Relationship Between Earnings and Cash Flow in Estimating Cash Flows: Evidence from Listed Nigerian Banks

This study examines the relationship between earnings and cash flow in estimating future cash flows of firms in Nigeria. The source of data collection is secondary data source which comprises of twenty-one (21) commercial banks listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange for the period of 2004-2013. The Ordinary Least Square technique was used in testing the hypothesis. The result of the analysis found a positive and significant relationship among future cash flows, past earnings, traditional measure of cash flows and current working capital of the observed firms.   It was found that the obtained models were statistical adequate in estimating future cash flow of the firms. Hence, it was recommended among others that the regulatory authorities of accounting and capital market operations in Nigeria should encourage companies to set-up a cash flow system that will encourage the investing public to avail themselves of financial risk capable of jeopardizing their investment. This is expected to detail information on the financial performance of the company to enable investors make effective investment decisions.

Human Communication in a Digital Age: Perspectives on Interpersonal Communication in the Family

With the evolution of the digital era characterized by human-computer interaction, there has been a marked difference in the manner in which humans communicate. This revolution in patterns of communication from face-to-face interpersonal contact to human-machine communication is enabled by the affordances of technology. Using the family unit in Nigeria as a case study, this study examines the changes in one-on-one communication among family members, as a result of constant engagement with digital technologies. It conceptualizes the family as a unit comprising two or more persons living together who are related by blood, marriage, adoption or social affiliation. The survey research design was adopted, and structured questionnaires were administered on 370 respondents in the 37 local council development areas of Lagos state, south west Nigeria. Findings indicate that most family members lose interest in communicating interpersonally with each other due to constant engagement with technologies. The study also finds that reduced cues and non-self-disclosure often pulls family members apart rather than bringing them close together. Key recommendations include that strong family relationships should transcend the mere acquisition of digital competencies, tools and technologies. It suggests that the attributes at the core of humanness should not be lost as a result of constant engagement with communication technologies. Keywords: human communication, humanness, digital communication, communication devices, digital age. DOI: 10.7176/NMMC/78-0

Access to child health services in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria

Background: As the world transits from the era of millennium development goals to that of sustainable development goals, an examination of the access to primary health care services in the previous era is germane to adequate planning and delivery of effective service in the emerging era. The objective of this study was determine factors associated with the use of primary health care (PHC) facilities for the health needs of children in Anambra State, NigeriaMethods: A cross sectional survey of 600 randomly selected mothers (15-49 years) was conducted in Orumba North local government area of Anambra State. An interviewer-based questionnaire, designed to provide information on the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents as well as their child rearing experiences was used. The questionnaire also provided data on the women’s use of immunization services. The perceptions on government health services were also examined to understand how they influence compliance.Results: More of non-demographic attributes like the mothers’ perceptions and past experiences with the health services influenced utilization more than the demographic attributes. Satisfactory experiences with health service influenced utilization (χ2=168.478; p<0.001).  Those with good perception (95.4%) used the PHC facilities more (χ2=198.032; p<0.001).Conclusion: Irrespective of the socio-demographic backgrounds of the mothers, they all have feelings and react to situations they encounter daily. There is need to improve the experiences mothers get from encounter with the PHC facilities so as to improve on the perception and increase use of the facilities

Green Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Environmental Photography for Sustainable Development in Nigeria

Nigeria is a country which has the abundance of human and natural resources, including skills and talents which are needed to maximize her green entrepreneurial opportunities. This study explores the green entrepreneurial opportunities in environmental photography for sustainable development in Nigeria. It highlights the fact that recognizing and maximizing the green entrepreneurial opportunities in environmental photography is a climate change adaptation and mitigation strategy to ensure sustainable development in Nigeria. This study is so important as climate change poses an immediate and long-term threat to our environment, our people and our planet. This study further identifies environmental photography as one of the veritable tools for climate change education. It further highlights the socio-economic, psychological, and health benefits of environmental photography in Nigeria. It further explores how environmental photography and climate change education can work together towards achieving sustainable development in Nigeria. It concludes by identifying the innovative ways of enhancing green entrepreneurial opportunities in environmental photography across various c mmunities, cities and campuses in Nigeria

Effect of Investment in Human Capital Development on Organisational Performance: Empirical Examination of the Perception of Small Business Owners in Nigeria

Numerous extant studies linking human capital and organizational performance abound, but few focused on the small scale business context. Thus a study towards determining the nature of relationship between the two construct among small scale enterprise owners is thoughtful. Drawn from literature, four variable measures – skills, education, knowledge, and training – were used to predict and explain the human capital effectiveness construct. Thus, four hypotheses (one for each variable measure) were formulated linking each variable measure to the human capital effectiveness construct. The construct, organizational performance, was divided into two sub-constructs, financial organizational performance and non-financial organizational performance to formulate two additional hypotheses linking each to human capital effectiveness. Twenty-five small scale business owners were purposively selected in Awka metropolis of Nigeria. A structured five-point likert type questionnaire was designed and distributed and a 100% return rate was recorded. ANOVA, t-test, multiple regression analysis, simple regression analysis, and pearson’s correlation coefficient were all employed to conduct relevant analyses. While keeping constant other factors that can impact on organizational performance, the study singled out human capital and it was shown that a high intercorelation exist among the four variable measure predictors of human capital effectiveness. A key finding of this study is that, training and skill are stronger predictors of human capital effectiveness over and above knowledge and education. This study, in no small measure, provides penetrating insight for small scale business owners in the area of human resources management. Managerial implications, limitations and opportunity for further research are discussed

Abduction Threat Surviving Skills in Basic School Education Curriculum in Nigeria: Teachers\u27 Views

This descriptive survey was on abduction threat surviving skills in basic school education curriculum in Nigeria: teachers\u27 views. The purpose of the descriptive survey was to determine Lower and Middle Basic School teachers\u27 views on infusing abduction threat surviving skills in Basic school curriculum for schoolchildren safety in school environment. The population comprises 209 public school primary teachers in Umuahia North L.G.A. of Abia State. The simple random sampling technique with non-replacement technique was used to select the sample of 143 primary school teachers (41 male and 102 female teachers). Researchers\u27 made attitude questionnaire titled” Basic School Teachers Questionnaire on infusing adoption threat surviving skills in Basic education curriculum. (BSTQIATSB) was used for data collection. It had reliability coefficient of 0.73 determined using Cronbach Alpha. The findings showed that Basic school teachers have positive views on infusing abduction threat surviving skills in Basic education school curriculum for schoolchildren safety in school environment. It was recommended among others that there is need by relevant authorities to infuse abduction threat surviving skills in Basic school education curriculum for safety of schoolchildren in school environment as to mitigate abduction threat

Value of Library and Information Science (LIS) Degree for Side Business Practices among Employed Library and Information Science Professionals in Nigeria: a Preliminary Survey

The survey study investigates the perception of the value of Library and Information Science (LIS) degree for side business practices among LIS professionals in Nigeria. The study used a combination of web-based and hard copy questionnaire to elicit information from 176 randomly selected working librarians in academic libraries in Nigeria. Four objectives guided the study. The results of the study reveal that the librarians perceive that the LIS degree has value. The majority of them engage in one side business or another. However, the side business engagements of the librarians are mostly in the traditional core librarianship areas while opportunities in information and communication technology (ICT) are not maximally exploited as a result of skills inadequacies. Obstacles that hinder the librarians from engaging in side businesses as well as the strategies that can be employed to enhance engagement in side businesses are identified. The study recommends among other things that librarians should acquire skills in ICT to be able to take up the opportunities that it offers. Also, the LIS schools should employ librarians who are competent in ICT to impart the knowledge and competencies that are needed

Perception and attitudes towards preventives of malaria infection during pregnancy in Enugu State, Nigeria

Background: The objective of this study is to explore and document perceptions and attitude associated with uptake of interventions to prevent malaria in pregnancy infection during pregnancy in Enugu State, Nigeria. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in three local government areas in Enugu State to identify the people\u2019s perceptions and attitudes towards sleeping under insecticide-treated bednets and uptake of recommended doses of intermittent presumptive treatment during pregnancy. In-depth interview guides were employed to collect data from health workers and mothers who delivered within 6 months preceding the study, while focus group discussion guides were employed in collecting data from grandmothers and fathers of children born within 6 months preceding the study. Results: The people expressed fairly good knowledge of malaria, having lived in the malaria-endemic communities. However, some were ignorant on what should be done to prevent malaria in pregnancy. Those who were aware of the use of insecticide-treated bednets and intermittent presumptive treatment during pregnancy however lamented the attitude of the health workers, who make access to these interventions difficult. Conclusions: Efforts to prevent malaria in pregnancy should focus on providing health education to pregnant women and their partners, who reinforce what the women are told during antenatal care. The attitude of health workers towards patients, who need these interventions, should be targeted for change

Membership Participation and Sustainability of Government-Driven Rural Development Projects in Abia State of Nigeria

Membership participation has become a veritable strategy for empowerment in the development scene. The participation of community members in development activities enhances capacity building. Sustainable development has to do with participatory development, human development and environmental protection. This study examines participation of community members and sustainability of government-driven rural development projects in Abia State of Nigeria. The purposive sampling technique was adopted in the study. The sample comprised of 6 communities from 6 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state. The focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) were the instruments for data collection. The sample size used in the study was 72 FGD participants and 6 IDI respondents. Data generated for the study were analyzed in quotes. The study revealed that all the rural communities under study have benefitted from government projects. It also shows that the executed projects have impacted on the quality of lives of the people. Furthermore, the study revealed that membership participation in the execution of projects is low and this has implications in project sustainability.</p