The study examined the effects of socioeconomic status of parents on the academic performance of students in government secondary schools in Taraba State. Survey research design was used for the study. Three objectives guided the study, which were translated into three research questions and then three hypotheses respectively. The population of the study was 246,785 students. A stratified random sampling technique using Taro Yamane formula was used to obtain a sample of 400 students. The study collected data using structured questionnaire tagged: Effects of Socioeconomic status of parents on students’ achievement questionnaire (ESESPOSA Q). The instrument was subjected to face and content validity by four experts. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while Chi – Square was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed that father and mother’s educational level influence the academic performance of students and family income has influence on the academic performance of students. The study recommended that government should embark on economic empowerment programmes to enhance parents’ income, government should establish skills acquisition centres so that parents may have adequate skills that will enable them to be self-reliant and poor students should be given scholarship.

Refinery wastewater was treated with activated carbon from rice husk (ARH) and corn cob (ACC) using batch method. Agrowastes were carbonized at 600oC and chemically activated, using phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and used as adsorbents. Titrimetric and spectrophotometeric methods were adopted for the determination of phenol, and some anions (Phosphate, Nitrate – Nitrogen, Sulphate and pH) of refinery wastewater. Readings after treatment with the adsorbents were also recorded and the efficiencies of the adsorbents compared, to ascertain the dose at which purification was best achieved. Initial phenol concentration of 315.9 mg/l was reduced to 159.0±48.0 - 276.5±46.0 mg/l (ARH), 154.7±50,0 - 260.2±53.0 mg/l (ACC) and 132.5±21.0 - 201.9±1.0 mg/l (ARH + ACC). The efficiencies of the activated carbon were of the order: Rice husk + corn cob > rice husk > corn cob, while the corresponding dose efficiencies was: 15g >10g > 5g. The highest adsorption efficiency observed for anions were COD (49.15% by corn cob), BOD, (49.4% by corn cob), phosphate, (68.18% by Rice husk + corn cob), nitrate (70.68% by rice husk) and sulphate (56.68% by corn cob). Efficiency removal was in this order: Rice husk + corn cob > corn cob > rice husk and 15g >10g > 5g for the dosage. There was significant difference (p≤0.05) between the untreated and the treated refinery wastewater samples and a significant difference also exists between the adsorbents. Findings herein showed that activated rice husks and corn cobs are effective in adsorbing phenol and selected anions in refinery wastewater.      

Small and micro enterprises (SMEs) have strong influence on the economies of many countries. In Kenya, SMEs play a key role in economic development including job creation. In 2014, eighty percent (80%) of jobs created were dominated by these enterprises. SMEs are the core business units in Kenya, however many of them do not progress to maturity implying poor performance. Performance of any organization is dependent on the competence of its leaders or managers. Studies that have sought to investigate the link between managerial capacities and performance have largely focused on their knowledge and technical skills and the impact of emotional intelligence on the performance of managers with regard to SME’s in Kenya has remained unknown. This study thus sought to investigate effects of emotional intelligence of managers on performance of SMEs in Nakuru East Sub-County, Kenya. This study was anchored on the Mixed Model Approach of Emotional Intelligence which is pegged on five dimensions: Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Self-Motivation, Social Awareness and Social Skills. The researcher used descriptive design to carry out the study. This study targeted SME’s conducting their businesses in Nakuru, East Sub-County, Kenya. The target population was 800 small and micro-sized enterprises’ in Nakuru East Sub-County, Systematic random sampling technique was used to obtain a representative sample of 131 managers of SME’s. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain primary data from the respondents. A pilot study of twelve SMEs in Free Area, in Nakuru East Sub-County, was carried out to determinereliability of the instrument and Cronbach Alpha was computed. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to aid in the data analysis process. Frequencies and percentages were used to describe characteristics of the sample while the chi-square test of association and goodness of fit were used to establish associations and differences respectively. A multiple linear regression analysis between the five dimensions of entrepreneurs’ emotional intelligence and SME performance was carried out. The computed Cronbach‟s alpha coefficient was found to be 0.799 for self-awareness, 0.776 for self-regulation, 0.813 for self-motivation, 0.756 for social awareness, 0.844 for social skills, 0.787 for SMEs performance and 0.814 for the overall questionnaire. The results show that managers of SMEs have high levels of emotional intelligence and that emotional intelligence has a significant impact on SME performance. The findings of the revealed that 15.8% of variation in SMEs performance was explained by Self-Awareness score showing that there is a significant effect of self-awareness on SMEs performance. The study also found that 17.5% of variation in SMEs performance was explained by Self-Regulation score and thus there is a significant effect of Self-Regulation on SMEs performance. About 11.9% of variation in SMEs performance was explained by Self-Motivation score suggesting that there is a significant effect of Self-Motivation on SMEs performance. Further, 12.8% of the variation in SMEs performance was explained by Social Awareness and thus there is a significant effect of Social Awareness on SMEs performance. Finally, the study found that 20% variation in SMEs performance was explained by Social Skills score. Thus there is significant effect of Social Skills on SMEs performance. The main conclusions of the study are that self-awareness, self-regulation, self-motivation, social awareness and social skills have a significant impact on the performance of SME.  The study recommends that efforts be made to increase managers’ levels of emotional intelligence, in particular with a focus on social skills. This can be through sensitization campaigns and encouragement to join groups/association.

This research work compared Students’ performance in Mathematicsin Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) to that of their Mathematicscourses though in first semester ND I from Federal Polytechnics in North Eastern state of Nigeria. Samples of Students’ SSCE grade together with their corresponding ND I grade point (GP) were drawn from the files and record of the selected Student using simple random sampling.The information were collected from four (4) Federal Polytechnics, and the average of their GPs was taken and the SSCE grades were converted to GP equivalent to that of ND.Pearson correlation coefficient was employed to the data, and the result shows a very weak relationship of r = 0.0375 between their two grade points. This indicates that some students’ resultsdoesnot correlate with their performance in ND Mathematics courses.The study also revealed that, there is significant differences in their performance based on z-test for two sample means. Outcome of the analysis may serve as yard stick to stakeholders to investigate further on how student write their SSCE or ND examinations in our various Institutions.Appropriate recommendation was made based on the result of the research work.

Leadership has the ability to bring a vision into reality by making swift decisions and inspiring others. Leadership is guiding people and the company in the right direction through empowerment and inspiration, objectively enabling people to achieve organizational goals, whereas management is a set of processes that help the company to be reliable and efficient. This study sought to investigate the influence of leadership on strategic change in Nakuru county government. Specifically the study sought to determine establish the influence of leaderships’ communication and leaderships’ strategic direction on strategic change in Nakuru county government. The study was anchored on systems theory and strategic leadership theory. A descriptive research design was used for this study. The study targeted employees from several cadres in the county totalling to 1266. To come up with a sample of 304 respondents the study made use of proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire as the main data collection instrument. The study generated both qualitative and quantitative data. Quantitative data was coded and entered into Statistical Packages for Social Scientists (SPSS) and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data was analyzed based on the content of the responses. Karl Pearson’s coefficient of correlation and multiple regressions was used to establish the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variables.  The study concluded that communication and strategic directionhad positive and statistically significant influence on the strategic change individually. The study recommended that the leadership had an influence on the strategic organizational change of the county government at Nakuru with communication, strategic direction, organizational culture and dynamics management had positive and significant influence on the strategic change individually. The study thus recommended that the county government of Nakuru should put emphasis on the leadership aspects at the country to influence the strategic change.

A new method indicating RP-HPLC has been developed and validated for both Drug Metformin Hydrochloride and Canagliflozin in bulk and dosage forms. The method involves separation Agilent C18 (250x4.6mm) 5µ particle size. The optimized mobile phase consists of Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate Buffer (pH 3.2 ± 0.1) and Acetonitrile (40:60 v/v) with a flow rate of 1ml/min and UV detection at 240 nm. Retention time was 2.209 min (Metformin Hydrochloride), 4.799 min (Canagliflozin). Linearity range was 100-500 ug/ml (Metformin Hydrochloride), 10-50ug/ml (Canagliflozin). Accuracy Precision was in the range for Metformin Hydrochloride and Canagliflozin. LOD and LOQ are 0.15ug/ml and 0.46 ug/ml for Metformin Hydrochloride, 0.19ug/ml and 0.58ug/ml for Canagliflozin. The method developed is more sensitive, accurate and precise than the methods reported earlier. Retention time and run time were also less and hence the method is economical.

Dated back since the history of civilization, Construction Engineers has solely depended on geological aggregate materials as one of the unavoidably important materials in construction technology. At the study area, there are many aggregate quarrying industries with different geological materials, being patronized by government, construction companies and individuals at this time of infrastructure development. Therefore, the need to know the durability strength of these various rock materials, since their lithology varies. This is important because, the suitability of aggregates for construction actually relies on its testing against national and international standards. Some of these rocks assessed belong to and are found in Asu River Group sediment and Amasiri Sandstone. The rock materials evaluated were from Pyroclastic rocks (Ezza-Agu Hill), Baked-Shale (Umuohara), Limestone (Ngbo), Limestone (Amasiri) and Granodiorite (Ishiagu). The Ngbo Limestone, Amasiri Limestone, Umuohara Baked-Shale, Ezza-Agu Pyroclastic rock and Ishiagu Granodiorite aggregates gave the following values: Aggregate crushing value (ACV) of  8%, 8.7%, 10%, 12%, and 14.2%. Flakiness Index (FI) values of 12.5%, 13.5%, 15%, 21%, and 19.6%. Aggregate Specific Gravity value of 2.6, 2.61, 2.63, 2.64 and 2.81. Water Absorption Value of 1.54%, 1.56%, 1.57%, 2.25% and 0.32%and Aggregate Abrasion Value (AAV) of 24%, 24.4%, 25%, 23% and 15% respectively. This result indicates that granodiorite aggregate gave the best value and should be used more preferably than the others especially in road construction. In addition, Pyroclastic rock aggregates is good while others are fairly within the required range and can be used for building construction and not road.

the study was undertaken to investigate thebiosorption of the selected heavy metals by different nitrifying bacteria isolates.  Microbial growth was observed in terms of CFU and O.D. The samples was withdrawn at day’s interval, transferred to 10 ml vials and capped for AAS analysis.  Copper at concentration of 100ppm was bioaccumulated 90.1%, 90.04%, 86.9%, 89.62% after a period of 28 days by AOB 4, AOB 10; AOB 5; AOB 7 respectively. Nickel at concentration of 100ppm was bioaccumulated 96.51%, 94.67%, 97.74 %, 92.1% after a period of 28 days by AOB 4, AOB 10; AOB 5; AOB 7 respectively.  Lead at concentration of 100ppm was bioaccumulated 92%, 90.25%, 95.5 %, 95.05% after a period of 28 days by AOB 4, AOB 10; NOB 5; NOB 7 respectively.Cadmium at concentration of 100ppm was bioaccumulated 84.82 %, 89.21%, 86.95%, 86.07% after a period of 28 days by AOB 4, AOB 10; NOB 5; NOB 7 respectively. Achromobacterinsolitus (AOB 10) has the highest biosorption capacity of copper, bioaccumulated 90.04 % of copper after the period of 28 days. Alcaligenesfaecalis (NOB 5) has the highest biosorption capacity of nickel, bioaccumulated 97.74 % of nickel after the period of 28 days.  Alcaligenesfaecalis (NOB 5) has the highest biosorption capacity of lead, bioaccumulated 95.5 % of nickel after the period of 28 days. Achromobacterinsolitus (AOB 10) has the highest biosorption capacity of cadmium, bioaccumulated 89.21% of cadmium after the period of 28 days. The highest biosorption was carry out by Alcaligenesfaecalis (NOB 5) bioaccumulated 97.74 % of nickel and the lowest amongst biosorption was carry out by Achromobacterxylosoxidans (AOB 4) bioaccumulated 84.82 % of cadmium. Remediation of pollutant using microbial process (bioremediation) has proven effective and reliable due to its eco-friendly features.