Poverty and its Alleviation Lessons for Nigeria

The study focused on the persistent poverty status in Nigeria in spite of all the actions and activities directly and indirectly put in place to reduce it. Nigerian poverty statistics and government actions in tackling poverty were examined. Few countries that have succeeded in reducing poverty position were briefly examined. Specifically, we highlighted how Malaysia, China and South Korea aspired and attained high level poverty alleviation. The lessons of their success stories were the basis for recommendations for Nigeria as a panacea for poverty reduction which has persevere in spite of every efforts over the years. Among the recommendations made include designing of poverty line for the entire geopolitical zone, stating target of poverty reduction within a time frame, and sincerely implementing and monitoring of strategies, programmes and policies. Kalu E. Uma | Paul C.Obidike | Frank O. Ozoh "Poverty and it's Alleviation: Lessons for Nigeria" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-1 | Issue-4 , June 201

Visualizing a control strategy for estimating electricity consumption

This paper investigates the potential of applying different control measures on low power and high power appliances with the goal of evolving efficiency in electricity consumption. The research involves carrying out simulations on their power consumption readings to set up a control system. The study discovers savings on all appliances under study to be 12.8% Kw, not minding occupancy rate of the building. Air-conditioners have the greatest impact of a 6% Kw contribution on savings. This would lead to a substantial contribution when converted to pricing rates. The results from the study indicate that control measures should be extended to peak periods and power saving measures extended to more appliances

Anti Microbial Resistance Profile of E. coli isolates From Tropical Free Range Chickens

Normal intestinal flora of humans and animals constitute enormous reservoir of resistance genes for potentially pathogenic bacteria and may serve as major indictors of selection pressure exerted by anti-microbial use in a given population. A study was conducted in September 2003 at 3 purposively selected peri-urban sites spread across 3 senatorial zones of Imo state, Nigeria to determines the anti-microbial resistance profile of commensal E. coli isolated from free range chickens. The isolates were screened for anti-microbial resistance profile against 10 antibiotics using the disc diffusion method. E. coli strains from local fowls, recorded 100 and 78.9% resistances against ampicillin and cotrimoxazole respectively, while resistance rates against ciprofloxacin, gentamycin and norfloxacin were 0.0, 5.3 and 5.3% respectively. Isolates from free-range cockerels recorded 100% resistance against norfloxacin, cotrimoxazole and ampicillin and 83.3% against nitrofurantoin. Similarly, isolates from old layers, recorded 100% resistance against nitrofurantoin, cotrimoxazole, tetracycline, chloramphenicol and ampicillin and 80% against nalidixic acid. Similar resistance trends were observed in E. coli isolates from free-range turkeys and broiler roosters against the inexpensive broad-spectrum first line antibiotics (ampicillin, nalidixic acid, cotrimoxazole, nitrofurantoin and chloramphenicol), although values varied slightly across poultry types. Resistances against gentamycin were consistently low in isolates from the different types of poultry. Twenty-nine resistance patterns were observed in the E. coli isolates with predominant patterns being distributed widely across poultry types indicating a striking diversity of resistance patterns in the areas

Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) and Life-cycle Assessment (LCA) of Extruded Aquafeed

The increasing world population has led to higher demand for protein source; Fish is a very good source of protein for humans. Hence, the need for more farmed fish. The aquaculture industry has been recognized as the fastest growing food production system globally, with a 10% increase in production every year. It is also one of the sustainable and reliable growth market for manufactured feed. This study was carried out to optimize cost and environmental performance in the production of aquaculture feed for small scale producers. Techno-economic analysis (TEA) and Life-cycle assessment (LCA) were tools for the analysis. In this study, the cost assessment and environmental assessment will be analyzed for the production of fish meal diet (0.01ton per diet); using a single screw extruder at three different scenarios (10ton/y, 100ton/y, 1000ton/y), The key results for this study and trial will be presented and discussed. Aquatic feed producers can use this tool to evaluate their annual cost, energy consumption and emissions

Does the use of outsiders' fund enhance shareholders' wealth? Evidence from Nigeria

This paper is an attempt to extend the analysis of the links between the firm's financial structure and the objectives of the firm in maximizing shareholders' wealth. In theory, the financial goal of the firm should be shareholders' wealth maximization as reflected in the book value and the market value of the firm's share. However it is a challenge to management in our world of complex economic environments to achieve this objective. It is against this background that this paper empirically examined the impact of outsiders fund on the firms' shareholders wealth maximization objective using three value maximization indicators; net profit margin viz dividends per share and current ratio from 2004 to 2008 in the Nigerian economy. The study reveals that outsider fund has a positive though not significant impact on dividend per share and current ratio though it was negative and significant impact on net profit margin. Therefore, the study recommends the use of outsiders fund in the financial mix of firms as to magnify shareholders' wealth but an optimal level of outsiders' contribution should be sought for by management. This will reduce the possibility of trading on the equity of shareholders which may lead to bankruptcy of the firm

An enduring commitment to respiratory research

No abstrac

Global partnerships for lung health

No abstrac

Establishing a new frontier in respiratory health in Africa

No abstrac

Women's quest for freedom, recognition and empowerment in Ngozi Chuma-Ude's Echoes of a New Dawn

This paper centers on women empowerment as an effective strategy to ward off intimidation and subjugation by patriarchy and patriarchal structures that have been put in place by men. Empowerment is expected to improve access to good education, opportunities to acquire skills through training and retraining, access to health and most importantly, the freedom to pursue personal development. It appears that women empowerment is not receiving the critical attention it should from all the stakeholders. This work interrogates women empowerment from the angle of self development and the need for women to take their fate in their hands and strive to dismantle oppressive patriarchal structures in their strive for a better society. Using Ngozi Chuma-Ude's Echoes Of A New Dawn, this paper therefore examines the need for women to empower themselves in Igbo communities as a move towards socio-economic liberation. Using content analysis approach of the qualitative research method, this paper critically examines an alternative means of women empowerment which includes education and self assertion amongst others. The paper uses African feminist theories to arrive at the conclusion that African society has not done much to arouse the hopes of women and that the gender biased philosophy and male dominated social structures that still exist in many African communities can be quashed and suppressed by very few radical and strong-willed women. The work finds out that women possess the ability for self assertion and self empowerment