ENEMS PROJECT

Monday, 17 January 2022

AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF BANK PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

Banks serve vital intermediary role in a market oriented economy and have been seen as the key to investment and growth. Falegan (2016) and Bashir and Kadir (2017) observed that commercial banks play a crucial role in the nation’s economy, by using various financial instruments to obtain surplus funds from those that forgo current consumption for the future. They also make same funds available to the deficit spending unit (borrowers) for investment purposes. In this way, they make available the much need investible funds required for investment as well as for the development of the nation’s economy.

Performance failure among Nigerian banks has resulted in loss of public confidence in the banking sector. Performance links an organization’s goal and objectives with organization decisions. Public confidence on the banking industry in Nigeria depends greatly on the profitability of the participating banks in Nigeria. This explains why the call for the critical assessment of the performance of the banking system in Nigeria. The efficiency of the banking system has been one of the major issues, in the new monetary and financial environment of the world today. The efficiency and competitiveness of financial institutions cannot easily be measured, since their products and services are of an intangible nature.

There have been several attempts in the past to improve the performance of Nigeria’s banking sector through the periodic review of bank reforms. However, the recent policy reform tagged “Bank Consolidation and Restructuring” was aimed at resolving the critical issue of financial distress, restoring public confidence in the banking industry and putting the banks in a leadership position to compete with banks in other countries of the world (Soludo, 2004). In Nigeria, the ability of the banking industry to play its role has been periodically undermined by its vulnerability to systemic financial crises and macroeconomic instability. Some banks are still tottering, and worse still are at the verge of distress and liquidation. Even though several studies have been embarked upon in this area, still the paramount truth is that there are inconsistencies in the findings of these studies. Thus, the present study would go beyond determining the effectiveness of these reforms for ensuring the stability of bank industry to determining their impact on bank performance.

Several bank reforms have been adopted by the CBN to resolve issues of financial distress, restore public confidence in banking industry and to put the banks in a leadership position to compete with banks in other countries (Akingbola, 2006). Notably, the Nigerian banking industry has evolved through four major reforms including the laissez-faire regime(1930-1959), the control regime(1960-1985), the de-control regime(1986-2004) and the consolidation and restructuring regime(2005-present). In spite of this, the base of Nigeria’s bank industry has continued to remain too fragile to play the supportive role to the public and private sectors. The continuing rise in interest rate and the prevailing macroeconomic instability in Nigeria have raised the issue bordering on the effectiveness of the various reforms in the banking industry. It is against this background that this study seeks to carry out an empirical analysis of Bank performance in Nigeria.

Statement of the Problem

The problem which this study seeks to solve is to ascertain the reasons for banks poor performance in the post consolidation era in Nigeria. As a result of poor performance the Nigerian banking sector have witnessed several regulations, despite the regulation in place, more banks have continued to be in distress even with forceful merger and acquisition initiated over the years aimed at reducing the rate of bank distresses in Nigeria. The Soludo administration in CBN started in 2004 with a new form of reform. Soludo (2004), the then governor of the CBN described the industry as being generally characterized by small-sized and marginal players with very high overhead cost. The primary objective of his reform was to guarantee an efficient and sound financial system. These reforms were designed to enable the banking system develop the required resilience to support the economic development of the nation by efficiently performing its functions as the fulcrum of financial intermediation (Lemo, 2005). The CBN 2004/2005 raised the share capital to twenty-five billion Naira (N25Bn) from the existing two billion (2Bn) and upheld the existing 2005 compliance period under. It is against the backdrop of several reforms and consolidations that this study seeks to empirically analyse the bank performance in Nigeria.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The general objective of this study is to carry out an empirical analysis of bank performance in Nigeria. The specific objectives include to:

Ascertain whether shareholders fund have positive significant impact on Return on Asset (ROA)
Determine if shareholders fund have positive significant impact on Return on Equity (ROE)
Examine if shareholders fund have positive significant impact on Net Interest Margin (NIM)

1.4 Research Questions

Does Shareholders fund have positive significant impact on Return on Asset (ROA)?
Does Shareholders fund have positive significant impact on Return on Equity (ROE)?
Does Shareholders fund have positive significant impact on Net Interest Margin (NIM)?

1.5 Statement of Hypothesis

H₀₁: Shareholders fund does not have positive significant impact on ROA.

H₀₂: Shareholders fund does not have positive significant impact on ROE.

H₀₃: Shareholders fund does not have positive significant impact on NIM.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will of great significance to the following peoples:

Policy Makers and Regulators in the Industry: To policy makers and regulators in the industry, it will present a scheme, through its analysis that could assist them in enunciating policies that will not only positively impact on banks’ performances but also remain relevant in the economy of Nigeria.
Bankers: To bankers in general, it will expose the relationship existing between our relevant variables, which will be of great interest to them in their respective banks. Specifically, to bankers in the banks under study, it will expose to a large extent the goings-on in their organizations with respect to our relevant variables and a comparative analysis of their actions over some relevant years.
Academicians: In the academic arena, this study will prove to be significant in the following ways: v It will serve as a body of reserved work and knowledge to be referred to by researchers. It will add value and enrich other literatures on banks’ performances in Nigeria and the world at large. It will suggest ways of enhancing the performance of the banking industry in Nigeria and the entire Nigerian economy. This will in turn, boost development positively which is usually affected by banks and their activities.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The research covers all the commercial banks in Nigeria which amount to 21 Banks operating presently in the country. The scope of the study is further limited to the period of 2010-2019.

1.8 Definition of Terms

Bank: A bank is a financial institution that accepts deposits from the public and creates credit. Lending activities can be performed either directly or indirectly through capital markets.

Performance: Performance can be defined as an approach to determining the extent to which set objectives or goals of an organization are achieved in a particular period of time. Bank Performance is defined as the capacity to generate sustainable profitability (European Central Bank, 2010).

Return on Asset (ROA): Return on assets (ROA) is an indicator of how profitable a company is relative to its total assets. It shows the percentage of how profitable a company’s assets are in generating revenue.

Return on Equity (ROE): The Return on Equity is a measure of the profitability of a business in relation to the equity, also known as net assets or assets minus liabilities. ROE is a measure of how well a company uses investments to generate earnings growth.

Net Interest Margin (NIM): Net Interest Margin is a measure of the difference between the interest income generated by banks or other financial institutions and the amount of interest paid out to their lenders (for example, deposits), relative to the amount of their (interest-earning) assets.

THE EFFECT OF ONLINE MARKETING ON REAL ESTATE BUSINESS IN ABUJA MUNICIPAL AREAL COUNCIL

ABSTRACT

This study examines the effect of online marketing on real estate business in Abuja municipal areal council. The following specific objectives are pursued to achieve the aim of this study; to examine the effect of online marketing on real estate in Abuja, to determine the effectiveness of online marketing in real estate sector in the study area and to identify the problems associated with online marketing in real estate sector. The researcher adopt the use of questionnaire, observation and personal interview to gathered relevant data from the respondents while tables, simple percentage and descriptive statistics were used for data presentation and analysis. The research reveals that online marketing business have a significant effects on real estate market in Abuja and therefore it should be encourage to cover all areas of real estate market such as estate agency, development, sales, and management of real estate property.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Prior to the age of the Internet, people selected their rental homes through realtors, newspaper advertisements, by word of mouth, and by touring neighborhoods (Bensinger, 2007). Since the inception of the Internet and social media marketing, however, the real estate sector workforce has another viable tool to advertise their properties (Wagner, 2008). Identifying consumers’ preferred rental amenities and methods of selecting rental properties should enhance the success of any property management company.

The growth of the use of the Internet, and in particular the World Wide Web, over the last 10 years has been phenomenal and impacted on nearly every area of life in developed societies. One of the most important aspects of peoples’ lives is their physical living conditions and in Nigeria just like in many other countries. Traditionally Nigeria has adopted new technology rapidly, with the relatively large population of over 170 million and the high demand for housing. The use of Internet or online marketing business has followed this pattern with World Wide Web access now available to the vast majority of Nigerian homes.

The online marketing or internet is still seen as a fairly new tool by many people. With respect to the current graphic-intensive state of the media (multi-media presentations) and encrypted e-commerce (secure on-line purchasing) used on the internet, this technology is very new (Birvin, 1999). However, the backbone of the Internet has roots going all the way back to the Soviet Union’s launching of Sputnik in 1957. In response (to Sputnik), US forms the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), the following year, within the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish America’s lead in science and technology applicable to the military. Real estate listings were part of the fabric of the Internet. Originally, entire Usenet message boards were reserved for listing homes, with eager homeowners looking to cut out the real estate commission which has been in operation in advanced countries (Rosen, 1996). When the Internet started to boom, real estate practitioners got in on the game as well, adding their listings on their own sites. Real estate services also started developing Internet platforms. In 1996, LendingTree.com introduced their marketplace concept. This was the first service offered for real estate that existed only in cyberspace. Many other banks offering on-line loans already existed, but this showed the unique power of the Internet. Today, sites offer a myriad of real estate services in an online environment all over the world. While some of them have traditional brick and mortar operations, many of these new companies exist only over TCPIP (Transmission Control Protocol over Internet Protocol) (Rosen, 1996).

The role of online marketing business in real estate has grown profoundly over the past few years. In an industry that once used print media as its primary form of delivering the marketing message, there is now an urgent need to have transitioned to the internet in order to reach today’s homebuyer. An online presence is a vital component of a real estate professional’s marketing strategy. Because today’s consumers want accurate information quickly and conveniently, real estate professionals must harness the features and capabilities of online marketing to meet these ever-increasing needs. In this study, the researcher examine the effect of online marketing business on real estate in Nigeria and Abuja in particular.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Individuals currently seeking a new apartment home to rent or purchase are faced with many challenges in the process of searching, contacting the real owner or property managers, most of the times fall victims of scrupulous individuals posing as real estate agents in Abuja and its environs. To interested individuals in real estate sectors uses realtors, newspaper advertisements, word of mouth, and touring neighborhoods to scout for properties of their interest, this traditional process comes with a lot of challenges. However, It has been estimated that 80% of homebuyers in the developed countries begin their housing search online (Bensinger, 2007). However, not all property managers or property management companies use the Internet or social media websites to market their properties. Property managers and leasing professionals need to determine if the marketing techniques they use meet the needs of the renters they hope to acquire. Therefore, in an attempt to increase productivity and profitability, brokerage firms are using the internet to deliver market information to consumers about the real estate market. This study examines the effect of online marketing business on real estate in Abuja and Nigerian cities at large.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is examine the effect of online marketing business on real estate in Abuja.

The following objectives are pursued to achieve the aim of this study:

To examine the effect of online marketing on real estate in Abuja.
To determine the effectiveness of online marketing in real estate sector in the study area.
To identify the problems associated with online marketing in real estate sector.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions shall guide the researcher towards achieving the aim and objectives of the study:

What is the effect of online marketing business on real estate in Abuja?
What is the effectiveness of online marketing business in real estate sector?
What are the problems associated with online marketing in real estate sector?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study evaluates the effect of online marketing business on real estate in Abuja, it will enlightens the general stakeholders in real estate sector on the effects of online marketing on the real estate market. The following are the significance of this study:

The result from this study will educate the general public on the rudiments of online marketing and especially how it can influence the real estate business.
This research will also serve as a resource base to other scholars and researchers interested in carrying out further research in this field subsequently, if applied will go to an extent to provide new explanation to the topic.

1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study on the effect of online marketing business on real estate in Abuja will cover the level of online marketing in Nigeria especially in the real estate development sector. It will also cover the online business activities of real estate agents in Nigeria with particular interest in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint– Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint– The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

For the purpose of this creative project, the following definitions will be used:

E-Commerce: The Use Of Computers To Carry Out Transactions Such As Buying And Selling On Internet.

Emerging Market: An Emerging Market Economy Is A Nation’s Economy That Is Progressing Toward Becoming Advanced, As Shown By Some Liquidity In Local Debt And Equity Markets And The Existence Of Some Form Of Market Exchange And Regulatory Body.

Information Technology (IT): This Represents Set Of Tools, Processes, And Methodologies And Associated Equipment Employed To Collect, Process, And Present Information.

Service Delivery: This Is The Act Of Providing The Needs Of Customers Or Clients.

Spamming: This Is The Use Of Electronic Messaging Systems (Including Most Broadcast Media, Digital Delivery Systems) To Send Unsolicited Bulk Messages Indiscriminately.

Social media – uses Internet-based technologies that facilitate the creation and exchange of user-generated content. Social media refers to websites that permit people to interact with the site and with each other using simple interfaces.

Facebook: Facebook is more than just a website; it is a network unprecedented and unlike any other website in existence (McElvain & Smyth, 2006). Facebook is an online directory that connects people though social networks.

Twitter – is a social media website like Facebook, but Twitter is a much more active form of social communication in which the way the user communicates with people on the social network emerges as much more conversational. The main difference between Facebook and Twitter is Facebook limits the users’ status updates to more than 63,000 characters but Twitter limits the users characters to a mere 140 (Tagtmeier, 2010).

Property Management Company – is responsible for running day to day operations for a rental property including maintenance, rent collection, move ins, move outs, lease renewals and evictions and marketing. (Paris, 2006).

LinkedIn – is a social networking site that allows the user to learn about another contact’s interests, making it a great resource to help the user build a strong relationship (Comer, 2011).

1.8 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY AREA

Abuja was formally a town under traditional emirate of Suleja in Niger state, north central of Nigeria. The town is situated along the river Iku, a minor tributary of the river Niger at the foot of the Abuchi hills and lies at the intersection of several roads. The emirate’s savannas areas of approximately 2,980sqkm originally included four secondary Koro Cheifdoms that paid tribute to the Hausa kingdom of Zazzau. In the period 1804, Zaria, the capital of Zazzua (220km North-Northeast) was captured by warriors of the Fulani jihad (holy war). Muhamman Makau, the king of Zazzua (Sarkin Zazzua) guided a large section of the Hausa nobility to the Koro town of Zuba (10km southwards)

Abu Ja (Jatau) the brother of the king and later his successor, founded the town of Abuja in 1828 and a year later started the construction of the town wall. Abu Ja then proclaimed himself the emir of Abuja and withstood Zaria’s attacks, allowing Abuja emirate to remain an independent Hausa refuge. During the reign of Emir Abu Kwaka (1851-77), trade with the Fulani emirate of Bida (Westwards) and Zaria began. But the trade route between Lokoja (160km South-Southwest) and Zaria was disrupted by Abuja’s leaders, resulting in the British occupation of the town. During the reign of Emir Musa Angulu (1917-44) alluvial tin mining began.

A Hausa emir who retains advisory role oversees the traditional emirate, with its predominate Gbari (Gwari) and Koro population. During the administrative reorganization in 1976, Abuja town became the headquarters of a local government council. The town was renamed Suleja in the late 1970’s after development began on the urban area of federal capital territory of Nigeria (FCT). The new Federal capital adopted the name Abuja.

ECONOMY AND POPULATION OF ABUJA

Abuja although is said to be bless with natural endowment such as; its rolling hills, isolated highlands and other endearing features which makes it a delight. The savannah grassland of the north and the middle belt, the riches of the tropical rain forest of the south and equable climate all combined make the city a soil rich agricultural and tourist heaven. But despite all this, the city is not economically buoyant due to absent of industrial activities.

Projection called for a population of more than one million early in the 21^st century, the population estimate as at 2006 stand for a four million with annual growth rate of 2.8

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF ABUJA

Abuja created in 1976 by the federal military government of the late general Muritala Mohammed via decree No. 6 of the same year; it officially replaced Lagos in December 1991after fifteen years of planning and construction. The city was divided into two zones; central zones contains the national assembly, the city hall, national cultural institution, government related offices that include the administrative headquarters of all federal government ministries and parastatals, also major private sector organizations and foreign missions. The second zone provides housing, shopping facilities and other urban amenities.

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

The federal capital is located in the geographical center of Nigeria. It has a land area of 8,000square kilometers. It is bounded on the north by Kaduna state, the West by Niger state, the East and Southeast by Nasarawa state and Southwest by Kogi state. It falls within latitude 70^o20”north of the equator and longitude 60^o45”and 70^o39’.

THE PROLIFERATION OF UNREGISTERED ESTATE AGENT IN REAL ESTATE MARKET

ABSTRACT

This study, assessment of the proliferation of unregistered estate agent in real estate market is aimed at examining the activities of the increasing numbers of unregistered estate agents in Nigeria with particular interest in Abuja the Federal capital territory. To achieve this the following specific objectives were pursued: To examine the concept of real estate agency in Nigeria; To examine the activities of unregistered estate agent in Nigeria real estate market; To assess the impact of the proliferation of unregistered estate agent on the real estate market and to identify the challenges affecting real estate agency in Nigeria real estate market. The researcher adopt the use of questionnaire, observation and personal interview to gathered relevant data from the respondents while tables, simple percentage and descriptive statistics were used for data presentation and analysis. The study reveals that there have been increases in the number of unregistered estate agent in the real estate market which is majorly due to rising number of unemployment and regulated / poor supervision of the activities of real estate agency in the study area. The researcher therefore recommend that the capacity of the Estate Agents Registration Board should be enhanced to enable it better regulate the profession, unregistered and quack agents currently practicing should be tracked down and made to either go for training in the diploma or degree of Real Estate, work under a registered estate agent for a period of not less than one year or face having their offices closed and prosecution.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION
1. Background Of The Study

Real estate agents obviously perform a middleman function in that they bring buyers and sellers together. They build the bridges between people in search of landed properties and estate owners. Real estate is a special type of asset that almost everyone desire to own.

Real estate agency was introduced by the British during the colonial era, although before then, there were middlemen in land transactions. Estate agency grew from the old auctioneers who were chattlemen attracted by the exciting prospects of selling large estates. These auctioneers were mainly the lawyers who had easy access to the available properties in the market and kept the lists of estates for sale and prospective purchasers. These real estate practices became visibly lucrative during England’s Industrial Revolution of the nineteenth century. During this period, new wealth and employments were created. The desires for homeownership were largely satisfied. New lands were explored and built-upon or bought and developed. The market for property development widened considerably and the property markets grew exponentially. Then as more lands were developed, more properties enlarged the market base, and property experts were needed as people began to realise the complications that arose from marketing or buying properties.

Notwithstanding, more self-styled estate agents also emerged, and over time, the real estate business became marred by incompetence and unwholesome behaviors. Due to lack of control over the self-styled estate agents, there were many victims of obtaining and fraud. To safeguard public interests against unscrupulous practice of estate agency by unregistered estate agents and rogues in the 1970s and eagerly 1980s, the Nigeria government and the professional bodies governing estate practices have enacted the guidelines and laws guiding the practice of estate agency in Nigeria.

The law establishing the profession of estate surveying and valuation in Nigeria included the estate agency as part of the functions of estate surveyors and valuers in Nigeria. Notwithstanding, presently in Nigeria it is all comers affair and there is an association of estate agents. Entering the real estate market is easy, and requires neither qualification nor previous experience, this gives every rank and files opportunities to practice or become estate agent with the requisite educational qualification and registration with the right professional bodies.

Real estate market is not dominates with one particular profession, although there can be no doubt that some of practicing estate agents are members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, there have been increase in the number of unregistered estate agent with or without requisite educational background. One needs to comment on the cut-price estate agent. Many believing that estate agency was a way to make easy 1money and believing that existing charges were too high in which perhaps they were encouraged by the media and such bodies sought to set up business charging in a variety of ways, but at a level significantly below the charges by the established agents in the area. Some charged lower rates of commission, others set fee for a specific service.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Estate agency should be conducted by men and women with a background of professional knowledge who acknowledge and follow ethical standards prescribed by the leading professional bodies of the land (The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers NIESV) and the regulatory board the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON). The fundamental problem is that the term – Estate Agent is not statutorily defined in the context of real estate agency practice in Nigeria. The Nigeria real estate market is overwhelm with increasing number of unregistered estate agent (quacks) who are victims of circumstances and have to change their careers informally, they neither have formal training, educational qualifications, nor professional expertise in the art and science of real estate agency, and have taken advantage of an apparent lax in the system to encroach into the landed profession. Due to their numerical strength and lack of awareness on the part of the people, they are widely consulted and fall victims of several fraudulent practices and cheats which end up given the profession a bad image in the eyes of the public.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of this project is the assessment of the proliferation of unregistered estate agent in real estate market.

To achieve this aim, the following specific objectives shall be pursued:

To examine the concept of real estate agency in Nigeria.
To examine the activities of unregistered estate agent in Nigeria real estate market
To assess the impact of the proliferation of unregistered estate agent on the real estate market.
To identify the challenges affecting real estate agency in Nigeria real estate market.

1.4 Research Questions

This study arose from the need to answer the following research questions:

What is the concept of real estate agency?
What are the activities of unregistered estate agent in Nigeria real estate market
What are impacts of the proliferation of unregistered estate agent on the real estate market?
What are the challenges affecting real estate agency in Nigeria real estate market?

1.5 Significance of the Study

The need for this study arose because estate agency as a profession in this country has seen an influx of numerous unqualified persons because there exists a conflict between professionalism and commercialism in the practice. These people come in to provide agency services in the real estate market yet they have no knowledge of either real estate or the market within which it is traded. As a result, the real estate market and particularly in Nigeria, is plagued by inefficiency and a lack of transparency. Transactions involving great sums of money are carried out in secret which keeps shrouding real estate in mystery and prevents many people from getting into such investments for fear of being defrauded.

In addition, the real estate market in Nigeria has seen a sky rocketing of prices of land and buildings as a result of speculation by investors. Valuers, who have as their basic role the determination of an estimate in monetary terms of the value of property, have played a major role in directing the prices in the Nigeria real estate market resulting in very high values for property. Although some valuers operate as both valuers and estate agents, there are those who have specialized in valuation and in most times these do not work hand in hand with their professional counterparts; the estate agents who are actively involved in the exchange of property. Without the involvement of professional estate agents to provide advisory services, property in the country has become too costly and these prices have ceased to represent the value of property which in turn has distorted the market and locked out potential investors.

The study therefore seeks to serve the needs of investors who may want to venture into the real estate market in Nigeria and particularly in Abuja the Federal capital Territory. The needs of the professionals in the practice of estate agency will be addressed therefore contributing to the practice of real estate agency professionally and if the research findings are implemented, estate agents will understand better their job descriptions and cope with the changing needs of a more vibrant real estate market.

Developers/landlords and tenants will also benefit from this study since it will be brought to their attention why they should only do business with professional estate agents and therefore protecting them from fraudulent practices.

1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study

This research is undertaken to carry out an indepth assessment of the proliferation of unregistered estate agent in real estate market in Nigeria. The study limited to Abuja the federal capital territory as particularly, the study seeks to understand how estate agency in Abuja can be made more professional and make the real estate market more accessible to investors by reducing the activities of the increasing number of unregistered estate agency in the study area.

Limitation

The researcher faced various problems when carrying out this field study. Some of these challenges included:

Some respondents were unwilling to fill the questionnaires since they were suspicious about the study. Many perceived it as sharing very vital information which they were not ready to furnish the researcher with.
Delays were experienced from the respondents who took very long to complete filling the questionnaires and constant postponement of the picking date proved to be very frustrating to the researcher. This could be attributed to busy schedules and had both cost and time implications on the researcher since the set timelines had to be changed and many follow-up calls and visits had to be made which was quite expensive.
Landlords were hostile and very suspicious of the research.
At times some of the respondents did not fill in the questionnaires adequately and ignored certain sections that required the giving of opinions which made it difficult for the researcher to make adequate conclusions.

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

Sole Agent: This is where a single firm is briefed and authorized to let, purchase or sell a property.

Joint Agent: A situation may arise whereby the sale, letting or purchase of a given property or group of properties is given to a number of firms to work under one umbrella, even through a coordinator may be appointed among the participating firms, no firm is superior to the other.

Multiple Agent

SUB- ESTATE AGENTS: These are estate agents who are appointed by another estate agent to assist them in carrying out and fulfilling the instruction and mandate of the client on a particular real estate transaction.

CONTRACT/VENDOR ESTATE AGENTS: These are those types of estate agents that are registered real estate contractors/vendors with a particular company or organization in offering their estate agency services.

OWNER – ESTATE AGENTS: They are referred to as owners of residential and/or commercial properties to be let out while also acting as estate agents in marketing and finding suitable tenants to the same property. They usually don’t appoint estate agents to act on their behalf on the property to be let out or sale, but rather, they act on their own selves.

Estate: This referred to as large piece of land owned by an individual or group of persons. It is also described to mean a piece or large piece of land with different types of buildings/structures been developed on it.

Agent: An Agent is referred to as the person or business entity authorized and/or instructed to act on behalf of another person – client – in a business transaction with third parties based on an agency relationship they have created.

Estate Agent: Estate agent on the other hand is regarded to mean the person who carries out business activities in estate agency practice and whose duty is to sell, acquire, lease and manage various classes of land and landed properties on behalf of the client in consideration for monetary compensation usually referred to as commission.

1.8 Background of the Study Area

It was in 1976 that Federal Military Government led by Late General Murtala Mohammed enacted Federal Capital Territory Act (FCT) established Abuja after it has been chosen to be the administrative capital of Nigeria and with solely administrative functions. This was after the failure of Lagos due to the problems of inadequate land space for future expansion, terrible traffic congestion, poor drainage, acute housing shortage and associated costs, unbearable ethnic influence etc. The planned period for the transfer was to be completed in 1986. However, it was on 12^th December, 1991, that the final movement of Federal capital to Abuja became a reality. Abuja is located in the geographical centre of Nigeria (Figure 1.1) and lying between latitudes 6o 45’ and longitudes 7o 39’ north of the equator. The land of approximately 8,000 square kilometres was carved out from the then neighbouring states of Kwara, Niger and Plateau to serve as the FCT and the Federal Capital City (FCC) to constitutes about 250 square metres. From its designed capacity the FCC will contain 3.2 million people when the development of the city is completed, however, the Abuja population has exploded to 6 million with less than 50% of development attained. The government vested all the land in FCT in the Federal Government of Nigeria. The government also created Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), as its agency responsible for the spatial planning and development of the FCT.

IMPACT OF HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION ON STUDENTS PERFORMANCE IN TERTIARY INSTITUTION

THE IMPACT OF HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION ON STUDENTS PERFORMANCE IN TERTIARY INSTITUTION

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the study

The importance of housing covers the entire aspects of human life. Primarily, it involves physical protection from hazards, which ordinarily may be regarded as shelter, but also provide the setting from many of the basic biological and social processes necessary to sustain life, which permits the healthy growth and development of the mind. Housing as a unit of the environment of man, has a profound influence on the health, social behaviour, satisfaction and general welfare of the community. It reflects the cultural, social and economic values of a society as it is the best physical and historical evidence of civilization in a country(Aluko, 2009).

The student housing has been a major area of concern with increasing student population as a result of increasing interest of students in higher institution of learning over the years. Students are the main target for the establishment of any tertiary institution. Round the world, most of the tertiary institutions provide some kind of student hostels in the forms of residential halls, apartments, dormitories, and so on for the well-being of their students.

It is expected of every tertiary institution to house not only the academic activities, but also the students that are seeking knowledge in various fields of Endeavour; hence student’s accommodation becomes essential. Location of higher institution is farther from the family where students can live with parents, guardians, relatives and loved ones in the confine of family security coexistence.

Housing is a basic human need in all societies and fundamental right of every individual. In advanced countries, housing is more accessible to all categories of people including the poor and the needy as a result of subsidies from the government. The situation is not the same in developing countries. In Nigeria, for example, accessibility to housing by the poor is quite a difficult situation which is worsened by the harsh economic conditions and poor enabling environment. In addition, accessing housing facilities by Nigerian students is no exception, especially where such university operates a non – residential policy (Yusuff, 2010), and the students will be at the mercy of shylock or unscrupulous landlords or house agents.

Housing specifically refers to residential structures where people live and grow. It is in response to man’s natural and legitimate need for a conducive and safe environment for living. Students’ housing (otherwise known as hostel) is an essential component of institutions of learning in all cultures and climates, just as it is imperative for all living organisms, including human, to have an abode that offer protection against the vagaries of weather or environmental hazards.

In Nigeria, students’ housing was traditionally and almost exclusively on-campus when there were few higher institutions and students enrollment. However, increase in student population caused a shift in University on-campus housing policy combined with the spontaneous rise in the development of commercial off-campus students’ housing in University campuses across the country.

The important qualities of good accommodation in any academic environment are numerous. Some of them include clean and conducive environment for learning and social interactions, good mattress or bed, space, good toilet facility, availability of clean water supply, constant electricity supply, security, nearness to campus / classes among others.

From the above scenario of students’ accommodations in most of our universities and other citadels of higher learning, it is therefore presumed that in a situation where a university operates a non-residential policy for her students, the provision of these hostel facilities may be far-fetched. It is against this background that this study seek to Examine the impact of hostel accommodation on the student performance in tertiary institution.

1.2 Statement of the problem

The rise in students’ population, which has led to increased demand for hostel accommodations, has indeed met with renewed interest in sourcing and researching the best practicable approach towards the enablement, efficient and conducive housing environment. It is essential for hostel accommodations providers to provide the basic infrastructural facilities needed by the students that would enhance social interaction and academic excellence. Such facilities include, toilets, running water, electricity, space, reading room, canteen, buttery, kitchenette, a recreation area and security. Provision of these facilities in good working order is a minimum standard for healthy living and learning, and there is no guarantee that they are readily available. It is a common occurrence for these facilities to either be unavailable or in a state of disrepair, while the students are left with no alternative than to pay for the services that may not necessarily be available. This problems have necessitated this study on the impact of hostel accommodation on the student performance in tertiary institution in Nigeria.

1.3 Aim and objectives of the Study

The general aim of the study is to examine the impact of hostel accommodation on the student performance in tertiary institution in Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study include:

To examine the prevailing conditions of hostel accommodation in Nigeria tertiary institutions in Nigeria
To examine the management practices for hostel accommodation in Nigerian tertiary institutions?
To analyse the major factors affecting the management of hostel accommodation in Nigeria Tertiary Institution.
To evaluate the impact of hostel accommodation on the students performance in tertiary institution.

1.4 Research questions

The research questions with respect to this study include the following:

What are the prevailing conditions of hostel accommodation in Nigeria tertiary institutions in Nigeria?
What are the management practices for hostel accommodation in Nigerian tertiary institutions?
What are the major factors affecting the management of hostel accommodation in Nigeria Tertiary Institution.
To evaluate the impact of hostel accommodation on the students performance in tertiary institution.

1.5 Justification for the study

This study believes that one of the most ignored areas in studies pertaining to the impact of hostel accommodation on the student performance in tertiary institution. The lack of scholarly works in this area of study might be due to paucity of theoretical foundation, relevant research instruments, as well as the unidentified underlying factors. This study attempted to fill some part of this vacuum.

1.6 Significance of the study

The demand for hostel accommodation keeps increasing every year as a result of increase in the population of students admitted in tertiary institutions of learning. This study is significant in the following ways:

It serves as an eye opener for hostel accommodation providers in tertiary institution to provide quality hostel accommodation as a result of increase in the demand for hostel by students which will, in turn, generate more income to the providers.
It will allow individuals to know the price, per room, associated with hostel accommodations in Tertiary institution.
It will allow students to know and compare the qualities of hostel accommodations and the impacts that this will have on their academic performance.
It will enhance students to know the choice of hostel accommodation that they should go for that will enhance their safety and academic performance.

1.7 Definition Of Terms

Hostel Accommodation: Hostelaccommodation has been defined by different scholars, for instance, Khozaei et al. (2010) stated that student accommodation is a hostel which is built within institution where students have access to the university recreational facilities.

School: A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students (or “pupils”) under the direction of teachers

Facilities: Facilities are buildings, pieces of equipment, or services that are provided for a particular purpose.

Students: A person formally engaged in learning, especially one enrolled in a school or college; pupil: Any person who studies, investigates, or examines thoughtfully.

Performance: Performance planning is a systematic and structured approach to successfully achieve the desired goals of an individual or team throughout the assessment year.

Academic Achievement – Knowledge attained or skills developed in school subjects by test scores.

1.8 Organisation of the study

In this research, the chapters will be arranged accordingly. Chapter one, which is the introductory aspect will include: background to the study, statement of the problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, research questions, and significance of the study. In Chapter two, a detailed literature will be reviewed. In chapter three, the methodology to be used to accomplish this research will be stated. In chapter four, empirical results will be discussed. Chapter five will give the summary, conclusion recommendations and suggestion for further research.

Sunday, 16 January 2022

THE EFFECT OF ONLINE MARKETING ON REAL ESTATE BUSINESS IN ABUJA MUNICIPAL AREAL COUNCIL

ABSTRACT

This study examines the effect of online marketing on real estate business in abuja municipal areal council. The following specific objectives are pursued to achieve the aim of this study; to examine the effect of online marketing on real estate in Abuja, to determine the effectiveness of online marketing in real estate sector in the study area and to identify the problems associated with online marketing in real estate sector. The researcher adopt the use of questionnaire, observation and personal interview to gathered relevant data from the respondents while tables, simple percentage and descriptive statistics were used for data presentation and analysis. The research reveals that online marketing business have a significant effects on real estate market in Abuja and therefore it should be encourage to cover all areas of real estate market such as estate agency, development, sales, and management of real estate property.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is examine the effect of online marketing business on real estate in Abuja.

The following objectives are pursued to achieve the aim of this study:

To examine the effect of online marketing on real estate in Abuja.
To determine the effectiveness of online marketing in real estate sector in the study area.
To identify the problems associated with online marketing in real estate sector.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions shall guide the researcher towards achieving the aim and objectives of the study:

What is the effect of online marketing business on real estate in Abuja?
What is the effectiveness of online marketing business in real estate sector?
What are the problems associated with online marketing in real estate sector?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The result from this study will educate the general public on the rudiments of online marketing and especially how it can influence the real estate business.
This research will also serve as a resource base to other scholars and researchers interested in carrying out further research in this field subsequently, if applied will go to an extent to provide new explanation to the topic.

1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

LIMITATION OF STUDY

Time constraint– The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

For the purpose of this creative project, the following definitions will be used:

E-Commerce: The Use Of Computers To Carry Out Transactions Such As Buying And Selling On Internet.

Information Technology (IT): This Represents Set Of Tools, Processes, And Methodologies And Associated Equipment Employed To Collect, Process, And Present Information.

Service Delivery: This Is The Act Of Providing The Needs Of Customers Or Clients.

Spamming: This Is The Use Of Electronic Messaging Systems (Including Most Broadcast Media, Digital Delivery Systems) To Send Unsolicited Bulk Messages Indiscriminately.

LinkedIn – is a social networking site that allows the user to learn about another contact’s interests, making it a great resource to help the user build a strong relationship (Comer, 2011).

1.8 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY AREA

ECONOMY AND POPULATION OF ABUJA

Projection called for a population of more than one million early in the 21^st century, the population estimate as at 2006 stand for a four million with annual growth rate of 2.8

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF ABUJA

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

THE ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN SERVICE CHARGE ADMINISTRATION IN MULTI-TENANTED OFFICE COMPLEX

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The importance of property in daily commitment of human being is inevitable. The fact that property fulfils basic needs of mankind, there will be a strong demand for it to be met by the property manager. Property management according to Thorncroft (1974) is defined as:

“the executive function of planning, controlling, supervising, directing, organising and co-ordinating an interest in land and landed property with the aim of securing optimum returns which need not be financial only but may be in terms of social status, prestige, political powers, or other goals or group of goals”.

A facility manager plays an important role in the management and maintenance of property. In the case of leased properties such as multi-tenanted commercial properties, after playing the role of an Estate Agent, the valuer may be further needed by the client to monitor the physical condition of the property of which property maintenance is prominent in order to enhance its value and potentialities. Hence the task of managing and administering service charge on a multi-tenanted property comes in order to regulate physical and functional obsolescence and to enhance the utility value of service jointly used by the tenants e.g. lighting, cooling, lift, maintenance of garden etc and to bring it to an acceptable standard.

Service charge is therefore a means by which an owner is able to recover from the occupiers the cost of providing the services for the benefit of the premises. The service charge is structured such a way that the nature of the services provided varies with the type of premises e.g. office blocks, industrial/warehousing, shopping centers, High rises residential building, multi- tenanted commercial and mixed use properties. It has always been the challenge of facility managers to recover the money spent in some occasion when the landlord or the facility manager needs to rescue situation from getting out of hand.

Perroman (2013), sees service charges as the amounts levied on the tenants by the landlords to cover for extra facilities or services they may provide. These services may include provision of generator, general cleaning of the compound, installation of Air conditioners, gardening or general maintenance. In most new houses and apartments for rent, these service charges could reach up to fifty percent of the original cost of renting the apartment.

Service charge costs should be restricted to charges and associated administrative costs properly incurred by the owner in the operational management of the property including the reasonable costs of maintenance, repair and replacement (where beyond economic repair) of the fabric, plant, equipment and materials necessary for the property.

The position of the accountability of Facility Manager in the administration of the service charge has been a case for questioning and auditing. It is against this background that this study is designed to evaluate the issues and prospect in the administration of service charge on multi- tenanted commercial properties using Elephant Cement House, Alausa as a case study.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Service charge as a means of recovering cost has been in existence for some time. Older leases often do not reflect current best practice. As new leases are granted and older leases renewed, it is essential to bring service charge clauses up to modern standards. This ensures that users of the property can operate transparently. If this modernization of the service charge provision of the lease results in an increase or decrease in the amount payable by the occupier, this would usually be reflected in the rent payable. It is unlikely that all leases will fall for renewal on the same date. Modernizing the service charges on an “as and when” basis may lead to a ‘dual’ service charge. Interim measures may therefore be necessary to ensure the practical operation of the services and the recoverability of the service costs during the intervening period.

Service charge administration is the means that enable the sharing of costs of common services in properties among multiple occupiers. There will be a manager who administers these services (for which he or she will receive a fee). Best practice requires services to be procured on a value for money basis and that competitive quotations are obtained for the supply of these services. The service charge will be on a ‘not for profit, not for loss’ basis.

This does not mean suppliers of services cannot make a reasonable profit on the services they provide (or manager(s) cannot make a profit on their management services) but the costs will be transparent so that all stakeholders; owners, occupiers and managers, are aware of how the costs are made up. Management fees should be transparent with no hidden markups. The manager will issue budgets to occupiers with an explanatory commentary at least one month prior to the start of the service charge year and reconciliations following the year end to all users within four months of the year end.

However, the place of accountability where the service charge account is opened and managed by the facility manager needs a thorough investigation and consideration. These will be examined using Elephant cement House as a case study.

In view of the challenges inherent in the administration of service charge in multi-tenanted commercial properties, there are concerns by the stakeholders and decision makers. In recent times, a lot of landlords have lost their tenants because of the exorbitant service charges they levy on them. Aside from the fact that rent generally is expensive, service charges seem to compound the issue of the average person looking for affordable house to rent. The issue of high service charge is majorly predominant in houses on the Island and Ikeja area in Lagos. Considering the electricity situation and existence of businesses, the need to maintain a high profile environment arises, this would include the provision of these various facilities hence the extra charges.

1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Thus when dealing with research study of this nature, the following research questions are postulated:

What facilities/services constitute service charge in Elephant Cement House, Alausa, Ikeja?
What are the processes and procedure for the apportionment of Service Charge in the subject property?
What are the issues and challenges involved in the process of administration by the property manager and the tenants in the case study?

How adequate is the maintenance structure put in place in Elephant Cement House?
What is the level of efficiency in the administration of service charge in the subject property?

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is to evaluate the issues and challenges in service charge administration in multi-tenanted office complex with particular reference to Elephant Cement House, Alausa, Lagos, with a view to ensuring effective service charge delivering system.

In achieving this aim, the objectives are to:

Identify the facilities that constitute service charge in Elephant Cement House, Alausa, Ikeja,
examine the process and procedure for service charge apportionment,
investigate the issues and challenges involved in services charge administration in the study area,
examine the adequacy of the maintenance structure put in place in the subject property and,
evaluate the level of efficiency in the administration of Service Charge within the subject property.

1.4 SCOPE OF STUDY

In order to achieve a precise and concise analysis as well as deviating from the specific objectives of the study, the scope of the analysis is limited to service charge administration in Elephant Cement House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos being one of the well known multil-tenanted property in the Central Business District of Lagos State.

The subject property is chosen as a result of its multi-tenanted nature and neighbourhood characteristic. It would be able to provide richer information and data needed for the evaluation of service charge administration as a reference point for other commercial multi – tenanted properties within Lagos metropolises.

Besides, in terms of vertical depth, level of efficiency of the administration, issues and challenges confronted by the service charge administrators and adequacy of the maintenance structure in the Elephant Cement House, Alausa, Ikeja

1.5 JUSTIFICATION OF STUDY

This study is necessary at this time when government and investors are talking about infrastructural development. What will readily come to mind is how do we maintain facility? It is certain that multi tenanted buildings without service charge administration always become shadow of itself. We need to analyse the effect of the traditional challenges and modern ones. Several Scholars had looked into different aspect of this study;

Pargma (2004) among others – examines in depth the often -contentious issue of service charges from the occupier’s perspective. The intention is to explain what should and should not be recoverable for the repair and maintenance and the provision of vital services, usually within multi tenanted buildings.

Nwankwo (2004) identifies the need for a service charge administrator and the expectations of the property owner.

Service charges are a matter of growing interest within the commercial property sector, resulting in an increasing number of initiatives designed to better understand and constructively determine practical steps to improve the management and administration of such expenditure. The relative size and importance of the commercial service charge market is now clearly understood and there is increasing support from occupiers, landlords and managing agents for improvements in best practice within the industry. (The Service Charge Operating Report 2010/11 (SCOR) on commercial service charges).

This study is therefore necessary to bridge the gap between what had earlier been studied and the current development in the built up industry, examining the responsiveness of the property manager to issues and analyzing the performance level in times of accountability of the property manager. It will also help us as professional on how to avoid the pitfalls in service charge administration as people are becoming more aware of the Importance of service charge in multi-tenanted buildings. It will also help in sharpening proper policy direction in facility management that conforms to international best practices.

1.6 THE STUDY AREA:

Fig: 1 Elephant Cement House, Alausa

The subject property is owned by LAFARGE Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc. (WAPCO) – LAFARGE Worldwide formally known as West African Portland Cement Company (WAPCO). It is a commercial property known as Elephant Cement House comprising main building on eight floors with pent house, occupying a parcel of land known as Block H, Portion 01, Central Business District, Ikeja, Lagos State.

The referenced Central Business District where the property situates is accessible through a right turning off Obafemi Awolowo Way precisely at Elephant/Cosmic Bus Stop, opposite Ikeja Mall (popularly called Shoprite) when approaching from Alausa en-route Awolowo Way. The subject property is located on the right hand side of Assbifi road behind Skye Bank Plc.

Alausa is a locality in Ikeja local government of Lagos State, Nigeria. It is the seat of the Lagos State Secretariat and offices of the Governor and Deputy-Governor of Lagos State. Alausa also has a vibrant and growing Central Business District with several multinational business concerns like Cadbury Nigeria Plc and many others having their offices located in the area. It also has many low density residential estates like the Cornerstone Estate; MKO Abiola Gardens located within it.

The neighborhood is majorly commercial in nature. Notable landmarks available within the neighborhood include; Skye Bank Plc, Assbifi House, Alausa Secretariat, Central Mosque, LTV House, Ikeja Mall (harboring Shoprite) amongst others. Infrastructural facilities available within the neighborhood include mains electricity, water, telecommunication services and a network of good roads.

The Accommodation afforded by the property comprises a total of 12,320.48m² lettable floor spaces. The property is occupied by a total of 40 companies including Lafarge and the tenancy period of all the occupants’ runs from 1^st January – 31^st December Annually.

AN ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE FACILITIES

ABSTRACT

The aim of this project is to carry out an assessment of public health service facilities with particular reference to General Hospital, Minna, Niger State. The research was designed to assess the present condition of the built environment, and to determine factors affecting maintenance management of public health facilities in Nigeria. Primary data were collected directly from the field through the use of oral interview, field observation, questionnaires and building survey conducted. 50 questionnaires were distributed and all 50 were returned fully responded to. Relative Index (RI) was employed for ranking and determination of significant factors affecting the state of the facilities through the collected data. The study determined that although there were facilities and services provided in the hospital, they were inadequate and at times not functioning effectively and efficiently. Use of poor quality components and materials and Absence of a form of planned maintenance programmes were ranked as the most significant factors responsible for poor maintenance management of public hospital buildings. The study recommended that: Government should equally make it as a matter of policy for private and public hospitals that there should be a maintenance policy guiding their maintenance programmes.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Public facilities are facilities provided, owned, or being monitored by government either at the federal, state or local government level. Basically, they can be classified into two namely movable facilities which are facilities like earth moving equipment, vehicles, computers, typewriters, etc., that can change location from time to time and non-movable facilities like buildings, electricity lines, pipe lines for water, etc., that cannot change their location. All these facilities, irrespective of their group needs effective regular maintenance for proper functioning of the assets acquired. The performance of public facilities depends on the degree of effective maintenance. Unfortunately, however, maintenance is one of the major problems facing the public organizations with a resultant effect of having their premises littered with broken down plants/equipments which are allowed to rust away under rainy and sunny conditions and eventually are sold as scraps (Lawal and Adeyemo, 2004).

Maintenance management in the public sector in Nigeria has suffered from lack of funds for a considerable time. While the requirements for good practice in maintenance management of building stock have been established over a considerable period, the achievement of good practice is by no means universal (Turrell, 1997). Maintenance of the built environment impacts on the whole nation. The conditions of the surroundings in which we live and learn, is a reflection of the nation’s well being. (Lee, 1987) Maintainability of building has been identified as one of the key areas in which the construction industry must achieve significant improvement (Nayantharas de Silva et al, 2004).

According to Iyagba and Adenuga, (2003) it is impossible to produce buildings which are maintenance free, but maintenance work can be minimized by good design and proper workmanship carried out by skilled experts or competent craftsmen using suitable codes of installation, requisite building materials and methods. Management of any process involves assessing performance, and maintenance management of buildings is no exception (Turrell, 1997).

In order for any maintenance manager to measure performance and set priorities, the organizational needs have to be considered i.e. the function and performance of buildings and their appropriate standards will be independent on the user’s perception and their primary needs (Chanter and Swallow, 1996). Performance of hospital buildings and their component depends to large extent on continuous and planned periodical maintenance, which challenges owners and facility managers to institute precise planning based on a well-structured maintenance programmes (Shohet et al, 2002). Despite the ever-growing need for lower operational costs, facilities managers must ensure that facilities are constructed and maintained without compromising safety. In Nigeria, colonial architecture in some of the older public buildings especially hospitals which was hitherto famous for its sturdiness and functionality has now become less attractive because of the general neglect of the buildings. Overcrowding has also led to the deterioration of the facilities installed (Onifade 2003).

If no action is taken all these old buildings and facilities will decay and will only be replaced in function if the means are available. The inadequacy of the operation and maintenance of building and infrastructure in developing countries has serious consequences for economic and social development especially on the health sector.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Existing health sector buildings in Nigeria lack adequate maintenance attention. Most public hospital buildings are in very poor and deplorable conditions of structural and decorative disrepair. While considerable of research have been carried out on factors responsible for the poor maintenance of public housing estates and offices in Nigeria but only scant attention has been given to the key parameters affecting the implementation of maintenance programmes for public hospital buildings. There is therefore a need to establish and evaluate the factor affecting maintenance management of public hospital buildings using appropriate analysis.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this project is to carry out an assessment of public health facilities in Nigeria with particular interest in General Hospital, Minna, Niger State.

The specific objectives of this research are:

To assess the present condition of General Hospital, Minna, Niger State as carried out by the maintenance department.
To determine factors affecting maintenance management of public health facilities in Nigeria.
To make useful suggestions on improving the existing facilities in Public Health Facilities in Nigeria.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

This study evaluates the maintenance services that are provided in the General Hospital, Minna, Niger State. This provides an insight to the significance of the physical characteristics of the hospital in determining the level of satisfaction. Such information will enhance the skills of architects and housing administrators to ascertain specific actions that can maximize more satisfactory maintenance provisions in not only hospitals but in other government owned buildings and minimize dissatisfaction as much as possible, lessons learnt from the evaluations of existing projects can serve as input into ongoing or future projects.

It is expected that the main contribution of the study will be to propose an expanded approach to buildings and building services evaluations of government owned buildings, which goes beyond the limits of present day’s building industry.

1.5 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

The research is based on the study on “An assessment of Public Health Service Facilities: A Case Study of General Hospital, Minna, Niger State”. This study takes into consideration the services and facilities provided in the General Hospital, Minna, Niger State. This assessment focuses on the maintenance management and maintenance framework available at the hospital.

This study is limited to conducting a conditional survey of the General Hospital Minna, Niger State and make useful suggestions on improving the existing facilities in Public Health Facilities in Nigeria only.

1.6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The research design involves the conducting of conditional health service facilities on General Hospital Minna, Niger State. The research involved two (2) stages of survey and the use of a designed questionnaire in relation to the objective assessment.

Iinitial Inspection:

This involves the researcher interviewing the staff and patients about their views about the condition of the hospital building and its facilities.

During the initial inspection, the researcher took a detailed look at the whole building from a distance, inspecting the building, looking at the condition of adjoining buildings and other facilities.

Facilities Survey

The next stage is to undertake a present condition survey of the facilities. The facilities are measured. The characteristics of facilities are plotted onto a drawing or sketch of the building.

After which a questionnaire was introduced. The questionnaire is the main method used for data collection for this research and it was personally administered by the researcher. It consisted of simplified questions. Efforts were made to ensure that the target respondents were given the questionnaires to respond properly to the objective assessment needed for this research.

Saturday, 15 January 2022

THE ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN PEACE BUILDING IN MAIDUGURI

(A CASE STUDY OF ACTION AID INTERNATIONAL NIGERIA)

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Highest on the list of prime value for Maiduguri a town in Bornu state, Nigeria, is peace. Peace is the most valuable public commodity, yet the most elusive (Francis David, 2006). These four years (2009-2014) of Insurgency has brought loss of lives and halted economic activities in various parts of Maiduguri. The activities of bokoharam have brought devastating effects on Maiduguri which has resulted in loss of lives both human and livestock, suffering, destruction of infrastructures and public/private facilities, disruption of economic/socio-economic activities like agricultural, trade etc. This situation has threatened not only the internal peace and security of Maiduguri but also the peace in Nigeria and beyond. So alarming is the fact that most of these areas affected by insurgency lack the will to stop this social charade and have fallen prey to continuous usury and subtle manipulation by politicians who take advantage of this situation to involve in shady deals like kidnapping and arm deals using insurgency as a cover (Chiedu, 2013). Peace building has therefore become the most pressing challenge faced by Nigeria at large and Maiduguri in particular. This situation is so partly because of feudal system of leadership which encourages total submission to authority without question which carries with it, ineffective terror control means.

Despite the effort of government through its institutions like the armed forces, religious bodies, NGOs etc, to curb the excesses of insurgence in Maiduguri, peace has continued to elude her and sustainable development, stopped. On that note, this project will seek to show the role of NGOs in peace building in Maiduguri.

1.2 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Although insurgency is not easily defined, it may be said to be the use of force, usually violent, as a means of coercing a target population to submit to the will of the terrorists (Asika,4:2009). Insurgency is intended to elicit or maximise fear and publicity, making no distinction as to combatants and non combatants in a conflict.

There is no legally agreed upon definition of the term ‘Insurgency’, but a recent United Nations (UN) document describes it as any ‘act which is intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non combatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a government or an international organisation to do or abstain from doing any act’. The word ‘Insurgency’ is both emotionally and politically laden, particularly as it imports issues of national liberation and self-determination. Insurgency takes many forms, including political, philosophical, ideological, racial, ethnic, religious and ecological issues. The taxonomy of Insurgency, including precipitating motivations and considerations, is now a subject of intense study. Whether the one as seen in Maiduguri can be reduced to a type may be an interesting subject, but for purposes of this work, the primary concern is the threat of insurgency. Insurgency is one objective of organised terrorism, just as terrorism is one of several strategies of insurgency. Both terrorism and insurgency may be used by states in their internal operations. Terrorism and terrorist tactics constitute part of the strategies and tactics of insurgency. The operational tactics are essentially those of guerilla warfare. The object is to intimidate, frustrate and raise the feeling of uncertainty, imminent danger and the loss of hope, so as to cripple or limit all aspects of human activity and normal livelihoods. Al Qaeda, Boko Haram, MEND and, lately, Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’anati Wal Jihad, are currently international and local Nigerian examples of terrorist networks. Until recently, Nigerian terrorist activity was thought to be motivated by ethnocentric considerations. Currently, there appears to be a pronounced religious content in the character of insurgency in Maiduguri. A few of the earlier experiences merit examination here, as a guide in estimating the character, trend and intensity of the current campaign, as well as the role of NGOs in peace building in Maiduguri.

1.3 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Previous research works on the role of NGOs in peace building in Insurgency affected areas especially Maiduguri shows that there is no government that can take on single handily, the weight of peace building in form of aid. Among the various actors that participate in these processes are the nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), which fulfil a pivotal role in terms of establishing and maintaining essential services like assisting refugees and internally displaced populations and helping to strengthen societies.

NGOs increasingly work “in the field,” providing humanitarian relief and development assistance in post terror places like Maiduguri. As they carry out their work, they face many serious problems. Insurgencies often deny them access to those in need, terrorist groups demand payoffs, and local violence threatens the safety and even the lives of field personnel. Donors also subject these NGOs to political pressure, diminishing their neutrality. Nongovernmental Organizations face a lot of challenges in the discharge of their duties often caused by Insurgent activities. They are faced with the dilemma; should they negotiate with terrorists to deliver aid, or should they maintain independence and impartiality. Some Nigerian agencies like WACOL operate only through local partners because they cannot negotiate with terrorist-affiliated groups. Red Cross has resorted to having armed escorts and allow Movement for Peace in Maiduguri (MFPIM) and Africa Awake to supervise the aid distribution. Although impartiality is valuable for the long term operation in Maiduguri, humanitarian aid agencies feel they are forced to compromise these principles in an effort to gain aid access according Osueke (2006)

1.4 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

With the spate at which insurgence has dealt a heavy blow on Maiduguri, economically, socially and otherwise, this research work will seek to highlight challenges of insurgency. Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), the role of NGOs in peace building in Maiduguri and the way forward.

So as to achieve the purpose of this research the following will be looked into:

To assess the role of NGOs in Peace Building.
To examine the effectiveness of NGOs in the peace building in restive areas in the North East.
To identify the way forward for NGOs in the peace building campaign.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

So as to achieve the objectives stated above, the following research questions were used as a guide in achieving the objectives of this research work:

What are the roles of NGOs in peace building?
How effective have NGOs been in peace building in Maiduguri?
What is the way forward for NGOs in the peace building campaign?

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

One of the benefits of this research work is to researchers and academics. It will be of tremendous help to governments and their agencies in tackling insurgency and the challenges that comes with it.

The findings and recommendations of the researcher will help bring to the fore the role of Nongovernmental Organizations in peace building coupled with limitations to their work.

It will also be readily available for international organizations that may need insight into what it is like for NGOs working in Maiduguri.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This research work focuses solely on the role of Nongovernmental Organization in peace building in Maiduguri. It also touched the challenges of Insurgency and how it affects the work of NGOs.

Based on the findings of this study, another research area touched is Peace building.

1.8 LIMITATIONS OF STUDY

This research work was carried out under a tight schedule. The time frame was short in between lectures and private studies.

Another limitation faced by the researcher was delay in data collection from the various respondents. Most respondents were too busy to fill up the questionnaires due to their work schedule. This almost delayed the work.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Insurgency: An insurgency is a rebellion against a constituted authority (for example, an authority recognized as such by the United Nations) when those taking part in the rebellion are not recognized as belligerents

Peace Building: Peace building is a process that facilitates the establishment of durable peace and tries to prevent the recurrence of violence by addressing root causes and effects of conflict through reconciliation, institution building, and political as well as economic transformation.

NGO: Non Governmental Organizations

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Monday, 17 January 2022

AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF BANK PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA

THE EFFECT OF ONLINE MARKETING ON REAL ESTATE BUSINESS IN ABUJA MUNICIPAL AREAL COUNCIL

THE PROLIFERATION OF UNREGISTERED ESTATE AGENT IN REAL ESTATE MARKET

THE IMPACT OF HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION ON STUDENTS PERFORMANCE IN TERTIARY INSTITUTION

Sunday, 16 January 2022

THE EFFECT OF ONLINE MARKETING ON REAL ESTATE BUSINESS IN ABUJA MUNICIPAL AREAL COUNCIL

THE ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN SERVICE CHARGE ADMINISTRATION IN MULTI-TENANTED OFFICE COMPLEX

AN ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE FACILITIES

Saturday, 15 January 2022

THE ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN PEACE BUILDING IN MAIDUGURI