Risk components and banks performance in Nigeria: a panel data approach

The banking sector is viewed as an important source of financing for many businesses. In order to appraise and weigh up the soundness and reliability of banking industry, the information on the risk and how the fluctuations are managed are important to consider.Among the financial risks liquidity is one of the most crucial to consider.Appalling financial condition of the banks has led to incessant decrease in the banks value of assets.The study examined the impact of risk components on the banks performance in Nigeria.Data was source from a ten years annual reports and financial statements of fourteen listed banks at the Nigerian stock exchange and a panel data estimation technique adopted.The result showed that the credit risk indicators of ratio of total equity to total asset and ratio of equity to depositors to short-term funding has positive and negative effect respectively on return on asset (ROA). Also the liquidity risk indicator of ratio of net loan to total asset and net loans to deposit and short-term funding has negative and positive effect respectively on ROA.In view of this, the study recommended setting up credit policy that will not negatively affects profitability and liquidity model which predicts the liquidity requirements of banks should be designed so that they can fix up any liquidity risk and its problems within a reasonable tolerance

Aquaculture by-product meal as a fishmeal replacer in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) diet: Effects on serum biochemistry, innate immune response, and oxidative stress markers

The effect of feeding aquaculture by-product meal (ABP) to African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) was investigated in a 56-day feeding trial using serum biochemistry, innate immune response, and oxidative stress markers as indices of assessment. Fishmeal protein in control diets was replaced at a rate of 15, 30, 45, and 60% by aquaculture by-product meal protein. Each experimental diet was randomly distributed into triplicate tanks containing catfish fingerlings (n = 15 fingerlings/replicate, 5.58±0.05 g). The primary haematological parameters (haemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood cell count) and secondary haematological parameters (MCH, MCV, and MCHC) were similar with the control. The white blood cell count and its differential of the fish group fed ABP meal was numerically higher than control but not significant, except in fish fed D30T that had high lymphocyte count. The platelet count in all the dietary groups was similar. There was no significant variation in some of the serum biochemistry parameters: total protein, albumin, globulin and albumin/globulin ratio, urea, HDL-C and LDL-C. Creatinine values of the D60T fed group were significantly higher than all other dietary treatment groups including the control. Triglyceride's level was statistically similar with control up to 30% replacement level, while there were no significant variations in the cholesterol levels of the blood of C. gariepinus fed the different dietary treatments. Except for catalase, there were no significant differences in other oxidative stress biomarkers under study, primarily SOD, GSH, and GPx. Catalase enzyme activities of the fish group fed D30T were statistically higher than other fed groups. Some serum electrolytes, such as calcium and chloride ions of the differently fed fish groups, were not significantly different. Lastly, serum potassium ions were significantly higher among D60T fed group though statistically similar to D45T-fed group. No stress conditions were recorded among the dietary groups.  These results showed that the health status and immunity of African catfish were not degraded by feeding aquaculture by-product meal to the fish

Toasted Jatropha curcas seed meal in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) diet: Effect on growth, economic performance, haematology, serum biochemistry and liver histology

The effect of dietary inclusion of differently timed dry heat-treated Jatropha curcas on the growth and economic performance of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, was evaluated in a 56-day feeding trial. Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic dietary treatments (35% crude protein and 10% crude lipid) were made consisting of soybean meal (control) which was replaced by J. curcas seed meal toasted either 5 min or 10 min at 20 and 40% to make other four test diets. A total of 225 juveniles of O. niloticus were acclimatized for a week, weighed and allotted into five dietary treatments. Each treatment was replicated three times with fifteen fish per replicate. Fish were fed 5% body weight on two equal proportions per day for 56 days. Growth data were collected at two-week intervals. The results from the study indicated that there was significant difference (P0.05) in the different growth and economic performance parameters of fish fed CTR and fish fed D520T (5 min toasted, 20%). There was significant reduction in haematological and biochemical parameters of the blood of O. niloticus fed the different dietary treatments containing J. curcas seed meal. Based on economic and physiologic performance, soybean meal in Nile tilapia diet could be replaced up to 40% by 5-minute toasted J. curcass seed meal

Farmers’ willingness to cultivate pro-vitamin A cassava variety in Kwara State, Nigeria

The study examined factors underlying farmers’ perception about pro-vitamin-A cassava varieties and their willingness to cultivate them in Kwara State, Nigeria. One hundred and twenty-two (122) cassava farmers, selected through a multistage sampling procedure, were used for the study.  Data were collected through use of interview schedule and analysed using percentages, mean and standard deviation. Chi-square, likelihood ratio and factor (principal component) analysis were used for inferential deduction. Results showed about half (50.8%) of the respondents had high knowledge about the improved cassava variety and a vast majority (93.4%) expressed willingness to cultivate it. Sex (χ2 = 3.542) and knowledge level (χ2 = 15.732) had significant association with willingness to cultivate at p<0.05, with female farmers found to be about 3 times more likely willing to cultivate than male. Also, farmers with more knowledge were found to be about 6 times more likely willing to cultivate pro-vitamin-A than those with little knowledge. Three crucial factors (‘ethno-based preference’, ‘culturally induced personal preference’ and ‘colour dislike’) were found to be associated with farmers’ perception about the cassava variety. Farmers in Kwara State were willing to cultivate the pro-vitamin-A cassava variety. Women and those who had more knowledge were more willing to cultivate the variety than men and those with little knowledge, respectively. Factors underlying farmers’ perception about the variety were linked to ethnic/cultural background and dispreference for yellow root cassava. The need for more female integration and increased nutritional education in the drive towards popularisation of pro-vitamin-A cassava variety are recommended

Farmers’ willingness to cultivate pro-vitamin A cassava variety in Kwara State, Nigeria

The study examined factors underlying farmers’ perception about pro-vitamin-A cassava varieties and their willingness to cultivate them in Kwara State, Nigeria. One hundred and twenty-two (122) cassava farmers, selected through a multistage sampling procedure, were used for the study.  Data were collected through use of interview schedule and analysed using percentages, mean and standard deviation. Chi-square, likelihood ratio and factor (principal component) analysis were used for inferential deduction. Results showed about half (50.8%) of the respondents had high knowledge about the improved cassava variety and a vast majority (93.4%) expressed willingness to cultivate it. Sex (χ2 = 3.542) and knowledge level (χ2 = 15.732) had significant association with willingness to cultivate at p<0.05, with female farmers found to be about 3 times more likely willing to cultivate than male. Also, farmers with more knowledge were found to be about 6 times more likely willing to cultivate pro-vitamin-A than those with little knowledge. Three crucial factors (‘ethno-based preference’, ‘culturally induced personal preference’ and ‘colour dislike’) were found to be associated with farmers’ perception about the cassava variety. Farmers in Kwara State were willing to cultivate the pro-vitamin-A cassava variety. Women and those who had more knowledge were more willing to cultivate the variety than men and those with little knowledge, respectively. Factors underlying farmers’ perception about the variety were linked to ethnic/cultural background and dispreference for yellow root cassava. The need for more female integration and increased nutritional education in the drive towards popularisation of pro-vitamin-A cassava variety are recommended

Zoonotic infectious diseases and maritime seaport: Areas of concern

No abstract available

Identification of Medical and Industrial Used Radioisotopes in Mining Sites of Nasarawa, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

This research intends to unveil the presence of radioisotopes in the soil of some mining sites in Nasarawa of Nasarawa state using thermos-scientific interceptor (IdentiFINDER). The work aimed at detecting the presence, types and trust level of radioisotopes. The result showed that, 103Pd and 125I were found in 57% of the total points and the percentage abundance of the detector reached 50-65% indicating that, those radioisotopes are likely found in the area, 109Cd was found in 15% of the total areas. The percentage abundance of the detector for 109Cd shows 50% indicating that, those radioisotopes are likely to be found in the area, 241Am was found in 7% of the total areas. The percentage abundance of the detector for 241Am shows 81% indicating that, those radioisotopes are likely found in the area, 235U was found in 7% of the total points. The percentage abundance of the detector for 235U reaches 57% indicating that, those radioisotopes are likely found in the area, 75Se was found in 7% of the total points. The percentage abundance of the detector for 75Se was in abundance up to 57% indicating that, those radioisotopes are likely gotten in the area and 57Co was gotten in 7% of the total areas. The percentage abundance of the detector for 57Co was 54% indicating that, those radioisotopes are likely to be gotten in the area. Based on this high percentage abundance of the detector for these radioisotopes, they can be harnessed and applied appropriately in medicine and industry

The need to adopt planetary health approach in understanding the potential influence of climate change and biodiversity loss on zoonotic diseases outbreaks

No abstract available