Rivers State University of Science and Technology

About: Rivers State University of Science and Technology is a education organization based out in Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Threatened species. The organization has 1826 authors who have published 1833 publications receiving 15183 citations.

Influence of pruning frequency of Albizia lebbeck, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala on nodulation and potential nitrogen fixation

Abstract: The influence of four pruning frequencies on biomass, nodulation and N2 fixation was investigated on Albizia lebbeck, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala grown in the screenhouse for 16 months, using acetylene reduction and 15N dilution methods. Frequent prunings at 4-month intervals had no deleterious effect on symbiotic N2 fixation, which increased in Gliricidia and Leucaena in particular. Nodulation and nitrogenase activity varied inconsistently within species, and were not influenced by pruning frequency. Cumulative assessment of pruning effect showed higher biomass, N yield and N2-fixing capacity of the woody species than at last harvest, and appeared to have more practical relevance. Across species, cumulative total dry matter, N yields, and both percentage and absolute amount of N2 derived from atmosphere increased with pruning frequency, except when trees were pruned 3 times. Of the three species, G. sepium had the lowest biomass production, N2 fixation and N accumulation.

Product Brand and Customer Loyalty: A Survey of the Nigeria Banking Industry

Abstract: The banking industry have experience tremendous changes ranging from structural changes to technological advances which have turned the industry into self service industry where customer’s problems can be solved at any moment despite their location. Since the banking industry is intensely competitive, complex and dynamics due to the fact that all the banks offers same products and services that can easily be copied, as such the only way to differentiate oneself in this complex and dynamic banking environment is to offer same product and service brand with high quality at a cheaper price. However, the study examines how product brands influences customer loyalty in the banking industry in Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive survey to study twenty two (22) commercial banks in Nigeria. Quarterly data ranging from 2009 through 2014 was collected from the CBN statistical bulletin and the analysis was conducted using mean, median, graphs and pie chart. The results obtained showed that product/service brand with high quality plays a critical role in influencing customers’ satisfaction and customers’ involvement which leads to customer loyalty.

Combating Money Laundering in Nigeria: An Appraisal of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2004

Abstract: One of the most pervasive economic crimes in Nigeria today is Money Laundering. Although relatively unknown in the country until the late 1980s, it is now a veritable companion of the corruption virus which has permeated every segment of the Nigerian society. By its very nature, money laundering is an offence that necessarily involves several persons and entities in its conception, planning, and execution.1 It has the capacity to distort and corrupt the economic system and inhibit the economic development efforts of states.2 It is in recognition of its adverse consequences on the national and international economy that a number of measures have been taken to combat the menace. At the international level, the OECD countries took the lead in engineering the establishment of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which has been in the forefront of the measures against money laundering. The organization has not only succeeded in precipitating the taking of proactive measures to deal with this menace but also consistently made concrete suggestions on how national legislations dealing with this crime should be constructed. Indeed, it is in response to the prompting of such international institutions and agencies that several states have enacted laws specifically designed to deal with this offence. Nigeria first took positive action along this line in 1995 when she enacted the Money Laundering Act.3 However, it was soon realized that the decree had a number of loopholes and inadequacies which militated against its effectiveness. In the context of Nigeria, this is not surprising, because the usual pattern of legislation in the country hardly takes cognizance of all the circumstances before a law is passed. This problem was more apparent during the military regimes where decrees were rolled out after meetings of the military-dominated ruling councils without legislative debate.4 It was in recognition of these facts and the specific deficiencies identified that led to the enactment of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2004 by the present government. Although the Act makes a number of far-reaching provisions relating to money laundering in the country, it also raises a number of issues that require re-examination in the light of prevailing circumstances. It is intended in this paper to examine the provisions of this law to see how it has assisted in the fight against the menace in Nigeria. The inadequacies of the law will also be discussed and suggestions made in the concluding part of the paper on how to make the legislation more responsive to the quest for effective regulation of this crime.

COVID-19: The Effect of Lockdown on Children’s Remote Learning Experience – Parents’ Perspective

Abstract: Aims: This online survey was done to explore parents’ perspectives on education of their children affected by the stay-at-home measures still ongoing in the country. Study Design: Cross-sectional study design. Place and Duration of Study: Sample: All six Geopolitical Zones in Nigeria, from May 9 to June 8, 2020 among parents residing in Nigeria. Methodology: A non-probability sampling technique was used in the recruitment of participants. The study questionnaire on a Google Doc Form was administered through WhatsApp instant messaging. Chi-square was used to test for differences, and statistical significance was set at pvalue less than 0.05. Results: The 260 respondents who participated in the survey, had a median age of 38 years (IQR=9); including 40.4% (105) males, and 64.2% (167) with tertiary education, 77.7% (202) possess a computer device, 93.2% (234) have internet services and 55.0% (143) spend between N5,000 – N9,999 (13.1 – 26.2 USD) per month for internet services. Only 35.4% (92) had their children participate in the ongoing radio/TV learning sessions, 46.1% (120) educate their children Original Research Article Briggs; JESBS, 33(9): 42-52, 2020; Article no.JESBS.61751 43 with their computer devices at home, however, 40.0% (104) preferred an online based method of homeschooling. Overall, 70.0% (182) were dissatisfied with the level of homeschooling their children received. Respondents with higher education and income level were significantly more likely to possess a computer device, have internet access at home and prefer online classes when compared to low-income earning parents with secondary education and below. Conclusion: There is a considerable lack of ongoing learning activities among children in Nigerian homes during the COVID-19 lockdown. Strategic context-specific blended learning approaches (including the provision of infrastructure for remote teaching and learning) are needed to mitigate the negative effect of school closures on the education of children.

Anaemia in human immunodeficiency virus infection: a review.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus infection is associated with myriads of haematological abnormalities and complications, including anaemia. This review aims at presenting the epidemiologic evidence of HIV associated anaemia, and also examine its effects on patients' survival and the need for specific diagnosis and treatment. METHODS A review of relevant literature on the subject was sourced manually and by PUBMED internet search. The following keywords were used for internet search: anaemia, chronic disease, highly active antiretroviral therapy human immunodeficiency virus, haematological abnormalities, and AIDS. RESULTS Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with numerous abnormalities of red blood cells production and lifespan. One of these consequences is anaemia. The prevalence of these estimates varies widely from one population to another; however, anaemia was consistently shown to be a predictor for increased disease progression and decreased survival of patient infected by HIV. CONCLUSION Regular evaluation of patients infected by HIV is necessary, to determine the specific causes of anaemia in order to ensure the institution of appropriate intervention.