Research Articles (SPGRS)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12280/354

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Antimicrobial Properties of Grape Fruit, Pawpaw and Black Pepper Extracts on Organisms associated with Fish Spoilage
(African Journals Online, 2009) George F. O. A.; Ephraim, R. N.; Obasa, S. O.; Bankole, M. O.
On average, Nigeria loses 30- 0% of its fi sh harvest to spoilage. This exacerbates her fi sh demand- supply gap; hence the need to devise means of miti gati ng the spoilage. This paper reports the fi ndings of a study that delved into the anti microbial properti es of Grape Fruit (Citrus paradisa), Pawpaw (Carica papaya) and Black Pepper (Piper guineese) extracts on organisms associated with fi sh spoilage. In the study, the anti microbial eff ect of fi ve concentrati ons (0.1, 0.2., 0.3, 0.4 and 0. g/ml) of ethanolic, cold and hot water extracts of these plants on spoilage organisms associated with catf ish (Clarias gariepinus) were assessed, through measuring inhibiti on zones, using the cup plate diff usion method. The inhibiti on zones were found to signifi cantly diff er, across extracti on method; plant material and extract concentrati on. Hot water was found to be the best extracti on method, with a mean inhibiti on zone of 4.42 + 0.38mm; followed by ethanolic and cold water methods, with 3. + 0. mm and 0. 0 + 0.1 mm respecti vely. Among the plant materials, grape peel had the best anti microbial acti vity, with a mean inhibiti on zone of 3.70 + 0.40mm against the eleven microorganisms tested, followed by black pepper (2.68 + 0. 2mm) and then pawpaw seed (2.1 + 0.32mm).
Challenges and Counselling Needs of Sickle Cell Patients Attending University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital
(African Journals Online, 2012) Yahaya, L. A.; Durosaro, A.; Nuhu, M. A.
This study investigated the challenges and counselling needs of sickle cell patients attending the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) Kwara State, Nigeria. Purposive sampling was used to select 120 literate regular and non-regular patients of the hospital. A researcher developed instrument titled “Challenges and Counselling Needs of Sickle Cell Patients Questionnaire” (CCNSPQ) was used to elicit information from these participants. Five research questions raised in the study were answered using frequency counts, means and ranking and Analysis of Variance was used to test the hypotheses formulated at the .05 level of confidence. The findings showed that excessive bone, abdominal and chest pains are the major challenges confronting the respondents while occasional embarrassment due to unexpected sickness accompanying sickle cell disorder and stigma are the most serious counselling needs. There was no significant difference in the challenges of sickle cell patients based on age but the respondents had significantly different counselling needs. Therefore, it is recommended that guidance and public health education be put in place to reduce the stigmatisation of sickle cell patients. In addition, wellequipped clinics should be provided to facilitate early treatment. Genetic Counselling should also be provided both in the school and the community to prevent future occurrence of sickle cell disorder.
Closing the HIV and AIDS “Information Gap” Between Children and Parents: An Exploration of Makerspaces in a Ugandan Primary School
(MDPI, 2020-07-23) Kendrick, Maureen; Namazzi, Elizabeth; Becker-Zayas, Ava; Tibwamulala, Nancy Esther
In this study, we address the research question: “How might child-created billboards about HIV and AIDS help facilitate more open discussions between parents and children?” The premise of our study is that there may be considerable potential for using multimodal forms of representation in makerspaces with young children to create more open dialogue with parents about culturally sensitive information. Drawing on multimodal literacies and visual methodologies, we designed a makerspace in a grade 5 classroom (with students aged 9–10) in a Ugandan residential primary school. Our makerspace included soliciting students’ knowledge about HIV and AIDS as part of a class discussion focused on billboards in the local community and providing art materials for students to explore their understandings of HIV and AIDS through the creation of billboards as public service announcements. Parents were engaged in the work as audience members during a public exhibition at the school. Data sources include the billboards as artifacts, observations within the makerspace, and interviews with parents and children following the public exhibition. The findings show that, for parents and children, the billboards enhanced communication; new understandings about HIV and AIDS were gained; and real-life concerns about HIV and AIDS were made more visible. Although these more open conversations may depend to some degree on family relationships more broadly, we see great potential for makerspaces to serve as a starting point for closing the HIV and AIDS information gap between children and parents.
‘The District Belongs to the Sons of the Soil’: Decentralisation and The Entrenchment of Ethnic Exclusion in Uganda
(An Afro-Asian Dialogue, 2016) Ssentongo, Jimmy Spire
Abstract: La décentralisation a été idéalisée comme l'un des mécanismes de gouvernanc eessentiels pour rapprocher les citoyens des services. En Afrique, celle de l'Ouganda a été considérée comme l'un des modèles permettant d'atteindre les idéaux de la décentralisation. Il y a été généralement admis que la décentralisation des pouvoirs décisionnels et la gestion des ressources par les petites unites améliorerait la prestation des services. Cependant, le potentiel de la decentralisation s'est avéré conditionné par le contexte, en particulier ses ramifications politiques. Parmi les particularités malheureuses de la décentralisation en Ouganda, on peut citer, comme l'a fait l'administration coloniale, que les districts (unites décentralisées) sont principalement issus de groups ethniques, ancrant ainsi la politique d'identité ethnique et les tendances conflictuelles d'exclusion. Une source potentielle de conflits reside dans la concentration du pouvoir sur les ressources au niveau du district, qui rend les positions politiques du district très attractives, ce qui augmente la concurrence. En accentuant la concurrence pour les ressources, la decentralisation paradoxalement déclenche l'obsession de l'appartenance, créant une dichotomie conflictuelle entre ceux qui appartiennent et ceux qui appartiennent moins. Ce document illustre cette trajectoire en utilisant le cas d'un district ougandais connu sous le nom de Kibaale qui a connu des tensions ethniques depuis sa création en 1991. La création du district pour traiter les «injustices historiques» est venu avec une psyché de propriété de la part des «autochtones», mettant ainsi en mouvement des revendications politiques basées sur l'autochtonie. Les dynamiques émergentes reconstituent la citoyenneté en créant des classes de «vrais citoyens» et d '«étrangers», détruisant ainsi la logique de la décentralisation. Le document plaide ainsi pour un cadre décentralisé qui, tout en étant sensible aux questions contextuelles, transcende les clivages ethniques pour des structures de gouvernance plus inclusives.
Effectiveness of Chlorinated Water, Sodium Hypochlorite, Sodium Chloride and Sterile Distilled Water in Killing Pathogenic Bacteria on Fresh Produce
(African Journals Online, 2010) Afolabi O. R.; Oloyede A. R.
This study evaluated the efficacy of chlorinated water, sodium hypochlorite solution, sodium chloride solution and sterile distilled water in eliminating pathogenic bacteria on the surfaces of raw vegetables. Lettuce vegetables were dipped in different concentrations of chlorinated water, sodium hypochlorite solution, sodium chloride solution and sterile distilled water for 1,2,3,4 and 5 minutes and analyzed microbiologically. Treatments of the vegetables with chlorinated water, sodium hypochlorite solution, salt water and distilled water did not eliminate the pathogens, but reduced their populations. The bacterial loads were reduced by 38.18 – 69.83% (chlorinated water), 23.74 – 69.13% (sodium hypochlorite solution), 31.62 – 79.0% (salt water) and 14.95 – 42.59% (sterile distilled water). The coliform loads were reduced by 41.2 – 68.9% (chlorinated water), 22.2 – 55.6% (sodium hypochlorite solution), 36.0 – 90.0% (salt water) and 22.2% - 40.0% (sterile distilled water). This suggests that very high concentrations of salt water could be useful in reducing pathogenic microorganisms in fresh produce.
Evaluation of Co-compost of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch and Cow Dung as Fertilizer in Oil Palm Nurseries
(African Journals Online, 2010) Olugbenga O. AdeOluwa
Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) is one of the readily available crop residues that can serve as cheap organic fertilizer source for crop. EFB-cow dung composts (EFB: cow dung ratios of 100:0, 80:20, 60:40, and 0:100) pre-treated by soaking in water, unsoaked and sole cow dung (all on dry weight basis) were incubated in an Alfisol under laboratory conditions for 10 months. These treatments were also used to raise oil palm seedlings in the nursery. Nutrient release pattern of unsoaked EFB: cow dung (60:40) was significantly (p<0.05) better than other EFB compost treatments. Correlation coefficient (r) between phosphorus released and ECEC with time of incubation were 1.00 and 0.98 (p<0.01) respectively. Unsoaked EFB cow dung (60:40) was as effective as mineral NPKMg fertilizer in enhancing plant dry matter accumulation and nutrient uptake.
Evaluation of Pathogenic Bacteria Associated with Fresh Produce obtained from Selected Markets in Abeokuta
(African Journals Online, 2011) Afolabi, O. R.; Oloyede, A.R.1; Ibrahim, T. A
The bacterial quality of eight types of fresh produce obtained from selected markets in Abeokuta was determined. Two hundred forty (240) samples of fresh vegetables were examined for aerobic plate counts, coliform counts, and presence of Escherichia coli, toxigenic Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp and Listeria spp. The aerobic plate counts ranged from 2.80 log10 cfu/g to 15.60 log10 cfu/g with the inner parts of cut- water melons having the highest value. Total coliform counts ranged from 0.0 to 11.80 log10 cfu/g. Pathogenic bacteria isolated were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp, Listeria spp, Shigella dysenteriae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Bacillus spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus spp. These pathogens were mostly found at the outer leaves/ parts of the vegetables and render unsafe for human consumption. This study shows that the outer parts/ leaves of fresh produce are heavily contaminated with pathogenic bacteria and the fresh produce should be pre- treated thoroughly, so as to reduce the risk of food- borne outbreaks.
Evaluation of the Blended Learning approach to Teaching Software Engineering
(African Journals Online, 2012) Bada, Joseph Kizito
This research presents experimentation of MOODLE course management system for teaching software engineering and process modelling to master’s degree students. The students used MOOLE for online discussions, assignments and for downloading lecture notes for a duration of four months. Thereafter, they evaluated the learning environment with questionnaires. The results indicate that MOODLE is a highly accepted learning management system for teaching and learning in a resource limited country. However, for a learning management system like MOODLE to be effectively implemented in a University setting, it is important for the University management to invest in the initial computer hardware equipment and Internet connectivity infrastructure to overcome technology barriers.
Followership in sub-Saharan Africa’s Development: Reconstructing the Appendage Game
(Brill, 2020-12-18) Nakabo, S. Robinah
To address the many challenges of development faced in sub-Saharan Africa, the concentration of attention upon defects of African governments in power continues to be a main focus, as failed leadership is regarded as the primary problem responsible for underdevelopment throughout the continent. Refocusing attention upon followership instead of leadership might provide a remedial alternative. Using critical reflexivity, the role that followership plays in development should be scrutinized just as leadership has been scrupulously evaluated; and if faults be found, let measures be designed, implemented, and assessed using development parameters of choice. ‘Followership’ in this essay depicts the capacity and power with which every individual is endowed; the proposal here is that by exercising that ability to impact their representatives in elected office, citizens can keep their leadership in check through a dialectical, reiterative protocol of initiative and response between leadership and followership. Inspired by Rousseau, the ideal of ‘liberated followership’ implies responsible individuals employing their civic freedoms to develop effective leadership, with the potential of ultimately realizing the socio-economic development that Africans so much desire.
Followership in Sub-Saharan Africa’s Development: Reconstructing the Appendage Game
(Brill, 2020-12-18) Nakabo, Robinah S.
To address the many challenges of development faced in sub-Saharan Africa, the concentration of attention upon defects of African governments in power continues to be a main focus, as failed leadership is regarded as the primary problem responsible for underdevelopment throughout the continent. Refocusing attention upon followership instead of leadership might provide a remedial alternative. Using critical reflexivity, the role that followership plays in development should be scrutinized just as leadership has been scrupulously evaluated; and if faults be found, let measures be designed, implemented, and assessed using development parameters of choice. ‘Followership’ in this essay depicts the capacity and power with which every individual is endowed; the proposal here is that by exercising that ability to impact their representatives in elected office, citizens can keep their leadership in check through a dialectical, reiterative protocol of initiative and response between leadership and followership. Inspired by Rousseau, the ideal of ‘liberated followership’ implies responsible individuals employing their civic freedoms to develop effective leadership, with the potential of ultimately realizing the socio-economic development that Africans so much desire.
Gender Equality in the Staff Composition of Higher Learning Institutions in Uganda: Gaps and Possibilities with Specific Reference to Uganda Martyrs University
(Journal of Science & Sustainable Development, 2010) Ssentongo, Jimmy Spire
This paper analyses gender equality in the composition of Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) staff—as of the close of 2008. The analysis focuses on the University’s policy and its implications for gender equality; the composition of the University’s staff by gender; and explanation of the possible reasons underlying the gender setting in the University. The paper employs Turner (1986)’s typology of equality in analysing equality. This is backed by social interactions approaches, which serve as the theoretical framework. Data were collected through informal interviews with staff of the University; observation; and analysis of the UMU Personnel Handbook 2008/2009 and the UMU Staff List as of 2008. The findings were that contrary to stereotypical exemptions of women from high positions in society, women occupy key positions in the University’s structure. Notwithstanding, representation of women in top management is far less than that of men and the composition of some job categories in the University’s establishment is indicative of the gender stereotyping typical of the Ugandan society. Like many institutions of higher education in Uganda, the University has no gender policy but mainly runs on an equal opportunities policy. Recommendations towards the resolution of these gaps are made.
Impact of Teacher Development Programmes on Teachers’ Attitudes towards MDG2: the Case of Abeokuta South Local Government
(African Journals Online, 2011) Oduwaiye, R. O.; Oyeniran, S.; Olujimi Olufemi, David
Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 2 focuses on attainment of universal primary education (UPE). Taking cognizance of the fact that attainment of the goal depends heavily on the attitudes and work of teachers involved in the delivery of primary education, this study delved into these teachers’ attitudes towards the goal as shaped by their involvement in professional development programmes, taking the case of Abeokuta South Local Government. The findings were that teacher development programmes improve teachers’ capacity and disposition towards attainment of MDG2. Pertinent recommendations for theory, policy and practice grounded on this finding are propounded.
Impediments to ICT-led Development in Nigeria: the Case of ICT ‘Illiteracy’ in Universities
(African Journals Online, 2010) Duze, Chinelo O.
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can play a major role in development. Accordingly, nations and institutions are making enormous efforts to promote their utilisation. In many of these efforts, it is taken for granted that once ICT facilities are acquired, they will be put to uses that are crucially relevant to development. This paper reports the findings of a study that brought this presumption to question, taking the case of knowledge and use of these technologies among 5118 students and 1509 academic staff of 97 universities in Nigeria. It reports that majority of the respondents and, by inference, people in Nigeria do not have the ICT competence required to harness the benefits that the technologies offer. Therefore, it is recommended that ICT and development policy makers at all levels in the country put the development of ICT competence at the centre of efforts to promote ICT-led development.
Implementation of Meaningful Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS (MIPA) in HIV/AIDS Programmes in Matobo District of Zimbabwe
(African Journals Online, 2011) Ndhlovu, Sifiso; Matunhu, Jephias
The HIV/AIDS pandemic is anti-development. It robs society of the resources that are akin to development. The MIPA is one of the programmes that have been put in place to help curb the pandemic in Zimbabwe. However, little appears to have been said about the effectiveness of the programme in Matobo District in Matebeleland South in Zimbabwe. This study evaluates the implementation of the programme. A mixed research design was used in the study. Semi-structured questionnaires were used in data collection. The theoretical framework of the study is a combination of the disclosure and the consequence theories of HIV/AIDS. The study concludes that implementation of the MIPA strategy in the district is not effective.
Local Language a Medium of Instruction: Challenges and Way Forward
(2018) Akello, Lucy Dora; Timmerman, Greetje M. C.
The paper reports on a participatory action research study conducted in six rural primary schools in Uganda in 2013 to establish why children taught in the local language had difficulties in reading and writing. Findings through interviews, focus group discussions, reviews of exercise books and lesson observations indicated that though it was easier for pupils to learn the concepts in the local language; challenges ranging from poor translation, inadequate teachers’ language proficiency, lack of instructional materials, high pupils’ enrolment, lack of administrative support and teachercentred approach of teaching, affected pupils’ learning to read and write. Participants recommended adopting the child-centred pedagogy, incorporating instructional materials, conducting continuous assessment and recording pupils’ competencies attained in reading and writing. Teachers need to engage more in Participatory action research in order to reflect on their practices and pupils’ learning, and collaboratively decide what works best and what needs improvement in their classrooms.
Management Strategies for Funding and Sustaining Early Childhood Education in Nigeria
(African Journals Online, 2011) Alabi, A. T.1; Ijaiya, N. Y. S.
This paper examined the existing management strategies for funding Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Nigeria with a view towards its better funding and sustenance. It recognised the commitment of the Nigerian Governments and the support of the community, individuals and foreign sponsors in funding ECE programmes. It argued that, nevertheless, much more needs to be done towards providing adequate funds for quality teachers/ caregivers, supply of appropriate facilities and stimulating learning materials as well as supervision of ECE programmes. Towards this end, increased government allocations, sustained international support, financial allocation to ECE teacher training institutions, equity funding and cost-sharing strategies were recommended.
Microbiological Safety of Ready-to-eat Foods Sold in Primary Schools in Abeokuta, South-West Nigeria
(African Journals Online, 2012) Afolabi, O. R.; Oloyede, A. R.; Obuotor, T. M.; Adegoke, L. M.; Adeleke, A. O.; Komonibo, T. O.
A study was conducted to assess the microbial safety of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods sold in private and public primary schools in Abeokuta, South-western Nigeria. One hundred and sixty RTE food samples were collected from forty food vendors in thirty primary schools and analysed microbiologically. Socio-economic status and their knowledge of food safety were assessed using the structured questionnaires. Total bacterial counts, total coliform counts and total fungal counts of RTE foods in public primary schools ranged from 6.27 log10cfu/g to 6.47 log10cfu/g, 6.00 log10cfu/g to 6.28 log10cfu/g and 5.85 log10cfu/g to 6.16 log10cfu/g respectively while those of private primary schools ranged from 6.30 log10cfu/g to 7.47 log10cfu/g, 6.15 log10cfu/g to 6.54 log10cfu/g and 5.60 log10cfu/g to 6.70 log10cfu/g respectively. Bacteria isolated from these samples were Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus spp, Enterobacter aerogenes, Shigella dysenteriae and Escherichia coli while the fungal isolates include Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Rhizopus spp, Penicillium viridicatum, Mucor spp and Fusarium spp. RTE foods sold in both private and public primary schools were found to be highly contaminated. Inappropriate storage conditions, inadequate knowledge of food safety, attitudes and practices of the food vendors are the factors that may allow the food contamination. These findings demonstrate that ready-to-eat foods vended in public and private primary schools in Abeokuta, South-western Nigeria constitute an hazard to the pupils’ health. Provision of health education to the vendors and enforcing implementation of appropriate hygienic practices would improve food quality.
Multilingual cultural resources in child-headed families in Uganda
(Taylor & Francis Group, 2014) Namazzi, Elizabeth; Kendrick, E. Maureen
This article reports on a study focusing on the use of multilingual cultural resources in child-headed households (CHHs) in Uganda’s Rakai District. Using funds of knowledge and sociocultural perspectives on children’s learning, we documented through ethnographic observations and interviews how children in four CHHs used multilingual cultural resources at home. Our findings show that children co-construct, re-appropriate and remix stories, songs, riddles and proverbs from their cultural environment in situated ways that are a response to the changing context of their social worlds. The study provides a window onto the unique production and use of multilingual cultural resources in CHHs, and further speaks to the need for educators and policymakers to better understand the critical role of siblings in their own learning of linguistic and cultural knowledge.
Need for Regulation of Assisted Reproductive Techniques in Africa
(African Journals Online, 2010) Kayode O. Fayokun, Kayode O.
Reproductive health and population control are part of the goals developing countries are called upon to pursue as part of the millennium development goals (MDGs). Indeed, population health is one of the parameters used in assessing progress towards achievement of these goals. Thus, assisted reproductive techniques, which provide a way out of infertility, are not only relevant to the discourse on reproductive health and population control but also to the discourse on development. In Africa, however, attitudes towards utilization of the techniques have not attracted commendable scholarly attention. This paper reports the findings of a study that attempted to close this gap, through investigating Africans’ attitudes towards the techniques, taking the case of Nigeria. It reports that while some people perceive the techniques as beneficial, others find their utilization offensive to their moral sensibilities. Subsequently, it is recommended that relevant authorities regulate the utilization of techniques.
Nigerian Federal Civil Service: Employee Recruitment, Retention and Performance
(African Journals Online, 2010) Gberevbie, Daniel Eseme
This study delved into the recruitment and retention of employees in the Nigerian Federal Civil Service (NFCS), to establish their impact on the effectiveness of the service. Data were collected through administration of questionnaires (to employees in the service) and structured interviews (with managers in the service). The findings were that employee recruitment into the civil service is based on federal character principle (i.e. equal representation of people from the geo-political zones of the country), merit and political considerations. In terms of employee retention, the study found that the service lagged behind in providing adequate incentives to retain its workforce for performance compared to what is obtainable from the private sector. Thus, the study recommends that, while the federal character principle is necessary (given the country’s “multi-ethnic,” religious and cultural diversity), its application should also pay attention to the merit of prospective employees. It is also recommended that the service raises its rewards to a level where they are competitive enough to attract and retain competent employees and enhance their performance.

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