Benson Idahosa University

About: Benson Idahosa University is a education organization based out in Benin City, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Crop yield & Exchange rate. The organization has 176 authors who have published 218 publications receiving 1340 citations. The organization is also known as: BIU.

Toxicological profile of chlorophenols and their derivatives in the environment: the public health perspective.

Abstract: Chlorophenol compounds and their derivatives are ubiquitous contaminants in the environment. These compounds are used as intermediates in manufacturing agricultural chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biocides, and dyes. Chlorophenols gets into the environment from a variety of sources such as industrial waste, pesticides, and insecticides, or by degradation of complex chlorinated hydrocarbons. Thermal and chemical degradation of chlorophenols leads to the formation of harmful substances which constitute public health problems. These compounds may cause histopathological alterations, genotoxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity amongst other abnormalities in humans and animals. Furthermore, the recalcitrant nature of chlorophenolic compounds to degradation constitutes an environmental nuisance, and a good understanding of the fate and transport of these compounds and their derivatives is needed for a clearer view of the associated risks and mechanisms of pathogenicity to humans and animals. This review looks at chlorophenols and their derivatives, explores current research on their effects on public health, and proffers measures for mitigation.

FINANCING OPTIONS FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMEs) IN NIGERIA

Abstract: Small and Medium enterprises act as catalysts in the economic development of the developed and developing countries. Developing countries like Nigeria that require sustained economic growth in their economies must pay attention to the SME sector and harness the great potential to generate employment, improved local technology, output diversification, developed indigenous entrepreneurship and forward integration with large-scale industries that can be provided by the sector. Unfortunately, the SMEs in Nigeria have underperformed despite the fact that the SMEs in Nigeria constitute more than 90% of Nigerian businesses, their contribution to the nation’s GDP is below 10%. This very low percentage contribution of the SMEs to Nigeria’s GDP could be attributed to amongst others; unfriendly business environment, poor funding, low management skills and lack of assess to modern technology. However, this paper focuses on adequate funding which will take care of some of the problems such as provision of modern technology and low managerial skills. It examines the financing of SMEs in Nigeria and the various financing options available to the SMEs. This involved looking at debt financing by considering the role commercial, microfinance banks, co-operatives and other finance institutions play in the financing of SMEs in Nigeria. It also considered the role of equity financing through Venture capital and Business angels financing. It concluded that funding of SMEs in Nigeria is very critical if they are to perform their role of growth and development of the nation’s economy.

An exploration of health and safety management issues in nigeria’s effort to industrialize

Abstract: All organizations have a duty of care to ensure that employees and other persons who may be affected by the company’s undertakings remain safe at all times. This paper examines the background of occupational health and safety (OHS) practices in Nigeria, and highlights the importance of mitigating the OHS challenges identified from the moral, legal, financial and other dimensions. In the Nigerian context, the need to reinforce health and safety management (HSM) issues is exemplified from the unsavory recurrent reports of plane crashes in the aviation industry, high rates of motor vehicle accidents, numerous cases of death due to poisoning in the solid mineral sector, frequent accounts of disasters in the petroleum sector arising from oil spills, pipeline vandalism as well as accidents involving petroleum tankers. More effective and efficient management of these issues is a sine qua non to the industrialization efforts of an economy. Against the background of extant HS legislation in Nigeria, some reasons for the frequent violations of OHS standards and norms by the operators were identified as bribery and corruption in the system, the ‘Nigerian Factor’, inadequate funding of monitoring institutions, low level of education of employees as well as problems of persistent unemployment in the country. While recommending ways to mitigate the OHS flaws in Nigerian institutions, the relative duties and responsibilities of stakeholders in the OHS business were identified. The paper concludes by noting the importance of a virile HSM environment to the overall economic development and industrialization of the nation.

The Performance of Zea mays as Influenced by NPK fertilizer Application

Abstract: Field trials were made to estimate the effect of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer on the growth and yield of maize were conducted over a two year period. NPK fertilizer applications significantly increase plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation and yield. The optimum level of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer for successful production of maize grains was 400 (60 kg N + 27.16 kg P + 49.80 kg K) kg / ha compound fertilizer based on the fact that it had the greatest dry cob yield (12.44 t / ha), grain yield (7.95 t /ha), relative grain yield (2.26) and 100-seeds weight (11.62g).

Isolation and structure determination of a sesquiterpene lactone (vernodalinol) from Vernonia amygdalina extracts.

Abstract: Context: Vernonia amygdalina Del. (VA; Asteraceae or Compositae) is a small tree growing throughout tropical Africa. It is widely used for food and medicinal purposes by local people. It was reported that it had several qualities, including anticancer activity.Objective: A sesquiterpene lactone, vernodalinol, was isolated from VA leaves. The first reported source of vernodalinol was in 2009 from a different plant, only 1H NMR spectrum and no detailed structural analysis were carried out. No whole spectroscopic data were provided.Materials and methods: VA dried leaves were extracted with 85% ethanol followed by further separation into four fractions by liquid–liquid extraction technique using various solvents: hexane, chloroform, and n-butanol. Vernodalinol was separated from the n-butanol fraction by column chromatography. The biological activity of vernodalinol was evaluated in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) human breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7) in vitro.Results: Results indicated that vernodalinol (25 ...