Time to vote for a winner of the final year boost competition!! Voting ends on June 14 (Remember what happened the last time folks didn’t turn up to vote? OK)

It would be an understatement to say I am disappointed by the number of submissions made for the final-year boost competition, nevertheless the show competition must go on! Here are the submissions (read the abstracts below the poll):

  1. Automated pH Control for a Neutralization System – Adedipe A. Eludire F. Eyitayo J. Oke K. Oluleke C. Taiwo T.
  2. Economic Analysis of Exported Agricultural Commodities in Nigeria (1980-2015) – Akanni O.
  3. Bacteriological and Physicochemical Analysis of Raw Meat Sold at Selected Abattoirs and Retail Markets in Ile-Ife,Osun State, Nigeria – Adegbesan A.
  4. An appraisal of the Evidence Act 2011 – Osinloye F.

Submitted abstracts:

ABSTRACT 1: A pH Control for a Neutralization System
Adedipe A. Eludire F. Eyitayo J. Oke K. Oluleke C. Taiwo T.
We are a group of 6 final year Chemical Engineering students at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, with our research project in the Process Systems Engineering (PSE) section of the department, our work is focused on designing and building a fully automated, computer-controlled neutralization system in which acid, base, and buffer solutions are pumped into a Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) using peristaltic pumps, a pH probe is used to measure the pH of the resulting solution, and our designed control algorithms will automatically adjust the pump flow rates so as to maintain the pH within the reactor at a desired value (set-point). This set-point can be varied to suit operating requirements.
The various process control laws or algorithms that will be implemented on this system to achieve pH control include:
1. Internal Model Control (IMC) based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANN).
2. Non-linear Model Predictive Control (based on three different state and parameter observers or estimators which include: Extended Kalman Filter (EKF), Moving Horizon Estimator (MHE), and Parameter Adaptation).
3. Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC).
4. Inverse Artificial Neural Network based non-linear controller.
If successfully carried out, this project holds the following potential:
1. A challenging, non-linear, experimental chemical process system that will be useful in demonstrating process control strategies to coming generations of students.
2. Excellent and publishable theses for the group members, and also a subject of academic journals and papers for our project supervisor.
Challenges faced so far:
1. Unavailability of components locally for purchase or fabrication (most especially peristaltic pumps and pH probe)
2. Prohibitively high exchange rate for the importing and shipment of the above mentioned components

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ABSTRACT 2: Economic Analysis of Exported Agricultural Commodities in Nigeria (1980-2015) 
Akanni O.
Introduction
Agriculture served as the backbone of the Nigerian economy in her hay days. However, the discovery of oil led to the total neglect of agriculture which still employed a larger proportion of Nigeria’s population. With the recent drop in oil revenue and the focus on agricultural exports, there is a need to identify promising agricultural products that can enhance economic development in Nigeria; hence, this study.
Aim and objectives of the study:
The specific objectives of the study are to:

  • determine the trend of major agricultural export commodities in Nigeria; 
  • evaluate the impact of major agricultural export commodities on agriculture’s share of GDP in Nigeria; and
  • analyze the direction of causality between major agricultural export commodities and agriculture’s share of GDP in Nigeria.

Expected Contribution to Knowledge:
The study will contribute to knowledge by focusing on the impact of major agricultural commodities on economic growth. The result emanating from the work will enable policy makers in making the right choice of investment in terms of agricultural export.

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ABSTRACT 3: Bacteriological and Physicochemical Analysis of Raw Meat Sold at Selected Abattoirs and Retail Markets in Ile-Ife,Osun State, Nigeria
Adegbesan A.
Introduction/Background to Study:
Food borne diseases are diseases resulting from ingestion of bacteria, toxins and also cells produced by microorganisms present in food (Clarence et al., 2009). The intensity of the signs and symptoms may vary with the amount of contaminated food ingested and susceptibility of the individuals to the toxin. Meat and meat products are sometimes contaminated with germs after leaving the manufacture plant and during handling (Stagniittaet al., 2006).
Food-borne pathogens are the leading cause of illness and death in the developing countries such as Nigeria, costing billions of dollars in medical care and social costs (Fratamicoet al., 2005). Concerns have already been raised in the past about the role of meat and meat products in food poisoning. Records indicate that more than 74% of incidences of food poisoning are due to meat dishes (Hobbs et al., 2003). Contaminated raw meat is one of the main sources of food-borne illnesses (Bhandareet al., 2007).
Meat is defined by the Codex Alimentarius as all parts of an animal that are intended for, or have been judged as safe and suitable for human consumption from the nutritional point of view. Red meat can be seen as the flesh of animals which are dark red in colour when uncooked and suitable for food, it is seen as one of the most perishable foods due to its great nutritional contents.
Aim and objectives of the study:
The specific objectives of the research are to

  • enumerate, isolate and identify bacteria isolated  from meat samples;
  • determine the prevalence of bacteria present in the meat samples at different time intervals of the day;
  • evaluate the proximate and physicochemical properties as well as vitamins and minerals of the meat samples; and
  • assess organoleptic properties (color, texture, odour and appearance)of the meat samples

Sampling Design
Replicate samples of fresh red meat will be obtained from different locations and at different times of the day in Ile-Ife. Standard methods of isolating and identifying microorganisms will be adopted in the isolation of microorganisms. Organoleptic assessment of the meat samples obtained at different time intervals will also done and physicochemical analysis using the method of A.O.AC. (2002).

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ABSTRACT 4: An appraisal of the Evidence Act 2011
Osinloye F.
Background to the study
This study is centred on the 2011 evidence act which  repealed the the evidence act 1945,which has been in force for 68 years in Nigeria. The development was the climax of sustained agitations over the years for a new law of evidence that would address modern realities. The rules of evidence are procedural rules governing inter alia the admissibility of evidence and the authentic means of proving cases in court in the court, and as the justice administration rest entirely on evidence , there’s no gainsaying the importance of a sound evidence law. The old law of 1945 having been criticized over the years especially as regards the admissibility of electronic evidence.
The evidence act 2011 covered new areas which include improperly obtained evidence covered by sec 14 and 15, hearsay rule section 37 and 38, conviction as evidence in civil proceeding section 63,  the much expected innovations on the computer generated evidence section 84 and so many other new innovations.
Statement of the problem
Despite the amendment to the 1945 evidence act which birthed the evidence act 2011, there are still some loophole in the act for instance a deep consideration of most of the reported cases in Nigeria today only shows a single form of pattern which is disputes as to the admissibility of  hi-tech evidence generated from the computer or other electronic means particularly on the authentication of such documents
Aim(s) and objecttives
The 2011 evidence act covers a wide number of new areas and it would be quite impossible to appraise it all, for the purpose of thiks study i would be examining the following.

  • Introduction to the evidence act 2011 and a brief mention of the new provision.
  • The admissibility of electronic evidence and its defects
  • Admissibility of documentary evidence
  • Hearsay rule and exception to the rule

Research methodology
This essay would adopt a library research method, which is desk review of the available literature on the title. The primary source would be relevant books, statutes and cases. The secondary sources will be journals, articles, conference reports and internet sources. References would also be made to dictionaries and encyclopaedia.
Significance of the study
At the end of this study i would have been able to pinpoint the importance of the introduction of the new development and also the defects of the new addition to the evidence act 2011 through the aid of the law
Structure of the study
This research work will span five (5) chapters.

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Thank you for voting!

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