The Application of Plea Bargaining and Restorative Justice in Criminal Trials in Nigeria.

The use of plea bargaining concept in the dispensation of criminal trials in Nigeria is highly debatable Critics see it as a violation of the accused person s fundamental rights while advocates see it as the most useful instrument for quick disposal of criminal cases This paper explores the position of the laws relating to plea bargaining in other jurisdictions and makes recommendations for incorporation into our laws In conducting this study a jurisprudential analysis has been carried out with the help of statutes and judicial authorities The paper has found that the use of plea bargaining in Nigeria cuts short the delay of criminal cases and save the time and energy of the accused prosecution and the State The paper suggests that if Nigeria desires to practise plea bargaining she needs to enact into her constitution standard procedure rules regulating the concept borrowing some lessons from India and Pakistan model

Determinants of trade flow of some selected nontraditional agricultural export commodities in Nigeria

This study analysed the determinants of trade flow of some selected non-traditional agricultural export commodities in Nigeria, for the period 2007  to 2017. The objective of the study was to analyse the factors that determine the export of these commodities. The study used trade data of thirty-  six importing countries of these commodities around the world. The secondary data used was sourced from various institutions’ databases. A  balanced panel data from 36 countries for the years 2007-2017 were used with one dependent variable and ten explanatory variables (a total of  n=396, N=36, and T=11); all variables were expressed in natural logarithm. The gravity estimation model was used in data analysis. The Hausman  test was used in model selection and the test rejected the null hypothesis (random effects were efficient). Therefore, the fixed effects model was  used in the gravity model results’ interpretation. The gravity model results indicate that Nigeria’s export of non-traditional commodities (classified as  HS12 in the United Nations International Trade Statistics) follows the basic gravity model apriori expectations, implying that bilateral trade flows  will increase in proportion to the trading partner’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and decrease in proportion to the distance involved.The level of  openness of Nigeria’s economy and that of the importing countries were major determinants of trade flow of Nigeria’s HS12 commodity exports.  This variable carried the expected positive sign for both Nigeria and its trading Partners and was also statistically significant at the 5% level.  However, the real exchange rate variable was not a major determinant of HS12 commodity trade. The distance variable was statistically significant  indicating the need for regional trade expansion. The dummy variable of the trading partner being an African country was positive and a significant  factor in the determinants of the HS12 commodities. However, colonial or official language ties were negatively signed and significant, implying that  this was not a major contributor to trade in these commodities. The study recommends that favorable import and export promotion policies and  trade openness to boost growth in the quantity of non-traditional exports should form part of government trade policies; and Nigeria should also  take advantage of the proposed African Free Trade Area considering the gains she stands to make through proximity in distance.&nbsp

Adjustment Challenges of New Academic Staff in Nigerian Universities: A Case Study of University Of Calabar

This study investigated the adjustment challenges of new academic staff in the University of Calabar, Cross River State. The survey research design was adopted. Four research questions guided the study. A questionnaire was developed, validated and used for data collection from a sample of 50 new academic staff drawn using stratified random sampling techniques. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentages). The results showed systemic deficiencies on the part of the university administration in terms of absence of planned orientation/training programme for new academic staff, problems associated with teaching and learning, relationship-oriented issues (mentoring)and work environment related issues. Orientation/induction programmes for new staff and provision of adequate and conducive office accommodation for staff were among the recommendations made. Keywords:  Adjustment, challenges, new academic staff, socialization, induction, Nigeri

Study of Physical and Chemical Resistance of Elastomers in Aqueous MEA and MEA+CO2 Solutions during the Carbon Dioxide Absorption Process

AbstractA study was conducted to evaluate the resistance of raw EPDM, natural rubber (NR), isobutylene isoprene rubber (IIR) and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) to amines in terms of mass and chemical changes in an amine-based CO2 capture environment made up of aqueous solutions of 3–7M MEA with 0–0.5mol CO2/mol MEA. The test for each condition lasted for 30 days at 40°C. The results showed that SBR and NR had poor chemical resistance leading to formation of amides on their surfaces and resulting in high mass change. In contrast, EPDM and IIR had insignificant mass and chemical structure changes. The performance of commercial EPDM and IIR were then further studied and compared against PTFE, using aqueous 5M MEA and with 0.5mol CO2/mol MEA at 40 and 120°C each for 30 days. Resistance was measured in terms of mass, hardness, and tensile strength changes. The results showed that PTFE was compatible with the solution at both temperatures. For EPDM and IIR at 40°C, the changes in mass, hardness, and tensile strength were negligible while at 120°C, these changes were very significant. The implication is that PTFE can be used in any part of the process while EPDM and IIR can only be used in low-temperature sections

Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer on growth and yield of fluted pumpkin (telfaria occidentialis, Hook F.) In Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria

Field trails were conducted during 2009 and 2010 farming seasons at University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm, to asses the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth and yield of fluted pumpkin (Telfaria occidentalis). A randomized complete block design was used with three replicates. The treatments were inorganic fertilizer (N.P.K. 15:15:15) rates (0,200, 400 and 600kg/ha), poultry manure (2t/ha) and combination of 2t/ha of poultry manure with 200, 400 and 600kg/ha of inorganic fertilizer. In both years planting was done in March at 1m x 1m spacing. The following growth and yield parameters were obtained; average number of leaves per plant, leaf area, vine length, number of branches per vine, number of pod per plant and pod yield. The result showed significant difference (p≤ 0.05). Increase in fertilizer led to increase in growth and yield parameters. The application of 600kg/ha + 2t/ha of poultry manure performed best but in terms of economic and environmental consideration, application of 200kg/ha + 2t/ha of poultry manure was recommended, since the yield from 600kg/ha + 2t/ha was not significantly higher than yield from 200kg/ha + 2t/ha of poultry manure. Key words: Fluted pumpkin, organic, inorgani

The development of polish daily press after the second world war based on an example of "Życie Warszawy"

Celem artykułu jest omówienie procesu formowania się modelu polskiej prasy powojennej w oparciu o przykład warszawskiego dziennika należącego do Spółdzielni Wydawniczo-Oświatowej "Czytelni”. "Życie Warszawy" w historii polskiego prasoznawstwa zapisało się jako tytuł alternatywny wobec siermiężnej "Trybuny Ludu", wydawanej jako organ partii rządzącej. Pismo odgrywało ważną rolę w relacjonowaniu wydarzeń ze stolicy od roku 1944, a kolejno w organizacji powojennego życia społecznego i poszukiwaniu zagubionych podczas okupacji rodzin. Jego popularność odbiorcza wynikała w znacznej mierze z przynależności tytułu w pierwszych latach ukazywania się do struktur „czytelnikowskich”, które umożliwiały pismom rozwój dzięki efektywnemu programowi naprawczemu. Polegał on na organizowaniu życia społecznego wokół tytułu prasowego, wypracowaniu silnej więzi między pismem a jego czytelnikami, a także korzystaniu z doświadczeń i sugestii odbiorców podczas konstruowania linii redakcyjnej. Po przejęciu tytułu przez Robotniczą Spółdzielnię Wydawniczą "Prasa", organ władzy powołany do skonsolidowania i zarządzania polską prasą w okresie PRL, pismo stało się kolejnym dziennikiem partyjnym, tyle że w perspektywie odbiorczej, ukierunkowanym bardziej w stronę inteligencji niż ludu pracującego. "Życiu Warszawy" udało się przetrwać do lat dwutysięcznych i wykształcić kilka pokoleń dziennikarzy. Pismo nie wytrzymało jednak próby czasu związanej z cyfryzacją i szalejącymi na początku XX wieku zmianami własnościowymi w polskich mediach

Research Culture and Effective University Management in South-South Zone of Nigeria

Concerns about the quality of research and effectiveness of the university system in terms of goal attainment of higher education institutions in Nigeria abound. This paper aimed at determining the extent to which the prevailing research culture in universities influences the effective management of the university system. Ex-post facto design was adopted. A total of one thousand and forty seven academic staff drawn from a population of 3478 lecturers in four universities in the South-South Zone of Nigeria responded to the survey questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Fishers LSD multiple comparisons was used to analyze the data. The result indicated that a significant influence exist of research culture on effective management of university system in terms of goal attainment and management of staff, and a no significant influence of research culture on effective management of university system in terms of management of facilities and management of students. It was therefore concluded that research culture exert a partial influence on effective management of the university system. From this conclusion, a number of recommendations were made. Key words: research culture, effective management, university system, goal attainment, management of facilities, management of staff, management of students