AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PRIVATIZATION OF THE POWER SECTOR IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF BENIN ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION COMPANY (BEDC)

¹Abioluwajumi Lucky &²Osaghae F.S.O

¹Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Benson Idahosa University, Benin City

²Institute of Public Administration and Extension Service,University of Benin, Ekehuan Campus

ABSTRACT

The papers assess the privatization of the power sector in Nigeria with a view to find out if it is achieving the purpose for its adoption and the challenges facing it. The multifarious challenges facing the power sector such as low capacity generation of power, transmission, distribution near total darkness and the issuance of estimated billing system.This paper viewed the unbundling of NEPA into eighteen (18)Successor Company. Eleven Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and six generation company (GENCOs) and its effect on the citizens and the economy. The methodology adopted in this study was survey research design. The elite theory and the Total Quality Management theory were the theoretical framework. This paper shows that the earlier assumptions that privatization led to regular power supply is not true. The paper also revealed that the use of estimated billing system, the reluctant behavior of Discos to supply pre-paid meters to their customers, the use of casual staff by Discos, the use or obsolete infrastructure and the inefficient supervision of the value chain by the Transmission Company of Nigeria are some of the challenges faced by the power sector.The paper recommends proper supervision/sanctions were necessary/sanctions were necessary for violations, refusal to provide pre-paid meters, the transfer of pre-paid meter to new apartment by their customers and the use of renewable energy to increase power supply.Key Word: Privatization, power sector, value-chain, power sector road map and renewable energy

COPING STYLES AS PREDICTORS OF POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AMONG NIGERIAN SOLDIERS

¹Ogbole A. James;¹Aboh Uche James&²MgbenkemdiEjike H.

¹Headquarters, Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole, Maiduguri²Department of Psychology, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu

ABSTRACT

The study investigated coping styles as predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder among Nigerian soldiers. The study was carried out among Nigerian military personnel deployed in the North-eastern part of Nigeria fighting insurgency. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select 242 participants with combat experience. Demographic information revealed that 231 (95.5%) are males, 11(4.5%) are females. Analysis of participants’ rank revealed that 215(88.8%) were private and 27 (11.2%) were commissioned, officers. The participants were administered two sets of  instruments based on survey design; a 17-item Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Military (PCL-M) (Weathers, Huska, & Keane, 1991);  and 30-item Personal Functioning Inventory (Kohn, Brien-wood, Pickering &Decicco, 2003; Umeh, 2004); Descriptive statistics were used to present the socio-demographic factors of participants while hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypothesis in relation to coping styles as predictors of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Nigerian soldiers. The results showed that the coping style was a significant predictor of PTSD among the soldiers (β = -.384, P <.05). The findings were discussed in relation to literature reviewed and it was suggested that the Nigerian military authorities should effectively engage the services of mental health professionals such as the Psychologist to help in ensuring the mental state of soldiers fighting an insurgency. The researcher concluded that individuals with negative coping strategies such as emotional-focused coping styles are more likely to experience PTSD.

Key words: Coping Styles, Posttraumatic stress disorder, Nigerian Soldiers

CORPORATE REPUTATION AND CUSTOMER LOYALTY OF SOAP DEALERS IN PORT HARCOURT

Dike, Lawrence Bekwele& Henry Origbo

Department of Marketing

Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt

ABSTRACT

Corporate reputation has attracted interest from a wide range of academic disciplines. It isalso a growing focus for business and media attention. This paper examines the construct of corporate reputation, first by untangling the terminological problems that have been caused by the interdisciplinary nature of much of the earlier work in the area. The construct ofreputation and the allied constructs of image and identity are each reviewed. A structure is proposed in which the three constructs can be seen as labeling different but allied concepts.The study then move on to consider how reputation has been measured. The paper uncovers considerable confusion in the use of what might appear to be basic terms and links this to a subsequent lack of grounded measurement tools in the sector, until relatively recently. Witha clearer understanding of the construct of corporate reputation and the allied constructs of image and identity, researchers are now well placed to test the relationships widely claimed by practitioners between corporate reputation and other variables such as commercialperformance and employee and customer satisfaction. The review ends by illustrating some of the issues that can be assessed from the basis of a clearer conceptualization of reputation. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyse return research instrument. Hypotheses were tested using the Spearman ranked order correlation. Findings reveal strong relationship between corporate reputation with corporate image and identity. Further study can expand the horizon by looking at other sector other than the soap dealers market. 

Key Words: Corporate Reputation, Corporate Loyalty, Soap Dealers

THE PROXIMATE AND ANTI – NUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF AFRICAN OIL BEAN (PentaclethramacrophyllaBenth) SEED AT DIFFERENT MATURATION STAGES AND BOILING PERIODS

Duru, F.C,Ohaegbulam, P.O &Nwachukwu, C.A.

Department of Food Technology

Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, Imo – state

Email: durufaustina@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The proximate and anti-nutrient composition of African oil bean seed at different maturation stages and boiling periods were investigated. The two months developed pods were harvested and seeds extracted with matchet, while the fully mature (exploded) seeds were picked from the surrounding bushes. Each of the seeds were boiled at different periods (4 h, 5 h, and 6 h) and blended differently than analyzed. The results of the proximate analysis indicate the moisture range of (33.76 – 42.28%) with exploded seed boiled for 6 hours having the highest (42.28%) and same exploded seed boiled for 4 hours having the lowest moisture content. The protein content was higher (25.65%) in two months developed seed boiled for 4 hours, while the ash content of two months developed seeds boiled for 5 hours was higher (1.24%) than others. The fat content of exploded seeds boiled for 4 hours were highest (11.50%) followed by two months developed seeds boiled for 4 hours (10.27%); the crude fibrevalues were highest (25.75%) in two months developed seed boiled for 6 hours and carbohydrate was highest in two months seed boiled for 5 hours. The result of the anti-nutrients showed that exploded seed boiled for 6 hours had the lowest (2.73%) phytic acid, while oxalate was lowest (2.28%) in two months developed seed boiled for 6 hours. Saponin was lowest (1.28%) in exploded seeds boiled for 6 hours and tannin content were lowest (0.56%) in 6 hours boiled exploded seeds.

Keywords:Proximate, Anti-nutrient, African oil bean seed, Maturation stages.

ACHIEVING EXPERT SYSTEM USER SECURITY IN COMPUTER SYSTEMS THAT EXHIBIT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

ObiohaIwuoha, Oparah Camillus C. &Oyedepo Victoria

Department of Computer Science

Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri

Email: ohaobi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

There is need for user security protocol in the developmental phases of expert systems so as to prevent intruder-programmers from maliciously exploiting the expert system to the detriment of the computer users whotry to benefitfrom the services of the software. A malicious programmer could use an expert system to get sensitive user data in the guise of artificial intelligence provision. The aim of this paper is to proffer ways by which expert system user security could be achieved on artificial intelligence computer systems. The research methodology used is structured systems analysis and design methodology using the logical data modeling technique which involves identifying and documenting data requirements needed for the creation of a new system. The result of this research work is a precise account of ways to achieve expert system user security in artificial intelligent computer systems. The body of information communication technology can use this paper to ensure expert system user security in computer systems that exhibit artificial intelligence.