In this study, arsenic distribution in groundwater and its relationship with the depth of groundwater was studied. During the study, water samples were taken from wells and community boreholes in the Obuasi Municipality. The samples were analyzed, and models were developed to provide a better understanding of arsenic distribution and groundwater depth. The study concludes that, at greater depth in community boreholes (CBH > 50 m), there is a positive correlation of depth with total arsenic indicating total arsenic mobilization whereas in shallower depth (wells and CBH < 50 m) the correlation is not very clear suggesting total arsenic may be mobilized or demobilized depending on prevailing conditions. There is contribution of microbial activity in the mobilization of arsenic in the groundwater. Arsenite mobilizes with increasing borehole depth and demobilizes with decreasing borehole depth. In wells, there appear to be two arsenite groups all negatively correlated with depth. There is positive correlation between carbonate and silicate weathering and arsenic distribution in the order Wells > shallow MBH > deep MBH > shallow CBH > deep CBH. Shallow monitoring boreholes (MBH) appear to mobilize arsenic through silicate weathering and deep MBHs and CBHs generally mobilize arsenic through carbonate weathering, whilst shallow CBHs and wells appear to mobilize arsenic through a combination of carbonate and silicate weathering. There is therefore the need to identify areas with suitable deep aquifers where there is adequate knowledge of the recharge mechanism and the soil profile to determine protected aquifers for location of new boreholes.
Page(s): 01-09 Date of Publication: 18 October 2020
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Development and advancement of any nation depend on the accessibility of reliable electric power energy. Global radiations obtained in this study are higher with mean value of 22.90 MJm-2 and the measured value 21.39 MJm-2 which shows the presence of high global solar energy potential in Mubi. The energy distribution density with August having the highest value of 30048.52 joules and January having the lowest value of 2010.07 joules, this is due to the average mean wind speed, the power distribution density with August having the highest value of 40.39W/m^2 and January having the lowest value 2.70W/m^2. The site has been found to have great potentials for wind and solar utility power generation capacity. The global solar radiation intensity predicted in this study can also be utilized in design, analysis and performance estimation of solar energy systems, which is gaining significant attention.
Page(s): 10-15 Date of Publication: 23 October 2020
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This study aimed to investigate the impact of banks characteristics and macroeconomic variables on the financial performance among Islamic commercial Banks in Indonesia. This study applies a quantitative research methodology, which includes a numerical measurement and analysis of the factors which influence the Islamic commercial banks financial performance. In this study both internal (banks characteristics) and external (macroeconomic variables) factors that influence the Islamic banks’ financial performance were applied; the data for this study are Panel data, also called longitudinal data or cross-sectional time-series data. It comprises of panel dataset of 12 Islamic Banks from Indonesia. Data were compiled from the DataStream Database and balance sheet for the period of 2009 to 2019, with 132 observations (nT) altogether. The results show that the internal factors (Equity Financing, Bank Size and Assets Quality) are significant factors on Islamic commercial banks financial performance in ensuring success and increase in the profitability and better performance of Islamic commercial Banks in Indonesia. On the other hand, two factor from the internal factors that has no significant impact on the Islamic commercial Banks’ financial performance in Indonesia, namely the Debt Financing and Liquidity. In addition, from the macroeconomic indicators GDP growth rate act as the main external factor that significantly have an impact on the Islamic commercial banks’ financial performance in Indonesia. Nevertheless, inflation factor has no significant impact on the Islamic commercial Bank’s financial performance in Indonesia.
Page(s): 16-21 Date of Publication: 24 October 2020
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In this study, assessment of air quality indices and its possible health impacts in Asa-Dam industrial area, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria was carried out. The ambient air quality measurement was done with respect to Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and carbon mono-oxide. Sample collections were limited to air quality. Air quality sources were randomly selected within the vicinity of the study area, but at different distances. Also, the samples were collected at different locations sixty (60) points. The monitoring exercises were taken in the daytime, the air pollution measurements were carried out using direct reading, automatic in-situ gas monitors; Smart AS8900 Multi-Gas Monitor was used in measuring carbon monoxide (CO), BR-SMART-126 Portable 4-in-1 Air Quality Monitor was used to detect PM2.5, PM10, Garmin Dakota 20 GPS was used to collect Coordinates of sampling points.
Page(s): 22-26 Date of Publication: 25 October 2020
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Postnatal care is the care provided to the mother immediately after delivery of baby and placenta. The care is spread across a minimum of four postnatal visits packaged as focused postnatal care. During this period the health worker takes the opportunity to provide essential services geared towards offering promotive, preventive and curative services to both mother and baby. Approximately 800 mothers die daily globally due to pregnant related causes, some are direct and others are indirect causes. This translates to about 600, 000 maternal deaths annually in the global arena. Objective: We set to carry out a research to establish determinants of utilization of postnatal services among postnatal mothers in Kakamega County. Study design: This was a descriptive cross-section study involving 215 participants recruited from three sub-county hospitals. Sampling technique: We used a simple random sampling followed by systematic sampling to select study subjects who were consented. Data was collected using a questionnaire and entered into a data base and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: Variables that were significantly associated with utilization of services included: occupation, health facility, time taken to hospital, number of antenatal clinic attendance and number of postnatal clinic attendance. There was a significant association of services offered and utilization (p<0.05). We concluded that majority of participants utilized postnatal services with the number of ANC, PNC and occupation were significantly associated with utilization of postnatal services. The uptake of cancer of cervix screening was low compared to other services and therefore the study recommends the county government of Kakamega to introduce strategies that may accelerate the uptake of this service.
Page(s): 27-31 Date of Publication: 26 October 2020
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Adolescence is the period following the onset of puberty during which physical and psychological occur. In-school adolescent academic performance can be determined by factors such as peer pressure, learning environment and home background. Peer pressure is commonly associated with episodes of adolescent risk taking (such as delinquency, drug abuse, sexual behaviours), because this behaviour commonly occurs in the company of peers. It can also have positive effects when youth are pressured by the peer toward positive behaviour. The interaction of various characteristics of school and classroom climate can create a support that enables all members of the school community not only to learn but also to teach at optimum levels. Nevertheless, a negative school climate interferes with learning and development and can affect academic performance of in-school adolescents. A functioning family is beneficial to a child than a dysfunctional one. Family separation was a great contributor of child neglect which generally leads to child deviant behavior. For example, leaving home and addicted to vices and the like from parental and family neglect, lack of supervision and guidance, lack of supervision and the absence of close relationships between teenager and his or her parents are factors that influence delinquency and poor academic performance.It is obvious that secondary schools should have guidance services with a competent counsellor to counsel students from broken homes, child raised by single parent and parents who do not pay adequate attention to their children and wards’ education and those students experiencing challenges in schools; and peer pressure.
Page(s): 32-38 Date of Publication: 26 October 2020
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The study examined therapeutic efficacy of family psycho-education in reducing syndrome severity among schizophrenic patients at the Neuro-Psychiatric Specialist Hospital, Akure, Ondo-State, South-Western part of Nigeria. Twenty respondents participated in the study. They were divided into two groups; experimental and control groups using simple random sampling technique. Group A belong to experimental group and; consisted of ten schizophrenic respondents, while Group B consisted of ten schizophrenic respondents and were classified as control group. The experimental group was exposed to family psycho-education (FPE) and drug therapy, while, the control group was exposed to drug therapy only. The study design is field experiment. The instrument used for the collection of data was Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale while, between subject Independent t-test statistics was used for statistical analysis using SPSS version 16.0. Findings revealed a significant difference in syndrome severity between the experimental and control groups after therapeutic intervention t (18) = -2.390, p<.05. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant for the analyses. Based on this findings, it is recommended that drug therapy and Family Psychoeducation should be integrated together to enhance holistic intervention for schizophrenic patients. Stress-vulnerability model was adopted as an explanatory model for the study.
Page(s): 39-44 Date of Publication: 27 October 2020
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The government’s efforts to extend and intensify taxation are one of the ways to increase state revenues independently. This is not easy, because it demands an active role for the tax officer, as well as the taxpayer’s awareness and willingness. The lack of public willingness to pay taxes is inseparable from the lack of knowledge about tax regulations and the quality of financial services. This research was conducted to determine the effect of tax knowledge and the quality of tax authorities on awareness of paying taxes. Data collection is done through the distribution of questionnaires that have been tested for validity and reliability. This research was conducted at KPP Serang Regency. The sample size is 50 individual taxpayers. The research method used is an empirical method with descriptive and verification approaches because there are variables that will be explained and explored how much influence these variables have—statistical data analysis using multiple regression analysis.
Page(s): 45-52 Date of Publication: 28 October 2020
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Signal processing for electrocardiogram (ECG) records cardiac activity to unveil any abnormality in the heart through electrocardiograph. The pictorial representation comes in graph to indicate electric potential changes occurring between electrodes when patients’ cardiovascular state is being examined. The electrical functioning of the heart is translated into a waveform, being utilized to find the heart condition. An ECG signal tracks heart diseases, such as poor blood flow to the heart and structural abnormalities. Analysis of ECG signal and removal of interference for clinical diagnosis in presented in this paper.
Page(s): 53-56 Date of Publication: 28 October 2020
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The purpose of this study is to analyze and explain effects of service quality, on value, satisfaction, and loyalty. Survey method by questionare is used to gain data from100 customers at Local Office of bank BRI in Kupang City, Indonesia. Statistic descriptif and Partials least Square (PLS) was used to analyze data. The results provide that service quality has a significant and positive effect on value and customer satisfaction , but it has an insignificant effect on customer loyalty. Customer value has a significant effect on customer satisfaction and Customer Loyalty. Customer satisfaction has a significant and positive effect on Customer Loyalty. The limitations of this study are using cross sectional data, and the limited number of samples comes only from one bank that is BRI Bank. The results contribute to developing of science, especially in marketing science and practical contribute to the manager of bank service in relation with efforts to promote customer loyalty.
Page(s): 57-63 Date of Publication: 31 October 2020
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Surface samples were collected from 6 different local governments across Kano state: Ajingi, Gezawa, Gabassawa, Gwarzo, Kabo, Tofa local government areas. The collected soil samples (0-15cm depth) were analyzed using standard procedures to determine the levels of soil pH, Organic carbon, Total nitrogen and Available sulphur in sorghum and millet based cropping systems in the Sudan savanna of Nigeria. Results obtained shows that the soils were generally low in organic carbon (0.22 – 0.51%) while the total nitrogen fell within moderate range from (0.11 – 0.12%).The pHwater ranged between 6.02 – 6.46 and pHCaCl2 between 5.55 – 6.32. The available sulphur content of different cropping systems under the study were found to be within the moderate range from (8.3 to 21.9%) with the highest mean recorded from Cowpea, Soybean and Sorghum (COS) cropping system and the lowest mean was recorded in Cowpea, Groundnut and Millet (CGS) cropping system. Owing to the low total nitrogen and organic carbon content in the soil under the study area, it is therefore recommended that supplementary nitrogen application and improvement of the drainage conditions of all the soils should be employed to improve the nutrient status of the soils. Also, with the current intensive cropping pattern, sulphur contained fertilizer should be used frequently to prevent depleting the soils which are presently adequate in sulphur within few years.
Page(s): 64-68 Date of Publication: 01 November 2020
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Survey research method was adopted for this study. A total of 300 households, from three (3) zones (Azuabie/Slaughter, Tourist Beach and Eagle Island Coastal Communities) formed the population of this study. The data collection instrument consisted of structured questionnaire, which contained information on socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the respondents and the acceptance or otherwise of using excreta to generate energy (electricity). The result showed 83% are literate among the Azuabie respondents while those at Tourist Beach and Eagle Island were 90% and 81%, respectively. This probably made them receptive to the idea of generating useful energy from their wastes even though most of them were unaware of the biogas technology. On the issue of converting and using the human excreta, the level of awareness by the respondents was quite low. At Azuabie, 60.4%, at the Tourist Beach 71.7% and at Eagle Island 60.3% have never heard about it. It could be seen from the above that, more than halve of the respondents are unaware of the biogas technology, talk less of considering it as an alternative source of energy. Be that as it may, majority of the respondents welcomed the idea of an innovation that would convert excreta into electricity that they so desperately need. At Azuabie, 79.2% accepted this proposition, while 81.7% and 74.6% equally accepted at the Tourist Beach and the Eagle Island coastal communities respectively. Ironically, request for respondents to provide their excreta for the research was met with skepticism and rejection. At Azuabie, 62.3% were unwilling, while at the Tourist Beach, 81.7% were not ready. However, 44.4% of respondents at the Eagle Island were willing to provide their excreta for the research. Lastly, there is no significant agreement among the residents to accept the use of the energy produced from the conversion of such wastes.
Page(s): 69-73 Date of Publication: 02 November 2020
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Synthesis and characterisation of Zinc Oxide nanoparticles by means of green approach using the bio component of Kalanchoe Tubiflora leaves is discussed in this research paper. The sample was characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. XRD confirms the growth of hexagonal ZnO wurtzite structure. The size of nano crystallites calculated using Debye-Scherrer’s formula as 31.6nm. Energy band gap of 3.26eV and absorption at 347nm shows the presence of Zinc Oxide nano structure.
Page(s): 74-76 Date of Publication: 02 November 2020
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Covid-19 previously known as 2019-nCoV was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and soon after more than 100,000 cases were reported in more than 100 countries. Nigeria had its first index case in February 28, 2020 and increasing number of cases everyday and a current case fatality ratio of 0.03 as at 13 April, 2020. Slow rate of spread was achieved under severe constraint until recently. There is urgent need to fix the missing gaps and explore available collective measures and interventions to address the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Page(s): 77-81 Date of Publication: 03 November 2020
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The economy of Bangladesh is booming gradually year after year and the government is also planning for huge infrastructural development to boost up its economic sectors. Infrastructure like Deep Sea Port or Deep water port can bring both economic and military significance for a country. China, India and, the USA were in the race of aiding Bangladesh to construct deep sea port in the Bay of Bengal to gain exclusive access and control over the Bay as well as the Indian Ocean. China was about to start Sonadia Deep Sea Port which was cancelled due to India’s & the USA’s concern. Bangladesh then strategically sided all those three powers and by changing the location of the port construction, brought comparatively pacifist Japan to build her first-ever deep Sea Port at Matarbari, in Cox’s Bazar district. This paper critically measures the deep politics after doing a content analysis of the events related to the research area. Besides, the importance of the Bay of Bengal and how it could shift the regional politics has also been discussed in the perspective of Bangladesh, India, and China.
Page(s): 82-89 Date of Publication: 03 November 2020
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African Americans value education as their vehicle for a bright future. However, racial segregation continues to hurt equity, diversity, and inclusion in Higher Education in America (AHE). I opine that studying and understanding the post-racial African American subculture could be an integral move in realizing racial integration in AHE. This paper explored literature on African American culture to identify the characteristics that shape their behavior at AHE. It emerged that African Americans continue to be racially segregated in AHE since they could not be assimilated into American culture due to their hair and skin color, their internal culture that influenced how they think and differed from other immigrants, black scholars resistance to use western literary theories in analyzing African American literature due to their uniqueness. Further, Africa Americans continue to view Caucasians with mistrust for distorting their history undervaluing them and providing them with inadequate facilities. I argue that the knowledge that African American’s are unique from other communities and that they have their feelings, and that they are affected by racial segregation can be a first step towards realizing access and equity in AHE.
Page(s): 90-92 Date of Publication: 03 November 2020
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The purpose of this research is to analyze and identify the influence of a strategic orientation which is divided into market orientation, technology orientation, entrepreneurial orientation, and knowledge management on firm performance with innovation as an intervening variable. This research was conducted at 58 FMCG listed companies (Bursa Efek Indonesia) with the data collection method in the form of a questionnaire. The sample in the study amounted to 58 respondents consisting of leaders in FMCG companies listed on the IDX. The data analysis method used in this study is Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS Version 3 program. Data analysis was carried out by evaluating the measurement model (outer model) and structural model (inner model). The results showed that FMCG companies that prioritize innovation and have a good entrepreneurial orientation will increase firm performance, besides that FMCG companies are able to carry out market orientation so that they find what market needs are accompanied by innovation which will increase firm performance. The results also show that technology orientation and knowledge management do not play a role in creating innovation and have no effect in increasing firm performance.
Page(s): 93-107 Date of Publication: 04 November 2020
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The main aim of this study was to establish the influence of teachers’ qualifications on the provision of quality early childhood education to learners with Learning Disability (LD) in Nairobi City County. The theory of social constructivism by Vygotsky (1978) was adopted. Descriptive survey design guided the study using mixed methods. The target population comprised of 25 head teachers and 55 classroom teachers. Simple random sampling technique was used to purposively select 8 (32%) early grade schools, 16 (29%) teachers and 8 (32%) head teachers. The research instruments included interviews for the head teachers, questionnaires for teachers and learning task for PP2 pupils. Four schools were utilised for piloting the research instruments in order to validate the study content based on the study objectives while test- retest reliability technique at coefficient of 0.7 was used to determine their soundness. Quantitative data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, means and percentages while qualitative data was summarised and analysed according to specific study themes. The study findings revealed that academic and professional qualifications significantly influenced the quality of ECE delivered to learners with disabilities. It was found that majority of the teachers had education level of up to Form IV, which limit the ability of these teachers to deliver quality and specialized contents to special learners in their schools. Moreover, majority of the respondent including the head teachers admitted that low academic and professional qualifications of teachers was significantly responsible for the challenges experienced by learners with disabilities in ECDE centers. The study concluded that lack of teachers trained in special needs education to handle students with LD negatively affected the performance of learners with LD. The study recommended the government to provide special training for all those teachers in all preprimary schools to be able to handle learners with LD. Also the ministry of education should organize for both in-service and pre service training courses for all teachers who handle learners with learning disabilities.
Page(s): 108-112 Date of Publication: 05 November 2020
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The purpose of the study was to establish the effect of Kenyan Sign Language (KSL) on academic performance of learners with hearing impairment in Kedowa Special School, Kericho County, Kenya. The government has done all it could to make KSL an acceptable mode of communication to the deaf and the hearing. This includes its recognition in the new Constitution and its inclusion as an examinable subject in the National examinations. Despite all these efforts, it has been noted that learners with hearing impairments continue to lag behind their hearing peers in the national examinations like Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (K.C.P.E) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (K.C.S.E). The study employed a case study as its research design and used interviews, archival records, questionnaires and observation as its instruments. The reliability of the instruments was determined using the test-re-test method while its validity was determined by the help of KSL experts and the researcher’s lecturers and supervisors. A purposive sampling technique was used to arrive at the sample size of 181 respondents. Data was analyzed using the SPSS version 21 by first categorizing the responses from the different respondents, editing them and then computing them in respect to the objectives and research questions of the study. The findings of the study, showed that KSL was not used in the schools due to lack of teaching materials and resources like books hence the Ministry of Education should provide adequate teaching and learning resources for special schools for the deaf for successful implementation of KSL.
Page(s): 113-119 Date of Publication: 05 November 2020
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This study, evaluated attitude of rural women towards entrepreneurial skill acquisition in Ogbomoso South Local Government Area. Simple random sampling technique was used in selecting 90 respondents for the study. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The mean age of the respondents was 40.1years. The distribution of respondents by level of education revealed that 25.6% of the respondents had no formal education, 35.6% of the respondents had primary school education, 24.4% of the respondents had secondary school education. 60.0% identified food processing and packaging, 72.2% identified trading while 71.1% of the respondents identified Sales and marketing of various commodities. Also, 28.9% identified restaurant, 10.0% identified bakery, 38.9% identified hair dressing and makeover. Most of the respondents reported that entrepreneurial training makes them to be self-employed and also become employer of labour and was ranked first with WMS of 4.4. It is concluded that, Sales and marketing of various commodity was the skill that respondents were mostly involved in. Therefore, Government and stakeholders in entrepreneurship should make business environment conducive in order for selling and marketing activities of the respondents to thrive.
Page(s): 120-123 Date of Publication: 06 November 2020
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The accruals anomaly and cash flows anomaly appear as an irregularity in financial markets. The results of previous empirical studies challenge the paradigm of financial market efficiency (Sloan 1996; Shi and Zhang 2011; Houge and Loughran 2000). The anomaly seems to be derived from users’ inability to recognise effect of accruals and cash flows on stock income. Prior literature revue, supports that the abnormal accruals and cash flows that are strong and solid in different context (Lafond 2005; Pincus et al. 2007). To address this issue, we conducted a study on a sample of 185 French firms over the period from 1998 to 2008. The results show that there is no evidence of the cash flow anomaly in France. But, we detect the existence of the accruals anomaly.
Page(s): 124-131 Date of Publication: 10 November 2020
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This study was carried out on Massive Open Online Course (MOOCs) for life-long learning: implication for higher education. Three objectives of the study, three research questions and three null hypotheses were used for the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population of the study comprised of the entire postgraduate diploma in Education (PGDE) students in University of Port Harcourt for 2018/2019 academic session which is seventy-four students (74) while the sample of the study was 74 students using census sampling technique. Mean scores, Standard deviation and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were the statistical tools used in the study. It was found that PGDE students are aware of the MOOCs as an online learning tool for life-long learning. Furthermore, the study also revealed that PGDE students have positive attitude on the use of MOOCs as an online learning tool. In terms of constraints, respondents generally agreed that there is enough constraint on the use of MOOCs for life-long learning. Based on these findings, the study recommends that the use of MOOCs should be adopted as a learning platform for faculty of education students.
Page(s): 132-136 Date of Publication: 10 November 2020
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Decision Support Systems (DSS) are part of computer-based information systems which include knowledge-based systems used to support decision making in a system. DSS provide a semi-structured decision, where no one knows exactly how decisions should be made. This study applies the Multi-Objective Optimization On The Basic Of Ratio Analysis (MOORA) Method as a method to be applied in a decision support system. A mathematical approach that is used as a solution to solve the selection of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for the needs of the company’s vendors. This study aims to determine how the MOORA system works through a mathematical approach to provide decisions on the selection of SMEs for the needs of vendors in the company. The research was conducted using a quantitative where each criterion has been determined in advance the value of its existence. Criteria data are determined based on the previous work process skills of the SMEs that will be made into vendors.
Page(s): 137-141 Date of Publication: 11 November 2020
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This study was designed to determine the effect of task instruction sheets on foundry students’ retention in polytechnics of North Central, Nigeria. This study adopted a quasi-experimental research design. Specifically, the pre-test post-test non-equivalent control group design which involved groups of students in their intact classes assigned to experimental and control group. The sample size for this study was 271 and comprised 236 males and 35 female students in all the intact classes in the participating schools. The experimental group had a population of 138 subjects made up of 116 male and 22 female students while control group had a population of 133 subjects comprising 120 male and 13 female students. Two research questions were formulated and three null hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance. The instruments used for data collection for this study was Metal Casting Technology Retention Test (MCTRT). To ensure content validity of the MCTRT. The MCTRT was trial-tested to determine the suitability and reliability coefficient which was found to be 0.87 for MCTRT using Kuder-Richardson formular 20 (KR-20) approach. To collect data, students in both groups were subjected to pre-test before experiment, posttest after the experiment as well as administering of MCTRT. Mean was used to answer the research questions while Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the null hypotheses that guided the study at .05 level of significant. The study found out that there was a positive effect of gender on students’ retention in sand casting favoring boys. The study also found out that there was significant interaction effects of treatments and gender on Foundry students’ retention in sand casting. It was therefore, recommended among others that Foundry lecturers/ teachers should adopt the use of task instruction sheet in teaching sand casting, The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) should support instructional effectiveness by training teachers on the use of task instruction sheet as well as in design of task instruction sheet lesson plans for use in polytechnics.
Page(s): 142-147 Date of Publication: 11 November 2020
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Determinant factors to decision to adopt pro-vitamin A cassava varieties by farmers in Abia State of Nigeria was studied. Multistage random sampling technique was used to select one hundred and twenty respondents for the study. A structured questionnaire and oral interview were used to elicit data for the study. Percentage responses and Probit model analysis were used to address the objectives of the study. The result of the probit analytical model showed that farmers’ educational level, membership of organization, farming experience, farm size, off-farm income and extension services were the determinants factors to the decision to adopt improved pro vitamin A cassava varieties There is need to enhance farmers’ access to educational programmes, credit facility, off-farm employment and extension services.
Page(s): 148-155 Date of Publication: 12 November 2020
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Sustainable agricultural land is a field of agricultural land designated to be protected and developed consistently in order to produce staple food for national food self-sufficiency, security and sovereignty. The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in sustainable agriculture based on the slope in the western slopes of Mount Lawu. This research uses quantitative research methods and is described descriptively with the data sources in this study, namely farmers, environmental coordinators, heads of farmer groups and related agencies (BPS, DLH, DISPERTAN). The data collection methods used were questionnaires, interviews, observation and documentation. The sampling technique used was stratified random sampling, which was to classify the population according to certain geographic features in this study, namely the slope on the West Slope of Lawu Mountain. This research is a quantitative study with data analysis using the Sustainable Agriculture Index. The results showed sustainable agriculture index was on slopes 0-2% (110), slopes 2-6% (80.5), slopes 6-13% (96.7), slopes 13-25% (85.1), slopes 25-55% (71.8) , and slopes > 55% (104.3). The conclusion of this research is that the implementation of sustainable land management based on the results is in the high to very high category. This research can be used as a reference to consider in making policies related to sustainable agriculture.
Page(s): 156-163 Date of Publication: 12 November 2020
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This paper investigates the effect of inventory fraud on financial reporting by taking into consideration some key elements inventory fraud such as double counting, capitalizing cost, cut-off problems, over estimating, bill and hold sales, and consigned inventory. This study carried out this conceptual work by considering and reviewing prior literatures from different continents extant literatures. The findings showed that once a closing inventory is misstated in the current year, it will be carried forward to the next year in which it will have a negative effect on the coming year profit. Therefore, the managers tends to continuously giving wrong value of inventory in order to meet up with the shareholders and potential investors expectations and thereby presenting a financial reporting that is bias because it’s not showing the true position of the company’s affairs. This will in turn having a negative effect on the company as a whole. The study recommends a constant rotation of employees handling inventory, a strong system of internal control, constant physical stock taking, installation of electronic surveillance and a good inventory fraud management system
Page(s): 164-170 Date of Publication: 12 November 2020
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Water crisis keeps looming because of the intense pressure on water sources. The purpose of this research is diagnosis of available water resources in Kisumu County and to make sure that the area drinking water needs at all time. Without indigenous practices, knowledge is limited. It is important to recognise that the planning of water supply resources cannot be done in isolation of other water demands in the various existing and potential source areas. The domestic water supply demand has been estimated specifically for the present situation. The objective of the diagnostic assessment is to provide the information necessary for the development of sustainable water resources plans for the County and its environs. Water production is not really the main issue since most times the tanks are full but distribution. The demand exists but the distribution infrastructure is not able to satisfy it. Through exploiting the available water resources continually to meet the increasing water demands experienced in the city both during dry and wet seasons would result in a steady supply of water thereby helping the city in the implementation of sustainable development goal no 6. The biggest gap is under-investment in water storage and water infrastructure which is not in line with the population as well as the development of the area. There are opportunities for the development of water resources that could provide a source of water for Kisumu County.
Page(s): 171-185 Date of Publication: 13 November 2020
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An attempt will be made in this essay to look at the effects of major changes in the environment on human – nature relationships. The essay would also highlight how human beings respond to an abnormal situation. The Carhullan Army by Sarah Hall, The Machine by James Smythe, and Watchman by Ian Rankin presented a world setting in which society was confronted with catastrophic phenomena. The change from the normal to the abnormal has not been smooth. The study is significant because the British society which these novels are portraying has undergone fundamental changes within the twentieth century right into the first decade of the twenty-first century. The Second World War saw the collapse of the British Empire and the concomitant effects of that socio-political and cultural upheaval. It is therefore an urgent matter for literary artists to draw critical attention to the effects of rapid modernisation on man and the environment. Issues such as global warming, insecurity, and techno science need to be properly confronted if our world would be protected. Although there have been studies done on these novels especially, The Carhullan Army, the approach has been Eco dystopia and Feminism. This study would use dystopian theory to underline the evolution in the different settings presented in these novels. The thesis is that a dystopic society usually evolves when the dream of a utopian setting is taken to an unmanageable level. In a constructed ideal setting the extremes of a few will tip the balance and then, dystopia and the ensuing chaos will ensue.
Page(s): 186-191 Date of Publication: 13 November 2020
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This study explored controversial issues in the teaching of Civic Education in selected Zambian school. The study applied qualitative methodology with a narrative design to generate evidence. Unstructured interviews were used as instruments for data production. Schools and participants were purposively selected from the five zones in Lusaka District. Findings of the study revealed the following as some of the perceived controversial issues noted in the teaching of Civic Education in selected Zambian school among others: being critical to the government, discussing of political oriented issues, discussions bordering on current affairs, discussions on abuse of human rights by the government, discussions on fundamental freedoms. The study recommended that teacher education programmes should be training teachers on how best to teach controversial issues. The public should be sensitised on the role of Civic Education in a democratic society like Zambia and also there is need to undertake further research on the best techniques of teaching controversial issues in schools.
Page(s): 192-196 Date of Publication: 13 November 2020
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This thesis study to the Madu River tourism industry and changes in the lives of balapitiya rural community. Most of people worked in the tourism industry. Tourism is a social cultural and economic phenomenon which entails the movement of people to countries or places outside their usual environment for personal or business/ professional purposes. This is creating a most of job opportunity there are boat supply, boat rider, food supply and etc… Maduganga has 15 islands of various sizes surrounded by water all round year, 15 islands including two main islands providing shelter to 215 families. Starting the boat ride 1st island is DIK DOOWA Island. There is no human exist in this island. Cinnamon cultivation happens here. We could find mangroves covering the whole island. Next Island is KOTHDUWA. This is where the kothduwa rajamaha viharaya is located. That island holds historical value. This temple was billed by maha kappila walawwa. Next Island is MADHUWA. Maduwa Island is the biggest island found in the Madu River. The entire area of this island in 38.8 hectare. There are around 215 to 220 families’ lives in this island. This island is connected to the main land via bridge. GALMANDUWA is land has a separate fish farm for the purpose of fish therapy. SATHAPAHE DUWA is a small island. Cinnamon Island mostly the cinnamon cultivation is done in this island. According to this island we can see most of job category. This tourism industry can be change the human life. Balapitiya human cultural attitude is a very different. According to this research can be introduce new suggestion. There is Promoting Rural Tourism, Creating Sustainable tourism, Preservation of cultural heritage, providing relief to those who are employed in small business.
Page(s): 197-206 Date of Publication: 17 November 2020
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The IPSAS budget statement prescribed by the scope and conceptual framework discloses financial information useful for stakeholder decision making. This scientific study purpose is to assess the impact of IPSAS on the public budget statement in Africa. The study methodology adopted is mixed research methodology, through researcher administered questionnaires and interviews on PAFA accountants in public sector practice across Africa. The findings revealed that an IPSAS compliant publicly approved budget, after consultation with the public is objective and useful for user decision making, enhancing transparency and accountability for the benefit of users, including added stakeholder’s trust and confidence thereby making an overall impact contribution to the Gross Domestic Product. The findings also identified implementation challenges of the IPSAS compliant budget as technical complex and beyond the comprehension of the average user, lack of political will, and resistance to change in the Finance Ministries and among legislatures
Page(s): 207-209 Date of Publication: 19 November 2020
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IPSASs are generally applied to not-for-profit making public entities whose primary objective is accountability and effectiveness in the provision of public goods and services. The incorporation of elements of profits and return on investment as part of objectives of commercial public sector entities makes the application of IPSASs technically complex. The study therefore seeks evaluate how impactful are IPSASs on commercial public sector entities. The methodology adopted for this study was mixed research methodology through questionnaires and interviews of PAFA professional in Africa public sector. The findings revealed that commercial public sector entities are greater defined extent profit driven in their objectives, using International Financial Reporting Standards ( IFRSs) as their accounting standards. The findings further revealed that the hybrid adoption of IPSASs with IFRSs applied to commercial public sector entities especially in consolidated financial reporting is technically challenging and compromising the objectivity of IPSASs which require full adoption and application. The study concluded that IPSASs are therefore less impactful and relevant to commercial public sector entities.
Page(s): 210-212 Date of Publication: 19 November 2020
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Public financial management exhibits an integrated system of laws, conventions, concepts, principles and practices by sovereign governments through various stakeholders in the attainment of public sector objectives, with accounting playing a pivotal role. The study thereby seeks to assess the impact of International Public Sector Accounting Standards on the public financial management in Africa. The methodology adopted for this study was mixed research methodology, through questionnaires and interviews of randomly selected PAFA accountants across Africa. The majority of respondents concurred that IPSASs are central and pivotal in the attainment of objectives for sound and successful Public Financial Management. Respondents further reiterated that IPSASs are key in accounting for taxation revenue, non-tax revenue and donor funds through transparency and disclosure, which are essential for strategic policy interventions and public expenditure through the budgetary framework
Page(s): 213-215 Date of Publication: 19 November 2020
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Extensively researched work for quite a long time additionally in progress all through the globe in concrete technology innovation in discovering alternative materials which can partially replace ordinary Portland concrete (OPC) and which can likewise meet the necessities of strength and durability execution of modern industrial by-products like Micro-silica (M-S), ground granulated blast furnace slag, fly ash, metakaolin, rice husk and so forth presently named as complimentary cementitious materials (CCM) encouraging. The Present experimental test is completed in the enhancement of a Ternary Blended Cementitious system dependent on Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)/GGBS/M-S for the improvement of Ternary Blended Concrete. In this current investigation study strength properties Compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength of M50 grades of cement concrete with the utilization of micro-silica (0%, 2%,4%, 6%, 8%, and 10%) as partial replacement of cement concrete was studied.
Page(s): 216-220 Date of Publication: 19 November 2020
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The studies examined the cost and returns analysis of okra marketing in Ijebu North Local Government Ogun State Nigeria. The socio economic characteristics of the respondents, cost and returns of okra marketing, the profitability of okra marketing and the problems affecting okra marketing in the study area were examined. Well-structured questionnaires were administered for primary data collection to seventy marketers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics while profitability of the enterprise was analysed using Gross Margin analysis (GM). Results showed that all (100%) of the respondents were female, (34.4%) of the respondents were within the age of 30-40 years while 1.4% were within the age of 60 and above. Majority (85.7%) of the farmers had first school leaving certificate and 68.6% were married, 78.6% had household size of 1-5 people, 52.9% of them had been in the business of okra marketing for 1-5 years (71.4%). The total revenue was ₦813,000 and total variable cost was ₦688, 866. 66k while the gross margin was ₦124,133.33 and benefit cost ratio was 1.18. It is therefore, concluded that okra marketing was a profitable agricultural business in the study area. Major constraints in okra marketing were lack of finance and transportation. In the light of the above findings of the this study, it was recommended that government should renovate the roads to the various farms where the marketers source for their stock and provide credit facilities to the marketers to enable them improve their profits.
Page(s): 221-226 Date of Publication: 19 November 2020
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New Schiff base ligand was synthesis via a condensation of the ligands in methanol. The Schiff base were synthesize in 1:2 molar ratio reactions.The complexes have been characterized on the basis of FTIR, electronic spectra, melting points, solubility and molar conductance. The invitro antibacterial activity of the complexes were tested using four bacteria strain; gram negative (Escherichia coli, salmonella typhi) and gram positive (staphylococcus pyogenes and staphylococcus aureus). The complexes were formed in good yield and they have various shades of colors and sharp melting points. The IR results for the HL1 synthesized schiff base revealed bands at 1621cm-1 which shifted to higher frequencies in the metal complexes 1622, 1626 and 1621 cm-1,. The band at 690, 666, 696 cm-1and 593, 549,579 cm-1(HL1), were assigned to (M-N) and (M-O) bands in the spectra of the complexes supporting coordination of Schiff base/ligands to respective metals.The electronic spectral data of the complexes suggest an Octahedral and tetrahedral geometry for all the complexes. The molar conductivity indicates that the synthesized complexes are all non-electrolytes and soluble in protic solvent such as methanol and ethanol. The invitro antibacterial screening of schiff base and its metal complexes showed that they are potential antibacterial agents against the tested microorganisms
Page(s): 227-231 Date of Publication: 20 November 2020
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This study is aimed at seasonal measurement of trace metals and physicochemical parameters of River Amba, Nasarawa State, North Central, Nigeria. The water data were collected during 2019 to 2020 from 3 sampling points distributed along the river. The physicochemical parameters analysed are pH, alkalinity, temperature, BOD, COD, conductivity and TDS. While, the trace metals in Mg/L are Pb, Cd, Zn, Mn, Fe and Cr. Trace metals during dry season ranges from 0.55 to 0.64, 0.41 to 0.45, 2.00 to 2.02, 0.20 to 0.22, 0.48 to 0.50 and 0.17 to 0.19 respectively. While during wet season, it ranges from 0.65 to 0.72, 0.55 to 0.65, 2.03 to 2.05, 0.22 to 0.25, 0.50 to 0.57 and 0.30 to 0.33 in that order. the result revealed that the mean concentrations of trace metals were above the permissive WHO/EU standards except for Mn and Zn in all the water samples irrespective of the season. Consequently, the physicochemical parameters analysed during wet and dry season are within the WHO recommended standard with exception of COD and BOD. The results indicate that seasonal change did not bring significant alteration in the parameters analyzed. In order to reduce the trace metals, laws should be enacted by the Governments to regulate the activities that take place in the river.
Page(s): 232-234 Date of Publication: 20 November 2020
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The work is aimed at comparing nutritional content of unfermented (boiled) and fermented African Locust Beans (Daddawa). The African locust beans (Parkia Biglobosa) were purchased from Alhamis Market, Tudun Gwandara, Lafia, Nasarawa State and were transported to the Hospitality Department of Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia for proximate analysis. The sample was divided into two equal parts (boiled and fermented African Locust beans). The following parameters were analysed: moisture content, ash content, crude fiber content, protein content, lipid (fat) content and carbohydrate content. Unfermented (boiled) African locust beans showed higher carbohydrate, crude fiber and ash content (36.4% – 21.9%, 4.50% – 3.50%, and 2.5% – 2.00%) respectively. While the fermented African locust beans (Daddawa) showed higher protein, fat and moisture content (36.50% – 30.00%, 10.50% – 8.50% and 26.1% – 18.1%) respectively. The significant differences noticed in all the samples (boiled and fermented African locust beans) could be due to the processing activities and subsequent fermentation process to produce Daddawa. Both samples are good sources of nutrient for human consumption. Local condiment should be encouraged because is natural.
Page(s): 235-236 Date of Publication: 20 November 2020
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The level of gaseous emissions (CO, NO2, SO2, H2S, and PM) was measured at four selected locations (Masaka, Ado, Aso and Mararaba Sharp-Corner) in Karu metropolitan area of Nasarawa State using handheld croncon gasman gas meter/detector and particulate monitor from morning to evening for 30minutes and readings were recorded for time zero (0) and then after each 2 minutes interval at each location for a period of three days. The level of emission recorded at the major road junctions are within the range of 20-30PPM, 5-6PPM, 0.1-0.3PP, 0.0-0.1PPM for PM, CO, NO2, SO2 and H2S in that order. This showed a concentration pattern for all the four sampling sites. The result established that the emissions levels of CO and PM in the metropolis especially morning and evening at Masaka and Mararaba sharp-Corner were higher than the permissive Nigeria air quality standard of 10ppm for atmospheric CO, 006ppm for NO2, 0.1 for SO2, 0.1 for H2S and 006ugm-3 for PM. These will have adverse health effect and may contribute to climatic change in the long term if unmitigated. To this effect, it is recommended that vehicle owners should stop using poor quality petrol and more roads should be constructed within the metropolis
Page(s): 237-249 Date of Publication: 20 November 2020
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A research conducted on domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) was carried out to determine heavy metal (Pb, Cu, Fe, Ni and Cd) levels in the pork meat (kidney liver and muscle) of domestic pig (S. scrofa domesticus) in Guyuk Metropolis, Adamawa State, Nigeria. Samples of the Sus scrofa domesticus Kidney, Liver, and Muscle (pork meat) were requested and bought from ten (10) different S. scrofa domesticus commercial sellers in Guyuk Metropolis, Adamawa State of Nigeria. The fresh samples were collected and stored in a sample bottle and were transported to Animal Production Laboratory Adamawa State University Mubi for digestion and determination of heavy metals concentration (chemical analysis). Determination of heavy metals was done using Buck Scientific 230 model, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The result reveals that, all the heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Fe, Ni and Cd) studied have the highest mean concentration in the Liver, 0.095±0.001mg/g, 0.086±0.001mg/g, 8.165±0.001mg/g, 0.022±0.001mg/g and 0.042±0.001mg/g respectively, followed by muscle 0.085±0.000mg/g, 0.538±0.001mg/g, 3.778±0.001mg/g, 0.011±0.000mg/g and 0.34±0.001mg/g respectively. The least mean concentration of these heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Fe, Ni and Cd) was found in the Kidney with 0.076±0.001mg/g, 0.255±0.001mg/g 0.943±0.001mg/g, 0.010±0.000mg/g and 0.022±0.001mg/g respectively and there was no significant difference of the mean concentrations of Fe, Ni and Cd at (P>0.05) in the organs of the S. scrofa domesticus studied. But there are significant differences of the mean concentration Pb and Cu at (P>0.05) in the organs of the S. scrofa domesticus studied. Female S. scrofa domesticus has higher mean concentration of all the heavy metals than the male S. scrofa domesticus sampled. All the studied heavy metals concentrations were just slightly above the permissible limit set by FAO/WHO. Therefore consumption of pork meat should be minimized to avoid bioaccumulation and biomagnification of these heavy metals. Furthermore, domestic pigs (S. scrofa domesticus) should not be on free range to avoid unnecessary feeding on feeds that contained high amount of heavy metals.
Page(s): 250-255 Date of Publication: 21 November 2020
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Employee retention strategies refers to systematic programs, practices and policies created to address the diverse employee needs by an organization that are targeted at developing employee loyalty. Effective human resource management is key in securing and retaining highly qualified and competent employees. Organizations make great efforts to attract workers and sustain their workforce. This study aimed to assess the effect that employees’ demographic variables namely age, gender, education level and years of engagement on employee satisfaction with retention strategies in the county assembly of Kilifi by adopting a cross –sectional study based on the objective of establishing the variations in employee’s satisfaction with retention strategies based on age group, gender, level of education and years of service. The study concludes that gender, and age groups significantly affect employee’s satisfaction with retention strategies while levels of education and years of engagement does not significantly affect employees’ satisfaction with the retention strategies. Finally, the study reveals that there is no significant difference both between and within the various groups of respondents on their views regarding being satisfied with the various retention strategies being adopted by the organization.
Page(s): 256-265 Date of Publication: 23 November 2020
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Background: Municipal or household wastes are often generated from several sources where variable human activities are encountered. This study is to conduct waste characterization survey at solid waste dumpsites around markets, Semi- industrial and residential areas Materials and Method: On the spot site waste segregation with the use of human scavengers was conducted at each of the fifteen (15) waste dumpsite. The major equipment used are: 25liters plastic bucket, medium size weighing scale of 0 to 150kg range and hand shovel, Data were obtained in percentages of the total solid waste at each of the dumpsites. The mean percentages as per each classified dumpsite were graphically analyzed. Results: At Market dumpsites, dominant waste constituents were: Plastic bottles and food/organic > Polyethylene nylon > paper > glass bottles. Whereas in the semi- industrial areas: Plastic bottles >Polyethylene nylon > food waste > Paper. In the residential area, the major constituents were: Food/organics 30% > Polyethylene nylon 25% > Plastic bottles 22% > paper 15% > Glass 5%. Conclusion: Waste characterization survey shows that Food/organic, paper, plastics, polythene are the major constituencies at all solid waste dumpsites. Batteries and bulbs also occur but small in quantity.
Page(s): 266-271 Date of Publication: 23 November 2020
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Globally, there seems to be a performance crisis in both public and private sector organizations occasioned by the need to produce more for less, thus raising the appetite for efficiency leading to the need for evaluation mechanisms to help assess the performance of organizations or programs that are quite inadequate. This study adopted an empirical review of various studies that has been undertaken to consider organizational factors that significantly impact employees’ performance and developed various hypotheses that are intended to help in the development of a framework of factors that organizations should focus on if they have to significantly improve on their employee’s performance levels. The study considered available literature and specific studies undertaken to establish the relationships between employee’s performance and specific organizational factors and thereafter developed a series of hypotheses. The study concludes that knowing what organizational factors influence employee productivity is a prerequisite to improving overall organizational performance. For organizations to enhance employee performance and improve their productivity both as individual employees and the overall organization, there is a need to focus on improving their training programs so as to address the immediate and future employee skills and knowledge requirements. Organizations should also enhance their employee motivation programs, career development initiatives, and recognition systems. Organizations should also enhance their performance appraisal systems and organizational leadership structures and skills. Additionally, organizations should inculcate positive thinking and attitude as well as a culture of openness. Teamwork and willingness to enhance performance in their employees in order to enhance their performance
Page(s): 272-280 Date of Publication: 24 November 2020
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Background: Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (MRDTs) are potential breakthrough in the provision of accurate diagnosis in remote areas, but widescale use is hampered by uncertainty over accuracy under field conditions. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are central to fulfilling the WHO’s recommendation for parasitologic confirmation of all suspected cases of malaria. RDT performance may be compromised when exposed to the high temperature conditions typical of most malaria endemic regions. However, a systematic method to monitor RDT quality and performance in endemic countries is lacking at the present time. Current methods to monitor RDT performance in the field include comparing results from RDTs to diagnoses made by light microscopy and observing health workers perform tests. These methods are not substitutes for direct quality control. Positive Control Wells (PCWs), which contain recombinant malaria parasite antigen, are a novel method for addressing this need for quality assurance. In this study, the suitability of PCWs as quality control kit for malaria RDTs quality assurance testing was evaluated. Objective: Assess the performance of malaria RDTs using Positive Control Wells and compared with highly characterized Quality Control samples in the case management of malaria. Method: A total of thirty-five malaria RDTs compromising of twenty-four Histidine rich protein II, five Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase and three Plasmodium falciparum/ Plasmodium vivax Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests were monitored for their performance in the field using Positive Control Wells (PCWs) The CTK Positivia Malaria Ag Rapid Test Assay Control kit with Catalog Number C0010 PCWs (Produced by CTK Biotech, Inc. 10110 Mesa Rim road, San-Diego, CA 92121 USA), and then compared with highly characterized Quality Control (QC)samples. Thermal stability was also assessed after one month of storage at elevated temperatures of 35, 40 and 45oC in the incubator and humidity. The QC samples were diluted to different parasitaemia dilutions (2000, 1000, 200, 150, 100 and 50parasites/microliter of blood {µL}) and then tested with the same MRDTs used to evaluate the performance of the PCWs and to determine the antigen concentration of the PCWs. The wells were reconstituted with buffer for both the positive and negative control wells. Results: All the thirty-five MRDTs used to perform this evaluation all gave a positive results, but with different test line intensity ranging from 0.5+ to 3+. The P. falciparum specific lines showed more intensity than the pan-specific lines. At elevated temperature, the RDTs also gave positive results, but negative when the PCWs were kept for longer period. Conclusion: This study confirmed that positive control wells have a potential place in routine management of malaria, filling an important gap in ensuring the quality of diagnosis to guide the delivering of potentially life-saving treatment.
Page(s): 281-294 Date of Publication: 25 November 2020
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This study examined the relationship between capital structure and dividend policy of listed conglomerate companies in Nigeria. An ex-post facto research design was used because secondary data were extracted from annual report and account of the companies for the period of eight years (2012 – 2019), robust GLS regression analysis was used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that debt to equity ratio has a negative and significant relationship with dividend payout ratio, debt to asset ratio has a negative and significant effect on dividend payout ratio of listed conglomerate companies in Nigeria. Firm size, and age have positive and significant relationship with dividend payout ratio. However, Return on assets (ROA) has a positive but non-significant relationship with dividend payout ratio. The study conclude that debt serve as a monitoring mechanism to the absentee owners, hence its influence on the capital structure of business organization cannot be underestimated because of tax advantages. It is therefore recommended that management should only accept debt covenant that will enable them to pay dividend to shareholders.
Page(s): 295-299 Date of Publication: 25 November 2020
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This descriptive survey investigated the strategies used by principals to motivate teachers in Secondary schools in Ekomdo Titi Sub Division, Ndian Division of the South West Region of Cameroon. It intended to answer one research question; “What strategies do principals in secondary schools in Ekondo Titi Sub Division use to motivate teachers? Data were collected from 140 teachers and 7 principals through the use of a questionnaire made up of structured items and were analyzed using the statistical package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. Open-ended items were thematically analyzed. The strategies used by principals to motivate teachers in Secondary schools include issuing certificates of recognition; assigning teachers to represent principals in official meetings; awarding prizes for hard work; recommending teachers for promotion and involving teaching in decision making that affects them. Based on these findings it was recommended as follows: principals need to adopt practices that show they trust teachers, promote greater collaboration between teachers, give timely feedbacks and serve as role models.
Page(s): 300-308 Date of Publication: 27 November 2020
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Groundwater detection and supply in underlain crystalline basement complex rocks involves and require satellite image’s lineaments discernment, detection, classification, mapping and analyses of l their patterns and orientation in region of Talata Mafara, Zamfara State, North Western Nigeria. This study is carried out as application of remotely sensing techniques for discernment and mapping of lineament for efficient ground water exploration and management. The primary data used is Groundwater detection and supply in underlain crystalline basement complex rocks Landsat Mss –ve image transparency while the secondary data are geological maps, hydrological maps and topographic maps.. In this study, procum-2, an optical mechanical device to manually interpreted the digitally processed image, the basic element of interpretation which are jointly used for lineaments discernment, classification, mapping and analysis for structural map production. The extracted lineaments are statistically further analyzed to determine their lengths densities, intersections and orientations, and the result obtained is used to generate structural map for lineament density, frequency, direction and intersection, and represented with Rose diagram. The relationships of the mapped lineaments are synthesized from the registered image features as projected onto a topographic base map of the study area based on geologic and geomorphic interpretation and supported with ground truthing. The lineament analysis indicated that the area has numerous long and shot fractures whose structural strength are mainly in the NNE-SSW directions at an angle of 10-eas30o. The cross-cutting and intersectional lineaments are relatively high in areas around North-East, Central and South-East locations, (are projected to be productive hydrologic zones in the study area) and are relatively low in the other areas. The lineaments mapping led to delineation of ground water localised zones and are mostly feasible for further geo-physical survey, prospecting for sitting of productive and sustainable supply boreholes. It is found that of the 20 (with 4 in each segmented parts A-E) boreholes sunk in the prospective zones 15 constituting 75% of the total (with 3 in each segmented parts A-E) are found to be productive.
Page(s): 309-316 Date of Publication: 27 November 2020
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Building a resilient global supply chain is a prominent theme in the recommended strategies for managing disruptions of the scale brought by the COVID-19 Pandemic. This work is a systematic review of the history of pandemics in the past 100 years and their relation with the global supply chain and the economy at the time. It queries the weak link in the global supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic and identifies lessons to shape the design of future global supply chains. In the review, the causes of the pandemics and impacts via trade routes and other economic factors were compared. We also compared the pandemic severities and economic impacts on most affected countries. Tracking the global supply chains route and travel routes is a key lesson for countries trying to contain and mitigate future pandemics. The COVID-19 challenge has begun to reengineer global supply chains and we concluded with a recommendation of re-identifying the weakest links, consider distributed or decentralized supply chain networks and consider Africa and the global south as an alternative for resilient global supply chain post-COVID-19.
Page(s): 317-323 Date of Publication: 27 November 2020
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Abandoned housing projects characterised many urban and suburb zones in developing nations of the world. But the situation seems not to be evident in urban and periphery centres of developed nations. However, this article researched the causes and complications of housing abandonment in Port Harcourt urban environment of Nigeria. The questionnaires method and physical observation were the sources of data in respect of this investigation. While analysis of variance (ANOVA) and standardized coefficient (beta) regression forms the investigation implements. The finding revealed that loss of job opportunities (t =12.221, P=0.001 <0.05) high cost of building materials (t =8.757, P =0.00<0.05), death of housing owner/developer (t = 4.882, P =0.001), flood disaster and litigation (t =8.886, P = .001) insecurity and government policy (t = 4.325, P =.003) are the major causes of housing abandonment. The work continued and released that poor environment quality, depreciation of property value, hazard and hazardous environment, vicinity deterioration, poor spatial appearance) are the significant complications of the scattered housing abandonment at (R = 0.863). It’s the opinion of this article that regional government should develop policies geared towards the time border for housing development in all neighbourhoods to liberate the area from serving as a dumping ground for different classes of uncompleted houses that decline the environmental aesthetics and neighbourhood arrangement.
Page(s): 324-329 Date of Publication: 27 November 2020
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