examined the effect of women empowerment on entrepreneurship development in Benue State, Nigeria. Specifically the study examined the effect of educational empowerment and economic empowerment on employment generation and financial sustainability in Benue State. Descriptive survey design was used for this study. A population of 320 women who are beneficiaries of entrepreneurship programmes in Makurdi, Benue State and a sample of 178 served as the respondents. The questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. Cronbach Alpha was used for reliability of instrument and factor analysis was employed to test the validity of the instrument. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such as tables and simple percentages while chi-square was used for null hypotheses testing with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 21). The findings of this study indicated a positive significant relationship between educational empowerment and employment generation, a positive significant relationship between educational empowerment and financial sustainability. The study also revealed a significant relationship between educational economic empowerment and employment generation and significant relationship between economic empowerment and financial sustainability. The study concludes that better knowledge about the economic importance of women entrepreneurship and their particular strengths, weaknesses and opportunities, is important to the success of entrepreneurship and economic development of Benue State. It recommended amongst others that there should be re-orientation on women’s empowerment and participation which could be achieved through seminars, trainings and workshops. Keyword: Entrepreneurship, Development, Women, Benue, Nigeria. INTRODUCTIO

Criteria for the Extraction of Fish Oil

The effect of pre-treatment of mackery (Scomber scombrus) on oil recovery and quality was investigated. Fish oil was extracted using the screw expeller press after heat pre-treatment of the fish sample. The effect of cooking temperatures and cooking times was evaluated. It was observed that the oil yield has a positive relationship with cooking temperature. The oil yield increased with increasing cooking temperature at all the cooking times investigated and also increased with increasing cooking time from 5-15 minutes and then decreased for 20 minutes cooking time at all the cooking temperatures investigated. The results revealed that a highest yield of 22.8 % was obtained when the fish was treated at 90 0C cooking temperature for 15 minutes. The lowest oil yield of 16.5 % was obtained for the conditions of 60 0C cooking temperature and 5 minutes cooking time. Analysis of oil quality indices (e.g. colour, specific gravity, refractive index, free fatty acid value, saponification value. iodine value, peroxide value, unsaponifiable matter and microbiological analysis) of oil extracted by non pre-treatment and heat pre-treatment indicated that mackery oil from both processes has comparatively similar fatty acids composition. In addition, mackery fish oil was extracted by heat pre-treatment and mechanical press had lower lipid oxidation compared to several standards

Entrepreneurship Education and Unemployment Reduction in Benue State, Nigeria

The study examined Entrepreneurship Education and Unemployment Reduction in Benue State, Nigeria. The population of the study comprises 270 beneficiaries of entrepreneurship training programmes in Central Bank of Nigeria Entrepreneurship Development Centre and Centre for Youths and Women Skills Acquisition training centers in Vandeikya Local Government Area while the sample size for the study is 125 respondents. The questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. Cronbach Alpha was used for reliability of instrument and factor analysis was employed to test the validity of the instrument. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such as tables and simple percentages while multi regression was used for hypotheses testing with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 21). The findings of this study indicates that entrepreneurship education contribute significantly to unemployment reduction in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State through wealth creation (P-value 0.000< α 0.05). Findings of the study also revealed that entrepreneurship education has significant effect on unemployment reduction in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State through employment generation(P-value 0.000< α 0.05). Finally, the study revealed that entrepreneurship education has significant effect on skills acquisition in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State (P-value 0.000< α 0.05). It was concluded that the contribution of entrepreneurship training and education on unemployment reduction through youth empowerment and wealth creation will be much significant if entrepreneurship is encouraged at all level in the state especially at local and community level. It was recommended among others that Entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs should properly manage their business and create wealth for others through the revenue they generate by rendering financial assistance where necessary.Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Education, Unemployment, Benue, Nigeri

Mathematical modeling of mechanical horizontal screw oil extractor

A theory using mechanical expression was proposed from the physics of oil expression in a screw press to characterize a mathematical model. The general oil expression equation was solved for three machine parameters (choke clearances, screw shaft clearances and screw shaft speeds) which simulate the machine parameters effects in the overall screw expeller process. The mathematical model was validated by the experimental data obtained from pressing fish oil with a screw press, using regression analysis. The experimental oil extraction data was fitted to the model and the quality of fit evaluated. A good fit was indicated by correlation coefficient of 0.9983, coefficient of determination of 0.9967, absolute average percentage deviation of 4.8 %, coefficient of variation of 3.4 % and chi-square goodness of fit of 1.8. Good agreement was obtained between experimental and predicted data. The optimum oil yield (22.5 %) is equal to the maximum oil yield (22.5 %) obtained in the experimental study. The mathematical model was also used to satisfactorily predict the performance of commercial screw expellers. This theory however provided an alternative to the costly and time-consuming empirical studies in obtaining information on the performance of a press

Effect of Expeller Press Parameters on Fish Oil Extraction

An investigation was carried out on the effect of expeller press parameters such as choke clearances (1, 2 and 3 mm), screw clearances (1, 2 and 3 mm) and screw (worm) shaft speeds (50, 60 and 70 rpm) on fish oil extraction. The oil extraction rate and extraction efficiency had a negative relationship with choke clearances and screw clearances but had a positive relationship with screw (worm) shaft speeds. The oil extraction rate and extraction efficiency were found to decrease with increase in choke clearances and also decreased with increase in screw clearances. Increase in screw (worm) shaft speeds from 50 to 70 rpm was observed to increase oil extraction rate and extraction efficiency. The extraction loss had a positive relationship with choke clearances and screw clearances but had a negative relationship with screw (worm) shaft speeds. The extraction loss was found to increase with increase in choke clearances and also increased with increase in screw clearances. Increase in screw (worm) shaft speeds from 50 to 70 rpm was observed to decrease extraction loss. The results obtained from the study of the effects of expeller press parameters on fish oil extraction showed that choke clearance, screw clearance and screw speed influenced oil extraction significantly at 95 % confidence level. The best extraction condition was 1 mm choke clearance, 1mm screw clearance and 70 rpm screw speed, which gave oil extraction rate of 18.91 kg/hr, extraction efficiency of 83.96 % and extraction loss of 5.76 %. The results of this study are useful in optimising the design of presses for fish oil extraction

UTILIZATION OF EQUIPMENT AND BIOSAFETY OF CASSAVA PROCESSING IN THE MIDDLE BELT OF NIGERIA

ABSTRAC

Natural honey pre-treatment protect against immune suppression in cyclophospamide exposed wistar rats

Background: Honey is a natural compound with numerous therapeutic functions ranging from anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-hypertensive and hypoglycemic activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunomodulatory activity of natural honey on cyclophosphamide induced suppression of humoral immunity in Wistar rats. Methods: Wistar rats with mean body weight of 125+25g were divided into 5 groups (1-5;n- 5)G.ro up 1 (control) received only saline, while groups 2-5 were treated with 30mg/kg bw of Cyclophosphamide (Cyp)in traperitoneally on days 19, 20 and 21. Groups 3-5 received 1.0g, 2.0g and 4.0g per kg bw natural honey orally for 21days in addition to the Cyp injections. Rats were weighed pre-treatment and post-treatment respectively. Blood samples were collected for measurements of hematological parameters and serum immunoglobulin G and M concentrations. Spleen were harvested, weighed and measured respectively. Results: Compared to the Control group, group 2 had significant reduction in haemoglobin concentration (10.6g/dl), lymphocytes (0.4x109/L) and total white blood cells (0.4x109/L) counts. IgG and IgM concentrations were equally reduced at 960.4 + 37.3mg/dL and 173.6+1.2mg/dL respectively. Body and spleenic weights, heamatological parameters and IgG concentrations were increased in groups 3-5 on a dose dependent manner; the highest increase been observed in group 5. IgM concentration was significantly increased in groups 3-5 relative to group 2, but in reverse dose dependent style. Conclusion: Natural honey pre-treatment with Cyp treatment improves haematological and leucocytic parameters as well as serum IgG and IgM concentrations, thereby potentially protecting tissues from the deleterious effects of short term Cyp treatment