Traditional Method of Checking Corruption in the Pre-Colonial Igbo Society

Corruption is possibly as old as the human society. Infact. It can be traced to the biblical story of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. According to this story these first man and woman while in the garden fell to temptation and thus became evil in nature.2 This affirms that corruption is perhaps inherent in human beings. A psychologist, J.T. U Nwala has observed that the level of corruption or moral values of any society is a function of the level and character of its social development3. On the other hand, the social development of a society very much depends on the occupational skills and the way and manner the society produces, distributes and exchanges its wealth4. These basic components of any economy are indeed the fertile grounds for corrupt practices. For instance the cancerous disease nicknamed corruption can be found among all the religions of the world, government officials, private and public organizations, politicians, businessmen and academics. A corrupt trader would sell inferior items in place of superior ones and pocket the money. A corrupt contractor would supply inferior items to companies and governments as superior items and clain the money. In the academic circle, corruption include plagiarism, sale of hand-outs to students, examination leakage, fake result, corrupt marking and collection of money from students for favour (extortion). Even corrupt farmers would devise ways of confiscating people’s land for farming without adequate compensation.  The list is inexhaustible.  These vices take place in our society today because of a relatively high level of social development without a corresponding level of moral backing in the society. In this essay the pre-colonial Igbo society is the focus.  Efforts will be made to discuss the nature of corrupt practices prevalent at the time and the traditional method of checking or controlling the social vices.  To do this, the pre-colonial Igbo society has been split into two-the period before the Trans-Atlantic trade and the period of Trans-Atlantic trade between 1600 and 1900.  This split into two broad eras will enable us perceive and understand the nature of corruption at these periods, how they were controlled as well as the obstacles involved in the control of the social monster

Lease Arrangements and Financial Performance of Breweries in Nigeria

This study investigates the relationship between lease arrangements and the financial performance of breweries listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Using an ex-post facto research design, and a study period of ten years (2008 – 2017), the study analysed data on earnings per share and net assets per share of four breweries in Nigeria. A comparison of the performance of selected firms based on the nature of lease arrangements and the intensity of involvement in leasing transactions, using t-statistics, showed that firms that engaged in diversified lease arrangements performed better than those that implemented only one form of lease arrangement; and firms that were more actively involved in lease arrangements were better in both earnings per share and net assets per share than firms that were less active in lease transactions. Accordingly, it is recommended that listed breweries should consider the benefits available in lease financing and should more actively engage in beneficial lease arrangements. Keywords: operating lease, finance lease, lease arrangements, earnings per share, net assets per share, brewerie

Inorganic Fertilzer, Vermicompost and Water Quality Effect on Vegetable Farming Along The River Banks.

Inorganic fertilizer , vermicompost and water are a  usual application on vegetable  farming  along river banks in order to boost its  production , issues however arising of interest from these three are highlighted in this work on river Benue river bank vegetable farming . Vermicompost a  heterogeneous mixture of decomposing  materials in a dust bin ( vegetables , Tea  bags , grains , bread, crackers ,  cereals  , eggshells , Leaves and grass clippings )   composting using various worms developed within it from flies  showed  that in 30 days at 20% concentration of vermicompost plot of Red pepper  (Capsicum annuum)   a  plant height of average 16.6cm was recorded  while that of chemical fertilizer showed the same  plant a height of 14.8cm . Control plot (without any application)  showed 10.9cm height . At 60 days the inorganic fertilizer applied  at 20% dose showed  29.2cm plant height and in vermicompost applied plots at the same concentration dose, 33.4cm of plant height, was the result.  Applying these products on vegetable farms using water  along the river banks of River Benue directly and indirectly  brings to attention the uncontrollable habit of settlers along river  banks especially in the refuse discharge and defeacation  which compromises the water and  the quality of products of  the farms .  Work carried out  in Delhi University in 2009 showed that the amount of fecal matter in river water  increased exponentially  as  Central Pollution Control Board CPCB  came out with its findings. The amount of Fecal coliform (FC) – bacteria (anaerobic , nonsporulating, rod-shaped bacteria that produce acid and gas from the fermentation of lactose sugar: e.g., Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Klebsiella pneumoniae ) available in human and animal feaces – has grown by as much as 30 times as compared to CPCB values. Vegetables grown on Yamuna bed in east and south Delhi are already known to have high FC . The work done on river Benue at intake in the greater water works  project showed the value of coliform bacteria as high as 1800  Beetseh and Adulugba (2013) .  Many millions of microorganisms ( though most are harmless  in the human intestinal tract)  are likely to carry pathogenic microbes. Coliforms are used as indicators of sewage pollution; a high coliform count usually indicates recent sewage pollution. implicating the vegetable production on the river bank  which on consumption  can bring one down with severe intestinal problems like  blood infections, stomach upsets and kidney dysfunction .The application of modern farming system innovations in the study area by the farmers will be difficult since majority of them are illiterates  Dam, P. D. ( 2012  ) especially in the use of proper toilet systems . According to the same Delhi University 2009 report mentioned earlier the probable partial solution is to allow for the growth of   water hyacinth, which  absorbs contaminants and vegetables to be repeatedly washed and  cooked. Raw vegetables on these river banks should be avoided . Keywords Vegetables , Fertilizer , River bank Vermicompost and Farming

Determinants of Productivity among Firms Producing Agribusiness-Based Raw Materials and Those Using Them for Production in Abia State, Nigeria

The study was designed to analyze the determinants of productivity among firms with specialization in producing and using agricultural products respectively in Abia State, Nigeria. Data were collected with structured questionnaire from 72 randomly selected firms comprising firms using and producing agricultural products respectively. Data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics, chi-square and multiple regression analyses models. Results show that majority (56.25%) of firms using agricultural products are experienced and acclimatized to the investment climate of the area, 68.75% and 71.42% of the firms using and producing agricultural products respectively never borrowed their start-up capital, 87.7% and 100% of the firms producing and using of agricultural products in the study area have asset worth of  N1-N10 million naira respectively and, there is a deep impression that marketing problems in conjunction with capital inadequacy (68.75%) have profoundly constrained the productivity of both firms. It further revealed that there is a significant difference between employee qualification and productivity and also a significant difference between on-job training and productivity of the firms. The multiple regression analysis showed that taxation and amount paid to employees was significant and negatively related to productivity whereas, amount invested in manpower and working condition of employees was significant and positively related to productivity. On the basis of the results, the study recommended among other factors, improved and good wages and salaries incentives to employees as a panacea for their continual stay with the firms. This will also boost their morale and enhance productivity. Keywords: productivity, firms, producing, agricultural products

DISTRIBUTION OF IRON (II) BETWEEN BUFFERED AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS AND CHLOROFORM SOLUTION OF N,N’-ETHYLENEBIS(4-BUTANOYL-2,4-DIHYDRO-5-METHYL-2-PHENYL-3H-PYRAZOL-3-ONEIMINE)

The distribution of Fe(II) between buffered aqueous solution and chloroform solution of N,N’-Ethylenebis(4-butanoyl-2-4-dihydro-5-methyl-2-phenyl-3H-pyrazol-3-oneimine)(H2BuEtP) was investigated. The effect of 4-butanoyl-2-4-dihydro-5-methyl-2-phenyl-3H-pyrazol-3-one(HBuP) in the distribution was also studied. Fe(II) concentration in aqueous raffinate was determined colorimetrically and distribution ratios and percentage extractions calculated by difference from Fe(II) in aqueous phase before and after equilibrations. The optimal pH for Fe(II) distribution slightly lowered to 8.00 in mixed ligands(H2BuEtP/HBuP) organic phase from 8.25 in ligand (H2BuEtP) alone organic phase. The pH range at which quantitative extraction of Fe(II) from aqueous buffered solution into both type of organic phases used for the study was very narrow. The extraction parameters; pH1/2, log D from extraction plots, and log Kex calculated using extraction equations derived from slope analysis showed that the values in both type of organic phases were very close even though mixed ligands(H2BuEtP/HBuP) organic phase values were slightly higher and better. Slope analysis also indicated that the Fe(II) complexes extracted into both organic phases were Fe(BuEtP)o and Fe(HBuEtP)(BuP)o respectively

Cystic hygroma: Anaesthetic considerations In emergency excision

This is a case report of an 8-month-old male who presented with right huge infected haemorrhagic cystic hygroma with airway obstruction and pharyngotonsillitis. Right cystic hygroma was diagnosed at 3 months of age but was managed conservatively until he fell from a height and  traumatized the tumour which rapidly increased in size and resulted in airway obstruction necessitating emergency excision The excision was done  under general anaesthesia with intermittent positive pressure ventilation and muscle relaxation He was subsequently transferred to the intensive care unit with the endotracheal tube in-situ and mechanically ventilated for 3 days. The patient was thereafter extubated and discharged to the  ward on the 5th day in good clinical condition. Keywords: cystic hygroma, emergency excision, difficult airway, preparednes

Green Synthetic Methods for a Schiff Base from 2-Aminopyridine and 4-Ethoxybenzaldehyde

The novel Schiff base was acquired from the reaction between 2-aminopyridine and 4-ethoxybenzaldehyde using three (3) techniques; refluxing in ethanol for 2 hours, stirring in ethanol and an ethanol-water (1:1) mixture at room temperature for an hour. The synthesis of the 2-aminopyridine-4-ethoxybenzaldehyde Schiff base produced dark yellow crystals with melting point range of 95-97oC. The reaction in ethanol under reflux produced the highest yield of 88.2% while the reaction in ethanol and ethanol-water (1:1 v/v) mixture at room temperature gave 69.2% and 43.5% yield of the compound respectively. The IR spectrum showed the following bands; 1681cm-1 (C=N), 1595cm-1 (aromatic C=C stretch), 2981cm-1 (aromatic C-H stretch), 1509cm-1 (aromatic C=N stretch), 1155cm-1 (aliphatic C-C stretch), 1036 (aromatic C-O stretch), 2825 (aliphatic C-H stretch). The 13C NMR spectrum showed the following chemical shifts (δppm); 158.48 (C=N, imino), 154.98 and 150.18 (C-N of aromatic pyridine moiety), 121.44 – 137.53 (aromatic carbons), 158.68 (aromatic C-O), 63.88 (aliphatic C-O), 15.22 (aliphatic C). The 1H NMR spectral data (δppm) for the compound gave the following results; 7.06-7.91, m (8H) (Ar-H), 9.71, s (1H) (HC=N-), 4.10, q (2H) and 1.32, t (3H) (OCH2CH3). The spectral data was in agreement to the predicted structure of the Schiff base

Seed banks as conservation tool for endangered wild plant species in ecozones of Nigeria

Seed banks have played the largest role in the conservation of endangered wild plant species in the world. The potential role of seed in the regeneration of plant species is threatened by a rapid decline in the longevity and viability of the seeds in their natural habitats. This study addresses the key role of seed banks in the conservation of floristic diversity. The increasing popularity of the seed bank as a tool in the conservation of wild plant species can be attributed to different significance, including; provision of immediate access to plant samples, allowing researchers and conservation biologists to evaluate them for properties such as new sources of medicines, nutrition, and genes. Also, wild plant seeds conserved in seed banks are immune to habitat destruction, diseases, and predators. The stored seeds can be used to reinstate species into existing, suitable habitats where they were once present, or to augment the diversity of small, genetically depleted populations. Conservation efforts, as sources for population reintroduction and restoration, have been cited as an important justification for seed banks. Thus, it is recommended that seed banks with state-of-the-art storage facilities should be established at the national and local levels; and all of such banks should be networked so that materials, knowledge, and expertise on particular wild plant species is available on a global scale.Key words: Conservation, Endangered, Floristic diversity, Plant species, Seeds bank, Storag

Diameter distribution of Nauclea diderrichii (D Wild) Merr. Plantations in a restricted tropical rainforest of Nigeria

Distribution of tree diameter in a specific stand provides basic information for forest management. Little attention is given to the use of probability distribution functions in characterising the stem diameters of most Nigeria indigenous species. This study used Three-parameters lognormal and Weibull probability distribution functions in characterising the diameter of Nauclea diderrichii plantations within a restricted tropical rainforest of Nigeria for sustainable management. Thirty temporary sample plots of dimensions 20 m × 20 m were randomly laid in three age strata (42, 43 and 46 years). Stem diameters of all living Nauclea diderrichii trees with diameter at breast height ≥10.0 cm in all the sampled plots were enumerated. The performance and suitability result revealed that lognormal distribution gave superior description of the stem diameter for the Nauclea diderrichii species in the study area, with least values of Bias (0.00001), Mean absolute error (0.1214), Mean square error (0.7421), Kolmogorov-Smirnov (0.02781) and Anderson Darling (0.49562) statistics. Hence, three-parameter lognormal using maximum likelihood method was recommended for distributing stem diameter of Nauclea diderrichii in the study area.Keywords: Indigenous species; Lognormal; Maximum likelihood; Probability distribution function; Weibul

Moringa oleifera Lam extract attenuates gastric ulcerations in high salt loaded rats

Moringa oleifera Lam is a plant used extensively both in traditional and orthodox medicine to treat myriad ailments, including gastrointestinal disorders. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of leaf extract of M. oleifera some gastrointestinal function parameters in high salt loaded rats. Acute toxicity study was done using 70 male white mice (18-20 g) were used for the study. They were randomly selected and assigned to 7 cages of 10 animals per cage. Percentage mortalities were converted to probits and plotted against the log10 of the dose of the extract from which the LD50 value was calculated. Fresh leaf extract of M. oleifera was Soxhlet extracted. 24 albino Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 4 main groups of 6 rats each. Fed on normal rat chow, high salt (8% NaCl) diet + 1% NaCl drinking water and/or M. oleifera extract (600 mg/kg bw). The feeding regimens lasted for 42 days. Results obtained revealed that the extract had an LD50 value of 1,872.22 mg/kg from which a test dose of 600 mg/kg was derived for the feeding regimen. The salt fed rats had significantly (p<005) raised basal gastric acid output (9.03 ± 0.17 mmol/L/hr) compared with control (7.27 ± 0.17 mmol/L/hr), but had blunted response to administered histamine and cimetidine, while treatment with the extract enhanced the sensitivity of histamine in high salt loaded rats. Gastric mucus concentration was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the salt untreated group (0.25 ± 0.004 g) compared with other groups. The salt fed untreated group also had significantly (p<0.05) raised gastric ulcers (10.83 ± 0.70) compared with other groups, these were reversed following Moringa treatment. In conclusion, Moringa oleifera extract reverses gastric ulcers and blunted histaminergic receptors in high salt fed rats. The mechanism by which high salt increases gastric secretion is independent of the histaminergic mechanism