Category Archives: International Journal of Sciences and Advanced Innovative Research, volume 5, number 2, 2020

ASSESSMENT OF SMALL SCALE PADDY RICE PROCESSING AND MARKETING IN DASS LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

Bose, A. A.¹, Jatbong, J. N.²,Danwanka, H. A. ¹ and Zayyad, B.¹       

¹Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension A.T.B.U. Bauchi, Nigeria                 

²Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Nigeria                                 

Corresponding author: abdullahi.bose@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The study assessed small scale paddy rice processing and marketing in Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Nigeria. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used and data were collected from 75 respondents with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, farm budget model and regression analysis. The result reveals that average age of the farmers was 40.3 years and majority (60%) of the respondents were female. Also, 93.3% of the respondents had acquired various forms of formal education and 58.7% of the respondents engaged in rice milling and marketing as their primary occupation. The total variable cost and gross income for processing a 100kg bag of paddy rice were N8,938.40 ($24.83) and N11,394.42 ($31.65), respectively. The marketing margin and marketing efficiency were 33% and 284%, respectively. Net income and Return per naira invested were N2,456.02 ($6.82) and N0.27, respectively. Thus, small scale paddy rice milling is a profitable enterprise in the study area. The average quantity of paddy milled was 97.5 bags per week. Result on regression reveals that price had positive coefficient and significant at P<0.05, which implies that increase in selling price, might lead to increase in gross income. Cost of milling had negative coefficient and significant at P<0.001, which implies that decrease in milling charges might lead to increase in gross income. The R² was estimated at 0.947 which implies that about 95% of the variation in the gross income is explained by the explanatory variables included in the model and F-value of 165.038 was significant at P<0.001. However, inadequate market information; inadequate credit facilities; variability in price of rice and high cost of milling machines were some of the constraints affecting small scale paddy rice milling in the study area. The study recommends that rice processors/marketers should be encouraged to form co-operatives so as to have easy access to credit facilities and to market their products collectively.

Keywords: Marketing, Nigeria, Paddy rice, Processing, Small-scale

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.

SUITABILITY EVALUATION OF LAND USE LAND COVER OF IMO STATE FOR SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Ogbuji, S. I.& Ede, P. N.

Department of Geography and Environmental Management,Imo State University, Owerri,

Institute of Geoscience and Space Technology, River State University, Port Harcourt

E-mail:sogbujiic@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This study seeks to establish the current status of the land use/ cover of Imo State going by the level of urbanization in the state, in order to determine the proportion of land available for sustainable ecotourism development in the state. The data used for this study were mainly secondary data obtained from the United State Geological Survey (USGS) website. The satellite data covering the study area which was obtained from earth explorer site was imported in ERDAS Imagine version 9.2 satellite image processing software to create a False Color Composite (FCC). The layer stack option in image interpreter tool box was used to generate FCCs for the study area. The sub-setting of satellite images was performed for extracting the study area from both images by taking geo-referenced out polygon boundary of Imo State AOI (Area of Interest). All satellite data were studied by assigning per-pixel signatures and differentiating the area into five land use/cover classes on the bases of the specific Digital Number (DN) value of different landscape elements. The delineated classes are; Built up area, Bare land, Light forest/Agricultural land, Water body and Dense forest. Based on experts opinion and literature, the most important land use/ cover for sustainable ecotourism development is dense forest while built-up area does not support ecotourism development. For each of the predetermined land cover/use type, training samples was selected by delimiting polygons around representative sites. Spectral signatures for the respective land cover types derived from the satellite imagery was recorded by using the pixels enclosed by these polygons, after which, maximum likelihood algorithm was used for supervised classification of the images. Classification accuracy was determined using an error matrix (sometimes called a confusion matrix). This is because image classification using different classification algorithms may classify pixels or group of pixels to wrong classes. The study revealed that light forest/ farm land  constitute the largest proportion of the total land area (59.5% ) of the total land area, followed by built up area (21.3%) which has no value for ecotourism development, then dense forest (12.8%), the valuable ecotourism. Water body comprises 0.4% while bare land made up (6.0%) the remaining proportion. The study suggested that government should make and implement proper land use management policies for sustainable land utilization and tourism development.

Keywords: Suitability evaluation, Land use Land cover, Sustainable development, Ecotourism, Imo State.

INTERRUPTED TIME SERIES MODELLING OF DAILY MALAYSIAN RINGITT MYR / LIBERIAN DOLLAR LRD EXCHANGE RATES

Ette Harrison Etuk& Daniel Sokari George

¹Department of Mathematics, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

²Department of Mathematics / Statistics, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This work is about proposing an intervention model for the exchange rates of Malaysian Ringitt MYR and the Liberian Dollar LRD. The intervention point was observed to be November 8, 2019. A pre-intervention ARIMA model of order (0, 1, 7),  was fitted and forecasts were obtained for the post-intervention data on the basis of it. The difference between the forecast and the original post-intervention data was modeled for the transfer function. The resultant model was observed to adequately represent the data.

Keywords: MYR, LRD, Arima modeling, Intervention modelling