WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND PROFITABILITY OF FIRMS IN NIGERIA

This study was conducted in order to ascertain the nature of the relationship between working capital management and profitability of firms in Nigeria. The cluster sampling and simple random sampling techniques were adopted in this study. From a population of 220 firms listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange as at 3F' December, 2011, a sample of 142 companies was selected. A cross-sectional data of firms for 2009-2011 was collected from the Nigerian Stock Exchange Fact Book and the annual reports of the sampled firms. The data collected were analysed using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression technique. All of the explanatory variable (LQD, DBT, CCC) except CCC were . positively associated with profitability of finns in Nigeria. It was also found out that only LQD is significantly associated with profitability. Based on the result of this study it was recommended amongst others that, the federal government of Nigeria, through her relevant agencies, should emphasize optimization of the liquidity of firms in Nigeria. This is necessary so as to enhance profitability of firms doing business in the Federal Republic of Nigeria

The Impact of Capital Formation on the Growth of Nigerian Economy

The paper investigated the impact of capital formation on economic growth in Nigeria. The data were collected from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistical bulletin (2011).To analyze the impact of capital formation, stock market capitalization, inflation rate and interest rate on economic growth, the study employed Ordinary least square (OLS) technique. To test for the properties of time series, phillip-perron test was used to determine the stationarity of the variables and it was discovered that gross fixed capital formation and economic growth are integrated of order zero (I(0), Johasen co integration test was employed to determine the order of integration while erro correction model was employed to determine the speed of adjustment to equilibrium. The empirical findings suggest that capital formation has positive and significant impact on economic growth in Nigeria for the period under review this result corroborate the findings of Bakare (2011), Orji and Mba (2010). Stock market also showed a positive impact, while both inflation rate and interest rate has a negative impact on economic growth in Nigeria for the period under review but the impact is statistically insignificant. The result further shows a long run relationship between capital formation and economic growth in Nigeria for the period under review. Therefore emphasis should be place on accumulating capital in Nigeria as this will accelerate growth and development in Nigerian economy. The Nigerian stock market should be deepened more to enhance their contribution to the growth of the domestic economy. Key Word: Capital Formation, Economic Growth, Inflation, Interest rate and stock market capitalization

Determinants of Antenatal Care Services Utilisation in Nigeria

This study reports on recent evidence on determinants of antenatal visits in Nigeria using data from Demographic and Health Surveys for 2003 and 2008. Using count data models, the results show that women education beyond primary education level increases significantly the likelihood that a pregnant woman would complete at least four antenatal visits before delivery. The results also show that household wealth status has significant positive effect on the number of visits before delivery. There are significant differences in the number of antenatal visits determined by geopolitical zones and the place of antenatal also determines significantly the number of visits. These findings suggest that there is room for policy to control the attitude of women to care utilisation during pregnancy by influencing their education level and income. Keywords: Antenatal care, women, Negative binomial, Nigeri

Sensory Attributes of Jackfruit: A beyond Meat Sandwich Filling

Jackfruit is used as a meat substitute by some consumers but reports on its use are scanty. Jackfruit is becoming popular among meat lovers who want non-soy-based meat alternative. Thus, this study aims to 1) discover a healthy and affordable option to meat and 2) assess if consumers candifferentiate between pulled pork and jackfruit in a sandwich. Three types of sandwiches were prepared (i.e., jackfruit-in-water; pork tenderloin; jackfruit-inbrine). Sensory analysis using 300 untrained panelists was conducted to examine selected quality attributes (flavor, texture, aroma) and identify the meat-based sample. Panelists scored the sandwiches on a scale of 1-3 with 1 being most favored. The mean scores were calculated as follows: pork = 1.54), jackfruit in brine = 2.16), and Jackfruit in water = 2.18. Statistical analysis (2 tailed T-test) found a significant difference (p = 0.003) in flavor between thepork sandwich (score = 1.6) and those of jackfruit in brine (score = 2.17) and water (score = 2.17). There was a significant difference (p = 0.05) in the texture of pork sandwich (score = 1.6) and jackfruit sandwich in brine (score = 2.0) and water (score = 2.3). Most tasters thought the jackfruit was a meat product although the meat product was ultimately favored. Participants did not know that the sandwiches had a meat substitute. Jackfruit could be a desirable meat substitute for consumers who are looking for low-fat meat alternative rich in antioxidants to add to meals

Knowledge, perception and utilization of biofortified cassava and orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) in selected rural areas in Nigeria

Vitamin A deficiency is a major public health problem in Nigeria. Staple crops are targeted by biofortification efforts because they possess low micronutrient density and are consumed in large quantities by a large proportion of poor households. This study was designed to assess the knowledge, perception and utilization of biofortified cassava and orange-fleshed sweet potato in selected Local government Areas in Abia and Imo States. The study was descriptive and cross-sectional in design. A total of 710 respondents were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to elicit the required information. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential (correlation) analysis. Socio-demographic data revealed a preponderance of females, married, well-educated and working-class respondents. Monthly income above ₦29,000 (US$ 70.54) and household size of 4-6 members were reported in 53.5% and 48.6% of the respondents. Study results further revealed that some (34.9%) of the respondents had good knowledge, while 46.1% and 19.0% had an average and poor knowledge of biofortified staples, respectively. Orange fleshed sweet potatoes and biofortified cassava were purchased at least once monthly by 73.7% of the respondents, however 16.5% and 27.5% of the respondents consumed these biofortified staples on a daily and weekly basis. Low positive perception towards the consumption (27.5%), benefits (39.6%) and barriers (16.9%) of utilizing studied biofortified staples was reported. A positive correlation was observed betweenrespondents’ knowledge of biofortified staples and their benefits perception (p = 0.003), purchase (p =0.001) and consumption (p= 0.001) frequency. Therefore, while a good number of the respondents were fairly knowledgeable about the studied biofortified staples, it significantly influenced the perception and utilization of these staples, despite being reportedly low. Therefore, increased sensitization, price subsidy and availability of these biofortified staples will help improve their acceptance and utilization among rural households

Extract of Sesamum Indicum Seeds on the Glycogen Profile of the Liver of Adult Wistar Rat

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of seeds extract of Sesamum indicum on the histology liver of adult Wistar rats. Thirty Wistar rats weighing between 150-180g were divided into three groups of ten each; control group A received distilled water, experimental B and C received 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg of the seed extracts respectively. The extracts were administered for two weeks, at the end of which the animals were sacrificed; livers were removed and processed for Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) paraffin sectioning and staining method while the serum was used for liver enzyme assay. From the results obtained, the administration of ethanolic seed extract of Sesamum indicum caused no obvious structural derangement in the organ There were no adverse effects on glycogen distribution. Keywords: Liver, Wistar rats, Sesamum indicum, glycoge

Histomorphology and Biochemical Effects of Sida acuta leaf Extract on the Kidney of Wistar Rats

This study assessed the effect of ethanolic extract of Sida acuta leaf on the micro-anatomy of the kidney of Wistar rats. Thirty adult Wistar rats were separated into 3 groups A, B and C (n=10 per group). The Wistar rats were subjected to different doses of ethanolic extract of Sida acuta in order to evaluate the possible micro-anatomy/morphological changes in the kidney following the administration of the extract. The rats in group A were regarded as control and they received only distilled water throughout the period. The rats in group B and C were the treated groups and received ethanolic extract of Sida acuta leaves daily at doses 100 and 200mg/kgbw orally for 14 days respectively. The animals were sacrificed on the 15th day by cervical dislocation and the kidney excised. Fixed in 10% formal saline and processed for light microscopy using H&E staining methods. Finding from rats’ weight that there was a significant (P<0.05) decrease in body weight of the treated rats compared with the control group. The histological study revealed compressed renal corpuscle, increased bowman’s space and constricted collecting tubule which may adversely affect renal functions. Key words: Sida acuta, Kidney, histomorphology, biochemica

Impact of Telecommuting on Employees’ Performance

This work examined the impact of telecommuting on employees’ performance. The dynamic nature of the environment in which our organizations operate and customers need made this investigation very necessary. The objectives of the study were; to find out if arrangement that enables employee to work at home has a positive relationship with better quality of work and to ascertain whether an arrangement that allows employee to work at agreed location has significant relationship with speedy service delivery. To achieve the objectives, a survey research design was adopted. The techniques employed in analyzing the data were descriptive statistics and spearman rank correlation coefficient. The results indicated that the arrangement that enables employee to work at home has a weak and positive relationship with better quality of work. It was also found that arrangement that allows employee to work at agreed location has a significant relationship with speedy service delivery. Based on the findings, the researcher concluded that telecommuting has impact on employee performance. It was recommended that managers of telecommunication out-fits should continue with the arrangement that allows employees to work at agreed location since it was found to have significant relationship with speedy service delivery but also ensure that, there is a strong mechanism on ground to monitor the activities of the telecommuters

The Age and Sex Incidence of Keloids / Hypertrophic Scars in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State from 2001-2006

Hypertrophic scars and keloids have been seen to occur frequently among burnt and accident patients. Keloids and hypertrophic scars result from excessive collagen deposition. They are dermal fibro proliferative disorders unique humans and occur as a complication of healing of wounds following trauma, inflammation, surgery, burns and sometimes occur spontaneously. Clinically, these scars can be disfiguring functionally and aesthetically or both. A retrospective study of patients with keloids and hypertrophic scars was carried out in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) using medical records of 41 patients that were diagnosed and / or treated. Sex, age, provisional diagnosis, manifestations and treatment procedures were extracted from their folders. The result of the study was statistically analyzed which revealed that keloids and hypertrophic scars increase with years and occur a little more in females than in males (M:F ratio = 48.8%:51.2%). The age range that was mostly affected was 15 to 45 years. Keywords: keloid, hypertrophic scar, sex, age, trib

The Anxiolytic Effects of Smokeless Tobacco in Mice

This study assessed the effect of smokeless tobacco leaf on anxiety in mice. Twenty male albino mice, aged 60-120 days were separated into 2 groups of ten each. Animals in the test group were fed on 0.1g of tobacco mixed with 10g of chow everyday for 14 days. While animals in the control group were given only 10g of chow for the same duration. The mice were then allowed 5 minutes each to explore the excavated plus maze and the light/dark transition box and behaviours were scored. Results in the elevated plus maze revealed that the duration in the open arms was significantly different (p<0.05) between the two groups with the test group (49.6± 11.9 sec/5 mins) being lower than the control group (89.1± 22.1 sec/5min). The frequency of stretch attend postures was significantly lowered (p<0.05) in the test group (8.8±0.6) compared to the control (11.5±1.8). There was no significant difference in the other parameters in the elevated plus maze. The frequency of line crosses in the light box was significantly higher (p<0.01) for the test group (74.3±9.8) than the control (47.4±63). The frequency of stretch attends posture and rearing in the dark box was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the test group then the control group (180.5±18.9). These results suggest that tobacco may have decreased anxiety in the test group. Keyword: Anxiety, postures, elevated plus maze