Insolation Levels Using Temperature Model for Sustainable Application of Photovoltaic Technology in Some Selected Locations of Nigeria

The need to balance between energy security, economic development and environmental protection through technology is becoming enormous. Nigerians are experiencing lack of adequate meteorological data such as monthly average of incoming solar radiation and clearness index except for few locations. While, photovoltaic technology applications depends solely on the availability of insolation data and efficient energy appliances. Therefore, twenty one (21) locations were considered within the North-western Nigeria for the estimation of global solar radiation (kWh/m2/day) using sunshine hours based on Angstrom correlation model. It was achieved through derived empirical constants based on the 30 years long term average of ground insolation measurement and 10 years long term average of sunshine hour’s measurement. The measured and estimated values of insolation were tested using coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE) and coefficient of residual mass (CRM) and high percentages of the R2, low value of RMSE and positive value of CRM close to unity shows remarkable agreements. The difference between the monthly variations of average mean daily insolation of the locations was also shown to have no significant difference based on One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). It is concluded that, the insolation data can be used in the design of solar installations for the locations and in locations with similar climatic conditions for sustainable application photovoltaic technology in Nigeria. Key words: Nigeria, Estimation, Insolation, Sunshine hours, Photovoltaic technology

Impact of AAOIFI’s Governance Standards on Quality Corporate Governance by Islamic Financial Institutions

This study examines the impact of AAOIFI’s governance standards on quality the corporate governance practices by Islamic Financial Institutions. The paper is purely a literature-review-based research work where adequate literature relevant to the study are reviewed and the AAOIFI Governance Standards are studied with a view to finding out how compliance with the standards by the IFIs could translate into achievement of their set objectives, especially the objective of growing up the wealth of the shareholders. A rundown was given to the thirteen (13) governance standards (GS 1-13) issued by the AAOIFI, to show importance compliance with them would make the IFIs more “lovely” and more wealth-creating. It was found that AAOIFI’s governance standards have positive impact on the corporate governance practices of IFIs, as the standards lead to a certain degree of consistency in products and services offered by IFIs and the promotion of standardized practices at country level, as well as at the global level. The study also revealed that scholars in the field of Corporate and Public Governance have less interest in conducting studies on the AAOIFI’s GS the way they pay research attention to conventional Corporate Governance and Public Governance matters. The study recommended that AAOIFI should ensure that scholars and professionals in the field of Corporate and Public Governance are encouraged to pursue high level research on the practicality of all the 13 Governance Standards through provision of Research Grant, seminars and workshops

Monetary Policy Rate, Interbank Rate, Savings Deposit and Inflation Rate in Nigeria: Evidence from ARDL Approach

This study investigated the impact of monetary policy rate, interbank rate and savings deposit on inflation rate in Nigeria over the period of January, 2006 – November, 2014. To achieve the objective, an autoregressive distributed lag model was employed to estimate both the long-run and short-run models. The result of the long-run model reveals that monetary policy rate, interbank rate and savings deposit were all negatively and significantly affecting inflation rate within the studied period. In similar vein, in the short-run, monetary policy rate and interbank rates were negative and significant in determining inflation fluctuations. Though savings deposit depicts positive sign but was found to be insignificant in the short-run. As such, both long-and short-run findings were in conformity with the theoretical expectations. Therefore, the policy suggestion is that the central bank of Nigeria (CBN) should consider strengthening the use these policy instruments in controlling inflation shocks in Nigeria. Key words: Monetary policy rate, interbank rate, savings rate, inflation rate, ARDL approac

The Mediating Effect of Intellectual Capital on Corporate Governance and Performance of Conglomerates in Nigeria

Purpose: The nature of diversification in the form of conglomerates is the research theme for this study. Thus, CG’s functions on FP on conglomerates firms of Nigerian economy was studied while applying IC as the mediating variable.  Design/Methodology: This research depends on archival data collected from the NSE. Firms have been chosen based on the convenient sampling method and an important parameter for judgment is Conglomerated firms. In order to get genuine results, ten years of financial data have been taken into consideration. Multiple regression technique was used to analyze the data. The software used for analysis was STATA version 14.0. Results: The model I of the study disclose a pessimistic and insignificant impact of board size and board independence on IC using VAIC as a proxy. In contrast, model II results disclosed that the performance of the firms was impacted by the board’s size and institutional ownership. Implying that, the greater the size of the firm as well as more shares owned by institutional shareholders the higher the profit. Practical Implications: Nigeria being one of the growing economies now is dependent on knowledge assets and hence it has a positive effect on the firm’s performance. Conglomeration is seen even between employee’s skills of both industries, which give a positive outcome. Hence, firms under conglomerate tags have a strong impact in relation to intellectual capital

Knowledge Assessment of Anti-snake Venom Among Healthcare Practitioners in Northern Nigeria

Introduction: Anti-snake venom (ASV) is the standard therapy for the management of snakebite envenoming (SBE). Therefore, the knowledge of ASV among healthcare practitioners (HCPs) is essential for achieving optimal clinical outcomes in snakebite management. This study aimed to assess knowledge of ASV among the HCPs in northern Nigeria. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving eligible HCPs from different healthcare settings in northern Nigeria. The participants were recruited into the study using a combination of online (via Google Form) and face-to-face paper-based survey methods. The ASV knowledge of the respondents was measured using a validated anti-snake venom knowledge assessment tool (AKAT). Inadequate overall knowledge of ASV was defined as scores of 0-69.9%, and 70-100% were considered adequate overall knowledge scores. The predictors of ASV knowledge were determined using multiple logistic regression. Results: Three hundred and thirty-one (331) eligible HCPs were included in the study analysis (310 from online and 21 from paper-based survey). Overall, an estimated 12.7% of the participants had adequate knowledge of ASV. Adequate ASV knowledge was higher among physicians compared with other HCPs (21.7%; X-2 =8.1; p=0.04). Those without previous training on ASV (adjusted odds ratio [a0R], 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18-0.73; p= 0.004) and who have not previously administered/dispensed ASV (aOR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.15-0.63; p \u3c 0.001) were less likely to have adequate knowledge of ASV. Conclusion: The knowledge of ASV among healthcare practitioners in northern Nigeria is grossly inadequate. Experience with administering or dispensing ASV predicts ASV knowledge. Therefore, appropriate interventions are needed to improve ASV knowledge, particularly among the HCPs, for optimal healthcare outcomes

The Design and Development of Environmentally Friendly Biogas Using an Anaerobic Digestion System

Communication in Physical Sciences, 2022, 8(4):465-470 Authors: Kabiru Alhaji Bala, Ogunlana Yusuf Olayinka and Maryam AliyuReceived: 01 May 2022/Accepted 28 September 2022 Abstract: Environmentally friendly biogas can be synthesized using an anaerobic digestion system that is based on the purification of the biogas with some reagents (iron flakes, silica gel, and yeast catalyst). The project design considers four phases namely, the digestion(fermentation) phase, the purification phase, the conservation and the test phase. In the fermentation phase, the decomposition and reaction of micro-organisms take place whereas in the purification stage. consists of three sub-steps, involving a container rich with silica gel, iron chips, and water for the removal of moisture, CO2 and H2S respectively, The conservation stage (the third phase) has an air chamber (tyre tube) for gas storage while the last [hase is the test phase which consists of aBunsen burner to test the gas stored in the tube

Induced-growth and yield responses to seasonal variation by sodium azide in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

The mutagenic effect of various concentrations of sodium azide on some selected quality traits of three varieties of tomato was investigated with the aim of improving the quality and quantity of the traits of economic importance. The seeds of three tomato varieties namely: Roma, UC and a Local variety were treated with four different concentrations of sodium azide (0.1mM, 1.0 mM, 2.0 mM and 0.0 mM as control) via pre-soaking during both the wet and dry seasons. The results obtained revealed highly significant difference (P≤0.01) in the effects of various concentrations of sodium azide on the number of leaves, leaf area, number of fruits, fruit weight, pericarp thickness, number of seeds/fruit and pH of the fruit juices. Significant improvement (P≤0.05) was recorded on fruit diameter. More so, significant differences were found in the interactions of the varieties to the mutagenic treatments during the rainy season than the dry season. The interaction showed that all the mutants treated with 0.1mM concentration have the highest response in all the selected traits during rainy season except fruit diameter. Similarly, all the 1.0mM treated mutants showed highest response during rainy season except in leaf area where highest response was found in dry season. Similar result was found in 2.0 mM treated mutants. We therefore concluded that 0.1Mm sodium azide concentration improves important quality traits of tomato more especially variety UC as it responds significantly to sodium azide and that, the mutant tomato could be grown both during the rainy and dry seasons.Key Words: Concentrations, Mutation, Sodium Azide, Tomat

RISK COMMITTEE DEMOGRAPHIC TRAITS: A STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF EXPERTISE ON RISK DISCLOSURE QUALITY OF LISTED INSURANCE FIRMS IN NIGERIA

The study explored the effect of risk committee expertise on the risk disclosure quality (RDQ) of listed insurance firms in Nigeria from 2011-2021. Data was obtained from the financial statement and annual reports of seventeen listed insurance firms sampled out of a population of twenty-one firms. The dependent variable employed in the study was RDQ defined by the quantity of risk disclosure sentences while risk committee expertise was employed as the independent variable of the study. The ratio of the number of Directors with expertise in Accounting, Finance, and Risk Management in the committee to the total number of Directors in the committee serves as a proxy for the independent variable. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and GLS regression were used to analyse the data collected. To ascertain the suitability of the data for regression analysis and the robustness of the regression results, post estimation and pre-estimation tests were performed. The result of GLS regression conducted indicated that Risk Committee expertise has a significant positive impact on RDQ. Consequently, the current study recommends that in order to improve the quality of risk disclosure in listed insurance firms, the financial reporting council of Nigeria (FRCN) and other regulatory authorities, such as the national insurance commission (NAICOM), should mandate the establishment of risk committees composed of members experienced and knowledgeable in finance, accounting, risk management, and disclosure in their corporate governance codes. This result has practical implications as it underscores the fact that the knowledge and skill of the risk committee drives improved risk disclosure. In addition, the result further influences the efforts of regulatory authorities in their attempt to develop resilient corporate governance codes that guarantees qualitative risk disclosure

Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among primary school pupils in Wamakko Local Government, Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract Background A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among primary school pupils in Wamakko Local Government, Sokoto State, Nigeria. Four hundred terminal urine samples were collected from primary school pupils and analysed using standard filtration technique. Results Out of the 400 urine samples examined, 192 (48%) were found to be infected with Schistosoma haematobium. Males had a higher prevalence (49.49%) than females (43.93%), although statistical analysis indicated no significant association of S. haematobium infection with gender. The highest infection rate was recorded among pupils aged 4–6 years (62.82%) while the least was found among pupils aged 7–9 years; this did not attend significant level (p > 0.05). The occurrence of S. haematobium infection did not significantly associate with a source of drinking water and water contact activity (p > 0.05). Conclusion This study indicates the presence of urinary schistosomiasis in the study area and that all pupils in the study area are equally exposed to the source of infection. Therefore, prompt intervention is highly advocated

ASYMMETRIC IMPACT OF SOME SELECTED MACROECONOMIC VARIABLES ON NATURAL GAS CONSUMPTION IN NIGERIA

This study examined the impact of macroeconomic variables on natural gas consumption in Nigeria during the period 1980–2021 using nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) model. Findings indicated that, natural gas consumption falls with exchange rate appreciation, and rises with depreciation in exchange rate in Nigeria. Also, natural gas consumption falls with increase in inflation rate, and increases with the fall in the rate of inflation. Increase in money supply reduces natural gas consumption, so also decrease in money supply. Finally, the results also revealed that, a rise in economic growth increases natural gas consumption, and as well, a fall in economic growth raises natural gas consumption in Nigeria. The study therefore recommends that, effective use of monetary policy tools in checking the growth of money supply, exchange rate and inflation rate could be of help in boosting natural gas consumption and stirring up economic growth in the country. Since natural gas consumption responds negatively to the changes in the exchange rate, implying that, exchange rate depreciation discourages importation, foreign exchange demand, and propel domestic production which in turn results in more natural gas consumption and improved growth and development in the country.&nbsp