Cross River University of Technology

About: Cross River University of Technology is a education organization based out in Calabar, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Exergy. The organization has 465 authors who have published 507 publications receiving 2705 citations.

Emerging Nigerian Megacities and Sustainable Development: Case Study of Lagos and Abuja

Abstract: It is estimated that by 2020 half of Nigerians shall live in urban centres. Nigeria has scores of such centres, with many showing the tendency of becoming megacities in a no distant future. One of these cities, Lagos (already a megacity), shall by projection, have a population of 24 million persons by 2020. The other, Abuja, is one of the fastest growing cities on earth. Generally, the world is now known to parade far larger cities than history has ever recorded. Some of these cities are quite magnificent and glorious - London, Paris, Tokyo and New York. On the other hand, Lagos and Mumbai are classic examples of urban failures. What separate the two classes of cities are the approaches to the design of their urban fabrics and management of their ecology. Whereas the former cities have adopted robust sustainability principles in their architecture and urban design/regeneration as well as efficient urban management programmes, the latter appear to be partially or totally non-committal. This paper examines the evolving Nigerian mega cities and their potentials for sustainable survival, with particular reference to Lagos and Abuja, using indices of economic productivity, social equity and environmental concerns. The result shows that the two cities failed these sustainability tests. The cause is traceable to unsustainable architecture being practiced. About half of the total global energy consumption comes from buildings. Eco-design prescriptions of the architect would guarantee urban sustainability. Thus, this paper recommends a national green building code for Nigeria.

Properties of chitin reinforces composites: a review

Abstract: This paper provides a review of chitin, sources, extraction, uses, applications, chitin whiskers and it preparations and the mechanical and thermal properties of chitin reinforced composites. Also reported here is the properties of CaCO 3 /chitin whiskers reinforced composites. Chitin can be extracted from shrimps, crabs cell walls, yeast and green algae or from Riftia tubes with a percentage varying between 20 to 40% depending on the source. Despite the denaturing of chitin, the most widely used method of extractiong chitin from seashells is the chemical method. Chitin whiskers known by different name in literature can only be prepared by using hydrochloric acid. The rod-like particles of chitin whiskers have an average lengths and widths of 200 ± 20 nm and 8 ± 1 nm respectively or more depending on the source of chitin. Chitin whiskers reinforced composites have greatly improved the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites especially at lower filler loading. The improved properties are attributed to effective stress transfer. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v36i1.9

Work-related conflict and nurses’ role performance in a tertiary hospital in South-south Nigeria

Abstract: Background: Work-related conflict (WRC) may be inevitable but can interfere with nurses’ roles performance if not well managed. Nurses are unique in the directions from where conflicts emerge: administrators, nursing colleagues, physicians, Para-medical staff, patients and their families. Un-resolved conflicts may be linked to poor communication resulting from refusal to cooperate, poor team collaboration and problem-solving, decreased clients’ satisfaction, distrust, split camps, gossips and disruption of work-flow. This study investigated sources of WRC and their influence on nurses’ independent and inter-dependent roles in a Tertiary Hospital in South-south Nigeria. Methods: A 50-items WRC questionnaire built on a four-point Likert-type scale was used to collect data from a random sample of 242 nurses of all ranks, representing 40% of the target population of 585. The instrument had internal consistency of r = .81 and test-retest reliability of r = .83. Data were analyzed using independent t -test determined at significance level of .05. Results: Results showed that female respondents were 237 (98%) while 5 (2%) were males. The major sources of WRC included: conflicts as a result of overwork and poor rewarding system each with frequency of 222 (92%); patients-related conflict and leadership conflicts each with frequency of 218 (90%); misunderstanding involving nursing colleagues with a frequency of 194 (81%); poor work environment 192 (80%); conflicts with other health professionals with 189 (78\%) frequency and discrimination issues with 180 (61%) frequency. Furthermore, there was no significant influence of WRC on nurses’ independent and inter-dependent roles. (Cal. t = -4.6; P = .00; Observed mean = 37.7 < Expected mean = 40.0 and Cal. t = -9.3; P = .00; Observed mean = 17.5 < Expected mean = 20.0). Conclusions: Many sources of WRC were observed among the nurses but they were found to have no influence on their roles’ performance probably due to the ethical and legal implications of nursing duties. Recommendations included effective and timely communication at all times among nurses, hospital administrators and other stake-holders.

An Assessment of Housing Delivery in Nigeria: Federal Mortgage Bank Scenario

Abstract: In recent times the federal mortgage bank spite of it role in housing delivery has recorded little or no success which is the major concern of this paper to critically assess the extent to which the federal mortgage bank has recorded success in housing delivery in Nigeria. Information on the extent of housing delivery was obtained from federal ministry of statistic and federal mortgage banks. However, findings indicate that in 2002 to 2005, the mortgage finance bank was able to mobilized N19.175 billion compared to 1992 to 2002 with a value of N11.451 billion showing a growth rate of 82%. It was discovered that the bank granted loan value of N4.531 billion to 4,151 national housing fund to contributors to either build or renovate their houses. Nevertheless, the mortgage finance bank has recorded little or no success but has appreciably improved in terms of fund mobilization which has aided increase in housing delivery in Nigeria. Key words: Housing delivery; Mortgage bank; Finance; Nigeria; Government