Theses and Dissertations Abstracts

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Open Access
A Comparative study of predisposing factors to truancy and curbing strategies among public and private secondary school students in Osun State
(Department of Educational Foundations and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University Press., 2015) IDOWU Jadesola Hannah
The study identified the predisposing factors to truancy among private and public secondary school students in Osun state. It compared the prevalence of truancy in both school types and also compared the curbing strategies adopted by teachers to minimize the occurrence. These were with a view to providing information on truancy and factors employed in cubing truancy in public and private secondary schools in Osun state, Nigeria.
Open Access
Academic Performance of Athletes and Nonathletes in selected Nigerian Universities.
(Obafemi Awolowo University,, 1985) Alla, Joseph Babalola
This study compared the academic performance of athletes with that of non-athletes and investigated the cause of students' failures and successes in academics in three Universities: (i) Ife, (ii) Nigeria-Nsukka and (iii) Benin University. Four hundred and seventy-nine subjects were used in the study, 306 non-athletes and 173 athletes. The Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) of 103 athletes and 206 non-athletes were collected. Seventy athletes and 100 non-athletes were orally interviewed. The Two - Way analysis of variance, and t-test and t-test correlated were used to analyse the data, The results showed that in 1979/80 session (a N.U.G.A. games year) the G.P.A, of athletes was significantly higher than that of non-athletes in the University of Benin. In 1980/81 session (a non-N.U.G.A. games year) non-athletes had significantly higher mean G.P.A. than athletes in the University of Ife. Also, it was observed that mean G.P.A. of athletes for a non-N.U.G.A. games year was not -significantly higher than that of N.U.G.A. games years. Both athletes and non-athletes stated that the factors responsible for students' failures were poor health and socio-economic problems and wrong choice of courses. Based on the results, it was concluded that except for 1980/81 session (a non-N.U.G.A.. games year) in the University of Ife, non-athletes were not academically better than athletes. Since there was no significant difference in the academic performance of athletes during a N.U.G.A. games year and a non-N.U.G;A. games year and that sports by itself did not contribute to athletes academic failures, it could be concluded that sports participation does not retard academic performance of athletes.
Open Access
Academic stress and selected associated factors among Obafemi Awolowo University undergraduate students
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 2016) Ojeleye, Olubunmi Adetoun
This study determined the level of academic stress among the undergraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University. It also ascertained the relationship between religiosity, mental factors (anxiety and depression), coping styles (active coping and passive coping), locus of control and academic stress among Obafemi Awolowo University undergraduate students. These were with the view to providing information on factors that account for failure in undergraduate education. The study was a descriptive survey study carried out in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Three hundred and thirty three students were selected for the study using a multistage sampling technique. Students level of academic stress was measured using Higher Education Stress Inventory (HESI), level of religiosity was assessed using Religiosity Orientation Test (ROT) and the Locus of Control scale (LOC) was used to assess the generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement among the students. The Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ) was used to assess the coping style and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to evaluate the level of depression and anxiety symptoms. Data collected were analyzed using proportions, frequency counts, one way ANOVA, independent t-test, chi-square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (r) statistics. The level of statistical significance was determined at p< 0.05. The results showed that the prevalence rate of academic stress was 13.9%. The result of the Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis between academic stress and religiosity revealed a non-statistically significant relationship (r = -0.077, p >0.05). In addition, the results of the Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis also revealed a non-statistically significant relationship between stress and locus of control(r = 0.025, p >0.05). The result of the Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis showed no statistically significant relationship between academic stress and mental factors (anxiety r = -0.025, p >0.05 and depression r = -0.067, p >0.05). There was a significant relationship between stress and coping styles (active coping: r = 0.366, p < 0.01 and passive coping: r = 0.416, p < 0.001). The study showed that as academic stress is increasing, active and passive coping styles adopted were also increasing among Obafemi Awolowo University undergraduate students. The male undergraduate students had a significant higher mean stress score (84.17) when compared with the female mean stress score (78.59); [t=-4.038 p <0.01]. The study concluded that student's coping style was the only factor that was significantly associated with academic stress among the undergraduate students.
Open Access
Accounting ethics and financial practices of accountants in Nigeria 2015
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 2015) Ogunleye, Omowunmi Jumoke
The study investigated the influence of the business climate on the ethical decisions of Nigerian accountants; assessed the effect of organizational ethical value on their ethical reasoning and compared the ethical perceptions of accountants with professional qualifications with those without professional qualifications. It also evaluated the influence of the knowledge of tertiary accounting courses on the ethical predispositions of Nigerian accountants in training and finally examined the relationship between the demographic traits of age, gender, culture and religion and the ethical or unethical inclinations of Nigerian accountants. These were with a view to determining the factors that shape the ethics and financial practices of accountants in Nigeria. Primary data was utilized for the study. The population for the study comprised of 39,389 professionally qualified accountants registered with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), 19,600 first and final-year accounting students in 49 Universities in Nigeria offering accounting programmes as well as accounting practitioners without professional qualification. Judgemental dimensional sampling was used to select 850 accountants drawn from five major business cities in Nigeria and 370 first and final year accounting students from five Universities that offered accounting programme. Two sets of questionnaire were used to obtain data from respondents. The first questionnaire obtained information from the selected accountants on their ethical judgements to selected accounting ethics dilemma. The second questionnaire collected data from the selected accounting students to determine how the knowledge of accounting courses influenced their ethical predispositions. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as T-test, Repeated Measures Anova, Mann-Witney U, Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square and Multivariate Analysis. The results of the study revealed that the ethical decision of Nigerian accountants was significantly influenced by unethical practices in the business environment as well as by unethical organizational values. The mean ethical score which was 3.42 under a normal situation reduced to 1.94 under an unethical business environment (p<0.05) and to 2.53 under an unethical organizational environment (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the ethical responses of accountants with and without professional qualification (p=0.699); which provides evidence of the lack of the impact of professional accounting qualifications on accountants ethics and financial practices. The study also found that knowledge of accounting courses significantly decreases ethical predispositions of accounting students as the average mean score and mean rank of ethical perception for 100 level students was 3.89 and 223.08 while for 400 level students it was 3.26 and 130.66 (p<0.05). A statistically significant relationship was established between the demographic variables of age (p = 0.008), gender (p = 0.001), culture (p= 0.001), religion (p = 0.001) and the ethical or unethical inclination of Nigerian accountants. The study concluded that business environment and organizational ethics do affect the ethical decisions that Nigerian accountants make and that a significant relationship exist between the ethical predispositions of Nigerian accountants and the demographic factors of age, gender, religion and culture.
Open Access
Accounting information, profitability and sustainability of small scale businesses in Osun State
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 2016) Ajewole, Olaniyi Olowu
This study identified accounting records and practices by small scale businesses in Osun State, examined the effect of accounting record keeping on the profitability on the of small scale businesses and investigated challenges confronting small scale business accounting practices in the state. The study sampled a total number of 400 small scale businesses in four major towns of the state namely: Ilesa, Osogbo, Iwo and Ikirun using questionnaire as research instrument. These were with a view of providing information on the effect of accounting record keeping on the profitability of small scale businesses in Osun state. Data collated were analyzed using percentage and frequency analysis, chart analysis and ANOVA multiple regression analysis. From the results of analyses conducted, it was discovered that the sampled small scale businesses keep records such as sales day book (often-64.5%), sales ledger(often-48.3%) and cash book (often-54%) while they seldom keep records such as purchases day book (seldom-51.5%), purchases ledger (seldom-46%) and debtors ledger (seldom-60%). The result showed that accounting record keeping (t=25.863, p=0.000), accounting framework (t=6.474, p=0.000), level of adoption of accounting principles (t=3.550, p=0.000) and availability of functional accounting department (t=5.145, p=0.000) exert significant positive impact of the profitability and of small scale businesses in Osun state. Also result revealed that accounting practices of small scale businesses in Osun State is been confronted by challenges such as lack of knowledge of accounting record keeping (56.8%) , cost of setting up accounting system (50.3%), low level of trust and honesty in the society (64.8%) and low working capital (45.8%). The study concluded that accounting record keeping and practices has significant impact on both the profitability and sustainability of small scale businesses in Osun State.
Open Access
Adaptation of Malaysian palm fruit bunch harvester to Nigerian palms
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 2015) Aramide, Basiru Philip
In this study, a motorized oil palm fruit bunch harvester (MT) was first tested on some plantations. The palm trees and climbers on some of the plantations were characterized. A support mechanism for the harvester was designed, fabricated and tested on a plantation. This was with a view to assessing the suitability of the harvester for harvesting the average Nigerian palms. The MT was tested on Nigerian plantations for the palm trees it could reach, the average time taken to harvest a bunch and the time taken per hectare of plantation were determined. The best orientation and the cutting angle for the harvester were also determined. The exact height which the harvester could reach was also determined on each of the plantations. The harvester was later used in comparison with bamboo pole and knife (BK) method on palms of moderate height. Time study (TS) of the two methods was also carried out. The height of some randomly selected palm trees were measured and recorded. Also the weights of some climbers on the plantations were determined. The data on the characteristic features of palm trees and climbers were used to design the components of a support mechanism. The support mechanism (SP) was designed to make the harvester suitable for the taller trees. The design concept for the support mechanism is a pyramid structure. It comprises of three different segments namely: the wheels which facilitate easy movement within the plantation; the lower segment which comprises the stands and the platform upon which the operator (climber) stands; and the upper segment which comprises the chamber in which the operator stands. The support mechanism was fabricated and tested with the harvester on some plantations in comparison with existing method, namely the rope-and-knife (RK) method. The study determined the effect of some harvesting parameters on the harvesting methods. The harvesting parameters used are time to climb up the palm (TU); time to cut (TC); time to come down from the palm (TD); number of bunches harvested (NB) and total time of harvest (T). The data collected were analyzed using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) package. The result showed that MT could harvest between the height of 2.5 m and 4.5 m of palm conveniently. The average time of harvest per tree and speed of harvest for MT and BK were 98.86 sec. and 66 bunches/h; and 166.93 sec. and 40 bunches/h, respectively. This shows that time of harvest for motorized harvester is over 60% lower, and the speed of harvest is over 50% higher than bamboo pole and knife. The time of harvest per hectare for both MT and BK are approximately 4 h/ha and 7h/ha, respectively. Statistical analysis of the effect of time of harvest on methods indicated that the effect was significant (p < 0.05). Using the support mechanism for the MT it was much easier than rope and knife. The average time of harvest, TU, TD, and TC per tree, for both SP and RK are 189.64 and 391.20; 21.28 and 151.82; 21.08 and 103.42; and 147.28 and 134, respectively. The total time of harvest for RK is over 100% more than the time of harvest for SP. The time of harvest per hectare for both SP and RK are approximately 9 h/ha and 20 h/ha, respectively. The comparison of SP and RK shows that there is a significant difference in TU, TD, NB, T, but there was no difference in TC, (p < 0.05). The study concluded that the support mechanism shows promise in enhancing the use of the motorized harvester for tall palms and hence should be adopted.
Open Access
Adapting agricultural practices to climate change and variability in Southwestern Nigeria.
(Geography,Obafemi Awolowo University, 2014) Sanni, David Olabanjo
This study examined the past and present climate in Southwestern Nigeria; the agricultural practices adopted in the past and currently in the region; the best agricultural practices suitable for the present and future climate in Southwestern Nigeria; and developed future projections for the climatic characteristics (mainly rainfall and temperature) influencing Agriculture in Southwestern Nigeria. This was with the view to assessing the coping strategies of farmers to significant climate conditions in the study area. Primary and secondary data were used for the study. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used in selecting respondents for the study in the agro-zones within the four important (with long-term data) metrological stations in southwestern Nigeria (Ibadan, Ondo, Osogbo and Ikeja). The agro-zones are Ibadan, Ondo, Ede and Ijebu. First, five communities were randomly selected from each of the agro-zone with population ranging between 100 and 500. Second, ten farmers were selected for interview using a systematic random sampling procedure (every 10th adult on the farm) in each of the selected communities. Two hundred questionnaires was administered in all the communities selected, as source of primary data. Fifty years (1962 – 2012) daily rainfall and monthly temperature data from the metrological stations at Ibadan, Ondo, Osogbo and Ikeja constituted the secondary data. The secondary data were sourced from the archives of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, Oshodi, Lagos. Temperature and rainfall variability were mapped using the Inverse Distance Weight interpolation statistic in ArcGIS (version 10.1) software for 1962 -2012. Climate dataset were grouped into 1962 -1983 and 1984 – 2012 as the past and present climate respectively. The best agricultural practices suitable for different climate (past, present and predicted) as examined using percentages votes from the questionnaire responses while future climate was modelled using Bivariate linear regression in the template and rainfall data with years (from 1962). The study showed that annual rainfall total exhibited a non significant trend between 1962 and 1983 but significantly increased between 1984 and 2012. Mean temperature increased significantly in both climate (1962 – 1983 and 1984 – 2012) periods (r ˃ 0.51; p ≤ 0.05). The investigated stations exhibited different dates for rainfall onset and retreat between the two climate periods and the length of the growing season decreased from 215 days to 190 days from the coast towards the mainland. Agricultural practices in the study area were the conventional methods of land preparation and crop cultivation and were similar to previous agricultural practices. Planting of high yield and fast germinating seeds was voted as the best agricultural practices (99%), in the study. This was followed by mulching (91.5%), use of chemical and organic fertilizer (85%) and practice of mixed farming (76.5%). Projection results for the period between 2012 and 2062 indicated that future rainfall in Ikeja would decrease by 2.2mm per annum while that of Osogbo, Ondo and Ibadan will increase by 1.4mm, 0.6mm and 4.6 mm respectively. Projected temperature indicated about an increase of 0.16 º C per decade at Ondo, Ikeja and Osogbo while Ibadan is expected to experience more increase (0.23ºC) per decade. The study concluded that the climate of the Southwestern Nigeria exhibited significant changes within the study period, and that the change in climate exerts significant influence on the agricultural practices in the study area.
Open Access
Administration of electoral system in Nigeria (1999-2011)
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 2014) Oyewale, Rasaq Omoniyi
The study examined the features of the electoral system during the four general elections in Nigeria since 1999 to 2011; and evaluated the institutional infrastructures put in place for the administration of electoral systems. It also assessed the administration of electoral systems by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and examined the effects of changing electoral system as well as the challenges to the administration of the electoral system. These were with a view to providing information on the techniques and processes employed in the administration of electoral systems in Nigeria. The study utilized primary and secondary sources of data collection. The primary data were collected using questionnaire administration and conduct of indepth interviews. Two hundred and twenty nine copies of questionnaire were administered on respondents using purposive sampling technique, out of which a total of 171 (representing 75%) were completed and retrieved. The study covered the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the location of INEC headquarters; and three out of the six geo-political zones in Nigeria, namely, South West; South East and North West. Out of the states selected from the target zones, three local government areas (LGAs) were purposively selected, including their state capitals. The distribution of the questionnaire was as follows: Directors at INEC headquarters (10); Civil Servants (45), fifteen per study location; Tenured Political Office holders (30), ten per State; Electoral officers at the Local Government Areas (36), four in each of the three selected LGAs in the three selected States; Opinion leaders (36), four in each of the selected LGAs in the three States; Religious Leaders (36), four in each of the three selected LGAs in the three States; notable politicians (36), four in each of the three selected LGAs in the three States. Furthermore, indepth interviews were conducted with key senior officials at the National Electoral Commission (INEC) Abuja (3); Federal Electoral Officers (3) and State Resident Electoral Commissioners/Representatives in the target States (3). The senior INEC officials chosen were directly involved in implementing and supervising elections across the country during each electoral cycle. Secondary data were derived from official publications by INEC, Federal Government gazettes as well as books, journal articles, unpublished theses and the Internet. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics such as percentages and inferential statistics such as ANOVA and chi-square. The results showed that the main feature of the electoral system during the four general elections in Nigeria since 1999 was the Simple Majority System. The institutional infrastructures put in place for the administration of elections since 1999 included Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) (60%), Direct Data Capturing Machines (68%), Ballot Boxes (70%), Voters’ Cards (76%), and Polling booths (80%). The results also showed the administration of the electoral systems by the electoral body during each of the four elections were significantly the same (F=2.24; p<0.05). Furthermore the results showed an adverse effect on the credibility of elections t(6) = + 1.9439; p<0.05). Finally, the results identified key challenges in the administration of the electoral system between 1999 and 2011 to include inadequate funding (56%), epileptic power supply (79%), inadequate trained staff (86%) and difficult terrain in transporting electoral materials (92%). The study concluded that whereas the 2011 general elections were relatively adjudged fair by local and international observers, the administration of electoral system in Nigeria during the study period was characterised by misappropriation of funds, electoral fraud, inadequate provision of security for officials, as well as inadequate training of electoral officers, leading to violence and petitions in the law courts. Supervisor: Dr. (Mrs) J.T. Makinde Number of Pages: 203
Open Access
Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards and The Disclosure Practices by Listed Manufacturing Firms in Nigeria
(2016) Dairo, Ibukunoluwa Olatomi
The study determined the extent of disclosure practices of the selected listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria; examined the relationship between the company characteristics and the extent of disclosure compliance and analyzed the difference in the quantity and quality of disclosure compliance among the listed Manufacturing Firms in Nigeria. These were with a view to providing information on the level of disclosure compliance after the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards by the listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria. This study employed secondary data. The data were sourced from the financial statement of listed manufacturing firms on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) and NSE Factsbook covering a period between 2012 and 2014. The choice of the base year is based on the fact that IFRS was introduced into the financial system in Nigeria in 2012. 40 out of 91 manufacturing firms that are existing in Nigeria during the sample period and with complete data were selected for this study using purposive sampling technique. Data collected on the company characteristics of the manufacturing firms in Nigeria were variables such as Company’s Size (Total Asset), Return on Asset and Audit Firm Size. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and econometric techniques. The result showed 88% disclosure compliance level by listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria and this suggests that the disclosure compliance level is relatively high. The result also revealed that company’s size (t=1.4699; p>0.05) has a positive but insignificant relationship, audit firm size (t= 2.9354; p<0.05) is positive with significant relationship, while profitability (t= -1.5606; p<0.05) has a negative but significant relationship with the extent of disclosure compliance. The result further showed that there are significant differences between the quality of disclosure of the firms audited by the big- 4 audit firms and the ones audited by the non-big 4 audit firms, with a mean value of (89.88:83.46), median value of (89.02:84.15),maximum value of (100:93.09) and minimum value of (73.98:72.36). The study concluded that listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria comply with the minimum disclosure requirement of International Financial Reporting Standards.
Open Access
Aesthetics of narration in selected Mike Ejeagha’s folk songs
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 2016) Akuneziri, Peace Amara
This study identified and analysed the narrative devices used by Mike Ejeagha in the performance of the selected songs which include Onye Isi Oche and Omekagụ. It discussed the literary implications of the narratives and highlighted the aesthetics inherent in the selected Mike Ejeagha’s songs. This was with the view to shedding light on the creative ingenuity of Ejeagha as a folk narrator who is committed to the exposition and preservation of Igbo traditions/cultural practices. Both primary and secondary sources were used for data collection. The primary data comprised Onye Isi Oche and Omekagụ from Mike Ejeagha’s folk music Album titled: The Omenala Series Number One. The songs were selected because of the narrative devices that characterised them. The selected songs were translated from Igbo Language into English Language and analysed to identify the narrative aesthetics used in the performance of the songs. Secondary source included books, journal articles and the Internet. The tales in the songs were analysed with Roland Barthes’s proairetic and semantic narrative codes. The results of the study showed that there were artistic beauty in selected Mike Ejeagha’s folk songs which were evidenced in the narrative devices - repetition, digression, ideophones, and parallelism. From the analysis, it was discovered that the repeated lines increased the temporality of the songs and also captured the interest of the audience in the performance of the songs. The study also revealed that parallelism enabled the narrator to arrange the wordings of the songs to express the actions and emotions of the characters in the tales. The study further showed that the narratives in the songs addressed some aspects of Igbo customs especially issues of inheritance and injustice as explicated in the story of Omekagụ while the story of Onye Isi Oche condemned desperation for power and fame as an attitude for failure. Using Roland Barthes narrative codes - semantic and proairetic in analysing of the narratives in the songs, it was discovered that there are cultural and aesthetic meanings in the two selected songs of Ejeagha. The study demonstrated that narrative devices abound in the selected songs of Mike Ejeagha. The study also analysed the tales as well as the narrative styles in the selected songs. The literary implications of the narratives to the Igbo genre and society where the selected songs domiciled were also discussed. It was concluded that the aesthetics of Ejeagha’s songs was in his narrative style.
Open Access
Allelopathic Effect of Aqueous extracts of Tithonia rotundifolia (P.M. Blake) and Murraya koenigii L. on the growth and biochemical constituents of Capsicum annuum L. and Corchorus olitorius L.
(Botany,Obafemi Awolowo University, 2012) Tijani, Musa Oyebamiji
The study was conducted to investigate the allelopathic effects of fresh shoot aqueous extracts of Murraya koenigii L. and Tithonia rotundifolia P.M. Blake on the growth and biochemical constituents of Capsicum annuum L. and Corchorus olitorius L. plants. Germination experiment was carried out by raising the seedlings of the two target crops in Petri-dishes lined with Whatman No 1 filter paper and moistened with 10 ml of different concentrations (50% and 100% representing half and full strength) of the aqueous extracts of M. koenigii and T. rotundifolia. For the growth parameters (shoot height, root length, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf area ratio ), yield parameters (fresh shoot and root weight, dry shoot and root weight) and quality parameters (chlorophyll, ascorbic acid and crude protein) analyses, potted plants were separated into the control and two other regimes namely: fresh shoot aqueous extract of T. rotundifolia (FSET) and fresh shoot aqueous extract of M. koenigii (FSEM). The pots were arranged in a completely randomized design. The control plants were supplied with 600 ml of tap water while the extract-treated plants were supplied with 600 ml of the appropriate aqueous extracts daily. Harvesting started at two weeks and continued thereafter on a weekly basis for six weeks. Chlorophyll accumulation, ascorbic acid, percentage nitrogen and crude protein content were determined using standard methods. The data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Least Significance Difference (LSD p < 0.05). The extracts significantly inhibited the germination of the seeds and the plumule and radicle lengths of both target crops. This effect was extract concentration dependent (100% > 50% > Control). The applied extracts of M. koenigii plants significantly promoted virtually all the growth parameters such as shoot height, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf area ratio, fresh shoot weight, fresh root weight, dry shoot weight, dry root weight, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, ascorbic acid and protein accumulation of the two target crops. The aqueous extract of T. rotundifolia enhanced only the shoot height, leaf area, root fresh weight, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, ascorbic acid and protein accumulation in the shoot of C. annuum. The root length was however, significantly inhibited by both aqueous extracts. In the case of the potted plants, the effects of the extracts on the various parameters studied followed the order: FSEM > FSET > CONTROL and was target species dependent. The results presented in this work showed that FSEM had more pronounced stimulatory effects on the studied parameters than the FSET. It was evident that while the level of the allelochemicals in the extracts of the two donor plants was phytotoxic to and inhibited the germination and growth of the juvenile seedlings in the Petri-dishes, they, however, had a stimulatory effect on the growth of the matured potted plants as well as on the accumulation of the biochemical constituents studied.
Open Access
Allelopathic effect of aqueous extracts of Tithonia Rotundifolia P.M. Blake And Murraya Koenigii L. on the growth and biochemical constituents of capsicum annuum L. and corchorus olitorius L.
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 2012) Tijani, Musa Oyebamiji
The study was conducted to investigate the allelopathic effects of fresh shoot aqueous extracts of Murraya koenigii L. and Tithonia rotundifolia P.M. Blake on the growth and biochemical constituents of Capsicum annuum L. and Corchorus olitorius L. plants. Germination experiment was carried out by raising the seedlings of the two target crops in Petri-dishes lined with Whatman No 1 filter paper and moistened with 10 ml of different concentrations (50% and 100% representing half and full strength) of the aqueous extracts of M. koenigii and T. rotundifolia. For the growth parameters (shoot height, root length, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf area ratio ), yield parameters (fresh shoot and root weight, dry shoot and root weight) and quality parameters (chlorophyll, ascorbic acid and crude protein) analyses, potted plants were separated into the control and two other regimes namely: fresh shoot aqueous extract of T. rotundifolia (FSET) and fresh shoot aqueous extract of M. koenigii (FSEM). The pots were arranged in a completely randomized design. The control plants were supplied with 600 ml of tap water while the extract-treated plants were supplied with 600 ml of the appropriate aqueous extracts daily. Harvesting started at two weeks and continued thereafter on a weekly basis for six weeks. Chlorophyll accumulation, ascorbic acid, percentage nitrogen and crude protein content were determined using standard methods. The data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Least Significance Difference (LSD p < 0.05). The extracts significantly inhibited the germination of the seeds and the plumule and radicle lengths of both target crops. This effect was extract concentration dependent (100% > 50% > Control). The applied extracts of M. koenigii plants significantly promoted virtually all the growth parameters such as shoot height, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf area ratio, fresh shoot weight, fresh root weight, dry shoot weight, dry root weight, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, ascorbic acid and protein accumulation of the two target crops. The aqueous extract of T. rotundifolia enhanced only the shoot height, leaf area, root fresh weight, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, ascorbic acid and protein accumulation in the shoot of C. annuum. The root length was however, significantly inhibited by both aqueous extracts. In the case of the potted plants, the effects of the extracts on the various parameters studied followed the order: FSEM > FSET > CONTROL and was target species dependent. The results presented in this work showed that FSEM had more pronounced stimulatory effects on the studied parameters than the FSET. It was evident that while the level of the allelochemicals in the extracts of the two donor plants was phytotoxic to and inhibited the germination and growth of the juvenile seedlings in the Petri-dishes, they, however, had a stimulatory effect on the growth of the matured potted plants as well as on the accumulation of the biochemical constituents studied.
Open Access
An appraisal of adult and continuing education programmes in Ondo State of Nigeria
(Department of Continuing Education, Faculty of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University, 1986) Moses Sunday Jayeola-Omoyeni
This study was designed to examine the existing continuing education adult and education programmes emphasizing literacy, extra-mural studies, and in-service training programmes , in Ondo State. Data were collected through personal interviews, questionnaires, and availability records on the organizations, management, and level of involvement of the Ondo State government in adult and continuing education programmes.
Open Access
Analysis of communication about pubertal changes between school nurse and adolescent girls in selected private secondary schools in Ile-Ife
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 2015) Salau, Omowumi.R
School nurses play significant role in communicating reproductive health information to adolescent girls especially during pubertal period which could help make the period less confusing. However, the role of school nurses in such capacity in Nigeria has received limited attention which this study set out to achieve.The study explored the communication process on pubertal changes that occurred between the school nurses and school adolescent girls with a view to investigate the content, methods and media of communication as well as identified the challenges encountered by the nurses in the course of communicating with school adolescent girls on pubertal changes. A descriptive sequential mixed method was adopted for the study. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 420 adolescent girls from five purposively selected private secondary schools in three local government areas of Ile-Ife. All ten (10) school nurses working in the selected private secondary schools were selected for the qualitative aspect of the study. Inclusion criteria include adolescent girls aged 10-18 years schooling in the selected schools with school clinics and school nurses. A self-developed and validated questionnaire and interview guide were used for data collection. Reliability co-efficient of the instrument was found to be 0.97.Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Spearman rho correlation and chi square), while qualitative data was subjected to content analysis using software Alpha 7 ti. Results revealed that the school nurses and school adolescent girls has a mean age of 31.4±6.0 and 13.6±1.7 years respectively. The result showed that communication on pubertal changes is not regular and frequent as 46.4% of the school adolescent girls were educated about physical body changes once in a session by the school nurses,16.2% were taught about menstrual hygiene once a month while,47.6% and 44.3% were never informed about sexual abstinence and teenage pregnancy prevention respectively. Frequency of school nurses’ communication was found to significantly influence the school adolescent girls’ knowledge of pubertal changes (r=-0.099; p=0.043).Group teaching was used to teach 40.5% menstrual hygiene while 40% were taught physical body changes using classroom teaching. Body odour (84.8%), vaginal itching (81.7%), emotional counseling (77.9%) and dysmenorrhoea (65.9%) were the major pubertal health complaints. Good knowledge of pubertal changes was observed among 80.7% of the school girls. Significant association was found between the adolescent girls’ knowledge of pubertal changes and maternal educational level (p=0.008) and paternal educational level (p=0.001). Content analysis of the interviews revealed major challenges encountered by school nurses to be time constraint, topic censorship by the school management, and non availability of teaching/visual aids. The study concluded that efforts should be made to promote school nurses involvement in pubertal education through the full implementation of the national policy on school health in order to promote the sexual and reproductive health of school adolescents.
Open Access
Analysis of consumer preferences for cowpea varieties in Osun State using Hedonic pricing approach
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 2016) Oyewale, Abayomi Yusuf
The study described the socio-economic characteristics of consumers, identified cowpea varieties, their attributes and willingness to pay (WTP) for each variety and determined the factors that influence WTP for cowpea varieties in the Osun State Analysis of consumer preferences for cowpea varieties in Osun State with a view to identifying attributes that determine price variation among cowpea varieties in the study area. Multi stage sampling technique was used to randomly select 210 respondents from the study area: 180 consumers and 30 retailers.In the first stage, six Local Government Areas (LGAs) were purposively selected due to their high population density. Second stage, three towns were randomly selected in each of the LGAs. At the third stage,a random selection of 10 households in each town was done. A total of 180 households were sampled. In addition, 5 cowpea retailers were randomly selected from each LGA making a total of 210 respondents. This sample size was used for the study because of the time and financial constraint. Primary data were collected on socio-economic characteristics, household income, awareness and perception of consumers about cowpea varieties and willingness to pay and attributes of cowpea varieties with the use of structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using both descriptive and regression analysis. The results of the descriptive analysis showed that majority (97.8%) of household are male headed and fall between the ages of 31 and 50. The consumers had an average of five household members and household average monthly income of ₦86,642 (US$ 275 at $1 = ₦315). Most of the respondents (85%) acquired formal basic education. Thirteen varieties of cowpea were found. The varieties are Gombe, Drum, Olo, Oloka, Sokoto, Milk, Wuwo, Oloyin, Jibia, Otili, Ife brown, Ife bimpe and Feregede but only the first nine varieties were common in the market. The quality of each variety differs which explained variation in their price. Majority of consumers (85.6%) purchased 5kg of cowpea and below per week while many of them (63%) made dishes from cowpea three to four times per week. Majority (80%) are aware of more than five varieties of cowpea. The Oloyin variety was mostly preferred by 78% of the consumers. Weevil tolerance was the highest ranked among the cowpea attributes with the score of 2139. Oloyin had the highest WTP followed by Milk and Drum with ₦303.40, ₦237.70 and ₦213.74 per kg respectively. Hedonic pricing method which provides a statistical estimate of premiums and discounts for cowpea attributes. Results indicated that weevil resistance was the most important attribute. Cowpeas with weevil damage tolerance, brown colour, large grain size and short cooking time command price premium for almost all the varieties. The consumers discount prices for insect damage, small size, white colour, smooth skin and grain colour mixed together. The study concluded that consumers preferred cowpea varieties with weevil damage resistance, brown colour, large grain size and short cooking time.
Open Access
Analysis of Micobial Growth and Product Formation Data using Modified Pirt's Model
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 1985) Agho, Godfrey Nosakhare
The data of kappeli and Fiechter for the aerobic growth of Trichosporun cutaneum on glucose in continuous culture and those of Duvnjak et al for the anaerobic growth of various strains of Saccharomyces and Kluyveromyces on Jerusalem artichokes in batch culture were analysed. Material and energy balances were carried out and these with identified regularities were used to establish the consistency of the data and also used to identify probable sources of measurement errors and outlier data points. The estimates of the yield and maintenance coefficients, obtained using the modified Pirt's model, are presented;. improved estimates are obtained using covariate adjustment method. The values of the true biomass yield and the maintenance coefficients obtained from the analysis of the data of T. cutaneum are 0.668 and 0.007 respectively. These values compare favourably with those reported for candida utilis which is used for biomass (single cell protein )production. Analysis of the growth studies on Jerusalem artichokes show that the microorganism, K. fragilis 105, may be the best for ethanol production on this substrate. The method used in this work will have applications in the selection of new strains of microorganisms.
Open Access
Analysis of mobility patterns of the elderly in rural areas of Ondo State, Nigeria.
(Geography, Obafemi Awolowo University, 2016) Ale, Adeniyi Samuel
The study examined the socio-economic characteristics and mobility characteristics of the elderly in the rural areas of Ondo State. It also identified mobility constraints of the elderly and examined the effects of transportation services on quality of life of the elderly population in the study area. These were with the view to determining the principal factors influencing the mobility of the elderly in the area. Primary data were used for the study. The primary data were socio-economic characteristics, cost of transport, travel time and trip survey as well as the mobility characteristics of the elderly in the study area. The data were collected through a set of questionnaire, which were administered to the systematically selected elderly people (age 60 years and above) in the area. The sampling was achieved using a multi - stage sampling procedure. First, three Local Government Areas (LGAs) were randomly (balloting method) selected from each of the three existing senatorial district in Ondo State. This translated into nine LGAs. Second, the settlements within each of the selected LGA were stratified into three classes using population figure (i.e. settlements with population less than 2000, 2,100 - 5,000 people and above 5,000). This resulted to a total of 27 settlements (i.e. 3 settlements in each of the three existing senatorial districts). Finally, 10 % of the elderly (both male and female of age 60 years and above) population were selected for the study. Data on the socio-economic and mobility characteristics were analyzed using simple percentage distribution and t-test statistics while the mobility constraints were ranked using the principal component analysis (PCA). The results showed that the elderly in the area were characterized by about 53.3% males and 46.7% of females who mostly (77.5%) were within the age group of 60 – 80 years and above. They were mostly farmers (45.3 %) and traders (31.8%), about 51.2% of who earned below ten thousand naira (N10, 000) monthly. The examination of the mobility constraints of the elderly indicated that most important destinations are the religious centres (27.9%), relatives and friends (21.4%), farms (20.5%) and market (13.8%) and that the most important means of mobility was trekking (82.7%). The most important (first five by rank) mobility constraints as ranked by the results of the PCA were poor road condition, health or physical condition of the elderly, high cost of transport, poor safety consideration and poor quality of services. Furthermore, the measures of quality of life of the elderly in the area were significantly (t ≤ - 3.02, p < 0.05) related to conditions of transportation services, poor road, and physical capability of the elderly, travel mode and cost of transport. The study concluded that the principal factors that influenced the mobility of the elderly in the area were the health or physical capability of the elderly, poor road condition and relatively high transportation cost.
Open Access
Analysis of risk management strategies among commercial egg producers in Osun State, Nigeria
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 2016) Jegede, Busayo Banke
This study described the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents in the study area, profiled the risk management strategies adopted by the farmers and determined the effects of risk management strategies adopted on the profitability of egg production in Osun State with a view to providing information on the various risk management strategies employed by poultry farmers in the face of uncertainties. A multistage sampling method was adopted for the study. In the first stage, two Local Government areas (LGAs) were randomly selected from each of the three Agricultural zones of Osun State as classified by Agricultural Development Programme (ADP). At the second stage, two communities were randomly selected from each of the six LGAs making a total of 12 communities. At the third stage, using a list of registered poultry farmers, 15 respondents were randomly selected from each of the communities. In all, 180 respondents were sampled for the study. Data were collected on socio-economic characteristics of respondents such as age, sex, and household size, mitigation practice adopted including medication, security and insurance. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, budgetary techniques and Ordinary Least Square Regression model. The findings revealed that the respondents were faced with different types of risks including the death of birds, outbreak of diseases, high cost of feed and inputs. The risk of high cost of feed ranked highest at 95 percent, closely followed by outbreak of diseases with 91.1 percent. The risk management strategies adopted by the respondents were restocking, sales of assets, insurance, extension visits and diversification. The least strategy adopted was formal borrowing (22.2 percent) and consumptions of infected birds (9.4 percent). The study revealed that 65 percent of the respondents were none risk aversed indicating their readiness to increase their investment in spite of the challenges confronting the enterprise. The cost of feed averaging ₦2,465,987.00 and cost of building averaging ₦74988.82 ranked highest in the variable cost and fixed cost components respectively. It also revealed that the enterprise was profitable with a net income of ₦1,290,620.39. The benefit cost ratio of 1.41 showed that for every ₦1 invested in the business, there was a return of 41kobo. The business operating cash ratio of 0.67 which showed that the liabilities of the company were covered by 67 percent of its cash. The regression analysis revealed that extension visits, membership of cooperative society, restocking of the birds, quantity of feed (kg) and insurance had positive I mpacts on profitability. The study concluded that diversification of livelihood should be encouraged to enable farm families augment proceeds from the poultry business, and provide additional another source of income to the family.
Open Access
Analysis of the effect of climate variability on food security of rural farming households in Osun State, Nigeria
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 2015) Ilori, Leke Olakunle
This study examined rainfall and temperature trends inOsun State from meteorological data; and investigated the perceptions and understanding of the rural farmers on local climate variability. It also assessed the food security status of the rural farming households and analyzed the relationship between climate variability and the food security of the rural farming households in the State with a view to examining the effects of climate variability on their food security. Primary and secondary data were used for the study. The primary data were obtained from a total of one hundred and fifty rural farmers in six Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State with the aid of well-structured and pre-tested questionnaires using multistage sampling technique. Annual time series data on temperature and rainfall inOsun State obtained from Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) were used as the secondary data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, trend analysis, food security index and multiple linear regression analysis. Findings from this study showed that majority of the respondents were male (88.7%), married (84%), and with a mean age of 40±12.83 years. On the average, farm size was 4.53±2.80 hectares; household size was 8±3.48; years spent in school was 7.65±4.87 years; farming experience was 30±16.19 years while annual income was N674564.667±1390607.93. The average minimum temperature was 21.210±0.610C with the lowest being 19.160C which was recorded in 1997. The highest was 21.940C and was recorded in 2008. This followed an increasing pattern of 1.03% per year. The maximum temperature was 31.350±1.860C on the average, 30.480C being the lowest recorded in 1986, 32.210C the highest recorded in 1987 and also followed a similar increasing pattern of 2.02% per year. Total annual rainfall however followed a decreasing pattern (reducing at 5.4% per year) with a peak of 1865mm in 1984, lowest rainfall of 838.10mm was recorded in 1977 given an average of 933±294.84mm. Descriptive analysis revealed that all the respondents came to be aware of climate variability as they first noticed it 9±5.35 years ago and through personal observation. Majority (50.7%)noticed a decrease in annual rainfall, an increase in temperature (68.7%), an increase in prolong frequency of drought (32%) and an increase in the intensity of rainfall (52.7%). The food security index analysis indicated that majority of the respondents (74.7%) were food insecure with the mean food security index and average daily per capita calorie consumption of 0.944±0.383 and 2123.38±860.76kcal respectively. This signified that the rural population was food insecure. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that while sex and age negatively influenced food security, farming experience and total income had positive effects. Of the three climatic factors analysed, only frequency of drought was significant and had negative effect on food security. The study concluded that food insecurity persists among rural farming households in Osun State and is being affected negatively by increase in the frequency of droughts.
Open Access
Analysis of the experiences of teaching practice schools and student-teachers of the college of education, Ikere-Ekiti
(Obafemi Awolowo University, 2016) Olusola, Monisola A
This study examined the experiences of teaching practice schools and analysed student-teachers’ experiences in their interaction with their supervisors and cooperating teachers during teaching practice. It also identified the instructional and administrative challenges faced by student-teachers from the College of Education Ikere-Ekiti and assessed the experiences of the College supervisors in their interaction with student-teachers during the exercise. These were with a view to providing information on nature of teaching practice experiences among students, supervisors and cooperating schools in College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti. The study adopted the survey research design.The population for this study consisted of Part III students of the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti who were observing their teaching practice, their lecturers, the principals and teachers of all the secondary schools in Ado-Ekiti. According to the statistics provided by the College authorities, 1,591 year three students were into the teaching practice exercise in 2015/2016 academic session. Twelve secondary schools having student-teachers in Ado Local Government Area of Ekiti-State were purposively selected based on the large population of the student-teachers posted to the LGA. Twelve secondary school principals (one per school), 36 cooperating teachers (three per school), 50 lecturers (10 from each school of study at the College) and one hundred and eighty Part III students (15 student-teachers per teaching practice school) were selected from the population by simple random sampling technique.Four instruments were used, namely: Student-Teachers’ Questionnaire (STQ), Cooperating Teachers’ Questionnaire (CTQ), Secondary School Principals’ Questionnaire (SSPQ) and College Supervisors’ Questionnaire (CSQ).The data were analysed using descriptive statistics of simple frequency counts and percentages. The results showed that 58.33% of the principals of the cooperating schools indicated that they did not have sufficient teaching aids, they also asserted that74.99% of the student-teachers played truancy, 49.99% of student-teachers exhibited lackadaisical attitude while the cooperating teachers asserted that 61.11% of student-teachers were deficient in time and classroom management. The results also revealed 57.48% of student-teachers were not observed by their supervisors from the beginning till the end, 53.29% of the student-teachers were not excited whenever their supervisors were around while 85.02% of the student-teachers said that their lesson notes were checked by their supervisors and 70.05% asserted that their supervisors also checked their notes. The resultson the instructional and administrative challenges of the student-teachers indicated that 53.89% of them never had teaching aids made available in their schools, 56.88% of their students refused to do their class and homework, 61.07% of the student-teachers complained of non-conducive classroom atmosphere for teaching while 62.27% of them complained of some traits of indiscipline in their students. Finally, the result revealed that 84% of student-teachers had a quest for high marks, 74% of them displayed inappropriate use of reinforcement, 99.99% of them complied with the subject benchmark and 80% of the student-teachers, had good disposition to their work as asserted by their supervisors. The study concluded that teaching practice experiences of the major stakeholders in the College of Education Ikere-Ekiti were both challenging and beneficial.