Removal of COD and Colour from Sanitary Landfill Leachate by using Coagulation – Fenton’s Process

This study investigated two methods for the removal of COD and colour fromsanitary landfill leachates. The first method involved the use of  coagulation/flocculation process using FeCl3 as a conventional coagulant and Ca(OH)2 as base-precipitant. The second method involved integration of Fenton’s reagent into the coagulation/flocculation process. Concentration of FeCl3 that reduced chemical oxygen demand (COD), and color by 37 and62% is 1000mg/l. Fenton-coagulation flocculation process reduced the COD and color of the leachates by 88 and 98% respectively. The optimum conditions for the effectiveness of Fenton’s reagent, namely temperature, pH, H2O2 and coagulant dose were studied. @JASE

Remote research in the DRC shows the benefits of methodological pragmatism and community-insiders

In regions where the COVID-19 pandemic meets violent conflict, research projects face novel challenges. By adopting adaptive programming and remote organisation of data collection, a project in northeastern DRC was not only successful in obtaining findings but gained unforeseen benefits: local researchers, as a part of the community, developed a trust that drew different ethnographic responses

Engineering geological Characterization of Basement Rocks for Construction Aggregates: A Case Study of Kajuru Area Kaduna, Nigeria.

The microstructure, mineralogical composition and analysis of chemical constituent of rock samples were evaluated as part of the research on the quality and suitability of rocks in Kajuru, Kaduna State, Nigeria as sources of aggregate for construction. Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection (ASTER) Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM) in Global mapper software was used to visualize three dimensional perspectives (3D) of the study area and quantities of major oxides present in Rock samples were determined using x-ray florescence machine called X-supreme 8000. The microstructural characteristics of rocks such as mineralogy, structure, textural and distributions of minerals in the matrix were studied using a petrographic microscope. The rock predominantly consists of porphyritic granites and gneisses with minor quartz vein and quartzofeldpathic pegmatite intrusions. The high silica contents are confirmed from microscopic studies that elucidated the prevalent mineral specie to be felsic component - quartz and feldspar with interlocking grain boundary. The studies revealed mica, microcrack and fracture in some of the rock type which will invariably affect their engineering performance. It is therefore recommended that physicomechanical evaluation be carried out on the rock aggregates to establish the strength of aggregate and the link between physicomechanical properties and geological characteristics of the rock. Keywords: Basement rocks; microstructure; mineralogical composition; petrograph

The key challenge of corporate governance of firms: Empirical evidence from Sub-Saharan African anglophone (SSAA) countries

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Motivation:In the Sub-Saharan Africa countries there are several factors contributing to the collapse of firms. Most firms have failed due to poor corporate governance practices. The recent collapse of some firms in the financial and non-financial sectors in the Sub-region shows that there are challenges hindering effective corporate governance of firms in the Subregion. Consequently, this study uses empirical evidence to identify views about the important components of good corporate governance practice for listed firms: institutional characteristics; the board of directors; and the effects of external factors. Research question: The pertinent research question that this study addresses is the identification of the components that are essential for good corporate governance of firms in the Sub-region. This study tries to prioritise the components. Methodology: Data were collected by questionnaire administered to stakeholders of corporate governance of listed firms in Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa. Regression is used to estimate the relationship between institutional characteristic, responsibilities of the board of directors and external factors on corporate governance system. Main findings: 1. Enforcement, disclosure, transparency and regulatory frameworks may be necessary to improve corporate governance practice in all the countries in the Sub-region (SSAA). 2. There is evidence that commitment of board members to disclosure and communication may provide effective corporate governance practice. 3. Board duality (separation of role between chairman and CEO) is likely to hinder corporate governance practices. 4. We found that in all the countries in the Sub-region accounting system plays a major role to promote sound corporate governance practice. However, the political environment, societal and cultural factor, corruption, and economic factors such as macro-economic policies may hinder corporate governance practices.Policy recommendations: This study recommends that corporate governance stakeholders should adopt a whistle blowing method and also that institutional bodies should be more prudent in monitoring of rules and laws with stringent penalties. In addition, there should be adequate information and disclosure on the rights and obligation of the shareholder of firms in the sub-region region. There is need to increase the number and role of independent directors, increase the use of advisory vote by shareholders on executive compensation and facilitation of shareholders activism. Furthermore, there is a need to have autonomous regulatory bodies and supervisory agencies free from any political/ government interference in the implementation of the Code and Guideline of corporate governance. The regulatory bodies and the supervisory agencies should be manned or be under the leadership of people of goodwill, good character and trust. The Code or Guideline of corporate governance of Sub-Saharan Africa Anglophone countries should take cognisance of and be aligned with socio-cultural environment of the countries in the Sub-region

Impact of COVID-19 on Oil and Gas Sector in Nigeria: A Condition for Diversification of Economic Resources

A plethora number of literature advocates for economic diversification in Nigeria in order to address its socio-economic challenges. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has exemplified this viewpoint even further, as it has had a severe impact on many parts of the Nigerian economy while the federal government scrambles for revenue to fulfill national expenses. However, observation reveals that little attention is paid to the influence of COVID-19 on the oil and gas sector, despite the necessity to diversify economic resources for human capital development. The purpose of this research is to investigate the influence of COVID-19 on the Nigerian oil and gas sector. Problems are recognized and solutions are proposed through the textual analysis of literature. According to the research, COVID-19 has a negative influence on the oil and gas business in Nigeria due to Nigeria's overreliance on oil resources as a key source of national revenue, among other issues. As a result, the study emphasized the need for and importance of diversifying the nation's economic resources by focusing more attention on sectors such as SMEs that are aided with protection and promotion, as well as the agricultural sector, which incorporates technology and scientific input as a driving force for improvement. If adopted, diversification will address numerous difficulties such as poverty, which affects the majority of inhabitants, unemployment, mounting foreign debt, and the massive importation of products and services into the country due to a lack of economic diversification. According to the report, the Nigerian government should invest extensively in small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) and agricultural investment in order to overcome the economic challenges caused by COVID-19's detrimental influence on the economy. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-SPER-019 Full Text: PD

Corporate governance and bank capital: Evidence from a cross-country analysis

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University, 14/12/2010.The objective of this study is to provide empirical evidence on how owners of family managed firms affect bank leverage in family owned and managed firms. In addition, to assess the effect when a control right of the controlling owner exceeds cash flow rights which give rise to the agency problem in a bank with ownership concentration on bank leverage. Using cross-country bank-level data from Caprio et.al (2007) the study revealed that family- owner managed firms tend to have lower debt and this supports the hypothesis that bank leverage is likely to be lower in owner managed family firms. Furthermore, using equity ratio as an alternative indicator of bank leverage, the result indicates that family owner managed firms have a positively significant impact on bank leverage. This suggests that in a family- owner managed firm there is always a higher level of equity to finance the asset of banks in order to make sure the asset base of the bank is strong. This further strengthen the position of our result when using liability ratio in term of leverage where the inverse relationship between leverage and family-owner managed firms is interpreted as dependence on equity rather debt. Therefore, this implies that family owner managed firms prefer lower bank leverage. Moreover, higher control rights than cash flow rights give rise to a serious agency problem, as a result the control rights of the controlling owner exceeds cash flow rights has a significant positive relationship on bank leverage in term of liability ratio, and a significant negative relationship on bank leverage in term of equity ratio. This finding which uses the liability ratio in term of leverage further explained that bank leverage is higher when control rights of the controlling owner exceeds cash flow rights. The result also suggests that for firms where control rights of the controlling owners exceed cash flow rights, the equity is lower so they will prefer debt financing because of the fear of losing control. Situations like this are associated with an over- reliance on debt due to large shareholders being unwilling to dilute their ownership, generally this known as non-dilution of entrenchment. This implies that bank leverage is higher if control exceeds cash flow rights. However, this study recommends that there should be more dilution of ownership in family-owner managed firms so those minority owners are not exploited. In addition, controlling shareholder should not allow excessive building up of bank leverage because too much debt may lower bank valuation. Consequently, banks need to be better regulated furthermore excessive leverage has been identified as one of the reasons for the current financial crisis

Critical Success Factors for Building Information Modelling Implementation

Adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the global construction industry is fast growing. This paper expounds the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for BIM implementation and explore their ranking and underlying relationships. A total of 28 CSFs was identified from the review of previous studies on success factors. Survey questionnaire containing these 28 factors was used to collect data from industry practitioners in Nigeria. Benchmark metrics was developed to rank the success factors. The topmost five success factors for BIM implementation in order of importance are: standard platforms for integration and communication; cost of development; education and training; standardization (product and process); and clear definition and understanding of users’ requirement. Analysis of variance shows that significant differences exist in the pattern of rating for the topmost CSFs based on turnover. Factor analysis was further adopted to group the 28 CSFs into five components, using rotated component matrix method. The five components extracted are: (i) industry stakeholders’ commitment and knowledge of BIM, (ii) capacity building for technology adoption, (iii) organisational support, (iv) collaborative synergy among industry professional and (v) cultural orientation. The rankings of the CSFs provide basis for prioritising the most significant factors that industry stakeholders should focus attention for successful implementation of BIM. In addition, the underlying relationships among the success factors identified in this study, will assist industry stakeholders to determine best strategy to adopt in implementing BIM at industry level

Non-Oil Mineral Development and Sustainability of State Economy in Nigeria: A Perfunctory Theory Test and Ebonyi State Experience

Theoretically, ownership of property connotes among other things, ‘‘the right to use, perhaps to abuse save in so far as no damage or harm is caused to the adjoining owners of land or neighborhood”.[1] Ownership of property further connotes right to exclusive possession and the unfettered right to alienate, develop or transfer such property or right in it when it is desired. This poser supports the maxim of cuiusestsolum, eiusestusqueadcoelum et ad inferos It arises with respect to a given property. Just like Petroleum Act and Nigeria Constitution, the Mineral Act handed over solid minerals to the government of the federation. Ebonyi State is one of the States in the South Eastern Nigeria with enormous solid minerals. However, Mineral Act took a different dimension in approach of exploration and development of the solid minerals thus, giving local community and local government vis-à-vis the immediate landowners some recognitions or participatory roles in negotiation of leases. But prospective miners must get approvals from Ministry of Mines and Steel Development through its Mining Cadastre Office and not through State Department of Mineral Development. Development and sustainability of state economy through the development of non-oil resources across the nation is hampered due to the uncharitable stance of section 44 (3) of the Constitution of Nigeria. Thus, the ‘sacrosanct’ of this proviso makes the state’s right to develop or participation solely on the collection of tolls and land taxes and not rights of developing the minerals per se to boost the independence of state’s economic stand. In this article, the writer is considering the above legal issues and how best states with non-oil minerals can develop them to reduce their dependency on federal monthly allocation. It is also aimed to exploring in-depth, principles or theorems that may be best applied in formulating State’s non-oil mineral policies, legislations, proven system integration and reforms in solid mineral management in Nigeria to building a sustainable economic development in Ebonyi State Nigeria. The author will have a quick look at Ebonyi State agricultural prowess and make recommendations. This work adopts a doctrinal methodological approach where relevant primary and secondary data will be required. Keywords:Solid minerals, Resources, Non-Oil and Gas, Sustainability, Diversification, Economy, Revenue, Development, Ebonyi State, DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/134-05 Publication date:July 31st 2023 [1]I. A. Uwmezulike, ABC of Contemporary Land Law in Nigeria (Revised and Enlarged Edition), (Snaap Press Nigeria Ltd 2013) at p 14. See also the Nigerian Supreme Court decision on Ashiru v Olukoya (2006) 11 NWLR PT 991 P. 1

An Examination of the Effectiveness of Banking Arbitration in Nigeria

Banking is crucial sector in any economy and Nigeria is no exception. In Nigeria, the banking industry is regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and disputes between banks and their customers are often settled through arbitration. This paper examines banking arbitration effectiveness in Nigeria. The paper provides an overview of the Nigerian banking industry and arbitration's role in resolving disputes. It then examines the effectiveness of banking arbitration in Nigeria by analyzing the procedures and processes involved in the arbitration process. It also analyzes the level of compliance by banks with arbitration decisions, and the perception of the public towards banking arbitration. The findings of the paper suggest that while banking arbitration in Nigeria has resolved disputes between banks and their customers, there are still some challenges to be addressed. Which includes the slow pace of arbitration proceedings, inadequate training and accreditation of arbitrators, and lack of transparency in the arbitration process. Overall, the paper concludes that banking arbitration in Nigeria is an effective means of resolving disputes between banks and their customers. However, there is room for improvement. Stakeholders in the banking industry need to work together to address the challenges and ensure the arbitration process is fair, transparent, and efficient. Keywords: Banking, Arbitration, Effectiveness, Nigeria, Examination, Dispute Resolution. DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/133-01 Publication date:June 30th 202

Evaluation of the adjudicatory relevance of the African Convention on Human Rights

The African Convention on Human Rights is what gave birth to the “African Charter on Human and People’s Rights”. It is not in doubt that the major difference between the African Charter and other Charters, is that the African Charter obliges state parties to give effect to the provisions of the Charter. Thus, the Convention was intended to achieve a lot through its Charter by way of enforcement. However, despite the ratification of this Charter, human right abuses have continued unabated in Africa. Largely, apart from few states like Nigeria, the political conditions in these non-adhering states make it problematic to institute actions in national courts against state agents. This negates the spirit and purpose of the international instrument on human rights and the obligations of states to ensure its enforcement. The centrality of this paper lies in the observation that there exists a view that the perception and practice of African states on the scope and nature of human rights are not in tandem with those of the developed world. The paper thus finds that compensation is crucial to the adjudication process thus enhancing elimination of all forms of exploitations. State parties are thus required to protect rights of people by forestalling possibilities of deprivation of peace and security.Keywords: enforceable rights, communal responsibility, fundamental liberties, generational rights, compensation