Afe Babalola University Based Journals
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Ethical Problems, Ethical Interrogations and Ethical Responses
Get PDFBy showing how philosophers probe into and respond to ethical issues, this paper discusses the nature of ethical problems. It examines the contentions between traditional and non-traditional ethical perspectives by evaluating the ideas of certain philosophers that cast aspersion on traditional views of ethics. It equally responded to these thinkers’ opinions. Engaging conceptual and historical analyses, the paper delves into certain critical issues involved in ethics and ethical interrogations, relative to the issues raised by these thinkers. Thus, while not denying that these thinkers’ ideas have some merit, the paper holds that their arguments focused on subverting traditional ethics and ethical terms threatening normative ethics as well as human everyday moral (virtuous) existence. It avers that the collapse of normative ethical thinking and acts can engineer societal moral conflicts
The Impact of Corporate Governance Mechanisms on Organisational Efficiency of listed financial firm in Nigeria
Get PDFThis paper examined the effects of corporate governance on the financial institutions’ efficiency in Nigeria. Using a quantitative ex-post facto research design, the study examines the influence of board attributes (size, independence, gender diversity) and audit committee characteristics (size, independence, financial experience) on organisational efficiency as measured through asset turnover. The results show negative efficiency attributable to board size and positive efficiency for board independence and audit committee size using pooled regression analysis from 2012 to 2023. Surprisingly, financial knowledge in audit committees correlates negatively, suggesting a dangerous degree of over[1]specialisation. The effect of firm size on efficiency is consistently strong and positive. These findings emphasise the undeniable impact of governance on organised effectiveness and provide policy recommendations to support governance best practices in growing economies such as Nigeria. This study makes important contributions to the academic literature and corporate governance policy debate
Democracy and Development in Africa: Demystifying Democracy as the Best Form of Government
Get PDFThe resurgence of coups d’etat in Africa has resuscitated discussions about the suitability of democracy as an agent of development on the Continent. The dominant impression in extant literature suggests that the inefficiencies of democratic regimes provide the attractive invitation to military rule. Despite the encomiums showered on democracy as the global best form government, many years of its practice in Africa have resulted in massive underdevelopment. It has not delivered on its promise of free and fair elections, freedom of the press, association and others. Under the watch of democracy, many African countries have transited from one-party to dominant-party states while rigging and related electoral vices continue to fester. Police brutality and human rights abuses are rampant while insecurity and inequality have reproduced themselves in many forms. This paper contends that democracy is culpable in the business of stifling development in Africa hence, the complexity and continuity of Africa’s crisis of underdevelopment questions the validity of Western imposition of Democracy as the best form of government. It adopts an amalgam of the Liberal Democratic and Centre-Periphery Models to situate the failure of democracy in Africa within the context of metropolitan interference in African politics, with attendant African petit bourgeois attachment to foreign finance capital. Consequently, it denounces democracy as the best form of government and insists that Africa’s best form of government is that which arises out of her sociological experience and censorship to address critical aspects of her political economy
Climate Change and Violent Conflict in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin
Get PDFThe purpose of this article is to analyse how climate change is a major threat to security in the Sahel and Lake Chad basin. The region is already experiencing the effects of climate change, such as more frequent droughts, floods, and desertification and to expatiate how these effects are leading to food insecurity, water scarcity, and displacement, which are in turn creating conditions that can lead to violent conflict, using the descriptive cum exploratory research design. The paper relied on qualitative data collected from secondary sources. Findings in the paper revealed that, the link between climate change and violent conflict is complex and there are many other factors that contribute to conflict in the region. However, climate change is a major threat that can exacerbate existing tensions and make it more difficult to resolve conflicts peacefully. The paper recommended measures to address the threat of climate change and violent conflict in the Sahel and Lake Chad basin, it is important to take a comprehensive approach that addresses both the root causes of conflict and the effects of climate change: investing in sustainable development and climate adaptation programme, promoting peacebuilding and conflict resolution, providing humanitarian assistance to those affected by climate change and building the resilience of communities to the effects of climate change, by taking a comprehensive approach, which is possible to mitigate the threat of climate change and violent conflict in the Sahel and Lake Chad basin to build a more peaceful and sustainable future for the region
Nigerian Expatriates' Integration in Host Countries and its Implication for Nigeria's Foreign Policy Agenda
Get PDFThis paper seeks to analyse the challenges faced by Nigerian expatriates in the quest to get integrated in their host countries and the implications it has on Nigeria’s foreign policy agenda. The problem arises due to the increasing mobility of Nigerian expatriates abroad, challenges faced by them and potential impacts such an increasing mobility bears for the international standing and strategic interests of Nigeria. The broad objective is to examine the effects that integration of Nigerian expatriates has on the implementation of foreign policy objectives of Nigeria. The study uses primary data gathered from random sampling through Google form sent to a famous Nigerian in Diaspora (NIDO)’s WhatsApp group. Also, secondary data from the literature, including academic journals, books, newspapers, and historical accounts, were used. The major findings of study are: that the Nigerian expatriates’ integration is hampered by a range of issues like xenophobia and legal restrictions on access to critical socio-economic activities needed for effective engagement in diplomacy. The study offers, among other recommendations, increased institutional support for diaspora engagement to break legal and socio-economic barriers, partnership with the host governments and organizations that can aid maximum integration in the host countries. These can be achieved through cultural exchange and educational programs put in place under citizens diplomacy to ensure that there is maximum utilization of Nigerian experts for the development of foreign policy agenda of the country
Mechanical Characterization and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Recycled Low Density Polyethylene Filled Unsaturated Polyester Composite
Get PDFUnsaturated polyester resin (UPR) is widely used as matrix in composite development; however, it has poor toughness property. To solve this problem, many researchers have used different tougheners to modify the resin, but the use of recycled low-density polyethylene (RLDPE) has not been explored. This work is aimed at modifying unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) with recycled low-density polyethylene (RLDPE) as a toughener and establishing the effects on the mechanical and dynamic mechanical performance of the RLDPE-filled polyester composite. Unsaturated polyester resin was modified with 1.18 mm RLDPE at different proportions of 1-4 wt%. Casting method was used for the production and the mechanical and dynamic mechanical analyses of the produced composite materials were carried out using ASTM standards. UPR modified with 1.5 wt% RLDPE exhibited the best impact than the un-modified UPR. The control (un-modified) sample had the highest flexural and tensile strength of 18 MPa and 14.02 MPa respectively which was about 26% and 25% higher than UPR modified with 1 wt% RLDPE. The Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) result showed that the composite does not depend strongly on the modifier loading as no regular pattern was observed for storage modulus, loss modulus and damping factor respectively
Modelling and Simulation of Co-Gasification of Chlorella Vulgaris and High-density Polyethylene Using Aspen Plus
No full textA technical innovation that holds promise for producing renewable fuel and decreasing waste disposal is the production of syngas from the co-gasification of waste materials and biomass. In this present study, a new simulation model for co-gasifying high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and microalgae using Aspen plus V10 was built. Several operating parameters, including operating temperature, air equivalence ratio (ER), biomass blending ratio, steam-to-biomass ratio (S/B), and air/steam ratio, were investigated for their influence on the yield and composition of H2, CO, CO2, and CH4. Results indicated that these operating parameters had significant impacts on the gaseous products. High gasifier temperatures (1000°C) for the co-gasification process favored the formation of H2 and CO and increased their yields. Also, the yield of H2 significantly decreased when the value of the equivalence ratio was increased. According to simulation results, increasing the steam-to-biomass ratio favored the synthesis of H2 and CO up to a point. In addition, waste plastic (HDPE) in the feedstock should be kept at a minimum to favor the production of hydrogen-rich gas. The findings show that the model results agree with previous experimental studies. This research study has proven the air-steam co-gasification of microalgae and HDPE as a suitable process for the production of syngas rich in hydrogen
Comparative Study of the Viscosities and Thermal Conductivities of Groundnut and Coconut Oils Dispersed with Graphene Particles Reinforced with Oleic Acid
No full textThis study addresses some challenges accrued using mineral oil as cutting fluid and suggest alternatives to suitable, eco-friendly, non-toxic and biodegradable solution using vegetable oil. Oils extracted from vegetables are environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and non-toxic compared with mineral oils. To investigate their optimal use for industrial applications, this study tested base oil's thermal-physical properties (kinematic viscosity and thermal conductivity). Temperatures of 400C and 1000C were considered for kinematic viscosity, and it was improved with the infusion of graphene nanoparticles and oleic acid. The thermal conductivities of the base oils at temperatures of 500C, 600C, and 700C were tested against the addition of graphene nanoparticles at the same temperatures with compositions of 0.001%, 0.003%, and 0.005%. Thermal conductivity of the groundnut oil at 50, 60 and 700C were 0.495, 0.320 and 0.225 Wm-1K-1. The average of the compositions at 50, 60 and 700C were 0.527, 0.33 and 0.25 Wm-1K-1. Compare to coconut oil at 50, 60 and 700C were 0.534, 0.318 and 0.214 Wm-1K-1, and the average of the compositions at 50, 60 and 700C were 0.622, 0.36 and 0.24 Wm-1K-1. Kinematic viscosity increments of coconut oil performed better than groundnut oil at 0.001wt% with 400C is 7.15% and 3.68% for groundnut oil. Groundnut edged coconut oil at 0.003wt% at 400C 17.98% and 11.83%. Similarly, with 0.005wt% at 1000C coconut oil improve with 63.70% compare 59.73% of groundnut oil. Groundnut oil has a higher viscosity index than coconut oil without the addition of nano-lubricant 436.3 and 209. With the infusion of nano-lubricant the average viscosity index for groundnut oil is 535.17 compare to 406.25 of the coconut oils. It can be verified that the infusion of graphene nanoparticles in both oils can be deployed in machining applications to reduce the friction between contacting surfaces and dissipate heat from the cutting zone
Enhancing the Functionality of a Single Burner Electric Cooker through IoT Automation
No full textSingle-burner electric cookers are frequently utilized in homes and small kitchens because they offer unmatched convenience and portability. However, they often grapple with challenges such as energy inefficiency and limited temperature control, and in some instances, pose potential hazards ranging from fires to electric shocks. Addressing these issues, this research explores the integration of IoT (Internet of Things) automation as a transformative solution to enhance the overall efficiency of single-burner electric cookers. Through the integration of IoT technology, the electric cooker was automated with programmable timer functionality and precise temperature control and connected to a smart device via a wireless connection. This allows users to remotely manage and control the cooker's operations using a dedicated app. The system includes a microcontroller, temperature sensor, timer module, Wi-Fi module, and a mobile app. Users can input the desired cooking parameters on the app, which are then transmitted to the microcontroller through a Wi-Fi network. The temperature sensor continuously monitors the cooking temperature and sends feedback to the microcontroller, which makes necessary adjustments to maintain the desired temperature. The timer function ensures that the cooking process concludes at the specified time, preventing overcooking or burning of food. This system introduces features such as remote monitoring and control, improved cooking precision, enhanced safety measures, and increased energy efficienc
Optimisation of an On-grid Hybrid Energy System: A Case Study of the Main Campus of the University of Abuja, Nigeria
Get PDFThe challenge of meeting the energy demands of institutions and organisations in an economically viable and environmentally friendly manner is becoming more and more complex especially in developing countries like Nigeria. This work presents a resilient hybrid renewable energy system to supply the electric power requirement of the main campus of the University of Abuja, Nigeria, estimated as 900 kW at a consumption rate of 6300 kWh/day. HOMER software was used as the modelling tool for simulations, optimizations, and sensitivity analyses carried out to explore the feasibility of utilizing Abuja’s (MSW) in hybrid with the mini hydro power potential of River Wuye and solar PV resources to meet the load demand of the campus. The hybrid plant has the following component specifications:hydro resourcenominal flow rate is 14.5 m3/s; maximum head is 10 m and potential capacity is 885 kW;MSW plant specifications were determined to be 500 kW capacity, waste treatment of 2.3 ton/day; lower calorific value for MSW of 15.84 MJ/kg with the solar PV component having a capacity of 500 kW. Total installation cost for the hybrid plant for the 2 MW hybrid plant was determined to be ₦5.44 billion (US12,486,120) with the corresponding LCOE being ₦55.2/kWh ($0.0736/kWh). The carbon emission was estimated to be 7.33 g per day which approximates to a net zero emission, demonstrating the environmental friendliness of renewable energy sources utilised. Sensitivity analysis performed on the system using project life span, inflation rate, solar irradiance, MSW’s lower heating value (LHV), capacity shortage and the annual average volumetric flow rate of River Wuye showed that the net present cost increased with increasing plant life while the levelized cost of energy reduces with increasing life from ₦55.02/kWh for plant life of 25 years to ₦43.73/kWh for 30 years