1 REPUTATIONAL RISK AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT OFCORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ON PROFITABILITY AND GROWTH OF MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IN NIGERIA , Daferighe, E. E and Adedeji, S. B.
The rationale for reputational risk management is to help companies put in place strategies to manage their reputation. This paper examines factors affecting corporate concerns about reputation and its impact on profitability and growth of the companies. Eight manufacturing companies whose historical data were available in Nigerian Capital Market for the period 2000- 2006 were purposively selected for the study. The automated SPSS was used to test the simple regression models. However, it was discovered that Corporate Social Responsibility is not appropriate to predict both profitability and growth of Nigerian manufacturing firms though it indicates lack of commitment by companies to activities of social responsibility. It was recommended among others that government should therefore improve on the state of infrastructures to enhance growth of the manufacturing industry which will lead to increased activities of social responsibility.
2   FINANCIAL SECTOR DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMICGROWTH IN NIGERIA , Adelakun, O. J.
One of the most unending debates in economics is whether financial development causes economic growth or whether it is a consequence of increased economic activity. The paper empirically examines the relationship between financial development and economic growth. In this study, the perceived relationship between financial development and economic growth is estimated econometrically using the Ordinary Least Square Estimation Method (OLSEM). The result showed that there is a substantial positive effect of financial development on economic growth in Nigeria. The Granger causality test showed that financial development promotes economic growth, but there is evidence of causality from economic growth to the development of financial intermediaries. Thus, advancement of the financial sector development, including diversification of financial instruments should be pursued to facilitate economic development in Nigeria
3 IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE OF MICRO FINANCE BANKS IN PROMOTING SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES GROWTH IN NIGERIA , Babagana, S. A.
The history of industrial Revolution in developed and developing countries have shown that small and medium enterprises are the driving force of industrial and economic development. This paper examines impact of the role played by micro finance banks MFBs) in promoting the growth of SMEs in Nigeria. An empirical study was carried out using Garu Micro Finance bank in Bauchi, Bauchi State being one of the most successful Micro Finance Banks in North East sub region to determine impact of the role of MFBs in promoting small and medium enterprises growth. Out of the total number of employees in the bank, 15 members of staff whom constitute the middle and management staff were used as respondents. Questionnaire was developed and distributed to them which they all filled and returned. The study revealed that MFBs have contributed to the promotion of small and medium enterprises growth in Nigeria. It was recommended that government should further encourage the activities of Micro Finance Banks (MFBs) by creating enabling environment so that they can further support SMEs growth.
4 POVERTY AND THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN NIGERIA: THE NEXUS , Chukwuemeka, E. E. O.
This paper made a broad overview of the poverty situation in Nigeria. The various efforts of Government of Nigeria to stamp out poverty were examined. Some of such efforts include poverty eradication programme and poverty alleviation programme (PEP and PAP), micro credit schemes and employment programmes. Descriptive research method was adopted and content analysis technique was essentially used for the study. Some of the findings indicate that the poverty level is still very high in Nigeria, the reason being that the Government pursues two incompatible goals at the same time. For instance Government is pursuing the programme of poverty eradication and youth employment and at the same time pursues the policy of downsizing and retrenchment of public servants. More so the enabling environment is not created to promote small-scale businesses. The paper recommends that the power sector should be restructured since it would be difficult for small business holders to operate and break even without adequate support from public power supply. Credit scheme programme should be well articulated and strictly implemented.
5 GEOGRAPHIC FACTORS INHIBITING E-BANKING IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF AKWA IBOM AND CROSS RIVER STATES , Anwana, E. O.
The aim of this study was to examine geographic factors inhibiting e-Banking in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States of Nigeria. The study adopted a cross sectional survey design using questionnaire to elicit data from the respondents and Friedman Fr test to test hypotheses. However, the study's results also shows among others, that inadequate securities of transactions through e-banking and lack of the peoples' knowledge about its usage were some of the geographic factors that hindered the usage of E-banking. It was therefore, recommended among others, that financial institutions should devise alternative but cheaper power supply outlet such a solar energy, issue to their customers ATM cards with the account holder's photo and government policies should focus on enhancing the people economically and the provision of basic infrastructures, such as: electricity, communication, transportation.