Nnamdi Azikiwe University Journals
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The Impact of Noise-Induced Stress on Cognitive Development of Students and Its Implication for Academic Performance
No full textEnvironmental noise pollution is a significant stressor with lasting consequence for cognitive development and academic performance. Previously dismissed as irrelevant, noise is now recognized for triggering physiological stress responses, mainly through the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which result in increased cortisol levels and potential impairment of brain region responsible for memory and learning, such as the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. This paper explores the impact of noise-induced stress on cognitive development of students and its implication for academic performance. Drawing on recent research, the paper examines the various sources of noise in the school environment and how its impact contributes to stress response. It also explores the implications of noise-induced stress on cognitive abilities and performance outcome in academics. The paper finally, offered recommendations to mitigate noise-induced stress to foster healthy learning environment for optimum academic performance
Les Modèles d\u27Intonation dans l\u27Enseignement du FLE et les Technologies Vocales
No full textL’article examine le rôle essentiel de l’intonation dans l’organisation prosodique du français, tant au niveau syntaxique que pragmatique. Il propose une revue systématique des principaux modèles théoriques de l’intonation en français, notamment autosegmentaux, métriques et perceptifs, en s’appuyant sur les travaux de chercheurs tels que Hualde, Rosen, Bacelar et Cruse. Une analyse comparative permet d’évaluer la pertinence de ces modèles pour décrire la variété des contours intonatifs de l’oral. L’étude aborde aussi leurs applications pratiques, en particulier dans l’enseignement du FLE et les technologies de reconnaissance vocale. En mettant en lumière les points de convergence et de divergence entre ces approches, l’article fournit un cadre de référence utile aux chercheurs, enseignants et concepteurs d’outils linguistiques.
The article explores the essential role of intonation in the prosodic organization of French, affecting both syntactic structure and the transmission of pragmatic information. It presents a systematic review of the main theoretical models of French intonation - including autosegmental, metrical, and perceptual approaches - drawing on the work of researchers such as Hualde, Rosen, Bacelar, and Cruse. A comparative analysis evaluates how effectively these models account for the diversity of intonational patterns in spoken French. The study also examines practical applications, particularly in the teaching of French as a foreign language (FLE) and in speech recognition technologies, both of which must handle complex prosodic parameters. By highlighting the convergences and divergences among these approaches, the article offers a useful framework for researchers, educators, and developers of linguistic digital tools.
 
Meaning-Making in Political Cartoons on the 2023 Presidential Election in Nigeria: A Social Semiotic Interpretation
No full textThe paper analyses some selected political cartoons on the 2023 Presidential election in Nigeria. The objective is to unpack the multilayered meaning embedded in the political cartoons and to bring to the fore the societal ills and the short comings of our politicians. The data for the study comprises six (6) political cartoons selected purposively from the Nairaland Online Community, an internet forum for Nigerian political cartoons. The Visual Social Semiotics theory of Kress and van Leeuwen (1996, 2006) is adopted as the theoretical standpoint for this study. Meaning - Making in the selected political cartoons are analysed in three layers namely: representational, interactive and compositional metafunctions. This in-depth analysis revealed among other things such recurring themes as corruption, insecurity, political rivalry and electoral fraud. The cartoons stand as powerful critiques of these societal foibles; they raise the awareness of the populace and help them to make informed choices and to intelligently participate actively in Nigeria’s political discours
Humour Representation of Socio-Political Issues: Analysing Illocutionary Acts in some Nigerian Social Media Skits
No full textThe study examines the relationship between humour and illocutionary force in Nigerian social media skits, with particular attention to how digital comedy functions as a medium for socio-political commentary. Drawing on Searle’s (1969) Speech Act Theory, the study investigates how illocutionary acts are deployed in selected Nigerian skits to address pressing national concerns and stimulate critical reflection beyond entertainment. Adopting a qualitative approach, three purposively selected online skits – Fuel Scarcity Wahala, Letter to the Bigots, and Pressing Issues in the Senate, by Mr Macaroni and Lasisi were analysed. The videos, sourced from Facebook and Instagram, were transcribed, and twenty-nine utterances were examined. The analysis reveals four predominant categories of illocutionary acts – directives, assertives, expressives, and commissives, while declaratives were absent. The findings demonstrate that, despite their humorous framing, the skits perform significant socio-political functions by satirising issues such as governance, accountability, fuel scarcity, and electoral politics. Overall, the study shows that Nigerian skit makers strategically exploit illocutionary acts as pragmatic resources to initiate public discourse, promote social awareness, and interrogate power relations within the Nigerian socio-political context
A logico-semantic analysis of Prof. Kate Omenugha’s acknowledgement speech and the NUASS felicitation speech on the event of the professor’s nomination as a substantive Vice-chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University
No full textThis study examines the logico-semantic relations employed in Prof. Kate Omenugha’s acknowledgment speech and the NUASS felicitation speech delivered during her nomination as the substantive Vice-Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University. Anchored on Halliday’s Systemic Functional Grammar (SFG), specifically the ideational meta function that accounts for clause complexes and their logico-semantic relations, the study adopts a qualitative approach to identify and analyse the patterns of meaning-making within the speeches. The analysis reveals three dominant logico-semantic relations: elaboration, extension, and enhancement. Elaboration functions to clarify and intensify the presentation of Omenugha’s qualifications and accomplishments; extension introduces related ideas that broaden the context and underscore the significance of the nomination; while enhancement creates temporal and causal linkages, guiding the audience through the sequence of events and reinforcing their relevance. The findings demonstrate how these relations enhance coherence, persuasiveness, and rhetorical appeal in formal institutional discourse. The study underscores the strategic deployment of language in academic and ceremonial contexts, offering insights into the interaction between linguistic choices and institutional power relation
Data-Driven Decision Making and Competitive Advantage of Brewery Firms in the South-East, Nigeria
No full textThe ability to make informed decisions based on data has become a critical factor in achieving a competitive advantage. Manufacturing firms in South East Nigeria face numerous challenges, including fluctuating consumer preferences, supply chain disruptions, and intensifying market competition from both local and international brands. Despite the increasing availability of advanced data analytics tools and technologies, many of these firms still rely heavily on traditional decision-making approaches that lack precision and adaptability. The study examined the effect of Data-Driven Decision-Making on brewery firms\u27 competitive advantage in South - East Nigeria using firms in the brewery industry as the study area. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. From a population of 2170 senior employees of the brewery firms in the South - East Nigeria, a sample of 418 employees was determined using the Borg and Gall formula. The study made use of a structured questionnaire which was duly validated and tested for reliability using a test-re-test method. Major statistical tools of analysis were summary statistics of percentages, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis through the application of SPSS. Findings of the study indicate that there is a high adoption rate of data-driven decision making among the brewery firms in SE Nigeria. Specifically, adoption of data analytics tools, decision-making speed and data driven culture have a significant positive effect on competitive advantage of brewery firms in SE. Nigeria. The study concluded that the adoption of data-driven decision-making process promotes competitiveness among the brewery firms in South-East Nigeria by enhancing responsiveness, innovation and market share through customer satisfaction, loyalty and retention. The study recommends among others that brewery firms should prioritise data analytics training initiatives to enhance the quality of their data-driven decision-making in their respective organisations
RECORD MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY, ABRAKA, NIGERIA
No full textThe study examined record management practices and performance of Delta State University, Abraka. The specific objectives were to; examine nature of the relationship that exists between electronic management and performance of Delta State University and to determine the extent to which physical facility relates to performance of Delta state University’s record management. A descriptive study design was used. The target population was two hundred and fifty nine (259) members of staff in Delta State University, Abraka. A sample of one hundred and fifty seven (157) participants is selected through simple random sampling technique. Primary source of data was used to gather data for the study. OLS statistical analysis was also used to evaluate the effectiveness of the independent variables on the dependent variables. The result reveals that effective record management practices have significant and positive effect on performance of Delta State University. The study recommends that record keepers must stay up-to-date on current database applications, software and data security issues, so as to safeguard the sanctity of records and eliminate the nature of poor record keeping and that institutions should procure antivirus software and a constant Internet supply (for updates) to protect student academic records against viruses
INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY OF PLASTIC MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA
No full textThis study examined the relationship between innovation and sustainability of plastic manufacturing firms in Oyo State, Specifically, the study ascertained the relationship that exists between process innovation and operational sustainability, market innovation and financial sustainability of plastic manufacturing firms in Oyo State. Descriptive survey research design was employed with the use of structured questionnaire. This study was carried out in two plastic manufacturing firms in Oyo State which are Altak Plastic Limited and Black Horse Plastics Industry Limited, Ibadan. Five Hundred and Two (502) copies questionnaire were administered. The entire population was adopted as the sample size in this study. The data generated for this study were analysed with appropriate statistical techniques. The techniques included frequency, percentages and mean score. The Objectives were analysed using simple regression, where f-cal and f-tab with significance level 0.05 was used to test the hypotheses using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. The study found that there is a significant positive relationship between innovation (Process and market) and sustainability (operational and financial) of plastic manufacturing firms in Oyo State, Nigeria
Remote Work Arrangements and Employee Productivity of Fintech Firms in Lagos
No full textRemote work\u27s effect on productivity has been a topic of significant debate among scholars, business leaders, and employees. The study adopted descriptive design. The data for this study was collected using a well-structured questionnaire adopted the descriptive research design. Out of the 130 population which included junior level, Middle level, senior level and Executive level workers of Paystack Fin Tech Company, with headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria. A sample of 98 respondents was selected using the Taro’s formula. The collected data was analyzed using percentage analyses and the Pearson correlation was used to test the formulated hypotheses. The study found out that; there is a significant relationship between remote working condition and employee quality of work; there is a significant relationship between Information Technology and employees’ Problem solving skills; there is significant relationship between Remote work time and job satisfaction. The study concludes that remote work conditions, such as flexibility, autonomy, and technological support, can positively affect employee quality of work by enhancing productivity, motivation, and job satisfaction. The recommendation based on the findings are; Fin Tech companies should consider implementing remote work arrangement that provide flexibility and autonomy to employees; Employers of labour should ensure that the employees have the best technologies and software applications that facilitate improved working style
Comparative Analyses of Users and Non-Users Of Digital Platform and Traceability Technology (DPTT) in Maize Production in Cross River State, Nigeria
No full textComparative analyses of users and non-users of digital platforms and traceability technologies (DPTT) in maize production was studied. The study was undertaken to achieve the following objectives: identify DPPT used by maize farmers in the area, determine the factors influencing the output of maize production in the area and compare the output of maize farmers between users and non-users of DPTT in the area. Result of analysis showed that farm size, labour input, quantity of seed, educational attainment and access to credit were significant to influence the use of DPTT. The DPTT identified in the area included: information and communication technology (ICT), blockchain, radio-frequency identification (RFID), The Internet of Things (IoT), cloud-based databases, artificial intelligence (AL) and machine learning (ML). The mean output of users of DPTT in kg was 46,100.0000 while that of non-users of DPTT was 9,550.0000 kg. The large standard deviation for users (36,107.88 kg) suggested considerable variation in their output, while non-users show much less variation (6,082.55 kg). The study concluded that the use of DPTT had positive effect on maize production in CRS. Key factors such as illiteracy, cost of DPTT, interest rate, internet connectivity and electricity were found to significantly influence the use of DPTT. Overall, DPTT has played a role in reducing poverty among maize farmers in the area, further efforts are needed to address the ongoing challenges. Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations were made; government should encourage a platform where users of DPTT can share knowledge, practices, and experiences with non-users to encourage the later to adopt this method of agriculture and the government should facilitate farmers\u27 access to microfinance and low-interest loans, to enable them to acquire DPTT