DEVELOPMENT OF PORCELAIN BALUSTERS FROM LOCAL CERAMIC RAW MATERIALS IN SOUTH EASTERN NIGERIA

Osonwa Nobert Okechinyere1, Nwabineli Emmanuel Onochie2, Ekwueme Ekenna3, Nneka Eke Inya-Njoku4&Abe Oluwakayode Boluwaji5

1,2,4, 5,Department of Ceramic and Glass Technology

3Department of Building Technology,

Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana Afikpo Ebonyi State Nigeria.

Email: nobertosonwa @yahoo.com     

Abstract

The Nigerian economy continues to reel from the effects of excessive importation of finished goods, including ceramic products. This is in spite of the abundance of high grade ceramic raw materials across the country. Three casting slip batches were produced from Nsu clay and Otammiri river sand, both sourced from Imo state in south eastern Nigeria, as well as sodium feldspar, also sourced locally. Batch A contained 45% of nsu clay, 40% of sodium feldspar and 15% of river sand. Batch B contained 50% of clay, 45% of sodium feldspar and 5% of river sand. Batch C contained 50% of clay, 40% of sodium feldspar and 10% of river sand. The three slip batches were used to cast balusters as well as test pieces in a plaster of paris mold. The balusters and test pieces were dried and bisque fired up to 1280oC in an electric kiln. The balusters produced from batch B developed some cracks, especially at the base, after firing. The test pieces were subjected to cold compressive strength test. Sample A had a compressive strength of 140.9MPa, sample B had a compressive strength of 180Mpa, while sample C had a compressive strength of 169.7MPa. It is recommended to incorporate grog additives in slip samples produced from these raw materials to improve shrinkage behavior.


AUTOMOBILE, THE ENGINE OF URBAN EXPANSION

Arc. Boyce A. Odoko.

Department of Architecture.

National Institute of Construction Technology, Uromi, Edo State.

E-mail: odokoarch@yahoo.com

Abstract

Mans’ transportation, moving from one location to the other dates back to pre-historic periods when man was living groups and in caves. They travel at long distances in search of food, and hunting. The mode of transportation then involved consistent walking on their foot. With time, man learned to domesticate animal, at this point, man started using animals to carry himself and his personal items. The use of animals to transport themselves and belongings was made possible with the invention of the wheel. This makes it much easy and convenient for man to move around.  As the roads were improved carts, coaches, pulled by animals and wagons with its own engine, this makes traveling much faster at that time. This was followed with the invention of various machines such as the aircraft and steam engines, the locomotive. It was in the 1900’s that Henry Ford made the first motor in the United States of America, This makes traveling more faster. This easy will focus on road transportation as it relates or induces urban expansion along with the automobile, the mode of moving goods and services from one location to the other.


SOME ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF SOYBEAN (Glycine max) SEEDS AS RELATED TO PRIMARY PROCESSING

Fumen, G. A. and T. K. Kaankuka*

Department of Agricultural and Bio-environmental Engineering Technology, Samaru College of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Kaduna State.

*Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State.

Email:fumenaaron@gmail.com

Abstract: Knowledge of physical properties of agricultural materials plays important roles in the design of post-harvest handling machines and processes. This study evaluated some physical properties of soybean seeds relevant to the design and development of equipment and machines for postharvest handling, processing and storage operations. The selected physical properties were evaluated at the seed moisture content of 8.02%  1.02 moisture level (db). The results showed  mean values of geometric properties namely major diameter, intermediate diameter, minor diameter, geometric mean diameter, arithmetic mean diameter, surface area, sphericity and aspect ratio varied significantly (p>0.05). The ratio of bulk density to true density of the soybean seeds gave low porosity of 11.5% . The angle of repose was 28.5 , while the static coefficient of friction of the seeds was highest on plywood (0.44  and lowest 0.38  on the plastic surface. The result suggests that the highest static coefficient of friction on plywood surface could be attributed to the roughness of its surface, while the lowest coefficient of static friction on the plastic surface could be attributed to the smoothness of its surface.

Keywords: Soybean seeds; Moisture level; Engineering properties; Design and construction, Processing


BIOREMEDIATION OF AQUACULTURE WASTEWATER USING PHOTOSYNTHETIC BACTERIA

Ahmad Idi

Department of Biological Sciences,

Adamawa State University, Mubi                                                        

Email: ahmadidy@yahoo.com, ahmadidy2010@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Aquaculture plays a significant role in the provision of food to ever growing population. But high amount of toxic compounds like ammonium produced as a bye-product of fish metabolism are detrimental to both the cultured fish and surrounding environment.  In this view, photosynthetic bacteria were isolated and their ability to remediate aquaculture wastewater was assessed.  The aquaculture wastewater was characterized and all wastewater parameters were found to be above the standard discharge limit provided the environmental protection act. The photosynthesis activity of the isolates were determined by detecting the presence of bacteriochlorophya and carotenoid pigments at 800 and 865 nm respectively. The isolated bacteria were found to remove ammonium, nitrite and nitrate from the wastewater. One of the isolate was characterized by molecular technique using 16S rRNA analysis and Identified as Rhodobacterspheroides ADZ101. Hence this group of bacteria can provide cheap alternative means of removing toxic nitrogenous compounds from aquaculture wastewater.

Keywords: Bacteriochlorophyll, carotenoid, nitrogenous compounds, Rhodobacterspheroides ADZ101


Table of Contents

Effect of Honey on Food and Water Intake Including the Body Weight

Alagwu E.A and Alagwu N.D                                                                                                  1-8

A Survey and Identification of Some Forest Plants used against Bacterial and

Fungal Diseases in Abeokuta Metropolis, Ogun State, Nigeria

Afuape, A.O.                                                                                                                            9-54

Bioremediation of Aquaculture Wastewater using Photosynthetic Bacteria

Ahmad Idi                                                                                                                               55-66


A SURVEY AND IDENTIFICATION OF SOME FOREST PLANTS USED AGAINST BACTERIAL AND FUNGAL DISEASES IN ABEOKUTA METROPOLIS, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Afuape, A.O.

Department of Science Laboratory Technology

 Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Email: Afuape.abolaji@mapoly.edu.ng

ABSTRACT

Several plants have been used for management of bacterial and fungal diseases. An ethnobotanical survey of plants often used for treatment of common bacterial and fungal diseases in Abeokuta metropolis of Ogun State was carried out. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on the selected plants based on frequency of mention from 200 purposively selected herbal product sellers and Practitioners in Abeokuta North and South Local Government Areas of Ogun State, Nigeria. Quantitative phytochemical screening of secondary metabolites of most frequently mentioned plants including Daniellia oliveri,Terminalia avicennoides, Garcinia kola, Ocimum gratissimum and  Lawsonia inermis was carried out to determine the concentrations of tannins, saponin, steroids, flavonoids, alkaloid, phenol, terpenoid, anthocyanin and anthraquinone on the plant extracts using ethanol, CSL and water as solvent for extraction. Ninety-two plants species belonging to fifty families used for treatment of some bacterial and fungal infections were recorded out of which 65.2% were tree species and Daniellia oliveri H&D. (13.03%)had the highest percentage of occurrence. Decoction was the predominant mode of preparation and mostly administered orally. The percentage of prioritized plants were Daniellia oliveri (13.03%),Terminalia avicennoides Guill.& Perr.(8.99%), Garcinia kola Heckel (5.60%), Ocimum gratissimum Linn.(5.34%) and  Lawsonia inermis Linn.(4.17%). The most exploited plant parts was stem bark (38.6%).Ethanol extracts of O. gratissimum leaves recorded highest tannin, alkaloid, flavonoid and phenol values of 12.53 ± 0.08 mg/ml; 0.910 ± 0.010 mg/ml; 0.765 ± 0.015 mg/ml and 0.805 ± 0.005 mg/ml respectively when compared with its aqueous extract. Ethanol extract of D. oliveri stem bark recorded highest tannin, alkaloid, flavonoid and phenol contents 9.590 ± 0.010 mg/ml; 0.865 ± 0.015 mg/ml, 0.310 ± 0.010 mg/ml and 0.165 ± 0.005 mg/ml respectively. The study revealed that ethanol extract of O.gratissimum leaves had higher phytochemical constituents when compared with other plant studied.

Keywords: Phytochemical, Extracts, Decoction, Bacteria, Fungi.


INFLUENCE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP ORIENTATION ON PERFORMANCE OF SMALL ENTERPRISES IN BOSSO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, MINNA, NIGER STATE. (Case Study of Selected Poultry Businesses)

Nmadu, Nuhu Kolo & Ndace Silas

Bus. Administration and Mgt.

Entrepreneurship Education.

E-mail:silwanciko@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This research work is aimed at studying the influence of Entrepreneurship Orientation on the Performance of Small Enterprises in Bosso Local Government Area, Minna, Niger State, with particular reference to selected poultry businesses. 91% of the questionnaire respondents returned their questionnaire which was used for analysis alongside the empirical view of the study. The study addresses the conceptual view of parenting and mentorship as mediums of Entrepreneurship Orientation which consequently have the tendency of influencing performance of Small Enterprises. The extent of such Influence on Performance of Small Enterprises through profitability and Turnover shown in this research is at a less significant level, due to other factors that influences profitability and turnover like; price, market share, competitors etc. Never the less, the Influence of Entrepreneurship orientation cannot be over emphasized especially at the present stage of the Nigerian economy as a developing nation. Orientation and re-orientation must continue both at the family level, mentoring, academic environment, community etc. This must not end at the theoretical state, but must be treated in practical terms, so that full impartation can be acquired by the beneficiaries of the Entrepreneurship Orientation. By doing this, there will be increase in Small Enterprises resulting to increase employment opportunities, Economic activities, healthy competition and contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the grass route level to the entire nation.


CASUAL STAFF COMMITMENT ON PERFORMANCE OF INSURANCE COMPANY IN NIGERIA

Raji, Oladeinde Akeem1 & Adegboye, Emmanuel Olatunji2

1Department of Insurance, The Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun State.

2Department of Banking & Finance, The Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun State.

Email: Akeemraji02@yahoo.com; Adejuwonolatunji95@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Casual staffs are sometimes uncommitted to their jobs due to some factors and benefits accrued to permanent workers but not to casual staffs. However, it is very disastrous to company performance when employees are not committed to their jobs. It is in lieu of this that the researchers attempted to examine the impact of casual staff commitment on the performance of insurance company’s in Abeokuta Metropolis, as the economic hub of Ogun state.. Explanatory research design was employed as the cross sectional survey research design in generating the required primary data. A well-structured questionnaire was developed and administered among sampled casual staff of five selected insurance companies in the metropolitan city. Multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select the respondents of the study and study data was analysed with STATA software application. Prior to Ordinary Least Square (OLS) analysis, Factor Analysis (FA) was conducted. The findings indicate that loyalty, pride of belonging and high morale as staff commitment indicators have positive impact on performance of insurance, while value of congruence has negative impact on performance of insurance company. Meanwhile, findings reveal further that all the predictors except value congruence were statistically significant at 5% level of significance. The study concludes that despite the informal employment status of casual staff of insurance companies in Abeokuta metropolis, their commitments have significant implications for performance of insurance companies in the city. The study, therefore, recommends that insurance sector should exhibit high level of commitment to its casual staff in term of high morale like encouragement, motivation among others.

Keyword: Casual, Loyalty, Value Congruence, High Morale, Pride of Belongings, Performance, Commitment, Insurance Company.


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE: THE THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE OF BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE AND THE FIRM PERFORMANCE

Bagudu, Ahmad Ibrahim & Bappa, Isa Magaji

Office Technology and Management (OTM) Department

Federal Polytechnic Bali, Bali, Taraba State.

Email: zibagudu@yahoo.com, bappamagaji@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Corporate governance has been bounded by controversy due to the recent unfortunate events of unethical and irresponsible behavior by the managers as related to fraud and economic crises of international corporations. The purpose of this paper is to examine the theoretical and empirical literature on board leadership structure and the firm performance. The review willidentify the context in which corporate governance occurs as potential to international trends that focus on extensive body of knowledge on how CEO/Chair duality would influence the firm performance, and to figure out whether CEO/Chair duality has any certain impact on firm performance with reference to agency and stewardship theory, as there are mixed results produced by researchers. Finally, is of paramount important, if further theoretical studies are carried out to improve national and international standards concerning corporate governance with the aim of balancing the interests of organizations and their stakeholders.

Keywords: Corporate governance, Board leadership structure, Firm performance


PERSONHOOD IN AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION: UNDERSTANDING THE NGAS PERSON

Nenman Danjuma Wapwera

Department of Religion and Philosophy,

University of Jos, Nigeria.

Email: nwapwera@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The search for the meaning of the concept ‘personhood’ has generated a huge debate in various disciplines and religions for a long time across the globe. This article examined the concept of personhood in Ngas traditional religious thought and also how the Ngas person is made. Persons are at the centre most worlds’ religions and in Ngas traditional religion they also occupy the centre stage. Understanding the Ngas person will give one the opportunity of understanding the Ngas religion. To carry this anthropological research, the researcher was able to use the ethnographic method of data collection. Interviews were conducted mostly with practitioners of the religion and also some elders who were part of the religion before now. Participant observation was also employed. Secondary sources of data from existing literature were also used for the compilation of this work. This research work has brought into lime light the understanding of the Ngas person, his identity and also that the status of a person amongst the Ngas is not something that one is birthed with but rather a status that one acquires as he/she grows in conformity with the laid down rules and procedures of the community. Rite of passage plays an important role in this capacity. The researcher recommends that more scholarship be carried out in this field for future of the tradition.

Keywords: Personhood, Ngas, Traditional Religion


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