Nnamdi Azikiwe University Journals
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Analysis of Factors Influencing the use of ICT Among Cassava Farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria
No full textThe study examined factors influencing the use of ICT among cassava value chain actor (farmers) in Anambra State. A well-structured questionnaire was used to obtain relevant information from respondents. A total of 109 respondents constitutes the sample size, which were selected through simple random sampling technique. The study revealed that 39.4% of the respondents were within age of 21-40 with majority (59.6%) were male, had household size of between 1-5 persons and majority (60.2%) were First School Living Certificate (FSLC) holders. Majority (63.3%) of the respondents had farming experience of above 10 years. The study also revealed that the major perceived effects of use of ICT on respondents were timely weeding (x̄=4.34), information on land use ((x̄=4.22) and helped in information dissemination (x̄=4.17). Major constraints to use of ICT by respondents were erratic power supply (x̄=3.94) and high cost of ICT facilities (x̄=3.89). The multiple regression analysis shows that age, household size, cost of ICT servicing, cost of ICT equipment, government policies had negative and significant effect on the use of ICT on farmers while education and farming experience had positive and significant effect on the use of ICT on farmers. It is therefore recommended that farmers should be trained on the usage of ICT and they should be made to understand the relevance of ICT tools in agricultural production to improve their welfar
Perceived Effects of Deforestation among Households in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria
No full textThe study examined the effect of deforestation among Awka south local government household of Anambra state. Specifically, the study described the socio-economic characteristics of households, the level of awareness of deforestation, causes of deforestation and its effects. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 90 households. Data was obtained using structured questionnaire. The study revealed that 64.44% were female while 35.56% were males. The mean age of the respondent was 40.44, 54.44% were married, the average household size was 3.6, 36.67% attained primary education and 82.22% practice farming as their main occupation. The level of awareness showed that 68.88% were aware of desertification as the most common cause of deforestation. 80% of the respondents stated that the major cause of deforestation was for cutting of woods for cooking. 35% of the respondents held that demand for wood in the study area is the major cause of deforestation, 27% of the respondent posited that increase in population could be attributed as the major cause of deforestation, 15% of the respondent posited that urbanization was the major cause of deforestation. The mean of the variables shows that increase in surface temperature (2.35), Extinction of Non-Timber Forest Product, desertification (2.57) and increased erosion (2.37) are the effects deforestation in the study area. Various recommendations were proffered; Enactment of laws to discourage indiscriminate deforestation, government should encourage afforestation campaign this will help to encourage people to plant more trees to reduce environmental hazards such as erosion, global warming due to greenhouse gas emission, inclusion of the expertise of extension personnel in training and awareness of deforestation in the study area
ANALYSIS OF THE FACTORS AFFECTING THE SIZE OF PUBLIC HEALTHCARE EXPENDITURE IN NIGERIA
No full textDespite the Abuja Declaration of 2001, where the African Union heads of state pledged to allocate at least 15% of annual budgeted expenditure to the health sector, none of these countries including Nigeria has been able to honor that pledge. This study examines the factors influencing public healthcare expenditure in Nigeria from 1985 to 2022. Nigeria, despite having one of the largest populations in Africa and significant healthcare needs, has seen public healthcare expenditure that is insufficient to meet growing demands. This is particularly concerning given Nigeria\u27s low life expectancy, high maternal and child mortality rates, and poor ranking on the Human Development Index. Drawing on Wagner\u27s theory of public expenditure, this research explores the impact of income growth, healthcare prices, public infrastructure development, and population healthiness (measured by life expectancy) on public healthcare expenditure. Using time series data sourced from various publications, the study employs Augmented Dickey-Fuller and Phillips-Perron tests to ensure stationarity, followed by Johansen’s co-integration test. An ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model is applied to estimate the effects of these variables on public healthcare expenditure. The findings show that public healthcare expenditure had a positive relationship to each of the explanatory variables, except life expectancy at birth, which showed a negative sign. The hypotheses tested also suggest that only price of healthcare impact on public healthcare expenditure is significant at 5% level. The study advocated for policies that would improve economic activities, reduce price of healthcare, improve infrastructural development, and increase life expectancy as measures that would ensure optimal size of public healthcare expenditure in Nigeria
Effect of Content Marketing on Customer Patronage of Online Shops
No full textThis research examined the effect of content marketing on customer patronage of online shops. The study\u27s objective was to determine the significant impact of content marketing on customer patronage. A cross-sectional design was adopted, and primary data were collected using a structured online questionnaire. As it was not possible to obtain the total population for the study, the Cochran formula was employed for sample size determination with an unknown population. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 384 online customers in Abia State, Nigeria. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The analysis revealed that content marketing had a significant positive effect on customer patronage of online shops. Based on these findings, the study concluded that content marketing significantly enhances customer patronage. Among the recommendations, it was suggested that online shops should focus more on the quality and relevance of their advertisements rather than on their quantity
Collaborative Marketing and Online Purchase Behaviour of Consumers in South-South Nigeria
No full textThis present study examined the empirical link between collaborative marketing and online purchase behaviour of consumers in South-South, Nigeria. The study adopted cross-sectional survey and correlation designs. The study employed cluster sampling to survey 400 active online consumers at Jumia and Konga collection centers in South-South Nigeria. The questionnaire was used as source of primary data to elicit response from the participants. The Spearman Rank Order Correlation Coefficient statistical tool was employed for the bivariate analysis to test the three hypotheses. The findings revealed that information sharing, content sharing, and personalization significantly influence online purchase behaviour of consumers in a positive way. Based on the findings, the study concludes that collaborative marketing increases online purchase behaviour of consumers in South-South, Nigeria, through information sharing, content sharing and personalization. Therefore, the study recommends that e-retailers should incentivize online consumers to encourage them to make brand reviews, recommendations and ratings regarding their shopping experience, since consumers cannot physically feel or touch the product to ascertain its quality. Finally, e-retailers should strive to personalize shopping experience with relevant product suggestions, targeted offers, personalized messages like gratitude to customers, birthday or special event messages as a way of strengthening brand relationshi
Spatial Telecommunication and GIS Viewshed Analysis of Cellular Network Towers within Nasarawa Town
No full textEffective telecommunication is essential to the economic growth of any settlement. Spatial telecommunication, encompassing cellular networks, satellite communication, and wireless internet access, relies heavily on the strategic placement of cell towers/masts to ensure optimal signal coverage. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) offer powerful tools for analyzing these spatial relationships between the location of the towers and signal coverage. This study explores the synergy between spatial telecommunication and GIS viewshed analysis, a technique that identifies areas visible from a specific vantage point obtained by integrating viewshed analysis with other geospatial data which help telecommunication companies to optimize network design, minimize infrastructure costs, and bridge the digital divide in geographically challenging areas. It also uses GIS viewshed analysis to scrutinize the signal coverage of the four major telecommunication networks in Nasarawa town. The study area has seven districts namely Tammah, Gunki, Oversea, Cikin Gari (Main Town), Unguwan Biri, Student Village and Mangoro Goma in which at least three masts were identified and studied in each. The study used GPS field survey and On-Site questionnaire methods to gather data. The handheld GPS devices was use to pinpoint the exact locations of all the telecommunication towers in the study area. Interviews were conducted at each tower location to collect additional details about the towers themselves and their network operators. A total of twenty-two (22) telecommunication towers/mast belonging to four major telecommunication operators namely Mobile Telecommunications Network (MTN), Airtel, Globacom Limited (GLO) and 9Mobile (formerly Etisalat Nigeria) were identified and used for this study. Results shows that Globacom network towers were better spatially distributed with its signal covering 31% of the study area, followed by Airtel, MTN and 9Mobile with 26%, 23% and 20% respectively. Globacom produce the highest signal coverage due to a greater number of independent cellular network tower. Rural areas around Nasarawa town often lack access to quality telecommunication infrastructure. GIS analysis can identify underserved communities, guiding strategic telecommunication tower placement to bridge the digital divide and promote equitable economic opportunities. By examining Nasarawa as a study area, we were able showcase the transformative potential of GIS viewshed analysis in driving economic development and paving the way for a more digitally connected future. The study finally paved way for telecommunication tower optimization and efficient network coverage
Effect of size heterogeneity on the growth and production economics of African Catfish
No full textThis study aimed to evaluate the impact of size heterogeneity on the growth and production economics of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus). The experimental fish were divided into two treatment groups - homogenous and heterogonous - with different feeding time intervals morning hour (08.00am) afternoon hour (1:00pm) and evening hour (6:0pm) respectively. Each treatment had two replicates with 20 fish per replicate. The fish were fed with a commercial feed (coppens) at 5% for 8 weeks and 3% (for 8 weeks) of their body weight to the end of the experiment. The results showed significant differences (p<0.05) in the growth rate, and economic aspects of the experimental fish. The heterogeneous group had the highest growth rates in various parameters, while the homogenous group had the highest in most economic indices. The cost implication of feeding the fish varied significantly, with the highest cost at the prevailing market price for the homogenous group. The survival rate remained consistent across the two treatments. The length-weight regression analysis showed that the b-values of 2.112 (Homogenous) and 1.945 (Heterogeneous) exhibited negative allometric growth for the different treatments. The study also revealed a strong positive correlation coefficient for C. gariepinus, indicating a strong association between length and weight. The study also found significant differences in the total cost of feed consumed by the fish, indicating that despite differences in the cost of fish and feed used, the profit would still be high and the feeding methods used were also economical
Production and characterisation of corn chaff briquette using cassava starch and gum Arabic as binders
No full textThis study was undertaken to determine the production and characterisation of corn chaff briquettes using cassava starch and gum Arabic binder. The wet corn chaff was sun-dried to a moisture content of 12%; it was milled using a hammer miller and sieved using a 2 mm particle-size mesh screen for consistency purposes. The briquette samples were produced by separately mixing 60 g of corn chaff with starch and gum Arabic at binder levels 10, 15, and 20 g. The experiment was conducted to determine physical properties (density, moisture content, stability, and shatter index) and proximate analysis (volatile matter, ash content, fixed carbon, and calorific value). The data collected was analysed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) in a completely randomized design (CRD) at p<0.05. The results show that binder type and binder level significantly influenced the briquettes\u27 moisture content, ash content, and calorific value. The highest density of 495.87 kg/m3 was obtained at 20 g in starch-bonded briquettes. Similarly, starch-bonded briquettes at 10 g had the highest shatter index of 99.68%. On the other hand, gum arabic-bonded briquettes at 20 g had the lowest moisture content of 5.56% at 10 g binder level; the briquette recorded the lowest ash content, highest fixed carbon and calorific value of 1.36%, 85.11%, and 33.67 MJ/kg1 respectively. Therefore, gum Arabic briquette proves to have a higher energy value than starch briquette, while in terms of binder level, 10 g proves better. However, corn chaff could be recommended as a good and acceptable feedstock to achieve sustainable energ
ADOPTION OF DEVICE MANAGEMENT POLICIES AS TECHNIQUE FOR FRAUD PREVENTION BY MANAGEMENT STAFF IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN BAUCHI STATE
No full textThis study ascertained adoption of device management policies as technique for fraud prevention in tertiary institutions in Bauchi State. One research question guided the study and one null hypothesis was tested. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 696 management staff working in the six public tertiary institutions in Bauchi State. No sample was used because the population size was manageable for the researcher. A 13-items structured questionnaire was used. The instrument was validated by three experts. To determine the internal consistency of the items, Cronbach Alpha was used to determine the reliability co-efficient value of 0.79. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while Analysis of Variance was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 alpha levels. The findings of the study revealed that management staff disagrees on adoption device management policies as technique for fraud prevention in tertiary institutions in Bauchi State. Management staffs’ years of working experience do not significantly influence their mean ratings on the adoption of device management policies as technique for fraud prevention in tertiary institutions in Bauchi State. The study concluded that the device management policies as technique in the study are not adopted by management staff for fraud prevention in tertiary institutions in Bauchi State. It was recommended among others that business and office education lecturers should therefore ensure that data security management techniques such as device management policies are taught to their students when teaching about techniques for reducing fraud and are included in their business education curricula for the training of business education in tertiary institutions
CAREER ASPIRATION OF VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICALEDUCATION STUDENTS: THE IMPORTANCE OF MOTIVATION, SENSE-OF-SELF AND INTEREST
No full textThis study explored the relationship between three independent variables (interest, motivation, andsense of self) and career aspiration of Vocational and Technical Education Students. Threehypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Correlational survey design was adopted for the study. Students from all the eight technical colleges in Ogun State constituted the population for the study. Atotal of 100 technical college students, selected through simple random sampling, eventuallyparticipated in the study. Sense of self scale, Jackson Vocational interest inventory, Motivationforoccupational preference scale, and Career Aspiration Scale - Revised were used for datacollection. Cronbach Alpha was used to estimate the reliability of the instruments, the fourinstruments yielded reliability coefficients of 0.73, 0.81, 0.83 and 0.79 respectively. Thequestionnaires were collected immediately after administration. Mean, standard deviation, andPearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to analyse the data. The study showedthatthere is a significant relationship between sense of self and career aspiration of vocational andtechnical education students. There is a significant relationship between motivation and careeraspiration of Vocational and technical education students. Furthermore, there is a significantrelationship between interest and career aspiration of Vocational and technical education students. Based on these findings, it was recommended that measures should be taken to improve sense of selfof students in vocational and technical colleges to enable them understand their strengths, weaknesses, values, and beliefs. Also, efforts should be made towards increasing students’ motivation to excel intheir vocational and technical education program and set high career aspirations. Furthermore, vocational counselling and guidance services should be provided and strengthened in all schools toascertain students’ vocational interest and also improve their sense of self